Dorothy Nitschke

July 4, 1935 - May 27, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 11:00am - 3:00pm on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
 A service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, June 23rd, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Nitschke family.

Diane Elizabeth Murray Heffel

July 27, 1941 - May 26, 2025

Diane Elizabeth Murray Heffel passed away at age 83 on May 26, 2025 in Lodi, CA. She was born in Nevada City, CA on July 27, 1941 and raised in Sacramento. She attended Milo Academy in Oregon followed by Walla Walla University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She moved back to California as a public health nurse for Sacramento County and married Kenneth Heffel on August 23, 1964. They moved to Lodi in 1968, and she worked as an owner and administrator at Bechthold’s Convalescent Hospital on Fairmont Avenue for ten years. She and her husband Ken have been owners of Vienna Nursing & Rehab Center for over fifty years where she was also a nurse. She was a leader of a women’s Bible study for over ten years, elder, and sabbath school teacher at Fairmont SDA Church. She also was a Partner for the Lodi police department for ten years. She enjoyed baseball, reading, chocolate, and her poodle companions throughout her life. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Heffel, daughters Dana Davis and Kendra Lipka, grandchildren Hannah De Castro (Dr. Abel De Castro), Rachel Lipka, Sarah Lipka, William Davis, and Brett Davis. Private internment. Celebration of life Open House 1:00-4:00 June 8, 2025 Fairmont SDA church fellowship hall.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Heffel family.

Resty Sonico

May 17, 1952 - May 26, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 8:00pm with a rosary at 5:00pm on Friday, June 27th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

MASS
 Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church, located at 3847 N Sutter St, Stockton, CA 95204.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Sonico family.

Guadalupe Gomez

May 15, 1938 - May 23, 2025

ROSARY
 A rosary will be held at 4:00pm on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

MASS
 Mass will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 at St Christopher's Catholic Church, located at 950 S Lincoln Way, Galt, CA 95632. The final committal will follow immediately at the Galt Cemetery, located at 1104 Dorothy Ln, Galt, CA 95632.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gomez family.

Sharon K. Souza

Sharon K. Souza
July 1, 1952 – May 21, 2025

Sharon K. Souza was welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Born in Fresno, California, to Oscar and Louise Whiteley, Sharon spent most of her life in Lodi, where she and the love of her life, Rick Souza, built a home and a beautiful life together.

In 1970, Sharon met Rick Souza, a Marine preparing to deploy overseas. Within 15 days, they were engaged—a spontaneous and faithful start to a marriage that would last 54 years. Together, they raised three children and built a life centered on love, family, and faith.

Sharon was an artist at heart. She found joy in painting, drawing, quilting, crocheting, and especially writing. She authored several Christian fiction novels, sharing her faith and imagination with readers far and wide. Among her most beloved titles are Annie Walker and The Color of Sorrow Isn’t Blue. All of her titles can be found on her website: sharonksouza.com.

In the 1980s, Sharon worked as a teacher’s aide at Century Christian High School—a season she cherished deeply. The friendships she formed with fellow staff and students became lifelong connections that remained close to her heart.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. Sharon treasured time spent with her family and created a legacy of love, creativity, and unwavering faith.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Rick Souza; her daughters, Mindy Grant and Deanne (Justin) Barth; her grandchildren, Joshua Sanders, Haleigh Souza, Katelyn Barth, Jacob Souza, David Souza, Jayden Grant, and Abbie Grant; and her great-grandchildren, Kydan Kirkwood-Yates and Sawyer Barajas. She is also survived by her brother, Gary (Michelle) Whiteley; sisters, Janet Cerutti and Laura (Ken) Carter; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Whiteley, Louise Wells, and Bill Wells; her brother, John Whiteley; her twin sister, Karen Whiteley; her son, Brian Souza; and her son-in-law, Corey Grant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Home Adult Teen Challenge at www.fhtc.life.

SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, June 27th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Souza family.

Kenneth Dunham Sr.

March 28, 1934 - May 21, 2025

Kenneth Lee Dunham Sr. lived a wonderful life. He was born on March 28, 1934 to mother Ada Jones and father J.T. Dunham in Shamrock, Texas. Ken was the youngest of six siblings. He came from humble beginnings and spent much of his childhood traveling to California. In 1951, he enlisted in the Unites States Navy and served as a radarman in the Korean War for 4 years. Ken was a dedicated and loving husband to wife Lillian Dunham for 64 years. He supported his family as a telecommunications expert for Western Electric. Together, they raised 3 beautiful children and shared 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Ken was a man of God and the Lord led him to be a pastor and evangelist for most of his adult life. His prayers and guidance were a special blessing. In his free time Ken was a sports enthusiast and athlete. He enjoyed playing softball, golf, and bowling.  One of his favorite pastimes was rooting for the San Francisco Giants with his family and watching classic western movies. Most days Ken could be found tending to his vegetable garden. He loved his tomato plants, often growing them from seeds. Every year he would share his harvest with friends and family. Ken had a kind soul and a sharp wit. He was always happy to share a funny story or quote his favorite scripture. A shining light in this world, Ken will be dearly missed and live in our hearts forever.

Kenneth is survived by his 3 children Dawana Dozier, Kenneth Dunham Jr.(Patty), and Chris Dunham(Lisa). Grandchildren Matthew and Katie Dozier, Stephen Dunham(Angelica), and Kenny Dunham III(Mary), Andrew, Alex, and Josh Dunham. Great grandchildren Layla, Daniel, Rylee, Lily, and Waylon. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Reyna Seifert for all her years of kindness and support while caring for Mr. Ken.

SERVICE
 A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, July 18th, 2025 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.

A celebration of life and lunch will be held on July 19, 2025 at 11:00am at Ruakh(Calvary First Assembly). 8407 Kelley Dr. Stockton. Ca. All who knew Ken are welcome to attend.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Dunham family.

Pov Sem

April 7, 1969 - May 21, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
 A service will be held at 9:00am on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Sem family.

Ana Maria Ceja de Ramirez

April 21, 1944 - May 21, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm with a rosary starting at 5:00pm on Sunday, June 1st, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
 A service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Ceja de Ramirez family.

Lindsey “John” Hawes

Lindsey “John” Hawes
February 11, 1936 – May 21, 2025

Lindsey “John” Hawes, age 89, of Kirkland, Washington, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 21, 2025, at Stockton Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on February 11, 1936, in Tucson, Arizona, to John Samuel Lindsey Hawes and Ruth Taylor, John’s life was rich in service, adventure, and unwavering devotion to family. He was raised alongside his sister Beryl and half-sisters Linda and Diana. From his early days helping in his father's wartime garage to visiting his grandfather in Mexico, John was always in motion, building a foundation of resilience and curiosity that would define his life.

In 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving with distinction as a Master Sergeant during deployments in Japan and Korea. While stationed abroad, he met and married Yoshiko Kumazawa in 1957. Together, they welcomed three children—Taylor, Grant, and Marguerite—and created a life that spanned two continents and countless cherished memories.

After 14 years of military service, John retired honorably and transitioned to civilian life in Las Vegas, working as a casino dealer. Though his first marriage eventually ended, John remained devoted to his children and later found lasting love again with Janet Gail Askin. They married in 1987 and spent 25 joyful years together raising Jaci and Darian and making a home in the Ozarks of Arkansas. There, John found spiritual peace at Osage Baptist Church, where he accepted Christ as his Savior.

Professionally, John thrived in a second career in sales, joining his son Grant at EZ-1 and traveling the country as a representative—a role he often called his favorite. Life on the Arkansas farm, shared with Janet and his mother Ruth, brought years of peace and fulfillment.

John faced heartbreak with courage, including the loss of Janet in 2012. He later moved to the Seattle area, living on Ames Lake and continuing his travels—visiting Israel, Ireland, Italy, and France to celebrate life milestones with his children and grandchildren. In a crowning achievement of perseverance and pride, he graduated in 2024 from Regent University at the age of 88 with a bachelor’s degree in history—becoming the oldest graduate in the university’s history.

His life was a tapestry woven with faith, hard work, love, and an unshakable belief in family. John’s legacy includes five children, fifteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and countless memories of laughter, generosity, and purpose.

He is preceded in death by his wife Janet, daughter Jaci, sister Beryl Adams, brother-in-law Hugh Adams, his mother Ruth Lykins, former wife Yoshiko Kumazawa, and Father John Sam Lindsey Hawes.

John is survived by:
Taylor Hawes of Kirkland, WA
Grant Hawes of Stockton, CA
Marguerite Hawes of Stockton, CA
Darian Kroff of Dallas, TX
Fifteen grandchildren
Thirteen great-grandchildren

SERVICES:
A visitation and funeral service will be held at Osage Baptist Church, 16475 S. Highway 103, Alpena, AR 72611, on Thursday, June 5th, 2025, at 10:30 AM, officiated by Pastor Lannie Younger. John will be laid to rest at Carrollton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:

Donate in John’s Memory

John lived a full and remarkable life—always forward-looking, never standing still, and always loving deeply. His story is one of honor, grace, humor, and boundless love. He will be missed dearly by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bobby Lee Simpson Jr.

March 6, 1980 - May 16, 2025

Bobby Lee Simpson Jr., age 45, of Stockton, California, passed away on May 16, 2025. Born on March 6, 1980, in Lodi, Bobby lived a life full of energy, fierce loyalty, and deep love for his family.

A dedicated truck driver, Bobby found pride and freedom on the open road. He was known for his big personality, booming voice, and even bigger heart. Whether he was cracking jokes or sharing stories, Bobby never went unnoticed — and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Kayla Simpson, who was the light of his life and his proudest legacy. He also leaves behind his father, Bobby Lee Simpson Sr.; his mother, Tammy Mobley; his sisters, Lulu Wendt and Brittanie Simpson; and his cherished nephew and nieces — Aston Wendt, Harper Wendt, and Charleigh Skobrak. His presence, laughter, and love will be remembered always by all who knew him.

Bobby was preceded in death by his baby brother, Terry Ray Simpson.

He lived loudly, loved deeply, and left a lasting impression everywhere he went. His memory will continue to echo in the hearts of those who loved him.

SERVICE
A service to honor Bobby’s life will be held June 6, 2025; One O’Clock at Vineyard Chapel Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in Lodi, Ca. 

Rest easy, Bobby. You were one of a kind.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Simpson family.

Cherokee Memorial Park is a 501(c)13 non-profit company, owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of the community, serving Lodi, Stockton, Galt, Manteca and the San Joaquin Valley since 1940.

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