Arturo Vera

August 29, 1951 - August 9, 2025

Arturo Vera, 73 of Stockton California crossed the bar August 9th, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He never gave up- even when the odds were against him. He passed peacefully, in love and comfort surrounded by his family and friends. Arturo was born in Mexico to Hermilo and Bertha Vera, he was part of a championship soccer league, played the snare in a marching band and loved the rodeo. Upon immigrating to the United States, he joined the Navy and served six tours to Vietnam aboard the WWII era carrier USS Oriskany. After his military service, he put himself through school at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, studying photography. Throughout his 50 year career in the arts he expertly navigated the genres of photo journalism, commercial photography, modeling, wedding photography and fine art photography. He exuded this passion for art in its many forms to anyone who met him. He received a number of prestigious awards such as the coveted Photographic Technical Excellence Award dubbed  the “Silver Cindy”  from the Information Film Producers of America as well as the “Best in the West” Fest Award for the multi-Image category. In 2013 he was a Star Awards recipient for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts photography from the Stockton Arts Commission. His kind eyes and wide smile let you know he was someone you could trust, learn from, and be friends with. He, along with his wife, was founding director of Art Expressions of San Joaquin, the nonprofit we all know and love that is committed to mentoring, encouraging and supporting artists ages 2 to 102. He is survived by his energizer bunny of a wife Ana Vera of Stockton, his firstborn daughter Monique (Jeff), sons Sebastian (Toby), Julian (Angelica), youngest daughter Alejandra and 7 grandchildren as well as his loving siblings and extended family. Not to mention the hundreds of friends he made during the last 24 years of his life in Stockton where he felt welcomed and embraced.

A funeral mass celebration will be held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton on Thursday, August 21 at 10:45 AM in the morning with a reception to follow.

All are welcome to come and celebrate Arturo and to pay their respects.

Contributions in Arturo’s name may be sent to Art Expressions of San Joaquin County, the Michael J. Fox Foundation or a nonprofit of your choice.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Vera family.

Freddie Rugnao

September 12, 1942 - August 9, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 8:00pm with a rosary starting at 6:00pm on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
 A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Rugnao family.

Luis Villanueva

February 15, 1947 - August 7, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 8:00pm with a rosary at 6:00pm on Thursday, August 14th, 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 Friday, August 15th, 2025 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, located at 13392 E Lockeford Ranch Rd, Lockeford, CA 95237.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Villanueva family.

Richard Berger

In Loving Memory of Richard James Berger
February 29, 1948 – August 7, 2025

Richard James Berger, 77, of Stockton, California, passed away peacefully at his home on August 7, 2025. Born on February 29, 1948, in San Francisco, California, Rick was the beloved son of Franklin and Jean Berger, who preceded him in death.

Rick grew up with a strong sense of loyalty, integrity, and service—values that would guide him throughout his life. In 1973, he began what would become a nearly three- decade career with the Stockton Fire Department. Through dedication, skill, and leadership, he rose through the ranks to become Deputy Fire Chief, retiring in 2002. Rick was deeply respected by his colleagues for his calm under pressure, his commitment to protecting others, and his willingness to mentor younger firefighters. His legacy in the fire service is one of honor, courage, and selflessness.

While Rick’s professional achievements were many, his greatest source of pride and joy was his family. He shared his life with his loving wife, Crystal Berger. He was a proud and loving father to his children, Michelle Watkins, Melissa Fogg, Matthew Berger, Kiersten Hawbaker, and Joanna Snow; and a humorous G-Pa to his 11 grandchildren. Rick also shared a close bond with his sister, Dori Jones and her husband, Greg.

Rick appreciated life’s quieter moments. He loved spending time at home, finding peace and joy in the serenity of his beautiful backyard with his wife, Crystal and their adorable Golden Retriever, Nala.

Those who knew Rick will remember his warm smile, steady character, and witty sense of humor. He was a man who led by example—valuing honesty, hard work, and compassion above all else. His life was a testament to the power of service, love, and living with purpose.

SERVICE
A memorial service to celebrate Rick’s life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, California.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Berger family.

Chhoeuth Kruth

December 7, 1944 - August 6, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am on Saturday, August 16th, 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 Saturday, August 16th, 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 Kruth family.

Frances Matteucci

November 8, 1936 - August 5, 2025

Frances Ruth Matteucci, born Frances Ruth Prochaska, passed away on August 5, 2025, in Stockton, California. She was born on November 8, 1936, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Frank Joseph Prochaska and Ruth Eleanor Fuchs Prochaska.

A dedicated Clinical Laboratory Scientist specializing in microbiology, Frances devoted 42 years of service to St. Joseph's Medical Center. Her excellence in the field was recognized with the 2008 Laboratorian of the Year Award from St. Joseph’s and the 1998 Susan B. Anthony Women of Achievement Award for Health Care.

Frances graduated from Muscatine High School in 1954 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude from Iowa State University. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of the Pacific. Her commitment to lifelong learning extended beyond her own education—she was a volunteer science educator for the STEM Program at the San Joaquin County Office of Education and a passionate volunteer lecturer and educator with the League of Women Voters.

Her civic engagement included serving as a member of the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury from 2018 to 2019. Frances also participated in Toastmasters and Osher Lifelong Learning programs.

A woman of adventurous spirit, Frances traveled the world with her beloved second husband, Albert Matteucci. She was an avid helicopter skier, mountaineer, river rafter, and a member of many winning tennis teams. She lived in numerous places throughout her life, including Iowa, New York, Indiana, Colorado, Kentucky, California, and the United Kingdom.

Frances treasured and cultivated long-term friendships as she joyfully pursued many athletic, artistic and civic interests with her adventurous group of ski buddies, dedicated tennis friends, Stockton artist collective of painters and scrapbookers, UOP family friends, trusted caregivers, fellow members of the Grand Jury and League of Women’s Voters, and her valued laboratory colleagues from St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

She is survived by her son Maurice Maxwell Franklin McCullen and wife Shannon; daughter Abigail Margaret "Meg" Puccinelli and husband Brian and daughter Karlin Caelie Ruth; five grandchildren; her best friend and sister Carol Ann Saviano; her life-long friend and brother-in-law Joseph Saviano; Prochaska family members in more than six states and her adored pet and companion, Yoda.

Her legacy lives on through her family and the many lives she touched through her work, art, athleticism and volunteerism. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Matteucci family.

Elveta Dycus

July 22, 1940 - August 3, 2025

Elveta Ann Dycus was born on July 22, 1940, in Bower, Oklahoma, to Edgar and Mildred (Holloway) Payne. She was the younger sister of Verla Christine, whom she always looked up to. They moved to Stockton, California, via train in July 1945. She met Jerry, the boy next door, while living on Mosswood in Stockton and invited him to go to church with her that day. They were very active in the local youth group at the Brethren Church.

She was in the first graduating class of Edison High School in 1958. She was also a synchronized swimmer while in high school and spoke of her performance with fondness. She was very proud of her Edison roots and would go to the reunions when she could. She proudly went to the 65th reunion held in 2023. She started work for National Life and Accident Insurance Company in Stockton, later American General, at the age of 19. She proudly worked there for over 40 years, finishing at their branch in Fresno, CA.

She married Jerry Wayne Dycus on April 1, 1960. They were married for 64 1⁄2 years until his passing in November 2024. They purchased a piece of property with a home in 1964 in Lodi, California, out in the country, where they would live for the next sixty years. Jerry and Elveta welcomed daughters, Julie Ann and Jennifer Jerry. The family attended the Brethren Church of Stockton every Sunday until the girls were adults. She was a Sunday School Teacher and the Brethren Church Treasurer during those years.

While the girls were younger, they enjoyed traveling all over the United States, including many trips to Tennessee, including a 1982 trip to the World’s Fair and a family reunion. They were able to take the girls to Oahu and Kauai. Elveta/Mother would always map out things to do on the trips, which was long before the digital age. She loved to read maps and would always get them out if someone was traveling to different locations.

After retiring, Jerry and Elveta traveled with Verla and Bill Suggett. They loved their adventures, which took them all over the US and Europe, where their daughter Jennifer had moved to teach. They also took a cruise to Alaska. They were able to spend time with Jennifer and Kevin in their homes in London and Luxembourg. Another favorite destination was Disneyland, as parents and grandparents with Julie and Bill’s family.

In 1997, Elveta took on the new role of “Grandma”, which she embraced. She was present in the labor room for four out of five of her grandchildren (all those born in the USA). She was over the moon with the birth of the first grandchild and the others who followed in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2010. She passed on her love for Jesus to each one by teaching them songs, reading the Bible, and praying with them. She loved to read and would read to the grandkids whenever she could. She also enjoyed a picnic lunch on the lawn with them from time to time. In her early days of being a grandma, she would play badminton, take them to the movies, and bake with them. She was a great cook, although very humble about her abilities.

Elveta loved her sons-in-law, too. She welcomed Bill into the family many years ago. He always loved her cooking, and she even baked for a woodworking class he was taking. She later welcomed Kevin into the family and preferred him to be the tour guide when they visited him and Jen in Europe and the Bay Area.

Over the last year and seven months, she never lost faith even after losing Jerry and her ability to walk. She was a proud member of the Grace Church of Lockeford for over 30 years. She was a very quiet person who kept her prayer list until the last few months. She was faithful in her prayers and always wanted to pray for others.

Elveta is survived by daughter Julie and Bill Coons, Jacob, Emily, and Lucas, and daughter Jennifer and Kevin Rees, Aedan, and Abby. She also had many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Her loving husband, Jerry, and her parents, Edgar and Mildred (Holloway) Payne, and sister and best friend, Verla Christine Suggett, preceded her in death.

Elveta was the most selfless and caring woman. She will be remembered for her generosity, everlasting faith, her delicious meals, and deep love for her family. Her presence will be missed immensely, and her legacy will live on through the memories shared by all who knew and loved her.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Grace Church of Lockeford, 13301 Dawson Rd, Lockeford, CA 95237. Private interment services were held. Pastor Steve Knox will officiate.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Dycus family.

Earl Smith

May 10, 1944 - August 1, 2025

Earl Stanley Smith was born in San Francisco, California, May 10, 1944 and passed away on August 1, 2025 in Stockton, California at the age of 81.

Earl leaves behind his wife Dianne of 54 years, his daughter Heather Swingle (Brad), stepson Larry Scott (Kerry), granddaughters Mikaylah, Marandah, and Montanah. Earl is also survived by his siblings, Jim Smith, Tom Smith (Karen), John Smith-d.2025 (Marilyn),  Mary Sherwood and many other loving relatives.

The family extends a special thanks to the dedicated staff at Summerfield of Stockton and Hospice of San Joaquin for their loving care. 

SERVICE
A private graveside burial will be held in the Garden of Freedom at Cherokee Memorial Park. 

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Smith family.

Rom Teav

May 5, 1974 - August 1, 2025

VISITATION
 A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am on Sunday, August 17th, 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 Sunday, August 17th, 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 Teav 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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