James Fulkerson, of Sonoma, left this world peacefully at age 93 on the evening of Aug. 28, 2008. He was preceded in death by his beloved friend and wife, Ellen; his loving sisters, Jane and Helen; and his grandson, Philip Wood.
James was born in Kansas City, Mo. and attended Westport High School in 1931. During the Depression, the family moved to Butler, Mo. Jim later attended the University of Missouri in Columbia from 1936-1939. (His wife Ellen was also a “Mizzou” graduate, and they met at college.) There he studied agriculture, and his long career with the Federal Land Bank was dedicated to supporting farmers and agriculture.
During the World War II, Jim served as a U.S. Army First Lieutenant at the Brooklyn Army base in New York City from 1942 until the war’s end. He nearly missed his chance to join the army due to nearsightedness because he failed to read the eye chart without glasses. Finally the examiner exclaimed, “Squint, damn it” and he passed.
Jim is sorely missed by his loving family, which included his daughter Jane Ellen Wood and son-in-law Geoffrey Wood; grandson Adam (Kristen) Wood; cousin William McNeil; nephew Rodney Booth; and nieces Nancy (Sammy) Baudo, Patricia (Mike) McCarthy and Jane (Alan) Oliver.
In later life, Jim and Ellen moved to California to be near their daughter Jane. Jim’s last years were spent at Sonoma Hills where he was known for his love of music and his serenades on the harmonica. (Jim had lost his vision and the music was a special pleasure.) There he was attended by his loving and dedicated caregivers Vilma La Fleur and Dolores Carrasco. The family also appreciates the help of the Barbara Bradley Agency and the kindness and skill of the staff of Sonoma Valley Hospital.
A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Friends are also invited to attend a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 at St. Leo’s Church. Donations can be made to services for the blind or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Leona Jacobs died Aug. 28, 2008 in Sonoma. She was born in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 1927 to Isadore and Pauline Marks. She was the beloved wife of David for 63 years; mother of Ronald, Francine Allen and Dale Romer; grandmother of Zachary and Jonathan Romer, Sharon Mitchell, Tara Evans, Sam and Aaron Jacobs and Davis Allen; great-grandmother of Devin and Eliza Mitchell. She was the loving mother-in-law of Richard Allen (deceased) and Paul Romer; giving sister to Harry Marks and sister-in-law Zona Marks; and loving aunt, great aunt and cherished friend to all who knew her.
Lee knew how to enjoy life and everyone looked forward to enjoying her cooking, especially her kasha and stuffed eggs. She provided us with welcome stability and clarity in our everyday lives.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Lee’s life on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma. The family requests that donations be made in her name to Hospice by the Bay, 190 West Napa St., Sonoma 95476.
Glen Edwin Duncan, Sr., 67, of Sonoma, died Aug. 27, 2008 in Oakland. He was the loving husband for 41 years of Jackie Duncan of Sonoma, and the loving father of Shawn Duncan of Sonoma and Glen Duncan, Jr. of Clovis. He was the father-in-law of Ana Duncan and the brother of Earl Duncan of Colorado. Glen was the adored grandfather of Joshua, Sophia and Thomas Duncan. He was the brother-in-law of William and Herman Campana and Elizabeth Campana. He is also survived by many friends.
Glen was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Vietnam era. He was an operations manager for Saroni Total Foods and Ingredients for about 30 years. Everyone who knew Glen will remember a generous-hearted man who loved to make people laugh. Glen was a hard working, devoted husband and father who loved his wife, two children, and three grandchildren more than anything in this world. His other big joys in life were his animals. Glen was admired, loved, and respected by everyone for giving to those in need. Everyone will miss his laugh, jokes and big hugs. He was a resident of Sonoma for 64 years and a native of Oakland. A memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church. Inurnment will be held at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park. Donations to Pet’s Lifeline, American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel/Mission Cremation Service, Sonoma.
David Dennis O’Callaghan, 55, died suddenly at his home in Sonoma on Aug. 21, 2008. A lifelong Sonoma resident and graduate of St. Francis, David leaves behind three sons, Jake, Baron and Dustin, and two grandchildren, Cash and Finley.
He had a wide range of interests, from studying various world cultures and geology, to fishing, collecting arrowheads and hiking. He was musically gifted, playing the guitar and piano and embracing every genre of music. Some of his fondest memories include his boys, family gatherings and spending summers on Fish Lake in Minnesota. He was a skilled tradesman, having built homes and designed and installed pools throughout the Valley for over three decades.
David is the son of Myrna O’Callaghan and the late Jack O’Callaghan and the brother of Jack O’Callaghan Jr., Diane Peter and Patricia Sullivan. He was the father-in-law of Kristin O’Callaghan and is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass was held at St. Francis Catholic Church. A vigil was held at Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Private interment. Donations to the charity of the donor’s choice are preferred.
Jo Ann Carballo Sereni, 88, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2008 in Sonoma, She was a native of San Francisco and 30 year resident of Sonoma and the wife of the late Marino Vince Sereni. Jo Ann was a retired employee of Wells Fargo Bank with 25 years of service and had a great love for animals. Since she was always interested in antiques, she had an antique shop with a variety of antique memorabilia in Vallejo for 15 years.
She was the beloved mother of Julio Gene Sereni, Valerie Ann Canfield, the late Valerie Franchesa Cannon and the late Yvonne Holland; mother-in-law of Heidi Sereni and Duane Canfield; and adored grandmother of Jason Anderholm and Ryan and Casey Tatarian.
At her request a private family inurnment will be held at Mountain Cemetery at a later date. Also at her request, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Pet’s Lifeline, P.O. Box 341,Sonoma, CA 95476. The cremation was performed by Mission Cremation Service under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476.
Eli Tepovich died Aug. 22, 2008 at home in Sonoma. Dear husband of Edith E. Tepovich, father of Ann R. Tepovich of Sonoma and George N. Tepovich of Reno. Eli leaves behind an extended group of family and friends.
Eli was a retired captain with the United States Navy, a decorated officer serving in World War II, Korea and during the Cuban missile crisis. He was a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. He was a member of the Retired Officer’s Association and SIRS. Eli was an avid golfer and resident of Sonoma for 35 years. He was a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and 87 years old.
Funeral services were held at Duggan’s Mission Chapel 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Private inurnment at the Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Park.
