Obituaries

Arturo Manzo Senior died on July 11, 2009, he was 66. Mr. Manzo was born on January 18, 1943 in Los Reyes Michoacán, Mexico and moved to Sonoma, CA in 1968. He received his naturalized citizenship in 2004.
Mr. Manzo is survived by his wife of 45 years, Martha Manzo. He is also survived by his sons, Ramon Manzo, Arturo Manzo Jr., Gabriel Manzo and Alejandro Manzo; by his daughters, Martha L. Alvarez and Sandra Santos; son-in-laws, Gregorio Alvarez and Armando Santos; daughter-in-laws, Teresa Manzo, Eva M. Manzo and Lisa F. Manzo; also survived by eleven grandchildren, Ramon Manzo, Jr, Gregorio Alvarez Jr., Cristina Alvarez, Elizabeth Alvarez, and Adrian Alvarez; Gabriel Manzo Jr, Victoria Santos, Veronica Santos, Armando Santos, Jr., Viviana Santos and Izabella Manzo. Arturo is also survived by numerous friends, family, aunts and uncles in Los Angeles.
Mr. Arturo Manzo loved gardening, especially paying close attention to those palm trees and roses, restoring classic Chevy Impalas, cooking authentic Mexican food and going to the casinos. He also enjoyed sharing life stories with everyone he met. He always told a good story. He was a super funny and caring man. Arturo could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. With his children and grandchildren he was more than just a father, he was a best friend. He was the type of man who would give his shirt off his back to anyone that needed it. He was the hardest working individual you ever would have met. He will be missed greatly by his family and everyone that knew him.
Friends attended a visitation on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, followed by a rosary at Duggan’s Mission Chapel. A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday at St. Francis Solano Church, interment followed at Valley Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Micheline Marie Schieman, 94, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2009 at home in Sonoma with her loving family at her side. She was born on May 21, 1915 in Pauillac, France to Victor and Irma Prechacq. She was a dedicated homemaker and a 30-year resident of Sonoma. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones.
Micheline is survived by her daughter, Marie F. Mulhern; granddaughters, Cathy Mulhern and Frances Macaluso; grandson-in-law Joe Macaluso; and great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Emily Macaluso.
At her request, no formal services will be held. Private inurnment. In lieu of flowers. Memorial donations in Micheline’s honor may be made to the Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St. Cremation was performed by Mission Cremation Service, under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.

Walter Arthur Birdsall, 76, of Sonoma, slipped away peacefully in the early hours of July 15.
Born in San Francisco, raised in South San Francisco by a widowed mom he cherished, Walter was no stranger to poverty and public housing. At South City High he met his wife to be, Barbara Ann Simon. For 55 years they lived mostly in Belmont, Calif., they built a comfortable life together, raised two sons, and were devoted to each other. A man of few words but deep emotions, Walter loved a classic martini, wine, and dinner at a good restaurant; a lush, tidy garden; surprising Barbara with gifts and gestures that showed his love; the San Francisco Giants; and above all his family.
Besides Barbara, he is survived by two deeply loved sons: Walter and his wife, Pam, of Napa, and John and his partner, Perry Lucina, of Oakland. He leaves behind the six adoring grandchildren he lived to please: Mike, Katie, Emily, Mary, Clare, and Kevin, by four cherished great-grandchildren, and by his brother- and sister-in-law Bob and Linda Simon of Sonoma.
Contributions may be made to donors’ favorite charity. Friends are invited to attend a rosary on Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. A funeral mass will be said Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 3rd St. West and West Napa St.,  Sonoma..