George F. Hellen died in Sonoma on July 15, 2008. George was the idolized husband of Elaine M. Hellen for 64 years. He was the adored father of Jim Hellen of Sonoma, Joe Hellen of Roseville, Joan Hellin of Santa Fe, N.M., John Hellen of Gerber, Calif. and Janice Hellen of Yuma, Ariz. He was the father-in-law of Pam, Margaret and Theresa. George is survived by his brother Donald of Minnesota and Gerald of Arizona and was the proud grandfather of Theresa, Matthew, Daniel, Mary Margaret, Elizabeth and Patrick.
George was a veteran of U.S. Air Force World War II. He was a machinist for 33 years at Mare Island. He was a 57-year resident of Sonoma and a native of Brainerd, Minn. He was 89 years old.
Friends are invited to a Memorial Service at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 21. Private inurnment at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park will take place. Donations to the charity of your choice are preferred by the family.
Frank George Merz, beloved husband of the late Jean Marie Madden Merz, died July 17, 2008 in San Francisco. He was the loving father of Robert J. Merz, Jeffrey G. Merz, Paul F. Merz, Joseph F. Merz, Martin M. Merz, Lisa A. Merz-Mudd, Trudi M. Merz Foss, Jane C. Merz-Keith and Julie M. Merz. He was the dear brother of Lorraine Merz and Lois Bevans, both of Novato, and brother of the late Roberta Knittel, Raymond, Harry and Leonard Merz. He was the brother–in-law of Dolores Merz of Fairfax and proud grandfather of 16 and great-grandfather of nine.
Frank was a veteran of the U.S. Army World War II, a contracting engineer, a cattle rancher, horse breeder and grape grower. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do. He was an active member of St. Leo’s Men’s Club and Sirs of Sonoma. His passions were hunting, winemaking and helping others.
He was a former resident of San Rafael, 10-year resident of Siskiyou County, 28-year resident of Sonoma County and native of San Francisco. Age 84 years.
Friends are invited to attend funeral services on Friday, July 25 at 11a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 601 W.Agua Caliente Road, Sonoma. A vigil will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Leo’s Church. Visitation at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma, will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Interment will follow at Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Park, Sonoma. Donations to Leukemia Society of America, 55 Hawthorn Su 510, San Francisco, CA 94105, St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o 601 W. Agua Caliente Road, Sonoma, CA 95476 or to the charity of your choice.
