Obituaries

Shari Ruth Kelley Haskins Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grammy, Aunt, Friend, Teacher, Librarian--A woman for all seasons left this world for another on February 8, 2026, surrounded by love in her new home in Fortuna, CA, after a long life in her beloved Wyoming. Shari empowered women through reading and encouragement to run for office, apply for jobs,  create art, and find their voice. She spent her life fighting for free access of knowledge in all the forms that knowledge ...

Danny Lee Taylor Danny Lee Taylor passed away December 1, 2025, at his home in McKinleyville, California, at the age of 75. Danny was born on December 10, 1949, at the old Trinity Hospital in Arcata, California, to George Delbert Taylor and Bernice Alice (Helm) Taylor. Danny grew up in Arcata and graduated from Arcata High School in 1968.  After high school, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army in January of 1969, during the Vietnam War. He enlisted on the Buddy System with his buddy, ...

John DeMatos – Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend-passed away naturally at his home in Arcata, CA on Saturday December 6th 2025. He was 88 and surrounded by loved ones. John was born in 1937 in the small village of Carvalhal Portugal. His Family moved to Rio de Janeiro Brazil when he was a teenager. He met the love of his life Maria Jose Lourenco who he married in 1963 & later welcomed 2 children. In 1968 Maria Jose’s family helped ...

Nancy Yvonne Detrick was born on November 19, 1951, in Garberville CA and died on October 10, 2025, at her home in Wool Mountain surrounded by family. Nancy heroically lost her battle to cancer after a long fight of six years. Nancy was born to her parents Nancy Sanderson Detrick and Harold Lee Detrick. At an early age, Nancy was nicknamed Voncie, and Voncie is the name that she would grow up with and that most people would know and love her as. Voncie and her family moved around Humboldt ...

Richard Wilmer McDowell, aged 88 years, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025. A Fortuna, California resident for over 22 years, Richard originally hailed from Marion, Iowa. He and his wife Lee lived and worked in Southern California before moving to Fortuna in retirement.  Richard was a US Navy veteran, a teacher of Spanish and Social Science, an artist, a musician, a doer of good deeds, and a connoisseur of free time. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ligia ...

Born to Faith (Beck) and “Barney” Harris in Willits, CA where he spent his early years. Mother kept her thumb on him and younger brother.  He liked hunting wildflowers and observing their intricate designs. Moving to Leggett he discovered tasty strawberries under the trees. He attended Leggett grade school- At about 10 years old, a classmate (whose father was a minister) invited him to church. Jesus filled his longing heart with love and stability… He was baptized in ...

Mark “Sparky” S. Hensley, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025, in Eureka, California. He was born on November 27, 1954, in San Mateo, California, and spent his life surrounded by the people, places, and passions he cherished most. Mark grew up in San Mateo before moving north, eventually graduating from Eureka High School and later from College of the Redwoods. Throughout his life, he made his home in San Mateo, Weott, and ...

Nancy Mary “Noni” Kurtz (née DePucci), Age: 97 March 26, 1928 – October 20, 2025 Nancy Mary “Noni” Kurtz passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, in Eureka, California, at the age of 97. Born on March 26, 1928, in Eureka, she remained deeply rooted in her hometown throughout her life. Noni was a devoted homemaker and the heart of her family. She was a beloved wife to her late husband, Albert Kurtz, and together they built a life centered around love, ...

“With Broken Hearts Left Behind” Our Beloved Mother Juanita May (Sullivan) Anderson has passed away of natural causes. With her children by her side, she closed her blue eyes for the last time on October 10, 2025 at the age of 96 in Eureka, Ca. She was born on September 2, 1929 in Battle Creek, Michigan to parents Goldie (Biggs) Sullivan and Claude Sullivan. She was the middle child of three girls, older sister Princess, and younger sister Barbara. Her parents started ...

George Allan Hurt (Jim) passed away Monday September 22nd, 2025, peacefully at The Hospice House in Eureka California at the age of 95. Jim was born on January 5th, 1930, to Ruby and George Sr Hurt. He was raised in Fresno Ca on the family farm. Jim was the youngest sibling he had a brother named Johnny and 7 sisters Nita, Laura, Betty, Ina, Lula, Joyce, and Donna. Jim started working at the age of 9 years old helping his dad on the farm he would be milking cows at 3am among other jobs on ...