Empire Mortuary Services

07/19/2026

Ashlee Rose Whiteman-Smith
December 21, 1982 – June 26, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ashlee Rose Whiteman-Smith, who passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 43.

Born in Ukiah, California, Ashlee spent most of her life in Ukiah and also lived in Lake County and Fort Bragg. She graduated from high school in 2000 and attended college. Ashlee was known for her kind heart, vibrant spirit, and genuine love for others.

Ashlee loved dancing, roller skating, and gymnastics. Her greatest passion was to teach gymnastics to children, inspiring confidence and joy in every student. She also cherished having the opportunity to be involved in the space program.

Ashlee worked in customer service at Walmart in Ukiah and volunteered as an advocate for Northern California SIDS, compassionately supporting families through difficult times. She will always be remembered for her infectious smile, caring nature, and the warmth she shared with everyone she met.

Ashlee was preceded in death by her son, Dimitri Alexander Jones (2001); her father, Richard David Whiteman (2011); and her husband, Ricky Jay Smith 2025).

She is lovingly survived by her children, Nash Alexander Whiteman, Brooklynn Cheyenne Whiteman, Hunter Jay Smith, and Riley Jay Smith; her mother, Rebecca Carol Whiteman; her sister, Samantha Denise Knight; her nephew, Hendrix Webb Alexander Hennigan; and many extended family members and dear friends.

"I love you forever and always, to the moon and the stars, even when you're gone."

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:

Empire Mortuary Services
697 S. Orchard Avenue
Ukiah, CA 95482

Ashlee's kindness, strength, and unwavering love will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

07/13/2026

07/10/2026

Lurline Louise Markwick (1935 - 2026)

With deep sadness, we announce that Lurline Louise Markwick passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on July 3, 2026.

Born in Napa, California, on April 3, 1935, Lurline was the fourth child of John and Ilene Ceriani. She spent a good part of her childhood growing up on Brown Street in Napa, right across from the Napa River, where she and her siblings loved to play. As the youngest siblings, Lurline and her brother Duggie were a frequent team. She would pack a little snack, load up their wagon, and lead Duggie to the end of the block. After turning the corner, they would stop under a tree to spend the day pretending to camp and picnic together.

In 1951, Lurline married Galen Markwick. Together, they shared 61 beautiful years of marriage and raised their three children in Fort Bragg. Lurline was incredibly gifted in arts and crafts, with a true expertise in porcelain doll making. She brought stunning realism to each doll she created and new ideas.

Later in life, Lurline pursued genealogy. Through years of dedicated research and some travel, she uncovered a wealth of family history for both the Ceriani and Markwick lines. She compiled these findings into a complete genealogy book for each line and generously shared.

Lurline absolutely loved babies, children, and having her family gathered around her. Christmas was important to her; it is fair to say that she truly "made Christmas, Christmas." Reflecting on her life, comes the realization that she poured her heart into providing her loved ones with the abundance of the holiday which she didn't always have growing up. It brought immense happiness to see her family happy.

Lurline is survived by her oldest daughter, Gwendolyn Price; five grandchildren: Jody Hughes, Cristy Timpy, Wyatt Grass, Jason Markwick, and Jesse Markwick; beloved great-grandchildren; one cherished great-great-grandchild; and sister-in-law, Lenora Ceriani. She was preceded in death by her husband, Galen Markwick, and two of her children, Link Markwick and Jill Timpy.

To the wonderful team at Sherwood Oaks Nursing Home, we would like to express our deepest, heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff for the exceptional and loving care you provided to Lurline. Your kindness, dedication, and compassion brought immense comfort to her and our family. A special thanks to Linnea Matthews, and to Carol for their outstanding support, attentiveness, and gentle care during her time with you. We are forever grateful for the difference you all made in her life.

With sincere appreciation,
Gwen and Family of Lurline

Graveside services will be held on: August 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Location: Rose Memorial Park Cemetery, 760 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg.

No separate memorial is planned.

07/10/2026

James Norris

1965-2026

James Norris passed peacefully on May 14th 2026, surrounded by family and friends. James was known throughout Mendocino county as a pioneer of community and as a person you could count on for advice and help. He lived with multiple sclerosis for 34 years, homeschooled two children, traveled, flew airplanes, and for the past 11 years lived in Fort Bragg, a place he always dreamed of moving to. He found and built an incredible community on the coast, making friends and sharing stories everywhere he went. He enjoyed spending time at the farmers market and CV Starr Center every week when he could. As his health declined he kept pushing through to get out and live life, and he and his family are grateful for everything this community did to support him.

James is running along some beach or doing loop de loops in the sky somewhere in the great beyond. His legacy is that when we share knowledge and work together we can accomplish great things. Live life to the fullest and squeeze every drop out of every moment!

James’ family has no plans for a memorial service at this time but we encourage people to celebrate and honor him in any way they see fit.

06/10/2026

Ann Dunnebeck, age 93, passed away on April 12, 2026, at her home in Lakeport
with her daughter Julie by her side. She was born in Bonsall, California April 8,
1933, to Henson and Odney Garrett. She was raised on her family’s dairy farm,
where her love for animals began early. As a young girl, Ann’s father caught her
riding the dairy cows and decided it was time for a small Welsh mare named
“Spotty.” That moment sparked a lifelong passion for horses that stayed with her
until her death, riding horses into her 80’s.
Ann attended Vista High School, graduating as her class valedictorian, attended
Palomar Junior College, then transferred to the University of California, Davis,
where she majored in animal Husbandry with plans to become a veterinarian.
While at UC Davis, Ann worked her summers running a dude string on Cobb
Mountain at Hoberg’s resort. It was there that she hired Wayne to shoe her dude
horses—a meeting that quickly turned into a lifelong partnership.
Ann and Wayne were married on February 14, 1956, by a judge at the Napa
courthouse, with Jim and Emma Salmina as witnesses. They borrowed Wayne’s
brother Pete’s 1955 Pontiac and honeymooned at Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs
As newlyweds, they rented a lot in Pepperwood Cove in Nice, CA and bought
several horses and started their own dude horse string for the visitors at Clear Lake
Lodge, now known as the WorldMark Clear Lake. In the fall of 1956, from their
summer profits, they put a down payment on 5 acres and a small house on
Highland Springs Road, later adding 10 more acres, where Ann lived to her last
day.
They welcomed their first born child, a son, Garrett in December of 1957. Their
daughter Julie came along in October 1961.
After raising their children, Ann and Wayne were required to get a kennel license
because Wayne had too many ranch and hunting dogs. Ann saw a need for dog
boarding in Lake County and began commercial dog boarding in the kennels they
had built for the hounds. She established and operated the kennel for 45 years, and
it remains active today under the ownership of her daughter, Julie. When she
wasn’t riding, Ann could often be found growing an amazing garden, working at
the kennel or horseback riding and cutting trails at Highland Springs.
Over the years, Ann and Wayne built many trails for horseback riding and hunting
at Highland Springs recreation area. In 2002, the Highland Springs trail volunteers
began to recover and open many of the Dunnebeck’s lost trails, which have now
become roughly 10 miles of hiker and equestrian friendly trails.

Ann was preceded in death by her brothers Hoke and Bruce, her parents, and her
husband Wayne, who passed away in 2016. She is survived by, her son Garrett
Dunnebeck (Linda), her daughter Julie Ore (Bob)and her grandchildren, Trevor
Dunnebeck and Maddie Paarsch. She also leaves behind special friends Margie
Glasgow, John (Carol) White and Paul ( Linda) Bernier and her lifelong neighbors
in her Big Valley Community.
Ann was known for her strong work ethic, determined spirit, and unmistakable
stubborn streak. Above all, she will be remembered for her deep love of horses and
the pride she took in her kennel and horsemanship. She will be dearly missed and
forever remembered by those who knew and loved her.
A private burial will be held at Hartley Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest
beside life long love Wayne Their headstone reads “ Riding Together On A New
Trail”
There will be a memorial service and gathering in October at Highland Springs
Recreation Area honoring Ann and Wayne’s contributions to the trails, with a
memorial monument, horse tie rail and picnic table at the parking area at the Y.
The date will be announced once all county approvals are made.

05/13/2026

Lois Gray, 84, of Ukiah, California, passed peacefully into the arms of her
Lord and Savior on May 5, 2026.
Born October 14, 1941 in Elyria, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late
Robert F. Gray and Ruth L. Snyder. She is survived by her son, John Gray, and
three grandchildren.
The middle of three children, Lois grew up with her older sister Phyllis and
younger brother Jimmy. After losing her father at age ten, her family moved in
with her aunt to save money. Later, Lois and her mother rode a tandem bicycle
from Ohio to California, eventually settling in Menlo Park.
Lois studied architecture and mathematics, later training in massage therapy
at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She ran her own practice
called “Healing Hands.” She also worked for several years at Pacific Union
College.
A lifelong artist, Lois created beautiful one-of-a-kind greeting cards with her
original artwork and uplifting messages. She loved harmonizing hymns and lived
her faith through service. She famously organized hot dog fundraisers at church to
support youth camps and mission projects, often pulling a wagon of supplies with
her walker.
Lois had a gift for making everyone feel loved and cared for, whether
through a cup of tea, kind words, or prayer. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at Crossroads Christian Church-Ukiah on
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. (900 So. Dora St., Ukiah, CA 95482).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads
Christian Church-Ukiah or Hospice of Ukiah in Lois’s name.