All Obituaries

Floyd Charles Welch was born in Stigler Oklahoma on December 2,1933, passing March 30, 2024, in Sonoma, California with his loving family.  Floyd attended local schools, graduating from Sonoma Valley High School. He then proudly served in the US Army stationed in Germany.  Shortly after returning to Sonoma, while appearing handsome in his uniform, Floyd met Betty Hunt. Floyd and Betty were married 67 years. They made their home in Sonoma Valley, where they raised three...

On March 29, 2024 in Sonoma California, Maria Pilar Ruiz Vanscoit went to heaven to be with her husband Rafael. Pilar was 94 years old. Pilar was born in Mexico City on May 19, 1929. During her childhood, Pilar lived in Tampico Mexico. She met and married the love of her life, Rafael, in Brownsville Texas where her first two children were born. For the next 67 years, they set roots in Chicago and raised their six children. In their twilight years, Pilar and Rafael settled in Sonoma...

Carolyn Sue Osburn passed from this world March 26, 2024 at her home in Sonoma.  She was 89 years old Born in Raton, New Mexico, Carolyn was raised by her mother, Gertie Allan, following the untimely death of her father, Hugh, when Carolyn was 4 months old.  She grew up in SW New Mexico, graduated from Hanover High School and attended New Mexico State College. In 1953, she met Vance Osburn while visiting relatives in Sonoma; they married in 1954 and settled here.  She...

Long time Sonoma resident, Margaret (Peggy) Moll, 87, passed away on March 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was proceeded by husband Norman Moll, her parents and sisters. Peggy is survived by her daughters Linda Young (Mike), Jackie Albini (Ed), and Susan Wood. As well as grandchildren Matthew Young (Emily), Jessica Rubbicco (Josh), Laura Wood Banuelos (Mark), Ginger Hoaglund (Dale), Donna Lisa Knowles, Anita Albini and 11 great grandchildren. Family always came first for...

Benjamin E. Alexander, a native of Akron and longtime resident of Peninsula, Ohio passed away while traveling in Sonoma on Monday.  He was 94. Ben was born in Akron, Ohio to parents F.G. and Pauline Alexander. He studied Spanish and anthropology at Western Reserve College in Cleveland, Ohio and then at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. A veteran of the United States Army, Ben served in the Korean War. He made a career with his family business, the Kraus – Alexander...

Joan Alice (Sutter) Rossetti was a life-long Sonoma resident born on February 9, 1933, at Burndale Hospital, she passed away on February 29, 2024 at the age of 91.  Joan was the first-born child to Joseph J. Sutter and Alice M. Young.  She had five siblings, all who predeceased her: Marian Riley, Dorothy Sutter, Walter Sutter, Joseph C. Sutter and Sandra Roach.   Joan was married to Frank Rossetti until his passing in 1972.  Early in her career, Joan...

Delores was born to James and Grace (Abelman) Morrell in Rapid City, SD and raised in Fargo and Buffalo, ND. She was predeceased by husbands Donald O. Buttke and George Perry, and siblings Wally, Jean and Clifford. She is survived by her sister, Mabel (Morrell) Christmann. With Donny and their children Donita, Donald Jr. (Skip) and Doug, she moved to Petaluma, California, where Donna and David were born. They were partners in the Petaluma Garbage Company until Donny’s death, which left...

Rita Elizabeth Davis was born two months prematurely on November 5, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Dominic and Anna Jenicek. She was so tiny that she fit into one of Dominic's cigar boxes. As an infant she endured internal measles. It was a miracle that she survived. This uncertain beginning created a unique and determined young woman who never lost her zest for life. Both sets of her grandparents arrived in America from Czechoslovakia. The family tree on her father's...

Janet Nicholas, former Sonoma County Supervisor and advocate for math education and California public policy, passed away February 23, 2024. She was 78. Born in Denver, raised in Los Angeles, Janet graduated UCLA with a self-designed triple major in economics, urban design, and political science.  A Sonoman since 1969, Janet brought to local and California government her laser focus, unique way of seeing possibilities, and getting people to do the right thing. She served as...

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Antonio Francesco Ghilarducci on February 18, 2024. Born on February 10, 1982, in Palo Alto, California, to Michael and Gia Ghilarducci. Tony’s early years in Sonoma were marked by a spirited presence and a curious mind, evident as he scampered in Superman pajamas around the Depot Hotel Restaurant, the family business in Sonoma, California. A graduate of Justin-Siena High School and the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program at San...