Obituaries

Dec 23, 2025

Karen Kay Perkins Payne, age 82, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, in Santa Maria, California. She was born as the youngest of eight siblings on June 27, 1943, in Piper City, Illinois, to Francis and Pauline Perkins. After high school, Karen moved to Los Angeles to help care for her aging parents. She met Richard Payne at...

Dec 23, 2025

Robert D. Wagner, longtime resident of Lompoc, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the age of 87.

Born December 15, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Daniel and Pauline Wagner, Robert served in the United States Navy on the USS Barry.  Soon after his honorable discharge in 1964, he relocated to Lompoc, California.  He worked as an electrician...

Dec 22, 2025

Joan Marie Hernandez, beloved daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at the age of 79.

Joan lived for her family. Her love was quiet but deep, steady, and unconditional. She showed up in the everyday moments — the calls, the check-ins, the unwavering presence that made everyone feel safe and...

Dec 21, 2025

Betty Ann Callahan Sherwood was born July 22, 1937, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she was raised by her parents, Rowena and Thomas Callahan.

After a stint in beauty school and short stops in Colorado and Oklahoma, Betty met George Sherwood, who was in the Air Force and stationed at Francis E Warren AFB near Cheyenne.   They were...

Dec 20, 2025

It is with broken hearts that we said goodbye on December 20th to Tony Jr, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.  We lost him too soon, but he was doing what he loved most- fishing at Jalama Beach.

Born and raised in Lompoc, California, on June 22, 1950, Tony was the son of Tony Machado...

Dec 19, 2025

Heather Carrie Quinn, 88, of Vandenberg Village, California, passed away on December 19, 2025, surrounded by loving family members.

Born on October 21, 1937, in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England, to Albert and Carrie Griffiths, she was raised and spent her primary and high school years there. At the age of 19 she moved to the London area, where she found employment...

Dec 19, 2025

Rosendo Robles was preceded in death by his parents, Rosendo and Hortensia Robles; his wife, Hermelinda Robles; and his brother, Michael Robles.

He is survived by his children: his son, Joseph Robles, and wife Brenda Robles; and his daughter, Yvonne Robles, and husband Sequoia Gaunt. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrea, Devin, Rafael, Aiven, Braylon,...

Dec 19, 2025

Karen Ann Terrones passed away surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of strength, devotion, and deep family bonds. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose presence touched the lives of all who knew her.

Karen was the beloved wife of Andrew B. Terrones, with whom she shared many years of love, partnership,...

Dec 19, 2025

Marron Smith, age 89, a long time resident of Lompoc, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025 in Santa Barbara, California.  Marron was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lena and Devouston Smith.  He was the ninth of 13 children.  Marron graduated from high school in Salem, Arkansas in 1954.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and served in Germany and...

Dec 15, 2025

James Robert “Bob” Ferguson, age 70, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, formerly of Lompoc, CA, passed away on December 15th, 2025.

Bob was born April 11, 1955, in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1960, the family moved to Lompoc, California, where Bob attended local schools. Bob was a member of Boy Scouts, Village Hills Little League baseball, raced motocross in his teens, and was...

Dec 13, 2025

Audrey Patricia "Pat" Michaelson (McCoy) passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 13, 2025, at the age of 91.

Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald E. Michaelson, and her daughter, Donna Lynn Alvarado.

She is survived by her daughter, Janice L. McIntosh; her son, Paul E. Michaelson; five grandchildren; and...

Dec 10, 2025

Juana "Jennie" Gonzales Morales, resident of La Puente, California for 70 years passed away on December 10, 2025.

Jennie was born in February 1935, to Alberto and Maria Gonzales. She was raised in her hometown of Lompoc, California. Jennie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She married her hometown sweetheart Ysidro Morales in 1952....

Dec 8, 2025

Our hearts are heavy as we share the passing of our dear friend and family member, Adele Kathleen Brann Hagar, born on 9/30/1958 and passing on 12/8/2025.

Adele was truly one of a kind. She was classy, beautiful, smart, kind, friendly, and incredibly generous. She had a special way of making people feel cared for and welcomed...

Dec 6, 2025

Our dear, loving and always gracious mother, Clara Jane Wernette Madden, 96, passed away at home in Lompoc, California on Saturday, December 6, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Clara was born at home in Clay Center, Kansas to John and Mary Wernette. She graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1947, attended Nursing School at Marymount...

Dec 2, 2025

Teresa Teri Ainsworth, born Weidenfeller, is survived by her children, Vanessia and Tony. Teri grew up in California and enjoyed a happy, fulfilling life. She devoted herself to raising her children, whom she loved deeply, always ensuring they were cared for and supported.

In her later years, Teri shared a joyful chapter of life with her husband,...

Nov 30, 2025

Juan (John) Manuel "Sugar Bear" Ochoa, a long-time resident of Lompoc, California, passed away on November 30, 2025, in his hometown, at the age of 72.

Born on August 13, 1953, in Lompoc, John was a proud graduate of Lompoc High School, Class of 1971. John was affectionately known as "Sugar Bear", a nickname that captured his...

Nov 28, 2025

The best Dad in the world!

Nov 27, 2025

Donna Lee Giovanacci (Haskett) peacefully passed away November 27, 2025.  Donna was born in Santa Rosa, California December 13, 1938, and moved to Lompoc as a young girl.  She graduated from Lompoc High School, married Frank Giovanacci in 1955 together they raised 4 children.

Donna spent her early years volunteering for numerous organizations in Lompoc.  In 1972,...

Nov 24, 2025

Ronald D. Bence passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025. Ronald was the son of Harold and Edna Bence of Lemon Cove, California. Former Husband to Doris (Dean) Adams of Los Olivos, Calif. Father to Danny and Tracey Bence. Grandad to Amanda and Austin Bence. And Great Grandad to Taylor and Lili Bence. There will be no services.

Nov 22, 2025

Larry Stephen Ostini, 76, passed away on November 22, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. Born and raised on his family ranch in Lompoc, California, Larry graduated from Lompoc High School and honorably served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

Following his military service, Larry dedicated nearly 27 years to the Bureau of...