Obituaries

Michelle Ann Hancock, retired Caltrans worker

Note: The following obituary appeared on DignityMemorial.com.

Retired Caltrans worker Michelle Ann Hancock, wife of retired Caltrans engineer Steve Hancock, died April 25. She was 65.

Michelle  was always a storyteller, an attribute born of her love of history, genealogy, and family, and her genuine interest in everyone she met. After a heroic battle with cancer, she left those of us who loved her behind, to carry on telling our stories in her place.

Michelle was born on March 14, 1957, to the parents Sarah-Ann (nee Vincent) and Michael McKenny in Maine, during the years when her father was an Air Force pilot. She often joked that she did more traveling as an Air Force kid than she did in the rest of her life, living in Maine, Florida, Massachusetts and eventually Germany, all by the age of 6.

In 1963, Michelle's father died in a plane crash in Germany when he was 28, and the family moved back to Fair Oaks to begin again. Sarah-Ann was widowed with three small children to care for when the family's pastor introduced her to another young widower at their church, Allan Goller. Six months later, Sarah-Ann and Allan married, and Allan adopted Michelle, Lauryl and Marcus and loved them as his own. Sarah-Ann and Allan remained happily married until Sarah-Ann passed away in November 2019 and Allan followed her in June 2021.

Michelle graduated a year early from Bella Vista High School in 1975, and then attended American River College, before going to work for Caltrans in 1986. There, she worked her way up over a long career, retiring in 2017. She had a reputation for connecting people while at Caltrans, a mother hen who was good at taking care of her colleagues, and an astute coworker suggested that Michelle would be the perfect person to help introduce Steve Hancock, a new engineer, to Sacramento. Whether it was luck or inspired matchmaking, they quickly became friends and then married, spending 22 of the happiest years of Michelle's life together.

Steve made Michelle laugh like no one else could, supported and fought for her throughout her illness, and above all, he did his best to fulfill Michelle's dearest wishes, from their wedding at a historic church in Coloma, to building and relocating to their log home in the woods of Alta, CA.

A born storyteller, it was always a dream of Michelle's to become a journalist, and she'd "interview" friends and family as if she was preparing to write an article, going so far as to pretend she was holding up a microphone, and she fulfilled that wish in retirement, often submitting articles to the Dutch Flat Community newspaper. Michelle loved being part of the Dutch Flat and Alta communities, both for the comradery of small town living as well as for the opportunity to continue her role as a mother hen.

More than anything, Michelle was a stubborn optimist and a woman of faith, who never gave up hope even when she learned her diagnosis was terminal. She spent her last year with Steve, her friend, and her family, as upbeat as ever, fighting even harder, and refusing to live as if this was the end. If it had not been for the wigs, you might never have known she was ill, and that's how she wanted it. She traveled to Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, the northern California coast and through the Rockies with Steve, all in just last six months, never relenting in her kindness, positivity, or joy for life. She was a ray of sunshine, and the lives of all who loved her are brighter for knowing her.

She leaves behind her husband Steve, her sister Lauryl Frame (husband Darren Frame); her sisters and brothers in law Amy Goller and Michael, Diane, Mary, Christine, John and Tom Hancock; her nieces and nephews Kristin Emmett, Emily Frame, Casey Frame, Spencer Goller, Macy Goller; her Malamute Timbre, and many friends from Alta, Caltrans, and from just about anywhere she stopped to chat and learn a new story. She is reunited with parents, Sarah-Ann, Michael McKenny and Allan Goller; and brother Marcus Goller.

John Howard Stenzel, retired maintenance supervisor

Note: The following obituary appeared online May 20 in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Retired maintenance supervisor John Howard Stenzel, beloved father and friend, passed away with his daughters by his side on April 30 in Roseville. He was 75.

John was born April 18, 1947.

John was a resident of Lincoln for 35 years. He worked for the state of California as a Caltrans maintenance supervisor for over 37 years.

In winter, he was part of the Echo Summit Avalanche Control team in South Lake Tahoe. In the summer he worked on paving crews across California repairing our state’s highway system.

His true joy in life was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on countryside trips just to enjoy the freedom of the ride. John loved retired life and spent his spare time barbequing and relaxing in his home that he cherished.

He is survived by his two daughters, Hope Hocking (Michael) and Lacy Stenzel, and a grandson, John Hocking. He also leaves behind his brother Rick Stenzel (Janice). He is preceded in death by his sister Cynthia Easton, his loving parents Bill and Penny, and a life partner of nearly 20 years, Jeri Adams.

John had many friends whom he loved and supported dearly without question. John had the biggest heart and welcomed all with open arms. He had a great sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. He will live in our hearts and we are forever grateful for the beautiful memories.

Donald Wilhelm, retired road supervisor

Note: The following obituary appeared online May 20 in the Murray (Kentucky) Ledger & Times.

Retired road supervisor Donald Wilhelm, 81, of Almo, Kentucky, passed away on May 15 at Spring Creek Healthcare. He was 81.

Mr. Wilhelm was born on Sept. 22, 1940, in Ventura to Charles and Emma Christine Hodges Wilhelm.  Donald proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was a member of Murray Masonic Lodge #105, Royal Order of Eastern Star and Shriner's.

After retiring as road supervisor for Caltrans in Ventura, he moved to Murray, Kentucky, to watch his grandchildren grow up.  He cherished his time visiting and eating lunch with friends at the Senior Citizens Center in Murray. Donald was an avid golfer and will be dearly missed by many.

Those preceding him in death include his parents and a son, Dennis Wilhelm.

He lovingly leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Mrs. Lynn Bullington Wilhelm of Almo; a son, Steve Wilhelm and wife, Gwenda of Almo; grandchildren, Brandon Wilhelm and wife, Cora of Golden Valley, Arizona, Justin Wilhelm of Harvest, Alabama, Brian Wilhelm and fiancée Lauren Wagner of Murray, Adam Wilhelm of Murray, as well as, one great grandchild, Aiden Wilhelm of Goldenville, Arizona.