Author Archives: David Stevens

William Jon Schultz 1956

Jon Schultz — Class of 1956

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William Jon Schultz (1937-2021)

Jon was born to William and Lillian Schultz in 1937 in California. In the 1940 census I found Jon living with his parents in Johannesburg, Kern County California where his father was working for Atolia Mining Company as a hoist engineer. Lillian had been working as a teacher in Randsburg before she married in 1936.

The Schultz family lived next door to the Hackman’s where I’m sure he met John (Jack) and Roy Hackman. Their father was commuting to Trona to work in the chemical plant so it seems natural to think that Jon’s father and mother also decided to look for work in Trona as well. Jack Hackman graduated from Trona High School in 1951 and his brother Roy graduated the same year Jon did, 1956.

In 1948 Jon’s mother began work as a teacher at the Trona Elementary School and worked there until 1965.

In the 1956 class will it says, “I Jon Schultz do hereby will all my trades and abilities to the teachers and administration. I hope it will help them run this school a little more peacefully.”

Jon died in New Braunfels,Texas Feb 9, 2021.

The family chose not to publish an obituary. If you contact me I can give you the latest address I have for Jon.

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to Jon’s family.

Nancy Elaine (Mullis ) Quidachay — Class of 1988

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Nancy Elaine (Mullis ) Quidachay age 51 passed away very unexpectedly on November 26, 2021 in El Paso TX.

Nancy was born in Lone Pine, Ca on February 16, 1970, to Paul, class of 1958, and Patricia Mullis of Trona CA.

She went to school in Trona, nursery school through high school graduating in 1988. She enlisted in the US Army in 1988 after high school where she served 9 years. Her military duties took this small town girl to the following areas during the 9 years. Starting in For McMullan Al, Fort Monmouth NJ, Stuttgart Germany, Persian Gulf, Fort Irwin Ca, Korea and ultimately Fort Bliss TX.

Nancy while stationed in Germany met Vicente (Ben) Quidachay also in the Army and they were married December18, 1993. Together they have one daughter Leilani age 6. She had 4 adult step children, Vicente Quidachay Jr, Irene Cortez, Natasha Quidachay and Inas Quidachay, and 9 grandchildren.

Nancy attended Citrus College and became an LVN- she completed her RN training while serving in the Army. After returning from Korea her and husband Ben made their way to El Paso which they ultimately called home.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 28 years Vicente Quidachay, her daughter Leilani Quidachay, 4 adult step children and 9 grandchildren who always referred to her lovingly as “honey”. Her mother Patricia Mullis, brother and sister- in-law Michael and Melinda Mullis of Ridgecrest CA.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and patients.

Military Service is pending and will be held at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX.

http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000012793

raynette reed

Raynette Healani (Reed) Lester Listen — Class of 1964

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Raynette Healani Lester Listen, 74; of Soda Springs, Idaho passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 in Pocatello.

Raynette was born on January 17, 1947, in Berkeley, California the daughter of James Harmon and Elizabeth Ellen Fulller Reed.

She attended Trona High School and later attended Francis Tuttle Tech, Rose State University of Central Oklahoma where she was in the LPN and RN Program.

Raynette lived in Soda Springs, Idaho for 3 years and also Edmond, Oklahoma for 23 years and Bancroft, Idaho for 11 years and had also lived in various other states throughout her life.

She married Reid Lester in Bancroft, Idaho.  They were later divorced.

Later she married Gary Listen in Edmond, Oklahoma.  He passed away.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, crafts and outdoor activities.

Raynette is survived by her two daughters, Penelope “Penny” Anuhea (Minor L.) Thompson of Soda Springs, ID and Tabetha Ray Browning of Edmond, OK.  She is also survived by three grandchildren, Kirstie (Bill) Mullen, Meleah (Ian) Phillips, Garrett (Jennifer) Thompson, and 4 great-grandchildren, Ariana Avila, Deegan Mullen, Alaina Phillips, Waylon Phillips, a nephew Shawn Rolof and two nieces, Marchelle Morrison, Debbie (Mickey) Cook, and 11 great-Nieces and 3 great-nephews, and a sister Jimmie Rolof (Trona High School Class of 1967).  She was preceded in death by her parents James H. and Betty E. Reed, a daughter, Sherrie Allred, and two nieces, Tamisha Dollman and Margie Morris Bateman.

Raynette’s wishes were to be cremated and no services will be held at this time.

https://www.simsfh.com/obituary/raynette-listen?fbclid=IwAR37P_sbBL_VDx-VZjFdO_-wf4O9kij12FayUG_SsvjsgyDE7q8UgBBbOFM

Phyllis Oswald

Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt — Class of 1956

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Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt 1938-2021

Phyllis was born in the Trona Hospital on June 28, 1938 to Leonard and Marjorie Oswald on June 28, 1938. Phyllis married her husband Bill Bettencourt in 1961. When going to Trona High School Phyllis was was the head majorette when she was a senior, the secretary of the California Scholarship Foundation and a member of the tennis team. In 1956, her senior year Phyllis was homecoming queen. Phyllis has a brother, Don Oswald, who was in the class of 1960.

Phyllis passed away December 19, 2021.

My deepest condolences to Don, Bill and the rest of her family.

A service will be held on January 4, 2022, 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 N. Church St. in Visalia, CA

You can find a complete obituary for Phyllis at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/visalia-ca/phyllis-bettencourt-10496698

Eugene Maulden

Eugene Henry Mauldin — Class of 1951

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Eugene Henry Mauldin 1932-2021

Eugene Henry Mauldin was born in Kilgore, Texas on April 4, 1932, to Jack Mauldin and Jewell Calloway. His parents divorced some years later and he lived with his dad in New Orleans, LA, until his father died. He lived with his mother, and they moved to Trona, California. He met his future wife Connie at her 12th birthday party, and they were friends throughout the school years. While he was in high school, his National Guard Unit was activated, and he was sent to Korea. He served as a tank gunner and after his tour of duty, he returned to Trona, Ca.

When he was 21 and Connie was 18, they were married in 1953. Eugene worked as an apprentice machinist at the chemical plant in Trona, until he succeeded in getting his machinist rating.

The family moved to Freeport, Texas and lived there for a couple of years. Due to health issues for Glenn, they moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968 and Eugene went to work for Coors Brewery as a machinist for almost 30 years. The family has lived in Denver ever since.

Eugene loved the outdoors and hiking and camping and hunting. He tried his hand at many hobbies (travel, square dancing, and had his own metal shop and while he lived in Trona he got his pilot’s license and flew a plane that he was part owner) and enjoyed being with and sharing life with his family. He was married to Connie for 67 years until she passed in 2021.

Eugene passed away June 29, 2021.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229045641/eugene-henry-mauldin

Connie Schmitt

Connie (Schmitt) Mauldin — Class of 1953

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Constance Anne “Connie” Schmitt Mauldin 1935-2021

Connie was born on Feb. 24, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Leo and Myra Schmitt. She graduated from Trona High School in 1953 and completed several college courses including Interior Decorating, Silver Screen, and Speech Writing and Delivery.

Connie married her husband on March 29, 1953 in St. Madeline Sophie in Trona, Calif.

She worked as a part-time home decorating adviser in the 1970s and as an administrative assistant at Coors Brewery from 1983 to 1997.

Connie was very active in the church throughout her life and was an extraordinary minister. She was a member of Toastmasters and won many trophies for her speeches. Connie was also a member of the Red Hat Ladies and the Applewood Homeowners Association. She was incredibly active in civic groups that worked to get people to vote.

Her first love was her family and caring for us. She was quite passionate about her beliefs, and enjoyed travelling to many countries around the world such as China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Mexico. Connie also loved interior decorating, the silver screen and old cinema. She always tried to help others learn more about their country as well as the world around us. Connie enjoyed being in social groups and sharing with others. She loved her friends and being a part of their lives.

Connie passed away February 13, 2021.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223146094/constance-anne-mauldin

Charlotte Davis

Charlotte (Davis) Moore — Class of 1957

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Charlotte Ann (Davis) Moore 1938 -2021

Charlotte was born to William Clarence and Novella Davis on February 12, 1940 in San Bernardino County, California. She married Gene Moore on February 12, 1961, in Sacramento, California. Charlotte passed away on December 6, 2021.

Charlotte has a sister, Betty Jean (Davis) Cruse , who was in the class of 1963.

There will be no services in keeping with Charlotte’s wishes.

Our condolences to Charlotte’s family.

Carl A. Bledsoe Jr. — Class of 1968

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Carl A. Bledsoe 1950-2021

Carl Afton Bledsoe Jr., age 71, of Palmdale, California passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Carl was born March 2, 1950.

Carl Jr. came to Trona in 1957 with his parents Carl Bledsoe Sr. (1917-1988) and Lilly Aleene [Long] Bledsoe (1921-2015). Carl Sr. came to Trona in 1957 as a P. E. teacher, football coach and basketball coach. Carl Sr. would eventually become Trona Joint Unified School District superintendent.

While in high school Carl Jr. was involved with an impressive number of activities: four years of football, basketball and Varsity Club; two years of track; three years of band; Spanish Club; Science Club; Telescope staff and class officer. After attending college Carl Jr. became a teacher at Antelope Valley Union High School in Palmdale, CA.

Carl Jr. was married to Janis Baker, THS class of 1969. Carl has a younger brother and sister who attended Trona High School: Thomas, THS class of 1973 and Patricia (Bledsoe) Browne, THS class of 1976.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/palmdale-ca/carl-bledsoe-10491016

Ted Murrin

Theodore K Murrin — Class of 1955

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Theodore K Murrin – 1936-2021

Ted was born 22 July 1936 to Philip and Dorothy Murrin in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away in Polson, Montana on December 14, 2021.

After high school Ted married Orrene Slafter who graduated from Trona High School in 1954. in 1954. Ted was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Philip, a member of the class of 1953 who passed away in 1953. Ted is survived by his wife; his children; his sisters, Dorah Walls; Jeanne Murrin, class of 1962 and brother, Randy.