Author Archives: David Stevens

Barbara-May

Sister Mary St. Pius — Class of 1950

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Sister Mary St. Pius was born in the state of Washington she christened Barbara May and she came to Trona when she was very young. Her father, Frank May was employed as an engineer for AP&CC. He was involved with borax refining and was also a photographer.

She became a nun after graduation from college around 1955 and went to the Monastery of the Angels in Hollywood, CA.  She spent over 65 years of her life there and served as their archivist  As the number of there nuns dwindled  down to four or five the Church relocated the few remaining nuns and closed the monastery in January 2024.

When she was 5 she started kindergarten in the old Trona Elementary School that was turned into a department store. Of the twenty-five students she graduated with there were six of them that had started kindergarten with her.

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Alice-Quezada-Korba-Criger.

Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger — Class of 1949

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Julie Korba let us know that her mother Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger passed away on May 31, 2024 at 5:30. Her Facebook account is under Alice Criger.  She was 93 and Trona’s biggest Cheerleader!

The 1949 yearbook lists Alice’s achievements as  G. A. A. President, Girls League, Telescope Staff and Cheerleader ’47, ’48 and ’49, .

Alice had eight brothers; Edwardo (1913-2009), Edmundo (1916-2001) , Jesus (1919-2006), Migel (1922-2010), Fernando, Raul, Estaban (1915-2002), Art (1944-1968) and and three sisters; Evangenia (1924-2019), Estila (1926-2023) and Hortencia (1929-2007).

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/alice-quezada-korba-taylor-criger/article_cbc36606-85a1-11ef-8fe2-27645eed5ca9.html

Lillian Anna (Fair) Todd — Class of 1948

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Lillian Anna (Fair) Todd was born on August 12, 1930, in Bloomington, CA: the 4th of six children of James Clarence and Verdie Mae (Osborne) Fair. Lillian grew up in the orange grove where her father was caretaker. The family moved to Trona, CA in 1947 and she graduated from Trona High School in 1948. Lillian then earned an AA in Business at San Bernardino Valley College. She was an excellent typist – 100 WPM!

Lillian met Robert Madison Todd (“Todd”), the love of her life, in Trona where he was her high school sweetheart. Todd joined the US Marine Corps in 1950 to serve during the Korean War. They married in 1951. Their son, Jeffrey Madison Todd, was born in 1953. Both Todd and Jeff passed away prior to Lillian.

After the Korean War, the Todd family settled in Riverside. They enjoyed an active social life along with sports including swimming and skiing. Jeff was born with diabetes, and Lillian was a pioneer in finding ways to provide a “normal” life for him (diabetes care was more challenging then). She did a great job! Todd worked for Bourns Electronics in Riverside and later in their Hong Kong office. Todd and Lillian traveled extensively in Asia and elsewhere. Jeff pursued his love of skiing and music, and after college became a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain. In 1986, Jeff’s diabetes had caused his kidney function to decline to a point where he needed a transplant. Lillian flew back from Hong Kong and donated a life-saving kidney to him: an action that was credited with extending Jeff’s life by more than a decade.

After Todd’s retirement, he and Lillian lived in Paradise, near Bishop, then relocated back to Riverside in 2014, where Todd passed. Lillian moved to San Diego in 2024 and passed away peacefully on May 3.

Lillian is remembered as a vibrant, social, caring, witty and very fun woman. She loved animals and the outdoors. She was a great hostess and the life of the party. She loved her “titty pink” Porsche and always had Andre Extra Dry Brut for any occasion. Above all else, Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and a great friend. CHEERS to Lillian for a life well lived!

Lillian will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery to join her husband. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

 

https://www.legacy.com/

Layman Gattis — Class of 1962

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Layman Pierce Gattis of Poteau, Oklahoma, died Monday, February 26, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on January 9, 1944, in Lavaca, Arkansas, to the late Guy Gattis and Velma (Benham) Gattis. He was 80 years old.

Layman was a retired instrumentation electrician for AES Panama and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed quail hunting and riding dirt bikes. He loved his family very much and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2nd at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Rockey Boggs officiating. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife Sharon (Sisco) Gattis; three daughters, Lisa Gattis of Fort Smith, Loria Davis and husband Rob of Lake Havasu, Arizona; and Jenny Dixon of Poteau; three sons, David Gattis of Booneville, Christopher Smith and wife Melodie of Coalinga, California, and Michael Smith and wife Talia, of Henderson, Nevada; two brothers, Jim Gattis and wife Jenny Lou of Charleston and Phillip Gattis of Inyokem, California; (14) grandchildren; (7) great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Curtis Boutte and wife Brandy of Ridgecrest, California.

Pallbearers are James Gattis, Chris Smith, Michael Smith, Harley Gattis, Christopher Smith, Cody Smith, Ryan Smith, and Curtis Boutte. Honorary Pallbearers are David Gattis, Jim Gattis, Phillip Gattis and Mike Burnette.

The family will visit with friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday prior to the service.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

Larry Dean Harvey — Class of 1977

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Larry Dean Harvey, known to most as “Harv”, passed away January 23rd, 2024 in Lancaster, CA. He was 64yrs, 10mo and 2 days. He was born on March 21st, 1959 in Bishop, CA to Gale Dokken Harvey and Zelda Adele Harrah and joined his big sister Debbie. His baby brother Bill arrived 8yrs later. Harv lived his entire life in the Argus Heights Neighborhood of Trona, CA. He attended Trona Schools and graduated from Trona High School in 1977. On March 25th, 1978 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Pennie Duffell. Harv worked in the Trona/Ridgecrest area for various communications companies and was often referred to as the “phone guy”. He loved spending time with all his family, traveling to South Carolina to see his son Neil, Neils wife Angie, his grandkids Aundrea, Fred, Gracie, Jack and his Great Grandson, Freddy. Harv was a jokester and loved telling jokes and good stories. Friday’s in the Harvey house was the traditional BBQ night and he could be found barbecuing a good burger. On weekends he would always be tinkering in the garage.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pennie, his son Neil and his wife Angie of Greer, SC, daughter Sara of Trona, grandchildren Aundrea, Fred, Gracie, & Jack all of Greer, SC. Great grandson Freddy also of Greer, SC, brother Bill Harvey of Trona, numerous In laws that he considered sisters and brothers, numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale, who passed away on April 25, 1995, and Zelda, who passed away October 9, 2016. Sister Debbie Harvey Kleitman who passed away November 30th, 2023.

Mark Bennett Morgan

Mark Bennett Morgan (1962-2024) — Class of 1980

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Mark Bennett Morgan, age 61, of Whitefish, MT passed away April 13, 2024. He was born August 21, 1962 in Tehachapi, CA to the late Daniel Leroy Morgan and Florence Joyce Morgan (Newcomb). He grew up in Trona, California and shared many stories about the uniqueness of that small town.

Mark was a passionate, caring, generous, soul that loved his family. He took pride in his intellect and was an insightful person with a sharp wit. He enjoyed challenging banter, quiet conversations, or just spending time with his close friends and family. Mark enjoyed playing trivia with his wife and friends at various taverns, testing his knowledge. He loved animals. He was a vegetarian since he was 19. He was an advocate and donor for many charities. He was an outdoor enthusiast and some of his hobbies included skiing, hiking, motorcycle riding, snorkeling, rafting, playing frisbee, and horseback riding. His favorite places to be were in the crowd during a concert or atop a mountain. Music was a passion for him, and nature his religion. He and his wife had been to hundreds of concerts together and saw many classic rock bands live. Mark was drawn to the Flathead many years ago because of the awe and beauty of this area and had a love for Glacier National Park. Mark had a great connection to nature and all things green. During his time here, he and his wife helped out many young people in time of need, providing their home, food, financial help, anything they needed. He took great pride in being able to help.

Professionally, he was a computer programmer for various companies and worked in the tech industry for many decades, was self-taught and always looked up to his hero, Rocky (Peter) Graziano. In his spare time, he enjoyed an IPA and even brewed his own beer. He was a good cook and his wife and boys will especially miss him around mealtime.
Mark is survived by wife of 28 years, Katie L. Morgan; sons: Kristian Stipe (Erica), Ryan Stipe (Serena), and Michael Morgan (Grace); siblings: Marcia Nevins (Bill) and Larry Morgan (Renee); and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. With too many friends to list and so many lives touched, it is widely known that he will be missed.

In addition to his parents, Mark is preceded in death by his two Aunts: Marty Hayden and Elizabeth (Betty) Morgan Boon.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.

https://www.columbiamortuary.com/tributes/Mark-Morgan

Brian Lee Kendall (1959-2024) — Class of 1977

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Brian Lee Kendall 64, of Decatur passed away on Friday, 04/12/2024 at home. The family will greet friends from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home.

A celebration of life in true Brian fashion will take place at 3350 W. Marietta Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522 on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 11 am to 6 pm.

Brian was born May 24, 1959, to Howard and Betty (Hill) Kendall in Longview, Illinois. Brian was a carpenter/roofer by trade. Brian had a dedicated and accomplished work ethic. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He belonged to the Eagles Lodge and was a long-time member. His greatest passion in life was spending time with those he loved, and hosting cook outs.

Brian is survived and lovingly remembered by his children, Josh (Brandy) Kendall, Gabrielle (Christopher Coble) Kendall, Mariah (Travis) Tuttle, partner, Dawn Brown, his brothers, Dennis “Chrome” Kendall, Michael (Patricia) Kendall, Alan Kendall, honorary sister and best friend, Michelle Kendall and Grandchildren, Makaylie Gossett, Nathan Hanson, Brayden, Emelia, Wyatt Coble, Bradley, Andrew, Kaywin Tuttle.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Randy Kendall.

Online condolences can be left at www.moranandgoebel.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Brian Lee Kendall please visit our Sympathy Store.

Please visit https://www.moranandgoebel.com/obituaries/Brian-Kendall-2 for more information