With the death of Margaret “Lit” Brush in Ridgecrest on July 9, 2023, the Northern Mojave Desert has lost a priceless asset to the history of the Searles Valley. In a lifelong whirlwind of activity, she found and preserved priceless remnants of that history for the enjoyment and education of residents and visitors alike.
Sharon White (1946-2023), class of 1964, passed away on July 15, 2023 in Texarkana, Texas after a brief illness. Below is the link to the obituary:
We received word that Mike Mills passed away 0n July 11, 2023.
Michael Mills (1951-2023) and his brother John Mills, class of 1968, lived in Westend. Mike’s father, JD Mills (1916-2002), worked in the West End plant. Mike’s mother, Peggy (1924-2020), was a secretary for the school district from 1962 to 1983. Mike lived in Bakersfield, CA at the time of his death and was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Michael Phillips passed away on June 14, 2023 at home. He graduated from THS in 1965 and later taught English at Burroughs High.
Malvern is the son of Malvern Robert Stevens Sr and his wife Mildred. He was born in Los Angles, and he was raised in Westend where his father was a Shift Forman for the West End Chemical Company. Malvern graduated with the Trona High School class of 1953. During his high school years Malvern served as president of the THS chapter of the California Scholarship Federation, he was a member of the Marching Band and the Dance Band, and the Varsity Club. He lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track.
After graduating Malvern attended the University of Southern California and Brigham Young University where he was a Cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp. After finishing his education Malvern served in the US Air Force.
In 1971 Malvern returned to Trona as a teacher for a brief time but the special education program he was hired for was eliminated due to changes in state laws.
According to his daughter, Malvern frequently expressed his love for Trona. Malvern passed away on May 28, 2023, while living in Joplin, Missouri.
His services will be held July 7, 2023, at 11:00 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Ernesto lived in La Habra, CA. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and one granddaughter.
On May 9, 2023 Larry Wiemers went home to be with the Lord. He was a proud member of the class of 1958. While Larry attended Trona High School only for his senior year, he often said it was his best and most memorable year of high school. He participated in athletics and student government, but his fondest memories were hanging out and creating friendships with the other “KIDS”. He reconnected with some of these friends when Durwood Sigrest initiated the class of ’58 reunion in 2021. Larry truly enjoyed reading and referencing the Class of 2021 memoir book [developed by Carl Hall] and all of the phone calls that followed this joyous event.
Memorial Service
July 1, 2023 1:00 p.m.
1st United Methodist Church
275 N. Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande, CA
Larry’s father was the Trona Unified School District superintendent for a few years.
Cathy (Wiseman) Henly passed away April 30, The Wiseman family lived at Westend. Cathy had an older sister, Virginia (Wiseman) Naughton, in the class of 1962 and she had a younger brother, James, in the class of 1967.
Elderly couple killed in San Bernardino County house fire (foxla.com)
My Aunt Ann went to heaven on the 13th of April. Her maiden name is Ann Irene Eyre. She was born November 20, 1937 and was in the class of 1955. She and her husband Randall Morris lived and raised their three children in Ridgecrest. Her parents, husband. and six siblings all preceded her going home. She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Kevin Niemeyer