I just received word that Hazel King, class of 1963 died on May 4, 2020. I will post further information if it becomes available.
Hazel King — Class of 1963
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Category Archives: Alumni
Hyrum “Skip” McInelly — Class of 1960
Hyrum Reece McInelly, better known as Skip to friends and family, passed away on April 28, 2020, in Walnut Creek, CA. After battling ill health for a few years.
He was born in Spokane, WA, October 15, 1941. During his early life the family moved a few times and ended up in a small town of Trona, CA, in the Mojave Desert. He attended school there and after graduation he took an apprenticeship class to become a machinist working in plants and made his living at this until his retirement. He later moved to Concord, CA, to pursue his career and worked as a machinist in the surrounding refineries. It was at this time of his life when he met his wife, Chantal McInelly. They were married August 12, 1976, and together as a family of 7, Skip having 2 daughters and Chantal had 3 boys, they began their loving relationship.
Skip enjoyed life, enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and just going for road trips. He was a kid at heart and tricks and pranks came naturally to the boy in him. When visiting his wife at work, he would string paper clips together at one of her coworkers desk, when going out for a meal with friends poke a hole in a straw when they weren’t looking, or when walking where there was a water puddle making sure someone was close and stomp his foot in it to splash the victim. He also enjoyed working with wood and making things, then giving them away. The same was done with stain glass projects that he and his wife made, or crochet items that were made by his mother when he was a child. He is a loving father, faithful husband, and truly a friend to all he meets. His warmth has touched many lives through his 78 years with us. Both friends and family will miss him.
He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Hyrum S McInelly and Violet McInelly, his sister Dorene (THS 1954) and a second sister that died at birth, and his daughter Julie. He is survived by his wife, best friend, soulmate and caregiver, Chantal, his children Sally McInelly of Henderson, NV, Brian Lund of Federal Way, WA, Mark Lund of Martinez, and Harold Lund of Concord. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren.
Skip was a cousin to Marian (Reece) Walsh (THS 1955), LeRoy Reece (THS 1957) and Vernon Reece (THS 1959).
Kenneth Carter – Class of 1961
Tim Burrell just called to let me know that our classmate Kenneth Carter (1943-2020) died last night (4/22/2020) of cancer. Information about services and burial are pending. Ken was one of many favorite classmates. We are all saddened by news of his death.
Kenneth “Leroy” Bradburn — Class of 1952
Kenneth “Leroy” Bradburn, age 81, life long resident of Elwood, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2015, at his residence surrounded by his loving family following an extended illness. Leroy was born on January 31, 1934, in Elwood to Kenneth Greenstreet and Doris (Hicks) Bradburn. Leroy was retired from Continental Can of Elwood after 22 years and later retired from Chrysler Corp. after 19 years. Leroy was a veteran of the US Army, member of the Daleville American Legion, and the Elwood Elks. He enjoyed wood working, golfing, and fishing.
Leroy is survived by his loving Wife, Shirley (Browning) Bradburn of Elwood, Son, Gene Bradburn of Elwood, four Daughters, Bobbi Fanning, Tracy (Fred) Albers, Kimberly Boes, and Robin (Bill) Copeland all of Elwood, eleven Grandchildren, Leslie, Brian, and Ryan Fanning, Holly (Ryan) Abbott, Michelle Albers, Lacey Copeland, Cole Bradburn, Jack Bradburn, Tori Clough, Misty Bradfield, and Jessica Hendrix, 11 Great Grandchildren, Sister, Joyce Call of Elwood, Several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Leroy was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother, Gene Greenstreet (Class of 1951), Sister, Linda, Brother in law, Ralph Call, and a Daughter in law, Michelle Bradburn.
A Celebration of Life Funeral service will be at 3:00 pm Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Dunnichay Funeral Home, Elwood, Indiana. Burial will be at a later date.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2015, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, at Dunnichay Funeral Home, 1113 S. Anderson Street, Elwood, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood Animal Shelter.
Sharing memories and online condolences can be given at www.dunnichayfuneralhome.com
Note: Leroy’s family left Trona in 1950 so Leroy and Gene did not graduate from Trona High School.
Darlene (Kudlac) Nicholson — Class of 1953
Darlene Evelyn Kudlac was born on May 11, 1935, in Los Angeles County, California, her father was Albert Kudlac and her mother was Evelyn McConaha. She married her classmate Dale Frazier Roberts (1935-2015) in 1953. They were both in the class of 1953. Darlene and Robert had a daughter, Darci (Roberts) Bishop. After Darlene and Dale divorced she married Wayne Stephenson and had a second daughter, Linda (Stephenson) Bradford. On February 14, 1981. She married Rolland J Nicholson on February 14, 1981, in Marion, Oregon.
Linda and her husband Russ Bradford have been caregivers for Darlene over the past 10 years. Darlene had been on dialysis for past five years and passed away from natural causes on January 31, 2020.
While growing up Darlene and her parents lived at 107 Argus Avenue in Trona. This is one of the houses across from the Recreation Center. Darlene and her mother used to collect old bottles and jars in the desert and set them in the sun in their backyard to turn purple.
Ronald C Tansley — Class of 1963
Ronald Chris Tansley (January 18, 1945 ~ February 9, 2020 ) 75, passed away in the Veterans Home in Lebanon, Oregon. He graduated from Trona High School in 1963 He was a Vietnam Veteran. Services were arranged by the VA in Corvallis, Oregon. He had three brothers, John of Tucson, AZ and William of Winston, Oregon and Raymond who passed away in 2005. He had three daughters Crystal (who has been his care-giver), Pearl and Doris.He was born to Clarence (1900-1962) and Pearl (1913-1986) (Simmons) Tansley.
Visitation will be Friday, February 14, from 10:00a.m. – 1:00p.m. At the funeral home. A Graveside service will be at 2:00p.m. At Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens with Military honors provided by the Oregon National Guard and the American Legion Post 10. AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements. (www.aasum-dufour.com)
https://www.aasum-dufour.com/obituary/Ronald-Tansley
1959
Kirk Uetz — Class of 1978
Kirk Robert Uetz
Kirk Robert Uetz passed away suddenly Jan. 20, 2020, at his Ridgecrest residence. He was 60.
He was born July 12, 1959, to Patricia Lee (Riley) Uetz and Clifford George Uetz. He was raised and lived in Ridgecrest his whole life. He went to school in Trona. He was married in Las Vegas, Nev., to Carrie Charron on Jan. 11, 2011.
He worked at Global Sulfur for 20 years and traveled a lot to places like Indiana, the Virgin Islands and Illinois.
He loved playing with his grandson, Sebastian Chase Carter. He was an L.A. Dodgers fan. He had a deep love for Jehovah God and his dear son, Jesus Christ. Kirk’s faith was strong — he was looking forward to living in God’s promised new world. He was a very loving person.
Loving, Caring, Compassionate, Stubborn.
He is survived by his wife Carrie (Charron) Uetz; grandson, Sebastian Chase Carter; stepchildren, Ashley (Melo) Charron of Clermont, Ga., Butch Doan of Ridgecrest and Samantha Sheely of Portage, Ind.; mother, Patricia Lee (Riley) Uetz of Ridgecrest; brother, Richard Michael (Kathy) Uetz of Ridgecrest; and niece, Amanda Uetz of Ridgecrest.
He was preceded in death by father, Clifford George Uetz (1927-1995) and sister, Julie Elaine Utez (1958-59).
Union Cemetery in Bakersfield is handling cremation arrangements.
Donna Jean (Williamson) Quirk — Class of 1959
Donna Jean Quirk went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 4, 2018. Donna was born on January 9, 1941 to Donald Leonard Williamson and Alberta Ruby Eberwein Williamson in Rochester, N.Y. She lived in that area, primarily Brockport, until age eight when, with her new step-father, Raymond Seifert, her Mom, her brother, Gary and step-siblings, the westward trek began. From New York to Texas to Colorado to Nevada to California.
It was while she was living in California she met the love of her life, Thomas L. Quirk whom she married on April 25, 1959.
Donna was preceded in death by her son, Scott Anthony Quirk; her mother, Ruby Seifert; her step-father, Raymond Seifert; and her father, Don Williamson.
Donna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Thomas L. Quirk of Bay City, TX; son, Thomas L, Quirk Jr. (Barbara) of Pflugerville, TX; daughter, Jeanna Lynn Thompson of Bay City; daughter-in-law, Barbara Burnell Quirk currently of Temple, TX; brother, Gary C. Williamson (Lisa) of Richards, TX; grandson/adopted son, Alex Quirk of Bay City, TX; plus six more grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Donna loved her family, none were too old for her to worry about or fret over. She loved the Lord her God with all her heart, and all her soul and all her mind and that love extended to her neighbor as well. She in turn was an easy person to love, her ready smile; her sincere concern for others and the way she put people at ease – there was no guile about her. Donna loved worshiping the Lord – whether through music (she had a beautiful alto voice), Pastoral care of shut-ins, Bible study or participating in the Lord’s Supper – she gave it her all. A long time member of Bay City First Christian Church, she was an Elder at its closing in January 2015.
Donna also loved working in her yard and caring for her potted plants. Earlier she had been an avid square dancer and enjoyed attending dances all over Texas. What she liked most about square dancing was the dancers. She often remarked they were the some of the nicest people she ever met.
Robert Christopher, “Chris,” Housden Sr — Class of 1974
Robert Christopher, “Chris,” Housden Sr., passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019, at home, surrounded by his beloved family in Fremont, California. He was 63 years old.
A Memorial Service will be held on December 7, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels in Fremont, and a Burial Service will be held on December 14, 2019, in Lake Tahoe. Time for the Burial Service is pending.
Chris is survived by his wife of 31 years, Gayle Jean Housden, his two children, Robert Christopher Housden Jr. and Rachel Victoria Housden; his siblings, Catherine, Michael, and Beth; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Pat Housden, and his brother Scott Housden.
Chris’s family and friends loved his wry wit and his mischievous nature. Though seemingly quiet to the outside world, those who knew him were delighted by his sense of humor and forthright manner. You knew where you stood with Chris, and to be loved and accepted by him was to be a part of a precious inner circle where the wisecracks were many and the laughter was frequent.
His was a life well-lived, and he poured himself into the love and care of his family, despite the many challenges of illness. He loved spending time in Lake Tahoe and with his entire extended family every year at Christmas time. In his passing, those who loved him will remember fondly a man of character and integrity, whose priorities were solid, and whose passions were centered in the circle of family. The lives he touched were profoundly impacted, and his passing will leave behind a strong legacy of faith and love.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Furry Friends Rescue.
David Cunningham — Class of 1974
There was a note on Facebook that David Cunningham, class of 1974. David was born February 21, 1955 and died March 30, 2019. According to his mother’s obituary David has two brothers; William and George; and one sister, Nancy. For some reason he was not among the list of members of the class of 1974 that I have. David is the son of William Cunningham and Fawn Eyre. The Eyre family were early (1940) residents of Randsberg and Borosalvay. Many of the clan, which also include Petersons, Corbridges and Rollins still reside in the Trona-Ridgecrest area.