Category Archives: Death Notice

Bill Witt

Willaim Witt — Class of 1945

The Witt family came to Trona, CA from Chloride, AZ around 1942 and left about for Henderson, NV around 1948 so they weren’t in Trona for very long but he did graduate from Trona High School and he stayed in touch with lit Brush. The 1950 census lists his father as a foreman so I suspect he was recruited, like other were, to move to AP&CC’s plant in Henderson.

Bill was born April 4, 1947 and died in January 21, 2025. Perhaps someone could let use know if he had a family> He was one of the last living members of his class.

https://obituaries.neptune-society.com/obituaries/sacramento-ca/william-witt-12212063

Janet “Jan” (Long) Reichert — Class of 1970

Janet’s husband, Rick, left a message on Facebook telling us Janet has passed away. Jant is the daughter  of Onace Long who played so many rolls in the Trona Unified School District.

https://memorials.leintzfh.com/janet-reichert/5501048/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3kw4HoCK39M7LWToWpkDmiNeH4sLa5DIxMjWunsWH6q_7HiFowieZhUVs_aem_025plC2qYBoRclyBK9xI9A

Nancy (Smith) Morris — Class of 1955

Nancy (Smith) Morris (1936-2024) was born in Pennsylvania but came to Trona as a child and attended school in Trona from kindergartens until graduation in 1955. See married Eugene Morris in 1958. They were married 61 years until his death in 2019. They had two children, Paula (Morris) Lee and  Pete Morris both of them attended Trona High School.

Bruce-Knowles-1961

Bruce “Butch” Knowles — Class of 1964

I recently learned that Bruce Knowles passed away. I don’t remember him well but I do remember his family. His parents were Howard and Ruth Knowles. He had a cousin named Larry in the class of 1953 and a half sister named Gwen (Knowles) Russell who was also in the class of 1953.  Gwen marred Ira Russell who was in the class of 1951. Bruce also had a younger brother, Kenny.

Our condolences to his family.

Margaret Irene (Wells) June — Class of 1965

Margaret Irene June passed away in Glendale on Jan. 6, 2023 at the age of 75. She struggled with complications of COPD, heart disease and eventually COVID.

Margaret was born in Trona, California, where she grew up and graduated from Trona High School, having kept many of her schoolmates as friends throughout her life.

She moved to Glendale and worked for several years as a server at the Toasted Bun on Glendale Avenue. This is also where she met the love of her life, Larry June, whom she married on Dec. 20, 1977.

Margaret eventually started working at the Glendale Unified School District. She was well loved and appreciated for the devotion to her work and for her kind and generous heart. She retired after 28 years having gained many lifelong friends.

She also became a woman warrior in caring and fighting for her beloved husband as they battled his Parkinson’s disease. Sadly, Larry died in 2016 after 38 years of a wonderful marriage.

Margaret is survived by her brother Michael (class of 1961); many cousins, nieces and nephews; and her cat Pumpkin. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, older sister Maureen (class of 1960) and her mother Adeta Wells.

Margaret and Larry are buried together at a gravesite next to her mother in Trona, the city where she started her life’s journey.

We all miss Margaret profoundly. Her kindness and generosity touched everyone who was privileged to be a part of her life. She will forever live in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Margaret Irene June added by CV Weekly on August 10, 2023

Charlotte (Duffel) Hicks — Class of 1955

Charlotte was born 14 JUL 1937 and passed away August 7, 2024. The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 so Charlotte was not a student at Trona High School for very long. She wasn’t there long enough to have a graduating picture in the yearbook.

Her services will be 10 am September 21, 2024 at the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Charlotte will be buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery along with her parents, her sister, Regina, class of 1961 and her brothers, James, class of 1958 and Rex, class of 1959.

Charlotte was also known as Charlotte Van Sickle.

Regina (Duffel) Blevins — Class of 1961

Graveside services were held for Regina at the Searles Valley Cemetery on Saturday, May 25, 2024. where her parents, sister Melva and brothers Sunny and Rex are buried.

The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 from Arkansas. I can’t tell you much about Regina. Perhaps the classmates and friends who new her best will leave comments.