Category Archives: Death Notice

John Tansley

John Arthur Tansley — Class of 1953

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 I just wanted to let you know my brother John Tansley pass away this afternoon, [April 16, 2021]. John was in the class of 53. He will be missed. He and I were the only Tansley boys left.

…Bill

John Tansley was born October 21, 1935 in California. He was the oldest son of Clarence (1900-1962) and Pearl (Simmons) Tansley (1913-1986). He was the brother of Ray (1936-2005) , class of 1955; Bill, class of 1958 and Ron (1945-2020), class of 1963.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his classmates, friends and family.

Linda (Pipkin) Cox — Class of 1965

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I’m also sad to report that Gail’s cousin, Linda (Pipkin) Cox of Trona has also passed- the same day.  — Marilyn Walker McKee

Linda Cox left this world on April 1st, 2021 at the young age of 74. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. To put into words the story of her life is a daunting task, but one of the most important life lessons she was able to provide her family was the ability to persevere in the face of darkness and to make the best out of any situation no matter how easy or difficult.

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Gail (Murchison) Beck

Gail (Murchison) Beck — Class of 1961

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It is with great sadness that I share the news of Gail’s passing. She died peacefully in her sleep on April 1, 2021, after battling Stage IV lung cancer for over 18 months. Gail was the daughter of Jeff and Myrt Murchison and granddaughter of George and Ann Pipkin, long-time Trona residents. She was the big sister to Warren, who died in 1976.

Gail was a 1961 graduate of Trona High School where she served as the 1960 homecoming queen.  She was active in student council and many other school activities.

Gail will be remembered by her lovely smile and warm, gracious personality.  She is survived by her loving children and their spouses:  Kelly and Han, and Eric and Shaun.  She was adored by her grandchildren: Zack, Aidan, Eli, Riley, Isabel, and Chelsea.  Being a grandmother was one of the biggest joys in her life. Gail is survived also by her aunts, Lit Brush and Val Hurlocker, and her uncle, Pat Hurlocker.

She will be missed forever.

Charlotte (Reeves) Biggs

Reva (Fuller) Williams — Class of 1972

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Reva (Fuller) Williams entered Heaven on December 22, 2020, after battling a  wound infection.

Reva was born April 26, 1954 in Trona, CA to Robert and Betty Fuller. She was blessed with a brother, Kelly, and 2 sisters, Lyvonia & Priscilla. She lived in Trona for all of her 66 years.

She graduated from Trona High in 1972. During her high school years she was dedicated to music, playing flute in the marching band and singing in chorus. She excelled at home economics and volunteered in the cafeteria (a Fuller girls tradition!).

Reva married the love of her life (James) Ray Williams on November 16, 1973. They began their family right away and Reva was a stay-at-home mom for many years, often babysitting neighborhood kids just for fun.

As her kids grew up, she began working outside the home. She worked for the Trona School district as a day care and classroom aide, held a position at the Trona Branch Library, and she assisted Dr Gary Hess at the local dental office for many years.

Reva grew up attending the Trona Foursquare Church. Her greatest desire was for everyone to know Jesus the same way she did. She loved the Lord with all her heart! She served him by singing in the choir, teaching all ages in Sunday School & Good News Bears, leading Women’s Ministry, volunteering at VBS, helping coordinate Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry and playing piano for Sunday services.

For the last few years, Reva attended Trona Valley Christian Assembly, where she filled in at the piano as needed and, again, coordinated the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry.

Reva was also very active in the community. She volunteered her musical talents for many school programs & classes, played piano & sang for community services, taught Friday Interest Centers at the elementary school, helped out at the high school and County libraries. She was proud of her community & gave back as much and as often as she could.

Reva enjoyed spending time with family! She loved to play games, sing hymns and reminisce. Camping was a favorite past time as well. She joked about collecting grandkids (she had a BUNCH!)

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother.

Reva is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ray; her 3 children – Becca (Roy) MacLean, Tony (Vicki) Williams and Jeana (Bill) Fraser – 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grand children and 3 great-great grandchildren; her sisters, Vonni (Clay) Austill and Priscilla (Dennis) Benadom, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Reva is greatly loved and will be terribly missed, but we rejoice that her body is now whole and free!

— Becca MacLean

Sheila (Baker) Haughton — Class of 1967

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I was just informed that Sheila (Baker) Haughton, class of 1967 has passed away. I think this happened about the first of September 2020.

Sheila was born to Odell and Dorothy Baker on March 2, 1949. Sheila was a Trona Elementary School teacher in the 70’s. I don’t know how long she taught.

Shelia was married to  James Tyler Haughton, ( THS teacher from 1973-2010) and also from the class of 1967.  Her father-in-law James Haughton Sr. , left Trona High School in 1944, his senior  to join the navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He returned to and graduated in 1947. Sheila’s mother-in-law Marydith (Tyler) Haughton was also a member of the class of 1947.

I will post more information when it becomes available.

Terri (Burrell) Schmidgall and wife Betty

Terri (Burrell) Schmidgall — Class of 1970

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Known best by her nickname, Terri, Teresa Jane Burrell Schmidgall passed away on September 5th, 2020 at the age of 68. She was surrounded by family, watching her favorite tv shows. Terri dedicated her life to nursing and was a talented woodworker. She started her nursing career in her early 20’s as a CNA and continued working her way up the ladder; later gaining experience as an Administrator and Director of Nursing for retirement communities in the Seattle, Washington area.

Terri was born in Trona, California on February 2, 1952 to Tom and Toni Burrell. She loved sports and competition. After graduating from Trona High School, Terri moved to Pocatello, Idaho where she studied nursing at Idaho State University. Those were raucous years for Terri as she left an ex-husband behind and battled alcoholism all the way into a sanitarium. Terri made friends easily and considered herself lucky many of them picked her up when she fell.

In the 1990’s Terri excelled in her sobriety and nursing career while raising two daughters. She soon fell in love with her future wife, Betty Glandon, and moved the family to Seattle. Terri and Betty were married in Woodinville, Washington on August 24, 2013 in a fun-loving estate ceremony. Terri was a spunky, gregarious woman who battled many demons but kept a strong, confident appearance. She was loved by many but understood by few.

She is survived by her wife, Betty Glandon, daughter Mackenzie Daniek, daughter Shirstie Gaylord, Stepson Matt Glandon, Grandsons Alex and Elisha Daniek, Sons-in-law Nathaniel Daniek and Eric Gaylord and siblings Tom Burrell, Tim Burrell and Sister Donna Preston. A celebration of life ceremony is pending. In lieu of flowers please make donations to EvergreenHealth Hospice Care, 12822 124th Lane NE, Kirkland, WA 98034