Category Archives: Obituary

Bill Brink

Dr. Marshall William “Bill” Brink — Class of 1949

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Dr. Marshall William “Bill” Brink entered into the presence of the Lord on May 23, 2023, after 15 months of loving in-home care. He passed peacefully from his ranch in Whitmore to his Heavenly Home, surrounded by family. Bill was born on May 9, 1931, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After serving in the Army and graduating from vet school, Bill opened the Brink Veterinary Clinic in Palo Cedro, California in 1969. He taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Church for over fifty years. Bill leaves a legacy of humble, faithful service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Known as “Papa” to many, Dr. Bill will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, his two children, eight grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. His memorial service will be Saturday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Redding, California.

https://www.redding.com/obituaries/rrs022261

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/255931135/marshall-william-brink

Bill’s sister, Eleanor (Brink) Hallstrom (1929-1995), was a member of the class of 1947. Their family lived on Aster St. Their father was a maintenance foreman.

Claudia Lynne (Morrison) Farquhar — Class of 1966

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Claudia Lynne Morrison went home to her Lord and Savior on December 31st, 2023. She was born to Marshal & June Farquhar on February 15th, 1948. She was born and raised in Trona, CA & graduated from Trona High School in 1966. She met her husband Terry Morrison in 1967 & they married in 1968.

 She is survived by her husband, Terry, four kids: James, Donnie (Lisa), Tina (James), & Tera (Cory). Eight grandkids: Meagan, Rick (Sabrina), Mackenzie (Eric), Brooke (Alex), Chelsie, James, Jacob & Andrew. And nine great-grandchildren: Harper, Noah, Gabby, Emma, Asher, Saturn, Rome, Hazel and Norah.

Claudia was loved by all who met her and she truly made everyone feel special. She lived a beautiful life with the love of her life, dedicated her life to her family and made everyone she met feel deeply cared for. She loved nothing more than spending time with her husband, kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

She was a faithful servant of God and found so much joy in sharing His love with others. Many people looked to her for her wisdom, found comfort in her presence and enjoyed her amazing humor. Life will not be the same for those whose lives were touched by her grace and her comforting love.

“Your brighter than the brightest star, your sunshine happiness that’s what you are”. The sunshine she gave to us all will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Chapel on January 13th at 12pm with a reception to follow. For those not able to attend the service will also be live streamed online at calvarychapelridgecrest.com

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/claudia-lynne-morrison/article_066d448e-aa74-11ee-b317-9b7ba4adfde8.html

Claudia’s brother, Don Farquhar, class of 1962 passed away in 2010.

Debra Gale (Harvey) Kleitman — Class of 1972

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Debra Gale Harvey Kleitman

March 29, 1954 – November 30, 2023

Merced, California – Born March 29, 1954 – Died November 30, 2023 Preceded in death by parents Gale and Zelda Harvey. Debbie is survived by husband Richard Kleitman, daughter Elisa Kleitman, son Adam Kleitman and brothers Larry and Bill Harvey. She was raised in Trona California and attended Trona Elementary and High School where she was very active in many clubs, the leader of the color guard and a Past Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters. She continued her education at Chaffey College, San Francisco State (BA), Fresno State (MA Special Education) and UC Davis (Reading Specialist certificate). Debbie taught for Merced County Office of Education at Schelby School and the infant care program and Merced City Schools as a Resource Specialist at Ada Givens and Don Stowell Elementary Schools. An avid quilter, fudge maker, puzzle solver and tea drinker, Debbie loved traveling and sharing stories with friends and family.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made to the California Masonic Foundation ‘Raising a Reader program’.

Graveside services will be at the Searles Valley Cemetery (Trona, CA) December 11th at 11am. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family home on January 14th 

Anne Brill — Class of 1958

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JAMES SAMUEL (SAM) STEWART

August 10, 1937 – April 4, 2022

CAROLYN ANN (ANNE) STEWART

June 11, 1940 – April 21, 2022

Anne was born to Harvey and Wilma Brill in Boonesville, Mississippi

Sam and Anne were married for 61 years and both passed away in Bakersfield, California.

Sam was a disc jockey at KUDU and KBIS radio station for many years, then owned and operated Abbey Carpet in Bakersfield for more than 40 years. Anne worked at Three-Way Chevrolet then at Tenneco West as an executive secretary before she and Sam opened Abbey Carpet.

They were preceded in death by their son James S. Grunigen and Anne’s brother Don Brill, and are survived by their daughter Julie Brabham of Aberdeen, Washington and their son Samuel Scott Stewart of Bakersfield, granddaughters, Kerry Fitzgerald of Pilot Rock, Oregon and Eva Stewart, of Bakersfield, as well as Sams sister Barbara Stocks and Annes brother Chuck Brill.

There will be a joint memorial service on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11am at Basham Funeral Care at 3312 Niles St, Bakersfield. All are welcome. Dodgers attire encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bakersfield SPCA.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

Published by Bakersfield Californian on May 8, 2022.

Louis Erwin

Louis Erwin — Class of 1958

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Louis “Lou” Keith Erwin, age 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a wonderful father, son, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and will be greatly missed. Louis is preceded in death by his parents; Harry Yeager Erwin and Margaret Virginia Stevens. He is survived by his sons; Davis P. Erwin and Myles K. Erwin (Amy), his brothers; Leonard Erwin [Class of 1958] (Lorrie), and Wayne Erwin [Class of 1962] (Glenda), his grandchildren; Christian Erwin (Haley), Caitlyn Erwin, Nadia Morrow, Matthew Erwin, and Noah Erwin, as well as his great-grandchild; Oakley. He is also survived by many extended friends and family to cherish and honor his memory.

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/louis-erwin-obituary?id=53366763

 

 

 

Mia Carter 1970

Mia Honora (Carter) Smiley — Class of 1970

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We were sorry to hear about Mia’s passing.  She is remembered fondly by her classmates. Condolences to her family.

Mia Honora Smiley, formerly Mia Carter, age 70, of Modesto, California passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Mia grew up in Trona, Ca and Patterson, Ca. She married the love of her life Scott in February of 1983 and they celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2023. Mia worked for Proctor & Gamble for 19 years before retiring in 2000. She loved to spend time with her family and friends, but her grandchildren were truly the apple of her eye. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Mia is survived by her spouse, Scott E. Smiley; her daughter Sara Coulson; her son Cavan Berends; and her son Lonny Berends; her grandchild Logan Berends Berends and her grandchild Abby Berends Berends.

A visitation for Mia will be held Monday, May 8, 2023 from 10:00 am at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Heritage Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at Lakewood Memorial Park in the St. Jude Garden, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Diabetes Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Smiley family.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/hughson-ca/mia-smiley-11259113

Marlene Casey (1950)

Constance Marlene Casey — Class of 1950

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Marlene came to Trona during her senior year. She was living with her aunt and her cousins, Gary Casy (1936-2003), class of 1954 and Jon Casey (1941-1994), class of 1960.

Our condolences to her family.

Her Obituary Reads:

Marlene Morris, age 92, of Amarillo, entered the gates of heaven on August 5, 2023, in Amarillo.

Marlene was born July 29, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas, to her parents, Albert Eugene and Dora Shirley Hurt Casey. She attended Amarillo High School before moving to California, where she graduated high school and attended college.

On August 21, 1953, Marlene married the love of her life, Gene “Smokey” Morris. The couple was blessed with four children Mike, Sam, Susan, and Abby. Marlene devoted her life to serving her family, the church, and the community. She was involved in the Republican Women’s Organization, the Red Hat Society, the Borger Belles and served in many capacities at her church.

Marlene had an extensive knowledge and appreciation of history. Being a child of the Great Depression and living through WWII, she took an interest in the times that shaped her life. She was an accomplished artist, blessing family and friends with her exquisite oil paintings.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Michael Morris, and her husband, Gene “Smokey” Morris.

Marlene is survived by her two daughters, Susan Denton and her husband David of Wimberley and Abby Johnston and her husband Cliff of Kyle; her son, Sam Morris of Amarillo; seven grandchildren, John Mark Davis and his wife Mallory, Michelle Myers and her husband Jason, Matthew Davis and his wife Madison, Michael Davis, Daniel Davis and his wife Anna, Lauren Hogan and Jacky Morris; and five great-grandchildren, Kamron Davis, Khloe Davis, Olivia Davis, Luna Davis, and Baby Myers, on the way.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/.

https://www.llanocemetery.org/obituaries/Constance-Marlene-Morris?obId=28646292

Margaret Dale (Pipkin) Brush

Margret (Pipkin) Brush — Class of 1945

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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.

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