Category Archives: Obituary

Marilyn (White) Shermeon

Marilyn (White) Shermeon — Class of 1961

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Marilyn Ann (White) Shermoen of Ridgecrest, CA, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on June 15, 1943, Marilyn grew up in Trona, and lived a life dedicated to her family and close friends, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.

Marilyn is survived by her loving daughter, Cheryl Shermoen, (Thomas Storm). She was a devoted grandmother to Tiffany Elliot (Shane) and great granddaughters Annie, Jessie, Christina, Elizabeth and Catherine. Marilyn also leaves behind her sisters, Carolyn Bertrand and Roberta Jackson, numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored and cherished deeply.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Ona White, and her brothers-in-law, George Bertrand and Louie Jackson.

Marilyn worked on the base for a number of years, where she was known for her dedication and hard work. Despite her commitment to her job, her true focus was always on her family. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, particularly her daily morning coffee at Beansters with her
sisters and friends, a ritual that brought joy and camaraderie into her days. Marilyn will be remembered for her quiet strength, her unwavering love for her family, and her warm presence. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Graveside services will be August 3, 2024 at 9am at the Desert Memorial Park, 801 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, Ca.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/marilyn-white-shermoen?fh_id=10738

Holly Ann (Hurlocker) Farrah Elliott — Class of 1951

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Holly Ann Hurlocker Farrah Elliott, passed away on June 1, 2024. Class of 1951. She was living in Edmond Oklahoma. Holly was born in Bemidji Minnesota, to Harold and Isabel Hurlocker.  The family moved to Trona when Holly was in the 4th grade.

She had 3 brothers, Harold, Patrick and Paul, and 4 sisters, Mary, Kathy, Sally and Alecia. All but the oldest brother ,Hal, graduated from Trona High. Holly married Bob Farrah in Trona 1954. They had 2 sons Rob and Bret, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grand children.  Bob passed away in 1991, and she married Frank Elliott in Sherwood OR in 2009.  She is survived by her husband Frank and sister Alecia, sons Rob and Bret and their families.  She was such a fun happy person, and we miss her greatly.

Lillian Anna (Fair) Todd — Class of 1948

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Lillian Anna (Fair) Todd was born on August 12, 1930, in Bloomington, CA: the 4th of six children of James Clarence and Verdie Mae (Osborne) Fair. Lillian grew up in the orange grove where her father was caretaker. The family moved to Trona, CA in 1947 and she graduated from Trona High School in 1948. Lillian then earned an AA in Business at San Bernardino Valley College. She was an excellent typist – 100 WPM!

Lillian met Robert Madison Todd (“Todd”), the love of her life, in Trona where he was her high school sweetheart. Todd joined the US Marine Corps in 1950 to serve during the Korean War. They married in 1951. Their son, Jeffrey Madison Todd, was born in 1953. Both Todd and Jeff passed away prior to Lillian.

After the Korean War, the Todd family settled in Riverside. They enjoyed an active social life along with sports including swimming and skiing. Jeff was born with diabetes, and Lillian was a pioneer in finding ways to provide a “normal” life for him (diabetes care was more challenging then). She did a great job! Todd worked for Bourns Electronics in Riverside and later in their Hong Kong office. Todd and Lillian traveled extensively in Asia and elsewhere. Jeff pursued his love of skiing and music, and after college became a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain. In 1986, Jeff’s diabetes had caused his kidney function to decline to a point where he needed a transplant. Lillian flew back from Hong Kong and donated a life-saving kidney to him: an action that was credited with extending Jeff’s life by more than a decade.

After Todd’s retirement, he and Lillian lived in Paradise, near Bishop, then relocated back to Riverside in 2014, where Todd passed. Lillian moved to San Diego in 2024 and passed away peacefully on May 3.

Lillian is remembered as a vibrant, social, caring, witty and very fun woman. She loved animals and the outdoors. She was a great hostess and the life of the party. She loved her “titty pink” Porsche and always had Andre Extra Dry Brut for any occasion. Above all else, Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and a great friend. CHEERS to Lillian for a life well lived!

Lillian will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery to join her husband. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

 

https://www.legacy.com/

Layman Gattis — Class of 1962

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Layman Pierce Gattis of Poteau, Oklahoma, died Monday, February 26, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on January 9, 1944, in Lavaca, Arkansas, to the late Guy Gattis and Velma (Benham) Gattis. He was 80 years old.

Layman was a retired instrumentation electrician for AES Panama and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed quail hunting and riding dirt bikes. He loved his family very much and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2nd at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Rockey Boggs officiating. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife Sharon (Sisco) Gattis; three daughters, Lisa Gattis of Fort Smith, Loria Davis and husband Rob of Lake Havasu, Arizona; and Jenny Dixon of Poteau; three sons, David Gattis of Booneville, Christopher Smith and wife Melodie of Coalinga, California, and Michael Smith and wife Talia, of Henderson, Nevada; two brothers, Jim Gattis and wife Jenny Lou of Charleston and Phillip Gattis of Inyokem, California; (14) grandchildren; (7) great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Curtis Boutte and wife Brandy of Ridgecrest, California.

Pallbearers are James Gattis, Chris Smith, Michael Smith, Harley Gattis, Christopher Smith, Cody Smith, Ryan Smith, and Curtis Boutte. Honorary Pallbearers are David Gattis, Jim Gattis, Phillip Gattis and Mike Burnette.

The family will visit with friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday prior to the service.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

Larry Dean Harvey — Class of 1977

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Larry Dean Harvey, known to most as “Harv”, passed away January 23rd, 2024 in Lancaster, CA. He was 64yrs, 10mo and 2 days. He was born on March 21st, 1959 in Bishop, CA to Gale Dokken Harvey and Zelda Adele Harrah and joined his big sister Debbie. His baby brother Bill arrived 8yrs later. Harv lived his entire life in the Argus Heights Neighborhood of Trona, CA. He attended Trona Schools and graduated from Trona High School in 1977. On March 25th, 1978 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Pennie Duffell. Harv worked in the Trona/Ridgecrest area for various communications companies and was often referred to as the “phone guy”. He loved spending time with all his family, traveling to South Carolina to see his son Neil, Neils wife Angie, his grandkids Aundrea, Fred, Gracie, Jack and his Great Grandson, Freddy. Harv was a jokester and loved telling jokes and good stories. Friday’s in the Harvey house was the traditional BBQ night and he could be found barbecuing a good burger. On weekends he would always be tinkering in the garage.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pennie, his son Neil and his wife Angie of Greer, SC, daughter Sara of Trona, grandchildren Aundrea, Fred, Gracie, & Jack all of Greer, SC. Great grandson Freddy also of Greer, SC, brother Bill Harvey of Trona, numerous In laws that he considered sisters and brothers, numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale, who passed away on April 25, 1995, and Zelda, who passed away October 9, 2016. Sister Debbie Harvey Kleitman who passed away November 30th, 2023.

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