Category Archives: In Memory

Hazel B. Vette 1937 – 2019

Hazel B. Vette, 81, recently of Theodosia, MO passed away on April 10, 2019 at Gainesville Healthcare Center, Gainesville, MO. She was born June 29, 1937 at McCune Brooks Hospital in Carthage, MO to Loren and Mildred (Harrington) Hood.

Hazel grew up in the country around Alba, MO where she attended school. In high school she met Vernon Vette Sr. Vernon and Hazel married on May 28, 1955 and soon after they moved to Trona, CA where they raised their five children. Hazel stayed at home caring for her children until 1970 when she started working at Ridgecrest Hospital as a nurse’s aid, then went on to be a physical therapist assistant until she retired in 1992. Vernon and Hazel moved to Theodosia, MO in 1994 where they resided approximately eight years. They moved out of Ozark County but still resided in Missouri. In 2014 they moved back to Theodosia where she lived out the rest of her life.

Hazel loved the Lord and reading her bible, she also loved baking, camping, crocheting and working on puzzles. She especially loved to play cards or games with friends, children and grandchildren. She had a good sense of humor and was a little feisty at times.

She was preceded in death by her parents Loren Hood and Mildred Hood; one sister Roberta Mix; and one brother Donald Hood. She is survived by her husband Vernon Vette Sr. residing at Gainesville Healthcare Center; her five children Deborah Grantham and husband Mike of Weaubleau, MO, Vernon Vette Jr. of Grain Valley, MO, Elizabeth Perreira of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Victoria Cook and husband Ben of Theodosia, MO, Allan Vette of Lawrence, KS; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren.

Memorial services for Hazel will be held June 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hill Top Church in Thornfield, MO. Hazel will have a plaque on the memorial wall at the Lutie Cemetery in Theodosia, MO. Cremation services are under the care and direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.

SERVICES
Memorial ServiceSunday, June 23, 2019
3:00 PM

Hill Top Church
Hwy D
Thornfield, MO

Get Directions on Google Maps

Charles “Chuck” Hardison — Class of 1953

Chuck Hardison died in the fall of 2015

Charles Edward Hardison was born on January 3, 1935, in Kern County, California to William and Matilda Hardison. He was proceeded in death by his parents; two brothers, Walter “Butch” and Larry and by two sisters, Mildred and Bobby. He is survived by one brother, Jerry, the twin brother of Larry.

Judy Allen — Class of 1974

More sad news on Facebook from Barbara Allen Lee, class of 1970:

It is with a broken heart I am letting friends of Judy Allen…know of her passing yesterday. 1956-2019. She leaves 2 fabulous sons who will miss her terribly. She leaves an older sister who will be missing her every day. She was a fabulous mom who raised her boys for the most part single handedly. She had a very successful teaching career. She was very devoted to her students. She strove to make their lives better. She was a positive presence, a good and kind human being with a great sense of humor and a brilliantly beautiful smile. Please keep her wonderful boys in your prayers.

Judy Allen was born in 1956 and died on April 18, 2019. She was a member of the class of 1974.

Roselyn (Brunn) Keeling — Class of 1951

Roselyn Ann (Brunn) Keeling was born Sept 3, 1932 and died  Jan 17, 2010. Her father, Elris Van Doren Brunn, worked in Trona. He died in 1977 and his remains were buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Roselyn married Kenneth A Keeling  July 24,1950, the summer before she graduated from THS . Kenneth and Roselyn are the uncle and aunt of Sarah Keeling Polly class of 1962 and several other THS alumni. Roselyn and her husband are both buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Roselyn’s mother, Carrie, died in 1969. Her sisters are: Eilleen (Brunn) Ryan who died before 2011; Marcyline Annette (Brunn) Powers who died in 2002; Delores (Brunn) Thigpen who died in 2005; and Lorella Lee (Brunn) Peyton who died in 2011 and is buried in Ridgecrest. Her Mother Carrie B (Ketchum) Murphy died in 1969. She was survived by her sister Joyce (Leo Rognlie).  Joyce Faith (Brunn) Rognlie was in the THS class of 1957 as a freshman and sophomore  and then she transferred to Twentynine Palms High School.

 

 

Sarah (Keeling) Polly — Class or 1962

From Ann Pohan Tankersley on Facebook:

Sarah (Keeling) Polly, Class of 1962, passed away on April, 10, 2019 of Alzheimer’s.

Sarah Lou Kelling was born to Alfred Hackney Keeling and Cleo Harness on April 28, 1944 in Los Angeles County. Sarah was the former wife of Doug Polly who was also in the class of 1962. Sarah and Doug  were married in 1963 and divorced in 1974. Doug passed away in 2006. They had two children, Shawn and Karin.

This is very sad news. We send our prayers to her family.

The list of Keeling that were Trona High alumni is very long They are: Roselyn ’51, Betty ’58, Alfreda ’60, Sarah ’62, Katy ’63, Larry ’66, Alfred ’72, Kevin ’74 and Brad ’78

Larry Keeling was killed in Vietnam on June 09, 1969 and seems to be from another Keeling family.

If you know how any of these Keelings are related please leave a message in the comments.

Patsy (Still) Watson — Class of 1957

From Teresa Still on Facebook:

Patsy (Still) Watson has gone from this earth to join her parents (JC & Cleo Still) in Heaven on 17 April 2019. She was a 1957 Trona graduate. She is survived by her husband (Leon Watson), her 2 sons (Ron & Don Watson), grandchildren, great grandchildren, Aunt Elene Still Chandler, Uncle Russell Still and cousins.

Pat Still from 1954 Trona Telescope

http://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/patsy-watson?lud=208ADDA0BCD2CD10388EE5A0E1D8AC35&fbclid=IwAR2FF0gawHzBfZs_DxjHD8RbUP_pOrrUIjEMmoD7AYz6TtMAZpviRPUtmJ4

Marie (Dillon) Cobbs — Class of 1953

From Nikki Beall Hood on Facebook

I’m sure most if you knew my mom Marie Beall / Mrs Beall that was Secretary to the Principal for years or as Marie Dillon when she graduated from THS in 1953. I am sad to say she has passed away. I thought some of you might want to know. Below is her Obituary:

Obituary

Marie Cobbs, 84 passed away April 4, 2019 in her sleep at Ridgecrest Retirement Center in Waco, Texas. The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Oakcrest Funeral Home located at 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX 76710

Marie was born to James and Louise Dillon on March 12, 1935 in New Jersey. Marie graduated from Trona High School in 1953.

She is survived by two children, Nikki Hood and husband Jeff Hood and of Quinlan, TX and Bruce Beall and wife, Missy Beall of Waco. She is also survived by grandchildren, Jeremy Beall, Jodi Beall, Kenna Hood, Meagan De La Pena and husband German De La Pena and Halee Beall along with four great-grandchildren. Marie was preceded in death by her parents and her son Mike Beall.

Marie worked in the school system as a Secretary/Assistant for 45+ years at Trona ISD In Trona, CA and McLennan Community College in Waco, TX where she then retired from MCC after 20 plus years. Marie was also highly involved in being a volunteer for MDA for years and was also voted Volunteer of the Year. Marie never met a stranger. She was very proud of her family and swore she was going to live until she was 92, well she didn’t quite make it, but she lived one heck of a life.

https://oakcrestwaco.com/book-of-memories/3792242/Cobbs-Marie/index.php?fbclid=IwAR1ZQ7HZ2fumNs5eLb449OxOULOJFDxMXQFtsYQZ4eJ5D6pMAo2oaeZKdxA

Marilyn Reece

September 12, 1938 ~ December 25, 2018

Marilyn Reece – 80, of Minden, Nevada passed away on December 25, 2018. She was born to Alva and Hazel Pickett in Twin Falls, Idaho. Marilyn loved winter sports, traveling, music, knitting, quilting, and her faith in God. In 2002 she married Larry Reece in Genoa, Nevada.

She is preceded in death by her parents Alva and Hazel Pickett; and her brother George Pickett.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Larry Reece; her sons, Steven (Heidi) Duell, Dennis (Kim) Duell; beloved granddaughter Lauren Townsend; brother Gene Pickett; sister in law Thea Pickett; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A church service will be held at 11am on January 19, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the Carson Valley Inn.

There will be a group rate at the Carson Valley Inn or Motorlodge, for those wishing to stay over night. Just use the code 1735 or Marilyn Reece name.

https://www.recordcourier.com/news/obituaries/marilyn-reece/

Marilyn was the wife of LeRoy Reece a member of Trona High School class of 1957.