Word has come our way that David Denman passed away about the middle of 2017 due to cirrhosis of the liver. I have no further information. He has several relatives living in the Ridgecrest area.
Elizabeth M. “Beth” Smith December 25, 1927 – February 20, 2018 Solana Beach
Elizabeth Mary Smith passed away on February 20th, 2018. Beth was born on Dec. 25, 1927, to Jeoffrey Lycurgus Robinson and Eileen Stella Loman in Santa Monica, California and raised in the desert town of Trona. As loved and revered by her family as any person could be, it was said she was a “matriarch with a heart”. This was displayed daily by her actions, supporting Catholic charities, taking in the poor and disadvantaged, being a mother to many beyond her cherished children. Beth will be met in heaven by her dearest husband the Honorable Donald Smith, son Geoffrey, granddaughter Megan, and brothers Mark, Malcolm, Michael, and Bruce. She is survived and beloved by her children Matthew (Pam), Peter (Rita), Suzanne (Bill), Sara (Steve), John (Beatriz), daughter-in-law Christine, sister Eileen and brother Bill, as well as her eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She attended Flintridge High School and later in life went back to San Diego State University and received a bachelor degree in Spanish. In life, Beth loved her family, her Church, and the Democratic Party. She was an avid traveler who took trips to every corner of the globe to meet new people, expand her worldview, and learn about our common experiences. During summers and holidays, she hosted her family for weeks at a time, playing with grandchildren and extend family who lovingly called her “Ba” and talking the latest news of the Church, U.S. politics, and global events. In quiet times, she loved a glass of chardonnay with an ice cube and a good book or film. She will be remembered for her beauty, humor, and grace.She was loved so much by her family and will be missed more than words can express. The family ask flowers be sent to the El Cajon Mortuary or donations be made in her name to NAMI San Diego. Viewing will be held at the El Cajon Mortuary on Friday, March 2nd, from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. followed by a Rosary. Services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 3rd with reception to follow.
Sad news comes from Barbara (Brummett) Weimer’s daughter that she has passed away. I will add more details if they become available. Barbara’s daughter said they are planning on having a service in Ridgecrest sometime soon and that she will be buried in Trona next to her husband.
Services will be held at RCA Church, 800 W Upjohn Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 on Feb 23, 2018.
Barbara was married to Bill Weimer of the class of 1953. Bill died in 1988. Barbara is the daughter of Zack and Thelma Brummet who are both buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.
Age 83, of Palmdale passed away on January 13, 2018. She was born in Trona, Calif. on January 3, 1935. She was married to Juan Delgadillo for 55 years. Sylvia is survived by two children, Melissa Williams and Rosemary Columna (Ernesto); five grandchildren, Kamryn, Grant, Addyson, Pierce and Isabella. 3 brothers and a sister also survive her. Her husband Juan, daughter Nadeen and son-in-law Glen Williams precede her in death. She will be truly missed by her family and friends. A viewing will be held at Our Lady’s Chapel next to Saint Junipero Serra Parish, Quartz Hill, at 9:00 am, Wednesday, January 24, 2018. A mass will be held following viewing at 10:00 am.
Interment will follow mass at Good Shepard Cemetery, Lancaster, CA
Published in The Antelope Valley Press on Jan. 21, 2018
Gary Norton went to school in Trona until the 6th grade. After that he visited Trona many times during the summer. Gary passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
Services will be Friday, February 2, at 10:45. 10:15, at .Riverside national memorial cemetery ,reception just inside the entry.
(Catherine Goodman/Brooks) passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
On January 14, 2018 Catherine went home to be with the lord. She was born in Coalinga, CA on September 16, 1937 to Walter and Bonnie Goodman. Walter was an oilfield worker and Bonnie had taught school but was a stay at home mom taking care of Catherine and two older sisters Bonnie M. and Avery D. Later a fourth child, Dorothy M., come into the family. Her father was said to have commented that “4 queens beats 3 aces anytime.” All of her childhood family are deceased.
Soon her father was placed in charge of a company oil field, near Maricopa, Ca and the moved to a company home on the lease. Later tragedy struck the family when her father died suddenly. Faced with the task of supporting herself and 4 girls, her mother needed to return to school to complete the courses need to re-instate her teaching credentials. During this time the 4 girls were placed in the David and Margaret school for girls in La Vern, CA
Upon getting her teaching credentials updated her mother moved them to a home she purchased on King St. in Bakersfield, Ca. When the older girls reached the dating age her mother felt more comfortable taking teaching jobs in smaller communities where she believed she could better watch her girls. She moved to Frazier Park, Ca and taught school there for several years. After the two older girls had married the mother took a teaching position in Trona, CA , and moved there with the two remaining girls.
Catherine and sister Dorothy both attended Trona High school. Catherine married a local boy and had three children. Dorothy and Valerie Brooks still reside in Trona, while her son Brian Brooks resides with his family in Forsyth, Georgia.
In 1976 Catherine had divorced and moved to Las Vegas, where she earned a real estate license. While attending a real estate conference she met a young man and re-married. By 1981 the marriage and fallen apart and Catherine moved to Upland, Ca where she worked at various sales jobs. Eventually she returned to her real estate profession and sold new homes for the J.M. Peters company located in Southern California.
Eventually, she met and Married Stan Andersen who resided in Washington State.
Catherine could not get the desert out if her soul and she and Stan bought a home in Trona and lived part time on the desert and part time in Washington State.
They sold their home in Trona and moved to Ridgecrest where they were residing when she passed away.
She is survived by her husband Stanly Andersen, her daughters Dorothy and Valerie Brooks of Trona and her son Brian Brooks of Forsyth Georgia. She has 9 Grand children, 14 great grand children and 3 great, great grand children.
On Feb. 10th at about noon family and friends will meet to celebrate Catherine’s life. Directions are: From intersection of Drummond street and Norma drive North on Norma about 2 blocks, turn right at big Rodeway Inn sign, Then go to Heritage club house at end of street.
Wanda (Stafford) Brown passed away after having a heart attack on January 7, 2018. She will be missed by family, friends and classmates
Gail (Rollins) Baker, class of 1961 passed away December 2nd 2017.
Wilda Gail Baker born June 17th 1943 in Red mountain California returned to her heavenly father December 2nd 2017. “Gail” loved the gospel and loved serving others in her community. She was always quick with a smile or an encouraging word. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She loved music, and gardening but most of all she loved her family. She is proceeded in death by her parents Marrion Rolins and Wilda Rolins, Her daughter Dinah Defelix, and her loving husband James Baker. She is survived by her son James Baker and 4 grandchildren.
Services with be held and Holland and Lyons Mortuary Chapel, 216 S Norma St., Monday December 11th at 10 am. Graveside services will follow at Rand Cemetery in Johannesburg, California.
Dennis Duane Sizemore of Ridgecrest died Nov. 30, 2015, from injuries sustained in an accident. He was 71.
Dennis was born to Verna Kathleen Cagle and John Edward Sizemore on Jan. 29, 1944, in Joplin, Mo. He was raised in Galena, Kan., eventually settling in Trona, where he graduated from high school.
Dennis worked as a welder, pipe-fitter, millwright, and supervisor at Kerr-McGee. He later worked at IWV Water District and retired from the city of Ridgecrest in 2000 as manager of the wastewater treatment plant.
Dennis’ life-long passion for horses was manifested in his superior horse training, horseshoeing and team roping abilities. He was a volunteer member of the Tulare County Mounted Search and Rescue Team. His latest adventures were with Harley motorcycles and a Goldwing trike, on which he and Karen cruised to Montana.
Dennis is survived by his wife Karen; children Darryn Sizemore, Tiffaney Frodin, Cathleen and Chris Beausang, John and Stacey Connolly, David Connolly and Russ and Hope Fielder; grandchildren Kodi Frodin, Katy and Gavin Fielder, Shawn Connolly and Josh and Ben Grindheim.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at the All Faith Chapel, China Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warrior Project in Dennis’ name would be appreciated (support.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Arrangements were by Holland & Lyons Mortuary.
— Submitted by the family of Dennis Sizemore