More sad news: Art Castillo (THS-67) passed away on 11/29/17. There isn’t any information about a funeral yet. Sgt. Arthur A. Castillo served as a medic US Army in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185788252/arthur-acension-castillo/photo
News of another alumni passing has come our way. Arlene Frances (Slafter) Austill of the class of 1949 died in 2013 in Arizona.
Arlene F, (Slafter) Austill was the daughter-in-law of Delbet “Bert” Austill. Bert was the man who managed the old theater in Austin Hall and was a projectionist in the Fox Theater. She married David Austill while she was still in High School and they remained in Trona into the 1960’s.
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Ricardo “Ric” Rasines, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2017, after a valiant battle with cancer. Ricardo was comforted in his passing with his family by his side.
Ricardo was born June 27, 1927, in Barre, Vermont the son of Antonio Rasines and Baselisa Peral.
Ric thrived while growing up in Barre, where he attended Spaulding High School and met his best friend, Bob Abbiati, and soul mate Annie Lasorsa. Ric, while an fine student, excelled at playing football. Nicknamed “the bulldozer”, Ric, a running back, was consistently handed the football after which he would bulldoze his way down the field for another touchdown. Ric led the Spaulding team to a state championship and in the process earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Vermont. To this day his accomplishments on the football field are legendary.
In 1950, after graduating from college with a teaching credential Ric entered the Navy. Shortly after discharge he married his still then girlfriend, Annie Lasorsa. In 1952, Anne gave birth to their only child, Douglas. Eight months later, Ric and Annie packed their belongings into their new Oldsmobile and moved across the country from Vermont to Trona, California where Ric had accepted a teaching position at Trona High School.
Ric and Annie found Trona to be a wonderful place to raise a family and greatly enjoyed the company of so many lifelong friends. While living in Trona, Ric and Annie often spent weekends and summer vacations at various beach locations along the southern California coast, where they loved being able to enjoy the sunshine without the desert heat.
Ric worked for 34 years at the Trona Unified High School District first as a teacher, coach, then later as a boy’s counselor, principal and school administrator. In 1988 Ric and Annie retired and moved to Solana Beach, Calif. They much enjoyed the “laid-back” beach community lifestyle and time spent walking while taking in the scenic ocean views and socializing with the members of the “New Englanders” club.
Ric, a loving father, continued to enjoy fitness activities and always relished a good joke. Kindhearted, he always put the concerns of others above his own. Although relatively small in stature, Ric cast a large shadow of influence upon those who came to know him and enjoy his company over the years.
Ric is survived by his son, Douglas; daughter in-law, Deborah; grandson, Nicholas and his wife Rachel; sisters, Dolly, Rachel and Lisa; numerous loving relatives; and many dear friends.
At Ric’s long-held request, he will be cremated and have his ashes scattered at sea.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Ric’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Ric was one of those people from which I learned little gems of wisdom that have stuck with me all of my life. – David
A message from George Sherman about Donald Dansby (THS 1956):
I’m very saddened to announce that Donnie passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in his home in Elk Grove, CA. His step-brother Danny Knight (THS 1967) called me yesterday to let me know. (Danny’s father married Don’s mother.) Donnie died as a result of renal failure after having to undergo daily dialysis for several years. Before he passed, he requested that there would be no memorial service.
Donnie was in our class in Trona from at least first grade through senior year, graduating in 1956. He excelled in both academics and athletics (primarily in football and baseball). He was admired and respected by members of the class, who frequently elected him Class President or Vice President for various school years. He made it into the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) in both his Freshman and Senior years and was one of six students in our class to be awarded the Elks Award for Leadership at the end of our Senior year. Donnie loved his Trona heritage and came to all of our reunions including the 50th Anniversary of our Class Graduation in 2006.
Larry Earl Knowles was born on October 20, 1935, in Pocatello, Idaho, his father, Clarence, was 23 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 19. He died on August 28, 2017, at the age of 81.
Class of 1953 50th Reunion
Pat Stevens, Jim Ewing, Patty Hess, Betty Dilbeck, Larry Knowles, Sylvia Chavarria
This is the class of 1953’s 50th reunion held in 2003. Jim Ewing died in March of 2012.
I just got word of the passing of James Haughton. He was born September 20, 1925 in Alabama. His wife was Marydith (Tyler) Haughton ( 1926-2009), Class of 1944 who was well known among Trona residents as a historian of the Searles Valley area.
Jim would have graduated in 1944, however, he joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor was attacked and the US entered WWII. He was one of 20 Trona High students who entered the military in 1944.
After the war Jim returned to Trona and graduated in 1947.
Jim was born in Maxine, Alabama, September 20, 1925 to Gayle and Charlcie Haughton. He was the third oldest of four children. He passed away Sunday, September 3, 2017 surrounded by family at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington. He lived in Trona, California from the age of 6. He attended the Trona schools, joined the Navy at 17, then married his childhood sweetheart Marydith Tyler. Jim and Marydith raised their family and lived in the same home in Trona since 1947 – nearly 70 years. They were married for 62 years before her death in 2009.
He was predeceased in life by his wife Marydith, sons Jim and Artie, brother Gayle and sister Marjorie. He is survived by his brother Paul, of Troutman, NC, sister-in-law, Wanda, daughter, Margaret and son, Tom of Washington, daughters-in law Sheila and Jan and son-in law Matthew as well as 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Jim apprenticed as a Carpenter with AP&CC in Trona. He then started his own business building homes in Searles Valley. He retired after 35 years then joined his two sons in business by operating the Trona Hardware store. He loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to camp. He had a strong family influence, not only personally but within the community. His hobbies were centered around camping, hunting and fishing with family and lifelong friends. He really enjoyed trap shooting and that passion was shared by his children and their children.
A graveside service will be held at the Trona Cemetery, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a reception following at the family home. http://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/news/20170923/james-wesley-haughton-september-20-1925—september-3-2017
Ada Rae (Wellbaum) Bancroft, Class of 1954 passed away on September 16, 2017 in Palm Desert.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194354869/ada-rae-bancroft
Mary Harmon
December 23, 1930
August 6, 2017
Our mother Mary Harmon passed peacefully in her sleep on August 6th from complications of Alzheimer’s. Mary was so full of life and living right to a few weeks before her death. Born in Oklahoma City in 1930, she was that generation that loved the blessings given by a good life. Raised on the Mojave Desert, she loved the mountains and lived many years in northern California, Lexington Kentucky and for the last 30 years in Reno, NV. She was a great beauty. She played the piano and organ all her life, for church, for musical reviews, little theater, for friends and for parties (and she had a Lot of parties!). She met the love of her life Doug Harmon in 1971 while playing at an Organ Bar in Berkeley California. Married 45 years, Mary and Doug loved traveling and took many trips all over the world and loved cruises. Our mother never met a stranger and could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about anything they were interested in. She and Doug were very involved in Hot August Nights as volunteers since 1987. She was so kind (with a fiery side!) and supported many causes over the years including CAAW, Nevada Humane Society, Easter Seals, Nevada Women’s Organization, Breast CancerAwareness, UC Davis Eye Center and various Veterans Groups. She is survived by her Daughter Sharon Rodarte of Reno, Son John Blanche of Sacramento and the dearest children to her – her Grandchildren: Grandsons Aaron Ware, Eric Morgenroth, James Blanche; Granddaughter Victoria Blanche; Great-Grandchildren Ethan, Gabby, Ben, Lukas, Savannah, Jackie, and Skye. As more than one of her many friends said, she was a “force”. When she walked into a room, she had the attention of all. She will be so missed by her friends and family and we will never forget you Mama.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Sept. 17, 2017Read Less
Liz (Walker) Bernau passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017 in Phoenix after battling tremendous pain for these past years.
Her sister Suzanne Walker writes, “We will keep you posted on any Memorial Services, though the children will have to make those decisions. I have prayed for nearly a year that she would soon be free of pain. Yes, there is sadness but also elation knowing she is now free to fly the heavens without pain.”
George Sherman added, “Marilyn [Walker] tells me that services for Liz will probably be held in Thousand Oaks, CA where Liz lived for many years and where most of her children live. I will forward to all of you any additional info as I learn it.”
George
Lois (Porter) Kimmet (THS 1945) passed away on June 16, 2017 after a short stay in the hospital. Her son, Marvin Kimmet, said that she died peacefully in her sleep.
Lois Helen Porter Kimmet earned her wings on Friday, June 16, 2017. Her family surrounded her with love and witnessed a perfect first flight.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church with vigil services at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be Friday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial in Crown Hill Cemetery will follow and then a reception at the church.
The middle of three daughters, she was born Oct. 13, 1927 to Karl Edward Porter and Thelma Kathleen Knorr in Los Angeles, Calif. Her dad moved the family to the Porter Ranch homestead in Nine Mile Canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and ran an outfitting business and supplemented the family income as an electrician for the Bureau of Power and Light in Los Angeles.
Mom loved the outdoors and was an excellent wrangler of horses and hunters and she could dispatch a rattlesnake with a shovel or rock. Oh, the stories she told us! One of her proudest childhood memories was helping move cattle for the Powers Ranch in the Sierras. She and her sisters attended grade school in the mountains and then worked and boarded-out to put themselves through high school in Trona, Calif., where she formed many lasting friendships.
Always the adventurer, she followed her Aunt “Zip” to Sunburst, where she met the love of her life, George Anthony “Tony” Kimmet who had recently returned from the South Pacific Theater where he flew B-29 bombers. Mom promptly converted to Catholicism and they were married Jan. 26, 1946 in Sunburst and started their family. Their path took them to the farm southeast of Cut Bank in 1953 and it became their permanent home.
They left behind a legacy of love of God, country and family. We are farmers, ranchers, teachers, homemakers, business people and public servants trying to contribute to the well- being of others. Mom taught us there was always room for another plate at the table and somehow made enough to satisfy all and there was always a bed for the weary or lonely.
Her family’s interests and activities are too many to mention. Her church and her community were very important. She was a committed farm wife and active in Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) for many years. She felt honored that she had the opportunity to visit with President Ronald Reagan and present the farm-wife point of view. A woman of tenacity and grit, she was not afraid to express her opinion.
Survivors include: Karen (Jack) Ganje of Great Falls, Judy (Tom) Fetters of Conrad, Kathy (Jay) Vasboe of Cut Bank, Tink Anderson of Cut Bank, Marvin (Becky) of Cut Bank, Martin (Pam) of Powell, Wyo., Mary (Jim) Embleton of Great Falls, Amy Schmerchel of Great Falls, and Karla Kelly (Mark Elison) of Billings; 22 grandchildren, 30 (plus one on the way) great grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Tony; sisters, Gwen Palmer and Jo Griffith; infant granddaughter, Heidi; and infant grandson, Bodie.
We are grateful to the caring staff at Glacier Community Health Care. To the special angels at Benefis Cardiac Unit (Red pod): your compassionate care of Mom and concern for her family will never be forgotten.
Condolences can be made to Lois’ memorial page at www.asperfh.com.