Category Archives: Trona News

Joy Sherwood (Bailey) Jones — Class of 1953

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Joy S. Jones, 87, of Washington, Utah, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Joy was born on June 19, 1935, to LeRoy Jay and Dorothy Sherwood Bailey in Riverside, CA. She eventually ended up in Southern Utah where she attended Hurricane High School. After school she worked for Milo Jones in his acrobatic act, “The Three Milos”. It was while she was working for Milo that she met his brother, DeWitt. Joy and DeWitt fell in love and were married in the St. George Temple on October 5, 1955, in St. George, Utah.

Joy loved music, musicals, and dance. She sang to her children every night. She sang on long car trips. She sang around the campfire. She sang while doing chores. One of her favorite songs was the Primary song “My Heavenly Father Loves Me.” Towards the end of her life, her daughter Susan would sing this song to her, and she would try to mouth the words.

Joy and Dee were married for 50 years and successfully raised a family of seven children who have all gone on to live happy and productive lives. Joy’s world revolved around her family. She was a dedicated and loving mother, always willing to sacrifice and serve. Family was everything to her and she was immensely proud of each of her children.

Joy was usually found serving and helping in the activities that her husband was involved in. Together they spent many years working in Cub Scouting. They gardened together throughout their lives. Joy bottled much of the produce that came out of their garden. She loved to create and sewed quite a bit. She also taught her daughters crocheting and embroidery. She loved to go camping and spend time outdoors with her family and loved ones. She also served many years in the temple on the cleaning crew
and was especially proud of being able to clean the many beautiful chandeliers.

Joy was proceeded in death by her parents and her eternal companion, DeWitt. She is survived by her children Austin (Kathy) Jones of Preston, Idaho; Danetta (Warren) Harding of Orem, Utah; Mavin (Joan) Jones of Monroe, Utah; Evan Jones of Central, Utah, JoDee (Weston) Harding of Lehi, Utah; Susan (Wayne) Harding of Washington, Utah; Reuben Jones of Washington, Utah; 28 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Ann (John) Graham of Rialto, California.

Viewing: Sunday, June 26 th 6:00-7:30 at Hughes Mortuary Extended Graveside Services: Monday, June 27 th 10:00 at the Washington City Cemetery

Arrangements are made under the direction of Hughes Mortuary, 1037 East 700 South, St George, Utah.

https://www.hughesmortuary.com/obituaries/joy-jones

Joy went to school in Trona from about 1944 until about 1950 and then her family moved to Utah where she attended Hurricane High School.

Lenore (Shipman) Horn – Class of 1963

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Lenore (Shipman) Horn passed away March 13, 2022, in Quitman, TX, after being in ill health for several years.  Lenore was the daughter of Ray and Lois Shipman, long-time residents of Searles Valley.  Lenore graduated from THS in 1963.

Lenore is survived by her mother Lois and sister Brenda as well as her two sons, Ray Whiddon and Jon Whiddon and their spouses and children. Her father and husband, Olin Horn, preceded her in death.

Lenore will be remembered by her warm personality and lovely smile.

Richard Ankers

Dick Ankers

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Susan Swearingen Kamachi, class of ’64, wanted everyone to know that Dick Ankers passed away on February 16, 2022. He was a teacher at THS from 1961 to 1964.

She said that he wanted his obituary to read: “DICK DIED.” He was born August 10, 1934 . He was married to Jolene Swearingen Ankers for 56 years. She preceded him in death in 2014. Jolene was a member of the class of 1956.

If anyone would like to go, his Celebration of Life will be held at the Coney Island Bar on March 20, 2022 from 11:30 am-2:00 pm
In Reno, Nevada.

Milton Michael Teel

Milton Michael Teel — Class of 1961

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Milton Michael Teel (1943-2021)

Mike was born to Clayton and Lydia “Sue” Teel on June 29, 1943 in Webb, Texas. Sue Teel drove the school bus from Argus to the school each day so the Teel family was well know. The Teel Family lived in Argus near the foot the mountains in a house that Clayton Sr. built. I used to visit Mike, quite a bit when I was in elementary school. The Teel family moved right after Pete Teel graduated in 1958 and I never heard from him again. Michael Teel passed away in April of 2021. His memorial was held in his home in Pilot Hill, California.

Mike and his wife, Barbara, had two sons, Ron and Shaun. Pete Teel, Mike’s brother, passed away on October 10, 2021.

My condolences to Mike and Pete’s families.

http://safford16.com/sacred-roll

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Connie Schmitt

Connie (Schmitt) Mauldin — Class of 1953

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Constance Anne “Connie” Schmitt Mauldin 1935-2021

Connie was born on Feb. 24, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Leo and Myra Schmitt. She graduated from Trona High School in 1953 and completed several college courses including Interior Decorating, Silver Screen, and Speech Writing and Delivery.

Connie married her husband on March 29, 1953 in St. Madeline Sophie in Trona, Calif.

She worked as a part-time home decorating adviser in the 1970s and as an administrative assistant at Coors Brewery from 1983 to 1997.

Connie was very active in the church throughout her life and was an extraordinary minister. She was a member of Toastmasters and won many trophies for her speeches. Connie was also a member of the Red Hat Ladies and the Applewood Homeowners Association. She was incredibly active in civic groups that worked to get people to vote.

Her first love was her family and caring for us. She was quite passionate about her beliefs, and enjoyed travelling to many countries around the world such as China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Mexico. Connie also loved interior decorating, the silver screen and old cinema. She always tried to help others learn more about their country as well as the world around us. Connie enjoyed being in social groups and sharing with others. She loved her friends and being a part of their lives.

Connie passed away February 13, 2021.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223146094/constance-anne-mauldin

Ted Murrin

Theodore K Murrin — Class of 1955

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Theodore K Murrin – 1936-2021

Ted was born 22 July 1936 to Philip and Dorothy Murrin in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away in Polson, Montana on December 14, 2021.

After high school Ted married Orrene Slafter who graduated from Trona High School in 1954. in 1954. Ted was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Philip, a member of the class of 1953 who passed away in 1953. Ted is survived by his wife; his children; his sisters, Dorah Walls; Jeanne Murrin, class of 1962 and brother, Randy.

Winifred Mont-Eton 1911-2010

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In the fall of 1953 I started 5th grade at Trona Elementary School. The room we had was in the original part of the school near the auditorium. The auditorium was shared by the elementary school and the high school. It was boundary that separated the high school campus from the elementary.

This was Mrs. Mont-Eton’s third year as a teacher but her first year of teaching in Trona. It was also her children’s, first year at Trona High School. They had already become used desert life during the two years their mother taught school in Twentynine Palms and from spending time during the summer in the Panamint Range and Valley while their father was prospecting.

I’m sure we weren’t the easiest class to deal with but for the most part I think were pretty good. One student with the initials of H. S. seemed to be the center of attention but after a while she managed to get that under control.

There were many new teachers that came to Trona, stayed in houses the district subsidized for the first year or two and then they moved on. Winifred Mont-Eton was one of the teachers that grew roots.

Winifred retired from teaching in 1975 after 25 years of teaching. She spent 22 years of those years teaching 5th grade in Trona. After retiring she remained near Trona in Ridgecrest and Inyokern until her death in 2010.

There is much more to her story but I don’t want to tell it all. Winifred dictated her story into a tape recorder and her daughter, Lorry Wagner, transcribed it and published it as a book.

Winifred Mont-Eton’s autobiography on is available on Amazon.

To learn about Winifred becoming one of the first Ham radio operators click on the link below:

https://www.sdarabians.com/mom.html