Tag Archives: Class of 1953

Malvern Stevens

Malvern Stevens — Class of 1953

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Malvern is the son of Malvern Robert Stevens Sr and his wife Mildred. He was born in Los Angles, and he was raised in Westend where his father was a Shift Forman for the West End Chemical Company.  Malvern graduated with the Trona High School class of 1953. During his high school years Malvern served as president of the THS chapter of the California Scholarship Federation, he was a member of the Marching Band and the Dance Band, and the Varsity Club. He lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track.

After graduating Malvern attended the University of Southern California and Brigham Young University where he was a Cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp. After finishing his education Malvern served in the US Air Force.

In 1971 Malvern returned to Trona as a teacher for a brief time but the special education program he was hired for was eliminated due to changes in state laws.

According to his daughter, Malvern frequently expressed his love for Trona. Malvern passed away on May 28, 2023, while living in Joplin, Missouri.

His services will be held July 7, 2023, at 11:00 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

Malvern had two younger brothers, Glenn, and Carl.
Glenn Stevens was in the class of 1953.  He passed away in 2015. http://obits.arizonagravestones.org/view.php?id=78409
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

John Tansley

John Arthur Tansley — Class of 1953

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 I just wanted to let you know my brother John Tansley pass away this afternoon, [April 16, 2021]. John was in the class of 53. He will be missed. He and I were the only Tansley boys left.

…Bill

John Tansley was born October 21, 1935 in California. He was the oldest son of Clarence (1900-1962) and Pearl (Simmons) Tansley (1913-1986). He was the brother of Ray (1936-2005) , class of 1955; Bill, class of 1958 and Ron (1945-2020), class of 1963.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his classmates, friends and family.

Darlene Kudlac

Darlene (Kudlac) Nicholson — Class of 1953

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Darlene Evelyn Kudlac was born on May 11, 1935, in Los Angeles County, California, her father was Albert Kudlac and her mother was Evelyn McConaha. She married her classmate Dale Frazier Roberts (1935-2015) in 1953. They were both in the class of 1953. Darlene and Robert had a daughter, Darci (Roberts) Bishop. After Darlene and Dale divorced she married Wayne Stephenson and had a second daughter, Linda (Stephenson) Bradford. On February 14, 1981. She married Rolland J Nicholson on February 14, 1981, in Marion, Oregon.

Linda and her husband Russ Bradford have been caregivers for Darlene over the past 10 years. Darlene had been on dialysis for past five years and passed away from natural causes on January 31, 2020.

While growing up Darlene and her parents lived at 107 Argus Avenue in Trona. This is one of the houses across from the Recreation Center. Darlene and her mother used to collect old bottles and jars in the desert and set them in the sun in their backyard to turn purple.

James Hammond — Class of 1953

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James Danford Hammond III was born May 6, 1934, in Los Angeles to James and Bernice Hammond. He grew up in Trona, California, spending the war years in Los Angeles. He was a star athlete in high school, coming from a small school, he played every single sport there was and excelled in them all.

He won a football scholarship to UCLA, however never got to play as the doctor wouldn’t clear him due to back problems. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering. Jim spent 2 years in the Army, and out of 5,000 applicants, tried out for and won a spot on the Army All-Star baseball team and traveled around the country during his service.

Some of his proudest accomplishments included setting a record for underwater swimming when he was in high school, selling the steel for Disneyland back in the 1950s, drilling the footings for the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, learning to fly and owning five airplanes and owning many more yachts and sailboats. Jim was a lifelong boater and exerciser; most people will remember him walking his beautiful Whippet Ladybug around the Island for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Vonda Lee and Lonnie. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Kathryn and his daughter Darrin (Riley), two grandchildren Hadley and Will, his little best friend Precious. We all miss him very much. Services will be planned at a later date.

Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Jim’s family at www.mohavememorial.com. Arrangements were placed in the care of Mohave Memorial Lake Havasu Mortuary and Crematory.

Published in Today’s News Herald from Dec. 5 to Dec. 6, 2019

Carol Elizabeth (Akam) Sorensen — Class of 1953

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Mrs. Carol Elizabeth Sorensen, 79, of Ridgecrest passed away on Feb. 24, 2015 at Palmdale Regional Hospital after a battle with cancer. She was a resident of Kern County since 1979.

A memorial service took place on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. at Desert Christian Center, 100 E. Bataan Ave., Ridgecrest, with a celebration of life potluck following at the American Legion. She was cremated.

She was born on Aug. 27, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minn. She was a retired waitress and bartender, and was also part of the American Legion Auxiliary and an Inyokern Senior Citizen Board member and weekly servant. She loved yard-saling, camping, fishing, gardening, Bingo, spending time with family and friends and chatting on the phone with loved ones, whom she called daily.

She is survived by her husband Keith Sorensen, of Ridgecrest; children Sharon Vinson-Flores of Ridgecrest, Martha Kennedy and husband Kory of Ulm, Mont., Linda Spears of Bakersfield, Nancy DeGano of Ridgecrest, David and wife Lori Sorensen of Ridgecrest and Linda and Jony Sorensen of Ridgecrest; siblings Teresa Arkenburg of Rialto, Calif., David Akam of Seattle, Mary “Lulu” Mayfield of Yucaipa, Margaret “Mippy” Rameriz of Rockford, Ill., Diana Gonzales of Calimesa, Calif., and Donald Akam of Ridgecrest; 21 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son Charles Pounds, parents Frank Fremal Akam and Elizabeth Bernice Akam, and brother Frank Akam.

— Submitted by the family of Carol Elizabeth Sorensen

http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000003595

Marie (Dillon) Cobbs — Class of 1953

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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

Larry Knowles – CLASS OF 1953

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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.

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.

Bette Dilbeck

Bette (Dilbeck) Flint – Class of 1953

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After an extended series of health challenges, one of the Almighty’s special ladies was elevated to her eternal rest Monday November 14, 2016. Bette Dilbeck Flint, wife and life partner to George Flint, quietly passed away on her and George’s 47th wedding anniversary.

Bette was born to Arlo Dilbeck and Imogene Jewell Stover Dilbeck, both deceased. Her sibling sisters, Phyllis and Dorothy, also both preceded Bette in her passing. She leaves a sister, Sandy Dilbeck of Carson City.

This wonderful lady was Mom and Stepmom to six children, Marni Louise Stauts of Boise, Idaho and Dean Robert of Reno. She was also “Mom” to George’s four children: Jackie Pryor of Sparks, Margaret Flint of Reno, Peggy “Jody” Byers previously deceased and Michael Geoffrey Flint of sparks.

Several Grandchildren also survive Bette. These include Gretchen of Denver, Hannah of Stanley, ID, Stan of Fernley and Melody Grace, Stephanie, Gregory, Alexandria, Emmali Jacquelyn, Ellen Grace, Ben and Caleb all of Reno. A dozen Great Grandchildren also are left to miss their “Nana”.

Bette was at St. Mary’s Hospital Reno at the time of her demise. George Flint held her close to himself as she breathed her last.

There will be, at her request, no formal funeral or memorial. Bette had many friends who will also miss her greatly.

Her husband told so many on Monday that God created only one lady of Bette’s unique qualities. All who knew her loved her. Better was born December 24, 1934 and would have been 82 her next birthday.

http://www.niobraracountylibrary.org/obituaries/index.php?id=8112

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.

Class of 1953 50th Reunion
Pat Stevens, Jim Ewing, Patty Hess, Bette Dilbeck, Larry Knowles, Sylvia Chavarria
This is the class of 1953’s 50th reunion held in 2003. Jim Ewing died in March of 2012.

Note: Bette’s first husband and father of her two children was Richard Goss. He graduated from Trona High School in 1947.