Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Wayne Freeby
9/23/2000
Wayne A. Freeby worked as a chemical engineer in the nuclear industry at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory and at Bechtel in San Francisco.
The former resident of Magalia died in his Rocklin home Sept. 15.
He was 71.
Mr. Freeby was born in Elkhart, Ind., to Wayne L. and Luella Fishley Freeby. In 1947, he graduated from Elkhart High School and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
He went on to graduate from Tri-State University and the University of Idaho.
On July 1, 1951, he marriage Delores Noffsinger in Elkhart, Ind.
Mr. Freeby was a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge in Paradise, Sons in Retirement and the Table Mountain Masonic Lodge.
He was past chairman of the Nuclear Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, presenting many scientific papers.
Mr. Freeby was also a member of Paradise United Methodist Church.
His brother, James, died before him.
Besides his wife, his survivors include a son, Steven of Vacaville; a daughter, Linda Damir of Folsom; his mother of Elkhart, Ind.; two brothers, Charles and Keith Freeby, both of Elkhart, Ind.; and a grandson, Andrew.
His memorial service was held Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Roseville.
Contributions may be made to the Auburn Faith Hospice, 11760 Atwood Road, Auburn, 95603.
Leon Crandell
9/26/2000
Leon F. Crandell, 75, served in the U.S. Army before becoming an automotive mechanic for a Pontiac dealership in bellflower for more than 25 years. He also was a mail carrier for eight years.
He was proud to have celebrated 50 years of a marriage to his wife, Joy, in 1997.
Mr. Crandell died Thursday. He was a resident of Magalia since 1989.
In Huntington Park, he was born to Earl and Myrna Crandell.
In Hermosa Beach, he marriage Joy Maxine Van De Walker on Nov. 9, 1947.
He was a square dancer in the Paradise Ridge Runners and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Forest Ranch.
Mr. Crandell enjoyed animals and the outdoors.
Besides his wife, Mr. Crandell’s survivors include a son, Mark Stevens of Costa Mesa; three daughters, Linda De Lory of Deer Park, Texas, Nance Cash of Whittier and Wendy Cena of Nevada City; a brother, Wayne Crandell of Auburn; and seven grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Rose Chapel Mortuary. Mr. Crandell’s inurnment will be private.
William Bennett
9/26/2000
William Harry Bennett served in the U.S. Air Corps during from 1942 to 1946 and worked in Hughes Aircraft as a sheet metal machinist for 35 years.
The Magalia resident died Friday at age 80.
He was born to Harry and Florence Bennett in Danville, Ill.
Mr. Bennett, who enjoyed fishing and wood working, was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Glendale.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Mae Bennett; two sons, William of Chico and Stephen of Chico; a sister, Barbara Older of Paradise; and five grandchildren.
Mr. Bennett’s service will be at 1 p.m. today in the Old Magalia Community Church. Rev. Dave Hayes will officiate.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
Contributions in his memory may be given to Easter Seals Society in care of Chapel of the Pines. He will be buried
in Magalia Cemetery.
Eileen Hoerst
9/26/2000
A former resident of Paradise, Eileen Hoerst, 81, taught special education at Chico Junior High School for more than 15 years.
She moved to Chico in 1952 from Ohio. And from 1970 to 1999, she lived in Paradise before returning to Chico.
Mrs. Hoerst died Sept. 19.
She was born to Earl and Pauline Murphy in Covington, Ky.
On July 20, 1939, she marriage Jess Hoerst in Covington, Ky.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, she went to California State University, Chico, in the 1960s to earn a master’s degree in special education.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Hoerst is survived by two daughters, Diana Madden of Oroville and Gale Reizes of Northridge; one sister, Louise Hoskins of Dayton, Ohio; and three grandchildren.
No formal services will be held for Mrs. Hoerst, who will be buried
privately. Neptune Society of Northern California is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to any favorite charity.
Arthur Leonard
9/26/2000
Arthur J. Leonard, 92, read the newspaper every day and enjoyed gardening and traveling.
He moved to Paradise from Walnut Creek in 1975.
He worked 40 years as a sales technician for Eastman Kodak.
He was born in Kansas City, Mo., to Carroll and Elizabeth Leonard.
Mr. Leonard died Friday. His survivors include his wife, Perla, whom he marriage in 1990; two sons, Donald of Eureka and Thomas of Indianapolis; two sisters, Ruth Denny and Violet Thomas, both of Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Mr. Leonard will be privately inurned in Minglanilla Cebu, Philippines.
Pamelia Walker
9/26/2000
Pamelia Mae Walker worked for Eldridge Sonoma State Hospital for 33 years as a technician.
She moved to Paradise from Boyes Hot Springs.
Ms. Walker, 52, died at Feather River Hospital of natural causes Sept. 19.
She was born in Sonoma to Theodore and Dorothy Walker.
Her survivors include a son, Will Walker of Sebastopol; her mother, Dorothy of Boyes Hot Springs; a sister, Marilyn of Washington, D.C.; a twin sister, Patricia Simmons of Paradise; three brothers, Carl, Teddy and Darrell, all of Boyes Hot Springs; and two granddaughters.
No services are planned.
Her cremation was at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.
She will be privately inurned.
Talen Heinke
9/28/2000
A precious angel slipped away Friday September 8, 2000. A graveside service was held for infant Randal "Talen" Heinke of Magalia, September 13, 2000 at Paradise Cemetery, 980 Elliott Road, Paradise. Heinke was born and died Friday, September 8, 2000 at Feather River Hospital to Randy and Christine Heinke of Magalia. Survivors include his parents; one brother, Terran, and three sisters, Jenilee, Shaylee and Emilee all of Magalia. Maternal grandmother, Deloris Bates; paternal grandparents,
John and Jean Heinke, Sherleene and Bill Knox. Arrangements were handled by Rose
Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to the Paradise Christian School playground
fund.
Kimberly Parker
9/28/2000
When diabetes took Kimberly Ann Parker’s eyesight seven years ago, even near-blindness didn’t stop her from buying her beloved books.
Her mother, Betty Lou Parker, used to help her into a wheelchair and drive her to Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Chico all the time.
“We’d spend hours there,” her mother said. “I’d sit in the corner and let her fondle her books.”
Ms. Parker, who had lived in Paradise since 1990, maintained a large collection of books.
She’d put books close up to her face - about an inch from her eyes - and try to read, often without success because of the diabetes-related blood clots that passed through her eyes.
But throwing out all those books never crossed her mind.
Ms. Parker died of complications from diabetes Friday in her home. She was 37.
Ms. Parker liked so many different kinds of books, her mother said it was hard to pick her favorites, but she did appreciate mysteries and real-life stories. And she used to talk to people about books constantly.
When Ms. Parker died, her mother was left with a bitter-sweet mystery. Looking through her daughter’s things one day, Betty Lou found mysterious letters sent to Ms. Parker.
One envelope’s return address was from Buckingham Palace. Inside, the letter thanked Ms. Parker. Another letter, sent from Bosnia, also thanked Ms. Parker. But for what?
Ms. Parker’s mother wishes she knew what kindness her daughter did for these people, but the fact they were grateful came as no surprise to Betty Lou. Her daughter kept many pen pals during her life.
Ms. Parker did not let her illness isolate her; she enjoyed doing things for people, giving them money, for instance, even when she had little.
“She loved, loved, loved animals” - especially her pet chihuahuas - Rosie and Bruno.
Ms. Parker’s intellectual brightness drew her to politics, which she followed closely.
“She is the one I’d go to ask who I should vote for this year,” her mother said.
When her mother ran a nursery for medically fragile infants, Ms. Parker worked extensively with them.
She also published a book of poems called “All She Wanted Was Love.” And she played bit roles in movies, such as “Daddy” and “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
She was born in Torrance. Her father was Marshall Parker, who died in 1987.
She marriage Allen Petree in August of 1984 in Long Beach. He died in February of this year.
Besides her mother, Ms. Parker is survived by a son, Justin Parker of Paradise; two brothers, Daniel of Buena Park and Timothy of Pinetop, Ariz.; three sisters, Janis Jennings of Paradise, Jenny and Brittany; and an extensive number of foster siblings.
A memorial gathering to celebrate Ms. Parker’s life will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in her home. Bidwell Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Bobby Chance
9/28/2000
Bobby Ray Chance, 65, was an avid sports fan who watched wrestling on television, bowled, gambled and played bingo.
Mr. Chance, who has family in Magalia, lived in Yuba City.
He died Sept. 21 in Oroville Hospital at age 65.
Born in Oklahoma, Mr. Chance’s parents were Ben and Leona Chance. He served from 1956 to 1961 in the U.S. Army 184th Infantry with Company D, the 168th Engineers Battalion. He was decorated for his sharpshooting. He also served in the Naval Reserves.
Mr. Chance worked more than 40 years in moulding mills.
Three brothers, Elmer, Junior and Ernest, died before Mr. Chance. His survivors include his daughter, Windal Ann Mathis of North Pole, Alaska; a son, Bobby Wayne of North Pole, Alaska; three brothers, W.B. of Gridley, Clifford of Marysville and Robert; two sisters, Jewell Atkins and Glindeen Staten of Yuba City; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in Magalia, including Connie Sanseverino.
Services will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary. He will be privately inurned in North Pole, Alaska.
Samuel Vernon
9/28/2000
Samuel “Sam” Vernon Sanders, 93, brokered insurance for more than 50 years and was a former secretary for the Paradise Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge. He also was a member of the Paradise Genealogical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. He formerly served as secretary for the Elks Lodge.
Mr. Sanders died Friday in his Paradise home.
He came from Stockton in the early ’70s. He enjoyed studying genealogy. At the time of his death, he was writing a book on the history of the first West Virginian cavalry during the Civil War.
He was born in San Jose to William and Lura Sanders. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
His wife, Margaret, died in January 1991. He is survived by his son, Vernon of Geyserville; his companion, Louise Wright of Paradise; one granddaughter, Lura Sanders of San Mateo.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Paradise Elks Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Paradise Hospice.
Neptune Society of Northern California is handling the arrangements. Mr. Sanders will be privately inurned at the Paradise Cemetery.
Thelma Caldwell
9/30/2000
Thelma L. Caldwell, 85, found great joy in attending soccer and baseball games of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing craft projects and flower arranging.
While living in Paradise, she attended the Alliance Church. She moved to Monrovia in May, where she attended the First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Caldwell died Sept. 14. She was a lifetime member of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron of the Monrovia Chapter in 1959 and Grand Representative from California to British Columbia and the Yukon, in 1980 and 1981.
She worked 15 years for Hinshaw’s department store chain in Southern California, holding positions as department manager and as stationery and office supply buyer.
Her husband of 47 years, Burton Caldwell, died in 1992. Mrs. Caldwell is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Dana and Sue Caldwell of Paradise and Jeffrey and Pam Caldwell of Monrovia; a sister, Louise Eckert of Vancouver, Wash.; and nine grandchildren.
Her service was held Sept. 19, and she was buried
at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia.
Alice Fickett
9/30/2000
Alice Elizabeth Fickett, an active member of the Craig Memorial Congregation-al Church and Paradise PEO Chapter TL, died Sept. 4.
Fickett, 81, had lived in Paradise for 33 years. She was born in Seattle. She marriage Victor Fickett, who died before her.
Her survivors include a daughter, Patricia Williams of Danville; a son, Robert of Hamilton, Mont.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund, 2900 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90026.
Mary Jane Day
9/30/2000
Mary Jane Day, a custodian at the Brakebill Elementary School in Stirling City for 15 years, died Thursday at age 85. She had lived in Stirling City since 1943.
She moved there a year after marrying Edward Day on Jan. 18 in Clinton, Mo. He preceded her in death in 1967. Her survivors include three sons, Charles of Anderson, James of Forbestown and Terry of Paradise; two daughters, Roann Meyer of Stirling City and Nancy Cosper of Cassville, Mo.; one brother, Clyde Nixon of Red Bluff; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Stirling City Cemetery.
Robert Mantey
9/30/2000
Known to his loved ones as a “teller of bad jokes,” Robert “Bob” Mantey took prize-winning photographs and played pinochle with dedication.
Mr. Mantey died Sept. 23 at age 64. Mr. Mantey was born in New York and lived in Greenwich Village.
He also lived in San Jose for 30 years before moving to Magalia in 1997.
While serving in the 1st Marine Division, he fought in the Korean War. He was self-employed as a retailer. He graduated from San Jose City College.
His survivors include a wife, Jean; four daughters, Kathy, Pat, Eileen and Barbara; a son, John; two brothers, Tom and Steven; and seven grandchildren.
Donald Bauer
9/30/2000
Donald Robert Bauer, 85, was a member of the Paradise Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses who served as an elder in all three Paradise-area congregations.
Mr. Bauer died Monday in his Paradise home after a lengthy illness. He moved there in 1969 after selling the family farm in Alliance, Neb. He was born in Alliance to Charles and Maude Ferbach Bauer. For 32 years, he worked as a farmer and rancher.
He also worked in rental property for 30 years in California.
A brother from Missouri, Ira, died before him. His survivors include his wife of 64 years, Maxine; a son, Ronald of Paradise; a daughter, Colette Whitehead of Omaha, Neb.; three brothers, Bernard of Alliance, Neb., Clifford in Centralia, Wash., and Frank of Roswell, N.M.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He served his church by going door to door, and he wanted to be remembered for the good times when he assisted others; therefore, at his request, no services will be held.
Richard Holst
10/3/2000
After Richard “Dick” Warren Holst retired from his painting company in 1984 and moved to Paradise, he became an accomplished painter and sculptor who showed his works throughout the western United States, including Santa Fe, N.M. He spent much of his time perfecting his style.
Mr. Holst, 79, died in an auto accident Thursday.
He was born in Alameda to Volmer and Elise Holst. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served with the Marine Corps as a pharmacist mate in the Pacific.
In 1946, Mr. Holst and his family moved to Hawaii where he eventually rose to become owner and president of the prestigious Honolulu Painting Co., which painted and decorated many of the new hotels and resorts that flourished in Hawaii. Besides Pearl Harbor, his company did a lot of work in the Pacific region.
Mr. Holst was an active leader in the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, and he served many years as a member of the executive board.
In Paradise, Mr. Holst enjoyed fishing, golf and playing cards with his wife and friends. He also spent a lot of time with the Rotary Club, Elks, SIRS No. 135 and the Magalia Community Church.
Mr. Holst is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbie; two sons, James and Peter; two daughters, Judy and Terri; three sisters; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Magalia Community Church in Magalia.
Donations may be made to any charity of choice.
Frank Cliff
10/3/2000
Frank Samuel Cliff Jr., a resident of Paradise since 1984, enjoyed RV traveling, playing bridge, reading and gardening.
Mr. Cliff died Sunday at age 72.
Born in Carson City, Nev., Mr. Cliff was awarded a four-year Pepsicola national scholarship. He attended Harvard for one term before transferring to Stanford University where he earned his doctorate in biological sciences in 1951.
He wrestled, ran track and performed in the marching band at Stanford. He served in the U.S. Army for two years at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco. He later became an associate professor at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.
In 1959, he moved to Chico and taught in the biology department of California State University, Chico, for 32 years. He participated in a faculty exchange to Chester, England, for one year in 1986 and 1987.
He was a member of the Paradise Elks Club, the SIRS No. 43, the RPEA and the ACBL.
In 1984, Mr. Cliff marriage Dorothy Evans, who survives him. Additional survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and Tom Main, Catherine and Nathan Carey, and Susan Cliff and Jerry Hovey; a stepson, John Evans; a granddaughter, Elaina Carey; and a niece, Janice Compton.
A memorial mass will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Valley Ridge Homecare/Hospice. Bidwell Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Jelena Grsetic
10/3/2000
Jelena Grsetic, a member of the Upper Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church, died Sept. 26.
The Paradise resident, a widow, was 72.
Mrs. Grsetic was born in Veternica, Croatia, to Stefan and Agata Brozd.
She worked on electronics in a small business.
Her survivors include Victoria Vrbeta of Paradise; four sisters, Julka, Marica, Slavica and Lojzika of Croatia; two brothers, Pero and Gustek Brozd of Croatia; and two grandsons.
Mrs. Grsetic’s memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation took place at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary. She will be inurned at Paradise Cemetery.
Norman Lake Sr.
10/5/2000
Norman Loyd Lake Sr., otherwise known as ham radio operator No. W6TAE, made friends all over the world through his hobby.
Mr. Lake earned his ham radio license while a senior in high school. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and during all his world travels, he looked for the familiar ham radio tower.
Wherever he found a home with a tower - in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Japan or the Phillipines - Mr. Lake would introduce himself. Families who shared his love of ham radio welcomed him into their homes - and sometimes practically adopted him.
A resident of Magalia, Mr. Lake was a member of Paradise’s Amateur Radio Operator’s Breakfast Club and the Butte County Sheriff’s Communication Reserve Unit. His love of radio extended to electronics in general and computers in particular.
Mr. Lake, 68, died Sunday at Feather River Hospital.
He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Loyd and Pauline Lake. He was raised in Lubbock, Texas, until age 10. Then he moved to Santa Paula, where he lived until 22. He lived in Moorpark and Oxnard, where he met and marriage Mary Bispo in 1970. They lived in Fillmore from 1970 to 1998, with a four-year break when they lived in Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
Mr. Lake worked for 34 years in the Naval Civil Service as an engineering technician at places like Point Mugu and Port Hueneme.
His other hobbies included music and reading science fiction.
Besides his wife, Mary, Mr. Lake is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Lake of Ventura and Anita Kay Kanuter of Oxnard; a son, Norman Loyd Lake Jr. of Santa Maria; a stepson, Norman Cecil Bispo of Magalia; two brothers, Jack David Lake of Quincy and Nesby Joe Lake of Vacaville.
A stepson, Karl Lee Bispo died in 1992. Mr. Lake is also predeceased by a sister, Betty Jean Fay.
No services are planned at this date, and cremation will take place at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
His ashes will be scattered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe in Nevada.
William Kinnear
10/5/2000
William Henry Kinnear obtained the rank of master sergeant in the U.S. Army while stationed in France and Germany from 1940 to 1945.
After World War II, he owned a trucking company for four years. He also worked 35 years as a railroad switchman for Western Pacific.
He was born to James and Alvira Kinnear in McCloud, where he graduated from high school.
Mr. Kinnear, a Paradise resident, was a member of the Quincy Elks Lodge. In Paradise, he was a member of the Moose Lodge and Eagles Lodge.
Mr. Kinnear loved the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, boating and camping were his favorite pursuits. He also enjoyed taking his RV on trips, and he liked dancing.
Mr. Kinnear died Friday at Feather River Hospital. He was 81.
His survivors include a companion of 10 years, Laure Heidelberger; a son from a former marriage; nine nephews and three nieces.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any favorite charity. Neptune Society of Northern California is handling the arrangements.
Virginia Bell
10/5/2000
Virginia D. Bell moved to Paradise from Tarzana in 1978. She attended the Alzheimer’s Day Care in Paradise and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Relief Society. Mrs. Bell was an avid religious teacher.
Mrs. Bell, 86, died Monday at Feather River Hospital.
She was born in Salt Lake City to Herbert and Edna Darcey. Her husband, George Henry Bell, died in 1979.
And two of her sons, John and Thomas, died before her.
Mrs. Bell is survived by two sons, Robert of Citrus Heights and Richard; a daughter, Cherie Anderson-Scott of Paradise; a sister, Jeanette Dyer; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Bell’s service will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Paradise 1st Ward. Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rose Chapel Mortuary.
Flowers may be given or contributions given to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.
Janet Hutchings
10/5/2000
Janet Louise Hutchings enjoyed crocheting, needlework, camping and hiking. She also loved dogs and birds and liked horseback riding.
Ms. Hutchings, a Paradise resident, died Monday of a brain tumor. She was 46.
Born in Salinas to Glenn and Janice Hutchings, she attended Woodland High School and Yuba Junior College.
Ms. Hutchings worked for the Woodland Democrat newspaper.
Besides her mother, Janice, in Magalia, Ms. Hutchings is survived by two sisters, Arlene Hutchings of Roundup, Mont., and Sharon Hutchings of Magalia; two nieces; one aunt and one uncle.
Her service will be today at 11 a.m. in the Woodland Cemetery in Woodland.
Margaret Ellis
10/5/2000
Margaret Marie Ellis, a 54-year resident of Para-dise, died in her home Tuesday at age 83.
Her husband, Leonard, died in 1981.
A niece, Peggy Haines of Barstow, survives her.
Graveside services, conducted by Chapel of the Pines Mortuary, will be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Paradise Cemetery.
George Silva
10/5/2000
George Anthony Silva, 78, worked for the City of Oakland as a heavy equipment operator for 30 years. He retired in 1980 and moved to Magalia. He eventually moved to Paradise.
Mr. Silva died at home Tuesday.
He was born to Antonio and Helen Silva in Santa Cruz.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a tank driver instructor.
He was a 20-year member of the Paradise Elks Lodge and the Ridge Runners Square Dance Club.
He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and playing cards with several close friends.
Besides his wife of 36 years, Dorothea, he is survived by a daughter, Diane Grosser of Antioch; two stepsons, John Gaddy of Palo Alto and David Gaddy of Florissant, Mo.; two sisters, Jennie Medeiros of Oakland and Alice Espinola of San Leandro; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There will be a rosary at the Brusie Funeral Home in Chico at 6 p.m. Sunday, and the memorial service will be at the Elks Lodge in Paradise at 11 a.m. Monday. The Burial will be private. Contributions may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise for masses or the Valley Ridge Hospice, which took care of Mr. Silva.
Keith Roy Stevens
10/7/2000
Keith Roy Stevens always had a project of some sort going. He’d work almost every day in his shop, which was “jam-packed” with machinery and tools. Most recently, he restored a 1940 Ford truck. He also built boats and truck campers.
Mr. Stevens died Tuesday at age 71. He moved to Paradise from Beaumont eight years ago.
He was born to Ford and Grace Stevens in Crawford, Neb. He served in the U.S. Army with Troop B Honor Guard during World War II. He received a Victory Medal.
He marriage Darlene Irwin Feb. 7, 1958 in Riverside. For 29 years, Mr. Stevens worked as an electronics manager at Deutsch Electronics.
He was a member of Beaumont Elks Lodge and Paradise American Legion No. 259.
Besides his wife, Mr. Stevens is survived by two daughters, Michelle Burke of Beaumont and Eilene Morken of Sierra Madre; two sons, Kerry of Calimesa and Keith Stevens Jr. of Beaumont; one brother, Gilbert Stevens of Albuquerque, N.M.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
His service will be 1 p.m. tomorrow at Chapel of the Pines. Visitation will be today from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines and from 10 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m. He will be privately inurned in Paradise.
