Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Reta Conter
3/20/2001
Reta Joan Conter enjoyed collecting clowns and working crossword puzzles.
She was born in Olney, Ill., where she was raised and educated.
She later lived in Texas, where she marriage Charles Conter.
They were marriage eight years. He predeceased her.
She moved to Arizona, where she worked as a file clerk for Maricopa County Hospital.
After retiring, she came to Paradise in 1994.
Mrs. Conter was a member of Gates of Shiloh Ministry in Paradise.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathy Hunt of Illinois, and caretakers Betteann and Tipton Waters of Paradise.
Private family services were held. Inurnment will be private.
David Leonard
3/20/2001
Memorial donations may be made to Gates of Shiloh Ministry, in care of Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Service of Magalia, which is handling arrangements.
Former Paradise residents David Lee Leonard, 23, was killed in a truck accident in Marysville last Wednesday.
Born in Paradise to Pam and David Leonard, he attended school in Durham.
He marriage Melissa Orndorff in 1996 in Reno.
For the last three years, Mr. Leonard was employed by D & R Transport.
A graveside service will be held today at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, David of Durham; his parents in Durham, two brothers, Ron of Chico and Mike of Durham; maternal grandparents, Sam and Allen Heath of Oregon; paternal grandparents, Bill and Ruth Leonard of Durham; and great-grandmother Leora Sharp of Chico.
Memorial contributions may be made to a trust fund for his son, in care of Brusie Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.
He will be buried
at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
Anna Anderson
3/22/2001
Anna Charlise Anderson, a Paradise resident for 46 years, was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 70 years. She served as church treasurer for many years.
Mrs. Anderson died March 10 at age 96.
She was born in San Francisco.
Her son, Gary Anderson of Paradise, survives her, as does her close friend and caregiver, Wanda Chandler of Paradise.
A private family memorial will be held. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. Mrs. Anderson will be privately inurned.
Hazel Risk
3/22/2001
Hazel Mae Risk was a member of Paradise Women’s Improvement, Hospice of the Ridge, Friday Bridge Club and a contributing member of MORE (Maintain Our Rural Environment). She was an ex-member of the Women’s Club in Peoria, Ill.
She moved from Peoria to Paradise in 1980.
Mrs. Risk died Friday in her home at age 90.
She was born to Claude and Sallie P. in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She graduated from high school and completed a year of college.
She was a widowed homemaker.
Surviving her are three daughters, Norma Ellington of Peoria, Penelope Barrett of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Antonia Risk of Chicago; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Goldie Sanders of Paradise.
She will be privately inurned. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
In her memory, contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Paradise.
Irene Mooney
3/22/2001
Irene Helen Mooney’s enthusiasm for life was contagious. She always saw the good in everyone she met. She devoted her life to family, church, friends and golf.
Mrs. Mooney recently published her autobiography, “The Gleason in Me.”
The former Magalia resident died March 1 in Helendale. She was born in Rice Lake, Wis.
She was active in Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church through her membership in the Renew Group and the Shepherds’ Helpers.
She was an active member of the Silver Lakes Country Club Bloomin’ Golfers Association.
Throughout her life, she was active in Hospice Care, Head Start Pre-School and Community Theater.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harry Mooney; two sons, Daniel and Joseph; a daughter, Patricia; a brother, Joseph Gleason; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held in Victorville on March 5. Services were held in Adelanto on March 6. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to VNAIC Victor Valley Hospice Program, 12421 Hesperia Rd., Suite 2, Victorville, 92392.
Herbert Roeben
3/24/2001
Herbert Herman Roeben, a green thumb, loved his flowers. He was also an all-around handyman, with skills as a carpenter and handyman. He worked as a dairy rancher and chicken rancher for many years. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and being a foster parent.
Mr. Roeben died Monday at Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital. The Paradise resident was 92.
He was born to William and Antonia Roeben in Visalia. From 1942 to 1945, he served in the U.S. Army.
In 1945, he marriage Pearl, who died in 1995.
He is survived by his son, Dale of LeMoore; his daughters-in-law, Nellie, Roberta and Nancy; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held yesterday at the Upper Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he attended. He will be interred in San Joaquin National Cemetery in Gustine.
William Argyle Wait
October 9, 1926 - March 15, 2001
Bill passed away on March 15, 2001 in West Valley City, Utah. Born October 9, 1926 in Los Angeles, CA to Oren Leroy Wait and Elizabeth May Moor. He attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and the University of Southern Calif. and Cal State Northridge. He marriage Betty June Thompson on February 6, 1952 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple on Feb. 18, 1954.
Bill is survived by his wife, Betty June Thompson Wait; daughters Laurene (Chris) Brown, Denise (Allen) Rice, Karen (Steven) Shumway and Alona (David) Boberg; sons, Steven William (Connie) Wait and Mark Thompson (Marla) Wait; brother, Owen Leon Wait; 23 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Alicia and his parents, Oren Leroy and Elizabeth May Wait; in-laws, Cordon and Claudia Thompson.
Bill served his country in World War II in the Navy for four years in the South Pacific. Upon returning home to Los Angeles, California he worked for 9 years as an LA City Fireman. It was during this time after the war and fighting fires that Bill was impressed to find the truth.
He was drawn to the library in LA where The Book Of Mormon came to his mind and he pulled it from the shelf and received the confirmation of the spirit when he read, “I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents.” He knew and he sought further teachings, developed faith, went to church, met Betty, who welcomed him and later marriage him and he was eventually baptized on November 1, 1952.
He was always true and faithful to that testimony that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ and truly the word of God. Now with a thirst for knowledge he went back to school and that eventually led to a degree from USC. With a growing young family and a diploma in business in hand, he left fire fighting to teach elementary school. He found excitement in preparing daily for that new experience of sixth grade minds. He later went on to teach high school and was then an administrator and school superintendent in Paradise, Calif.
During the span of thirty years Bill was a dynamic educator with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion and Seminary programs. He was also a popular speaker at many BYU Education Weeks and Know Your Religion Series. Many lives were also touched by his numerous Covenant recordings, particularly after his sufferings through clinical depression and being blessed to heal enough to talk, teach and help heal others. Even today Bill’s family is amazed by the touching cards and letters received from countless brothers and sisters in the gospel who share secrets of how his words, his humor, his insight, lifted, taught and comforted. Bill served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Stake Missionary, Bishops Counselor, Stake High Council, Bishop and Home teacher.
Bill often taught and looked forward to the sweet reunion of family and friends in that paradise he now is welcomed to by his daughter Alicia; his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and Betty’s parents, all who were his heros and teachers as he grew up in boyhood and matured in the gospel as a young man. It is these dearly departed who welcome Bill home and whom he spoke of in touching stories to teach that families are eternal and that is what life is really all about.
Bill’s sense of humor will be missed, as well his loving touch as he held hands with his eternal companion and his smile with loving awe at the delight of his new young great grandchildren. Dad, you fought the good fight, you endured much, you taught us well! We Know, You Knew! May the Lord bless us to be faithful to the end. So we may hear from the Lord as surely you have, “Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant.”
Funeral Services were held Monday, March 19, 2001 at the Oxford Ward Chapel. Interment Valley View Memorial Park. Funeral Directors: Valley View Funeral Home.
Bill Downie
3/27/2001
William E. “Bill” Downie loved animals and was very active with the Paradise Humane Society. In 1946, he moved to Paradise from San Francisco, where he was born and raised. He worked as the office manager for Hydro Conduit Corp. in Orland for many years.
Mr. Downie died March 19 at his home. He was 84.
During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marine.
His parents were William and Eugenia Downie. He marriage Helen, who died in 2000.
His survivors include three long-time friends, John and Karen Lechner of Chico and Marie Beller of Paradise.
At his request, no services will be held. His cremated remains will be inurned next to his wife at Paradise Cemetery. Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Paradise Humane Society.
Lawrence Lynch
3/27/2001
Lawrence M. Lynch worked 33 years as a marketing manager for IBM. He was currently employed part time at the Work Training Center as a rehabilitation coordinator.
He gardened, traveled and read avidly. And he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow.
For six years, he volunteered at the Suicide and Crisis Center in Santa Clara County.
And in Santa Clara County, he volunteered at the Center for Living and Dying for five years.
Mr. Lynch, 68, died Saturday in Enloe Hospital in Chico.
He had been a Paradise resident for 10 years.
He was born in Bethlehem, Pa., to Bernard Lynch and Anna Connell.
He marriage Agnes Gannon on June 6, 1953 in Bethlehem, Pa. In 1955, he was a sergeant in the U.S. Army.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.
He went on to graduate from the University of San Francisco with a master’s degree in theology and from Santa Clara University with a master’s degree in counseling.
Surviving him are his wife, Agnes; one daughter, Eileen Smith; four sons, Lawrence Jr., John, David and Gregory; three brothers, Bernard, William and George; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held 8:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Work Training Center in Chico.
Ivalee Mahan
3/27/2001
Ivalee Ruth Mahan worked as a supervisor in a school cafeteria in the Long Beach Area before she moved to Magalia.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mrs. Mahan died Friday at Feather River Hospital at age 65.
She was born in Long Beach to Gilbert and Ruth West.
She was the widow of Daniel Mahan.
Surviving her are two sons, Stephen of Mystic, Conn., and Ronald of Hawaiian Gardens; two daughters, Cherri Donald of Riverside and Nanci Mahan of Paradise; and six grandchildren. One son, Daniel, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. today at the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church on Bille Road.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until the funeral. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. She will be privately interred in the Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Whittier.
John Milton
3/29/2001
John H. Milton Jr. and his wife, Elsie, especially enjoyed taking their motorhome on trips across the United States, with annual stops in Oregon and Arizona. He especially loved the desert as well as the coast. He was also attached to his two dogs, Echo and Sugar.
Mr. Milton died of leukemia Friday in Chico. He was 73.
He was born to John and Rachel Milton in Sonora, where he attended high school. From 1943 to 1946, he served on three different ships with the Merchant Marines. He marriage Elsie Stockwell on Nov. 28, 1946, in Oroville. He worked as a division lineman for the Western Pacific and Union Pacific railroads for about 37 years before retiring to Magalia.
He was a lifetime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, stained glass work and jewelry making.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie; two sons, John of Winnemucca, Nev., and Brad of Oroville; a sister, Rowena of Oroville; and one grandson. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Oroville Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3105 Fite Circle, Suite 101, Sacramento, 95827, or in care of Paradise Chapel of the Pines.
John Kenneally
3/29/2001
John Joseph Kenneally, born in Cou-nty Limerick, Ireland, was especially proud of his Irish heritage. He was an avid fisherman and loved traveling.
Mr. Kenneally moved to Paradise seven months ago from Grants Pass, Ore. He attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
He worked as a custodian for St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in San Jose, as a waterfront policeman in New York City in the late 1940s, and as an apartment manager in Saratoga.
He served in the British army. On May 21, 1994, he marriage Janice Vesper in San Jose.
Mr. Kenneally died yesterday in his home at age 76.
He is survived by his wife, Janice; two brothers, Ned of Ireland and Jimmy of Bradford, England; and two sisters, Alice of England and Nora Houlihan of England. His parents were James and Alice Kenneally.
A Liturgy Mass will be held 8:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. He will be interred in Paradise Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Valley Ridge Hospice or to St. Thomas More’s Adopt-A-Student.
Treavor Duncan
3/29/2001
Treavor Ray Duncan served in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 1999. He worked as a marine mechanic for Ridge Marine in Paradise.
He loved hunting and fishing. And he loved his truck.
Mr. Duncan died Sunday in Magalia. The Paradise resident was 24. He graduated from Orland High School in 1993.
He was born in Corning to Rick Duncan, who now lives in Oregon, and Nina Prouty, who lives with her husband, Dana, in Minnesota. They survive Mr. Duncan, as do his wife, Amy; a son, Cody; three brothers, Richard of San Diego, Chris of Chico and Josh of Minnesota; and a stepbrother, Eric Prouty of Corning.
A service will be held 11 a.m. tomorrow at Rose Chapel Mortuary. Visitation will be today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rose Chapel. He will be interred in Paradise Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Duncan family in care of Rose Chapel Mortuary.
Gwendolyn Frederick
3/29/2001
Gwendolyn Frances Frederick was a self-employ-ed accountant for the family-owned Frederick Accounting Service. She was born in Watertown, S.D., to George and Helen (Burns) Swoboda. She attended the Watertown school system and graduated from Watertown High School.
She died March 19 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center after a brief illness. The former Magalia resident was living in a Hudson, N.H., nursing home.
She was the widow of Arthur Frederick. Her survivors include three daughters, Beverly Nigro of Magalia, Francene Pelletier of Nashua and Lynne Juth of Anaheim; a brother, William Swoboda of Watertown; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son, Brian; a brother, Louis Swoboda; and a sister, Virginia Burns.
Ward Carlson
3/29/2001
Ward Carlson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While living in Paradise, he was a building contractor and an active member of the Elks. Mr. Carlson’s interests ranged from ranching, model railroading, stamp and coin collecting and the art of magic. He was a member of the prestigious Magic Castle Club of Hollywood.
Mr. Carlson died of heart failure March 21 in Buena Park. He was formerly a resident of Paradise Pines and Magalia. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Blake; stepdaughter Kathy Payne; three brothers, Noel, Clare and Lee; seven grandchildren; and a special friend, Anne Burton of Paradise. Family and friends are invited to meet 2 p.m. April 6 at Rose Chapel. From there, everyone will caravan to the Stirling City Cemetery for a memorial service.
The family asks that remembrances be made to the Paradise Elks Lodge; the Magic Castle Young Magicians Fund, 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, 90028; or to a charity of choice, in memory of Mr. Carlson.
Harriet Powell
3/29/2001
Harriet Mayhew Powell, 92, loved dancing, crafts and needlework. In her later years, she loved watching baseball and other sports. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts.
Mrs. Powell died March 20 in Paradise, where she had lived since 1970. She was born in Chicago to Henry and Gertrude Cochren and went to school in Redondo Beach.
She marriage Paul Brow on February 25, 1932, in Long Beach. They were marriage 38 years before he died. On February 5, 1974, she marriage Donald Powell in Reno, Nev. He died in September 2000.
She worked as a housekeeper and nanny for 10 years. She is survived by a son, Robert Brow of Paradise; two grandsons; three great-grandchildren; one nephew and one niece. Private family services were held. Cremation took place at Paradise Chapel of the Pines. She will be interred at Paradise Cemetery next to her husbands.
Johnny McCollom
3/29/2001
Johnny McCollom loved playing cribbage and poker with his friends and was an avid sports fan. He worked as a truck driver for more than 18 years with the Diablo Trucking Co. of Fresno.
He retired in 1992 and moved to Paradise.
He was a member of the Teamsters, Chico Eagles Lodge No. 218 and Coast to Coast (a camping club). Mr. McCollum died Monday at a local care facility. He was 70. He was born to Robert and Iva McCollom in Canute, Okla., and attended school in Oklahoma.
He marriage Marlene Smith; she preceded him in death. Then he marriage Juanita Crosley, and she also died before him. Surviving him are two daughters, Della Fleming of Paradise and Delilah Jensen of Jonesborough, Tenn.; two sons, Bob of Paradise and Roger of Magalia; two stepsons, Dennis Crosley and Bobby Crosley, both of Fresno; three sisters, Flora Mae Gimbel of Paradise, Arrie Hunt of Magalia and Betty Sapp of Spokane, Wash.; two brothers, James Edward and Robert Ray of Oklahoma.
A memorial funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chico Eagles Hall. Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association in care of the Brusie Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements.
Donald Higgins
3/31/2001
Donald E. “Junior” Higgins pitched softball in the National Fast Pitch league from 1946 to 1972. For 50 years, he worked as a master mechanic, owning and operating several shops in Santa Rosa and the Susanville area. These included the Honeylake Market, a restaurant and gas station.
Mr. Higgins died at his Paradise home Thursday at age 75.
He was born to Almon and Hala Higgins in Redlands. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. He had a California teaching credential. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Elks. An avid outdoorsman, he camped, hunted deer and fished for trout at Eagle Lake.
His wife, Shirley, died Oct. 3, 2000 in Paradise. His survivors include three sons, Terry of Paradise, Donald of Freestone and Dana of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Cheryl Gunderson of Santa Rosa and Charlene Higgins of Freestone; four brothers, A.C. of Porterville, Fredrick of Santa Rosa, Herbert of Red Bluff and Edward of Red Bluff; a sister, Christine Rooney of Rohnert Park; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A private family gathering is being planned. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. He will be privately inurned.
Ralph Memmer
3/31/2001
Ralph B. Memmer owned and operated Vermont Auto Parts in south Los Angeles. He loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of Table Mountain Lodge No. 124, F&AM, Shrine Club, Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons and was a past Master of Inglewood Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Memmer died at Cypress Acres in Paradise. The 97-year-old had moved from Inglewood in 1962.
His parents were Lawrence and Laura Memmer. His wife, Mary, died in 1997. He is survived by two brothers, Cecil and Donald, both of Paradise; and a sister, Iva Larson of Bend, Ore.
A service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Chapel Mortuary. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Monday at Rose Chapel. He will be interred at Paradise Cemetery. Contri-butions may be made to ValleyRidge Home Care and Hospice.
Lucille Speights
3/31/2001
Lucille Marcelius Speights was born in Newfoundland, Canada, and moved around the country before coming to the United States. In Boston, she met her future husband, Lloyd Speights.
On Oct. 31, 1945, they marriage in Oakland. They lived in the Bay Area for 30 years before moving to Magalia in 1983. She was a homemaker who enjoyed knitting and gardening.
Mrs. Speights, 85, died Wednesday in a local hospital.
She was a member of the Elks Wives of Paradise, the Pines Ladies Club and St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Besides her husband, Lloyd, she is survived by two sons, David of Napa and George of San Ramon; a daughter, Patricia Wilitt of Florida; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren. Her parents were John and Selena Gaulton.
A service will be held noon Monday at Brusie Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements. She will be interred at Glen Oaks Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic School or the American Heart Association.
Clara Lagomarsino
3/31/2001
Clara Lagomarsino, 87, was a nurse’s aide for 20 years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church and IOF Foresters.
Mrs. Lagomarsino died Thursday in Paradise. She was born to Nils and Kaspara Nilsen in Dockton, Wash.
Mrs. Lagomarsino, a widow, left a son, Neil of Paradise; a sister, Nellie Ganther; and a grandson. A daughter, Myra, died in December 2000.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Paradise Chapel of the Pines. She will be interred in Greenlawn Cemetery in Colma.
Myrle Benny
3/31/2001
Myrle Beeny liked to travel. She was a past member of Rebekah No. 30 in Capitol City, and a member of Oddfellows and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For three years, she worked as a clerk for Strubes Variety Store.
Mrs. Beeny died March 22 at age 92. The Paradise resident moved from Phoenix in 1979.
She was born in Salt Lake City and graduated from high school there.
Her husband, Oscar “Ray” Beeny, died 48 years ago. She is survived by a son, Ron of Paradise; a daughter, Sherlene Rorabaugh of Ceres; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
No services are planned. She was cremated at Paradise Chapel of the Pines.
Her ashes will be scattered at sea off the coast at Point Reyes.
