Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Arnold Lee
5/1/2001
J. Arnold Lee, a doctor for 40 years, was in private practice on the Ridge for a couple of years. Dr. Lee ran for Butte County Supervisor against Len Fulton and Kim Yamaguchi in the last election.
He wrote a medical column in the Ridge Riposte. During the Korean conflict, Dr.. Lee served as a medical technician corpsman in the U.S. Navy. He separated from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1989 as a lieutenant colonel.
He had a private practice in Hemett for 25 years as a family practitioner. He moved to Paradise seven years ago.
Dr. Lee, 71, died Sunday at his home. He was born in Colorado to Glen and Vera Lee. In 1978, he marriage Candace Shinn in Hemett. She survives him, as do three sons, Robert of Hemett, Shawn of Las Vegas, Nev., and John of Santa Barbara; a daughter, Laura Brown of Springfield, Mo.; two brothers, Ronald Lee of Houston and Robert Lee of Ardmore, Okla.; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at Rose Chapel. Services will be held Friday at Riverside National Cemetery.
Sean Wells
5/1/2001
Sean “Pug” Wells had a sense of humor that always brought a smile to everyone’s face. The Paradise resident studied under the Butte County Home Schooling program.
Mr. Wells died April 21 in Costa Mesa of natural causes. He was 18. He was born in Paradise to Terri Wells and Linda Newby.
Besides his parents, he is survived by four brothers, Nathan, Charles, Seth and James; a sister, Angie; grandmother, Wanda Wells; aunt, Lynn Wells, and uncle, Jason Wells; and nieces and nephews.
His older brother, Tim, died before him.
A service for Mr. Wells was held in Southern California.
Betty MacFarlane
5/1/2001
Betty Shirley MacFarlane, 76, loved traveling, her computer, water aerobics, plants, butterflies and hummingbirds. The Magalia resident had been a data control clerk for 21 years with the city of Los Angeles.
Mrs. MacFarlane died Wednesday in Feather River Hospital. She was born in Los Angeles to Ora and Kalman Held. She was raised in Southern California and graduated from Van Nuys High School. On Aug. 2, 1968, she marriage James MacFarlane, who survives her.
Other survivors include three daughters, Karen Egbert of Los Angeles, Tricia Wilkinson of Oklahoma City and Roberta Kenney of Glendale; a sister, Anna Jackson of Bullhead City, Ariz.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date. Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. MacFarlane’s cremated remains will be scattered in the rose garden at Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Santa Rosa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Rufina Jones
5/1/2001
In 1938, Rufina Jones immigrated to the United States from her place of birth, Madiera, Portugal. She became a proud citizen in 1954 and resided in the Bay Area. For 28 years Mrs. Jones worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company in Oakland.
This was where she met her husband, Stanley Jones. They were marriage soon after. Mr. Jones preceeded her in death in 1993.
Mrs. Jones also lived in Fremont. During this time she was very active in the Portuguese organizations in Hayward and Newark. She was also a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise and a past member of Mission San Jose Catholic Church. Mrs. Jones has resided in Magalia for the past 25 years.
Mrs. Jones died April 20 at Cypress Acres in Paradise. She was 79.
She is survived by a son, James Viera of Hayward; a daughter, Bella Gutierrez of Magalia; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A private family service was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Contributions can be sent to University of California, Irvine, 1100 Medical Plaza, Irvine, 92697-4285, attention: Alzheimer Disease Diagnostic and Research Center.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Bertha Foster
5/3/2001
Bertha L. Foster taught business and secretarial courses in Northern California high schools until accepting a position with West Contra Costa College as an instructor at Richmond College
She retired as head of the department. She was active in the California Teachers Association. In 1942, she graduated from what was then Chico State College.
Mrs. Foster cared deeply about protecting the environment. She was a member of the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Association, SPCA and Save the Bay. She enjoyed camping and loved exploring the coastal areas and backroads of California.
A lover of baseball, she was a season ticket holder for the San Francisco Giants. She shared her life and good times with her soul mate and the love of her life, Gene Coors.
He was a teacher and a baseball coach. He died two years ago.
Ms. Foster , a Berkeley resident, died April 23 in Oakland at age 79.
She was born in Paradise to George and Doris Coleman Foster - one of the early Paradise pioneer families.
She is survived by a sister, Myrtle Morris of Yuba City; a brother, Charles Bond of Austin, Texas; three nieces; three nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; and six great-great-nieces and nephews. A sister, Ruth Clemens, preceded her in death.
A private memorial service will be at a later date. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Donations in Ms. Foster ’s memory may be made to the SPCA in care of Chapel of the Pines. She will be privately inurned in Paradise Cemetery.
Coralie Bagby
5/3/2001
As a child, Coralie June Bagby was an entertainer, making her first public appearance at age 2-1/2.
She was born in Fresno County to Claude and Shirley Sweezey Grimes and attended Selma schools before majoring in music at California State University, Fresno.
She studied advanced piano and voice and was a member of the university’s a cappella choir.
In 1939, she marriage Frederick Bagby. They lived in San Francisco. Later they lived in Santa Cruz for 30 years where they owned several businesses and Mrs. Bagby taught piano and organ.
In 1978, they moved to Magalia.
They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary shortly before Mr. Bagby died in 1995.
Mrs. Bagby enjoyed writing and was at one time a correspondent for a national publication.
She also enjoyed genealogical research into the maternal side of her family, which had been tracked back to 1454.
She particularly followed the ancestry of her great-great-grandmother, Sarah Jane Vanderbilt Garrett, who was traced to Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt and a subsequent line to a Mayflower connection.
She was a member of The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames of XVII Century and Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Mrs. Bagby died April 20 at age 81.
She is survived by a son, Lynne Bagby; and a grandson, Sean Bagby.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Stirling City Cemetery.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butte County Humane Society.
Kyle Esterman
5/3/2001
Kyle Esterman served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He worked as a plumber. Mr. Esterman, 78, died Saturday at Feather River Hospital. He was born to Marie and Louis Esterman in Birmingham, Ala. He marriage Jean Miller, and the two settled in Casper, Wyo. In 1958, the family moved to San Jose. After retirement, he moved to Sacramento. In 1989, he marriage Peggy, and the two moved to Magalia two years ago.
Mr. Esterman enjoyed gardening and being with his dogs. He was a member of Plumbers Union No. 393. Besides his wife, Peggy, he is survived by two daughters, Sherry Kennedy of Ardmore, Okla., and Virginia Verwayen of Cameron Park; and three grand-children. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation in care of Newton-Bracewell Cremation & Funeral Service of Magalia.
Toney Clemens
5/5/2001
During the Depression, Toney A. Clemens supported his family by mining for gold. He mined in Calaveras County and Butte County, mostly in the Ridge area. He used hand-operated equipment, sluice boxes and pans.
Mr. Clemens made a large collection of his gold findings. Each nugget had a story about how and where it was found. Later in life, he sold almost his whole collection. He was instantly sorry and wished he could buy it back.
He never talked about the gold’s value, his family said. He was also a rock cutter and had a good collection of local jade. Using the gold and gems he found, he fashioned jewelry - rings, pendants, necklaces - for his family.
Mr. Clemens died Tuesday in Chico. The Paradise resident was 90. He was born to Austin Oscar and Grace Emmo in Rose Hill, Ill. In the 1920s, he started a dance band that played for high school functions. He always aspired to be a good musician and practiced real hard on his organ. While going to school, he worked as a baker.
About 1930, he moved to Paradise. Ruth Foster , related to several long-time Paradise families, met Mr. Clemens at a dance. They marriage Dec. 31, 1932.
From 1944 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. He served in Karachi, India. He worked for the Diamond Match Co. mill on 16th Street in Chico during the ’40s. He also attended California State University, Chico.
From the ’60s to the late ’80s, he owned and operated a German car repair shop in Paradise, Clemen’s Specialty Shop. He also built custom homes for a while.
Mr. Clemens loved reading.
“There wasn’t anything he didn’t try and read,” his family said - everything from Louis L’Amour to Soren Kierkegaard. He also grew huge half-acre gardens. His tomatoes and corn plants especially made him proud.
His survivors include three sons, David and Michael, both of Paradise, and Kenneth of Portland, Ore.; two daughters, Aileen Moller of Paradise and Elizabeth Meisner of Paradise; two brothers, Kenneth of Yuba City and David (who changed his last name to Clemins) of Willows; two sisters, Maxine Mapes of Red Bluff and Ardell Prince of Orland; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitations will be from 8 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Paradise Chapel of the Pines. He will be interred in Paradise Cemetery.
Harry Davis
5/5/2001
Harry Lewis Davis was partial to the outdoors. He liked to hunt, fish and travel anywhere in his truck; he visited the desert, mountains and hills. Davis also enjoyed Indian history and artifacts. His hobbies were whittling and carving in wood, doodling cartoon characters and reading poetry. Davis especially loved animals. Davis was a member of the Paradise Bow Hunting Club through which he received many awards for his skill.
Mr. Davis was born in Oroville to Harry and Mabel Davis. He spent time in both Oroville and Paradise during his childhood and graduated from Paradise High School in the class of ’62. Three years later he marriage Donna Tomat. In 1990, he marriage Patricia Cloutier.
He worked 25 years as a plumber. He was employed by Michael Cummings.
Mr. Davis died April 28. The Chico resident was 56. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth of Chico and Wesley of Susanville, as well as three grandchildren. Services will be held 1 p.m. today at 8995 Stanford Lane, Durham. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA in care of Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary, which is handling the arrangements.
Max Farrell
5/5/2001
Max Farrell spent many years in Inglewood working as an appliance repairman and salesman before relocating to Paradise in 1979 with his wife, Elizabeth.
It was here, however, that he spent the rest of his life, fly-fishing on the Klamath, painting watercolors, square dancing with the Chico Barn Owls and spending time with his grandchildren.
Mr. Farrell was born in Riverdale, Neb., to John and Dora Belle Farrell.
Here, he attended school through the sixth grade and eventually met and marriage Elizabeth Vickery in Scottsbluff, Neb. She died before him.
Mr. Farrell died at his home on Wednesday at age 90.
He is survived by his daughter, Vicki, of Paradise; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a daughter in-law; a nephew and a niece.
His son, James, died before him.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Caregiver Resource Center in care of Paradise Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
A memorial service was held yesterday in Paradise.
Rudolf Sakschewski
5/5/2001
Rudolf Sakschewski, who was a private businessman, loved helping people and was very involved with his family.
He was born in Germany to Martin and Elisabeth Sakschewski and was educated there. In 1952, he emigrated to the United States.
The Paradise resident was a member of Christian Missionary Alliance Church.
Mr. Sakschewski died Wednesday at age 88.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maria; two sons, Herbert of Paradise and Horst of Stirling City; a daughter, Erika Wilde of Seattle, Wash.; six grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held 9 a.m. today at Rose Chapel Mortuary. He will be interred in Stirling City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, one may donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alois Nemchick
5/8/2001
An animal lover, Alois Nemchik would crack walnuts to feed the squirrels. And he always had bread on hand to feed the birds.
Mr. Nemchik also enjoyed gardening, being with his family and socializing with friends. He played the accordion and liked flying a Cessna airplane.
He grew up in Pennsylvania and attended schools there. His parents were Nicholas and Mary Nemchik. He lived in Ohio for 10 years before coming to California in 1965 to settle in the Mountain View area.
He moved to Chico a few months ago.
A carpenter for 40 years, he was a member of the Carpenters Union in Cleveland, Ohio, and in San Jose, No. 1280.
Mr. Nemchik died April 29 in Chico at age 68.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, whom he marriage in 1961; two daughters, Patricia Tonsgard of Chico and Stephanie Dohler of Palo Alto; three brothers, Joe of Medina, Ohio, Matthew of Willmington, N.C., and Nicholas of Paradise; and a sister, Ann Zebrowski of Lakewood.
A daughter, brother and sister died before him.
Memorial services will be held in San Jose. Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuaries is handling the arrangements.
Eilla Wester
5/8/2001
Eilla Lee Wester came to California in 1927 and lived in Paradise from 1963 to 1973 before moving to Red Bluff. Wherever she lived, Mrs. Wester was very active in the churches she attended. Most recently, she attended Cornerstone Church.
Mrs. Wester died Thursday at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff. She was 81.
She was born in Denver to Hetrick and Eilla Stukey. She liked to cook, garden, crochet, fish, travel and be around her grandchildren.
Her husband, William “Bill” Wester died in 1986.
Her daughter, Violet Benson, also died before her.
Surviving her are a son, Bill of Ukiah; a brother, Larry Hayes of Huntington Beach; and a sister, Naomi Hayes of Paradise; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. tomorrow in Paradise Cemetery. Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements. She will be buried
next to her husband, Bill.
Annette Edwards
5/8/2001
Annette Edwards work-ed 36 years as a school psychologist for Butte County schools.
She was a member of Paradise Friends of the Library and served as president and treasurer.
She was also a member of Northern California Ballet, Sporthaven Club and the California Retired Teachers Association.
She enjoyed photography and traveling both inside and outside of the United States. She also liked participating in the functions and fund-raisers for Friends of the Library.
She was an avid reader.
Mrs. Edwards died May 1 in Feather River Hospital at age 80. She was born in Riverside to Lawrence and Elsie Sherwood.
She attended California State University, Fullerton, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley. She obtained a master’s degree in psychology.
She is survived by her son, James Edwards of Paradise; and one grandson.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in Old Magalia Church.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. She will be interred at Skyway Memorial Park Cemetery in Magalia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise Friends of the Library in care of Chapel of the Pines.
Raymond Bogue
5/10/2001
Raymond Newlin Bogue enjoyed exercising his mind as well as his body. During his high school years, he was the captain and quarterback of the football team in high school, as well as student body president. Throughout his life, he was also an avid hunter and fisherman, as well as a seasoned musician.
Mr. Bogue, 92, was born in Long Beach to William and Evelyn Bogue. The family moved to Downey when he was 6 years old.
He met his wife, Audrey Miller, in Downey when both of them were less than 10 years old. He remained there until 1953 when he and his wife moved to Santa Monica.
“I can’t remember when I didn’t know him,” Mrs. Bogue said. They went to school together. After high school, Mr. Bogue attended Whittier College and Fullterton, where he played football. He graduated in 1928.
Mr. and Mrs. Bogue eventually worked together at the telephone company where Mr. Bogue stayed for 33 years as an electrician. He was a wire chief when he retired.
Mrs. Bogue also worked as a hat check girl at some of the functions Mr. Bogue would play at in his dance band.
“Sometimes he would come off the stage to dance with me,” she said. On July 13, 1946, they were marriage in Oxnard.
Playing his trumpet in the dance band that he formed in high school was one of his great loves. He played all over Southern California for college dances, including the University of Southern California, UCLA, Stanford University and Pomona College. One of his favorite events, according to Mrs. Bogue, was the night cruise to Catalina Island on a large sailboat.
During his time serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, he played in the band. They marched in the Rose Parade in Pasadena for three years.
Mr. Bogue’s hunting and fishing trips took him all throughout Montana and Idaho. He and Mrs. Bogue traveled together in California and Utah.
“When we went deer hunting in Utah, the ladies would stay at the grounds,” she said.
Mr. Bogue also enjoyed big game hunting.
He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves during World War II.
He was a member of the Rotary Club, General Telephone Anglers Club, Paradise Rod and Gun Club.
He volunteered to help out at Paradise Sporting Goods doing errands and banking for the company.
His wife said he treasured his friends and neighbors and was always willing to lend a hand.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three nieces, Barbara Ruel, Susan Devane and Susan Sutterwhite.
Private cremation will take place at Chapel of the Pines, which is handling arrangements. The U.S. Navy will provide Burial at sea with military rites off the coast of San Diego.
Bradley Maxwell
5/10/2001
Bradley Keith Max-well, an emp-loyee at Mize Automotive Services, died Sunday in Chico. He was 62.
Mr. Maxwell grew up and attended schools in Hayward. He served in the Army from 1956-1959.
He worked for many years in the Bay Area for Fleetwood Paper Products, Goodyear Tire and General Motors in Fremont and then joined the auto mechanic apprentice program at Fremont Lincoln Mercury.
He worked for Ford for many years before moving to Butte County 26 years ago and settling in Paradise.
He owned his own auto repair shop for a short time and then worked for local Ford dealerships.
A native of San Jose, Mr. Maxwell was a member of E. Clampus Vitas and the Men’s Bowling Association.
He began bowling as a child and later bowled with the Reno High Rollers, which won first place three years in a row. Recently his team won first place in the Men’s City Tournament.
Mr. Maxwell also enjoyed camping and traveling in his RV throughout the West.
As a history buff, he enjoyed tracing the history of California on his roadtrips.
He also enjoyed restoring cars and going to car shows.
He is survived by his wife, Julie A., of Paradise, whom he marriage in 1960; three sons, Barry of San Jose, Bert of Paradise, and Bruce of Frem-ont; his mother, Beulah Jessup of Paradise; two brothers, Gordon Palmer of Lockford and Edgar Maxwell, of Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Edgar T. Maxwell.
A celebration of his life and family gathering will be held.
He will be buried
in San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Paradise Jr. Bowling League in care of Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary, which is handling arrangements.
Barbara Davis
5/10/2001
Barbara Davis was always ready with a smile, a meal, a backrub or a long talk. Relatives said many young friends considered her house their “second home.” The wife of Doug Davis, she enjoyed family life and being with her three children, Daniel, Bryan and Charlotte.
In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her parents, Lee and Lucy Bennett; sisters, Nancy Rasmussen and Alison Martinez; brothers, Rick and Cliff Bennett; and nieces and nephews, in addition to numerous friends in San Francisco, Marin County and Paradise. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Skyway.
