Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Bernard Ricketts
5/23/2000
Bernard “Barney” L. Ricketts lived in Magalia for a short time before moving to Santa Maria, where he died on May 5.
Ricketts was born on Dec. 9, 1924, in Fremont, Neb., where he completed high school.
He graduated form the University of Redlands in 1951 and Western State University College of Law.
After working for the Los Angeles County Probation Department he retired and began practicing law in Los Angeles and Orange County.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II serving in the China-Burma, India Theater. He was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Barney is survived by his daughter, Kelly Ann Ricketts; son-in-law, Andrew; brothers, Dick Ricketts of Nevada and Glen Ricketts of California; sisters Mary Kline of New York and Yvonne Dodd of California He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Ricketts, who died in 1999. In honor of his request he was cremated.
A memorial service will be held this morning at 8:30 a.m. at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Dana Point.
Inurnment services following at 10 a.m. at the Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest.
Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary is handling funeral arrangements in Santa Maria.
John Swift
5/23/2000
Magalia resident, John Rohyans Swift, who worked as a radio dispatcher in the Army Air Corps during World War II died on Friday, at a Paradise hospital.
Swift, 80, was born to Mildred and Frank Swift on May 14, 1920 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He worked as an appraiser for the County of Nevada for 15 years.
In 1998 he moved to Magalia.
On March 6, 1998 he marriage Esther Perales in Canyon Bill, Ore. Swift was a member of the Catholic Church.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter, Marguerite Valpey of Chico; son, Richard Swift of Sacramento and five grandchildren.
Newton-Bracewell Cremation & Funeral Service of Magalia is in charge of the arrangements.
Debra Mata
5/23/2000
A homemaker who enjoyed dancing, music, swimming and barbecues with her family and friends, died on Friday, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Red Bluff.
Debra Davon Mata, 41, was born in Santa Rosa on Feb. 24, 1959.
A visitation will be held tomorrow from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Chapel of the Pines, and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of the Pines on Wednesday.
Mata is survived by her mother, Lorraine Diehl of Paradise; her children, David Hosmer, Jeremy Hosmer, Jason Mata, Jessika Reeves all of Paradise; grandson David Hosmer Jr. of Paradise; brothers, Richard Gifford, Sean Sampson, Les Geick, all of Paradise and Jim Underwood of Gerber; sisters, Tamanpha Sampson, Linnette Hoover, Luana Russell and Cheryl Lake, all of Paradise.
Viola Kurzt
5/23/2000
A celebration of the life of Viola May Kurtz will be held Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Kurtz brought her love for Hawaii to the West Coast in the 1950s by opening a shop for Hawaiian entertainers in North Hollywood called Hawaiian Treasures.
Her love for the culture continued to her death.
Vi taught Hula and Tahitian dancing in association with Lei Aloha and Babe Matthew.
She was closely associated with the Harry Owens Royal Hawaiian Orchestra and his South Sea Islanders Orchestra.
Vi was active with the Hawaiian entertainers for many years while she continued teaching dancing on a private basis in North Hollywood and Paradise.
She died on Feb. 12 .
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Margaret Russell
5/25/2000
A Paradise resident since 1976, Margaret C. Russell, 98, died at a local convalescent hospital Monday.
Born in Renick, Mo., to H.D. and Ethel Wilcox, she graduated from high school and William Woods Junior College in Fulton, Mo.
A lifelong homemaker, she was the widow of a U.S. Naval veteran, and she traveled extensively as a young Navy wife.
She lived in Denver, Colo., during the 1930s and 1940s before moving to Southern California and eventually settling in Paradise.
Mrs. Russell is survived by daughters, Virginia Leilani Weaver of Paradise, and Myran Ten Eyck of Westminster; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mrs. Russell will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
Private Interment will be in Paradise Cemetery.
Chapel of the Pines of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Lucille Griffin
5/25/2000
Paradise resident Lucille Kathryn Griffin died at her home Tuesday.
She was 77.
Born in Rockford, Ill., to William and Stella Verkuilen, she was a lifelong homemaker.
She had moved from San Jose to Paradise in 1987.
Mrs. Griffin is survived by a son, Robert B. Griffin Jr., of Paradise; daughters, Susan Hoover Jones of Magalia, Debra Tegelberg of Avery, and Donna Niehaus of Paradise; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Paradise Cemetery. Pastor Dave Sweet of Calvary Chapel will officiate.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Gordon Watson
5/25/2000
A former agent for R & A Railway Express for 42 years, Paradise resident Gordon Bruce Watson died at Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital last Thursday.
He was 93.
Born in Washington to George and Janette Watson, he graduated from high school and attended college for two years.
Mr. Watson had been a Paradise resident since 1975.
His wife, Ertle, died on August 26, 1988, and his final resting place will be in Paradise Cemetery next to her.
No serviced are planned.
Cremation took place at Chapel of the Pines of Paradise, which is handling the arrangements.
Charles Lusk
5/25/2000
Retired police captain for the city of Oakland, Charles E. “Ed” Lusk Jr., died at Feather River Hospital on Wednesday, May 17.
Mr. Lusk was born in Oregon to Charles and Muriel Lusk.
He served in the U.S. Navy and had 14 years of education.
He had been a Magalia resident since 1981.
He is survived by his wife, Connie, whom he marriage in Carson City, Nev., in 1973; and daughter, Kerry Hook of Sacramento.
At Mr. Lusk’s request, no services will be held, and inurnment will be in private.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Mark Koenig
5/25/2000
Paradise resident Mark Koenig died suddenly on Saturday.
He was 37.
The son of Carl Koenig and Gertrude Palmer of Paradise, Mr. Koenig enjoyed collecting and shopping for antiques, as well as cooking and baking.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Michael of Sacramento; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s favorite charity in Mr. Koenig’s memory.
A private family service was held Tuesday.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Gladys Kelly
5/27/2000
Paradise resident Gladys I. Kelly, 98, died Wednesday at the hospital she worked at for the last 15 years of her career as a licensed vocational nurse.
Born in Rockford, Wash., to Hardy and Rosa Thurman, she received her nursing degree from the California School of Professional Nursing in 1954.
Mrs. Kelly moved to Paradise from Redondo Beach in 1958. Her last nursing job was at Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital where she died.
Fellow members of the Paradise citizens band (CB) radio club knew her by her handle, “Cokono.” She and her husband, Chauncy D. Kelly, had been members of the club for more than 30 years.
She attended St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Paradise, and was a member of the Paradise Sisters of Hirem. She was also active in the Freemason organization that her husband belonged to.
Mrs. Kelly enjoyed crocheting and needlepoint, and she liked to fish.
Her closest surviving relative is her nephew, Bill Ferril of LaCrescenta.
She is predeceased by her husband, who died in 1986.
A service for Mrs. Kelly will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital’s front building.
Her final resting place will be Paradise Cemetery.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Jack Cahill
5/27/2000
Former Magalia resident Jack Fred Cahill, who worked as a correctional lieutenant for the state of California for 35 years before his retirement, died Tuesday at his home in Missouri.
He was 74.
Born in San Francisco to Fred and Ella Cahill, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and in the Korean War.
He marriage his wife, Roberta, on Feb. 13, 1949.
A member of the Paradise Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mr. Cahill lived in Magalia for seven years before moving to Gravois Mills, Mo.
He enjoyed snow skiing, boating, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Timothy of Rantoul, Ill.; daughters, Colleen Waugh of Paradise, and Kitty Webber of Chico; brothers, Gerald of Santa Rosa, and James of Sonoma; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s favorite charity.
A visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rose Chapel, including a vigil service at 7 p.m. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise.
Mr. Cahill’s final resting place will be in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Richard Sinclair
5/27/2000
Former Magalia resident Richard G. Sinclair, 80, died Friday, May 19.
Born in Oakland to Arthur and Lillian Sinclair, his entire career was spent managing, directing and consulting for large corporations and government agencies on security interests. He spent the last few years taking care of his brother, John, in San Francisco, where he was residing at the time of his death.
Mr. Sinclair enjoyed traveling.
He is survived by his son, Phillip; daughter, Pamela Fuller; brothers, John, and William; sister, Diane; one granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his wife, Alice.
Services for Mr. Sinclair were held Thursday in Magalia.
Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Service of Magalia handled the arrangements.
Claude Moore
5/27/2000
A self-employed glass blower for 50 years, Paradise resident Claude E. “Bud” Moore died at Feather River Hospital Tuesday.
He was 79.
Born in Montana to William and Ibah Moore, he served in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
An avid golfer who loved animals, Mr. Moore moved to Paradise from Los Gatos 22 years ago.
He was a member of the Paradise Pines Golf Course, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Paradise SIRS and Elks Lodge No. 2026.
Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Melba Jane, who he marriage in Reno, Nev., in 1946; daughters, Claudia Dryden of San Jose and Michaela Kuykendall of Arlington, Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Moore were held yesterday.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Marian Gath
5/30/2000
Twenty-five-year Paradise resident, Marian F. Gath, died in her home on Saturday.
She was 80.
Mrs. Gath worked at Sporthaven Health Club for 18 years, before retiring in 1997.
She was born in Ponca, Neb., to Omer and Deta Douthitt and attended Wayne University in Nebraska. She marriage Ellis Henry Gath on May 30, 1941, who preceded her in death in 1997.
Mrs. Gath was a member of the Magalia Community Church.
She is survived by her son, Randall C. Gath of Magalia; daughter, Debbie Leon of Anaheim Hills; sisters, Fern O’Neill of Ponca, Neb., Lillian Lindley of Irvine, and Betty Curry of Torrance.
Visitation will be held today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rose Chapel and services will be held at the Paradise Cemetery on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Paradise Hospice and Homecare is handling memorial contributions.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Clarence Egbert
5/30/2000
A retired United Air Lines supervisor who lived many years in Santa Clara died on Thursday.
Clarence Leroy Egbert was 80.
Mr. Egbert was a Reedley resident and former resident of Santa Clara.
He is survived by his wife, Janice of Reedley; son, Brian Egbert of Santa Clara; daughter, Linda Reed of Paradise; brothers, Ralph Egbert of Brookings, Ore., and Ray Egbert of Visalia; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, 9 a.m. at Reedley Cemetery in Reedley. Memorial services will follow at 10 a.m. at the Reedley First Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation.
