Richard Belcher
Oakhurst merchant
OAKHURST - Richard Bradley Belcher, owner of Oakhurst Office Supply, died on March 2. He was 48. Services will be held Friday [March 8], starting at 10 a.n. at Sierra Pines Church. Burial will follow at Oakhill Cemetery. Mr. Belcher was born in North Hollywood on August 11, 1953. He had resided in Oakhurst for 10 years. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years. Mr. Belcher enjoyed music. He was also active in the Tuesday Morning Prayer Breakfast. Mr. Belcher was the father of Danielle, Christian and Landon, all of Fullerton. He was the son of Loretta Belcher-Baker of Newport Beach and the late Frank Baker Belcher Jr. Also surviving are his sister, Karen Belcher Capuano, Tujunga; and Frank E. Belcher-Baker, Newport Beach.

Jim Halderman
Retired oil field worker
OAKHURST - Levi G. (Jim) Halderman died peacefully in the home of his daughter on March 2, at the age of 98. Private graveside services were held Wednesday at the North Fork Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday [March 14], starting at 11 a.m. at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst. Mr. Halderman was born July 8, 1903, in Long Island, Kansas. At the age of 6 months he came to Santa Ana in southern California with his parents and lived there through his school years. In 1923 he married Mary Katherine Scott and continued to live in the Anaheim-Santa Ana area where he worked in the oil fields until 1930, when the Depression caused the loss of their orange ranch. He then moved his family, which by then included son, Lee, and daughter, Shirley, to northeastern Arizona where he managed a trading post for his brother at Indian Wells on the Navajo Indian Reservation. In 1935, he and the family returned to California where he returned to work in the oil fields until his retirement in 1971. It was then that he and "Kay" moved to Oakhurst. Mrs. Halderman preceded him in death, 14 months ago. They were together for 77 years. Their son Lee and wife Joyce and daughter Shirley of Oakhurst survive, as do grandchildren Patrice Jensen (husband Brad), Oakhurst; and Scott, Modesto. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Tyler, Ian and Jared of Modesto; and Sean Tovsrud (wife Debbi) of Fresno and great-great-grandchildren Kaden and Madison of Fresno. Remembrances: American Lung Association.

‘Ben’ Clugston
Retired Santa Fe foreman
COARSEGOLD - Everett (Ben) Clugston, 89, died in Madera on March 2. Graveside services will be held Thursday [March 7], starting at 11 a.m. at Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst. Arrangements are under the direction of Jay Chapel, Madera. Mr. Clugston was a native of Tulsa. He retired in 1975 from Santa Fe Railroad, where he served as foreman in the bridge-building division. Mr. Clugston was the father of Darrell Clugston (wife Connie), Coarsegold; Dale Clugston (Marsha Dill), Bass Lake; Roger Clugston (wife Kathy), Bakersfield; and Barbara Hoolihan (husband Dick), San Diego. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Stratton Stevens
Retired educator
OAKHURST - Stratton B. Stevens died in Clovis on March 1 at the age of 86. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 30, starting at 1 p.m., at the Oakhurst Mobile Home Estates Community Room. Mr. Stevens was born in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, on May 2, 1915. He graduated from Penn State university in 1935 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education and received his masters degree in 1958. He began his teaching career 40 years ago in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, moved to Conneaut Lake in 1955 and then to West Chester in 1957. While there, he began the first Distributive Education program in Pennsylvania in 1964. He served on numerous committees and boards and held offices on most. He organized the first Distributive Education Teachers Association in Pennsylvania involving four counties and served as its first president. During his 11 years in DECA, four of his students served as state officers and two as state president. Mr. Stevens retired in 1975, moving to Ulysses, Pennsylvania, and then came to Oakhurst in 1992. His many outside interests included traveling, square dancing, wood working, hunting and fishing. He was always a member and active in his church and many civic organizations. Mr. Stevens touched many lives in many special ways. A loving, gentle man with a wonderful, subtle sense of humor, he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Mr. Stevens is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mabel; son Boyd Stevens, Oakhurst; and daughters Sandra Forrest, milford; and Marilee Woodrow, Springfield, Oregon. He was the brother of Glenn and Herbert of Pennsylvania. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Remembrances: Clovis Convalescent Hospital, 111 Barstow Avenue, Clovis 93612.

Maria Oliver
Homemaker
OAKHURST - Maria Oliver, 81, a 14-year resident of the mountains, died on March 11. Services will be on Thursday [March 14] at 12:30 p.m. at he Oakhurst Lutheran Church. Mrs. Oliver was born in Canada on July 15, 1920. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved gardening, cooking and crocheting. She belonged to the Oakhurst Lutheran Church and the Yosemite-Sierra Visitors Bureau. She leaves her children Teri Rogers, Bass Lake; Pam Hegdale, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and Maury Astley, Las Vegas, Nevada. Mrs. Oliver was grandmother to Michelle Maurer, Bass Lake; Tom Babineau, Claremont; Chuck, Steven, David and Katherine Hegdale; Stephanie Flanders, Simi Valley; and Greg Astley, Salem, Oregon. She also leaves 13 great grandchildren. Remembrances: In honor of Maria. Community Hospice, 1925 East Dakota, Suite 208, Fresno 93726

Fred J. Graf
Purchaser
COARSEGOLD - Fred J. Graf, 64, a resident here for the past 15 years, died March 11 of injuries he received in a traffic collision. Services were held Thursday at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst. Burial will be Saturday [March 16] at El Camino Cemetery in San Diego. Mr. Graf was born in San Diego on July 7, 1937. He was a purchaser for the Kroeger company. Mr. Graf also served with the U.S. Navy for four years. Mr. Graf is survived by his wife, Janice Graf, and son, Fred Graf, both of Coarsegold. He was the brother of Paula Billings, Lupi Graf and Roy Graf, all of San Diego. Also surviving are grandchildren Terren Graf of Coarsegold and Sholi Graf of San Diego.

Herbert C. West
Construction superintendent
OAKHURST - Herbert C. West, 87, a resident here for seven years, died on March 11. Services will be held Friday [March 15], starting at 11 a.m. at Sierra Funeral Chapel. Mr. West was born at Francis, Oklahoma, on September 11, 1914. After his involvement with the Civilian Conservation Corps, he married and moved to Los Angeles in 1936. He educated himself in the construction trade, where he advanced to superintendent of a major construction firm. He oveersaw all phases of construction of shopping centers, motels and establishment facilities and residential developments. Mr. West is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nettie West of Oakhurst. He was the father of Ron West (wife Lori) and Bobbie Gaal (husband Jim), Oakhurst; and Vicki Glazener (husband Jerry), Coarsegold. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and Mr. West’s sister. He is preceded in death by his grandson and eight siblings.

Victor Kliewer
Building contractor
OAKHURST - Victor David Kliewer, 73, a resident here for 43 years, died on March 14 in a Fresno hospital. Services were held on Monday. Burial was in the Oakhill Cemetery Mr. Kliewer was born in Enid, Oklahoma on May 21, 1928. He was a self-employed building contractor. He leaves his wife, Ester, of Oakhurst. He is also survived by his daughter Sheila Gale Kliewer, Boulder Creek, his sister Lois Jean Maybee, Clovis.

Lee Winjum
Student
OAKHURST - Lee Kenneth Winjum, 16, died at his home on March 12. A viewing was held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday [March 19] followed by services at 6 p.m. at the Sierra Funeral Chapel in Oakhurst. Burial will be private. Lee was born on May 19, 1985 in Hanford. He was a student at Yosemite High School. He had lived in Oakhurst for 14 years. His life’s passion was his guitar playing and his friends. He is survived by his parents Kenneth and Janice Winjum, and Pamela Moser, all of Oakhurst. He was the brother to Shonnie Hard (husband Shannon), Oakhurst; Tony Oliveira, Auberry; and Monica Pardue (husband Mark), Littleton, Colorado. He also leaves five nieces and nephews.

Dorothy Cohee
Homemaker
TORRANCE - Dorothy Ruby Cohee, 81, and a former resident of Oakhurst, died at ther home on March 12. Mrs. Cohee was born on May 22, 1920 in Granite City, Illinois. She moved to California during World War II and worked as a defense industry secretary. She married William Kulin in 1949. They had three sons and later divorced. In 1960 she married Arthur V. Cohee, a divorced father of five. She later gave birth to a fourth son. She was a Cub Scout den mother and a member of the St. Lawrence Martyr Church Ladies Guild. She and her husband were intrepid rockhounds and members of several mineral societies. They owned and operated a lapidary supply store in Torrence for 15 years. When they retired to Oakhurst, Mrs. Cohee, an avid craftswoman, served as librarian for the Madera County Quilting Society for 10 years. She was known for her tireless love of family, friends and community. Mrs. Cohee is survived by her husband Arthur. She was mother to Mary Ann Peterson, Beth Fancher, Margi Manifold and Suzanne Norwood. She also leaves her sons William, Michael and Stephan Kulin and Arthur and James Cohee. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren. Her first great-grandchild is expected shortly.

Clara Russell
Healthcare worker
OAKHURST - Clara W. Russell, 84, died on March 18. Arrangements are through Sierra Funeral Chapel. She was born on July 27, 1917 in New England and moved to California with her husband and two children in 1956. Before moving to Oakhurst in 1980, she lived in Citrus Heights and worked at Roseville Hospital for many years. She enjoyed fishing at Bodega Bay, board games with her grandchildren and bingo. Although a resident at Community Living Center, Oakhurst, for the past four years, she was a caregiver to other patients, and part-time social director. She was lovingly called "the boss" by staff. Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1996. She is survived by her children Jacqueline Mallouf (husband Doug), Oakhurst; and James W. Russell (wife Marilyn), Holly Hill, Florida. She leaves seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Remembrances: Mountain Bear Fan Club, Gifting Program, Post Office Box 2071, Oakhurst.

Larry Williams
Truck driver
YUMA, Arizona - Larry Dean Williams, 44, A resident of Oakhurst for three years, died on March 14 in Arizona. Services will be held on Friday [March 22] at 11 a.m. at the Sierra Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Oakhill Cemetery. Mr. Williams was born on August 27, 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a self-employed truck driver. Mr. Williams leaves his wife Monica, of Oakhurst. He also leaves his children Shayne Williams and Kevin Donart, both of Simi Valley. He is survived by his parents Sam and June Lowe of Carlsbad. Mr. Williams was brother to Shana O’Donnell, Stacey Lowe, Star Lowe and Scott Lowe, all of Missouri.

Bob Wilson
Area resident
OAKHURST - Robert (Bob) Wilson, 53, died March 19 at a Fresno hospital. A memorial service will be held Saturday [March 30], starting at 4 p.m. at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. (The church is located at the corner of Crane Valley Road [426] and Spook Lane.) Information: Pastor Roger Youders, 683-4177; Donna Laughlin, 683-6435.

Coleta Andrews
Homemaker
OAKHURST - Coleta Beatrice Andrews, 68, died March 23 at her home. At the family’s request, there are no services scheduled. Arrangements are through Sierra Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Andrews was born on March 26, 1933 in Arizona. She had been a resident of Oakhurst for 15 years. She is survived by her husband, Deforest, and daughters Jeanne Andrews of Coarsegold and Deborah Hitchcock of San Jose. Mrs. Andrews also leaves three grandchildren, Brian, Scott and Dianne Hitchcock.

Sharon Crosetti
Distribution employee
WISHON - Sharon Paulette Crosetti, 56, died at her home on March 22. Services were held on Thursday at Sierra Funeral Chapel, with private burial following. Mrs. Crosetti was born on August 27, 1945 in Fresno. She was a resident of Wishon for 16 years and worked in distribution for Inland Star Distributors. She is survived by her husband, Jack. She also leaves a daughter, Kelly Fink of Amboy, Utah and a step-daughter, Michelle Crosetti of Fresno. She is survived by one grandchild, McKenzie Fink of Amboy, Utah. Mrs. Crosetti was the sister of Betty Day of Oakhurst, Mildred Waltrip of Modesto, Sandra Howard of Los Banos and Dale Wallace of Fresno. Edward Schneberger Data systems OAKHURST - Edward Joseph Schneberger, 69, died at home on March 25. Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, April 1, 11 a.m., at Oakhill Cemetery. Arrangements are through Sierra Funeral Chapel. Mr. Schneberger was born in New York City on June 29, 1932. He was a resident of Oakhurst for three years and had been employed by Litton Industries, Inc. in data systems. He is survived by his wife, Virginia and daughters Mary Schneberger of Valentia and Kathy Watts of Dinuba. He also leaves two grandchildren. Sterling Dietz Stockbroker OAKHURST - Sterling Louis Dietz, 74, died at his home on March 25. Arrangements are through Sierra Funeral Chapel, but no services are scheduled. Mr. Dietz was born in Los Angeles on May 23, 1927 and was an Oakhurst resident for 25 years. In his career, he had been a stockbroker for Dean Witter. He is survived by a daughter, Donna Little of Porterville, and a son, Brian Dietz of Brentwood. He also leaves a grandson, Sterling Dietz of Brentwood.

Monty Wheeler
Retired Postal Service
MESA, ARIZONA - Monty Dale Wheeler, 56, former North Fork resident, died March 18. Memorial services will be held on Friday [April 5] 1 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North Fork. Mr. Wheeler was born on November 13, 1945 in Reedley, to Worley Howard and Betty Darlene Wheeler. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and recently had retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Wheeler graduated from Sierra High School and attended Arizona State University. Although he lived in Arizona, he never forgot his roots in North Fork and the many cherished friends he had there. Travel was a hobby he practiced extensively, but his favorite event was the North Fork Loggers Jamboree. He traveled to the event each year from Arizona to watch his brother, Tom, win "All-Around Logger" several times. While small in stature, he had a heart as big as the world and loved everyone he met. Because of a traffic wreck at a young age, Mr. Wheeler endured a life of pain, but he did it with dignity and humor. His family would like everyone who knew him to rejoice in the fact that he is now free of pain and in a better place. Mr. Wheeler is survived by his children, Michel Barrientes, Roynette Brogoitti, Tammie Wheeler, Andrew Wheeler and Ryan Wheeler. He was brother to Tom Wheeler of North Fork and Ken Wheeler of Fresno. He also leaves his mother, Betty Darlene Shepherd, stepfather Frank Shepherd and stepmother Gertrude Wheeler of North Fork. Mr. Wheeler is also survived by four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Harold Young
Estate planner
LOS OSOS - Harold S. Young, 82, a former resident of Oakhurst, died on March 29. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 490 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos. Mr Young was born November 15, 1919 in Warwickshire, England, and immigrated to Canada following service it he British Army in North Africa during World War II. In 1957 he moved with his family to Fresno and became an estate planner for the Prudential Insurance Company. Always an enthusiastic supporter of soccer, he was instrumental in co-founding the Fresno Senior Soccer League in 1958. He coached the Fresno Olympic Club men’s soccer tem which won three championships in four years. From 1968 to l972, he was the athletic commissioner for Fresno Parks and Recreation Department and organized a youth soccer program in schools, recruiting volunteers and holding coaching clinics throughout Fresno and Madera counties. In 1971 he won the Volunteer of the Year award as a founding director of the North California F.A. Youth Soccer Association. The annual Harold S. Young soccer tournament held in Clovis was named in his honor in 1973. He was inducted into the California Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in l976 and the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. Upon his retirement in 1982, he and his wife, Shirley, moved to Oakhurst. A lifelong interest in hiking included leadership in the Sierra Club and, in 1989, the founding of the Sierra Hiking Seniors. His pleasure in music and interest in children led him to teach music appreciation in the Bass Lake School District as a Seniors Participating in Community Education [SPICE] volunteer, developing his own course and contributing the tapes, CDs and portable stereo system. He and Tom Bopp collaborated in starting a collection of music on CDs for the Oakhurst Branch Library. This interest in music for young children evolved into producing kits of CDs and tapes based on research by Kodaly on the correlation between music and intelligence. When he moved to Los Osos in 1998, he continued donating his time and talents to benefit children in the community and was organizing a SPICE program in the San Luis County School District. Mr. Young is survived by his wife Shirley and his children Robb, Clovis; Peter, Los Angeles; and Vonne Gross (husband Ronald), Fresno. He is also survived by Shirley Young’s children Randy Dixon (wife Karen), New Hampshire; Michael Dixon; and Linda Smiaroski (husband Stephen), Massachusetts. He leaves his sisters Olwyn Lawrence and Hazel Rickman, both of England. He was grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to one and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He leaves a host of friends. Remembrances: San Luis Obispo Symphony Guild, 1667 Quail Drive, San Luis Obispo.

Linton Forrester
Retired businessman
COARSEGOLD - Linton E. Forrester, 93, died April 1. Services will be held Saturday [April 13], starting at 2 p.m. at the Clovis Masonic Lodge, 375 Fifth Street in Clovis. Mr. Forrester was born on June 20, 1908 in Corralitos. His family later moved to Fresno where he graduated from Central High School in 1927. Mr. Forrester married Eleanor Hobbs on October 3, 1928 and moved to Watsonville in 1929. He worked at various jobs and he and Eleanor were active in 4-H Club work and YMCA. In 1938, Mr. Forrester started an apple packing business in Freedom. As the business grew, he became increasingly involved in community affairs and service organizations including a continuing involvement with YMCA, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and DeMolay for Boys and Scottish Rite. He also served on the Freedom Elementary School Board for many years. In 1945 Mr. Forrester acquired the old Navy base in Freedom from the War Assets Administration for $1 for the Freedom School District and supervised the remodeling of all the old buildings to bring them into compliance with state code. He was also responsible for the organization and establishment of the Freedom Fire Department. As a result of his many school activities, Mr. Forrester was asked to serve on the state Board of Education where he was active for more than ten years until he voluntarily retired due to a heart condition. The Forrester family moved to Oakhurst on July 2, 1954 after having spent many summers camping at Bass Lake and coming to love the mountains. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Forrester and others began a movement for a new high school to be located in Oakhurst. Mr. Forrester was actively involved in obtaining the required state approvals through his contacts in Sacramento. Later, Mr. Forrester developed Hillview Estates Subdivision and started what is now Hillview Water Company. He next started a cable television company which expanded over the years and was later sold to Northland Cable TV. He also developed Sunnydale Subdivision in the early ‘70s, which included a water system that was later extended to Royal Oaks in order to provide water to that development because their water was failing. The management and operation of Hillview Water Company was turned over to Mr. Forrester’s son, Roger, in 1981. Mr. Forrester was involved in the formation of Oakhurst’s Masonic Lodge and was responsible for obtaining the charter. In 1979, Mr. and Mrs. forrester moved to Coarsegold where they had purchased Yosemite South RV Park. The Park was sold in 1990, but the couple continued to reside there until approximately two months prior to Mr. Forrester’s death. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Forrester, Fresno; son, Roger Forrester, Oakhurst; and daughter, Diane Moore, of Fresno. He also leaves grandsons, Kevin and Brian Moore, granddaughters, Lauren Shelby, Heather Dunn and Melissa Hickman. Great-grandchildren, Jason Dunn, Tyler and Britney Moore, also survive.

Rick Neal
Retired Deputy Sheriff
OAKHURST - Richard T. Neal, 51, a resident here for 18 years, died on April 11 at his home. Viewing will be on Wednesday [April 17] at Sierra Funeral Chapel from 3-7 p.m. Services will be held on Thursday [April 18] at 11 a.m. at Mountain Christian Center followed by private interrment at Oakhill Cemetery. Gathering follows at Masonic Lodge. Mr. Neal was born on June 23, 1950 in San Francisco to Gary and Betty Neal. He was raised in La Crescenta, moving to Pollock Pines in 1976. He worked as a printer, later doing masonry, electrical, light construction, landscaping and drip irrigation. He moved to Oakhurst in 1983 to work with his parents at Sierra Funeral Chapel. He was the third generation to graduate from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. Mr. Neal became involved with the Sheriff’s reserve unit and later became a deputy of the constable. In 1989 he was elected as constable for the Sierra District and bailiffed at the Bass Lake Court. In 1995 he wrote legislation that resulted in the change of the title, "constable," to "marshall." Mr. Neal was a member of the Sierra Investigators, the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, a past president of Sierra Sunrise Rotary Club. His hobbies included gourmet cooking and coin collecting, fishing, hiking and camping. He was especially fond of the California Gold Country and the High Sierra. Mr. Neal leaves his wife, Belinda, of Oakhurst. He is survived by his mother, Betty, and stepfather, Larry. Also a sister, Terri, and two brothers, William, (wife Rhoda) and Steven, (wife Renay). He is survived by seven nieces and nephews. Rememberances may be made to the Masonic Lodge.

Cathy Simonson
Food server
OAKHURST - Catherine Simonson, 72, a longtime resident here, died in Madera on April 9. Services are pending. Ms. Simonson was born October 9, 1929 in Wolfpoint, Montana. She moved to Oakhurst in 1964. She worked with her sister, Ann Tharp, owner of the Country Kitchen Restaurant and also her brother, Scotty McKenzie and their mother, Viola Harding. It was a family affair, known for their home cooking, service with a smile and "Granny’s" homemade pies. She worked in the Mountain Area for 25 years before retiring. Ms. Simonson is survived by daughters, Marylin Gauthier (husband Milt) of Ahwahnee; Carylin Miller (husband Bob) of Raymond; Colleen Marshall (husband Bill) of Sacramento and her son, Jack McCown (wife Lawana) of Conway, Arkansas. She also leaves her grandchildren, Frank, Rick and Sharla Gauthier; Molly and Maggie McCown; Stevie Moshrefi; Sheri Doty; Lauri Bazzar; Teri and Mary Miller; Tiffany Loveless and Jesse Marshall. Also surviving are 14 great-grandchildren, and nephews David and Roger Tharp of Ahwahnee; Jack and Douglas McKenzie of Madera and niece, Phyllis Andrews of Montana. Others include brother-in-law, Gene Tharp of Raymond, sister-in-law, Anna Lee McKenzie of Madera plus many dear friends.

Marie Tuell
Nurse’s aide
RAYMOND - Marie Edna Tuell, 85, of Raymond, died in Fresno on April 12. Graveside services were held Tuesday at Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst. Mrs. Tuell was born October 27, 1916 in Oklahoma. She lived in Raymond for ten years an dhad been employed as a nurse’s aide. She was a member of the North Fork Seventh-day Adventist Church. She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Lenheim of Coarsegold and sons, Gary Tuell of Raymond and Ken Tuell of Corvallis, Montana. She also leaves her sister, Elma Myers of Simi Valley and brothers, Wilburn Hayes of Merced and Lee Hayes of Oklahoma.