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Fred W. Baldridge
Fred Baldridge dies at 77
Funeral services were held Monday, July 29, 1991 at Smith's Colonial Chapel for Fred William Baldridge, who died Wednesday, July 24, at Sutter Davis Hospital. Rev. Jay Constant, pastor of Free Will Baptist Church, officiated. Pallbearers were Michael J. McCracken, B.T. Dunham, John Davis, Don E. Calvert, Bill Kelley and Wayne Kelley. Burial followed at the Winters Cemetery.
Mr. Baldridge, who was born in Clayton Township, Arkansas, on October 1, 1913, was 77. He had lived in Winters for the last 37 years and worked for Syar & Harms Company for 27 years at the Madison plant as an oiler. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from June 2, 1941, to July 12, 1944.
He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church of Winters and a member of the Woodmen of the World No. 339 of Vacaville. He was also a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.
Mr. Baldridge is survived by his wife, Irene Baldridge of Winters, and two sisters, Hazel Wright of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Monteen De Busk of Atwater, California. He was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Wayne Baldridge, who died in Woodland on Sept. 17, 1963, as the result of football injuries.
The family requests that any remembrances be directed to the Doug Baldridge Scholarship Fund in care of Winters High School, 101 Grant Avenue, Winters, CA 95694.
BALDWIN
Ethel Baldwin
Ethel Baldwin died in Palm Gardens Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002, at age 93.
Born Feb. 10, 1908, in Soldier, Iowa, Mrs. Baldwin had been a Yolo County resident for the last 58 years. She was the daughter of the late Oluf and Gunda Olson. She was a homemaker for 76 years and a member of the Woodland Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2345.
Mrs. Baldwin is survived by her daughter, Shirley Carrion and husband Frank of Woodland; sons, Bob Baldwin and wife Nancy of Woodland, and Ron Baldwin and wife Trish of El Dorado Hills; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse W. Baldwin, in 1980; son, Dan Baldwin, in 1991; a granddaughter; a grandson; five sisters; and six brothers.
Visitation is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at McNary's Chapel, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place afterwards at Monument Hill Memorial Park.
The family requests memorials be directed to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, 95617.
McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
BALESTRA
Ernie A. Balestra
Ernie A. Balestra died in his sister's Fresno home surrounded by loving family Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at age 79.
Born April 27, 1922, in Pixley, Mr. Balestra was the son of Swiss immigrants. He was raised on his family farm in Clovis. After his father's death in a farm accident, his mother, brothers, sisters and he continued their farming enterprise. As a student at Clovis High School he played trumpet and played on the football and basketball teams. He received the Clovis High Sassano All-America Blanket quarterbacking the football team to a 7-1 season in 1939.
Mr. Balestra served in the Air Force in Europe during World War II. After the war he returned to begin a dairy in Sanger, later farming field and row crops and raising cattle and sheep. He was the founding director of Consolidated Milk Producers, a member of the Farm Bureau, a 50-year member of the Elks Club and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Big Fresno Fair by Gov. George Deukmejian. His farm was the epitome of efficiency and most of the animals he raised were for his pure love of animals rather than income. His neighbors knew him as a Samaritan who spent much of his time helping them with their own daily chores and challenges. He was one of a diminishing breed - the hard working, self-sufficient and thoroughly honest family farmer.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Geraldine Balestra; daughter, Lisa Marott; son, Senator Jim Nielsen; sister, Eda Hensley; granddaughters, Daysha Vance, Prima, Brandi, and Melissa; grandsons, Brandt, Jim, Adam, and Bryan; and great grandchildren, James, Brittney and Logan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Balestra was preceded in death by his father, Sam; and mother, Erminia; daughter, Denise; sister, Olga and brothers, Oliver and Fred.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at the Clovis Veteran's Memorial Hall, Clovis.
The family requests memorials be directed to the charity of the donor's choice.
Farewell Funeral Services of Fresno is handling cremation arrangements.
BALESTRA
Geraldine "Jeri" Balestra
Geraldine "Jeri" Balestra passed away Saturday, April 12, 2003 in Clovis, surrounded by her family. She was born June 14, 1920 in Kingsburg, the daughter of Fresno teacher J. Wiley Hudson and Hazelle Hudson. She lived her very full life in the San Joaquin Valley with brief residencies in Panama after World War II, in New Mexico and in Woodland the past few years where she enjoyed fine care at Alderson's Convalescent Hospital. She was marriage to Sanger farmer Ernie Balestra who she met as he purchased farm equipment from her employer Fresno Ag Hardware. They were known as a handsome and dashing couple. Together they raised a son and two daughters. Jeri was a major force in the life of her granddaughters Prima, Brandi and Daysha.
Jeri graduated from Fresno High School and attended Fresno State College. Her beauty was such that local businesses vied for her picture in their ads long before "super models" became vogue. She served in many capacities working with her children's schools and was president of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Her loving spirit and legendary generosity touched all who knew her.
Over the years friends and family enjoyed swapping Jeri stories. No minuscule occurrence in someone's life escaped her attention or generosity. Family, friends and neighbors in need were lavished by her thoughtfulness and courtesies. Her nieces and nephews all still call her their favorite aunt. She was a regular at the community library, prolifically devouring books. Her love of literature inspired her family and friends to become book lovers. Her cousin Jack Smith succinctly captured the essence of Jeri Balestra as he said good by last week. He gently touched her, kissed her forehead and said, "It's been a great party, Jeri and you always were the prettiest girl at the ball!"
Her parents J. Wiley and Hazelle Hudson, her husband Ernie Balestra and her daughter Denise preceded her in death. Her son Senator Jim Nielsen; daughter Lisa Marott; grandchildren, Prima Diva, Brandi Sorrill, Daysha Vance, Brandt Marott, Melissa White; and great grandchildren Jim, Bryan and Adam Nielsen, Jaime and Brittany Vance and Logan Jones survive her.
The family requests that any remembrances be directed to The Foundation for Excellence at Woodland Christian School, P.O. Box 93, Woodland, 95695.
BALESTRA
"Services for Joseph Balestra
Memorial services were held in Menlo Park on August 27, 1985 for Joseph George Balestra, 59, who was born in Woodland and reared in Winters. He attended elementary and high school here, graduating from high school in Pittsburgh and from college at Stanford University.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Balestra of Menlo Park; a son, Mark Balestra of Foster City; and two daughters, Sharon Balestra O'Donnell and Katherine Balestra, both of San Francisco. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Balestra Allen, who died in 1950, and his father, Joseph George Balestra, Sr., who farmed in the Winters area until his death in 1940."
BALL
Elwyn Rowland Ball
Elwyn Rowland Ball died at his Woodland residence Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005 at age 67.
Mr. Ball was born July 18, 1938 in Woodland to Berthold and Mabel (Pinto) Ball. He attended area schools through high school, graduating from Woodland High School in 1956. In December of 1956, he joined the United States Air Force, where he was a mechanic until his honorable discharge as airman third class in 1962. A Yolo County resident for the past 67 years, he was employed in construction as a heavy equipment operator for 45 years.
Survivors include Mr. Ball's wife of 42 years, LaNell Ball; his daughter, Karla Ball of Woodland; his sons, Randy Ball and his wife Tami, Darren Ball and his wife Tika, all of Woodland, and Damon McClure and his wife Elsa of Napa; a sister, Marlene Johnson of Bonney Lake, Wash.; grandchildren, Janelle, Jessica and Jordan Ball, and Hanna McClure, all of Woodland. His brother, Bert Ball, preceded him in death.
Services: Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Woodland Cemetery, with John Hudnall of the Woodland Family Worship Center officiating. Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mae (Pacheco) Coelho: Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Monday, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 301 Walnut St., Woodland with Rev. John Boll officiating.
Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Woodland. McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Clara M. Rios: Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Monday, at Kraft Bros. Chapel, 175 Second St., Woodland. A Rosary service will begin at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 301 Walnut St., Woodland, with Deacon Ed Kull officiating.
BALL
Mrs. James W. (ROBINSON) BALL
(1837-1890)
In Memoriam - Mrs. James W. Ball, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1837 and died in Winters, California, July 22, 1890, aged 52 years, 11 months and 24 days. Her maiden name was Robinson. She was marriage to Mr. Ball in Washington county, Ohio, November 19, 1857. Her husband and six children - two boys and four girls - are left to mourn their loss. She embraced religion and became a member of the church at the age of seventeen. She lived the life of a Christian and died the death of the righteous. She was an affectionate, thoughtful wife, a devoted, loving mother. Conspicuous among her many virtues, was her care for the sick. Possessed of more than ordinary tact and skill in this direction, tender and sympathetic, she was a frequent and always welcome visitor in the homes of the afflicted. Several persons in this community ascribe their recovery from serious sickness to her patient and skillful nursing. She will be sadly missed, not only in her own home, but also in the homes of her friends and neighbors. Many will gratefully cherish her memory until their dying day. But her work is done, her sufferings over, and she rests from her labors. The funeral service was conducted from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by her pastor, Rev. H.C. Culton. The text was, Matthew 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." A large concourse of sorrowing friends followed her remains to the city of the dead. Peace to her memory.
J.W. Ball and family desire to thank their friends who so willingly administered to the wants of the wife and mother during her long sickness and at her death, and to Dr. Magill for his kindness and faithful attendance upon her.
