Shirley Sparks
Shirley Sparks, a resident of Shell Beach, died there Jan. 7, 2004. She was 87.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Porterville.
Mrs. Sparks was a native of Bridgeport, Okla. She was a graduate of a teaching college and taught all grades in a one room school house before moving in 1939 to California. She and her husband, Arthur Montgomery Sparks, opened their own business in Salinas and lived their until they retired. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, made many clothes, decorated homes with quilts, curtains and other items. She was active in her church, serving as Sunday School superintendent and president of the United Methodist Women, for many years. She took a special interest in Habitat for Humanity and tried to help develop a chapter in Porterville. After retired ment, Sparks and her husband traveled the world and visited all fifty stated and their capitols.
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Jo Goodwin and Sharon Bays; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother; and seven sisters.
Mrs. Sparks was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Arthur Montgomery Sparks; three brothers; and one sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity,121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709.
Lady Family Mortuary and Crematory in Arroyo Grande is in charge of arrangements.
David Wilson Sr.
David Wilson Sr., a resident of Terra Bella, died there Jan. 15, 2004. He was 75.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Porterville, with the Rev. Brandon Welch of the Ivanhoe Church of God officiating.
Mr. Wilson was a native of Fresno, and a resident of Terra Bella for 70 years, formerly of Fresno. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was an officer for the Tulare County Mosquito Abatement Program for many years. He was also a veteran of the National Guard.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Martha Wilson of Terra Bella; five sons, Stephen Wilson of Exeter, Stan Wilson of Visalia, Tom George of Ivanhoe, Steven George of Redding and David Wilson Jr. of Terra Bella; two daughters, Terri Knoel of Visalia and Debra Oakley of Terra Bella; his brother, Glen Wilson of Seattle; and 17 grandchildren.
Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by three brothers; and six sisters.
Whitehurst Loyd Funeral Service in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas Pina
Thomas Charles Pina, a resident of Santa Cruz, died there Thursday, June 17, 2004. He was 35.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Myers Chapel in Porterville.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Anne's Cemetery in Porterville with the Rev. Scott Riaubia of the Porterville Church of God, officiating.
Mr. Pina was a native of Garden Grove and was raised in Porterville. He graduated from Monache High School and served in the U.S. Navy for five years. He was a certified nurse for 17 years.
He is survived by his mother, Shirley Pina of Riverside; one sister, Catherine Zamora of Orange; three brothers, Frank Pina of Grover Beach, John Pina of San Jose and Charles Pina of Sonora; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Pete Pina.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.
Magdalena Tapia
Magdalena Tapia, a resident of Wenatchee, Wash., died there Tuesday, June 8, 2004. She was 72.
A vigil was held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at Jones & Jones Colonial Chapel in Wenatchee.
A service was held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 14 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee.
Mrs. Tapia was a native of Sabinal, Texas and was previously a resident of Porterville before moving to Desert Aire in 1977 and then Wenatchee, Wash. in 1980. While living in Porterville, she was a member of the United Farm Workers AFL/CIO.
She is survived by her husband, Francisco Tapia; her two daughters, Margaret Mirelez of Amity, Ore. and Rosalinda Surita of Wenatchee, Wash.; five sons, Armando Surita, Gilbert Surita and Enrique Surita, both of Tacoma, Wash., Johnny Surita and Andy Tapia, both of Wenatchee, Wash. and Luis Surita of Stockton; three sisters, Florinda Surita of San Saba, Texas, Guadalupe Lopez of Abeline, Texas, and Juanita Martinez of Porterville; one brother, Eulogio Martinez of Devine, Texas; 28 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Guadalupe Sandoval and Jose Martinez; four sisters, Epifania, Josefina, Elvira and Corina; and one brother, Antonio.
Hazel Polm
Hazel M. Polm, resident of Phoenix, Ariz. died Wednesday, June 16, 2004. She was 78.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at North Kern Cemetery in Delano with Hershal White, officiating.
Mrs. Polm was a native of Warner, Okla. and a resident of Strathmore for 28 years. She was previously employed as a CNA for Villa Manor Care Center.
She is survived by her son, David R. Struble of Porterville; three daughters, Sonya Struble of Porterville, Karen Huckabay of Phoenix, Ariz. and Kathy Barnes of Crowly Lake, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Franklin Polm and daughter, Patsy Struble.
David Jenkins
David Jenkins, a resident of Porterville, died there Wednesday, August 4, 2004. He was 49.
Private services were held.
Interment will be private.
Mr. Jenkins was a native of California and a resident of Porterville for 20 years. He attended the Church of God in Lindsay. He was a plumber for 20 years.
He is survived by his three aunts, Margaret Paga of Corona, Lois Faught and Jeannie Lansford, both of Porterville; one cousin, and three nephews.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.
Bessie Barker
Bessie E. Barker, a resident of Lindsay, died there Wednesday, August 4, 2004. She was 97.
Private family services will be held.
Interment will be at Exeter Public Cemetery in Exeter.
Ms. Barker was a native of Missouri. She worked in fruit packing for 35 years. She attended the Church of Christ.
She is survived by her nephew, Robert Hart.
She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas W. King.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2720 Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 110, Sacramento, CA. 95833.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myerfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.
Arturo Villa
Arturo Villa, a resident of Tulare, died Friday, August 6, 2004. He was 44.
A rosary will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel in Tulare.
A service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Tulare.
Interment will be at Tulare District Cemetery.
Mr. Villa was a native of Mexico and a resident of Tulare County for 40 years. He worked in yard maintenance.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Villa of Fresno; two sons, Augustin Villa and Robert Villa, both of Tulare; three daughters, Adriana Villa of California, Aide Villa and Veronica Villa, both of Tulare; three sisters, Eloisa Villa of Porterville, Lupe Villa and Hilda Villa, both of Tulare; five brothers, Polo, Ramon, George and Martin, all of Tulare, and Frank Villa of Porterville; his parents, Jose and Guadalupe Villa of Porterville; 18 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Peers Lorentzen Funeral Service in Tulare is in charge of arrangements.
Angel Haro
Angel Perez Haro, a resident of Porterville, died there Tuesday, August 10, 2004. He was an infant.
Private services were held.
Interment will be private.
Angel is survived by his parents, Juan Perez and Emma Haro, both of Porterville; one sister, Annette Isabel Haro of Porterville; and his grandparents, Ruben Haro Campus of Durate, Juan Perez and Alejandra Perez, both of La Puente.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.
Clenton Forrister
Clenton Forrister, a resident of Strathmore, died in Porterville Thursday, August 12, 2004. He was 60.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Webb-Sanders Funeral Home in Lindsay.
A service will be in Florida at a later date.
Interment wil be in Wauchula, Fla.
Mr. Forrister was a native of Stelle, Mo. He served in the United States Navy and was a crop dusting pilot in his civilian life.
He is survived by his son, Clenton Joe Forrister of Georgia; his daughter, Wendy Jones of Strathmore; four brothers, Rosco Forrister of Georgia, Jimmy Forrister and Jesse Forrister, both of Florida, and John Forrister of Texas; three sisters, Estella Salmon of Tennesse, Mildred Bush and Gurtrude Smith, both of Florida; and five grandchildren.
Webb-Sanders Funeral Home in Lindsay is in charge of arrangements.
