Obituaries for November 20, 2002
Sam Voorhees
Oran Samuel Voorhees, age 75, of Grand View, Idaho died at his home on Oct. 19, 2002 after a lengthy illness.
Better known as Sam, he was married to Mary Balliet, formerly of Galt, on March 18, 1972 in Reno, Nevada. They lived in the Reno-Sparks area for 25 years. In 1996, they moved to Grand View, Idaho where they retired.
Memorial services for Sam were held at the Galt Cemetery on Nov. 16.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and five children, David of Reno, Calvin, Denise and Jerianne of Sacramento, and Vance (Cindy) of Dawsonville, Georgia; two stepchildren, Janice (Bob) Gould of Sparks, Nevada, and Eric (Melanie) McCorery of Myrtle Point, Oregon; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by stepson Jed McCorery, Reno.
Linda E. Hallett-Weber
Linda E. Hallett-Weber of Galt passed away from a brief bout with cancer on Nov. 11. She was 60.
She was born Linda E. James in Selma on Sept. 23, 1942. She came to Lodi at the age of three and attended Davis Elementary School and Lodi Union High School. She met her husband, Don, in July 2001 in Galt, and they were married in Lodi in October 2001.
She was a homemaker who cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles and shopping. She volunteered as the church secretary at Brea Baptist Church in Stockton. She was a member of the River of Life Celebration Center in Galt and a volunteer with the U-Turn (youth support) organization in Galt and was active in mentoring with church youth groups.
She is survived by her husband, Don Weber of Galt; her daughters, Kimberly Hallett and Ginger Hallett of Galt; three grandchildren; her sister, Charlotte Williams of Brandon, Oregon; her brothers, Carl Dierich of Port Townsend, Washington and Max Dierich of Stockton.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, the late James L. Hallett, and her sister, Wanda Hensen.
Memorial services were held on Nov. 11 at the Lodi Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Brand of the River of Life Celebration Center in Galt and Pastor Floyd Williams of the First Baptist Church in Brandon, Oregon officiating. Committal was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Lodi Unit, at 207 E. Alpine Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204.
Gisselle Gonzales
Gisselle Gonzales of Galt passed away from natural causes on Nov. 7. She was five months old. She was born on May 22, 2002 in Sacramento.
She is survived by her parents, Dorie and Manuel Gonzales of Galt; brothers, Victor and Ruben of Galt; grandparents, Sucorro Montano, and Ruben and Ema Gonzales.
A Mass was held at St. Christopher's Catholic Church on Nov. 13 with committal following at the Galt Cemetery.
Obituaries for March 12, 2003
Chloris Herman
Chloris Faye Herman, born April 23, 1928 in Abesville, Missouri, entered into rest March 6, 2003 in Roseville. She was 74 years of age.
Chloris and her husband came to Roseville in 1948 and settled in to raise their two sons. She enjoyed waitressing in many of the downtown restaurants of Roseville for nearly 20 years.
In 1977, along with her husband, Chloris bought and managed two RV parks in the West Yellowstone, Montana area until moving back to Galt in 1989 where they lived briefly before returning to Roseville in 1992. She has called Roseville home since.
Through the years, Chloris enjoyed fishing, camping with her sons during the summer months, and raising flowers in the garden at home. Her greatest satisfaction in recent years has come from her grandchildren. She enjoyed being their number one fan and supporting them in their organized sporting events.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Eddie of Roseville; sons, Eddie L. Herman of Roseville and Teddie D. Herman of Folsom; seven grandchildren, Kristen, Shaun, Travis, Eric, Taryn, Tyler, Spencer; two great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Rachel; siblings Wayne Burk of Missouri, Sue Wilkerson of Missouri, Hazel Cutbirth of Norwalk, Verena White of New Mexico, Rena Hathcolk of Alabama and Edythe Kolo of Stanton.
Gifts of remembrance can be directed in her name to the American Cancer Society, 333 Sunrise Ave., #344, Roseville, CA 95661 or the American Lung Association, 909 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-2942.
Arrangements were handled by Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses in Roseville.
Eugene Reece
Eugene Reece, a 35-year resident of Galt, passed away from a long illness on March 4, 2003. He was 84.
He was born on March 18, 1919 in Jefferson, Texas. He started his career in civil service at Fort Bliss, Texas in June of 1941. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from October 1943 to January 1947.
After being honorably discharged, he worked at Sierra Ordnance Depot in Herlong and the Naval Supply Center in Oakland. In 1961 he went to work at Mather Air Force Base in the Sacramento area until his retirement in August of 1973. He received numerous commendations during his military and civil service careers.
He was a retired food service worker, including 29 years of civil service for the United States Army, Navy and Air Force.
He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7512 in Stockton and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.
He is survived by his sisters, Esther Haywood of Galt, Thelma Mitchell of Madera, Kitty Reed and Mattalyn Reece, both of San Diego; his brothers, Eulesley Reese of Palo Alto and Charles Reece of Los Angeles; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Reece.
Funeral services were held March 11 at the Lodi Funeral Home Chapel. Elder Francis Ruddle, retired pastor, of the Lockeford Seventh-Day Adventist Church, officiated.
Committal with military honors followed at Cherokee Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to one's charity of choice.
Obituaries for May 5, 2004
Judith K. Kobayashi
Judith Keisler Kobayashi of Galt died on April 28, 2004. She was born Sept. 1, 1934 in Hammond, Indiana. She lived in San Diego for 40 years, in Arizona for 20 years, and moved to Galt three years ago.
She was a nurse and surgical technician for several different hospitals. Mrs. Kobayashi was also a foster parent of terminally ill children.
She was involved with school boards, scouting and church committees. She enjoyed her grandchildren, tutoring for adult literacy programs, and painting. She was a member of DARE, SOHO, Foothills and San Diego Watercolor Societies, and showed her artwork successfully.
Surviving her are her sons, David Keisler of Sacramento, Gilbert Keisler of San Diego, and Garrett Keisler of Galt; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nadine Bishop of Arizona.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, May 7, a 4 p.m. at Galt United Methodist Church, 571 C St. No viewing is planned.
Memorial donations may be made to www.worldvision.org or World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063.
Joni L. Berna
Joni Lynn Berna passed away at her home in Galt on April 27, 2004. She was born July 5, 1960 in Porterville. She was raised in Fresno and Fallon, Nevada.
She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno in 1978. She has lived in Galt since 1996. A lifetime member of the Church of Christ, she worked as a registrar in several hospitals in Fresno and Sacramento.
She was the daughter of Garland and Elsie Woita of Fresno. She was the sister to Jerry Kennedy, Don Kennedy, Susan Kennedy and Ron Kennedy. She was the wife of Timothy Berna, married on Nov. 4, 1978 and the mother of three children, David, Matthew and Megan Berna. Her husband, children, siblings and parents all survive her.
A funeral service was held Monday, May 3 at the Ben Salas Funeral Home. Committal followed at Galt Cemetery.
Jerry McCormick
Gerald "Jerry" McCormick of Galt passed away from natural causes on April 27, 2004. He was 72.
He was born on July 7, 1932 in Oakland. He also lived in Gridley and Sacramento and graduated from Union High School in 1949. He was a retired regional manager for Montgomery Ward catalog division where he worked for 25 years.
He was also a member of the United States Air Force from 1951-1955. He enjoyed fishing, boating and camping.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Janet McCormick of Galt; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Kellie and Elliot Sinor; grandchildren, Tiffany, Britany and Cody, all of Stockton; mother-in-law, Delma Metcalf, brother, Bob McCormick, and sister-in-law, Dale McCormick, all of Pioneer.
No services are planned per his wishes.
Victor D. Davis
Victor D. (Vic) Davis passed away peacefully from a long illness on April 25, 2004. He was born June 15, 1932 in Hot Springs, South Dakota and resided in Wilton.
Vic spent 11 years in the US Navy and retired after 24 years at Mare Island Naval Base in Vallejo. He was employed by the city of Galt in the Parks and Recreation Department until the time of his illness.
Surviving him are his wife of 42 years, Mae Davis of Wilton; two daughters, Shelly Cochran of Martinsburg, West Virginia and Michele Saenz of Wilton; four grandchildren, Melissa Hunt of Fairfield, Jennifer Adams and Joshua Saenz of Wilton, Sarah Davis of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and a brother, Herald Davis of Spokane, Washington.
A memorial service was held April 30 at South East Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in Elk Grove.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to UC Davis Hospice, 3630 Business Drive, Sacramento, CA 95820.
George H. Smith
George H. "Smitty" Smith of Galt passed away in Stockton on April 29, 2004 at the age of 51.
Smitty was born in San Jose on Oct. 30, 1952. He was self-employed as a handyman. He served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his son, Cody Weeks of Chico; mother, Joanne Perez of Galt; step-father, Allan J. Silva of Pioneer; siblings, Rene J. Doherty of Sacramento, Lillian M. Base of Elk Grove, Rodney J. Silva of Sacramento, Amanda J. Santistevan of Galt, Lisa L. Carranza of Woodland, Linda Fix of Galt, and step-brother, David Silva of Westwood.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Smith; brother, Anthony A Perez; and stepbrother, Arnold Silva.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Galt on May 4, with Father Patrick Lee as Celebrant.
Committal will be at Westwood Cemetery in Westwood. There is no visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made River City Recovery Home, 500 22nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.
A virtual register book can be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories may be shared. Galt Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituaries for September 22, 2004
Daisy Robles
Daisy Robles, 83, of Herald died Sept. 14, 2004 in West Covina. She was born March 8, 1921 in Salomonville, Arizona.
She has lived in Herald for 16 years and was spending time with her daughter in Los Angeles. Daisy was a homemaker and enjoyed her family. She also enjoyed painting, crocheting and gardening.
Surviving her are her children, Francis Rusler of Ohio, Jenny Cleveland of Arizona, Irene Galindo of Los Angeles, Frank Robles Jr. of Herald, Fred Robles of Georgia, Mary Robles of New Mexico, Susan Tomlinson of Los Angeles; 17 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Ben Salas Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Margie Hendricks
Margie Hendricks died Sept. 15, 2004 at a local hospital from lung cancer. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri and lived in Galt for 15 years. She was a lifetime resident of California.
She retired as a photo-processing manager. Margie was a loving wife and mother, caregiver and philanthropist. She was well known by family and friends as the "Easter Bunny."
She is survived by her husband, Eric Hendricks; daughter, Robin Kent-Brooks and husband Steve; sons, Donald Kent and Darren Puffert and wife, Bethanne; grandson, Damon Darrough and granddaughter, Savannah Puffert.
A memorial service was held at Ben Salas Funeral Home on Sept. 19.
Obituaries for September 6, 2006
Ron Rader
Ron Rader died at his home in Wilton on Aug. 16, 2006 after a short battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 2, 1948 in Yakima, Wash., to Raymond and Betty Rader of Chelsea, Okla.
The family moved to Sacramento when Ron was 14 years old. Ron attended Elk Grove High School where he played football, ran track and was a member of the swim team.
In 1971, he married Pam (Drewes) with whom he had two sons, Joseph and David. They resided in Elk Grove and then moved to Wilton where they have resided for the past 23 years, sharing not only a tremendous love for their family but their animals on their small ranch.
A member of the Quapaw tribe of Oklahoma, Ron took great pride in his native ancestry. His sons, Joe and David, participated in the Title IV program for native children. As part of the program, Ron worked with the children on making pow wow regalia and teaching them the etiquette needed to participate in the dances.
From 1989-2002, he worked evenings after his regular job for Sacramento Urban Indian Health Project Incorporate (SUIHPI) in their Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program, working with local children helping to guide them and to install a sense of worth and pride in being Native Americans.
Whether it was teaching them to make their own dance regalia, to dance, or to respect traditional ways, Ron's greatest pride was 'his children,' whether they were blood relations or not.
After leaving SUIHPI in 2002, Ron continued his work with native children. One of his greatest sources of pride is the southern pow wow drum, Southern Brothers, which is composed of children and adults that Ron worked with and taught.
A traditional northern style dancer, Ron was called upon to be headman, arena director and master of ceremonies for local pow wows. Part of his Native American traditions included the family erecting an Inipi sweat lodge (church) for the people on his ranch. All those who believed were welcomed to this rite of purification and healing. Ron and his family gave of themselves to those who reached out for assistance in both personal and community relations.
Ron believed his human rights and the philosophy of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Those fortunate enough to call him brother/friend are better human beings for the relationship.
Preceding him in passing were his father and mother; and brother, Phil, who was killed in action in Vietnam in May 1970.
Surviving him are his wife, Pam Rader of Wilton; children, Joseph Rader and wife Dominique Facile of Cambridge, Mass., and David Rader and wife Erin of Wilton; grandchild, Micheal Rader (age 4) of Wilton; brother, John of Quapaw, Okla.; and sister, Marie of Sacramento.
John R. Steele
John Runyon Steele (90) died at his home in Galt on Aug. 28, 2006. He was born Nov. 8, 1915 in Cowley, Wyo.
A Galt resident for almost 20 years, John was married to the love of his life, Marcella Marcum for 62 years until her death. He was a World War II Navy veteran and had many interesting careers during his lifetime, including test flight inspector for the SR71 with the Lockheed California Company. He retired from his own business, Steele Trucking Lines, in 1980.
John left a legacy of love and compassion, and everyone who knew him will miss him.
Surviving him are his daughter, Regina Stilfield and son-in-law, Michael of Galt and their three children, Krista Meza, Kimberly Stilfield and Michael S. Stilfield; siblings, Winnie Webber, Ray Steele, Bill Steele and Betty Dippi; 17 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his son, Johnny Ray Steele; brother, Walter Steele; and sister, Dolly Steele.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Ben Salas Funeral Home, followed by military honors at Galt Cemetery.
Sharon Hamilton
Sharon Hamilton (32) died Aug. 30, 2006 in Galt. She was born Feb. 23, 1974 in Torrance.
She has lived in the area for 20 years and worked as a driver/wholesale supervisor for The Salvation Army in Sacramento.
Surviving are her mother, Deborah Hamilton of Herald; brother, Jerry of Lodi; two daughters, Jessica (14) and Jennifer (11).
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the LDS Church, 972 Vintage Oak in Galt. Committal will be private. Ben Salas Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
