Obituaries for October 16, 2002
Michael A. George
Michael Anthony George, 26, of Galt died in a Lodi hospital on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002. He was born on Nov. 27, 1975 in Lodi and was raised in Galt where he attended Oak View Elementary School and graduated from Galt High School. He attended Modesto Junior College.
Michael enjoyed ranch life, which included raising registered Angus cattle, attending livestock functions, and listening to country music. He enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is survived by his parents, Gene and Diane George of Galt; two brothers, Steven George of Burson and Mark George of Galt; four sisters, Michelle George-Barnard of Lockeford, Cindy and Anne George of Galt, and Georgenne Miranda of Burson; a grandmother, Louise George of Burbank; five nephews, six nieces, one great niece, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 15, followed by interment at Cherokee Memorial Park. Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Obituaries for March 31, 2004
Thomas M. McGill
Thomas Michael McGill, 68, died in Herald on March 9, 2004 after a long illness. Born on Aug. 15, 1935 in Richmond, Indiana, Tom was the youngest of nine children of John and Marie McGill. His maiden aunts raised him after his mother died when he was one year old.
He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and a Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy for 25 years, where he attained the rank of lieutenant.
Even before he moved to Herald with his young family in 1969, he worked in burglary and work furlough programs in this area. He was the watch commander at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center. He helped form the first bomb squad for Sacramento County and, in 1973, received the Silver Star for Bravery when he headed a team of Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) experts to diffuse unexploded bombs at Southern Pacific Rail yards in Roseville.
He also had a hay-hauling business in Herald.
When he retired from law enforcement work, he studied with the Sacramento Catholic Diocesan Diocanate program for four years and was ordained a deacon in 1988. He worked for St. Christopher's Parish, except for two years when he and his wife, Ellie, went to Arizona to serve the Tohono O'Odham Indian missions, working with the Franciscan friars at Mission San Xavier du Bac, south of Tucson.
After returning to Galt, Tom was in charge of detention ministry for the Sacramento Diocese, stretching from Vallejo to the Oregon border, with facilities from Vallejo to Susanville, and he supported the Friends Outside organization. Bishop William Wiegand appointed him Vicar of Deacons for the diocese.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and Jim McGill; and sisters, Jane Cook and Mary Madigan.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ellie, of Herald; and children, Monica and Ted Chlastawa of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Maureen and Kenny Robbins of Herald; MaryKate McGill of San Antonio, Texas; Kevin and Jennifer McGill of Boynton Beach, Florida; and grandchildren, Colleen, Joey and Bridget Rose Chlastawa of Albuquerque; Shanice Brown of San Antonio; Travis, Nathan and Chris Robbins of Herald; and Kevin McGill, Jr. of Davis.
Tom was a teacher of liturgy and Bible studies, a lover of the scriptures, knowledgeable in history and willing to share his wisdom with anyone who needed it.
He was a member of the Herald Store Front Porch Club, where he literally "brought God into the marketplace." He was there just hours before he died, laughing, talking and listening with friends who gather there every morning for coffee and news.
The funeral vigil was held at St. Christopher's Church on Friday evening, March 12, with an overflow crowd in attendance. Bishop Richard Garcia and Fr. Gerald Ryle officiated. Tributes given by friends and family, people who had worked with him as a peace officer, or who had served with him in the church, included:
"He was larger than life. He befriended people based on what was in their heart, not on their ethnic, religious or economic background."
"He was the most exciting man I have ever met or known."
"He was my North, my South, my East, my West" (from collected poems of W.H. Audin).
"He was a demanding but fair father, always explaining the `why' of things, and he never hesitated to tell us that he loved us."
On Saturday, March 13, a Mass of Christian Burial was offered with Bishop William Weigand presiding. Burial was in the Galt Cemetery on Joy Lane, just west of the church. Members of Tom and Ellie's family carried the casket behind highland bagpiper Del Hanson, who played Irish airs. The congregation followed in procession over the fields where spring flowers bloomed in profusion.
Memorials can be made to Families First, a tax-deductible entity, 2100 5th Street, Davis, CA 95616.
Edna M. McGregor
Edna Maxine McGregor of Galt passed away March 18, 2004. She was born Feb. 4, 1941.
Surviving her are her husband, Malcolm Earl McGregor; daughters, Sonja Samples, Tabetha Reis and Hydee Reis; grandchildren, Cynthia Logan, Desiree Willie and Justin Samples; mother, Cecil Aldridge; sisters, Jerry Zavattero and Mary Krantz; aunts, Buena Roberts and Mary Palmer; and 15 great-grandchildren, plus one due in June.
A daughter, Karla Bush; and a brother, Chuck Aldridge, preceded her in death.
William (Bill) Glover
William Glover of Galt passed away from natural cause on March 24, 2004. He was 77.
He was born on July 1, 1926 in Wellsville, Ohio. He was a resident of the area for 30 years.
He was a member of the VFW Post 9888 of Galt and served in the United States Navy during WWII.
He enjoyed the Galt Market and long rides in the country. He also enjoyed fishing.
His sister, Betty Cooper, and husband Joe of Galt; her caregivers, Peggy and Tom Milano, also of Galt; and many friends in Galt survive him.
A memorial service will be held at the VFW Hall at 550 C Street in Galt, on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Committal will be private in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William Glover Memorial Fund at Farmers and Merchants Bank, 1200 C Street, Galt, CA. 95632, to help with funeral expenses.
Obituaries for August 11, 2004
Mary Frances Cook
Mary Frances Cook of Lodi passed away in Galt at the age of 89 on Aug. 2, 2004. Mrs. Cook was born in Springfield, Missouri to William and Lula O'Brien on Feb. 18, 1915.
She graduated from high school in Springfield and went on to work in a #####tore at the cosmetic counter. She married James Ellis Cook in 1933. They moved to Lodi in 1964, where she has since lived.
She retired from cosmetic sales at Weinstock's. She was a member of the Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Forest Lake Women's Golf Club, 50+ Club in Lodi and Senior Citizens Club in Lodi. Mrs. Cook enjoyed being with her family, and she was an avid golfer, dancer and enjoyed playing bingo.
Surviving her are her three children, James A. Cook of Elk Grove, Larry E. Cook of Gardnerville, Nevada and Janice Kay Hale of Galt; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Preceding her in death were her husband, James Ellis Cook; granddaughter, Terri Rodacker; three sisters and two brothers.
A graveside service was held Aug. 5 at Cherokee Memorial Park with Pastor Buttera of River City Calvary Chapel of Sacramento officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1212 W. Robinhood Drive, Suite 5-D, Stockton, CA 95207; or Make A Wish Foundation, 1450 Harbor Blvd., Suite F, West Sacramento, CA 95691.
A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories may be shared. Lodi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Raymond L. Keim
Raymond Lavern Keim of Galt died on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004 in Sacramento at the age of 73. He was born on March 6, 1931 in Alberta, Canada and moved to Galt in 1938 where he was raised. He graduated from Galt High School in 1950.
Raymond served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. He worked as an electrician for 48 years and retired as an electrician from Rough & Ready Island Naval Base.
Raymond loved fishing, camping and woodworking.
Surviving him are his wife of 47 years, Cheril A. Keim of Galt; children, Lynette Lee of Lodi, Timothy Keim of Sunnyvale, and Lillian Black of Galt; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; siblings, Ruby Winn of Stockton, Roy Keim of Idaho, Richard Keim of Pine Grove, John Keim of Reno, Eileen Guilliam of San Francisco, Rose Barquist of Galt, Suzie Cowan of Sacramento, Barbara Case of Reno, and Robert Keim of Galt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Simeon and Katherine Keim; and sister, Betty Hoshall.
A graveside inurnment service was held Monday, Aug. 9 at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi. Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Tod F. Barton
Tod F. Barton died peacefully at home on July 25, 2004 in Herald after a long, valiant battle with melanoma cancer.
He was born in Los Angeles on July 15, 1937. Tod graduated from Webb School in 1954 and Colorado School of Mines as a metallurgical engineer in 1958. He worked for Bendix in Los Angeles and Aerojet in Sacramento.
In 1972, he moved to Little River, where he became a real estate broker in Mendocino. He was an elder in the Mendocino Presbyterian Church and a member of the Mendocino Rotary Club. He enjoyed golfing at the Little River Golf Club for many years.
In 1981, he married Jackie Spelman. Tod retired early to enjoy painting, traveling and skiing trips with his wife. In 1987, they moved to Santa Rosa where Tod raised, trained and showed Tennessee Walking Horses. They moved to Herald in 1998 to create their dream horse ranch.
Tod was inspirational to the many lives that he touched, especially the members of the Sutter Cancer Group. He loved gardening, planting trees wherever he lived and watching all of nature's animals. His family and friends will remember him for his keen wit, infectious laugh, sense of fairness and dedication to his many horses and special cats.
Surviving him are his devoted wife, Jackie of Herald; loving sister, Seanna Gail Barton of Las Cruces, NM; his mother and father-in-law, Marilyn and Jack Spelman; sisters-in-law, Jane Weisman and Jody Spelman; brother-in-law, Jeff Spelman; nephews, Jack, Jonathan and Jordan Spelman, andz Will and Alec Weisman; and niece, Jennifer Case, all of Ohio.
Preceding him in death were his mother, Ruth Annis Barton, and his father, Frank Barton.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Sutter Hospice, 2800 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 or John Wayne Cancer Institute, 2001 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Ben Salas Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mary Ellen Lane
Mary Ellen Lane died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004 at the age of 80. She was born in San Bernardino and lived there most of her life. She recently had been residing in Galt to be near her brother.
Mary served as a nurse in the Navy during World War II and continued nursing in San Bernardino for many years after. She loved to paint, and her family and friends will cherish the beautiful landscapes that will forever adorn the walls of their homes.
Even in the last days of her illness, Mary's quick wit and bold sense of humor kept doctors, nurses and her own family smiling.
Surviving her are two daughters, Connie Jean Holt of Galt and Janet Sue Morphis and husband David of Visalia; brother, Eugene Wilburn of Galt; sister, Joanne Ostay of Las Vegas; grandchildren Sarah Holt of Galt, and Hannah, Abra, Ezekiel and Elisha Morphis of Visalia; nieces and nephews, Michael Wilburn, Linda Shipland, Laurie Martin, Susan Holden and Brian Ostay.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Ben Salas Mortuary in Galt.
Gusseta West
Gusseta West died Aug. 9, 2004 in Lodi at the age of 69. She was born Sept. 20, 1934.
Mrs. West made her home in Herald for 50 years. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and she enjoyed her cats.
Surviving her is her husband of 50 years, Samuel A. West; children, Sandra Beglau of Lodi and Mary West of Galt; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Services at Deegan Chapel and burial in Burwood will take place Friday, Aug. 13.
Obituaries for November 17, 2004
Leo H. Boyd
Leo H. Boyd, 80, of Grand View, Idaho died on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004 in a Boise hospital.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Galt Cemetery.
Leo was born on July 15, 1923 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Rudolph and LaVerne Boone Boyd. He graduated from high school in Galt and joined the Navy in 1941 as a seaman recruit. In 1971, after 30 years, he retired from the Navy as a Lt. Commander. Twenty-nine of the 30 years were served in the submarine service.
Subsequent to his military career, he returned to Galt and served as a supervisor for hydroelectric maintenance for two major utility companies in California. He then traveled the United States as a quality control engineer for Electric Boat Company, which builds nuclear submarines.
Leo and Anna Gwen moved to Grand View, Idaho from Galt on Aug. 21, 1991.
Surviving him are his wife of 58 years, Anna Gwen of Grand View, Idaho; daughter Nancy and son-in-law Maurice "Smokey" Reed, and daughter Gwen Dasaro, all of Sacramento; three grandchildren, Scot Reed, Cherise Kennedy and Cory Dasaro of California; five great grandchildren; sister, Dolly Erich of Thornton; and brother, Carl Boyd of Falls Church, Virginia.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise, Idaho handled arrangements.
Dorothy D. Hill
Dorothy D. Hill, 73, of Galt, died Nov. 11, 2004 at her home following a battle with lung cancer. She was born Dorothy Balliet on Nov. 4, 1931 in Elk Grove.
Mrs. Hill was raised in Galt, where she attended Galt Grammar School and Galt High School. She married Lewis Hill in 1949. She was employed for 35 years at Melhaff Trucking, and then as the office manager at Gilles Trucking until her retirement in 1995. She enjoyed bowling and traveling to Reno, Nev.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lewis Hill of Galt; daughters, Susan Thomas and Brenda Hill, both of Lodi; sons, Kenneth Hill of Woodbridge and John Hill of Galt; brothers, Irv Balliet of Sacramento and Walter Balliet of Reno; sisters, Mary Voorhees of Idaho and Betty Haddakin of Galt; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Dennis Hill; sisters, Barbara Atwater and Edna Bailey; and parents, William and Christine (Pahl) Balliet.
A private celebration of life will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi. There is no visitation, and inurnment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204-1953.
James Mendonca
Private graveside services will take place Friday, Nov. 19 for James Morris Mendonca, 65, a native and longtime resident of this area, who died Nov. 13, 2004 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Mr. Mendonca was born Sept. 1, 1939 in Lodi. He grew up there as well as in Thornton and Galt where he attended local schools and, with his father William, was active with the Boy Scouts.
He served his country with the U.S. Coast Guard for 21 years, including a tour in Vietnam in 1965-1966. He was Senior Chief Petty Officer when he retired in 1977. Following that, he and his family returned to this area.
Mr. Mendonca was preceded in death by his father, William Mendonca in 1981.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynda; his daughters, Renee Mendonca-Millard and husband Scott, and Tina Long and husband Don, and his granddaughter Jacqulynn Millard, all of Wilton; and his mother, Clara Mendonca of Galt.
Mr. Mendonca was the brother of Hazel Read and husband Bob of Sacramento and Luana Manning of San Diego. Six nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews also survive him.
A small gathering will take place at the Mendonca home Friday at 1:30 p.m. Call (916) 687-8526 for information.
Remembrances may be made to the National MS Society, 150 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94612.
Arrangements are by Ben Salas Funeral Home, Galt.
Delores Jean Wolfe
Delores Jean Wolfe of Galt passed away in Sacramento on Nov. 10, 2004 at the age of 66.
Mrs. Wolfe was born on Sept. 16, 1938 to Eugene and Dixie Lee Watkins in Stanford, Texas. Her family moved to California in 1950, first to Manteca, then to Sunnyvale. She moved to Galt one year ago. She was retired from Lockheed where she worked for42 years as an administrative assistant. She enjoyed being with her family and going to Tahoe.
Surviving her are three sons, Donald Todd Wolfe, Ronald Eugene Wolfe and Jeffrey Donald Wolfe, all of Galt; two granddaughters, Amy and Amber; mother, Dixie Lee Watkins of Stockton; and sister, Janette Saich of Stockton.
A graveside service was held Nov. 16 at Cherokee Memorial Park with Pastor Rick Keiser of Family Life Christian Church officiating. Committal immediately followed.
A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories may be shared. Lodi Funeral Home as in charge of arrangements.
Loren W.J. Lorimer
Loren W.J. Lorimer, 31, of Kelso, Wash., a former resident of Galt, passed away on Friday, Nov. 12, 2004 after a short battle with brain cancer.
He was born April 12, 1973 in Lodi. He graduated from Galt High School in 1991. He was in the US Navy SeaBees. He served during Desert Storm. He was a pipe fitter working out of Steamfitters' Local #26 from Lacey, Wash.
Mr. Lorimer was an avid sportsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He attended New Horizons Church in Kelso, Wash. He will be remembered for his humor, kindness, willingness to help others, and for being a wonderful loving husband, father, uncle, brother, and son.
Dearly missed, he is survived by his wife, Jennifer; son, Connar; daughter, Lauryn; sister, Neely; nephew, Jake; parents, Terry and C.J., all of Kelso, Wash.; grandparents, Julius and Erna Kiesz of Lodi and Juanita Lorimer of Lockeford; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Loren W. Lorimer of Acampo.
Memorial services are to be held at New Horizons Church in Kelso, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Community Home Health & Hospice, 1035 11th Ave., P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632. Addition information is available at 360-578-9630.
Obituaries for August 2, 2006
Macy E. Boyce
James H. Barber, Jr.
James H. Barber, Jr. (65) of Stockton passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 in his home. Born on June 23, 1941 in Lodi, he graduated from Galt high School and earned his associate degree from Delta College.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and member of the Farm Bureau in Santa Ynez Valley.
his parents, James and Marguerite Barber, preceded him in death.
He was the father of Edward Barber and Janice Crosby, both of Solvang; grandfather of Carson, Sawyer and Holland Crosby, all of Solvang; brother of George Barber of Thornton and Jeanette Blixt of Stockton; uncle of Lori Remington and Sue Bullington, both of Stockton.
At his request, no services will be held. Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204 are preferred.
Macy E. Boyce
Macy Elizabeth Boyce (3 months old) of Galt passed away suddenly on July 27, 2006 in Lodi. She was born on April 23, 2006 in Sacramento.
Macy, a 'little angel', is survived by her loving parents, Justin and Kimberly Boyce of Galt; loving half-sister, Mariah Boyce of Galt; aunts, Katie Kirkle and Jaime Boyce; uncle, Joshua Boyce; grandparents, Carol Boyce of Lodi and Doug and Peggy Kirkle of Woodbridge; great-grandmothers, Mary Blighton and Aileen Boyce, both of Lodi.
Macy was preceded in death by a grandfather, Spencer Boyce; great-grandparents, Gerald Kirkle, Homer Boyce, Virginia Kirkle, and Richard Blighton.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas M. Jacobs
Thomas M. Jacobs (83) joined his beloved wife of 58 years, Dawn, in death on July 30, 2006. Dawn passed away Oct. 1, 2004.
Tom was born in Munhall, Pa., on July 26, 1923. Both he and his wife served in the military during World War II. They were both stationed in Germany when they met in 1945. They were married in a bombed out chapel on March 23, 1946.
They resided in the Pittsburg area for many years before moving to the Sacramento area and then Galt in 1986. Tom had a long and successful career in the automobile business for 54 years, working in Pittsburg, Antioch and Elk Grove.
He will be remembered for his friendly manner and his love of people. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His children feel great comfort in the knowledge their parents are 'together again.'
Surviving Tom are his son, Thomas II; daughter, Dana Dawn Leitzman; one grandchild, Thomas III; and three great-grandchildren, Erin (13), Brieanna (16 months) and Zack (one month); son-in-law, Dennis; great niece, Joan Speice and family; three brothers and two sisters in Pennsylvania, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ben Salas Funeral home of Galt is in charge of arrangements.
Chandra Bhan Misri
Chandra Bhan Misri (62) of Galt died on Sunday, July 30, 2006. He was born on Sept. 1, 1943 at Lautoka in the Fiji Islands.
He came to America in 1987, living in San Francisco until he moved to San Jose in 1991. He worked at IBM for nine years before moving to Galt in 2000.
In his early years, he worked at the airport. In 1971, he was a police officer and then became a customs officer for 21 years.
He enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, traveling, and loved humor.
Surviving him are his wife of 36 years, Mrs. Chandra Bhan Misri; four children, Prazeen, Praneeta, Pritika, Priya and Prayna; and six grandsons, Christian, Isaiah, Nathaniel, Samuel, Pavan and Parhiel.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Lodi Funeral Home. Committal will follow.
