United States High School Yearbooks by County
Jerry Ledin
5/10/2001
Jerry W. Ledin, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, moved to Paradise in October 2000.
Born in Harris, Minn., he was the son of Douglas and Doris Ledin.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 24 years. He is survived by his wife, Sharyl Ledin of Paradise; two sons, Doug of Burbank and Ben of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Karen Lofferty of Meridian, Idaho; brother Michael of Parker, Ariz., sister Joanne Deutchlander of Paterson; three stepdaughters, Joey and Stefanie Albinanti of San Jose and Tracey Abinanti of Newport News, Va., and three grandchildren. A service will be held at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on May 26, 2001, at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to Shy-Drager Research. Burial will be private. Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Harry Garrison
5/12/2001
While serving in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945, Harry L. Garrison was part of the elite force, “Merrill’s Marauders,” in China, Burma and India. He was a replacement to go in after the group was practically annihilated.
He worked as a civilian truck driver at Moffett Field for the U.S. Navy. He loved baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mr. Garrison, 81, died Sunday in Feather River Hospital. He moved to Paradise from Cupertino four years ago. He was born to Jesse and Laural Garrison in McCune, Kan. He also married his wife, Marjorie there on May 11, 1941.
She survives him, as do a son, Harry Jr. of San Francisco; two daughters, Patricia Letts of Greenville and Janet McCalister of Paradise; a sister, Helen Van Auken of Paradise; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A service was held Thursday at Rose Chapel Mortuary. He will be interred at Paradise Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Fund in care of Neurological Institute, 171 W. 168th St., New York, NY, 10032.
Henry Murray
5/12/2001
Henry C. Murray lived in Magalia many years before he and his wife, Marie, decided to become full-time RVers. Before his retirement, Mr. Murray owned and entertainment magazine. He was a sports writer and an avid sports fan. He loved to play golf, read, listen to music from the 1940s and dancing.
Mr. Murray died Monday in Martinez. He was 76. He was born in Boston to Frank Murray and Millicent Kempton Murray DeMello.
He is survived by his wife, Marie; three daughters, Diane Kernodle of Martinez, Kathryn Weisbord of Philadelphia and Laura Murray of Washington; a sister, Loretta Millar of Magalia; stepfather Seraphine DeMello of Paradise; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Two sons and one granddaughter died before him.
Mr. Murray was cremated, and his ashes will be scattered at a later date. Cards or flowers may be sent to Marie Murray at Pleasant Hill Manor, 40 Boyd Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. Contributions may be made to the Cancer Society or blood can be donated in his name.
Bryant & Moore Chapel of Concord is handling the arrangements.
Betty Lee Adams
5/12/2001
Betty Lee Adams enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She also liked arts and crafts. For the past 11 years, she and her husband, Vance, have enjoyed spending summers in Magalia and winters in Parker, Ariz.
Mrs. Adams died Sunday in Feather River Hospital.
She was 75.
She was born in Kansas City, Mo.
Besides her husband, Vance, whom she married in Santa Ana in 1968, Mrs. Adams is survived by two daughters, Starrann Buur of Upland and Debi Roth of Cathedral City; four sons, Larry Epperly of Wichita, Kan., Raymond Epperly of Magalia, Mike Adams of Orange and Stan Epperly of Pittsburgh, Kan.; a brother, Cecil Harmon of Tampa, Fla.; and seven grandchildren.
A private service will be held. Bidwell Chapel is handling the arrangements.
She will be interred at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
Memorial contributions may be made to Paradise Hospice in care of Bidwell Chapel.
Edward Douglas
5/12/2001
Edward “Elwood” Lee Douglas served in the U.S. Navy and was a self-employed carpenter for 15 years.
He loved children and fishing. He will be remembered as a good friend to many and as a soul mate to his girlfriend.
He was a member of E Clampus Vitus, Pair-O-Dice Chapter. Mr. Douglas, 39, died of heart failure May 5 in his residence in Paradise, where he had lived seven years. He was born in San Gabriel.
He is survived by his parents, one brother, six sisters and countless good friends.
A sunrise service was planned for 6 a.m. today at Barney O’Rourkes in Paradise.
Memorial donations may be made to Regina Komodina-DeSoto in care of Rose Chapel. He will be privately interred following cremation at Rose Chapel.
Paul Spraytz
5/12/2001
During World War II, Paul P. Spraytz Jr. served in the U.S. Army in munitions.
He received one Bronze Star and a Victory Medal. Mr. Spraytz worked as an auto mechanic for 40 years.
He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and furniture restoration.
He was a member of Paradise Gleaners, Paradise Community Chorus, Paradise Men’s Garden Club and Paradise Choraleers.
He was a charter member of Strive.
Mr. Spraytz died Wednesday in Feather River Hospital.
The Paradise resident was 81.
He was born to Paul and Clara Spraytz in Evenston, Ill.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes of Paradise; three sons, Tim Thomassen of Albuquerque, N.M., Keith Thomassen of Livermore and Robert Rosburg of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three daughters, Faye Delong of Kingsburg, Mary Keck of Castle Rock, Colo., and Patty King of Visalia; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held1 p.m. today at Paradise Chapel of the Pines.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to the service time.
He will be interred in San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to one’s favorite charity.
Sharlene Fischer
5/12/2001
Sharlene R. Fischer was a past Pink Lady volunteer at Feather River Hospital.
She joined the Bible study group at Paradise Alliance Church.
She enjoyed reading and studying the Bible.
She also liked working in her home, playing games and spending time with family and grandchildren.
During World War II, she served in the WAVES. Mrs. Fischer died May 4 at Feather River Hospital.
She was born to Carl and Ruth Sandlin Osler in Avoca, Iowa.
She married Donald Fischer in April 26, 1946.
He survives her, as do a son, Scott of San Clemente; a daughter, Kathy Sorrels of Chico; and five grandchildren. Brother, Jack Olser, died in 2000.
At her request, no services will be held.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
She will be interred at Walnut Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa.
Kendall Peck
5/15/2001
Kendall Robins Peck worked 30 years with Kaiser Steel and Ship Bui-lding Corp. as vice president.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during both World War II and the Korean War.
He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed woodworking and making furniture.
Mr. Peck moved to Paradise from North Carolina in January.
He attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Mr. Peck, 75, died Friday at his home.
He was born to Nelson and Edyth Peck in Oakland. On June 12, 1948, he married Elsie Bosch in Menlo Park.
She survives him, as do six sons, Robert of Napa, Craig of Aromas, Philip of Danville, David of Napa, Christopher of Clayton Valley and Stephen of Pleasant Hill; two brothers, William of Diablo and Gene of La Mesa; 14 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. today at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
A Vigil service was held yesterday at Paradise Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements.
Mr. Peck will be inurned in Paradise Cemetery.
Florence Lewis
5/15/2001
Florence Louise Lewis owned and operated a business 25 years in San Diego. It reproduced mach-ine parts and was a blueprint parts supply business. She loved gardening and spending time with her family and friends.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in San Diego and St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise.
Mrs. Lewis died May 4 at SunBridge Care Center for Paradise. She was 78. She was born in Wagner, S.D., to Rosemarie and Hugh Connolly.
Her survivors include a son, John of Paradise; three sisters, Minnie Egerer of Annandale, Va., Violet Arend of Aberdeen, S.D., and Loretta Houston of Alamogordo, N.M.; two brothers, Chuck Connolly of Arlington, Va., and Owen Connolly of Atwater; and three grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date. Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one’s favorite charity.
Mrs. Lewis’ cremated remains will be scattered in the rose garden at the Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Santa Rosa.
Charles Schock
5/15/2001
Charles O. Schock Jr. served in the Korean War with the U.S. Navy Seabees. He retired in January 1973 as a civil servant for the naval amphibious base at Coronado.
He moved to Paradise in 1975 from San Diego.
Mr. Schock was active in the Masonic Lodge, Paradise Shriner Club, Paradise High Twelve Club and the Paradise Elks Lodge.
He loved to play golf and was a member of the Butte Creek Country Club.
After a short illness, Mr. Schock died Wednesday at his home.
He was 86.
He was born in San Diego, where he grew up and graduated from San Diego High School.
His wife of 60 years, Rosemary, survives him, as do a son, Gary of Paradise; and two brothers, Jack of San Diego and Donald of Salem, Ore.
At his request, no services are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is handling the arrangements. Mr. Schock’s cremated remains will be scattered at sea off the coast of Marin County.
Bradley Maxwell
5/15/2001
Bradley Keith Maxwell, an employee at Mize Automotive Services, died May 6 in Chico. He was 62.
Mr. Maxwell grew up and attended schools in Hayward. He served in the Army from 1956 to 1959.
He worked for many years in the Bay Area for Fleetwood Paper Products, Goodyear Tire and General Motors in Fremont and then joined the auto mechanic apprentice program at Fremont Lincoln Mercury.
He worked for Ford for many years before moving to Butte County 26 years ago and settling in Paradise.
He owned his own auto repair shop for a short time and then worked for local Ford dealerships.
A native of San Jose, Mr. Maxwell was a member of E Clampus Vitas and the Men’s Bowling Association.
He began bowling as a child and later bowled with the Reno High Rollers, which won first place three years in a row. Recently his team won first place in the Men’s City Tournament.
Mr. Maxwell also enjoyed camping and traveling in his RV throughout the West. As a history buff, he enjoyed tracing the history of California on his road trips. He also enjoyed restoring cars and going to car shows.
He is survived by his wife, Jullie of Paradise, whom he married in 1960; three sons, Barry of San Jose, Bert of Paradise, and Bruce of Fremont; his mother, Beulah Jessup of Paradise; two brothers, Gordon Palmer of Lockford and Edgar Maxwell, of Tucson, Ariz; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Edgar T. Maxwell.
A celebration of his life and family gathering will be held.
He will be buried
in San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Paradise Jr. Bowling League in care of Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary, which is handling arrangements.
Katherine Smith
5/17/2001
Katherine J. Smith got an early start in her entertainment career – participating in plays and musicals at her schools in Santa Monica.
Her career began in earnest on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit with her partner Eddie Deplanetti.
They became a well-known act in the 1920s and ’30s.
During this time, they made many friends in the entertainment business.
Later in life, Ms. Smith worked with the tourist industry in Las Vegas.
She moved to Oroville in 1996.
Ms. Smith died Sunday in an Oroville convalescent home five months before her 100th birthday.
She was born to Delbert and Catherine Smith in Minneapolis.
She never married. She leaves her cousins, Charles Bridgman and Clark Bridgman, both of Paradise.
Ms. Smith will be inurned next to her mother at the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is handling the arrangements.
No services are planned.
Edna Camp
5/17/2001
Edna B. Camp loved quilting, sewing and crocheting. She especially liked spending time with her family and grandchildren.
She was a resident of Tehama County for more than 20 years before she moved to Paradise.
Mrs. Camp died Sunday at age 86.
She was born to Harv and Emma Sears in Claremore, Okla.
She is survived by five daughters, Betty Halbert of Long Beach, Bobby Camp and Wanda Simon, both of Corning, Faye Thaut of Goldendale, Wash., and Sue Scoggin of Lookout; 20 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday at the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery in San Jacinto.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico Branch, is handling the arrangements.
George Reusche
5/17/2001
George Eric Reusche worked 40 years as a grocer in the Bay Area.
He moved to Magalia from Novato in the early 1970s and enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family.
His memberships were to the Paradise SIRS and the SIRS RV Club. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Reusche died Sunday at Feather River Hospital. He was 80. In San Francisco, he was born to George and Hattie Reusche.
On May 4, 1947, he married Eleanor Alexander in San Francisco.
She survives him, as do a son, Eric of Grants Pass, Ore.; three daughters, Linda Leach of Novato, Eileen Silva and Gayle Dwyer, both of Rohnert Park; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. May 26 at the Old Magalia Community Church.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch, is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia Society of America.
David Yari
5/17/2001
David J. Yari enjoyed snow skiing, tennis and studying history, politics and fina-nce.
For more than 35 years, he worked in the real estate business.
The former Paradise resident moved to Chico in 1998.
Mr. Yari, 66, died Saturday in Chico.
He was born in Allentown to Peter and Niaomi Yori.
He attended and graduated from school there. From 1950 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Toastmasters.
His survivors include a nephew, Peter Lori of Paradise; and two nieces, Lisa Thomas of Bethesda, Md., and Lynn Yori of Atlanta.
By his request, no services will be held. Bidwell Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, P.O. Box 602, Lake Jackson, Texas, 77566.
Vera Farlow
5/17/2001
Vera Caroline Winsley Farlow was an admitting clerk at Good Sama-ritan Hospital for 15 years.
She enjoyed crafts, gardening and crocheting.
She was born in Honolulu and raised in Hawaii.
Her parents were William and Vera James.
She attended college in Oakland.
The former Paradise resident lived in Portola for three years.
Mrs. Farlow died Friday in Portola. She was 85.
Surviving her are a daughter, Cynthia Hendrickson of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two sons, Thomas of Sacramento and Charles of Aberdeen, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, and daughter, Frances. No services are planned.
She was cremated at Chapel of the Pines. She will be inurned in Los Gatos Cemetery in San Jose.
Vincent Puccinelli
5/19/2001
Vincent Roger Puccinelli could cook up a mean dish of Italian food.
His skills as a chef carried him to a variety of different restaurants as well as his own kitchen on a regular basis.
“Italian was his specialty,” said Marjorie, his wife of 36 years, “but I liked all of his food.”
The two met in Reno, Nev., in 1964 while working at the same restaurant.
It was called the Jubilee Club, owned by Mr. Puccinelli’s cousins.
He was a chef at the restaurant/bar when Marjorie started waiting tables.
The two “hit it off,” and before long the wedding bells were chiming.
On Mr. Pucinelli’s birthday, May 26, in 1965, they were married.
The newlyweds stayed in Reno, working at different restaurants together, until 1970, when Mrs. Puccinelli decided she wanted to be closer to her hometown of Paradise, and “talked him into moving north.”
In Paradise, Mr. Puccinelli practiced his poker skills, his other love.
The couple operated poker rooms around town, running the tables and starting up the games, said Mrs. Puccinelli.
Following that, the Pucci-nelli’s ran a guest home in Paradise.
Ten years ago, the couple opened American Mini Storage, which Mrs. Puccinelli still runs.
In addition to playing cards, Mr. Puccinelli loved to work in his garden.
He grew flowers and plants of many different varieties. He gardened at every home the couple has lived in.
Vincent Puccinelli was born in Dayton, Nev.
His parents were Vincenzo and Albertina, who were both born in Italy.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and continued his service in Mississip-pi before moving to Reno.
Mr. Puccinelli died May 12 at age 81. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Roger of Verdi, Nev., Gerald of Fernley, Nev., and Dan of Paradise; two stepsons, Larry Williams of Redding and Tim Hamblin of Kaneohe, Hawaii; a daughter, Gina of Monterey; a brother, Roy, and his half brother, Lloyd Mattai, both in Reno, Nev.; a half sister, Lena Gaunt of Sparks, Nev.; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
He will be cremated and privately inurned.
Chapel of the Pines Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
