United States High School Yearbooks by County
Vena Hawkins
April 7, 1917 - Aug. 11, 2001
A specialist in genealogy, Vena Mildred Hawkins researched the roots of her family for over 65 years in hundreds of courthouses and record centers all over the world.
She died Saturday, Aug. 11, at Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital in Paradise. She was 84.
Born in Cleveland County, Okla., to Rex Abbott and Alice Virginia Jackson, Mrs. Hawkins was married to John Newton White in 1935. The couple had one child, Freda Fay White.
In 1956, she became Mrs. Lewis Richard Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins preceeded her in death in 1999.
A telephone switchboard operator for several years, Mrs. Hawkins later became co-owner and active partner of the Busy Bee Realty in Oklahoma City, Okla., with her second husband.
Near and after their retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins became world travelers, visiting, among other places, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.
They also lived in Tampa, Fla., for nine years before returning to Oklahoma City, where they stayed for over 15 year. Mrs. Hawkins lived the last eight months of her life in Paradise.
She was a member and active participant in several local organizations including the Capitol Hill Real Estate Board, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Oklahoma Genealogical Society, and others. She was also an enthusiastic artist in both china painting and oils. She did family research in Germany and other parts of the world.
Mrs. Hawkins is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Freda F. and James E. Lear of Paradise; stepdaughter, Sara Jean Hawkins Overbeck Grover of Albany, N.Y.; sisters, Jan Hendon, Bea Melendez and Bertha Dockery of Oklahoma; brother, Rex J. Abbott of Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Steven Lear of Daly City, Glenda Rodman of Paradise, Kenneth Lear of Culver City, and step-grandson David Overbeck of Sommerville, Mass.; and two great-grandchildren who live in Paradise.
In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by sisters, Wilma Osegueda, Vera Russell and Alice Meeks.
Her internment will be private at Sunny Lane Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling local arrangements.
Richard Eldridge
April 10, 1946 - Aug. 2, 2001
A multi-faceted farmer, Richard Arthur Eldridge spent the last eight months of his life in Magalia.
He died of natural causes at his home on Aug. 2. He was 55.
Born in Denver, Colo., to Joseph and Esther Eldridge, he married Gertrude “Trudi” Ellenburg on Aug. 7, 1971, in Columbus, Neb.
A farm owner of a grain farm in Kansas for 40 years, Mr. Eldridge was also the manager of a health club/physical therapy facility, a professional model, a musician, an advertising agent and an author.
He had a great love of language and was a Shakespeare afficiando and avid reader. He spoke German fluently and dabbled in French and Spanish. He enjoyed gardening with his wife, body-building, cooking and floral-arranging.
He moved to Magalia from Santa Cruz in January.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Eldridge is survived by cousins, Diana and Howard Wray of Kenai, Alaska.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory for his memorial garden can be sent to the Rick Eldridge Memorial Fund, C/O Chapel of the Pines, 5691 Almond St., Paradise, CA., 95969.
A private family inurnment will take place in Colorado, and services will be held at a later date in Santa Cruz.
Chapel of the Pines of Paradise is handling the cremation and local arrangements.
John Smith
Jan. 29, 1921 - Aug. 16, 2001
John H. Smith loved cultivating his garden and his love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Smith was born in Manitoba, Canada in 1921, and married his wife, Faye, in Nevada on November 11, 1973.
He was the night manager for Burger King in Paradise for 10 years. Mr. Smith loved gardening, sports, and was a Little League coach.
He died on Thursday at age 80.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Faye of Paradise; son Gene R. Willard of California City; daughter Linda Percival of Paradise; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his son, Karl L. Willard in 1999.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association.
The Chico branch of the Neptune Society of Northern California is handling arrangements.
Reba Edwards
Jan. 24, 1919 - Aug. 19, 2001
Reba Mae Edwards enjoyed sewing, ceramic work, fishing and camping.
She was born in Oklahoma in 1919 to Joseph ad Irene Moore. She worked as an electronics inspector for the Bendix Corporation for 19 years.
Her husband, Burel Edwards, preceded her in death in 1996.
Mrs. Edwards died Sunday at age 82.
She is survived by her four sons, Billy Joe of Paradise, Burel Gene of Oklahoma, Robert Lee of Oregon, and John Allen of Saugus; brother Ralph Moore of Sacramento; sisters Myrtle Rogers of Sacramento, and Iva Dutter of Nevada; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Cremation took place at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary in Chico. No funeral services are planned.
Chapel of the Pines Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Sharon McIntyre
Jan. 1, 1959 - Aug. 15, 2001
Sharon Lee McIntyre was a program assistant for a Work Training Center for six years.
She was born in 1959 to Marlin and Patricia McIntyre in California.
Miss McIntyre died Aug. 15 at age 42 in Paradise.
There are no known survivors.
No services are planned, but there will be a private cremation at Paradise Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling arrangements.
Emily Wren
Feb. 20, 1914 - Aug. 23, 2001
A woman with a lifelong passion for trout fishing, Paradise resident Emily Virginia Wren died Thursday at Cypress Acres.
She was 87.
Born in Denver, Colo., to Earl and Elizabeth Zeger, Mrs. Wren attended high school in Loveland, Colo., and also attended business college.
She married William F. Wren Jr., on July 27, 1940.
Mrs. Wren was private secretary to the president of Arco Oil Co. in Denver, Colo., from 1933 to 1940. She then worked as a clerk for the California Employment Development Department for 12 years in Monterey.
She moved to Paradise from Monterey in 1988.
A former golfer, bowler and bridge player, Mrs. Wren was a member of the Radiant Chapter of the Eastern Star, the Clan Gunn societies of both the U.S.A. and Great Britain, the California Heritage Guides of Monterey, and the Carmel Orchid Society of the Monterey Peninsula.
She enjoyed raising orchids and roses, working on Boy and Girl Scouting with her children, traveling and she was interested in history.
She is survived by sons, William C. of Burnsville, Minn., Anthony G. of Paradise, and Jonathan S. of Chico; daughter, Patricia of Bella Vista; four grandchildren; and three daughter-in-laws.
She is predeceased by her husband, who died on July 27, 1990.
A graveside service for Mrs. Wren was held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park yesterday.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise handled the arrangements.
Thelma McCowen
Sept. 27, 1922 - Aug. 24, 2001
A Paradise resident since 1960, Thelma Marie McCowen died Friday.
She was 78.
Born in Clarinda, Iowa to Jennings and Geneva Beery, Mrs. McCowen lived in Chico before moving to the Ridge.
She married Raymond McCowen on Jan. 2, 1942, in Marysville, Mo.
A widowed homemaker, she was also a cook in a local nursing home.
A member of the Gem and Mineral Club of Paradise, she loved gardening and cooking.
She is survived by son, Raymond of Nevada; daughter, Janet Wolfer of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Margaret Whitehill of Chico; brothers, Donald Beery of Iowa, and Lowell Beery of Paradise; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her special friend, Chuck Orgovan.
She is predeceased by her husband, Ray, who died in Paradise on Nov. 4, 1996.
Visitation hours are 8 to 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary followed by graveside services at Paradise Cemetery at 10 a.m.
Chapel of the Pines of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Regina Eichelberger
April 24, 1916 - Aug. 24, 2001
A Paradise resident for 51 years, Regina M. Eichelberger died Friday in Chico.
She was 85.
Born in Rulo, Neb., to John and Katie Frederick, Mrs. Eichelberger had 12 years of education.
Before retiring, she was a real estate agent for Devaney Realty in Paradise for 15 years after moving to Paradise from Los Angeles.
Mrs. Eichelberger was a member of the Feather River Hospital Auxiliary (Crafters), and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
She loved working with crafts.
She is survived by daughter, Mary Clewett; three brothers; five sisters; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband Ross Eichelberger, who she married in Redding in 1936.
Services to be held today begin at 8:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church and conclude at Mrs. Eichelberger’s final resting place at Paradise Cemetery.
Rose Chapel Mortuary of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
Aaron Van Order
July 13, 1980 - Aug. 16, 2001
Aaron Van Order, who had lived in Paradise all his life, died in a drowning accident at Lake Oroville Aug. 16. He was 21.
Mr. Van Order was an avid runner who had won many awards. He also enjoyed skiing, swimming and hiking.
On his 18th birthday he parachuted from an airplane. A Butte College student, he had attended Paradise Adventist School and Paradise Adventist Academy.
He was a member of Pathfinders.
His survivors include his parents, Andrea and David Van Order; a sister, Anya; a brother Amyas; a grandmother, Frances Kim; a grandfather, Henry Van Order; two aunts; an uncle; and numerous cousins.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. today in the Paradise Adventist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paradise Adventist Academy for the Aaron Van Order memorial fund for track and field construction.
Frederic Green
July 20, 1910 - Aug. 24, 2001
A past president of the Butte County Historical Society, Paradise resident Frederic Edwin Green died Friday of a sudden stroke.
He was 91.
Born to Frank and Bertha Green in Wallace, Idaho, he married Joby Barnaby on June 24, 1932, in Ventura. The couple recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Green moved to Paradise in 1964 after retiring from a general contractor position in Southern California.
An author, lecturer and artist, Mr. Green was also active in Masonic Orders and was a Past Master of Hollywood-West Valley Lodge No. 355 in 1960, Past Patron of the Paradise Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 549, and a member of the Los Angeles Valley of the Scottish Rite, the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple and also served as the representative of the Grand Lodge of California to Brazil. He received his 50-year Golden Veterans Award in 1997 from the Table Mountain Lodge.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Green is survived by brother, Ben Weber of Oregon; sons, Fred of Paradise, and Frank and Roger of Oroville; three nephews and a niece; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is predeceased by son, Bob Green, who died in 1965.
A memorial service will be held today at 1 p.m. at Table Mountain Masonic Lodge, 5934 Clark Road in Paradise.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Green’s memory can be made to the Butte County Historical Society or the Ben Ali Shriners Childrens Hospital in Sacramento.
Rose Chapel of Paradise is handling the arrangements.
F. DeWitt Hoffman
Feb. 13, 1907 - Aug. 27, 2001
As a young man, F. DeWitt Hoffman’s love of the outdoors drew him to farming. He spent several years farming on logged-over land in northern Wisconsin and working in sawmills during the winters.
In 1935, he bought an 80-acre farm near Fairbank, Iowa. He met and married his wife, Marian, there Aug. 2, 1938. They bought a 280-acre farm near Westgate, Iowa.
He spent one year during World War II as an aircraft mechanic in Minneapolis. They sold their Iowa property in 1954 and bought a small dairy farm near Durham.
In 1956 he started a new career with the California Division of Highways. He lived in the Yuba City area, where he worked successively in design, construction and the advance planning department before retiring in 1972.
He built a home in Challenge, lived there a few years, returned to Yuba City and then moved to Paradise Pines in 1980, where he built another home.
Mr. DeWitt enjoyed traveling, hiking and genealogy. He held positions at the Paradise United Methodist Church and the Paradise Pines Property Owners Association. He was a member of the De Sabla Grange, the Paradise Genealogy Society and the Butte Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, of which he was the founding president.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Frank and Frances Hoffman. He went to school in Iowa and graduated from Marshall Town High School in 1924, earning a reputation as a top student and budding evangelist.
He attended Grinnell College in Iowa but withdrew due to illness.
Mr. DeWitt died at age 94 Monday in his Magalia home.
Besides his wife, Marian, Mr. DeWitt is survived by seven daughters, Mary Anne Hoffman, Kay Ybanez, Phyllis Nicholau, Winifred Owens, Linda Brubec, Carol Hoffman and Vicki Hoffman; two sons, John and David; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. today at the Paradise United Methodist Church.
Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise United Methodist Church.
Joseph King
May 8, 1943 - Aug. 27, 2001
Joseph Glynn King worked as a psycho-hypnotherapist for 12 years. In 1998, he moved to Paradise, where he advanced his research and study in mind-body technologies of the future.
He was born in New York to Joseph and Ann King. He was raised on Long Island and graduated from Farragut Military School. He attended Fordham University and Ithaca State University.
He was an instructor and lecturer with the National Guild of Hypnotists. While in New York he raced cigarette boats. He also enjoyed reading.
In 1990, he married Bridget DeNigris in Patchogue, N.Y.
Mr. King died Monday in his Paradise home. He was 58.
He is survived by his wife, Bridget; two stepsons, Fred DeNigris of Bethel, Conn., and Raymond DeNigris of St. Croix, Virgin Islands; a stepdaughter, Diana Campo of Medford, N.Y.; and five step-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Bidwell Chapel, which is handling the arrangements. He will be buried
in Glen Oaks Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Foster Grandparent Organization in care of Bidwell Chapel.
