United States High School Yearbooks by County
Gerald Smith
Aug. 18, 1944 - Aug. 29, 2001
Gerald Wayne Smith worked as a field mechanic for Pacific Gas & Electric for the last 23 years. His dog, Sparky, went to work with him every day.
Mr. Smith died Wednesday in Magalia. He was 57.
He was born in Sacramento to William and Viola Smith. He moved to Paradise from Sacramento in 1979. He married Joann Stiles July 13, 1991, in Paradise.
Mr. Smith was a volunteer firefighter in Sacramento. He enjoyed his family and friends and loved cars, camping and sand-railing.
Besides his wife, Joann, Mr. Smith’s survivors include two sons, Jerry Jr. of Nevada and Phillip of Alaska; two daughters, Susan Wagner of Chico and Janet Wing of Paradise; two stepsons, Gary Boman of California and Brett Boman of Paradise; a stepdaughter, Stacey Ingram of Paradise; his mother, Viola of Paradise; two brothers, Myrle of Sacramento and Donald of Paradise; and 10 grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Paradise Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be noon to 6 p.m. Monday at Chapel of the Pines.
Christene Shelton
May 12, 1912 - Aug. 27, 2001
Christene Faye Shelton worked 22 years as an engineering secretary for Hughes Aircraft. In Paradise, she was the secretary at Craig Memorial Congregational Church.
She served on the board of directors for the Paradise Cemetery District. She was a member of Eastern Star in Paradise, First Christian Church, NARF and Hughes Employees Association.
Mrs. Shelton enjoyed gardening, handcrafts and music. She was choir director for her church. One of the highlights of her life was the birth of her great-granddaughter, Haley Christene Shelton, who was named after her.
She was born in Red Oak, Mo., to Ollie and Roy Jones. She graduated from Carthage High School and Southwest Teachers College.
Mrs. Shelton died Monday at home. She had lived in Paradise since 1972.
Her husband, Lloyd Shelton, whom she married April 21, 1935, died in 1998.
She is survived by her son, Vic, and three grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. She will be privately buried
next to her husband in Paradise Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church.
Donald Clarke
Died: Aug. 24, 2001
Donald E. Clarke, 73, formerly of Magalia, died Friday Aug. 24 in the hospice unit of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Pa., where he resided.
He was employed by Matt Zaich Construction and Peter Kewitt Co. before retiring in 1985. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union local 12.
Born in Los Angeles, he was a son of Arthur and Gertrude Clarke.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving on the USS Vanderburgh.
His survivors include a daughter, Adrienne Pfaeffli of Allentown; a brother, James of Lapine, Ore.; a sister, Nancy Erikson of Eagle Point, Ore.; three grandchildren and a great-grandson.
His services were private. Contributions in memory of Mr. Clarke may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 South 12th St., Allentown, PA, 18103-9845.
Mary Korhut
Jan. 30, 1904 - Aug. 30, 2001
Mary E. Korhut moved from Burbank to Magalia 10 years ago and enjoyed gardening at her home. She was a seamstress and a gourmet cook.
For 25 years, Ms. Korhut worked as a payroll controller for Andrew Jergens Co.
On Thursday, Ms. Korhut died at Feather River Hospital. She was 97.
She was born to John and Mary Korhut in Naugatuck, Conn. She had been like a second mother to her niece, Lois Jones of Magalia, and her nephew, Larry Vangor of Little Rock.
They survive her, as do her sister, Helen Vangor of Magalia, and two other nephews.
A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Everina Rheingans
April 19, 1910 - Aug. 31, 2001
Everina “Rena” Anita Rheingans and her husband, Kenneth, moved to Paradise in 1941 to work as doctors among a population of 1,800.
Five years later, they built Rheingan’s Hospital on Black Olive. The 12-bed hospital operated until 1966. Dr. Rena Rheingans was the hospital’s anesthesiologist and administrator.
She died Friday in Feather River Hospital at age 91.
Dr. Rheingans was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Victor and Aurora Desautals. While studying medicine at the University of California, Irvine, she met Dr. Kenneth Rheingans, who also was studying medicine. They married while in school.
Upon graduating with their medical degrees, the two worked in several Northern California hospitals until settling in Paradise.
Dr. Rheingans was very active in community affairs. She was founder of the Paradise Agenda Club, which helped schools, playgrounds, Scouts, Red Cross and Blue Cross. She enjoyed helping people.
In later life, her fraternal interests came to the fore. As a member of the Eastern Star since she was 18, she attained several positions: Grand Matron of California, Matron of Paradise, and in 1961, Worthy Matron for the state of California. She was also a member of the Soroptomist Club.
After her husband retired in 1967, the couple traveled by RV through Canada and Mexico. They went to the Bahamas and enjoyed tramp cruises and fishing.
Her husband of 60 years, Kenneth, survives her.
The Eastern Star will provide services 2 p.m. Monday at the Masonic Lodge.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital in Sacramento or to the Clifford Lee Cancer Fund in care of Paradise Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements.
Dr. Rheingans will be privately inurned.
Raymond Gill
Oct. 23, 1912 - Aug. 29, 2001
Raymond Gill served in the Merchant Marines from 1941 to 1945. He worked as an electronics technician with Ampex Electronics in Redwood City for 25 years.
On Nov. 20, 1939, he married Eleanor Shotwell in Buffalo, N.Y.
He moved to Paradise from Nevada City in 1984. He loved all kinds of sports. His dog, Brownie, was dear to him, and Mr. Gill and his wife were sponsors of PAWS.
Mr. Gill died Aug. 29 in cypress Acres. He was 88. He was born to Wesley and Elsie Dakin Gill in Englewood, Minn.
His wife, Eleanor, died Feb. 20, 1996.
No services are planned. Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Ethel Stutts
Feb. 8, 1910 - Sept. 2, 2001
Ethel M. Stutts, a very active Republican who loved reading about politics, attended the inaugurations of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. She served on a task force during Reagan’s administration.
In Pasadena, she worked with her husband for Stutts Steel Treating. She worked as a switchboard operator at several companies in the Pasadena area, including four years at California Institute of Technology.
Mrs. Stutts moved to Paradise from Pasadena in 1972.
She was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Paradise and an active supporter of the Heritage Foundation, the National Right to Work and Foundation Endowment.
A highlight of her life was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, Lemont “Lee” Stutts on Oct. 5, 1990. He died in 1996.
Mrs. Stutts died Sunday at Oak Knoll. She was 91. She was born in Malden, Mass., to Bruce and Annie Jacobs.
She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Starling of San Diego.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Paradise.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise First Baptist Church building fund.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements. She will be interred in Paradise Cemetery.
La Rena Hess
Aug. 7, 1914 - Aug. 25, 2001
La Rena Hess was an accomplished artist who created scenic pictures using colored sand and dirt. She wrote a book on sand art.
Mrs. Hess, a resident of Paradise for 29 years, died Aug. 25 at a local health care facility. She was 87. She was born in El Centro.
Her husband, Henry Hess, died before her. Her nephew, Robert Hess of Paradise, survives her.
Graveside services were held Aug. 31 in Paradise Cemetery, where she was buried
next to her husband, Henry. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Karma Biber
March 18, 1919 - Sept. 5, 2001
Karma Fisher Montague Biber was born in Salt Lake City to Althea and Earl Montague.
She moved to California and graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City and Palo Alto Business College.
In 1942, she enlisted in the WACS. She served most of her duty in Casablanca, Morocco, where her sharpshooting won her awards.
In 1946, she entered the business world in San Carlos, eventually becoming vice president and treasurer of the Biber Electric Co., Inc.
Mrs. Biber was active in her community through various organizations in the San Francisco area.
She served as president of ABWP, vice president of the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce and president of the Par Avance Philanthropic Society.
She was a member of the Women in Construction and Soroptomist International Club.
After retiring, she volunteered as a Pink Lady at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City and at Feather River Hospital.
She was also an active member of the Elks Wives Club No. 2026 and WOTM No. 1628.
Mrs. Biber died Wednesday in her Paradise home. She was 82.
Her friends remember her as an RV camper, avid fly fisherwoman and golfer.
She was a talented craftsman, using her needlework and counted cross-stitch skills to create memorable gifts.
Surviving her are her husband of 37 years, William Biber; four stepdaughters, Kathryn Andersen, Bella Iffla, Vicki Hoss and Karin Ross; three sisters, Enid Roberts, Erlean Deleany and Yvonne Springs; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Monday at Greenlawn Cemetery in Colma. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Moose Hall in Paradise.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Valley Ridge Hospice.
Nadine Hope
Feb. 21, 1928 - Sept. 4, 2001
Nadine Roth Hope, a former longtime resident of Paradise, died Tuesday at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills. The resident of Los Angeles was 73.
In Paradise, Ms. Hope was a leader of Girl Scout Troop 155. She loved gardening, cooking and golf.
She was born in Riverside County.
Her survivors include four daughters, Debbie Criscitiello of South Carolina, Nancy Roth of South Carolina, Michelle Daniels of California and Carrie Stone of California; a sister, Linda Alumbaugh of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and her mother, Helen Holmes of Fullerton.
Services were private.
Martin Silva
Feb. 26, 1907 - May 7, 2001
Martin R. Silva began his career with Pacific Gas and Electric in 1938 as a mapper in Chico. He also worked in the De Sabla division.
He managed the Quincy office from 1952 to 1956 and was district manager starting in 1950. He retired March 1, 1972.
Mr. Silva, 94, died Friday in Feather River Hospital. The Paradise resident was born and raised in Chico. His parents were Manual and Rita Silva. He graduated from Santa Clara University.
Mr. Silva was a director and chairman of the Paradise Chamber of Commerce and the chambers of commerce for Butte and Plumas counties. He chaired the Cancer Society, the Boy Scouts and many other organizations.
He helped organize the Paradise Apple Show and organized the Paradise Community Council. He once was the foreman of the Butte County Grand Jury. He was a member of Elks, Rotary Club and St. John’s Catholic Church in Chico.
On March 8, 1980, he married Emily McReynolds in Paradise.
She survives him, as does a grandson, James Silva of Chico. He was preceded by his first wife, Mabela, in 1972; a son, Jim, in 1971; and a sister in 1992.
A rosary will be held 7 p.m. tonight at Paradise Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements. A graveside service will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Chico Cemetery.
Dale Barrett
Jan. 7, 1925 - Aug. 27, 2001
Dale Nemec Barrett worked as a fashion designer and production manager of Kahala Sportsweave in Honolulu for 20 years.
Later she worked as a designer, sculptor and business partner with Jolie Creations, manufacturers and retailers of dolls and accessories from 1985 until her accidental fall at home.
Ms. Barrett, 76, died Aug. 27 in Enloe Hospital of a broken hip complicated by a long illness.
She was born to George and Dorothy Nemec in Bakersfield.
A graduate of high school, she vigorously educated herself in a wide range of fields.
Ms. Barrett came to Magalia in 1978 to live near her mother and stepfather. She worked two years for Homes-R-Us Realty in Paradise.
She was affiliated with Yesterday’s Treasures Doll Club of Northern California, Just About Dolls Club in Paradise, the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc., and its local chapter, Feather River Doll Guild.
She was a costume designer for various shows produced by Theatre on the Ridge and the Northern California Ballet Company of Paradise.
She also designed costumes for the Honolulu Community Theater. Her most outstanding work was sculpting original fashion-lady dolls.
Survivors include a sister, Marilyn Charlton of Salem, Ore.; a niece and nephew; and her 20-year companion and business partner, Gene McKenzie of Magalia.
A service will be held 4 p.m. Saturday at the Paradise United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church’s Native American Fund.
Her cremated remains will be scattered overlooking Woodpecker Ranch overlooking Middle Butte Creek.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Raymond Semon
July 8, 1919 - Sept. 9, 2001
Born in Kingston, N.Y., to Louis A. and Freda J. Semon. He attended Kingston schools.
He worked for O’Brien Brothers Towing Company in New York City. In 1940, he joined the Army and was attached to the 695th Port Company. His unit worked at the major military ports in England, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France.
He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Medal with four Bronze Battle Stars and Bronze Arrowhead for the invasion of southern France, American Theater Medal and World War II Victory Medal. In France he received a field commission to lieutenant and left the Army in 1945. He re-enlisted in 1946 and served one tour in Guam and left the Army as a captain.
In 1948, he joined IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., as a riveter. He was transferred to San Jose, as a quality control laboratory technician. In 1972, he was transferred to Buffalo and then to East Fishkill, N.Y., where he worked as a manufacturing methods analyst until his retirement.
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 2039, and a past member of the Elks. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club and Retirement Club in San Jose. He was a past volunteer of the Friends of the Library.
Mr. Semon was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 7773 and St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and greeter at the Mass.
Mr. Semon enjoyed cooking, reading and helping his wife with her volunteering chores.
Mr. Semon died on Sept. 9 in a Chico hospital. He was 82.
He is survived by his wife, Monica; two sons, Ronald of Tacoma, Wash., Terry of San Jose; a daughter, Renee Hoehne, of Gold Hill, Ore.; a sister, Dorothy Halbert, of Lancaster, N.Y.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
interment will be in Paradise Cemetery. Military honors will be by the Paradise Veterans Council Color Guard.
A funeral mass will be held for Mr. Semon 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Rev. Brendan McKeefry will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in care of St. Thomas More or the American Cancer Society in care of the Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements.
Stanley Boston
Nov. 18, 1951 - Sept. 10, 2001
Stanley Edward Boston, 49, of Magalia died Monday at U.C. Davis Medical Center from injuries sustained from a private plane accident in Chico.
He was born in Chicago, Ill., to Ruth and Joseph Boston. He was raised and educated in Des Moines, Iowa. During the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his service, he completed his aviation training in Phoenix. In 1988, he came to Chico to work for Aero Union Corporation, where he was an air tanker pilot. On March 21, 1997, he married his wife, Susan. Mr. Boston enjoyed four-wheeling, motorcycling, flying and being with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Susan; four daughters, Shirlene Liles of Long Beach, Bryanna Liles of Central Point, Ore., Sarah Liles of Eugene, Ore., and Beverly Liles of Magalia; his mother, Ruth of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers, Richard of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jimmy of Norfolk, Va.; two sisters, Beverly Owens of Vancouver, Wash., and Crystal Boyt of Des Moines; and one granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Aero Union Hanger No. 2, 110 Convair Ave. at Chico Municipal Airport.
Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Service in Magalia is handling the arrangements.
Norma McGinnis
July 21, 1927 - Sept. 9, 2001
Norma Jean McGinnis, 74, died Sunday. She was a resident of Paradise for 11 years.
Mrs. McGinnis was born in Ozark, Ark., and married her husband, Jack McGinnis, on Oct. 19, 1945 in Oakland.
Mrs. McGinnis is survived by her husband, Jack; two sons, Lee of Paradise; Floyd of Skiatook Okla.; and two daughters, Patricia Grallegos of San Ramon and Annette McGinnis of Magalia.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. today at Chapel of the Pines. She will be privately buried
in Paradise Cemetery.
Harry Henry
April 16, 1921 - Sept. 9, 2001
Harry McGill Henry was born in St. Louis and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 and received an honorable discharge in 1945. He was a high school graduate from Theodore Roosevelt High School in St. Louis.
He moved from St. Louis in 1956 to Paradise, where he worked for the Paradise Cemetery District since 1958 for 30 years. He was the Cemetery district superintendent for 27 years.
He previously owned Henry’s Auto Repair, which was located at the Shell Gas Station in front of the old Paradise Roller Rink.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles when he was a teen-ager. He flew his first solo flight at the age of 15 and had his pilot’s license before his driver’s license.
Mr. Henry flew single engine planes and built an ultra light aircraft and continued flying into his late 70s. He created many machines and inventions to make work easier for everyone.
Mr. Henry, 80, died Sunday in his Paradise home. He is survived by his son, Steve of Cottonwood; the love of his life, Johnnie Spreen of Paradise; a nephew; and many friends.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines will be handling the private family inurnment in Paradise Cemetery.
Millard Taylor
Nov. 1, 1909 - Sept. 13, 2001
Millard Henry Taylor, 91, died Thurs., Sept. 13, in Pendleton, Ore., his residence since May 2001. Mr. Taylor was born in Indiana, to Earl and Bessie Taylor.
He married Edith Lutz Taylor in Wisconsin in 1937. She died in 1971.
In 1972, he married Valerie Jones Taylor. They lived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho until her death in April 1983.
In August 1983, he met and married Beatrice Scott Taylor of Paradise, where they lived until her death in August 2000.
For much of his life, Mr. Taylor worked in sales and landscaping.
He had a keen, inquiring mind, and enjoyed reading and studying science, religion and nutrition.
Mr. Taylor also liked to travel and spend time with his family.
Mr. Taylor was an active member of the Magalia Community Church, where he assisted the pastor in presenting Bible studies.
He was preceeded in death by his wives, Edith, Valerie and Beatrice; his brother, Emil Taylor; his sisters, Edith and Dean Taylor.
Survivors include daughters, Delores Hendricks of Pendleton, Ore.; Joyce LeFore of Oceanside, Ore.; a son, Millard Taylor Jr., of Beaverton, Ore.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Joanne Mendonca of Walnut Grove, and Barbara Lang of Magalia.
Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is handling the arrangements. There will be no services.
William Edwards
Aug. 28, 1915 - Sept. 8, 2001
William “Bill” Lester Edwards died at Enloe Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
He was born in Lorimor, Iowa to William and Martha Edwards.
Mr. Edwards worked for JC Penney in Des Moines, Iowa, served two years in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific, and graduated from Pasadena College in 1950 with a degree in accounting.
He retired from Butte County in 1978 as an auditor/appraiser.
Mr. Edwards was also a self-employed accountant for many local businesses.
He was a family man, avid reader, liked to dance and bass fish at Concow Lake.
A long-time resident of Paradise and member of the Table Mt. Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Ben Ali Shrine, past secretary/treasurer of the Paradise Shrine, Chico Eagles, Paradise Elks Lodge and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Peggy Edwards; daughter, Sharon Lancaster of Chico; two grandsons, Mark Greenwald of Cohasset and Sean Greenwald of Nipomo; and seven great-grandchildren.
No service will be held at this request. Private inurnement at a later date.
Remembrances in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society.
