United States High School Yearbooks by County
Mac McRae
Aug. 3, 1941 - Oct. 8, 2001
Grover “Mac” Harrison McRae, 60, was born in Wood River, Neb.
He was raised and educated in Nebraska and Kansas, and moved to California in the early 1960s.
On Feb. 14, 1964, he married Renee Chabot in Baldwin Park.
They moved to Paradise in 1965. Mr. McRae was a foreman for Pacific Gas & Electric Company for whom he worked for 29 years.
His last job, which he loved, was camp host at Big Bend.
He enjoyed fishing, going to Gold Country Casino and was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
He is survived by his wife Renee of Paradise; his father, Orval Reed of Anderson; three daughters, Brenda Firkus of St. Charles, Mo., Diane “Dee Dee” Coakley of Chico and Debora McRae of Paradise; and nine grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Mr. McRae at 12:30 p.m., at the Old Magalia Community Church in Magalia.
Inurnment will be held at Skyway Memorial Park, Magalia.
Memorial donations may be made to the Enloe Hospice in care of Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Services of Magalia, which are in charge of arrangements.
Steven Vitale
Sept. 13, 1953 - Oct. 8, 2001
Steven Phillip Vitale, 48, was a steel burner with Miller Fabrication and Welding. He loved the ocean and fishing, working with wood and enjoyed music.
He is survived by his mother, Marie Vitale of Grand Rapids, Mich.; brother, Vincent Vitale of Inola, Okla.; daughter, Regina Infante; and ex-wife, Cynthia Vitale of Magalia.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines Mortuary. Funeral arrangements are being handling by Chapel of the Pines.
Patrick Collins
Jan. 29, 1934 - Oct. 9, 2001
Patrick Joseph Collins, 67, was a teacher for 23 years. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, a former 4th degree Knights of Columbus and coached athletics during his teaching career.
Mr. Collins was “Uncle Pat” to many young people. He loved to shop, and was a wonderful caretaker to his grandnephew Mar, who died at the age of 7. His biggest interest in life was his extended family.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Becker of Santa Clarita; brother, Robert Collins of Paradise; sister-in-law, Loretta Collins of Paradise and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m., Oct. 20 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Thomas More School Adopt a Student, in care of Chapel of the Pines.
Leonard Lovinfosse
June 20, 1918 - Oct. 10, 2001
Leonard Francis Lovinfosse, 83, started his electronic career when he was serving in the Navy and continued on as lab manager and electronic technician at Foothill Community college. Mr. Lovinfosse moved to Paradise 23 years ago, from Mountain View. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic church, Knights of Columbus, Paradise Rod and Gun club, Elks Lodge, SIRS, American Legion and also did volunteer work at the Jesus Center in Chico.
He enjoyed being a handyman, working crossword puzzles, playing solitaire, woodworking, staying active in community service and helping at the church. He helped with the electrical wiring on the new Catholic Church being built.
He is survived by his wife, Natalie Wright, whom he married Dec. 23, 1943, in San Pedro; three daughters, Lee Lovinfosse, Mary Lovinfosse, Leonora Lovinfosse; two sons, Frank Lovinfosse and Michael Lovinfosse; four sisters, Ann Gaffney, Alice Thomas, Cecile Drach and Mildred Swaboda; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral mass will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas More School or the Church fund in care of Chapel of the Pines.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Edward Hagopian
Jan. 8, 1922 - Oct. 8, 2001
Edward Hagopian, 79, was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps. He married his wife, Marian, in 1945.
Mr. Hagopian was an accountant for Monsanto Co. for 28 years. He enjoyed golfing and reading. He also enjoyed taking his three-mile walk every morning.
Mr. Hagopian belonged to the Paradise Genealogical Society.
His wife, Marian Hagopian of Magalia; daughter, Ellen Held of Pennsylvania; son, Gerald Hagopian of Milwaukee, Wis.; brother, Hagop Hagopian of Walnut Creek; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, survive him.
Memorial contributions may be made to Paradise Genealogical Society or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
There will be no services at his request.
Bidwell Chapel is making funeral arrangements.
Peggy Leaville
March 13, 1927 - Oct. 8, 2001
Peggy Leaville, 74, was employed by Southwest-ern Bell as an operator for 27 years in Amarillo, Texas.
She moved to California in 1976, from Amarillo and then to Paradise in 1995 from the Los Angeles area.
Her sister, Ruby Riggles of Paradise, survives her.
There will be no services at her request.
Rose Chapel is handling funeral arrangements.
Vicki Brune
Sept. 25, 1950 - Oct. 12, 2001
Private family services will be held for Vicki L. Brune, 51, of Paradise. She died Friday October 12, 2001 at a Chico hospital. She was born September 25, 1950 in Oakland, to Evelyn and Arthur Vaughn.
She was raised and educated in Castro Valley. After working a short time for PG&E, Mrs. Brune began a 20-year career with ARC (Association for Retarded Children).
On Dec. 7, 1996 she married Gary Brune. In 1999 the couple moved to Chico and later settled in Paradise.
Mrs. Brune enjoyed astronomy and being with her cats.
Survivors include her husband, Gary of Paradise and a brother, Sterling Owens of Antioch.
Memorial contributions may be made to ARC in care of Newton-Bracewell Cremation & Funeral Service of Magalia.
Gilbert Cavazos
July 12, 1931 - Oct. 11, 2001
Gilbert F. Cavazos, 70, moved to Paradise 12 years ago from San Jose. Mr. Cavazos attended Pan American University and was one of the first Hispanics allowed to play on the football team.
He graduated with a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.
Mr. Cavazos was a member of Jubilee on the Ridge Church. As a church elder he went on two missions to Mexico and for the last eleven years, taught marriage classes at the church.
He was the regional coordinator for marriage enounters in the Bay Area.
In the Berryessa district in the Bay Area, he did most of the landscaping and was the director of the community pool, founder of the East Valley YMCA and director of their Gray Y’s and Indian Guides, founder of the San Jose Little League Farm club, which is still active. While teaching, he was named teacher of the year.
He also coached baseball, football, basketball and track and received appreciation awards for his coaching.
Mr. Cavazos is survived by his wife, Jospehine Cavazos of Paradise, whom he married on Feb. 17, 1955; two sons, Ciro Cavazos of Magalia and Nick Cavazos of Pasadena; three sisters, Elvira Cantu of Edinburg, Texas, Dora Rodrigues of Brownsville, Texas and Aurora Garza of Edinburg, Texas; two grandchildren, Nicolas and Jessica Cavazos of Magalia.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at the Magalia Community Church.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Betty Wendland
Nov. 19, 1922 - Oct. 12, 2001
Betty Jean Wendland, 78, met and married Marvin Harold Wend-land in Kla-math Falls, Ore., in 1946. They lived in Klamath Falls before moving to Fairfield and then to Davis, where she worked at the University of California, Davis, bookstore in the Memorial Union, Freeborn Hall.
Mr. Wendland and her husband had one child together, Michael Paul Wendland, who passed away in 1990.
Mrs. Wendland loved animals, especially her two dogs, Cassie and Candy. She also enjoyed watching the wild animals around her home. She enjoyed reading and visiting with friends, family and new acquaintances.
Her husband, Marvin Wendland of Magalia; three grandsons, Douglas, Daniel and David survive her.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Glen Oaks Cemetery for a Celebration of her Life.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Bidwell Chapel.
Bidwell Chapel is making funeral arrangements.
Donna Ayres
March 16, 1921 - Oct. 16, 2001
Donna Nadine Ayres, 80, died at her home after a 24-year battle with cancer. She was born at home in Chico to Truman and Ethel Jewett.
In 1926 the family moved to Richmond where she attended elementary school and graduated from Richmond High School in 1938.
Mrs. Ayres attended beauty college and later opened her own shop called Donna’s Beauty Shop in Richmond. She met her husband, Clyde, while still in high school and they were married Nov. 9, 1941. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres moved to Eureka in 1983.
Her life was spent as a homemaker, and she was involved in many community activities and organizations.
She was a den mother, Brownie leader, life member and past president several times of the PTA in Paradise, a leader of Jobs Daughters, a hard worker for DeMolay and all Masonic youth activities.
Mrs. Ayres was a tireless driver for her children and grandchildren, hauling them wherever they needed to go for sports, band, tap dancing and Masonic youth activities.
For six years, she even drove an ambulance in the small town of Point Arena, working with her son, daughter-in-law and husband in the family mortuary and ambulance business. She really enjoyed driving the ambulance because she could use the siren and drive down Highway 1 making people get out of her way.
She was also involved in the family coin laundry businesses in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville.
She was a past matron of Camellia Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Eureka and Point Arena Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Point Arena, Past Noble Grand of Thelma and Centennial Rebecca Lodges of Eureka as well as being a past District Deputy of Rebecca and a member of the Amaranth Lodge of Eureka.
Over the last few years, she enjoyed water exercising at the Easter Seal Society pool and the friendships she formed there.
She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Clyde; son, John of Eureka; daughters, Janis Jones of Antioch, Barbara Ricossa of Cotati; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Pierce Mortuary on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 19 at Pierce Mortuary in Eureka at 11 a.m. with the Order of Eastern Star and Centennial Rebecca Lodges officiating. Graveside services will be at Chico Cemetery in Chico on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
Pierce Mortuary Chapels, Pierce chapel, Eureka are in charge of arrangements.
Gilbert F. Herman
May 25, 1936 - Oct. 14, 2001
Gilbert F. Herman, 65, was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paradise. Mr. Herman loved fishing and golfing. He also held Golden Gloves in boxing.
His wife, Mavis Herman, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Herman of Woodland Hills, Debbie Barnes of Paradise and Cheri McConnell of O’Neill, Neb; sons, Rick Herman of Saugus, Robert Herman of Reseda, Robert Barnes Jr., of Orlando Fla., Darrell Copeland Jr., of Fresno and Timothy Copeland of Fresno; sisters, Deloris McCall of Santa Rosa, Eleanor Stepson of Reno, Nev., Carlene Herman and Janette Herman of Clearlake; 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Herman will have a private, graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Paradise.
Rose Chapel Mortuary made funeral Arrangements.
Olle Sterner
Dec. 3, 1904 - Oct. 15, 2001
Olle Sterner, 96, was employed by Signode Steel in Chicago, Ill., and received a mechanical engineering degree in 1943.
He was a long-time member of the Evangelical Free Church of Paradise. Mr. Sterner designed the building for Oroville Mission and loved flying and extensive woodworking.
He is survived by his wife, Else Ragna Sterner, who he was married to for 26 years and his daughter, Joy Ewald of Kettleman. His first wife of 43 years, Ellen Sterner, preceded him in death.
Services will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Evangelical Free Church, 5095 Pentz Rd. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Rose chapel. Graveside services will be at Paradise Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18.
Rose Chapel Mortuary made funeral Arrangements.
Bertha Miller
Nov. 30, 1907 - Oct. 15, 2001
Bertha Miller, 93, was born in Leuzigen, Switzerland and married Robert Miller on March 18, 1926. Mrs.
Miller was a floral designer for Fullers Flowers for 10 years. She loved painting pictures with oils.
Mr. Miller proceeded her in death.
Her sons, Richard B. Miller and John R. Miller of Paradise; sisters, Helen Cargill of Fairfield and Hatie Peet of Burbank; brother, Fred Lauper of Barstow; 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren survive her.
There are no services planned.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling funeral arrangements.
Gordon Woodward
July 9, 1909 - Oct. 15, 2001
Gordon Brown Woodward, 92, was a great fisherman and covered nearly all the back roads in the Butte county area.
Mr. Woodward was a masonry contractor for forty years, and was a member of the Gleaners.
His wife, Annabeth proceeded him in death in 1988. His daughters, Pat Wilson and Nancy Overlin of Paradise; son, guy Woodward of Paradise, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandson survive him.
Frank Sterle
Aug. 4, 1915 - Oct. 11, 2001
Frank Sterle, 86, attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and Southwester University Law School before becoming a lawyer. He practiced law for 42 years, setting up practice in Paradise in 1960. He was a member of California State Bar Association. Mr. Sterle enjoyed amateur radio, astronomy and computers.
His son, John Sterle of Chico, 2 daughters, Carol Anderson of Harrisonville, Mo., and Sharon Baird of Poulson, Wash.; one sister, Mitz Sterle, of Hibbing, N.M.; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, survives him.
Graveside services will be on Oct. 16, at the Paradise Cemetery at 2 p.m.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines made funeral arrangements.
Ruth Wolfe
Oct. 31, 1904 - Oct. 13, 2001
Ruth Moore Britzius Wolfe, 96, was born in Faulkton, S.D. to Henry and Lette (Moore) Britzius. Mrs. Wolfe moved to Riverside and later moved to Gilroy. She graduated from Gilroy Union High School and married Delbert Charlton Wolfe on May 21, 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe raised their three children on their ranch near Gilroy. She was the bookkeeper for their water well drilling business as well as for their prune ranch and prune dehydrator business. They enjoyed camping and rock hunting and traveled across the United States in pursuit of these hobbies.
Mrs. Wolfe also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, flower arranging and genealogy, and took great pride in researching and compiling the Britzius and Wolfe family genealogy, tracing the Wolfe family back tot he year 1055 in Great Britain and the Britzius family back to 1737 in Bavaria.
She was active in her church and prayer groups. The Wolfe’s retired to Paradise in 1976.
She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Delbert C. Wolfe of Riverside, son, Denton Wolfe of Gridley; daughters Gwen Thomas of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Doris Thompson of Paradise; 6 grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
3 brothers, Milton, Wesley and John Britzius, and her grandson, James Thompson, preceded her in death.
Viewing will be held on Friday, 2 p.m. at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. on Friday at Gavilan Hills Memorial park, Gilroy.
Juanita Bridgeman
Nov. 5, 1925 - Oct. 18, 2001
Juanita Lena Bridgeman, worked in a doughnut shop where she met and later married her husband of 54 years, Francis L. Bridgeman.
Mrs. Bridgeman enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and anyone who would listen to her brag about them and her family. She was loved and will be dearly missed.
Mrs. Bridgeman’s husband preceded her in death in 1993, one son, John L. Bridgeman, 1 granddaughter, Peggy Lee Delsigne Bridgement and her dog, Teddy.
She is survived by 2 sons, Ralph Lee and Arnold L., both of Redding; 2 daughters, Mary L. Bridgeman and Michele L. Wemmer of Paradise; twelve grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service for Mrs. Bridgeman will be held Thurs., Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at Willows Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist church of Chico.
Dorothy Mann
March 9, 1930 - Oct. 15, 2001
Dorothy Marie Mann, 71, attended Ozwakie High School, Ozwakie, Kan., and graduated valedictorian.
She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, attended church faithfully, taught Sunday school and played gospel music. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing the piano, reading and her family.
She is survived by 2 sons, Gregory Charles Mann of Lewiston, Idaho and Michael John Mann of Lakeport; 2 daughters, Rayma Lee Harris of Magalia and colleen Elizabeth Stein of Paradise; brother, Sam Charles Bigham; sister, donna Stephens of Oskaloosa, Kan.; 8 grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 19, at Magalia Cemetery.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Gordon Woodward
July 9, 1909 - Oct. 15, 2001
Gordon Brown Woodward, 92, was a great fisherman and covered nearly all the back roads in the Butte County area.
Mr. Woodward was a masonry contractor for forty years, and was a member of the Gleaners.
His wife, Annabeth proceeded him in death in 1988. His daughters, Pat Wilson and Nancy Overlin of Paradise; son, Guy Woodward of Paradise, eleven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson survive him.
Memorial services were held Oct. 19 at the Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
Funeral arrangements were made by Paradise Chapel of the Pines.
Morton Whitt
Feb. 1, 1941 - Oct. 15, 2001
Morton Jess Whitt, 60, served in the United States Navy from 1958 until 1962. He married Leona Kay Shimborski on Dec. 20, 1989 in Oroville.
Mr. Whitt was the superintendent of the Department of Water Resources for 35 years for the state of California.
He loved golfing, fishing and reading.
He is survived by his wife, Leona of Paradise; stepdaughters, Leslie Nadine Smith of Bakersfield and Lori Smith of Nipomo; stepson, Samuel Smith of Clovis; brother, William Whitt of Coraopolis, Pa.; sisters, Myrna Whitt of Florida and Gail Moss of Ohio, and six grandchildren.
A private family service is planned. Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Norma Barnard
Jan. 28, 1926 - Oct. 14, 2001
Norma Rhue Barnard, 75, graduated from Chico High School, class of 1943. She married Leo H. Barnard in 1943 who preceded her in death. Mrs. Barnard owned Barnard’s Garden Center in Tracy and Paradise Iris Garden. She was a member of the American Iris Society, the Leo T. Clark Iris Society and CWF. Mrs. Barnard received numerous iris awards and state fair baker awards.
Her sons, Dr. Leo Allen Barnard of San Lorenzo and David Lee Barnard of Grass Valley; daughters Sheryl Leah Osborn of Magalia and Diana Rhue Sereoni of Chico; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive her.
Memorial contributions can be made to Paradise Hospice, the American Cancer Society and the University of California, Davis Cancer Center.
A memorial Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at 868 Buschmann Road.
Bidwell Chapel made funeral arrangements.
