United States High School Yearbooks by County
Margaret Scott
July 15, 1927 - Nov. 25, 2001
Margaret Violet Scott, died peacefully in her sleep on November 25, 2001.
Born July 15, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, where she worked and raised her family. She loved to water ski, sailing, bowling, sewing and crafts. She also had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Mrs. Scott, and her husband Edgar, were residents of Paradise since 1986. As they were traveling through from Los Angeles, they fell in love with the country, and together, built their home here.
She is survived by her loving husband Edgar; daughter, Linda; son, Glenn; brother, Cliff; three grandchildren, Jason, David and Rebecca; niece, Stacy; nephew, Cliff Jr., and sister-in-law, Betty.
Her ashes and flowers will be scattered in Catalina.
Merle Tatum
June 13, 1918 - Nov. 15, 2001
Merle Tatum, 83, was Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Paradise Chapter No. 549, Jewels Club, duel member of Biggs OES, Order of Del Oro Court No. 102, Order of the Amaranth, No. 102 Club, Daughters of the Nile, Social Order of Beauceant and a member of the Elks Wives Club of Paradise.
She was born in Tulare to Richard and Ethel Jaynes. After living many years in the Bay area working as a retail clerk, she moved to Paradise in 1979, where she met and married George Robert Tatum.
She was a tournament bridge player, domino player and enjoyed many arts and crafts. She was a world traveler as well as traveling locally with her RV club. Her hobby was collecting antiques, especially hatpins, hat holders, picture frames and furniture.
Survivors include her husband, George R. Tatum of Paradise; sister, Marie L’Amoreaux of Vallejo; sons, Russell LeGault of Morgan Hill and Spencer of North Carolina; two stepsons, four stepdaughters, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at Craig Memorial Congregational Church in Paradise on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Ben Ali of Sacramento for crippled children.
Alta Eddy
Feb. 8, 1908 - Nov. 29, 2001
Alta Virginia Eddy, 93, loved the great outdoors, enjoyed her vegetable gardening. She would also can and preserve her garden produce. Ms. Eddy had many friends that she enjoyed very much.
She was born in Layton, Utah.
Her daughter, Phyllis Young of Magalia and granddaughter, Karen Hughes of Washington, survive her.
Rose Chapel made funeral arrangements.
Frances Tompkins
Nov. 17, 1935 - Nov. 16, 2001
Frances J. Tompkins, 66, moved to Paradise one year ago from Tennessee.
She was born in Huntington, W. Va. to Raymond and Frances Napier.
She and her husband Allan, co-owned a cabin rental business for tourism in the Great Smokie Mountains.
Mrs. Tompkins enjoyed furniture restoration and refinishing, gardening, and was especially fond of roses.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Allan Tompkins of Paradise; father, Raymond Napier of Joshua Tree; sons, Allan R. of Vacaville and David J. of Maryville, Tenn.; daughter, Linda J. Pittenger of Paradise; brothers, Gene Napier of Tucson, Ariz., Ron Napier of Clovis and Andre Napier of Pennsylvania; sister, Janet Bohannon of Biggs and seven grandchildren.
There will be no services at her request.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Lucille Morris
Jan. 21, 1913 - Nov. 28, 2001
Lucille Elinor Boggs Morris, 88, was born in Shively, Humboldt County, to Kenneth Ely Boggs and Flora Mae Hale Boggs.
Before she was married, she worked in a local candy store, bakery and was an usherette in the local movie theatre.
Mrs. Morris was involved with the Patrons of Husbandry (Grange) 1-7 degrees including Pomona, State and National Grange, Master of Concow Grange for three years and Pomona Women’s activities chairperson for 9 years.
Mrs. Morris was very active in children’s work, PTA, Rainbow Girls, Cub Scouts, and received the Statuette of Appreciation from Oakland Council of Boy Scouts.
Her husband, Wayne Morris, to whom she was married for 70 years, survives her. Son Arthur, preceded her in death in 1988. Her daughter, Marjory Margott of Pahrume, Nev., and her son, Robert Morris of Livingstone, Texas; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren also survive her.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Pines Mortuary. Pomona Grange will officiate at the services.
Memorial contributions may be made to donations or charity of your choice in her memory, or any local healthcare agencies that care and assist people in need.
Inurnment will be private.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Paradise Chapel of the Pines.
Fern Wolff
April 8, 1918 - Nov. 28, 2001
Fern L. Wolff, 83, was born in Neligh, Neb., to Bert and Laura Caubarrus, where she was raised and attended school. She married Raoul Wolff in Inglewood on April 14, 1948, and was a homemaker most of her life, and enjoyed knitting.
Mrs. Wolff and her husband moved to Paradise from Southern California in 1978.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Raoul of Paradise; daughter, Sandra Benfield of Paradise; sister, Creta Ritscher of Clearwater, Neb; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Private sea scattering services will be held off the Los Angeles coast at later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico branch is handling the arrangements.
Herman Stauss
Nov. 23, 1918 - Nov. 29, 2001
Herman William Stauss, 83, was director of athletics at Oroville High School and in 1978, was named athletic director of the year by the National Council of Athletic Directors.
He was inducted into the Northern California Old Timers Hall of Fame. Mr. Stauss organized the Oroville relays, later renamed “Herm Stauss Relays” in honor of his many years of service to young athletes. He liked to travel and play golf at many courses.
He enjoyed pheasant hunting and was a San Francisco 49er fan.
He was born in St. Louis to Herman and Bertha Stauss. At age 9, he settled in Hollywood and attended schools there. He graduated from the Old Riviera Campus of Santa Barbara State College in 1942. Mr. Stauss then served four years in the United States Navy as a small boat commander in the South Pacific. He earned his teaching credential from Santa Barbara State and married Rose Marie Seals.
In 1946, he taught at Coalinga High School.
In 1947, he moved to Oroville to help his mother manage the Kings’ Motel.
Mr. Stauss taught in the print shop, leather shop and math, coached the golf team and junior varsity and varsity football, and was the track coach for 21 years. He taught at Oroville High School for 30 years.
Mr. Stauss was a member and past president of the Lions Club and served as treasurer of the Table Mountain Men’s Golf Club for several years.
He became the first golf club repairman in the Oroville area after retiring from teaching. Golf was his game.
He is survived by his wife, Rose M. Stauss of Oroville; daughter, Terry Watters of Magalia; son, Andrew Stauss of Magalia; cousin, Marjorie Stauss of St. Louis, Mo.; six grandchildren and one great- grandchild.
A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Table Mountain Golf Course in Oroville.
Contributions may be made to a favorite charity in care of Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary.
Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
James Vinson Sr.
Sept. 21, 1925 - Nov. 29, 2001
James Wesley Vinson Sr., was a former Lockheed administrator for 25 years and was an honorary member of Sierra Lockheed Retirees Associa-tion.
He was born in Pontiac, Mich., and served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1947.
Mr. Vinson was a member of the Elks Lodge 2026, past president of the Lions Club, member of the Craig Congrega-tional Church, former member of Butte County Republi-can Central Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Max Bille, Post 2039, the American Legion, Post 259 and police reserve officer in San Jose from 1951 to 1975.
in 1948, Mr. Vinson married Bess Vinson in San Jose.
He is survived by his wife, Bess, of Paradise; brothers, George S. Vinson of Jackson, Mich., and William Marion Vinson of Seattle; sons, James Wesley Jr. of San Jose, Jeffery Wayne Vinson of San Jose, Jack William Vinson of Snohomish, Wash., and Jay Warren Vinson of Paradise; daughters, Janann Wendy Vinson of Paradise, Jolene Wanita Bigson of Paradise and Jill Wyonne Farrar of Paradise and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Craig Congregational Church, Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Military services will follow in Paradise Cemetery by Butte County Veterans Coalition.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Federation of the Blind, Foundation for the Junior Blind in his memory, or to a favorite charity.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Eileen Jones
Sept. 13, 1906 - Dec. 2, 2001
Eileen Crummer Jones, 95, enjoyed stained glass, crafts and loved playing bridge. She resided in Southern California until retiring and moving to Paradise in the early 1980s. She moved to Chester last year.
Mrs. Jones was born in Ontario, Canada, to William Charles and Pearl Crummer and received her nursing degree in New York state in the 1930s.
She was a registered nurse in New York and in Detroit, before moving to Southern California. While in Pomona, she was a registered nurse with the Pomona Valley Hospital for over 28 years.
Mrs. Jones was a member of the Church of Christ in Chester.
Three nephews and three nieces survive her.
Memorial services will be held in Chester at the Church of Christ and an open house will be held in Paradise in January.
Her ashes will be scattered at sea off the coast of Marin County.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of Christ, P.O. Box 555, Chester, CA 96020
The Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico Branch, made funeral arrangements.
Charles Kaiser
Oct. 13, 1915 - Dec. 2, 2001
Charles W. Kaiser, 86, was a master auto mechanic for 30 years. He was intelligent, “ornery” and strong willed.
Mr. Kaiser was born in southeastern Kansas to Charles and Loatie Kaiser. As a young man he traveled by hopping the rails with his friends, and was a musician for barn dances, playing the guitar and fiddle. He moved to Southern California in the 1930s with family and during World War II worked as a foreman and an electrician in aircraft companies in San Diego.
Mr. Kaiser is surived by his daughter, Kay Garrett of Paradise; son, Bob Kaiser of Anderson and sister, Ruth Page of Kingman, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
His sons, Gary Kaiser, Jerry Kaiser and infant daughter, Barbara Ann, preceded him in death.
There are no services planned.
Chapel of the Pines mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Maxine Stapleton
May 8, 1929 - Dec. 1, 2001
Maxine Virginia Stapleton, 71, enjoyed audio-visual equipment, Web TV and reading. She was born in Payac, Okla., to Ethel and Mac Hughes.
She lived in Paradise from 1971 to 2000, and then moved to Fullerton to be near her mother.
Her husband, Joseph B. Stapleton, precedes her in death. Mrs. Stapleton is surived by her daughters-in-law, Lilia Stapleton of Fullerton, and Karen Hay of Portland, Ore.; three grandchildren, one great-grandson and her sister, Barbara Martin of Kaysville, Utah.
Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of the Pines, Monday, at 10 a.m.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines handled the funeral arrangements.
Michael Mahoney
1937 - Nov. 26, 2001
Michael E. Mahoney, 64, was a Stanford graduate and a well-known lobbyist at the state capitol.
During his retirement, he pursued his love of running and tennis, and was ranked within the top 10 players in his division for Northern California.
His mother, Helen Whittington; sister, Sharon Parlette; daughters, Michele Stromick, Noelle Peterson, Claudine Ortiz and 10 grandchildren survive him.
His father, J. Emmett Mahoney, precedes him in death.
At his request, there will be no services. A gathering for family and friends will be arranged.
Walter Halus
March 23, 1922 - Dec. 4, 2001
Walter Halus, 79, served in the United States Army in-fantry in World War II. He received the American Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
After he retired from the military, he was a corporate purchaser for Memorex Company.
Mr. Halus is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Magalia; daughters, Margaret Ellis of Huntington Beach and Karen Halus of Magalia; brother, Mike Halus of Oroville; sister, Stephanie Stefanski of Diamond Springs; stepsons, Steve Lamantia of Feather Falls, Mark Lamantia of Santa Rosa and Stan Ryle of Magalia, and eight grandchildren.
Full military honors and graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today. Visitation was held yesterday at the Chapel of the Pines.
Mr. Halus will be buried
at Glen Oaks Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines handled the arrangements.
Donald Hutton
May 3, 1922 - Dec. 5, 2001
Donald Dale Hutton, 79, served in the United State Army during World War II and the Korean War. He served in the National Guard for 29 years.
He enjoyed raising birds and hunting.
Mr. Hutton was born in Janesville, Wisc. to Elmer and Ethel Hutton.
He is survived by daughters, Rita Thompson of Southern California and Cynthia Gosper of Utah; son, Donald Paul of Utah; sisters, Marcella Brunner of Paradise and Gloria Hayden of Southern California; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Brusie Funeral Home handled funeral arrangements.
Mary Simonson
July 11, 1919 - Dec. 4, 2001
Mary Frances Louis Simonson, 82, served in the United States Navy during World War II Fenliste in Detroit, Mich., and was honorably discharged in 1945.
She was a clerical secretary for the Maryland welfare department for 12 years.
Mrs. Simonson was a member of the Waves Auxiliary Cape Cod, Maryland.
She was born in MIchigan to William and Catherine Beaufore.
Her daughter, Pat Dixon of Magalia; son, Ed Simonson of Concord; three grandchildren, one great-grandson and one sister, Kay Delaney of Margate, Fla, survives Mrs. Simonson.
Services were held at the Chapel of the Pines on Dec. 7.
Full military honors and military graveside service will be held Dec. 14, 11 a.m., at the San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines handled the arrangements.
Margaret Tuttle
Oct. 25, 1932 - Dec. 6, 2001
Margaret Ann Tuttle, 69, loved country-western music and Indian crafts.
She was born in Buhl, Idaho, to William and Mable Jones.
Mrs. Tuttle married Robert Tuttle on Dec. 5, 1964 in LaPuente. Mr. Tuttle preceded her in death in 1975.
She was a LVN for 15 years.
Her son, Charles Harsh-barger of Salida; daughters, Karen Andrews of Magalia and Brenda Owens of Camas, Wash.; sister, Delores Clawson of Twin Falls, Idaho Falls; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren survive Mrs. Tuttle.
Visitation will be held Mon. at 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Pines.
Katherine Billings
March 11, 1910 - Nov. 16, 2001
Katherine H. (Smith) Billings was born in San Francisco to Anna K. Maddocks of Graton, Calif. and Almon E. Smith of Illinois. Mr. Smith was a geologist and mining engineer and traveled all over the United States locating mother lode areas for mining. He was responsible for mines in Alaska, Arizona and California. Because of the constant moving, Katherine claims to have attended 18 schools to complete her education. After she was born, the family moved to New York for two years, then to Virginia, San Diego, Portland, Ore. and back to California.
Mrs. Billings attended and graduated from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing in 1931. She then went to the University of California, Berkeley, to further her knowledge of medicine and fever therapy. Her first job as a nurse was in Los Angeles and she was then promoted to hospital supervisor. When Columbia Studios called her to be a movie-set nurse, she took the job and met many movie stars. Her favorite was Jimmy Stewart when he was 17 years old. She said that the studio crew used to kid her a lot and came with nonexistent health problems. During this time she also was a camp nurse during the summers at Lake Tahoe.
She was 6 foot 1 inch tall and belonged to the Tip Toppers Club, Los Angeles chapter. The women had to be 6 feet or taller and the men had to be at least 6 foot 4 inches tall. In 1954, there were 40 chapters in the United States. They got together for social events and traveling. Katherine loved dancing and also went to Hawaii with the Tip Toppers. She enjoyed going to musicals in the city and dancing in clubs.
She married Earl Billings, an artist, and traveled to Mexico and South America.
Mrs. Billings retired and moved to Sacramento to start a new life and be closer to family. Here she gardened and made many friends. In 1997 she moved to Paradise.
Two nephews, Chris and Spence Lepper, their wives and six nieces survive her. One brother and two sisters predeceased her.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Marvin Bayless
March 21, 1918 - Dec. 8, 2001
Marvin Bayless, 83, worked for the Bureau of Reclama-tion at Shasta Dam as an electrician from 1944 until 1964.
He was self-employed in the real estate field, buying and selling rental properties in Chico and Redding for 27 years.
He also worked in direct sales from 1962 to 1972.
He was born in Jetmore, Kansas, to Otto and Clara Bayless, and attended schools in Hodgeman County, Kansas.
Mr. Bayless enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II.
He married Helen Phoebe Ingram in Medford, Ore., on Aug. 27, 1971. He was a member of the Masons and Western Star Lodge.
Mr. Bayles is survived by his wife, Helen Bayless of Magalia, stepdaughters, Carol Waltos of San Luis Obispo and Linda Lindauer of Concord; stepson, Charles Carey of Reno; sisters, Sibyl Smith of Tullahoma, Tenn., and Elaine Hill of Redding; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children in care of Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Services of Magalia who are handling the arrangements.
Kenneth Gengler
May 8, 1917 - Dec. 9, 2001
Kenneth Peter Gengler, 84, was a control operator for Standard Oil for 30 years, and retired in 1968.
He was born in Richmond to Peter and Ethel Gengler.
Mr. Gengler married Elizabeth Hugel in Reno on Oct. 25, 1935.
He was a member of Paradise Ward II of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was also a member of the Tennis Club P.O.A., and still played tennis at the age of 83. He won a gold medal in senior tennis at age 80.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Gengler of Magalia; sons, Kenneth W. of West Sacramento, Gerald P. of Antioch and Victor A. of Tracy; daughter, Barbara L. Gustavson of Manteca; sisters, Margery Wallin of Idaho and LaPrele George of Las Vegas, and half brother, J. Ronald Badovin of Las Vegas.
Visitation will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before services on Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Services will be held at 11:30.
Mr. Gengler’s final resting-place will be the Sunset view Cemetery in El Cerrito.
Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
Katherine Weeks
March 1, 1911 - Dec. 7, 2001
Katherine Geneva “Jean” Weeks, 90, was a candy maker at the McFarlane Candy Company in Oakland for over 25 years. She was a member of the Native Daughters of California, and the Church of the Brethren in Live Oak. Mrs. Weeks was very active in the nutrition center in Live Oak and attended a weekly Bible study group in her mobile home park for over 16 years. She enjoyed knitting and loved animals. Mrs. Weeks resided in the San Francisco Bay area before moving to Live Oak in the early 1980s, and then recently to Paradise earlier this year.
She was born in San Jose to William and Katherine Page and was raised and attended private schools in Campbell.
Her husband, Frank Weeks, preceded here in death in 1985. She is surivied by her son, Ronald James Weeks of Pinole; daughters, Bonnie Thompson of Paradise and Pattie Essex of Cameron Park; eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the Church of the Brethren, 1990 Archer Ave. in Live Oak on Sat. at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of the Brethren, 1990 Archer Ave., Live Oak, Calif.
The Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico Branch is handling the arrangements.
