United States High School Yearbooks by County
Melvin Freeman
Jan. 18, 2002 - Melvin Lorren “Buddy” Freeman of Paradise died at the young age of 51.
As a 4-year-old child, Mr. Freeman would go with his family to the local flea markets where he rode the ponies that were brought in for entertainment.
He became a buddy with one particular pony named “Nipper.”
Later, when Mr. Freeman began penmanship, he would write his name as Buddy-Nipper. The name stuck, and he was now forever known as “Buddy.”
Mr. Freeman is survived by his wife, Snoopy; sons, Mel of Fremont and Josh of Paradise; daughter, Brittney of Portland, Ore.; aunt, Toni; brothers, Ken and Mike “Twig;” sister, Sadie; cousins, Patti and Peggy; nephews, Sunny, K.C. and Brandon “Bud;” nieces, Cambi, Joyce, Lisa, Sheena and Shauna; grandchildren, Brandon and Brawna, along with a multitude of friends whose lives he touched with the gift of love.
A celebration of Buddy’s life will take place today at the Church of Christ, 1178 Pearson Road at 4 p.m.
Robert Ambrose
Sept. 4, 1936 - Jan. 30, 2002
Robert Carl Ambrose, 65, was a laborer at the Stanley Strapping Company for 22 years in Pittsburgh.
He was born in Memphis, Tenn., to Jacob and Dorothy Ambrose.
In 1954 he enlisted in the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge in 1958. In the same year he married Rae Harper in Memphis.
One of his enjoyments in life was riding motorcycles.
His wife, Rae of Magalia; daughter, Ginger Clements of Lance, Mich.; son, Thomas Ambrose of Sheridan, Ore.; sister, June Harris of Meridianville, Ala., and three grandchildren survive him.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Monday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. at the Paradise Cemetery.
Duane Purvis
Oct. 1, 1917 - Jan. 30, 2002
Duane “Purv” Purvis, 84, enlisted in the United States Army in 1941, and served in the Pacific theater.
In 1953, he married Jeanette Elvis in San Francisco.
Mr. Purvis worked as an engineer for 30 years, retiring in 1981.
He and his wife have resided in Magalia since his retirement.
He was involved in many organizations, including the Paradise Elks Lodge No. 2026, Paradise Moose Lodge No. 2227, Paradise SIRS No. 135 and the P.O.A. in Magalia.
Mr. Purvis enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with his family.
His wife, Jeanette of Magalia; daughter, Stacy Jones of Manteca; brother, Leslie Purvis of Minnesota; sister, Virginia Cunningham of Minnesota and two grandchildren survive him.
Services are planned for a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made tin his name to a favorite charity in care of the Brusie Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements.
Lola Link
Dec. 11, 1917 - Jan. 21, 2002
Lola Pearl Link, 84, was a member of the Church of Christ of Paradise since she moved here, 10 years ago, from Calimasa.
She was born in Globe, N.M., to Oliver and Nannie Brazeal.
Mrs. Link enjoyed taking care of foster children, china painting, loved traveling and being with her family. She was an avid cook.
She is survived by her daughters, Nila Hodges of Paradise and Sherley Nelson of Cathedral City.; sister, Alma E. Lewis of Paradise, five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Desert Lawn Cemetery in Calimasa.
Rose Chapel Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Fred Bracht
Jan. 9, 1914 - Jan. 29, 2002
Fred Bracht of North Hollywood passed away in Slymar. He was born to August and Augusta Bracht in North Hollywood.
Mr. Bracht enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family, and was an avid sports fan of the Lakers and UCLA football teams.
He was a quiet, loving, and gentle man of faith. He was a bachelor, and treated his sister’s children as his own.
Mr. Bracht is survived by his nephews, Dave F. Heinke and John E. Heinke, both of Paradise; five grandnephews and one niece.
A graveside service will be held Thursday at the Paradise Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Bob Casey of Paradise Alliance Church will officiate.
Donations may be made through Rose Chapel for Grace Community Church Bible Seminary College.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Rose Chapel Mortuary.
Christian Woods
Nov. 4, 1982 - Feb. 2, 2002
Christian Evan Wood, 19, was born to Roderick and Gail Woods in Newport News, Va. He and his parents moved to Magalia from Newport News nine years ago.
Mr. Woods graduated from Paradise High School in 2001, and was currently attending Butte College.
He had several guitars and enjoyed playing them and writing his own songs.
He enjoyed fly-fishing, photography and import cars. He was especially proud of his new Honda Civic.
Mr. Woods is survived by his parents, Roderick and Gail Woods of Magalia; maternal grandmother, Lydia Graham of Magalia; paternal grandparents, Shirley and David Sarvary of Magalia, and William Woods and his wife, Karen, of Kellogg, Idaho, many aunts, uncles and cousins, including Alison Graham, who was especially close to Christian.
Visitation will be at Rose Chapel Mortuary on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at Paradise Alliance Church on Thursday, at 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to P.A.S.H. (Paradise Animal Shelter) or the Paradise Boys & Girls Club.
interment will be private.
Rose Chapel Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Owanda Van Duzer
Sept. 18, 1921 - Jan. 31, 2002
Owanda Bertha Van Duzer, 80, was a member of the Paradise Lutheran Church, past president of the Paradise Lutheran Church Women, and Martha’s Circle.
She was born in Canby, Minn., to George and Hildor Larson. She moved to Paradise in 1981 from Tujunga. Mrs. Van Duzer attended Allen High School in Allen, Neb., in 1941.
She is survived by her husband, Harold of Paradise, whom she married in 1946, and gave her the nickname of “Wandie”; son, Steve Van Duzer of Reno, Nev.; daughter, Marlene A. Biggy of San Jose; sister, Eunice Wade of Greeley, Colo., and five grandchildren. Her sister, Fern Paulson, predeceases Mrs. Van Duzer.
Services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Paradise Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Rose Chapel.
Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Paradise Lutheran Church.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Ruth Kimmel
April 13, 1923 - Feb. 2, 2002
Ruth Irene Kimmel, 78, met and fell in love with her husband, Everett, while working at the Morton Salt plant in Kansas.
They were to celebrate their 60th anniversary this December.
She was born in Turon, Kan., to Stanley and Iva Ditto.
Mrs. Kimmel was a founding member of New Life Apostolic Church.
She was a long-sought after mother figure of younger women and daughters in the church, and was a mother to all who knew her.
Her husband, Everett; children, Ferril, Wayne, Kay, Doug, Sheri and 11 grandchildren survive Mrs. Kimmel.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at New Life Apostolic Church, 8634 Skyway.
Visitation will be held Tuesday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico.
She will be laid to rest at Glen Oaks Memorial, Chico.
Richard Smith
July 6, 1937 - Feb. 5, 2002
Richard A. “Dick” Smith, 64, was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was in the service for nine years. He was born in Newark Valley, N.Y., and played varsity football in college.
Mr. Smith was a flight engineer for Flying Tiger Airlines, and ran their flight simulation program.
He was a member of the Butte County Sheriff’s STARS volunteer program and was commander of the organization for two years. He enjoyed pistol shooting, cars, and antiques and loved the ocean. Mr. Smith was active in the Neighborhood Watch program for the Butte County Sheriff’s Department. He will be remembered as a wonderful provider for his family, and a great father who was always a gentleman.
His wife, Marion Lou Smith, predeceased him in 1972. His daughter, Cyndi Lou Campbell of Temecula; sister, Bev Hitchcock of New York; grandsons, Travis and Nicholas Campbell, and many friends survive him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butte County Sheriff’s Department, STARS Volunteer Program, in care of Bidwell Chapel
Funeral services were held on Feb. 8, at Bidwell Chapel
Mr. Smith will be buried
with his wife, Marion, at the Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach.
Bidwell Chapel handled the arrangements.
Myrtle Burton
Nov. 9, 1914 - Feb. 6, 2002
Myrtle Elizabeth Burton, 87, enjoyed playing bingo, did lots of sewing and loved to cook. She was very dedicated to her children and especially her grandchildren.
She was eternally young, and carried a sparkle of youth until her death.
She was born in Colton, Utah, to Oscar and Lucina Johnson.
Mrs. Burton was a cook at Harbor Junior College for many years.
Her husband predeceased her.
Her sons, Gerald Burton and Frank Burton of Paradise, Bruce Burton of Villa Park; sister, Helen Bench of Paradise, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren survive Mrs. Burton. Visitation at Rose Chapel, Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Private interment in Paradise Cemetery.
Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements.
William Makinen
July 26, 1917 - Feb. 3, 2002
William F. “Bill” Makinen, 84, formerly of Paradise and most recently of Republic, Mich., was born in Negaunee, Mich., to Frank and Mary (Krummi) Makinen.
He graduated from Negaunee High School in 1935. In 1938, he married Sylvia Uusitalo. They lived in Republic while raising their twin daughters.
Mr. Makinen served in the United States Army during World War II. In 1959, he moved to California where he worked as a union carpenter and musician until his retirement in 1982. Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Makinen moved to Paradise, where they lived until 1999.
He was an accomplished accordion player, entertaining at festivities in the Upper Peninsula and California. He enjoyed eating a good pasty, history, photography, traveling, camping and fishing. He was also a member of the Republic Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Makinen is survived by his daughter, Sally Hall of Republic; brothers, Edwin and Oiva, both of Negaunee; sisters, Rhea Heins of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Immi Laxo of Republic; 13 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mr. Makinen was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia, in 1999 and daughter, Sonja Johnson in 1995.
Remembrance services were held on Feb. 8 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in the Republic Cemetery.
Delbert Wolfe
July 13, 1902 - Feb. 4, 2002
Dilbert Charlton Wolfe, 99, died at Pleasant Care of Riverside. He was born in Gilroy to George Charlton and Stella Lillian Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe attended Gilroy Union High School, where he met Ruth Moore Britzius. They married in 1924, at the Gilroy Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe raised their three children on the ranch near Gilroy. In addition to managing his prune ranches and dehydrator business, Mr. Wolfe owned a water well drilling business. He was noted throughout southern Santa Clara County for his drilling expertise. He spent much of his spare time inventing and then building his inventions. He was very proud of a thank-you letter he received from the United States Government for a new gun sight invention that he had submitted, that the government subsequently applied and used during World War II.
He was an avid “rock-hound.” He and his wife traveled across the United States in pursuit of his hobby. He loved cutting and polishing rocks, making gifts for family and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe retired to Paradise in 1976 until April of last year when they relocated to Riverside.
Mr. Wolfe is survived by his children, Denton Wolfe of Gridley, Gwen Thomas of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Doris Thompson of Paradise, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
His wife of 77 years, Ruth; two sisters, Mildren Fowler and Inez Blackstone; brother, Ernest Wolfe, and his grandson, James Thompson preceded him in death.
Viewing will be held today at 10 a.m., at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy.
Leonard Spesert
June 27, 1917 - Feb. 2, 2002
Leonard Spesert, 84, worked as a checker for Miller, Witt’s and Wentz Markets in Chico, and later worked as a custodian for California State University, Chico. He also worked and retired from, the Army Corps of Engineers in 1979. During this time he had a cattle ranch since 1957, and also a chicken ranch in Paradise from 1959 to 1965.
He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., to Willis and Jecca Spesert. Mr. Spesert attended Chico schools and graduated from Chico High School.
In 1978, he married Marilyn Hensley in Reno, Nev.
Mr. Spesert was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Paradise; sons, Leonard Spesert Jr. of Beaverton, Ore., Dennis Alan Spesert of El Sobrante, Michael David Spesert of Chico and Gary Spesert of Paradise; brother, Howard Roy Spesert of Coweta, Okla.; two sisters, Helen Finely of Chico and Mickey Davy, also of Chico, three stepsons, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Feather River Hospice in care of the Brusie Funeral Home.
Services were held Thursday at Brusie Funeral Home.
Burial was at Chico Cemetery
Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Ruby Carr
July 19, 1922 - Feb. 5, 2002
Ruby Carr, 79, was a widowed homemaker who loved her two cats. She was born in Anderson, to Jim and Pauline Callas.
Mrs. Carr is survived by her son, Alfred B. Carr; daughters, Pauline Carr of Paradise and Catherine Millens of Virginia; sisters, Ruth Jackman and Julie Hale of Redding, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews throughout North-ern California and Oregon.
Funeral services will be held noon Sunday, at Paradise Chapel of the Pines Mortuary.
She will be buried
at Redding Memorial Park in Redding
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Ray Kent
1923 - Feb. 7, 2002
Ray Kent passed away Feb. 7, in Lords Valley, Pa., of colon cancer. He was 78. In March 2001 he had radical colon surgery and subsequently underwent six months of chemotherapy. Mr. Kent and his wife of 52 years, Mary Kent, moved to Paradise Pines in 1981 and only recently relocated to Pennsylvania to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Mr. Kent was an outstanding tennis player and was a fixture at the Paradise High School courts and at the tennis courts in Paradise Pines. He won numerous tournaments in Paradise and at the Chico Racquet Club. He learned to play tennis at a very young age from two Filipino men at the Hollywood YMCA. Playing on the tennis team at John Marshall High School, he had the opportunity to compete against Jack Kramer and other stalwarts of the day. In the 1960s and 1970s Mr. Kent lived in Costa Mesa and was one of the top players in the area. His son Steve is the tennis professional at Lords Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania. Mr. Kent’s older son, Gordon, owns New England Tennis Camp and runs a large junior program at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club in New York City.
Ray grew up in the Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. His father was president of Fox West Coast Theatres and his uncle was president of Twentieth Century Pictures. In 1940, Mr. Kent dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps with his brother, Bill. He served in the South Pacific and left the Corps in 1945 as a master technical sergeant.
For a time in the late ’40s, he worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as an officer and as a prison guard. He met his wife, Mary, in 1949 and they were married in 1950 in California. With their young son Gordon, Mr. and Mrs. Kent moved to Pittsburgh in 1951. In 1962, Mr. Kent moved his family back to California and spent almost 20 years working for the Post Office in Newport Beach, retiring in 1980.
Mr. and Mrs. Kent lived in Paradise Pines from 1981 until their move to Pennsylvania in late 2000. They were both active in the community association in Paradise Pines. In addition to Mr. Kent’s tennis, both Mr. and Mrs. Kent were avid golfers and bridge players.
His wife, Mary of Lords Valley, Pa.; brother, Bill of Napa; sons, Steve, also of Lords Valley, Gordon of New York City; and three grandchildren survive Mr. Kent.
Charles Howze
May 19, 1922 - Feb. 14, 2002
Charles W. Howze, 79, was born in Atlantic City, N.J. He died at Feather River Hos-pital in Paradise after a lengthy illness.
His wife, Elizabeth Howze of Magalia, and his daughter, Michelle Marie Cascarelle of Texas, survive him.
There will be no services at his request.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Brusie Funeral Home.
Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Betty Wallgren
Nov. 3, 1920 - Feb. 14, 2002
Betty Maxine Wallgren, 81, was raised and attended schools in Clay, Ohio. Mrs. Wall-gren was born in Clay to Herman and Florence Harris.
She married Walter Wallgren on Feb. 14, 1963 in San Bernardino and a homemaker the majority of her life. She moved to Paradise in 1978 from Anaheim.
Mrs. Wallgren enjoyed crafts and made stuffed clowns. She was an avid bingo player and was known at many bingo halls in Paradise, Chico and Oroville.
Her son, Wayne “Buster” DeTillion, preceded her in death in 1998.
Mrs. Wallgren is survived by her husband of 39 years, Walter “Wally” Wallgren of Paradise; daughters, Betty Jane Arnett and Jo Ann Arnett, both of Florence, Ore., Karen Duff of Paradise, and Donna Lou Hixson of Covina; son, Walter G. Wallgren of Belmont; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private family services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico, is handling funeral arrangements.
James London
Oct. 2, 1925 - Feb. 14, 2002
James E. London, 68, worked as a carpenter for 55 years. He last worked for his good friend Kenny Olson, of Kenny Olson Construction Company.
He was born in the oil fields of Texas, to William and Jessie London, who predeceased him.
Mr. London was married for 30 years to Colletta London.
He was an excellent artist and loved to read.
His wife, Colletta Condon of Paradise and his good friend, Kenny Olson, survive him.
There will be no services at his request.
Bidwell Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Catherine Borgquist
Jan. 5, 1915 - Feb. 16, 2002
Catherine Mae Borgquist, 87, was a member of Elks Wives Paradise Lodge, PTA, Alter Guild of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and was a very active church member.
Mrs. Borgquist was born in Harrisburg, Ill., to Fred and Nellie Ward.
She was in real estate for 10 years and worked as an administrative assistant in the public school system in Los Angeles County for 10 years.
Mrs. Borgquist moved to California 68 year ago and met her husband, Carl Borgquist, at Good Samaritan Hospital where they both worked at the time.
She was a loving mother of three sons.
Her husband, Carl E. Borgquist Sr., and son, Carl Jr., predeceased her.
Her sons, Paul R. Borgquist of Chico, and Charles M. Borgquist of San Francisco; one brother, Bill; two sisters, Marie and Mollie; and three grandchildren survive her.
Recitation of Rosary will be held Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Pines Mortuary. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
She will be buried
beside her husband.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Karen Wilbanks
May 15, 1950 - Feb. 15, 2002
Karen Wilbanks, 51, was an administrative assistant for Hope Rehabilitation Service for 20 years. She was born in Wilkensburgh, Pa., to Richard and Doris Bragunier.
In 1988, she married Ronald Wilbanks in San Jose and moved to Magalia in 1999.
Mrs. Wilbanks was then employed by the Paradise Unified School District and attended Magalia Pines Baptist Church.
She enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilbanks is survived by her husband, Ronald, of Magalia; daughter, Denise Saunders of Gilroy; son, Christopher Hennessey of Modesto; stepdaughter, Lisa Bennett of Vancouver, Wash.; stepsons, Michael Wilbanks and James Craig Wilbanks of San Jose; mother, Doris Bragunier of Shallote, N.C.; sister, Donna Kathy Baker of Shallotte, N.C.; brother, Richard Bragunier of Middleton, Idaho; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, at Magalia Pines Baptist Church.
A private internment will be held. Newton-Bracewell Cremation and Funeral Service of Magalia is handling the arrangements.
