United States High School Yearbooks by County
James E. Clarke, Jr.
St. Helena native James E. Clarke, Jr., died July 19 at his home in Gordon Valley, where he and his wife Lucy had resided for the last year. He was 76.
Mr. Clarke was born November 13, 1926 in St. Helena, the descendent of early Napa Valley pioneers who settled in the Valley prior to the Gold Rush. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College and graduated from the University of Colorado.
He was employed by the California Division of Highways, American Bridge Company in Indiana and Basalt Rock Company. In 1955, he went to work for Kaiser Steel Corporation, becoming general manager of fabrication for the company’s Fabricated Products Group in Napa. He retired in 1985.
In 1993, Mr. Clarke married Lucy (née Biurvall) and in the following year the couple moved to Trinity County to pursue traveling and fly-fishing. He was an accomplished fly-fisherman and enjoyed all aspects of the outdoors.
For over 50 years, Mr. Clarke was a Master Mason member of the Sotoyome-Curtis Lodge #123, F&AM in Healdsburg. He was a life member of the Republican National Committee and held long-time memberships in the National Rifle Association, Friends of the Trinity River, Cal-Trout and Trout Unlimited.
He is survived by his wife Lucy; two sons, James and wife Cheri of Vacaville; and Thomas and wife Joanna of Gordon Valley; a daughter, Bethanie Lindroos and husband Thorman of Windsor; stepdaughter, Stacy Butler of Napa; stepson Mike Butler and wife Chris of Napa; sister Jeanne Stanton of Rocklin; and seven grandchildren: Christopher, Trever and Eric Lindroos; Dana and Daniel Clarke; and Austin and Michael Butler.
Services will be at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel in Napa on Thursday, July 24 at 11, followed by Burial at Yountville cemetery. Both ervices will be under the auspices of the Healdsburg F&AM lodge.
The family suggests memorial contributions to either Kaiser Vallejo Hospice, 975 Sereno Dr., Vallejo, CA 94589 or the Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Center, 600 Acacia Ln., Santa Rosa, CA 95409.
Clarice L. Dahline
Services were held on July 23 in Mankato, Minn. for Clarice L. Dahline, age 62, who died on July 20.
Born on April 3, 1941 to Carlton and Sylvia (Helin) Klint in Willmar, Minn., Mrs. Dahline graduated from Willmar High School. She married Charles A. Dahline on June 27, 1959 in Kandiyohi, Minnesota.
She is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Dahline of Mankato; three children, Teresa Wright and her husband, Dan of Columbia, MO, Jeff Dahline and his wife, Dawn of Owatonna, Minn.; Corey Dahline and his wife, Heather of Angwin, CA; six granddaughters; and a brother, Russell Klint and his wife, Susan of Willmar, Minn.
Marvin Reginald Poston
Marvin R. Poston, Optometrist, whose offices in Oakland and Danville flourished for 40 years, and following his retirement established Poston Crest Vineyard in Calistoga, died on July 18, 2002. He was 87 years old.
Marvin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry in 1939. He went on to serve his Bay Area communities through the care of his patients and his immeasurable contributions to many organizations, at local and state levels.
Marvin was first appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown to the California State Board of Optometry followed by an unprecedented third term appointment by Governor Ronald Reagan. The California Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association named him Optometrist of the Year. He was one of several optometrists who organized the pre-paid insurance program known as California Vision Services, which later became Vision Service Plan, a benefit program currently utilized by millions of Californians.
Locally, Dr. Poston was instrumental in organizing the West Oakland Health Group, the Children's Vision Center of the East Bay, and the vision screening programs for the East Bay Skill Center. He was a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity of the Alpha Gamma Boulé, Oakland NAACP, Minority Adoption Committee of the Children's Home Society and Oakland Rotary Club. The Alameda, Contra Costa Optometric Society, recognized him as Optometric Man of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the improvement of vision and eye health of his community.
Following retirement from his optometric practice, Dr. Poston and his wife Arlene, who was his constant support in the optometric practice, moved from the Bay Area to the Napa Valley. There they began a new life as the owners of Poston Crest Vineyard. His love of profession, their vineyard and the Napa Valley was only rivaled by his love for travel in their motor home and the many friendships they cultivated through those endeavors.
Marvin Poston was born on November 13, 1914 in St Louis, Missouri to Willetta Walker Poston and Walker Paul Poston. Walker Poston graduated with a degree in Education from Lincoln University. Just as the nation's economy succumbed to the ravages of the Great Depression, Walker Poston died. Willetta, an insurance agent for Golden State Insurance Company, successfully maintained the family home and helped all three sons secure advanced degrees. Marvin's brother Walker S. Poston graduated from the University of the Philippines, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and Paul Lemmon Poston graduated from Harvard University with a Ph.D. in business. Both Walker and Paul preceded Marvin in death.
He is survived by his wife Arlene; his daughter Marlene Bell and her husband Bob of Winters; his sons Gene Smith of Vallejo and Larry Smith and wife Cynthia of Oakland; his grandchildren Maurice Bell and wife Bridgette of Sacramento; Sharaine Bell of San Francisco; Loveta Smith Head and husband Sabastian; Calvin Smith and wife Priscilla, Shomari Smith, Malaika Smith and Shauki Smith. He is also survived by four great grandchildren Briana, Calvin Jr., Wesley and Masii as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
All those who knew Marvin and enjoyed his soft-spoken nature, warmth in friendship and candid good humor, are invited to attend a "Celebration of Life" in his honor on July 26, 2002 at Kirkland Ranch Winery, located on Highway 12 between Interstate 80 and Highway 29 in the Napa Valley, at 2:00 p.m.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, California. 963-3536.Frances Glos
A funeral service was held July 10 for Frances Glos, who died July 6 at Marlinda Convalescent Hospital in St. Helena. She was 87.
Mrs. Glos, a resident of Vallejo and active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was a pathfinder leader and a deaconess in the church.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Elton; a son, Robert, of American Canyon, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Harriet Fisher
Memorial services were held July 20 in College Place, Wash. for Harriet Elizabeth Flaiz Fisher who died July 15 from injuries sustained in an auto accident in April. Mrs. Fisher, a resident of Cloverdale, Ore., lived in St. Helena from 1985 to 1995. She was 84.
Born in Battle Creek, Mich., she was the daughter of Eleanor Reith and Herschel Ross Flaiz. The family moved to College Place when she was an infant.
Mrs. Fisher attended Walla Walla College and enrolled in a nursing program at Glendale Sanitarium. She married her husband, Dr. Willard C. Fisher in 1939.
An active member of her community where ever she lived, Mrs. Fisher served the local congregations of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various capacities.
In addition to her husband of 62 years, she is survived by three sons, Willard C. Fisher Jr., James R. Fisher and Deo F. Fisher; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Flaiz.
Marvin F. Switzer
A funeral service was held Friday, July 12, for long-time St. Helena resident Marvin F. Switzer, who died at the Meadows in Napa July 9. He was 77.
Mr. Switzer, who served in World War II and the Korean Conflict, had a long career in the insurance business.
He and his wife, Louise, moved from San Francisco to St. Helena in 1982 where he had a vineyard. He was an avid ‘49er fan and a member of the St. Helena American Legion, the Sons of Italy, the Native Sons of the Golden West and St. Helena Bocce Ball Club.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, Louise, he is survived by two children, Darrell Moody of Sacramento and Linda Minnick of Concord; a stepdaughter, Gena Stephens, of Pacifica; a sister, Eunice Kuykendall, of Middletown; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Melvin Switzer.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Helena High School Agriculture Program, 1401 Grayson Ave., St. Helena, or to We Care Animal Rescue, 1345 West Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Elva Vaughn
A private memorial service was held for Elva L. Vaughn who died in Angwin July 17. She was 91.
Mrs. Vaughn, who moved to Angwin seven months ago to be with her grandson, Steven Thrush, was a native of Beviere, Mo. and a long-time resident of Illinois where she was a nurse for the state of Illinois. She later moved to Rogue River, Ore., and was a member of the Assembly of God Church.
In addition to her grandson, she is survived by a daughter-in-law, Reta Thrush; a granddaughter, Tanya Rene Pratt, three great-grandchildren and a great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Thrush; her only child, Robert Duane Thrush, and 10 siblings. Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Michael A. Beltran
A funeral mass was held July 23 at St. Helena Catholic Church for Michael A. Beltran, a life-long St. Helena resident, who died July 18 at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo following a brief illness. He was 50.
Mr. Beltran attended St. Helena public schools, graduating in 1969 from St. Helena High School. A sales representative in the lumber industry for more than 30 years, he was the lead singer and founding member of Browness, a local band that began playing at after-school dances in St. Helena in 1967.
In addition to his love for music, Mr. Beltran enjoyed golf, telling stories and playing bocce ball for the “Quatro Stupidos” in the St. Helena Bocce Club. He was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Carmen and Bob Williamson, of St. Helena; three brothers, Ray Beltran of Sacramento and Joe and Andy Beltran, both of Napa; two sisters, Irene Mora of Roseburg, Ore., and Linda McClure of Napa; two aunts, Mary Scheel and Juanita Beltran of St. Helena; three uncles, Joe Torres of Middletown and Ray and Jess Torres of St. Helena; three nephews and six nieces, Bobby and Denise Mora, Ray Beltran, Jr. of Texas; William Beltran of Sacramento and Danielle and Nicole Beltran and Chelsea, Sarah and Michele McClure, all of Napa.
Mr. Beltran was preceded in death by his father, Art Beltran; grandfather and grandmother, Joe and Maria Torres; nephew Michael Mora and cousin Ron Scheel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Class of l968 Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Helena High School. Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
John A. Burns
Memorial services were held July 21 at Morrison Funeral Chapel for John Andrew Burns of Pope Valley, who died July 16. He was 82.
Mr. Burns, born in Honolulu in 1918 to Clifford and Kathrine Burns, was predeceased by his wife, Joan, and son, Michael.
He is survived by his brother, Robert, and his wife, Georgi; a cousin, John A. Radway, and his wife, Claire; nieces Kathleen Yeadon and husband Glenn, Mary Fredeen and husband Gary and their children Laura and Matthew; a nephew, Dick Hodges, and wife, Debby; a grandson, Chad Mathis, and his daughter, Noelle Calkins; and family friend Julie Bolander and her daughters, Molly and Lisa.
Memorial donations may be made to the Joan Burns Educational Fund, 1300 Aetna Springs Road, Pope Valley, CA 94567, or to a charity of choice.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Alicia Horn
A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 28, at St. Joseph’s Church, 21396 Hwy. 175, Middletown, for longtime Pope Valley resident Alicia Horn, who died July 3 in Santa Cruz. She was 78.
Mrs. Horn, a native of Mexico who enjoyed water skiing, swimming, gardening and dancing, moved to the Bay Area with her sister as a teenager. She had lived in Pope Valley for 26 years before moving to Santa Cruz in January. She joined a senior citizen center there and met Jimmy Case, whom she married in May.
She is survived by sons Roy Horn of Santa Cruz and Lonny Horn of Pope Valley; sisters Sally, Jackie and Estella, all of Mexico; grandchildren Jennifer Harrison of Davis, Jessica Bennett of Middletown, Jasmine Carlton of Citrus Heights, Kieran Horn of Santa Cruz, Jerrie Thompson of Pope Valley, Harry and Hillary Horn of Citrus Heights; and great-grandchildren Chad and Hallie Thompson of Pope Valley
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Louie and Albert, and by a sister, Esther.
Esther P. Burgstahler
A memorial service was held July 2 at Morrison Funeral Chapel for Esther P. Burgstahler, who died June 20 at St. Helena Hospital. She was 92.
Ms. Burgstahler, born to Christian and Wilhelmina Burgstahler in Lodi Sept. 11, 1908, was the seventh of nine children. The family moved to Trochu, Alberta, Canada, when she was 2 years old and she attended school there. Most of the children returned to Lodi in 1928, following the death of their parents.
In 1941, Ms. Burg-stahler, four of her sisters and their elder brother moved to Oakland, where she worked as a bookkeeper for Steir Drug in the Lakeshore district. She was there for more than 35 years until her retirement at the age of 70.
Ms. Burgstahler and her sister Frieda moved to St. Helena in 1999 to be closer to other family members.
She is survived by her sister Frieda, the last surviving sibling; a sister-in-law, Irene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements made by Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena.
Oscar Grindheim
Funeral services were held Monday, July 2, at the United Methodist Church for Oscar Grindheim, who died June 28 at his St. Helena home with his family by his side. He was 90.
Mr. Grindheim was born in Pierpont, South Dakota, Nov. 19, 1910.
He graduated from Pierpont High School and moved to Vallejo in 1942. He served in World War II and at war’s end he and his wife, Ardys, moved to St. Helena.
In St. Helena Mr. Grindheim managed the Safeway grocery store on Main and also worked at the Purity Store before becoming co-owner of the Tripoli Market.
He was a member of the St. Helena I.O.O.F. for more than 50 years, and Past Noble Grand. He was also a member of Son’s of Norway, Vallejo, and Viking Travelers R.V. Club.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Ardys; a daughter Barbara (Larry) Edington, of San Jose and a son, Richard Grindheim, of Napa; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
interment was at St. Helena Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Grindheim’s name to Hospice of the Napa Valley, 3299 Claremont Way, Napa, CA 94558, or to the United Methodist Church, 1310 Adams St., St. Helena, CA 94574.
Arrangements made by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
