United States High School Yearbooks by County
Vernon A. Fridley
No services are planned for Vernon A. Fridley, who died Tuesday in Watsonville. He was 95.
Mr. Fridley was born in Santa Cruz. He lived in Alaska for six years before moving to Watsonville in 1952.
Mr. Fridley graduated form Oregon State’s School of Forestry in 1936. He worked four years for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon, for Matanuska Electric Co-op in Alaska and for PG&E for 35 years.
Mr. Fridley enjoyed backpacking and hiking on the John Muir Trail and spending time with his friend Sue Lipska of Watsonville.
He is survived by son Vernon A. Fridley Jr. of Parowan, Utah; stepsons Harold Rinehart of Plymouth and Earl Rinehart of Simi Valley; stepdaughter Marion Sylvia of Modesto; sister Phyllis Tuma of Ione; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
His first wife, Ruth Fridley, died in 1993; his wife Virginia Fridley died in 1985, and his third wife, Nettie Fridley, died Feb. 12.
March 1, 2002
Nathan W. Hamm
A private memorial service is planned for April 13 for Nathan W. Hamm, a former Scotts Valley resident, who died Feb. 28 in Templeton.
A native of Utica, N.Y., Mr. Hamm was raised in Orchard Park and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He became a commercial pilot in 1947. During his 32-year career, he flew airplanes to all seven continents. He also served in the Air Force Reserve from 1947 to 1957, earning the rank of major.
Mr. Hamm was a member of Elks Lodge 1694 and the Retired TransInternational Airlines Pilots.
He was an avid reader who often amazed friends and family with his knowledge of obscure facts. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, from high school to the professional level.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Delores "Dee" Hamm of Atascadero; daughter Sandra Thomas of Aptos; five sons, Peter Hamm of Port Townsend, Wash,; Scott Hamm of Scotts Valley; Jeff Hamm of San Luis Obispo; Mike Hamm of Corralitos and Tim Hamm of Scotts Valley; sister Bess Thomas of Greensburg, Pa., brother Robert Hamm of Orchard Park, N.Y.; and 11 grandchildren.
March 6, 2002
Travis Tyler Doherty
Services will be Friday for Travis Tyler Doherty, who died Sunday in a snowboarding accident in Dodge Ridge. He was 15.
Travis was born in Santa Cruz. He attended Valencia Elementary School, Aptos Junior High School and was a sophomore at Aptos High School.
Travis excelled in sports, he played on the football and baseball teams at Aptos High, and prior to that he played little league and pony league baseball. He enjoyed camping and fishing trips with his family, and had a passion for snowboarding.
Friends and family members say Travis radiated warmth and friendliness with his bright smile that would encircle the space around him like a beacon of light. They say Travis was kind and unselfish and was friends to many people of all ages. His teammates, coaches, school friends and family will dearly miss him.
He is survived by parents Angie and Tim Doherty of Aptos; sister Ashley Doherty of Aptos; grandparents George and Jeannette Doherty of Aptos, and John and Theckla Swiercz of Aptos; aunts and uncles Lawrence and Lori Montgomery of Reno, Nev., Patrick and Catherine Doherty of Aptos, Art and Laurie Montgomery of San Luis Obispo; uncles Keith Montgomery and JR Swiercz, both of Aptos; aunts Linda Harris of San Jose, and Carole Cote of Cassel, and nine cousins.
Services are at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Eucharist Church, 527 Corralitos Road, Corralitos. A celebration of life will follow at the church.
Contributions are preferred to the Travis Doherty Memorial Fund, Bank of America, 783 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos, CA 95003.
Arrangements are by Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.
March 6, 2002
Matthew Mello
A memorial service will be later for retired county agricultural commissioner Matthew Mello, who died Monday at his home in Aptos. He was 89.
Born in Peabody, Mass., he moved in 1923 with his family to San Francisco and then in 1927 to a farm in Aromas. He attended Watsonville High School and learned about farming, working in lettuce and produce packing sheds.
He began working for the county agriculture commissioner in 1938 and was promoted to deputy commissioner two years later. In 1945, the supervisors appointed him as agricultural commissioner, a position he held for 29 years. Apples were the county’s No. 1 crop when he retired in 1974. After retiring, he worked for Ray Travers Apple and Cold Storage.
Mr. Mello also was affiliated with the county fair for 25 years. He was a life member of the Watsonville Elks Club and a member of Seniors in Retirement. He enjoyed gardening and growing apples. He also enjoyed a special friendship with Kathleen Brugler for 15 years.
He is survived by a daughter, Sharon "Shari" Mello of Maui; a granddaughter Kuulei Sarah Mello of Maui; a cousin Dorothy Baumgardner of San Francisco.
His wife, Louise Mello, died before him.
Private cremation will at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
March 6, 2002
George A. Batchelder
Services will be Thursday for George A. Batchelder, who died Saturday in Santa Cruz. He was 86.
Mr. Batchelder was born in Nashua, N.H. He had lived in Santa Cruz since 1960.
Mr. Batchelder graduated from Concord High School and attended the University of New Hampshire. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and an instructor at Hartnell College in Salinas.
Mr. Batchelder received his Bechel Certification as master craftsman and he worked as a pipe fitter and welder for 45 years. His accomplishments included work on the Alaskan Pipeline in the 1950s, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant, the natural gas pipeline at the Moss Landing power plant, major buildings at UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College and Dominican Hospital.
Mr. Batchelder was involved in the Trade Union formation and was president of the local union and was vice president of the State Labor Council. He was a member of the steampipe and Welders Union Local No. 36, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Labor.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marion Josephine Morrill Batchelder of Santa Cruz; son William A. Batchelder of Reading, Penn., and George H. Batchelder of Santa Cruz; daughters Susan A. Crovo and Marilyn M. Inderlied, both of Santa Cruz; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 515 Frederick St., Santa Cruz.
Friends may call from 3-7:30 p.m. today at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. A rosary will follow at 7:30 p.m. at the chapel.
Contributions are preferred to Cindy’s Celebration, 320 Carrera Circle, Rio del Mar, CA 95003 or to the Stroke Center, 501 Upper Park Delaveaga Park, Santa Cruz, CA 95065.
March 6, 2002
Nick J. Stepovich
Services will be Friday for Nick J. Stepovich, who died Sunday at his Watsonville home. He was 81.
Mr. Stepovich was born in Ridica, Croatia. He was a longtime resident of Watsonville.
Mr. Stepovich was a switchman for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 31 years. He was a member of Valley Catholic Church, the Watsonville Elks Lodge and the Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Lee Stepovich; son John N. Stepovich of Santa Cruz; daughters Cathy Stebbins of Fullerton, Anna Marie Montoya of Salinas, and Mary Helen Johann of Watsonville; sisters Nedjelka Cace of Dubrovnik, and Ivka Vrtiprah of Ridica; and four grandchildren.
His parents Ivo and Ane Stjepovic, and sister Cvijeta Popovic, died before him.
A Mass and Rosary is at 11 a.m. Friday at Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.
Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Thursday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
Contributions are preferred to Hospice Caring Project, 6851 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003.
March 6, 2002
Lyle Allen Hodges
Services will be Friday for Lyle Allen Hodges, who died Sunday in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He was 83.
Mr. Hodges was born in Belgrade, Neb. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Hodges was a produce contractor in the Pajaro and Salinas valleys. He retired as a real estate broker.
Mr. Hodges was a member of the Pajaro Lodge No. 110 for 60 years, of Eastern Star for 35 years, and was charter member of the Elks in Wickenberg, Ariz.
He is survived by wife of 61 years, Ruth Hodges of Lake Havasu City; son Dennis A. Hodges of Lake Havasu City; brother William Hodges of Phoenix; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services, with military honors, are at 2 p.m. Friday at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park in Watsonville.
Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel.
March 6, 2002
Margaret Elizabeth Palmer Bond
Services will be Thursday for Margaret Elizabeth Palmer Bond, a longtime Scotts Valley resident who died Sunday in Santa Cruz. She was 91.
Born near Franklin, Neb., she moved to Burlingame, Kan., where her parents pioneered an Assemblies of God church. After graduating from high school, she taught in a country school. She later attended Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Mo., where she met her husband to be, Earl E. Bond. They married in 1931 and pastored churches in Kansas, Indiana and Ohio.
After her husband died in 1950, Mrs. Bond moved to Scotts Valley with two of her daughters. She served 24 years as secretary to the Assemblies of God district superintendent before retiring in 1980. She was a member of the Single Adult Fellowship, now the Coast Christian Fellowship, and served as secretary. She also was a member of the Scotts Valley Christian Center.
She is survived by three daughters, Earlene Portilla of Santa Cruz, Louise Perez of Santa Cruz and Esther Shirley of Aptos; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Rev. Robert Palmer of Santa Maria, and several nieces and nephews.
Three of her brothers died before her.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Harbor Light Church, 2008 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Oakwood Memorial Crystal Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz.
March 6, 2002
