Obituaries for August 28, 2002
Gary A. Sigafoos
Gary A. Sigafoos, born Oct. 7, 1939 in Hennapin County, Minnesota, passed away Aug. 18, 2002 at the age of 62.
He was the husband of Beverly A. Sigafoos for 39 years; father of Stephen and Erin Sigafoos; son of Elbert A. Sigafoos; brother of Elbert E. and Stuart O. Sigafoos.
Gary graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1957 and from San Bernardino Valley College in 1960. He served in the United States Air Force from September 1960 to September 1964. He worked for the State of California from October 1964 to March 1997, then as a private contractor from April 1997 to October 1999.
He played piano professionally for several local pizza parlors, and tuned pianos for more than 25 years. He was a volunteer piano tuner for Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society for 25 years and a member of the Sacramento Ragtime Society. He was a 16-gallon donor at the Sacramento Blood Bank.
Funeral services were held Aug. 23 at South East Lawn Mortuary in Elk Grove. Interment followed at East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento. Remembrances may be made to Canine Support Teams, Inc., P.O. Box 956, Galt, CA 95632-0956.
Joy L. Breding
Joy LaVerne Breding, a 13-year resident in Sacramento County, the past seven years in Galt, passed away Aug. 13. She was 75.
Born in Crosby, North Dakota in 1927, she married Wilbur Avis Breding of Powers Lake, ND in 1946. They raised their family in Gardena in Los Angeles County.
Joy worked for the LA City School District. The last position she held before retiring in 1988 was Cafeteria Manager at Selery School, a school for severely handicapped children in Gardena. This position was Joy's most rewarding. She always kept a special place in her heart for 'her children' at Selery School.
After the death of her husband in 1995, Joy moved to Galt to be closer to her grandson. She became a volunteer at River Oaks School, helping in her grandson's third grade class. She then joined the mentor program and helped students with reading at Fairsite School.
She was a volunteer with the Galt Concilio Senior Program, driving seniors to the market or doing their shopping for them. She was the greeter at Three Palms Mobile Estates and active in the park's social club. She enjoyed Friday night bingo and the friends she made at the park.
She is survived by her brother, Jack Anderson of Washington state; her children, Vicki Breding-Walker of Carson, Rick Breding of Turlock, Lisa Reynaldo of Galt; her grandchildren, Stacy Conrad Reynaldo of Galt and Michelle Davis of New Jersey; her great grandson, Tyler Davis of New Jersey.
She enjoyed bowling, bingo, cooking traditional Norwegian Christmas dinners, yearly summer vacations with her family, North Dakota reunions, and her close friendships that have lasted over the decades. She will be deeply missed.
Obituaries for December 4, 2002
Jane Brown
Jane Brown of Wilton passed away on Nov. 21 after heart surgery on Nov. 18. She was 80.
Member of the Miwok Tribe of Wilton, she resided her entire life on the Wilton Indian Reservation, where she was born on Sept. 20, 1922.
During her lifetime, she was employed at McClellan Air Force Base, assembling parts for planes and ships. Farming was also a very large part of who she was and she enjoyed it very much. She worked picking tomatoes and grapes and also worked at the local hop ranches in Sheldon and Sloughhouse.
She was a homemaker who cared for her children and grandchildren and many others who came along. 'Aunt Jane' always had a pot of beans cooking on the stove and always shared what she had. She looked forward to the times when the boys would go fishing. She loved her salmon and loved to reminisce about the days of hunting and fishing.
She was very proud of her Native American heritage and shared her many memories of days gone by. A humble being, she never had very many material possessions but she had plenty of love, caring, kindness and friendship to give all of those around her.
She was preceded in death by her only son, Donald Franklin Brown, in 1994 and her parents, Anastasio Martinez and Elizabeth Hansen and step-father Merced 'Shorty' Rodriguez.
She was the beloved mother of Debra E. Blue of Wilton; grandmother to David, Dennis, Denise and Danielle Blue of Wilton and Donald and Timothy Brown of Pine Grove; great-grandmother to six and best friend to her sister, Irene Taylor of Wilton.
She was laid to rest on Nov. 27 at the Hicksville Cemetery in Galt.
Lawrence Guzman
Lawrence B. Guzman of Acampo died on Nov. 28 in a Lodi Hospital. Born June 10, 1985, he was 17-years-old and attended Estrellita High School as a senior.
Lawrence is the son of Bob and Audrey Guzman of Acampo and brother to Robert Guzman and Charlene Guzman of Acampo. He leaves behind numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church, 701 S. Central Ave., Lodi.
Services are entrusted to the care of Alternative Burial and Cremation Services in Stockton.
Rachel Santos
Rachel G. Santos entered into eternal rest on Nov. 29 surrounded by her loving family. Rachel was a native of Miami, Arizona and a resident of Courtland for 41 years.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 62 years, Dionicio Santos; her children, Manuel J. Santos and Esther S. Espinoza; her adoring grandchildren, Sandra, Sally, Jimmy, Christina, Vanessa, Andres, Juan Manuel, Rachel, Alexis, Barbara, Nicholas and Edward; 14 loving great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and brothers Juan and Clemente Gonzalez, and sister Bevelen Duran.
Friends may attend Recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. in the Land Park Chapel of Harry A. Nauman & Son. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 711 T Street, Sacramento. Interment is at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Betty Lou Rempfer
Betty Lou Rempfer of Galt passed away from natural causes on Nov. 28. She was 70.
She was born betty Lou Huggins on Jan. 2, 1932 in Tulare. She has been a resident of Galt for 25 years.
She was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing and word puzzles.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur G. Rempfer of Galt; her children, Jerry Rempfer and Judy Shanklin of Galt; her brother, Elvie Huggins of Stockton; a sister, Margie white of Galt; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be private.
Bernice Colton
Bernice V. Colton of Stockton passed away on Nov. 29. She was 90.
She was born Bernice V. Herman in Cleveland, Ohio on Feb. 15, 1912. She was a resident of Galt for 17 years and a resident of Stockton for 30 years.
She was a homemaker who was a member of the Democratic party who enjoyed bingo, her family and ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Colton.
She is survived by her daughters, Bea Frost of Stockton and Jeri Colton of Galt; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren.
Services will be private with committal following at the Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Sarah Goldman
Sarah Goldman of Thornton passed away from a long illness on Dec. 1. She was 86.
She was born Sarah Grasmick on Dec. 12, 1915 in Ordway, Colorado. She was raised in Ordway and attended schools in Numa and Ordway where she graduated from Ordway High School. She married the late Frank Goldman and settled in Thornton in 1942. She owned and operated a dairy in Thornton.
She is survived by three sisters, Christine Brokovich, Katherine Courim and Leah Lamb, all of Lodi; two brothers, Gottlieb Grasmick of Lodi and Val Grasmick of Meridian, Idaho and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Frank Goldman in 1982.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lodi Memorial Cemetery in Lodi. Pastor Larry Brand, Jr. of the River of Life Celebration Center will officiate.
Obituaries for February 11, 2004
Carolyn J. Crisp
Carolyn June Crisp died Feb. 6, 2004 at her home in Galt at 66 years of age. She was born in London, Arkansas on Oct. 31, 1937.
She has lived in Galt for 45 years. She had previously lived in Madera five years. She was a homemaker and attended Galt Seventh-day Adventist Church and the American Cancer Society Support Group. She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, and taking care of her family.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Crisp; children, Garry Crisp, Tami Wood and Crystal Crisp; grandchildren, Jenna Crisp, Paul and Holli Wood, Kayla and Jimmy Crisp; and mother, Veda Rackley.
A funeral service was held Feb. 9 at the Galt Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastors Lloyd Henderson and Tim Stevenson officiated. Committal followed the service at Galt Cemetery.
Ben Salas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Support Group, 207 E. Alpine Ave., Stockton, CA 95204; phone, 1-800-227-2345.
Linda M. McGuire
Linda Marie Tucker McGuire died Feb. 1, 2004 at the age of 55 in Lodi Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness.
A 1966 graduate of Galt High School, Linda was a long-time resident of Lodi who enjoyed spending time with her 12 grandchildren. She was a very talented seamstress who expressed her creativity through a variety of arts and crafts.
Her passing will be mourned by her mother, Jean Palmer of Ridgecrest; her father and step-mother, William and Lois Tucker of Los Molinos; her brother and sister-in-law, Rusty and Judy Tucker of Santa Rosa; her brother, Michael Tucker of Galt; her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Chuck Heston of Ridgecrest; and her children, Aaron Gourley, Kimberly Gourley, Angela Weber, Amber Ashe, and Joshua Weber.
She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will best be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, ready smile, and heartfelt love for her family.
Funeral services were held Feb. 6 at Lodi Funeral Home, followed by interment at Cherokee Memorial Park.
Bertha L. Mericle
Bertha Lavonne Mericle was born on Oct. 12, 1927 in Turley, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully at home while in the presence of her family on Feb. 4, 2004.
She was the loving mother of four children: Patricia Anderson of Yuba City, Rick Bishop of Ada, Oklahoma, Teresa Bailey, of Valley Springs, and Gregory Bishop of Stockton; devoted grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bertha was the former wife of the late Harlen James Bishop. She was also loving sister to Thelma Hurt and Mary Steel of Ada, Oklahoma, Maxine Davis and Arvazina Fradet of Stockton, and Cordie Walls of Oroville, Washington. She was cherished aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
Bertha was born one of 13 children to Johnson and Edith McGuffee. She was raised near Ada, Oklahoma and attended the McLeash School. Bertha lived in San Joaquin County for more than 50 years after moving from Oklahoma.
She retired from Sharpe Army Depot where she was employed in the Procurement and Packaging Department. She also worked as a cook for Alpha Kappa Theta Sorority House located on the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton.
She was a member of the Valley Springs Community Methodist Church. Her hobbies were cooking and quilting. She treasured life and lived each day looking forward to bringing joy to all around her. She loved and collected angels, and now they have collected her.
Friends are invited to attend funeral services at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Rocha's Mortuary, 215 S. School Street, in Lodi. Committal will follow at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5750 E. Pine Street, Lodi. Directly following committa,l the family will be hosting a celebration of life at 1464 Longview in Stockton.
Janice Esquivel
Janice Esquivel of Stockton, formerly of Galt, passed away from a lengthy illness on Jan. 28, 2004. She was 47. She was born on June 16, 1956 in Sacramento.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Rudy Esquivel; her sister, Delores Esquivel; and parents, Miguel and Helen Esquivel.
Her brothers, Mike, Alfred, Richard, Edward, Anthony and Gabriel and many nieces and nephews survive her.
There was a Mass on Feb. 4, at St. Christopher's Catholic Church. Father Jerry Ryle officiated, and committal followed at the Galt Cemetery.
Ruth I. Andrade
Ruth Irene Andrade of Stockton passed away on Feb. 4, 2004. She was 79.
She was born Ruth Irene Wilson on Jan. 28, 1925 in Hoxic, Arkansas. She has been a resident of the Lodi/Acampo/Galt area for 20 years. She was raised in Arkansas and Missouri.
She was one of 12 children, mother of seven children, grandmother to 18 and great-grandmother to 21, and the wife of Joseph Cardoza Andrade, Sr. for 53 years.
She was a graduate of Lodi High Adult School in 1969 and studied real estate, law and dietary needs at Delta College.
She worked at Lodi Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years and was a peer counselor for seniors for five years. She was a member of St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Galt for 30 years and a member of the I.D.E.S. Portuguese Lodge. She loved to dance.
Surviving her are her children, Debbie, John and Chris of Stockton, Joe Jr. and Ivy of Galt, Susie of Riddle of Oregon, John of Garberville; her siblings, Kathleen Loveland of Stockton and Harold Wilson of Redding.
Burial took place on Feb. 10, at the Park View Cemetery in French Camp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of San Joaquin located at 2609 East Hammer Lane in Stockton.
Rev. Richard A. Malarkey
Rev. Richard A. Malarkey of Galt passed away on Jan. 30, 2004. He was 72.
He was born on Oct. 26, 1931 in Marion, Ohio. He was a resident of Galt for 20 years.
He was retired from 20 years service in the Air Force and was an active reverend at the time of his death. He was also a craftsman.
Surviving him are his wife of 30 years, Betty June Malarkey of Galt; daughters, Karen Malarkey and Barbara Schill of Sacramento, Sonja Craighton of West Sacramento, June Westfall of Pollock Pines, Michelle McGranahan of Vacaville; sons, Daniel Moree of Fremont, Ray Paul Moree of Clifton, Colorado, and Mathew Moree of Newport News, Virginia; sister, Barbara Newman of Ohio; brothers, Allen Malarkey and Karol Malarkey of Scottsdale, Arizona, John Malarkey of Mesa, Arizona, Myron Potts of Missouri and Roger Malarkey of Kansas; 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services were held on Feb. 9, at the Calvary of Life Tabernacle in Galt. Interment was private at the Chapel of Chimes Memorial Park in Hayward.
Obituaries for June 9, 2004
Frances E. Ceccarini
Frances Ellen Ceccarini went to be with the Lord May 28, 2004 after a heroic battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born Frances Gill on Feb. 28, 1933 in Lockeford.
Frances married the love of her life, Livio Ceccarini, on Aug. 28, 1950 at St. Christopher's Catholic Church. She helped her husband run a successful farming operation by working long hours, operating heavy equipment, and irrigating crops in the summer heat, way into her senior years. She was a teacher by example and loved the simple things in life.
Throughout her life, she participated in sports, being club champion at Forest Lake and Dry Creek golf courses. Frances was a member of St. Christopher's Church, Cal-West Seeds, and the Farm Bureau.
Mrs. Ceccarini was preceded in death by her husband, Livio Ceccarini; parents, Francis and Margaret Gill; brother, Joe Gill; and sister, Marie Gardner.
Surviving her are her daughter, Susan Ceccarini; granddaughter, Stacy Dwyer, and great-granddaughter, Susanna Dwyer of Sacramento; son, Tony Ceccarini and his wife, Michelle, and granddaughter, Sasha of Galt; and sister, Patricia Ceccarini of Galt.
Special thanks for the caring and professionalism of Dr. Annie Marie Santos, Austin Gardens, and Vienna Convalescent Hospital.
Family has requested private services at Ben Salas Funeral Home. Galt Cemetery will handle the committal.
Visitation for friends and family is Wednesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friends and family are invited to the Ceccarini home at 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon at 9255 Orr Road in Galt.
Betty Jo Banks
Betty Jo Banks of Morro Bay passed away in Galt on June 3, 2004.
Born Jan. 21, 1930 in Bakersfield, she worked many years at Kern General Hospital, then at Kern County Sheriff's Department, where she retired in 1978 and moved to Morro Bay.
Surviving her are her sisters, Norma Skelton-Tye of Galt and Erma Jimenez of Oregon. Preceding her in death is a sister, Alma Medack.
A service was held June 8 at Ben Salas Funeral Home in Galt. Committal followed at the Galt Cemetery.
Gerald A. Nelson, Sr.
Gerald A. Nelson, Sr., 76, of Acampo died June 5, 2004 after a short illness. He was born July 2, 1927 in Joplin, Missouri. Mr. Nelson lived in Acampo since the early 1940s.
Surviving him are his wife of 55 years, Evelyn Nelson of Acampo; three sons, Paul E. Nelson of Ohio, Gerald A. Nelson, Jr. of Acampo and Fredrick Nelson of Herald; one daughter, Brenda Lynskey of Galt; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Delmer Nelson of Stockton, Robert Nelson of Herald and Carl Nelson of Acampo; and one sister, Vera Valente of Lodi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mildred Nelson of Acampo; and one brother, Lynn Nelson of Galt.
Mr. Nelson worked at Tri Valley Growers for many years before going to work for the Lodi Unified School District. He worked for the school district for 221/2 years. He started in the position of custodian and held the position of assistant transportation manager before retiring.
Mr. Nelson served in the Navy from 1945 to 1947, serving in Guam and Japan. He enjoyed watching sports and was an avid NASCAR fan. He also liked to camp and fish. He loved tending his rose garden that was enjoyed by many.
Mr. Nelson has been a member of the American Legion Lodi Post 22 for more than 30 years. He also served as a board member of the Forest Lake Fire Department in Acampo. He was a charter member of the Galt Moose Lodge.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5750 E. Pine Street. Visitation will be held at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 831 Industrial Way, Lodi on Wednesday from 1-8 p.m. Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Obituaries for June 7, 2006
Evelyn E. Gwinn
Evelyn E. Gwinn (80) passed away unexpectedly on May 24, 2006 at Lodi Memorial Hospital.
Evelyn was a longtime resident of Galt and Elk Grove, moving to the area in 1976 to open Old Town Liquor with her husband, Glenn Gwinn.
A homemaker, Evelyn will always be remembered for her kind heart and her love of cooking, which she displayed by feeding anyone and everyone who stepped through her door. Evelyn was a very supportive wife and mother, and her children were her life.
Surviving her are her three sons, Daniel Meyers of Galt, Rodney (Tiffany) Gwinn of Salem, Ore., and Randall Gwinn of Elk Grove; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years. She will be deeply missed by her family and those close to her.
A private family service was held. Condolences may be offered to the family via e-mail at mom@gwinnconsulting.com.
Mary Lee Murray
Mary Lee Murray (87) died Thursday, June 1, 2006 at her Home in Herald. She was born July 22, 1918 to Otis and Carrie (Cook) Johnson in Callahan County, Texas.
Mary worked as a waitress for 30 years and retired from the Restaurant Workers Union #2 in San Francisco. She lived many years in Sonoma and made her home for the past 10 years in Herald. Mary enjoyed playing dominoes, board games of all kinds, cards, and going to the casino.
Surviving are her sister, Bonnie Mulherin of Herald; niece, Patricia Mulherin of Herald; nephew, Bob Mulherin and family of Herald; and several nieces and nephews in Texas.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Rozell Gary; brothers, Russell Johnson, Marshall Johnson and Bruce Johnson.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral service Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson. Interment will be in Sunset View Cemetery in Jackson. A reception will follow in Herald.
Memorial contributions may e made to Hospice of San Joaquin County, 2609 E. Hammer Lane, Stockton, CA 95210.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daneri Mortuary in Jackson; 209-223-0793.
Shirley Ann Price
Shirley Ann Price (68) of Galt died June 2, 2006 in a local hospital of acute leukemia. She was born Jan. 30, 1938 in Roscoe, Texas, moving to California as a child and growing up in the Bay Area.
Shirley worked as a cocktail waitress, where she met her husband, Bill Price. They were married in 1971 and settled in Oxnard. She attended the Assembly of God church in Galt, rededicated her life to the Lord in 2001 and was baptized in 2003. She loved to golf, bowl and fish. At one time, she held the state record for the largest halibut caught in California.
Surviving her are three sons, Jon, Josh and Jeremy; mother-in-law, Dorothy Price of Galt; sisters, Gloria (Pete) Johnson of Bakersfield, Glenda May Luce of Redding, Sharon Andersen of Provo, Utah; and brother, Stephen Barrett of Ceres.
Her beloved husband, William Leroy Price, preceded her in death.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, June 6, at Galt Cemetery, arranged by Ben Salas Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the leukemia and lymphoma society or the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
