United States High School Yearbooks by County
Gilbert James Romero
April 1st, 1972 - January 3rd, 2002
"Lord if it is your will I would like to be your Elijah. I believe in your power and what you can do with anybody you choose. May I always be humble with your power; may virtue take over my life. Lord, I love and hate the fulfillment of the flesh. When will I turn completely to you and only keep my eyes on you? Lord, work everything to your glory - someday, somehow it will happen..."
You will always be remembered in our prayers.
Gilbert James Romero, 29, played baseball, football and boxing while attending Paradise High School. He enjoyed playing cards and was a 49er fan. He also enjoyed Bible study and Christian development.
He was born in San Jose to Robert and Eleanor Romero.
Mr. Romero worked at Blue Shield as a clerk for four years.
He is survived by his wife, Melanie Romero of Chico; son, Brandon Romero of Chico; parents, Robert and Eleanor Romero of Paradise; sisters, Mary Sanchez of Paradise, Debbie Diego of Paradise, Lorraine Marino of Paradise, and brother, Robert Romero Jr. of Paradise.
Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. today at First Assembly of God Church.
Visitation was held last Sunday.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines handled the arrangements.
William Ballestad
Aug. 27, 1960 - Jan. 3, 2002
William Eugene Ballestad, 41, was born in Great Falls, Mo. He grew up in Reno, Nev., and came to Butte County 10 years ago. Mr. Ballestad had been a quadriplegic since 1977.
He liked to watch science fiction on TV and travel around in his wheelchair.
His father, Nels L. Ballestad, precedes Mr. Ballestad in death.
He is survived by his mother, Phyllis E. Ballestad of Sacramento; brothers, Neal Ballestad of Paradise, Bryan Ballestad of Reno, Nev., and Perry Hedrick of Sacramento, and his niece, Shawnie Ballestad of Reno, Nev.
Services will be held in Montana.
Memorial contributions may be made to William Ballestad Memorial Fund in care of Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary.
Sorensen’s Affordable Mortuary handled the arrangements.
George MacNair
July 28, 1924 - Jan. 2, 2002
George Donald MacNair, 77, served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was an inspector at a Naval Air Station for 27 years, and was a member of the Masons of California.
He was born in Sunnyvale to Pearl and Donald MacNair.
His wife of 32 years, Dorothy MacNair of Magalia; sons, Daniel MacNair of Florida and Donald MacNair of Texas, and his daughter, Wendy Kittredge of New Mexico, survive Mr. MacNair.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
The Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico Branch, handled the funeral arrangements.
Edith Aust
1933 - Jan. 6, 2002
Edith Madeline Aust, 68, was born in Turlock, Calif., in 1933 to Kenneth and Elizabeth Curran. In 1951, Mrs. Aust graduated from Chico High School. She married Mr. Fred Aust in 1952.
Mrs. Aust worked with her husband at “Smitty’s Radio and Television” through the late 1950s and ’60s. Later in life, she was employed at Chico Senior High School Library, secretary at Faith Lutheran Church and until her retirement, a librarian at Butte College.
Mrs. Aust loved to travel, particularly to Costa Rica, where she developed strong friendships. She was also a loving mother and grandmother.
Her sons, David Aust of Chico, Edward Aust of Oakland, Donald Aust of Redding and Timothy Aust of Rohnert Park; three brothers, one sister and eight grandchildren survive her.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home. A celebration of life is planned at Faith Lutheran Church on Thursday, at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church in care of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home.
Arrangements were made under the direction of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home.
Kenneth Pedersen
Jan. 6, 1939 - Jan. 3, 2002
Kenneth L. Pedersen, 62, was the owner of the We-Lark Lounge in Paradise for over 28 years.
He was born in Salt Lake City to Lars and Magda Pedersen.
He moved to San Francisco in 1960 and to Paradise in 1973. Mr. Pedersen, and his wife, Pat, bought the We-Lark Lounge on Skyway, where he was the owner and operator for the past 28 years.
Mr. Pedersen was a member of the Moose and Elks lodges, and E. Clampus Vitas.
Mr. Pedersen is survived by his wife of 34 years, Patricia of Paradise; daughter, Robin Michel of Fremont; son, Erik Pedersen of Chico; brother, Alfred Pedersen of Salt Lake City; sisters, Liv Web of Salt Lake City, Maia Amos of Citrus Heights, Judy Jones of Salt Lake City, Ruth Salmon of West Bountiful, Utah; three grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the We-Lark Lounge.
Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico, is handling the arrangements.
James Skotvold
Dec. 4, 1920 - Jan. 3, 2002
James Arling Skotvold, 81, worked for Southern Pacific Railroad as a crew dispatcher for 26 years.
He was born in Centerville, S.D., to Olaf and Lillie Skotvold.
Mr. Skotvold served in the United States Navy from 1941 to 1945.
He enjoyed playing pool, boccie ball and bridge.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanette Skotvold; daughter, Cathy Cavagnaro of Oakland; sons, Jeff Skotvold of Paradise Pines and John Skotvold of Martinez; sister, Dorothy Sauber of Huntington Beach; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services will be held Friday, 11 a.m. at Rose chapel.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
William Ernst
Oct. 31, 1925 - Jan. 5, 2002
William B. Ernst, 76, served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was born in Chicago to William B. and Ruth L. Ernst.
He received his degree in mechanical engineering from University of California, Berkeley, in the early 1950s, and was a mechanical engineer with Dow Chemical in Pittsburg for over 27 years. He retired in 1989, and moved to Paradise in 1990.
Mr. Ernst married Lyda F. Mitchell in San Francisco in 1949. He was a member of the Christian Missionary Alli-ance Church in Paradise, the Mayflower Society, and a volunteer with the Feather River Auxiliary.
Mr. Ernst enjoyed traveling, woodcarving and music. He played the clarinet and the piano and sang in choirs.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lyda Ernst of Middletown; daughter, Pamela Stanley of Middle-town; son, Kerry Ernst of LaPine, Ore., and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the CMA Church choir room on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
His ashes will be scattered at sea off the coast of Marin County.
The Neptune Society of Northern California, Chico, made the funeral arrangements.
Clarence O’Reilly
Sept. 26, 1901 - Jan. 6, 2002
Clarence William O’Reilly, 100, owned and operated his own glass company as a glazer.
He was born in Utah, to Frank and Olga O’Reilly.
He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Paradise Elks Lodge, and the Paradise Rod and Gun Club.
Mr. O’Reilly enjoyed guns and fishing.
His wife, Mary O’Reilly preceded him in death.
He is survived by his son, Wallace E.O. O’Reilly of Cypress; daughter, Gladys M. Flynn of Paradise; 12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Paradise Cemetery. Reverend Bendan McKeefry of St Thomas More will be presiding.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Jay Hilgers
March 19, 1918 - Jan. 7, 2002
Jay Hilgers, 83, was born in Plainville, Kansas to Jay and Bessie Hilgers.
Mr. Hilgers loved to travel and had traveled to many countries as well as most of the United States.
His work was with the Atomic Energy Commission. He worked as a cryogenic engineer.
He was a participant in the nuclear deterrent programs that were developed by the U.S. Government in the early 1950s.
Mr. Hilgers was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He traveled the world in his later years, and greatly loved his forays to exotic destinations.
Mr. Hilgers and his long-time companion, Hazel Chew, had recently moved to Paradise from Escondido.
He is survived by his sons, Dr. James Hilgers of Rancho Santa Fe and Jon Hilgers of Orinda; daughters, Laura Hilgers of Laguna Niguel and Toni Hilgers of San Diego; six grandchildren, three sisters and three brothers; Ms. Chew’s daughter, Anita Harris and her children of Paradise.
The Neptune Society of Chico is handling the arrangements.
Bernice Turner
Aug. 23, 1914 - Jan. 4, 2002
Bernice Turner, 87, was a member of Sporthaven Health Club for 10 years where she attended aqua aerobics.
She was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Nola and Oren Lovett.
Mrs. Turner was a retired government postal worker.
Her brother, Robert S. Lovett of San Francisco; children, Mickie Love of Novato, Richard Turner of Paradise, Mary Kay Schlee of Fairfax, Sally Tipton of Knoxville Tenn., and Bob Turner of Windsor; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren survive her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Butte Hospice, 10 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973.
Neptune Society of Northern, California, Chico, is handling the arrangements.
Sylvia Schultz
April 24, 1910 - Jan. 7, 2002
Sylvia R. Schultz, 91, was an employee for the Chrysler Corporation for over 30 years.
She was born in Ada, Okla., to Sam and Parlee Maxville.
Mrs. Schultz was a member of Eastern Star in Downey, the Paradise Ridge Runners, the Paradise Nuggets and the Good Sam Club.
She was a practical joker, and enjoyed attending family reunions, crocheting everything from afghans and tablecloths to throw rugs.
She loved crafts and enjoyed traveling in her RV.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, George A. Schultz of Paradise; sister, Reba Losey of Bakersfield; brothers, Clola Maxville of Paradise and Clela Maxville of Grand Junction, Colo.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Rena Girten
Nov. 4, 1923 - Jan. 6, 2002
Rena Mae Appleford Girten, 78, and her husband, Bob Girten, owned and raised apples in their orchard in Paradise until 1991 when they moved to Texas.
She was born in New Braunfels, Texas.
She was known as GiGi by her grandchildren and had many years of travel throughout much of the country as a military wife when her husband was serving in the Navy.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Girten of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter, Gale O’Hara-Pospisil, New Braunfels; sons, Richard O’Hara of Portland, Charles O’Hara of Vancoyverm, Wash., Pat O’Hara and Mike O’Hara of Paradise, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society in care of Chapel of the Pines.
Services were held in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas.
Chapel of the Pines made local arrangements.
Howard Porter Sr.
June 23, 1932 - Jan. 1, 2002
Howard Chandler Porter Sr. was born in San Raphael, N.M., to Joel Hamilton Porter and Georgia Ellen Haralsen.
He passed away the morning of Jan. 1, 2002 in Coos Bay, Ore.
Two brothers; one sister; 13 children, 41 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive him.
John Steed
Dec. 10, 1910 - Jan. 6, 2002
John Doyle Steed was a resident of Paradise for 33 years, as was known to his friends as “Doyle.”
He was born in Olathe, Kansas, to John S. and Delia Steed.
Mr. Steed attended elementary school in Olathe and Kansas City Junior College, Santa Monica Junior College and the University of California, Los Angeles, after moving to California
Following his appointment to the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1940, he served for 28 years, achieving the rank of captain before his retirement in 1968.
Mr. Steed was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. He always stood ready to help anyone in need. He became a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in 1968, and was a major contributor in the benevolence of his lodge. He served eight years as a member of Paradise Lodge No. 2026 Board of Trustees. In 1971, he was named Elk of the Year. In 1996, he joined SIRS Chapter 52 in Paradise.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Margaret Mae Rhoades Steed of Olathe, Kansas, who died in 1995.
He is survived by his present wife, Matilde Schumaker Steed whom he married in 1996; son, Joseph Doyle Steed of Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nev.; grandsons, Michael Steed of Colorado Springs, Colo., and David Steed of Gridley.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Paradise Elks Lodge, 6309 Clark Road. The family will hold a private ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Betty Colvard-Smith
April 23, 1930 - Jan. 9, 2002
Betty Colvard-Smith, 71, married Seymour Smith in 1971 in a most unusual place: a walnut huller in Vina.
She was born in El Reno, Okla., to Grover and Cally Coates.
Mrs. Colvard-Smith worked at various bars and restaurants in and around Butte county and also worked for Fleetwood and Kentwood Mobile Home factories.
She also worked at the walnut huller in Vina where she was married.
Mrs. Colvard-Smith was on the P.T.A. of Oakdale schools in the 1950s, and was known as the matriarch of the family.
She is survived by her husband, Seymour of Paradise; children, Claudia McCoshum of Magalia, Linda Thompson of Paradise, Roxann Phillips of Paradise, Torry Colvard of Paradise, Teddy Joe Colvard of Paradise and Danny Benjamin Colvard of Sutter County; stepson, Aron Smith of Hoopa, 29 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lera Darlene Graves in 1983 and son, Rowen Horner II in 1977.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Brusie Funeral Home.
Edward Taylor
Feb. 14, 1914 - Jan. 8, 2002
Edward John Taylor, 87, was a member of Native Sons of Calistoga No. 63, Pomona Grange, Master of DeSabla Grange No. 0762, American Legion Post No. 0231 for 56 years, and DeSabla Grange for 18 years.
He was born in France to Emile Bourdieu and Marie Rose Micq-Jouande.
Mr. Taylor served in the Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945.
He was a police officer for the city of Calistoga.
When he retired, he moved to the Ridge after 32 years of law enforcement. He enjoyed fishing DeSabla Reservoir.
Mr. Taylor is survived by his sister, Georgia Grimsley of Calistoga, and a special thanks to his niece, Marie A. Cook, who stood close by him during the last years of his life.
There will be no services.
Rose Chapel Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Pat McCurry
Oct. 3, 1951 - Jan. 9, 2002
Patricia Ann Mc-Curry, 50, was raised in Yuba City and graduated from Yuba City High School in 1969.
Her parents Bill and Jessie Halfbill and Frank and Darlene Fonley survive her, along with her sisters; Carol Henley, Kathleen Maywell and Maribeth Forsyth; brothers; Doug Fonly and Bill Halfbill; son, Cory Clyne and daughter, Carrie Ramirez.
A private celebration of her life will be held Saturday.
Rose Chapel handled the arrangements.
Tony Ortega
Oct. 21, 1915 - Jan. 9, 2002
Tony Ortega, 86, was born in Honolulu to Ramon and Anna Ortega. He attended school in San Leandro and served in the United States Marines from 1944 to 1945.
He married Thelma Belliner in Nevada in 1938. She preceded him in death in 1986.
Mr. Ortega was a life member and charter member of Local No. 70 of the Teamsters Union in Oakland and a life member of the Elks Lodge in Paradise.
He loved to garden and was an avid and faithful 49er fan. Mr. Ortega also loved to dance.
He is survived by his sons: Dennis Ortega of Paradise and Richard Ortega of Denver; daughter, Rae Krieger of Fremont; sisters, Mary Boehrer of Freemon and Flint Belliner of Oroville; granddaughter, Kitti Eller and several grandchildren who live out of the area.
A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of the Brusie Funeral Home, Saturday at 10 a.m. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Brusie Funeral Home in Chico handled the arrangements.
Melvin Nesmith
Oct. 15, 1921 - Jan. 7, 2002
Melvin E. Nesmith, 80, enjoyed traveling, bowling and gardening.
He was born in Dublin, Ga., and served in the United States Navy from 1941 through 1961 during World War II.
Mr. Nesmith retired from Kaiser Aero Space after 20 years.
He was a member of Paradise Elks and Fleet Reserves.
His wife, Doris, whom he married in 1947, and sister, Mary Tanner of Dublin, Ga., survive him.
Services will be held at a later date.
Bidwell Chapel made funeral arrangements.
Patricia McPherson
May 15, 1929 - Jan. 2, 2002
Patricia Louise McPherson was born in Pueblo, Colo.
She became a registered nurse and married in her early 20s. Mrs. McPherson earned an M.S. in Health Care Administration.
Later in life she lived in Sylmar and then retired to Magalia.
She was an adventurous world traveler and avid stitcher.
She is preceded in death by her sons, Danny and Larry Kinman; and sister Carol Roberts.
Daughters, Mary Joseph of Salem, Ore., Leanne Nakashima and Tina Lenzen; sons, Ray and Paul Kinman; brothers, Fred, Van and Dale Voris; sister, Kay Richmond; 16 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild survive Mrs. McPherson
Services were held Jan. 8 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Salem, Ore.
Contributions may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Arrangements were made by City View Funeral Home, Salem.
