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George Cowell
George J. Cowell, 90, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004 in a Modesto hospital.
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., he moved to Lodi in 1976 and Oakdale in 1999. He was employed as a carpenter in residential home building for many years in Southern California and later in Northern California. He was a "member in good standing" of the Carpenters Union, Local #1800. He enjoyed fishing and golf as he made his own set of golf clubs.
He is survived by his children, Joe Cowell of Santa Rosa and Margaret Schuman of San Jose; step-daughters Rachel Smith of Oakdale and Brenda Eardley of Ceres; sister Lois Gaskell of Wyoming, Mich.; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Cowell, in April, 2003.
At his request, services and visitation will not be held and private inurnment is at Cherokee Memorial Park.
Giehart-Wells and Donahue Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Christopher C. Bentley
Engineering Consultant
Christopher C. Bentley, 43, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004 at his residence in Tracy. He was born Aug. 16, 1961 in Miles City, Montana. He lived in Tracy for 3 1/2 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Donald and Betty Bentley.
Mr. Bentley is survived by his wife of seven years, Sotha Bentley; children, Rosana Gnong, Mona Lisa Gnong, and Colby Bentley of Tracy; siblings, Jane Bentley and Todd Bentley of Phoenix, Arizona, and Bert Bentley of Manteca.
Christopher was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was an engineering consultant. He attended Portadown College in Portadown, CO, Armach, N. Ireland and Dungannon College in Dungannon, CO. Tyrone N. Ireland and graduated from the American School in London, England. He attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota. He moved to Northern California, where he worked in the digital magnetic storage industry since 1987. During his life, he traveled the globe, living in the Philippines, Hong Kong, N. Ireland, Teheran, Iran and London, England. Later in his professional life he traveled regularly to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Peoples Republic of China, Singapore and Malaysia. Christopher will be greatly missed by his loving family and his many friends and business associates around the globe.
Fry Memorial Chapel of Tracy is in charge of funeral arrangements. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Dec. 31, 2004 at 2 p.m. at Fry Memorial Chapel. Interment will be at the Buddhist Temple in San Jose.
Billy J. Hise
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Lakewood Funeral Home for Billy Joe Hise, 83, of Wellington, Nev. He died Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 in Carson City.
Burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.
Born March 13, 1921, Mr. Hise was a native of Floyd, Texas, and lived in Wellington for four years. He previously lived in Empire 75 years and Hughson for one year. He graduated from Modesto Junior College with an associate degree in business administration. Mr. Wise served in the Navy from 1937-45 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. Mr. Hise worked for the state of California Department of Food and Agriculture for 35 years. He served on the board of directors for the Empire Sanitary District and board of trustees for the Empire Church of the Brethren. He held leadership positions with the Empire Lions Club, the local chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors, the Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Empire 4-H Club. He had been a Little League coach and a member of the Empire Twirlers Square Dance Club. He enjoyed bowling.
He leaves behind his wife, Christene Hise of Nevada; four children, Thomas Hise of Ukiah, Brenda Williams of Modesto, and David Hise and Beverly Campodonica, both of Nevada; his brother, Jack Truman Hise of Waterford; three sisters, Brooksie Johnston and Donna Hedrick, both of Sacramento, and Jane Wagner of Yuba City; and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Jody Hise; a brother; and a sister.
Estella J. Lancaster
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Burwood cemetery in Escalon for Estella Joan Brackenbury Lancaster, 86, of Ceres. She died of natural causes at her house on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004.
The McHenry Chapel of Franklin & Downs is in charge of arrangements.
Born Feb. 4, 1918, Mrs. Lancaster was a native of Idaho and lived in Ceres for 42 years. She worked in the food processing industry and was a member of the Foresters. She enjoyed doing crafts with her friends.
She leaves behind her two daughters, Peggy Henslee of Ceres and Charlotte Lancaster of Modesto; her brother, George Brackenbury Jr. of Utah; four sisters, Olive Lancaster of Manteca, Della Berg of Utah, Violet Engleking of Colorado and Lillie Ward of Idaho; and nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband George, sons Jesse Lee and Charles Lancaster, and her brother, Gerald Brackenbury.
Nancy S. Fanning
A graveside service was held Saturday morning at Lakewood Memorial Park for Nancy S. Fanning, 72, of Ceres. She died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 at her home.
Lakewood Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born Sept. 25, 1932, Mrs. Fanning was a native of Missouri and lived in Ceres for 15 years. She was a homemaker, and a member of the Women's Veterans Auxiliary.
She leaves behind her husband, Charles E. Fanning of Ceres; and one grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son, David K. Fanning.
Branden H.M. Thurlow
A graveside service was held Friday morning at Lakewood Memorial Park for Branden Hugh Martin Thurlow, 12, of South Modesto. He died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 at the University of California Medical Center in Sacramento.
Lakewood Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born April 11, 1992, Branden was a native of Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, and lived most of his life in Modesto. He was a sixth-grader at Westport School. Branden enjoyed camping and fishing.
He leaves behind his parents, Cory and Tiffany Thurlow of Modesto; his brother, Cory Thurlow of Modesto; his sister, Lynda Thurlow of Modesto; his grandparents, Robert and Linda Thurlow of Modesto, Tom and Lynda Hurst of San Diego, and Bonnie Blumenstein of Turlock; and his great-grandparents, Les and Lili Martin of Surprise, Ariz., and Sarah J. VanClief of Gustine.
Remembrances may be sent to a trust fund in his name at Washington Mutual, 2401 E. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, CA 95355.
Bobby R. Shaw
Cunningham's Affordable Burial and Cremation Centers is in charge of services for Bobby Ray Shaw, 64, of Modesto. He died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004 at Doctors Medical Center.
Born Dec. 23, 1939, Mr. Shaw was a native of Wetumka, Okla., and lived in Modesto for 58 years. He graduated from Modesto High School in 1957. Mr. Shaw was a truck driver and a member of Modesto Moose Lodge 1608 Legion 174. He served in the Army in 1957. Mr. Shaw enjoyed camping and playing cards.
He leaves behind his wife, Claudine Shaw of Modesto; three children, Marlin R. Shaw and Bobby J. Shaw, both of Modesto, and Loyd A. Shaw of Salinas; four brothers, J.C. Shaw, David Shaw and Danny Shaw, all of Ceres, and Jimmy Shaw of Taft; two sisters, Martha Willford of Fullerton and Janie Arnold of Riverside; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Bobby J. Shaw.
Gilbert W. Goulart
A Mass was held Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for Gilbert Walter Goulart, 89, of Turlock. He died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 at Brandel Manor.
Burial was at Turlock Memorial Park under the direction of Allen Mortuary.
Born May 30, 1915, Mr. Goulart was a native of Ceres, and lived most of his life in Turlock. He was a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and was an architect. He worked for Hilburn Architects in Modesto, and owned Gilbert Goulart Architect. Mr. Goulart designed the Turlock Library, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and other Catholic churches, fire stations and residences in the region. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Turlock Amateur Radio Club, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and UPEC.
He was preceded in death by his brother.
Remembrances may be sent to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1301 Cooper Ave., Turlock, CA 95380.
Shirley J. Porter
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Acacia Memorial Park in Modesto for Shirley Jean Farris Porter, 69, of Ceres. She died Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 at Memorial Medical Center.
Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Born July 18, 1935, Mrs. Porter was a native of Tuskegee, Okla., and had lived in Ceres since 1952. She was a production worker for Tri-Valley Growers for 25 years. Mrs. Porter enjoyed gardening.
She leaves behind four children, Kenneth N. Porter and Brenda David, both of Modesto, and Kimberly Abshier and Patricia Porter, both of Ceres; two brothers, Jay Farris and Hurshell Farris, both of Modesto; two sisters, Ruby Propst of Bristow, Okla., and Georgia Bratton of Dixon; and eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandchild.
Sadie M. Walton-Johnson
A funeral service was held Monday morning at Westside Neighborhood Church of God in Christ for Sadie Mae Walton-Johnson, 56, of Modesto. She died Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.
Burial was at Ceres Memorial Park under the direction of Evins Funeral Home.
Born Oct. 10, 1948, Mrs. Walton-Johnson was native of Terrell, Texas, and lived in the Ceres-Modesto area for 48 years. She graduated from Ceres High School and received her cosmetology license from Charms Beauty College in Oakland. Mrs. Walton-Johnson worked as a beautician for Linda's Hair Salon in Modesto for 25 years. She was also a glass operator for Gallo Glass for 12 years. Mrs. Walton-Johnson was a member of Westside Neighborhood Church of God in Christ, and enjoyed fishing and bowling.
She leaves behind her husband, William Johnson Sr. of Modesto; four children, William Johnson Jr., Jerame Johnson and Shawna Johnson, all of Modesto, and Zaleena Asbill of Turlock; her mother, Ruby Walton of Modesto; five brothers, Arthur Walton, Louis Walton and Danny Walton, all of Modesto, Willie Walton of Sacramento and Jimmy Walton of Dallas; four sisters, Earlene Rabb of Sacramento, Ruth McElvaine of Ceres, Elaine Dudley of Kilgore, Texas, and Gwennetta Brothern of Turlock; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Earl Lee Walton.
Betty Johnson
Betty R. Johnson, 77, of Oakdale died Saturday, Dec. 25 at Oak Valley Hospital.
A native of Oklahoma, she lived in Oakdale for 17 years. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Johnson of Oakdale; three sisters; one brother; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by son, Ronnie Tankersley.
A graveside service will be on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Oakdale Memorial Chapel.
Oakdale Memorial Chapel in charge of arrangements.
James Conley
James Robert "Bob" Conley, 74, of Oakdale died Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Oak Valley Hospital.
A native of Merced, he resided in Oakdale for 28 years. He was a graduate of Hollister Schools. He was self-employed in woodworking for more than 40 years and owned Conley's Wood Works in Hayward and Oakdale. He served in the Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of Oakdale Christian Church. He enjoyed automobile restoration, travel and sports.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Conley of Oakdale; children, Keith Conley of Modesto, Janise Eoff of Fremont, and Bruce Conley of Oakdale; brother, Murrill Conley of Hollister; sisters, Millie Hunte of San Leandro, Doris Russell of Wasilla, Alaska and Bonnie Laverone of San Juan Batista; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Christian Church.
Remembrances may be sent to Oakdale Christian Church, 330 Maxwell Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361.
Evins Funeral Home, Modesto, in charge of arrangements.
