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Donald Dean Nichols
Donald Dean Nichols died Feb. 17, 2004, at Lincoln, in the company of his wife of 52 years, Arlene Hunter Nichols.
Don was born July 25, 1930, in Emmett, Idaho, to Walter C. and Neta (Farmer) Nichols. For 28 years Don was a resident and businessman in Morgan Hill. He previously served as president of Round Table Pizza Franchise Corp. in Palo Alto.
Don was a hard-working and independent man. To fulfill a dream to own his own business he resigned as president of Round Table Pizza Franchise to start his own Round Table restaurants in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Later, Don and Arlene jointly started Guardian Nutrition Products and ran it for 20 years as an independent health and vitamin store. In addition to their business, Don and Arlene actively participated together in community issues and events.
Don is survived by his wife, Arlene Nichols of Lincoln; brothers Max Nichols of Emmett, Ray Nichols of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Earl Nichols of Santa Rosa; children Wayne Nichols of Rocklin and Laura Horsey of West Linn, Oregon; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 21, at Potter Funeral Chapel, 228 E. Main, Emmett, Idaho. A memorial service is planned for a later date in Morgan Hill.
The family asks that any donations be made to Town Cats of Morgan Hill or the Humane Society.
Ocalee S. W. Smith
Mrs. Ocalee Solona Webb Smith, 97, died Feb. 18, 2004.
She was born on August 15, 1906, in Valdosta, Ga., on the family farm built by her grandfather, Joseph Webb. Grandma Lee moved to Sanford, Fla., when she married. Upon the death of her beloved husband, Talmage, she moved to California to be with her son and family members.
Grandma Lee, a devout Christian, left behind a legacy of love, kindness and compassion. She taught generations of family through example and humility. In today's world, where expectations are so different, there are many stories of her humility. One story was that of a special Christmas when she received the gifts of an apple and walnuts. How thrilled she was with the gift of one perfect, beautiful apple.
She was preceded in death by beloved family members and friends, her husband, Talmage, and her beloved son Edward. She leaves behind her grandchildren Thomas Smith and wife Pamela of Castro Valley, Katherine Coney and husband Stephen of San Martin and Laurie Sachtleben and husband Glen of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Her life was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law Mary Jane Smith David, brother-in-law Oren Smith, many nephews and nieces Terry and family, and many beloved friends.
Grandma Lee was a devoted and beloved member of the First Baptist Church of Cupertino and the First Baptist Church in Gilroy. She moved in with Grandson Tom and his family who lovingly cared for her. There, she became a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Hayward. Grandma crocheted beautiful quilts for family members; made her granddaughters' wedding dress and her great, great grandson's baptismal gown, she taught children to crochet and crocheted for the less fortunate. Her family members and friends will remember Grandma Lee's smile, and sparkling blue gray eyes and her favorite Bible passage the 23d Psalm. “... Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Internment was today at Sky Lawn Memorial Park in San Mateo.
Local arrangements were under the direction of Habing Family Funeral Home.
Ed “Cowboy” Leal
Ed “Cowboy” Leal of Tres Pinos died Feb. 21, 2004.
Leal was a veteran of Korea from 1951-55, a member of the N.R.A. and Morgan Hill Historical Society.
He was the son of the late Frank and Mae Leal, father of Miranda Gearhart and David Leal, brother of Marilin Schneider, grandfather of five and dearest friend of Helen Riddle.
Interment was private.
The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to Hospice House, 100 Barnet Segal Road, Monterey, CA 93940.
Arrangements were under the direction of Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy.
John Mark Benz
John Mark Benz died Feb. 24, 2004, at the age of 75 at his home in Morgan Hill. His beloved wife Donna and family surrounded him. His last words to his brother Danny were “I’ll beat you to heaven to see Mom and Dad”.
Born Oct. 7 in San Jose, he grew up and made his residence in the Paradise Valley area of Morgan Hill. He and Donna shared 46 wonderful years of marriage. He was the father of Markly Machado and her husband Manny, of San Jose, grandfather of Tristan Benz, currently serving in the U.S. Army in Arizona, Rachelle Akino and Ruby Machado of San Jose.
He also is survived by siblings Catherine Bucher of Yucaipa, Ellenore Leimas of Modesto, Esther Stevenson of Campbell, and Florence “Skip” Perry, Daniel Benz and Marie Brindle, all of Morgan Hill.
He was the brother-in-law to Betty Pipkin, Al Butcher, Tony Leimas, Cecile Benz and Richard Brindle; uncle to Rowdy, John Jr., Johnna, Roy, Gary, Shawn, Karen, Cheryl, Danny Jr., Jeff, Jerry, Tami and Chance. He had a large extended family and many close friends.
He grew up on the ranch in westside Morgan Hill. He attended Machado Elementary School and then Live Oak High School.
During the Korean War he served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S. Iowa and at Midway Island.
He recently retired afer more than 40 years of service, most of which was with Benz Construction as a heavy equipment engineer. He was known as the best “dozer” operator around and his reputation for excellence preceded him.
He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed the outdoors. Hunting, fishing and RVing were always an adventure for John. He was a bit of a mischief and with his great sense of humor always had you smiling. Somebody said that if John didn’t harass you he didn’t like you. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Viewing at 10 a.m. crossroads, service at 11 a.m.
Funeral Services take place Saturday, February 28, at 11 a.m., at the Crossroads Christian Center, 145 Wright Ave. Viewing is at 10 a.m.
The family asks that any donations be made to: Kaiser Hospice, 275 Hospital Parkway #825, San Jose, CA 95119.
Arrangement were by Johnson Funeral Home.
Lura Jean Nevins
Lura Jean Nevins died Feb. 23 in Hollister.
She was born May 3, 1917, in Guymon, Okla., lived in Fresno many years and stayed with her son in Gilroy since 1999.
She is survived by her aunt Jenny Rae of St. Louis, Mo.; brother and sister-in-law James R. and Dorthy Calvert of Citrus Heights; sister Beverly Telford of Las Vegas; son and daughter-in-law Jerry and Peggy of Gilroy; daughter Glenda Williams of Riverside; grandsons Rick and James of Gilroy; Timothy of Bakersfield; and granddaughters Diane Lewis of Rialto, Dawna Clack of Riverside; five great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was proceeded in death by her youngest son James Robert and her husband Harvey James.
The family asks that any donations be made to either Westview Boys Home, P.O. Box 553, Hollis, OK 73550-0553 or National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1232 22nd Street, Washington, D.C. 20037-1292.
Services have been held under the direction of Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy.
