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Wanda Jean Barnhart, 93, died on April 20, 2004 at her residence in Janesville with family members by her side. She was born on Dec. 4, 1930 in Gainesville, Mo., to Noel and Nelva Friend. She was the second oldest of 10 children. When she was 4 years old, the family moved to Chilcoot, Calif. She attended the Little Summit School in Vinton/Chilcoot and was proud of being a direct descendent of Daniel Boone. She later moved to Portola and married Woodrow A. Ross in 1947. She owned and operated the Portola Garbage Company from 1949-1967. After moving to Susanville, she worked at the State Caf with her mother and family. There she met her second husband, R.L. Barnhart in 1968. She continued her journey through life to the Alaskan Pipeline, having the position of postmistress in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska from 1974-1979. She returned to the Susanville area in 1979 and built her home in Janesville. She loved the Lord and was a member of the Lassen Christian Center and Susanville Assembly of God. She was active in Sunday school classes, cleaning the church and always had her heart and hand out readily for whomever needed it. She was a woman of many interests, which varied from her tender love and caring of the elderly, to crafts, gardening, community service and affectionately spending time with her grandchildren and family members. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald E. Ross and her husband R.L. She is survived by her daughter, Patrica Nakken of Kelseyville, Calif.; son, Ricky Ross of Portola, Calif.; sisters, Bonnie Knox of Dobbins, Calif., Jo An Corral of Hemet, Calif., Sharon (Kaye) Barton of Susanville and Donna Grater of Susanville; brother, Ronald Reynolds of Spokane, Wash.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at the Susanville Assembly of God on April 23 with interment at Diamond Crest Cemetery.
Lawrence Reece, 89, died at 4:10 p.m. on April 25, 2004 at Carson Valley Medical Center in Minden, Nev. He was born on Nov. 10, 1914 in Idaho. His daughter, Marian Walsh and his sons, LeRoy, Vernon and his sister, Violet McInelly were with him at the end. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Heseman of Ridgecrest, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchilden. A viewing was held on Saturday, May 1 with a chapel service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Standish. He was buried at Diamond Crest Cemetery.
Prentice B. Holmes, 99, died on April 23, 2004 at Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville. He was born on Aug. 13, 1904 in Susanville and lived in Lassen County all of his life. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Susanville. He belonged to the Elks Lodge for 62 years, was a car salesman for 45 years working for Doyle Motors and others. He loved hunting and fishing for 99 years. Holmes was known to have a ground hog as a pet while he was growing up. He also had a great love for his family and was devoted to them. While he and his wife Francis were on their honeymoon, he had to borrow $8 from her and never paid it back and that was always their favorite story to tell to their friends. He is survived by his sons, Don and Susan of San Jose and Richard of Susanville; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Holmes will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Elks Lodge of Susanville scholarship fund in the memory of Holmes.
Doris Ethel Versaw-Sorenson, 82, died on April 22, 2004 at Mayer Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills. She was born on Oct. 31, 1911 in Gordon, Neb. and lived in Modoc and Shasta counties since 1982. She loved to knit, sew, crochet, dance and listen to music. She loved her flowers and she would feed all of the birds and sit and watch them for hours. Her true joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy and Ray Adkins of Susanville; brother Raymond and Pat Versaw of Grand Junction, Colo.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren with one on the way. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 15 at the Calvary Baptist Church. Donations should be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Doris Ethel Versaw-Sorenson.
Leona Marie Tharp, 84, died at home in Redding April 29, 2004. She was born on Feb. 20, 1920 in Sumnall, Miss. and grew up in Bernalillo, N.M. She lived in Westwood before moving to Susanville in 1950, where she lived for more than 40 years. She retired from Sierra Army Depot and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Susanville. She spent the final seven years of her life with her daughter in Redding. She is survived by her son, Frank Alexander of Rogue River, Ore.; daughter Jean Murillo of Redding; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held on May 3 at Diamond Crest Cemetery. Her family officiated at the service.
Sharon Raynelle Fain, 62, died on Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at Washoe Medical Center. Known as "Ray" she was born in Bakersfield on Sept. 10, 1941 and moved to Susanville 33 years ago from Tehachapi. She is survived by sons, Ralph of Fort Jones, Calif., Mike of La Pine, Ore. and Vince of Oakdale; brothers Robert and dean McElrath of Weiser, Idaho; eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews plus long time friend and companion Terry Wood of Susanville. Services are pending.
Hayden Frederick Sherman, 78, died on Sunday, April 25, 2004 at the Pacific Tahoe Hospital in Reno. He was born on Sept. 19, 1925 in Lewiston, Montana. He was a resident of Lassen County since childhood. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, being honored with many medals including a purple heart. He attended Lassen Union High School and Lassen Jr. College. He was in the logging and building industry for many years. He was an avid hunting and fishing enthusiast. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 49 years, Mary Alice; parents, Sam and Pearl Sherman; brothers, Harry Dundom, James Dundom, Marvin Sherman, Jack Sherman, Ray Sherman and Walt Sherman; sisters, Edna Kizer, Nora Smith, Dorothy Thompson, Lucile Hay, Shirley Heard and Mae Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Jerrie Lee Mock and husband Joe; son, Roger Sherman and wife Suzanne; sisters, June Cross and Ellen Gardner, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.
Lennard R. Smith, 74, died on April 27, 2004 at Fir Lane Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was a 13-year resident of Shelton. He was born on Sept. 24, 1929 in Buena Park, Calif. to Henry and Rachel (Wisman) Smith. He grew up in Gearhart, Ore. and Port Angeles and worked as a logger until he was injured. He then went to college and earned a bachelor's degree in recreation and aging. He married Adele Norin in 1973 in Aberdeen. Smith was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia. Before his injury he was an avid backpacker the mountain climber. He also wrote stories and poems. He served as president of a local Habitat for Humanity for several years. He was also active in SOWERS, a Christian recreational vehicle group and was always on the alert to help those in need. He is survived by his wife, Adele Smith of Shelton; children, Narda Jiminez and Allena Sanders of California; stepchildren Nancy Raiha of Olympia, Wash., Scot Gudger of Portland, Ore. and Susan Biggs of Soldotna, Alaska; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Henry Smith of Santa Ynez, Calif.; Sydney Smith of Gabbs, Nev. and sister Edna Aikens of Port Angeles. A memorial service was held on Friday, April 30 at Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia. Arrangements were by McComb Funeral Home in Shelton.
Patti A. Meadows, 50, died on May 3, 2004 as she was surrounded by loving family after a courageous and valiant battle with cancer. She was born in Southern California. During her teenage years her family moved to Paradise, Calif. where she attended Paradise High School. Over the years she lived in many areas of the Sacramento Valley. For many years, while working at the Esplanade Manor and the work-training center in Chico, she taught mentally and developmentally disabled clients. She also worked for Sierra Pacific. In the late 1980s she started her own landscape business in Chico. Though she was retired from her business, her love of plants and her green thumb never retired. She is survived by her mother, June Bray of Milford; son, John Cannon of Redding; brother, Mike Bray of Paradise; life partner Margo Carpenter of Lassen County and three grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held at Paradise Cemetery. Anyone wishing to make a donation in her name may do so at Lassen County Hospice.
Patricia Lee (Mers) Center, 55, died on Friday, April 30, 2004. She was a resident of Mt. Washington and Susanville. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Mers and one brother. She is survived by her husband, David; children Jason and wife Emily Kelly and Sara and husband Chris Schmeh; sister, Gail and husband Ed Meosky and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Care Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, P.O. Box 643270, Cincinnati, OH 45264-3270.
William "Billy" Ellsworth Meenach, 85, died on May 9, 2004 at his home in Susanville. He was born in Spokane, Wash. on Jan. 25, 1919 and lived in Lassen County for the past 18 years. Prior to living in Susanville he came from Kenniwick, Wash. He was a Navy pilot in World War II and the Korean conflict, graduating from the Pensacola Academy in 1940. He loved his family very much, was a good family man and enjoyed his time with them. He is survived by his wife Sharalie of Susanville; daughters, Mary Ruth Hutchins, Sue Kimsey and Gayle Rehkop, all of Reno; sons, Gary Wolcott of Portland, Ore., Larry Wolcott of Susanville, Jim Wolcott of Susanville and Robert Wolcott of Chicago; 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 13 at the Susanville Assembly of God Church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lassen County Hospice or The Crossroads Ministry in Susanville.
Karen Sue Hall died peacefully Tuesday evening May 11, 2004, surrounded by her loving family at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy following a courageous year-long battle with cancer. She was born April 20, 1957 to James and Betty Klaassen in Fresno, the second of three children. She attended school in California, Arkansas and Oklahoma graduating from Wilton Christian High where she was an all star basketball player. She also competed in volleyball, softball and judo. She was a master debater and editor of her high school yearbook. She went on to attend three different Bible colleges in California, Arkansas and Washington. Her attempt at obtaining a nursing degree was cut short when she married Wayne Hall on Sept. 9, 1979. She is survived by her loving and caring family including her children Lucas Hall of Yakima, Wash., and Jake and his wife Tara Hall both of Quincy; mother Betty Klaassen of Yakima; brother James Klaassen of Yakima, and sister Barbara Turner of Janesville. Following cremation at Fehrman Crematory located in Quincy a celebration of Karen's life took place at the Church at Quincy on Saturday May 15. An opportunity to express your condolences along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. The family suggests any donations in her memory be made to the Church at Quincy to continue the spread of the Lord's good news c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory P.O. Box 53 Quincy, CA 95971.
John Henry Fant, 93, died on May 11, 2004 at Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville. He was born on July 2, 1910 in Lovelock, Nev. Fant graduated with honors from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1932 with a bachelors degree in electrical engineering. Fant returned to the university, received a teaching certificate and began teaching school in 1933 in Lovelocak, Nev. He enjoyed volunteer work as an income tax preparer in the volunteer tax assistance program in Reno, and as a Bureau of Census field supervisor in Reno. He volunteered at the Susanville Library for several years, even as he approached age 90. His hobbies included gardening, square dancing, cribbage and tennis. He was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, June Fant, who died in 1971 and a grandson, Scott Nielsen, who died in 1991. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Richard and Lynne Nielsen, with whom he lived in Susanville for over seven years and daughter Jane Ely of Olympia, Wash.; sister, Verdie Lohse of Ft. Collins, Colo, who just celebrated her 96 birthday; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date at the Masonic Lodge in Reno with inurnment to be in the Masonic Memorial Garden cemetery in Reno. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o 4935 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502.
Edward Stewart Jackson, 79, died on May 13, 2004 at his residence in Susanville after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Eureka, Calif. on Oct. 9, 1924 to Edward A. and Edna Jackson. He grew up in Hayfork and attended elementary school there and Trinity High School in Weaverville. He was an avid fisherman and also built many fishing rods for family and friends. He was a millworker, retiring from Jeld-Wen Industries in 1989. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Rodney, granddaughter Brandi Farris and brothers, Melvin, Harry and Ralph. He is survived by his wife Leta; daughters, Cheryl Perkins and her husband Paul of Huntsville, Ark., Diane Nelson and her husband Rocky of Susanville and Debbie Bullock and her husband John of Jerome, Idaho; sister, Harriet Upson of Mount Shasta, Calif. 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. At his request, no services will be held.
