Mickey Dolman passed away March 22, 2025. Her sister, Helen Ann, was in the class of 1954.
Joyce “Mickey” (Dolman) Vagasy — Class of 1957
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Helen Ann (Dolman) Cunningham — Class of 1954
Helen Ann passed away on August,19, 2024.
The 1954 yearbook says, “A newcomer to the class last year, Helen Ann livened up the cast of Nine Girls, the Junior class play. It is a shame Trona High School didn’t continue the tradition of presenting plays in the auditorium it would have made school much more interesting.
Helen’s sister, Joyce “Mickey’ (Dolman) Vagasy, was in the class of 1957.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/273840169/helen-ann-cunningham
Constance Elizabeth “Connie” (Means) Hedland — Class of 1962
Connie passed away on September 10, 2021while living in McKinleyville, California. Connie had an older brother and two younger sisters that also attended Trona High.
https://www.humboldtcremation.com/obituaries/Constance-E-Hedland?obId=33618889
Aleta (Edwards) Sewell — Class of 1959
Aleta Sewell, 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2025. She was born on November 23, 1941, in Red Mountain, California, to the late Thomas Alonzo (Lonnie) Edwards and Gladys Faye (Patterson) Edwards. She was raised in Trona, California, where she met her first husband, Jim Gattis. In 1967, Aleta and her family moved to Charleston, Arkansas, with their daughters Rebecca and Karen, and soon after, a son, James, was born.
In 1987, Aleta married Otha Sewell. Together, they made their home in Barling, Arkansas, where they shared their lives until Otha’s passing in 2020. Aleta was initially a cosmetologist and in later years she began her second career as a licensed practical nurse. Caregiving became her legacy. She spent over 30 years providing compassionate healthcare in nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals, taking on the work that most would shy away from. After retiring from her full-time career, Aleta continued to work as a personal caregiver, helping families who needed extra support for their loved ones, often sitting with seniors who had no family nearby. She completely retired about eight years ago.
In her retirement, Aleta enjoyed walking with her friends at the mall, completing two plus miles a day, five days a week. She cherished this social outing and exercise. Taco Tuesday with her neighborhood group at El Lorito was a highlight of the week. Aleta was also known for her selflessness, especially in caring for her special friend and neighbor, Diedra, oftentimes driving her for appointments and errands, and sharing in all kinds of mischief. Aleta was a longtime member of Community Bible Church in Fort Smith.
Aleta was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Michael Conway; her second husband, Otha Sewell; and her beloved Labrador Retriever, Emma.
She is survived by her three children, Rebecca Sisemore of Fayetteville, Karen Gattis (Trish) of Fayetteville, and James Gattis (Jatana) of Alma; her sister, Shirley Doyel of Van Buren; eight grandchildren, Cole Sisemore (LaShey), Kaitlin Jordal (Ryan), Connor Sisemore, Cade Sisemore (Priscilla), Cooper Sisemore (Sarah), Austin Gattis (Julia), Payton Siebenmorgen (Austin), and Ryan Kotte; as well as six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 15th at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Pastor Ed Saucier officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and the husbands of her granddaughters.
The family will be available for visitation on Sunday, September 14th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Aleta’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite local animal shelter.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.
https://www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com/obituary/aleta-sewell
Aleta lived at 201 Lupine Street in Trona.
Theodore “Ted” Hall — Class of 1956
We recently learned of Ted’s passing. Ted graduated from Trona High School in 1956.
Ted was the son of John and Nettie Hall. He was the last of 10 children. The Hall family lived in Trona from about 1954 to 1960. Before moving to Trona they lived in Tulare County, CA. 4 of the 10 Hall children attended Trona High School. The other three were Harold Hall, class of 1957; Peggy Hall, class of 1959 and Jim Hall, class of 1961.
Ted was married to Sally Klein from the THS class of 1958.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family.
Margaret Odine “Peggy” (Hall) Collier– Class of 1959
Margaret Hall Collier age 83 passed from this Earth on April 11, 2024. She was born on December 6, 1940 in Woodville, CA the 9th of 10 children born to Nettie and John Hall.
She was in her youth, an avid athlete. Later in life she became an excellent bowler and golfer. Peg retired in 1999 after 28 years of service working for the Department of Defense U.S. Marine Corps. In her career she achieved many accomplishments and awards and retired as the Inventory Control Officer for the United States Marine Corps. She loved her Marines and served her country proudly.
She and her husband Russel (Russ) Collier moved to The Villages in 1999. They enjoyed traveling, cruising, golfing and dancing. In their lives together they rescued from shelters 6 dogs and loved all animals. They were active members of The Villages Community and are deeply missed by friends and neighbors.
Peggy came from a family of 10 children. The Halls were only in Trona for a few years and left before Peggy graduated. Three of her brothers also went to Trona High School, Ted ’56, Harold ’57, and Jimmy ’61.
Richard Stalnaker — Class of 1962
Richard A. Stalnaker, class of 1962 passed away August 1, 2025, due to complications after a stroke. Richard was proceeded in death by his wife, Margaret (Downs) on 2020, his father and mother Ralph and Mary and his brother Phil who died in Trona in 1961.
Richard (1903-1965) and Margaret (1913-2007) had three children, all boys, who live in Tucson and Prescott AZ.
Richard’s sister, Gale, was in the class of 1955; His brother, Phil, was in the class of 1960 and his sisters, Marcia and Marilyn, were in the class of 1963.
We are deeply sorry for Richard’s family and close friend’s loss.
A VISIT WITH GEORGE & BARBARA SHERMAN
George Sherman (Class 1956, and former Trona web-master) was visiting Los Angeles mid-July with his caregiving daughter, Becky, and his sister, Barbara Sherman Heyl (Class 1960). Barbara arranged for me to visit them for a morning. I was elated to see that George was doing quite well, given some old-age mind deterioration. He was glad to see me, smiling, and listening to conversation between Barbara and myself, sometimes adding to the flow. His mobility was very good and he is his old affable self.
I showed them a picture of my uncle, Walter Mezger, who was manager of the Trona hospital and then plant manager in 1944, indicating that his family was why the Millers moved to Trona. George, without prompting, said: “I remember Steve Mezger”; my cousin Steve and George are about the same age and obviously knew each other.
George loved the desert, often traveling to Searles Valley in his Toyota Camper with kids/grandkids/and/or Dee, his companion in the early 2000’s. Camped up on Slate Range, the Kilns, Great Falls, etc. For this reason, I gave them a dozen or so Desert Magazines from the 1940’s to peruse for memories. Barb said that the next morning George was looking through them during a long breakfast.
They all went to a Paul Simon concert on the 12th at Disney Hall and had a great time.
Really an upbeat visit!
Alan Miller (Class 1963)
Attending the Reunion? Here’s What You Need to Do!
If you plan on attending the reunion then here’s what you need to do:
1. Fill out the 2025 Reservation/Souvenir Order Sheet and make out a check for the total
amount payable to: “Trona Alumni Association.”
If you are married to an alumni, please fill out a separate reservation sheet for each person
with your class year indicated. Your tickets, and any souvenirs you order will be available for pick-up with your class.
2. Mail the 2025 Reservation/Souvenir Order Sheet and check to the following address:
Barbara Sorges
TAA Treasurer
416 Dewalt Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
AND DO THIS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
This cutoff date is firm….registrations/orders will not be accepted after this date.
2025 All Class Reunion Hotel Information
All Rooms are plus tax. All rooms are double occupancy. Price is per night.
All rooms need to be reserved under Trona All Class Reunion.
Springhill Suites – 760.446.1630
King or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available
Hampton Inn and Suites – 760.446.1968
King bed or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available
Red Roof (Heritage Inn & Suites) 760.446.6543
King or double queen $95.00 plus tax
Holiday Inn Express 800-439-4745
King or queen double $165.30 plus tax
Includes breakfast
Clarion Inn 760.446.7910
King $106.00 plus tax
Queen $111.00 plus tax
Includes breakfast
Best Western 760.371.2300 Only holding 20 rooms
King $119.99 plus tax
Double Queen* $129.99 plus tax
* Additional adult in room $10 per night per head
Not pet friendly
Includes breakfast
Quality Inn 760.375.9731
5 kings reserved $114.53 plus tax
5 double queens reserved $114.53 plus tax
Includes breakfast
Please note: You must call and reserve room(s) directly with the hotel to get these special
rates. Reserving the room through a 3rd party (Expedia or Booking.com) will NOT get you these rates and rates can not be changed by the hotel later.