We received word that Mike Mills passed away 0n July 11, 2023.
Michael Mills (1951-2023) and his brother John Mills, class of 1968, lived in Westend. Mike’s father, JD Mills (1916-2002), worked in the West End plant. Mike’s mother, Peggy (1924-2020), was a secretary for the school district from 1962 to 1983. Mike lived in Bakersfield, CA at the time of his death and was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Malvern is the son of Malvern Robert Stevens Sr and his wife Mildred. He was born in Los Angles, and he was raised in Westend where his father was a Shift Forman for the West End Chemical Company. Malvern graduated with the Trona High School class of 1953. During his high school years Malvern served as president of the THS chapter of the California Scholarship Federation, he was a member of the Marching Band and the Dance Band, and the Varsity Club. He lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track.
After graduating Malvern attended the University of Southern California and Brigham Young University where he was a Cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp. After finishing his education Malvern served in the US Air Force.
In 1971 Malvern returned to Trona as a teacher for a brief time but the special education program he was hired for was eliminated due to changes in state laws.
According to his daughter, Malvern frequently expressed his love for Trona. Malvern passed away on May 28, 2023, while living in Joplin, Missouri.
His services will be held July 7, 2023, at 11:00 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Ernesto lived in La Habra, CA. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and one granddaughter.
On May 9, 2023 Larry Wiemers went home to be with the Lord. He was a proud member of the class of 1958. While Larry attended Trona High School only for his senior year, he often said it was his best and most memorable year of high school. He participated in athletics and student government, but his fondest memories were hanging out and creating friendships with the other “KIDS”. He reconnected with some of these friends when Durwood Sigrest initiated the class of ’58 reunion in 2021. Larry truly enjoyed reading and referencing the Class of 2021 memoir book [developed by Carl Hall] and all of the phone calls that followed this joyous event.
Memorial Service
July 1, 2023 1:00 p.m.
1st United Methodist Church
275 N. Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande, CA
Larry’s father was the Trona Unified School District superintendent for a few years.
Cathy (Wiseman) Henly passed away April 30, The Wiseman family lived at Westend. Cathy had an older sister, Virginia (Wiseman) Naughton, in the class of 1962 and she had a younger brother, James, in the class of 1967.
Elderly couple killed in San Bernardino County house fire (foxla.com)
My Aunt Ann went to heaven on the 13th of April. Her maiden name is Ann Irene Eyre. She was born November 20, 1937 and was in the class of 1955. She and her husband Randall Morris lived and raised their three children in Ridgecrest. Her parents, husband. and six siblings all preceded her going home. She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Kevin Niemeyer
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Estela Q Johnson of Trona, California, who passed away on April 11, 2023, at the age of 96, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Estela Q Johnson to pay them a last tribute.
She was predeceased by : her parents, Eduardo Quezada and Eloisa Quezada of Bustillos; her husbands, Charles Clifford Paine and Joe; her son Steven Mark Paine; and her siblings, Alice Korba Criger, Manuel and Raul.
She is survived by : her children, Charles Clifford Paine Jr., Dr. Rita Rich (Darrell Rich), Edward Paine (Maria Paine), Terri Clarke (Steven Clarke) and Mary Lynne Bachman (Michael Bachman).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27th 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hk Holland Memorial Chapel (216 S Norma St, Ridgecrest, CA 93555). A mass will be held on Friday, April 28th 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Saint Ann Catholic Church (446 W Church Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555).
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Ridgecrest.
I believe that whoever wrote the above obituary was incorrect about Raul and Manuel proceeding their sister in death. I’m pretty sure they are still alive.
Be sure to read the second obituary from the Ridgecrest Independant. The story of how Estela ended up in Trona is very interesting.
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ca/trona/estela-q-johnson-16272048?em=6
Patricia (Stevens) Banks passed away on April 19, 2023, after suffering a stroke on the previous Saturday.
The funeral will be on Monday, April 24, 2023 in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Patricia Louise Banks (Pat), passed away on April 19, 2023, surrounded by many of her children and grandchildren. Pat was born in Trona, California on the 22nd of January in 1936 to Hershel and Zelia Stevens. She was the eldest of four, and is survived by her three younger brothers, Joel, David, and Douglas. As a child, Patty loved to read and learn. Fostered by her mother she developed an interest in family history at the early age of ten. She also learned to sew, cook, and play the piano as a young girl. These skills and interests were enjoyed by her and appreciated by her family and friends throughout her life.
In school, Pat was known for never speaking in class. Those who knew her can attest to the fact that she was not talkative. Luckily, while attending BYU, Pat met her sweetheart, Ray Hagan Banks, and he talked enough for the both of them. A match made in heaven, they were married in the Manti LDS temple on June 2, 1955.
As a child, Patty always loved babies and always wanted to have many children. Her wishes came true and she is survived by children Jay (Jean) Banks, Orange, CA; Ken (Tina) Banks, St. George, UT; Bryce (Clare) Banks, St George, UT; Kathryn (Larry) Wolod, Houston, TX; Brynna (Scott) Cadman, Etiwanda, CA; Duane (Kirsten) Banks, Kaysville, UT; Karen (Shane) Gillett, Houston, TX; Glenn (Debby) Banks, Albuquerque, NM; Mike (JoLynn) Banks, Gold Bar, WA; 24 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Pat and Ray settled and raised their children in Fontana, California. Pat was a consummate homemaker, and her children and grandchildren fondly remember how hard she worked to give them a loving home. Her interest in sewing served her well as she homemade much of her children’s clothing. Her delicious meals, pies, and monster cookies will also always be remembered!
Although she was raised in a small town, Pat had a love of travel. Every summer Pat and Ray took their children camping all over the United States, and once their family was raised they began to travel all over the world! A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, faith was an essential part of her life and she truly loved the Lord and His gospel. Together with Ray, she served LDS missions in Russia, Thailand, and closer to home in Springville, Utah. Pat’s childhood passion for family history rubbed off onto Ray, and they spent many years traveling the world to learn more about their ancestors. Pat was doing family history until the very end, and we know her legacy will live on. She led a long, faith-filled and interesting life and those who knew her will continue to learn from her example. Patricia will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held on April 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint, 1552 East 750 South, Spanish Fork, Utah. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/patricia-banks-obituary?id=51702398
Elizabeth Richmond Colter “Liz” 92, formerly of Phoenix, Prescott and Eagar, Arizona, died Wed., November 2, 2022 in Dana Point, CA. Born February 17, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA. Liz was the daughter of John O’Donnel Richmond and Emily Acker Richmond. Both her siblings, Lee Richmond Barker and Lincoln Acker Richmond predeceased her. Survivors include five children: Emily Taranta, Nancy Greene, John Harrison (Barbara) Colter, Mary Lee (Marsden) Stewart and Ann (Kyle) Matthews; 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She attended the University of Arizona where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and Mortar Board. She was Student Body Secretary in the 1949-1950 school year and met her husband James Harrison Colter “Jim” while in college. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, AZ.
Posted online on December 01, 2022
Published in The Arizona Republic
Elizabeth and her husband Jim were married at the China Lake Navy Base in the base chapel by a Navy Chaplin, Lieutenant Commander W. I. Wolfe in 1950. Elizabeth came to China lake in 1944 when her father, John O Richmond became commander of the Navel Ordinance Test Station at China Lake. She began school in Trona because at time there wasn’t a high school in the Indian Wells Valley.
Bakersfield, California •
Mon, Nov 6, 1950