Category Archives: Death Notice

Donald “Don” Allen Murrin — Class of 1977

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The family of Don Murrin announces with heavy hearts his recent passing. A man of remarkable character and skill, Don was described by his daughter, Melissa, as the anchor and heartbeat of their family. He balanced a quickness to forgive with a firm sense of right and wrong, guiding those he loved with both kindness and honesty.

A true “jack-of-all-trades,” Don possessed a powerful work ethic and a rare talent for design and construction. His family also relied on his sharp mind for medical insights, jokingly referring to him as “Dr. Don” for his ability to find answers to any health-related question.

Don was a proud part of a multi-generational Trona family. He was the son of Ted (class of ’55) and Orrene [Slafter] (class of’54) Murrin, and part of a long line of Murrins who attended Trona High School.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Trona on July 5, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Friends and community members wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to Melissa Wollard via Facebook. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Barbara Knight

Barbara (Knight) Rector — Class of 1954

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Barbara Rector, a longtime pillar of the Trona community, will be honored with a memorial service on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Searles Valley Cemetery. A reception celebrating her life will follow at the Trona Senior Center.

Born in Bakersfield, Barbara moved to Trona in 1951, entering Trona High School as a sophomore. She quickly became an integral part of campus life, graduating with the Class of 1954. During her school years, she was a dedicated member of the G.A.A. and the Girls’ League, and she helped capture the history of her peers through her work on the Slate and the Telescope.

Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Russell Rector (Class of 1949), who preceded her in death in 2018. She was a devoted mother to her three sons: Ricky (Class of 1973), Robert (Class of 1977), and John (Class of 1978). She now joins her husband and her sons, Ricky and Robert, in eternal rest.

She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Rayana Hobby (Class of 1958) and Sheila Wheeler (Class of 1960). Barbara’s legacy lives on through her son John, her extended family, and the many lives she touched in the Searles Valley.

Donald F “Don” Dill — Class of 1952

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Donald Frederick Dill

1933 – 2026

Donald F. Dill, a  standout athlete of the Trona High School Class of 1952, passed away in February 2026. News of his passing was shared by his wife, Roberta, through the Searles Valley Historical Society newsletter.

A Life of Leadership and Athletics

Don’s journey in Trona began around 1948, when he moved from Michigan with his parents, and sister. His parents were originally from Canada. He quickly became a fixture of Trona High School life, where his natural leadership and athletic prowess were on full display.

A versatile and gifted athlete, Don was a four-year letterman in both Football and Baseball, while also competing on the basketball and track teams. His peers recognized his character and vision early on, electing him Class President for both his junior and senior years. Don also helped preserve the memories of his classmates by serving as the Sports Editor for the 1952 yearbook.

Family and Legacy

Don was preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd, and his nephew, Ron (Class of 1961). He is survived by:

  • His beloved wife, Roberta.

  • His sister, Marjorie Brooks (Class of 1953).

Don will be remembered by the Trona community as a man who embodied the spirit of his graduating class—active, involved, and always ready to lead. His legacy remains a part of the long history of Trona High School and preserved in the hearts of those who knew him.

Virginia Ruth Hall

Virginia Ruth Hall — Class of 1955

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Virginia was born in 1937 in Oklahoma. Her family moved to Trona around 1947-1948. She had three brothers: Carl, class of 1958, Kenneth (1943-2019), class of 1961 and Richard (1945-2025), class of 1964. She was living in Chula Vista at the time of her death. Both of her parents are buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Our condolences to her family.

Robert Rascoe — Class of 1955

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I received an email from  Deril “Oogie” Schmitt telling me that his friend Bob Rascoe passed away on December, 21, 2025. In Genoa, Nevada. He moved there with his wife, Pat Finnelly in 2023. Bob and Pat dated in high school and reconnected again in 2018 and were married in 2020. Pat passed away in April of 2024.

The 1955 yearbook says Bob was Class president, Varsity Club president, was in the band for 4 years, played football for 4 years, played tennis, basketball and baseball. It would have been hard not to know who Bob was if you were going to Trona High School from 1952 to 1955. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more about his life after high school.

Our condolences to his family.

Leonard Terral — Class of 1952

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Leonard was born November 8, 1932 and passed away May 10, 2023. Today I noticed that his email address was no longer valid and I decided to investigate. I cannot tell you much about Leonard except that he lived in Ridgecrest and that I was good friends with his nephew, Chuck Terral before he moved to Bloomington, California.

Leonard’s picture wasn’t in the 1952 yearbook so I am assuming he left school to join the Army.

It is better late than never. My condolences to his family.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254432075/leonard-garner-terral

Pauline Rae (Elledge) Martilla — Class of 1962

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Pailine’s oldest son Larry wrote this about his mother:

I lost my mom, Pauline (Elledge) Stevens Martilla, on the 19th of October 2025 . She was truly an amazing mother. She was born in Trona in April 4, 1943. Pauline lost her mother in 1961.

She rode dirt bikes and had me and then 5 other boys while living in Trona. She was always finding one of our animals from the desert in our drawers or hanging on a curtain rod or hissing at her in the kitchen.  She raised us, mostly on her own, after moving to California City and then to Lancaster.

She put herself through college in the medical field became a laboratory tech in Lancaster at the community hospital. Then she moved to the Ventura, California area where she started doing phlebotomies. After she retired she returned to the Lancaster and Palmdale area.

I love you mom and miss you already so much . I hope you are now smiling with Bob and your son, Steven, now.

Pauline was the daughter Laurence and Marie Elledge. Laurence was the postmaster in Trona in the 50’s 60′ and 70’s. Pauline’s son, Larry, remembers that his grandfather was also a barber in Trona. Her mother, Marie, who had been ill for quite a while passed away a few months after her first son, Larry, was born. Pauline’s third son, Steven, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1989.

Pauline has one sister, Janet Stanley, who is a member of the THS class of 1963.