Barbara (Jessup) Hansen, died January 21, 2014. She was in the class of 1960. This news came my way in an email from Curtis Hansen. No services are planed. I will post further details if I become aware of them.
Richard Wilkinson passed away in November of 2013 at the age of 88. Mr. Wilkinson was a beloved teacher and coach at Trona High School from the 51-52 school year until the 54-55 school year. Although he left before I started high school I can tell by how well he was remembered that he left an impression on his students duding the four years he was in Trona.
She’s gone. Lynn Walters, my best friend of over 60 years passed away about an hour ago. She taught me how to Live, she taught me to be Love, she taught me how to die, and this world has a great big hole in it right now.
Posted on Facebook this morning (Jan 14, 2014) by Andrea L. Leonardi
Marian (Steger) Micallef passed away in her residence on January 9, 2014. Marian is survived by her four children, Debbie Neumann, Kevin Micallef, Mark Micallef and Sharon Eaton. She also had five beautiful grandchildren and one great grandson. Marian was preceded in death by her husband Jack, who passed in 2007. Together they enjoyed 50 years of marriage, retirement, traveling and most of all golfing. She was a loving wife and mother. She will be missed. For service information please go to: www.murrietavalleyfuneralhome.com
Published in Press-Enterprise on Jan. 14, 2014
Marian was the homecoming queen in her senior year. Looking at her senior picture I can see why.
Gerald Birdwell (class of ’60) died Jan 13, 2014 after an illness of several months. No details are available at this point as to services. Bob Birdwell (THS ’64) called to notify friends.
[edited 16 Jan 2024]
Jerry was born on 10 Feb 1942 in Long Beach, CA to Dayton and Dorothy Birdwell.
Jerry spent some years in the full-time ministry and attended a special school for Jehovah’s Witnesses for those in full-time service. He was a Jehovah’s Witness for 51 years.
His hobbies were country music and computers. He loved to travel. I his later years, he took up barbecuing.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dayton and Dorothy Birdwell.
Jerry is survived by his wife Penny Birdwell of Ridgecrest, CA, stepson Jeff Teal of Grand Rapids, MI, sister Aleta Brown of Trona, CA, brothers Robert Birdwell of Ridgecrest and Michael Birdwell of Trona, brother-in-law Harold Brown of Trona, sister-in-law Melody Birdwelll of Ridgecrest and a host of nieces and nephews to the third generation.
Published The News Review, Ridgecrest, CA 22 Jan 2014
Shirley (Thurston) Griffin class of 1959 passed away on Jan 5, 2014. Shirley was called to Heaven after a long battle with lymphoma. She was born in Trona on Oct 23 1940 and attended school until she was in high school when her parents, Vernon (Ming or Salty) and Mickey sent her to a Christian boarding school. After she was married her family resided in Trona or Ridgecrest on and off through the years.
Shirley Irene Thurston was born on October 23, 1940 in Trona, California to Vernon Samuel and Mickey (Mescal) Eunice Thurston.
Shirley showed her leadership and faith in God at an early age. She was the first Christian in her family and began attending the Foursquare Church in Trona, by herself at age 12. Through her example, her parents and sister came to know Christ.
She attended elementary school in Trona, the Seventh Day Adventist Jr. High in Ridgecrest, then Trona High School through her sophomore high school year. Shirley then attended a Christian boarding school in Clovis, California; West Coast Bible School, where she graduated High School in 1958.
Shirley was active in the community and in her school. She enjoyed Swimming, Basketball, Choir, Track/field and was an accomplished pianist.
She met Jerry Leroy Griffin at their church and then married this man who was to be the love of her life on January 1, 1962 at age 20 in the Church of God in Ridgecrest.
Shirley and Jerry pastored several small Church of God congregations in Victorville, California; Oroville, California; Yreka, California, Metlakatla, Alaska; Mount Pleasant, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Westwood, California; Yuma, Arizona; ending their pastorate positions at Woodburn, Oregon. In Westwood, she was only a few hours from receiving her solo pilot’s license to fly an airplane. What a shame she wasn’t able to finish that great adventure. During a visit to Alaska in 2010, one of the members of the small Metlakatla, Alaska church remembered her. They spent over an hour reminiscing over old times and the fact that Jerry and Shirley facilitated the purchase of the land where the current church still worships.
Shirley had an independent spirit all throughout her life. Starting as a child, she hiked all over the desert surrounding Trona. She made many trips with friends, family and on her own. She hiked the Sierra Mountains for two weeks by herself and traveled to China alone with a tour group and managed to ditch them along the way to see the sites she was interested in. She took thousands of pictures from all over the world, documenting her life of amazing adventures.
At the time of her death she was attending Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, CA. Shirley had an amazing capacity to love that was evident to all who met her. She immediately accepted and loved every inherited grandchild when her sons remarried. She was always careful to keep family close with her children’s respective spouses. Shirley’s pure demonstration of love touched the hearts of all who knew her. She finished the race of life with confidence and love for Jesus Christ, thankful for the saving grace of her Lord.
She is survived by her sister, Carol Dian (Dee) Burdine, daughter Janice, sons Vernon and Jerry, 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 5 nieces, 1 nephew, 17 great nieces and nephews and 2 great great nephews along with infinite extended family and friends.
Freda E. Walker, 97, passed December 27th peacefully at home just 3 days short of her 98th birthday.
Freda’s life began in Dillon, MT. She was raised in Glendale, CA, where she met Jack Walker, through her high school friend and future sister-in-law. Freda and Jack were married in 1936 and moved to Trona, CA.
In Trona, Freda was involved in Girl Scouts and raising 3 daughters. She also opened their home in the 40’s to 2 China Lake girls so they could attend high school before Ridgecrest had a high school. In 1954, she ventured out into the business world and established and owned The Gift Box, a gift store, for over 20 years. Many remember the jewelry, cards, yardage as well as many gift items. She provided a great gift oasis for Trona.
Freda and Jack passed on their ability to form life long friends to her children. Her girls were raised with integrity and an incredible work ethic, the willingness to help others, open our homes and hearts, and and the opportunity of independence through education. What wonderful gifts.
After 47+ years in Trona, Freda and Jack retired in Tehachapi, CA. There, they were involved in Lions Club and other community efforts, such as home nursing and hospice in Bear Valley. They traveled the country and world, many times visiting old friends.
After Jack’s death, Freda lived with her daughter, Elizabeth Bernau, in Thousand Oaks, CA, San Antonio, TX, and finally Phoenix, AZ. She has been surrounded by family constantly, three daughters, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren–what a legacy.
Patricia Ann Radabaugh, 45, of Reedy, WV, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013.
She was born in Trona, Calif., the daughter of Kathleen Smith and the late James Smith.
Surviving in addition to her mother are two sons, Dustin Radabaugh and Patrick Radabaugh; one daughter, Andrea Hill; one brother, James E. Smith; two sisters, Tammy Gross and Karen Smith; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Rev. Carroll McCauley officiating. Burial was in Cottrell Cemetery, Frozen Run.
Posted at: http://www.calhounchronicle.com/pages/current%20pages/Obituaries.htm
Patsy Lorraine Sizemore, 86, of Columbus, Kansas and formerly a long time resident of Trona died peacefully in her sleep on February 17, 2013. Having moved to Trona in 1947, Patsy was an active member of the Trona Business and Professional Women’s Club and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.
She was a teller for Security Pacific National Bank, which had its office on Main Street in Trona. She later worked as a postal carrier when the Trona Post Office started home mail delivery service. She wrote poetry, song lyrics, and a column called A Woman’s Point of View for the Trona Argonaut and, later, for the Baxter Springs News.
She is preceded in death by her parents; one son, James H. Sizemore; and one grandson, Jeffery A. Sizemore.
She is survived by four sons Jerry H. Sizemore, Thomas A. Sizemore, Michael R. Sizemore, and A. Lee Sizemore; one daughter Cholla Sizemore; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Read more: http://www.ridgecrestca.com/article/20130410/NEWS/130419963#ixzz2lgQqgpXB
Reprinted here at the request of Cholla Sizemore.
Paul Bengtson
April 11, 1951 – April 13, 2012 Paul Arthur Bengtson, beloved father, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend, passed from this life on April 13, 2012, in Edmond, Oklahoma, at the age of 61. He was born in Trona, CA April 11, 1951, and was a graduate of Bakersfield HS in 1969. He came to OKC in 1970 and was a member of Ambucks, NRA, and Eagle Scouts. He was very dedicated to his life work and passion of auto mechanics, so much so that almost everyone who knew him took their car to him. He owned Sharpe Automotive for 40 years and was an instructor at Norman Technical College. He was commonly known around town as Tall Paul. He made each of his family and friends feel as though they were his favorite. He is survived by Donene Bengtson, his wife of 34 years; his daughter, Melinda Chada and her husband Evan; his son, Paul Ryan Bengtson; his granddaughters, Gracelyn Rylee and Markey Genice Bengtson; his grandson, Colton Coy Bengtson; his two brothers, Eric (Kathy) Bengtson and Allen (Susie) Bengtson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Niles and Naomi Inez Bengtson. Memorial Services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Vondel Smith Mortuary North Colonial Chapel.
Published in The Oklahoman on Apr. 15, 2012