Marla Lane, 61 of Trona, CA passed away Nov. 21, 2016 at her home in Hesperia, CA. Marla was born and raised in Trona and was a graduate of Trona High. She is preceded in passing by her parents, Glenton and Mary Lane, and her Brother and his Wife, Glenn and Stefanie Lane. She is survived by her Sister, Glenda McCullough, and her sons, Guy and Shea Holden.
Graveside services will be held at the Searles Valley Cemetery this Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at 3:30 pm.
Funeral for Thelma Lois Richardson Rogers, 87, of Roland, Oklahoma will begin at 2 p.m. Monday, December 5th in the Becker Funeral Home of Snyder, Oklahoma with Nephew of Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Eddy Messick officiating.
Mrs. Rogers died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Thursday evening November 24th, 2016 in a Fort Smith Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Smith, AR.
Burial will be in Mountain Park Cemetery under the direction of Becker Funeral Home of Snyder.
She was born March 21, 1929 in Mountain Park, Okla to Minnon Tree (M.T.) and Clara (Susie) Ford Richardson. She attended school in Mountain Park. She married Wilburn David (Bud) Rogers on October 19, 1947 in a double wedding ceremony with life-long friend Margie Holder and Dan Ramsey also of Mountain Park. They lived in Mountain Park for several years before moving to Trona, California where Bud was employed at A.P.&C.C. After many years in Trona, she began working for the Trona Joint Unified School District, first as a janitor and after a couple of years, as a school bus driver. She was well liked by all that knew her and loved tremendously by the many students that rode her 91 passenger bus to school and home every day, as well as multiple cross state trips for athletic events throughout the state of California. She retired in 1985 as bus driver after 25 years with the Trona School system.
Her many hobbies included a good brisk morning walk, and forming, painting and firing ceramic items of all kinds.
Survivors include two children and their spouses: Neala and Steven Montgomery, of Vacaville, Calif; David and Beth Rogers of Kihei, Hawaii; a son-in-law, Mr. Bobby Brannon, of Arkoma, Okla; a sister-in-law, Sharon Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn; three grandchildren and their spouses: Melissa and Jon Bartels of Bella Vista, AR; Bryan Brannon, of Fanshawe, Okla; and Candice and James Williams of Clovis, Calif; 3 great grandchildren – Macy and Kinly Brannon; and Kassidy McKenna Bartels.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother: John Archie Richardson; her husband of 60 years, Bud Rogers; a daughter, Mickey Rogers Brannon; and a grandson, Christopher Neal Montgomery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America by calling 866-AFA-8484 or by visiting at www.alzfdn.org to see how you can help with this dreaded disease.
Sympathy cards may be sent to the family at www.beckerfuneral.com.
A Fort Smith, Arkansas visitation will be held from 4-6PM at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.
The family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home just prior to the funeral services.
Benjamin Carol Kutzkey was born on October 31, 1930 and passed August 14, 2016 with his family at his side. Ben was born in Los Angeles, CA to Benjamin and Bertha Kutzkey. He lived his early life in Los Angeles, spending his days playing in the river and getting into trouble with his lifetime friend, Bill Rathfelder. In the late 1930s, his family moved to Trona, CA. Ben attended grade school there and had a wonderful time running around the desert, shooting lizards with his .22 rifle.
During his [junior high school year (1946/1947)], the family moved to Independence, CA and purchased the Independence Hotel and Bud’s Standard Service Station. Throughout high school, Ben worked at the Standard Service Station. It was here that his knowledge and love of auto repair truly blossomed. He played on the high school basketball team and earned the nickname “Ballerina Ben.” He graduated from Owens Valley High School in 1948.
On February 7, 1950, he joined the U.S. Navy and became an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class. While in the Navy during the Korean War, he was able to travel the world. When he left the service, he returned to Independence, CA with the hopes of running the Independence Hotel, but was sad to learn the hotel was being sold. Ben then began working with LADWP, assisting with the construction and repairs of the aqueduct.
In 1957 he met his first wife, Pat Robbins. Together they created a wonderful family with daughter, Cheri and sons, Ken, Rick, Mike, and Greg. In 1958 he began working with the Inyo County Road Department at Manzanar. In 1961, Ben moved his family to Laws, where he was the caretaker. They lived in the “Commander’s House.” When his son Mike was born, Ben was given approval to build an add-on to the “Commander’s House” which still stands to this day. On the final day of operation at the Laws Post Office, Ben purchased the final cancelled stamp. This is now on display at the Laws Railroad Museum Post Office.
Ben and the family were saddened to learn that Greg, the youngest of Ben’s children, had juvenile diabetes. Shortly thereafter, his wife Pat was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She passed away in 1973. He met his second wife, Barbara Peterson, who took in all of Ben’s children as her own. After only 2 years of marriage, Barbara passed away from a pulmonary embolism. Although he was devastated, Ben never gave up and continued to be a wonderful father and provider for his children.
In 1988, he met Velia Marmolejo, who would become his third wife. As their relationship grew, he became an important father figure to her four children. As a family, they created many great memories of traveling, exploring and simply spending time together.
In 1992, Ben retired from the Inyo County Road Department after 34 years. After retiring Ben became quite busy with his coin, bottle and stamp collections. His collections were a lifelong passion and he was an original member of the Belles and Beaux Bottle Club.
He was a Clamper with the Slim Princess Chapter in the Eastern Sierra, joining in the 1960’s. He was also a founding member of the original motorcycle course located at the end of Reata Road. He won first place in numerous enduro races, passing his love of the sport on to his children.
Ben will be remembered for his strong voice and opinions, as well as the pure love he had for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha; father Ben; wives, Pat and Barbara; sons, Mike and Greg; and many of his beloved four-legged family members. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Velia Kutzkey; daughter, Cheri Frost; sons, Ken Kutzkey and Rick Kutzkey; step-sons, Scott Harmon, Rick Harmon, Shay Boziel and Ben Suleski; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and four-legged family members, Nathan and Heather.
Graveside services will be held on September 2 at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Cemetery on West Line Street. A celebration of life potluck will follow at 4 p.m. at Mill Creek Station. Ben was not one to dress up for any occasion, and out of respect for Ben, the family requests that guests wear casual attire to the services.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Eastern Sierra Cancer Alliance.
Due their lack of understanding of lack of desire to understand the content provided here and and becaue they told me that they do not give a crap about the conditions of use set forth on this websites copyright notice page and their defiant disregard for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Timothy Bryne, Lola Bryne of Ridgecrest, California and Harvey Hodges of Vivian, Louisiana are specifically excluded from using content from this website and related websites owned by me for any reason or purpose whatsoever under any circumstances this includes the related websites: tronahistory.com, trona-ca.com, tronaca.net, trona-on-the-web.com, trona-high-alumni.com, upinflames.net and any subdomains of ab0ut.net such as stevens.ab0ut.net.
Please refer to to the Trona On the Web Copyright Page for further details.
I have recently learned of the passing of Onace Long. He was born in Panama, Oklahoma in 1925. He came to Trona as an athletic coach and teacher in 1957. This was about the same time as his cousin Coach Doyle Long and Coach Carl Bledsoe also came to Trona from Oklahoma. He was my C team football and C team basketball coach as well as my P.E. teacher.
I do not know what other classes he taught but I was a student in his bookkeeping class. He eventually became the elementary school principal. Onace retired in 1988 but even after he retired he continued to teach as a substitute teacher. He has been a prominent resident of Trona for over 50 years and will be remembered fondly by hundreds of former students, parents and residents of Trona.
No date has been set for services.
The photos below were sent to me by Jeannette (Kolstad) Kaufman. She was born in Trona in 1924. I really appreciate the effort she made to get them scanned and then sending them to me. There is another picture of this wreck at https://www.trona-ca.com/3200-2/trona-101-wreck-on-the-trona-railway/
2016 has come fast, hasn’t it? It doesn’t seem like two years since the Centennial Celebration, but it’s time again to plan for the 2016 Former Tronans Picnic. This year the Picnic will be held on October 8th. That’s the second weekend in October. The Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Show will also be at that same time, so be sure to walk through and see some of our local artists and their presentations.
We would appreciate hearing from you whether or not you plan to attend. Let us know how you and your family are doing and be sure to verify your address, phone number and email address (if you have one). Thank you to all who made donations to cover our expenses last time! Please get your response forms in by 30 September at the very latest.
Our Picnic will be held on Saturday, October 8th beginning at 10:00 AM at the our usual meeting place, the Trona Elementary School (the Round School) on Athol Street.
Sack lunches (sandwich, chips, fruit cup, dessert) are available for $8 each. Please include payment with your response as these lunches must be pre-ordered. Beverages will be provided by the club.
The Trona Community Church always sponsors a pancake breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. The cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children seven and under. It is a great way to start your morning!
The Trona Elks will have a deep-pit BBQ (beef or pork) Saturday evening from 3 p.m. until gone. If you’re interested, call the Trona Elks and let them know. Food is also available at the Trails Drive-in and at Esparza’s Family Restaurant (old Theater) on Main Street.
The Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society will be celebrating their 75th annual Gem-O-Rama on October 8th and 9th. Free Plant Tours by bus at 11, 11:40, 12:20, 1 p.m. and 2:30 on Saturday only. For additional information, please refer to the flier included in this letter.
The museums of the Searles Valley Historical Society – Old Guest House, History House, and the Trona Railway, will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Fire Museum will be open on Saturday only.
| Pinnacle Inn | Clarion Inn | Comfort Inn |
| 84368 Trona Road | 901 N. China Lake Blvd. | 507 S. China Lake Blvd |
| Trona, CA 93562 | Ridgecrest, CA 93555 | Ridgecrest, CA 93555 |
| (760) 372-5795 | (760) 446-7910 | (760) 375-9731 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites | Spring Hill Suites (Marriott) | Heritage Inn & Suites |
| 104 E. Sydnor Ave. | 113 E. Sydnor Ave | 1050 N. Norma |
| Ridgecrest CA 93555 | Ridgecrest CA 93555 | Ridgecrest CA 93555 |
| (760) 446-1968 | (800) 741-5072 | (800) 843-0693 |
| Best Western China Lake Inn |
| 400 S. China Lake Blvd |
| Ridgecrest, CA 93555 |
| 760 371-2300 |
Camping is available at Valley Wells for a nominal fee (only for the weekend).
We’re looking forward to seeing all our friends. Please let us know by returning the enclosed attendance form.
See you at the Picnic!
Nicki (Weidenbenner) Johnson
The Former Tronans Picnic? takes place October 8th, 10AM – 2PM in the Trona Elementary (round) School. All Former Tronans are invited to come and it’s FREE! PDF forms (Info on the Picnic, a RSVP form, and the Gem and Mineral Show, also on the same weekend) can be downloaded here:
2016 Letter Response Form Download
Joe Henry Ellis passed away on January 24th, 2016 after a long illness. He will be missed by his family, students, friends and classmates.
Joe Henry Ellis — Ventura, CA
Joe Henry Ellis, beloved father and husband, shuffled off his mortal coil on January 24th, 2016 after a long illness.
Joe Henry was an extraordinary man. We who loved him remember camping trips, his love of the outdoors, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, deep and inspirational conversations, and an incredible personal presence he conveyed to all who knew him.
Joe was born in Arkansas, one of five siblings, to Henry and Alta Vay Ellis. His family moved to Texas and then to California, finally settling in Trona where he spent his high school years. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served in the Korean War. It was during that time that he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Patricia Louise Bates, who was in nursing school at the time. They marred and settled in Ventura, the home of Patricia’s family for generations. Joe took on several jobs to support his wife and growing family as he finished his education to become a teacher. (1) After Joe earned his teaching credential and graduate degree he got a job at Ventura High School where he taught for 31 years in the history department. During this time he was active in Sacred Heart Parish, took up golf and dragged his growing family across every campground in the western United States and to his cherished Lake Tahoe.
Joe pursued two major passions throughout his life; his family and his teaching. He will be remembered by generations of students as a compassionate and enthusiastic educator who encouraged his students to succeed. He had a knack for finding their strengths but it was his caring attitude that brought many of them back to visit him at school and at his home. Towards the end of his illness while at a local hospital, a nurse caring for him shared that he was the only teacher who reached out to her and told her she had the potential to go to college.
During his retirement Joe and Patricia were fortunate to travel to many exotic places around the world. They sail around the Horn and cruised Alaska, pet koalas in Australia and drank wine throughout Western Europe.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Patricia; His three daughters Kathleen (Gary Stanley); Elizabeth (Thomas Letus); Margaret (Joseph Sofer) ; his son Joseph, grandchildren Richard, Anita, Jennifer, John, and Mary; and six great-grandchildren. The unconditional love he showed all of us will be greatly missed but we know that it is only a short time before we meet him again. “We’re glad you made it to the top of the mountain, Dad. We’ll see you there someday.”
A celebration of his life will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, February 9th at ten o’clock am.
In lieu flowers donation may be made in Joe’s memory to Ventura High School. The Joe Ellis Scholarship Fund.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/joe-ellis-obituary?pid=177525705
An email from George Sherman brings the following sad news:
“I’m very sad to have to report that Al has passed away. Thank you to Ann Tankersley for alerting me about it this morning. I just talked on the phone to one of Al‘s sons who verified that Al passed away late last Saturday night (early Sunday morning). His obituary should be posted in the Ridgecrest Daily Independent starting tomorrow (which can be viewed at http://www.ridgecrestca.