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News Obituaries Obituaries for July 8, 2011
Obituaries for July 8, 2011
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Marilyn North Johnson May 28, 1921 — June 30, 2011 Former Tuolumne resident Marilyn North Johnson died June 30 at the Golden Living Center in Galt. She was 90. Born in Moline, Ill., to Clarence and Ila North, the family moved to California when she was 5. She grew up in Inglewood, where she attended high school and received an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Santa Monica City College. She met Johnny Johnson at the Christian Endeavor Group and the couple married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Shirley and her husband John in 1941. She and her husband had two daughters together. She worked as an insurance and elementary school secretary in Southern California. The couple later moved to Fountain Valley, then to Albuquerque, N.M., before settling in Tuolumne in 1976, where she lived until 2001. She later spent time in Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, where her daughters live. She was active in her Christian church, and was a Girl Scout and Brownie troop leader for her daughters when they were young. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Bill Silvers, of Galt; granddaughter, Stacie Paxton, of Washington, D.C.; and siblings, Shirley Bush, of Darby, Mont., and Arthur North, of San Jose. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Johnny Johnson; daughter, Sharon Kirks; and three siblings. A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Mountain Shadow Cemetery in Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. John James Barrett Jan. 30, 1940 — June 7, 2011 Copperopolis resident John James Barrett died June 7 at his home. He was 71. Born in Pasco, Wash., he graduated from James Lick High School in San Jose and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was a retired carpenter. Mr. Barrett is survived by his children, Sheri Ann Barrett, of Santa Clara, John J. Barrett, of San Jose, Robert M. Warner, of Washington, and Michael C. Warner, of Merced; and sister, Jo Ann P. Barrett, of San Jose. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley P. Warner; and son Donald J. Barrett. A private family service will be held at a later date. Angels Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Kenneth Claude Burkhart March 22, 1948 — June 9, 2011 Sonora resident Kenneth Claude Burkhart died June 9 at the Sonora Regional Medical Center. He was 63. Born in Yreka, Siskiyou County, to Eugene and Dorothy Burkhart, he served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. He worked as a molder for Raychem in Redwood City for 17 years. He lived in Sonora for 14 years. Mr. Burkhart is survived by his children, Sharon Burkhart, of Sonora, and Melanie Burkhart, of San Diego; grandchildren, Michael Burkhart, and Jordan and Justin Sator, all of Sonora; and siblings and their spouses, Louie and Joanne Burkhart, and Ted and Carol Burkhart, all of Tehachapi, and Paul and Gail Burkhart, of California. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Eddy Burkhart. A private family service is scheduled for a later date. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Judy Balzer July 15, 1951 — June 27, 2011 Twain Harte resident Judy Balzer died June 27 at Sonora Regional Medical Center. She was 59. Born in Richland, Wash., to Robert and Lucille McCourtney, the family moved to Oahu, Hawaii, when she was young. After she graduated from high school in 1970, she moved to California where she attended college in San Diego. She later married and had a daughter, Kristin. She later moved to Marin County, where she wrote commercial lines for several insurance companies, including Willow Glenn Insurance Agency. She later moved to San Jose to become the risk manager for Peninsula Crane and Rigging, but returned to Willow Glenn where she worked as an underwriter until her retirement. She went on to marry Gene Balzer and the couple moved to Twain Harte in 1996. She was a member of Soroptimist International of Twain Harte and was the organization’s assistant treasurer. Mrs. Balzer is survived by her husband, Gene Balzer, of Twain Harte; parents, Robert and Lucille McCourtney, of Novato; daughter, Kristin McCourtney, of Raleigh, N.C.; sister, Jana Hefner, of Novato; a nephew; stepchildren, Kirsten and husband Rick Rodriquez, of Campbell, Jennifer and husband Dan Foss, of Modesto, and Patricia and Robert Balzer, both of San Jose; and step-grandchildren, Alexander and Thomas Rodriquez, both of Campbell, Dylan and Ashley Foss, both of Modesto, and Morgan and Cade Balzer, both of San Jose. A memorial service has already been held. Donations can be made to the Soroptimist International of Twain Harte, P.O. Box 497, Twain Harte, CA 95383. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Christopher Alan Hale April 25, 1988 — June 30, 2011 Arnold resident Christopher Alan Hale died June 30 at his home. He was 23. Born in Sonora to Marty Hale and Lisa Fournier, he live in Arnold his entire life and worked as a carpenter for the past three years. Mr. Hale is survived by his father, Marty Hale, of Arnold; mother and stepfather, Lisa and Frank Fournier, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; siblings, Darrell Anthony Hale, of Arnold, and Stephanie Hale, of Budd Lake, N.J.; and grandmother, Alice Berg, of Dorrington. A celebration of life potluck barbecue is scheduled for noon Saturday at White Pines Lake in Arnold. San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Russell Moodie March 3, 1960 — July 4, 2011 Twain Harte resident Russell Moodie died Monday at his home. He was 51. Born in San Jose to Cecelia and Theodore Moodie, in his youth he was a waiter at Pea Soup Anderson in Santa Nella. He was also a banker in San Francisco until his retirement. He later moved to Twain Harte with his partner Brian Gordon. They lived there for six years. Mr. Moodie is survived by his mother, Cecelia Moodie, of Modesto; siblings and their spouses, Ric and Aleta Pallan, of Gustine, Gary and Sue Moodie, of Newman, Steven and Trish Moodie, of Chowchilla, Marie Moodie, and Julie and Kevin Harp, all of Modesto; numerous nieces and nephews; and one goddaughter. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his partner, Brian Gordon. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Sierra, 20100 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370 A service is scheduled for a later date. The McGuire Cremation and Funeral Service in Modesto is handling arrangements. David Eldon Robertson May 15, 1928 — July 5, 2011 Sonora resident David Eldon Robertson died Tuesday at the Mark Twain Convalescent Hospital in San Andreas. He was 83. Born in Dietrich, Idaho, to Joseph and Amy Robertson, he served in the U.S. Marines for a year and the U.S. Army National Guard for 38 years. He was at the Pentagon during his last seven years in the service. He sold Fuller brushes and was a fireman on locomotives in the late 1940s and ’50s. He was a member of the Toastmasters in Sonora, Murphys and Washington, D.C., a Boy Scout Leader of America for 30 years in Merced, Modesto and Idaho, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pocatello, Idaho and a hunter safety and driving instructor. He enjoyed reading, camping, genealogy, trains and traveling. Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis M. Robertson, of Sonora; children and their spouses, David Jr. and Janet Robertson, of Kennewick, Wash., Carol and Marlin Shaw, of Copperopolis, Steven and Robin Robertson, of Modesto, and Russell and Jeannine Robertson, of St. George, Utah.; grandchildren, Aric Robertson, of Washington, Hillary and Michael Robertson, both of Utah, Jill Mildenhall, of North Carolina, Joseph Shaw, Karen Kidd and Bradley Robertson, all of California, Elizabeth Flores, of Colorado, Jacob Robertson, of Nebraska, Philip Robertson, of Georgia, Matthew Robertson, of Virginia, and Paul Robertson, who is serving in Afghanistan; and 22 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Jean Robertson; and his siblings. A service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 19481 Hillsdale Drive in East Sonora. The service will be followed by burial at 2 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Donations can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund, 19481 Hillsdale Drive, Sonora, CA 95370. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. George Eldridge May 24, 1943 — June 29, 2011 Jamestown resident George Eldridge died June 29 at his home. He was 68. Born in Boston, Mass., he served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1985 and fought in the Vietnam War. He worked in public relations for 50 years and lived in Jamestown for 18 years. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America 391 in Sonora and Vietnam Veterans of America California State Council. He also handled the public relations for the Vietnam Veterans of American 391 in Sonora and the California State Council. He enjoyed photography, web design and advertising. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Eldridge, of Jamestown; father, Roy Eldridge, of Center Ossipee, N.H.; children, Jean Flores, of New Hampshire, Edward, Thomas and Linda Eldridge, all of California, and Michael Eldridge, of Washington; siblings, Michael and Stephen Eldridge, Gloria Hoag, and Ruthanne Eldridge-Nelson, all of New Hampshire, and Jim Eldridge, of Pennsylvania; and 10 grandchildren. No service is scheduled. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Nolan Patrick Wiggins March 26, 2011 — June 18, 2011 Nolan Patrick Wiggins died June 18 at the University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children’s Hospital. He was 12 weeks old. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Kristina Wiggins, of Oakdale, formerly of Sonora; grandparents, Patrick and Linda Wiggins, of La Grange, and Steve and Mary Finigian, of Sonora; great-grandparents, Ken and Kay Finigian, of Columbia, and Mary Phillips, of Inglewood; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A celebration of life memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 16 at the Assembly of God Church, 150 N. Pasadena Ave. in Waterford. The Neptune Society of Northern California in San Francisco is handling arrangements. Robert ‘Bob’ J. Bryson April 10, 1925 — July 4, 2011 Columbia resident Robert “Bob” J. Bryson died Monday at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson. He was 86. Born in Madill, Okla., to James and Jessie Bryson, he grew up in Ringling, Okla., where he attended school. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served as a radioman. He fought in the Bougainville, Leyte and Okinawa campaigns, and served during the occupation of Japan. He was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946. He attended Oklahoma University on the GI Bill and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1951. He worked for the McDonnell Douglas Corp. in Tulsa, Okla., Cape Canaveral, Fla., and in Orange County. While there he worked in its space and Apollo programs. He played an active role in putting a man on the moon, was the lead electrical engineer on the Saturn Rocket and worked in the control room during many launches. After retiring from the McDonnell Douglas in 1973, he began growing commercial greenhouse tomatoes. He moved to Columbia in 2004. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, working in his shop and helping his son-in-law build a house in Columbia. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of the 49ers in Columbia, where he served on the governing board. He also had a greeting ministry in the church parking lot. Mr. Bryson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Bryson, of Columbia; children and their spouses, Peggy and Mark La Porte, of Columbia, David and Leslie Bryson, of Atascadero, and Christopher Johnston, of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, James H. Bryson, of Stroud, Okla. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. July 16 at the First Presbyterian Church of the 49ers in Columbia. Franklin and Downs Funeral Home in Modesto is handling arrangements. Emma Wilson Oct. 7, 1922 —July 3, 2011 Tuolumne resident Emma Wilson died Sunday at her home. She was 88. Born in Nebraska, she was a homemaker for 68 years and lived in Tuolumne for two years. She was a member of the Grace Community Church in Prundale, and enjoyed painting, rock hunting and traveling. She is survived by her children, Gary and wife Kim Carter, and Patricia Deffee, all of Tuolumne, Steven and wife Rhonda Carter, of Sonora, and Sharon and Robert Carmichael, of Watson; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Mount Shadow Cemetery in Sonora. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Sierra, P.O. Box 4805, Sonora, CA 95370. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Dwain Lee McDonald Jan. 12, 1937 — June 28, 2011 Longtime Sonora resident Dwain Lee McDonald died June 28 at Sonora Regional Medical Center. He was 78. Born in Modesto to Lee Grand Maxim and Wahnetta Adella Van Slyke Maxim McDonald, he lived in Merced and Fresno before settling in Sonora in 1944. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and San Jose State, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education. He earned his teaching credential from San Jose State and did his student teaching in Tuolumne County. He began teaching at Sonora Elementary School in 1955, but, with a draft looming, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served with the Counterintelligence Corps in Germany. During the Hungarian Revolt in 1956, he interviewed Hungarian refugees who wanted to come to the United States. He was a teacher with the Department of Defense American School in Germany, and Sonora and Jamestown elementary schools. From 1973 to 1979, he was director of educational projects in the Tuolumne County Office of Education, and from 1979 to his retirement in 1999 he was the deputy superintendent of schools in Tuolumne County. He was instrumental and influential in the establishment and continuance of an insurance Joint Powers Authority, which benefited schools in five counties. He was president of the Northern California Regional Excess Liability Fund, secretary of the Secondary School Alliance Workers Compensation for Excess Liability, a member of the Tuolumne County Community Concert Association, Red Cross Water Safety Program and the Sonora United Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. He was also a member of the Sonora Planning Commission and the Sonora Improvement Association. Mr. McDonald is survived by his siblings, Warren McDonald, of Twain Harte, and Frances Santos de Dios, of Houston, Texas; five nieces and nephews; and nine great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. July 15 at the Sonora Elks Lodge. Donations can be made to the Sonora United Methodist Church, 90 Yaney Ave., Sonora, CA 95370; the Columbia College Foundation, 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora, CA 95370; or the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, P.O. Box 23473, Washington, DC 20026. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. James Gutto April 23, 1982 — July 4, 2011 Former Sonora resident James Gutto died Monday at Elsie’s Pool near Sullivan Creek Bridge. He was 29. Born in San Jose to Denna Gutto, he grew up in Gilroy and Sonora. He enjoyed listening to music and playing video games. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Denna Gutto and Paul Holz-berger Sr., of Sonora; brother, Paul Holzberger Jr., of Sonora; two aunts; and numerous cousins. A service is scheduled for a later date. Donations can be made to the Sonora Alano Club, 19421 Village Drive, Sonora, CA 95370. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Notices REINHARDT — Oliver Reinhardt, 82, of Sonora, died Thursday at his home. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. SIDOFF — Robert Sidoff, 89, of Columbia, died Monday at his home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. |
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