Gerald Albert Hohe

Dec. 4, 1937 — Sept. 20, 2012

Sonora resident Gerald Albert Hohe died Sept. 20 at a Modesto hospital. He was 74. 

Mr. Hohe was born in San Francisco and attended Holy Name grammar school and Riordan High School. 

He married Benita Reed in 1958 and they moved to Pacifica in 1963, where they lived for 40 years and raised their family.

Mr. Hohe spent five years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He worked 40 years in the wine and spirits industry, 35 of which were spent with Young’s Market Co.

Mr. Hohe played drums in San Francisco bands and recently with the Jukes and Rich Rinaldi bands in Sonora. 

He was a member of the Sonora Elks Lodge, Sonora Moose Lodge, Mother Lode Gun Club and Single Action Shooting Society. He was on the Figlia d’Italia council, played in the Black Oak bowling league and was a member of Sons in Retirement. 

He also volunteered his time driving for the Senior Resource Service. He enjoyed learning about local history and gardening.

Mr. Hohe was preceded in death by his first wife of 39 years, Benita Hohe, in 1997; and his step-grandson, Brian Colotto, in 2006.

Mr. Hohe is survived by his wife of seven years, Catherine McDonald, of Sonora; sons and daughters-in-law, Martin and Tracy Hohe, of Lakeport, and Dave and Margie Hohe, of San Carlos; stepchildren and their spouses, Linda and Ken Colotto, of Pacifica, Steve and Gretchen McDonald, of Lafayette, and Dave and Kelly McDonald, of Benicia; grandchildren Breena and Jackson Hohe, of San Carlos, Serrina Hohe, of Lakeport, Carson and Olivia Hohe, of San Francisco, Joe Colotto, of Pacifica, Olivia and Sean McDonald, of Benicia, and Madison and Holland McDonald, of Lafayette.

A donation in his name may be made to the Senior Resource Service, P.O. Box 1252, Soulsbyville, CA 95372.

A celebration of life will be held at noon Oct. 6 at the Sonora Elks Lodge. 

Interment will be at the Italian Cemetery in Colma at a later date. 

Eaton Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Modesto is handling arrangements.

Notices

NAPIER — Kenneth Napier, 80, of Groveland, died Friday at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Juanita Kathleen (Durham) Boyson

June 25, 1922 — Sept. 17, 2012

Sonora resident Juanita Kathleen (Durham) Boyson died Sept. 17 at Meadow View Manor in Sonora. She was 90.

Mrs. Boyson was born in Fountain Head, Tenn., to Luther Anderson Durham and Ruby Jane (Brizendine) Durham. 

She moved with her family to Modesto in 1943. There she met and married Elmer Jack Boyson — a survivor of the Pearl Harbor bombing — while he was stationed in the Army at Hammond General Hospital. 

Mrs. Boyson lived in Modesto for 68 years, from 1943 until 2011. During that time she and her husband were owner-administrators of two Boyson Convalescent Hospitals and the Yosemite Convalescent Hospital. 

She was a member of the YMCA and the Modesto Parkwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she served as the Sabbath school superintendent, pathfinder leader, community services leader, and on the finance committee.  

She moved to Sonora a year and half ago to be cared for by her family.

Mrs. Boyson was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Elmer Boyson; her sister, Maxine Callahan; her brothers, James Durham and Robert Durham; and her granddaughter, Jessica Guinasso.

She is survived by her companion of 10 years, Amos Skadsheim, of Columbia; her children and their spouses, Jack and Kathy Boyson, of Baltimore, Md., Carolyn and Steve Singleton, of Modesto, Susan and Remo Guinasso, of Sonora, and Michael and Shelley Boyson, of Denver, Colo.; sister, Elgeva Burton, of Oakdale; brother, Gerald Durham, of Copperopolis; grandchildren, Tina Boyson, Marc Boyson, Nicole Gearing, Julianne Guinasso, Trevor Boyson, and Madeleine Boyson; six great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Sierra, 20100 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370.

Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel, 419 Scenic Blvd., Modesto.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Modesto Parkwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, 301 Claratina Ave., Modesto.

Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel in Modesto is handling arrangements.  

William ‘Bill’ Padelford

Oct. 4, 1933 — Sept. 25, 2012

Douglas Flat resident William “Bill” Padelford died Tuesday at his home. He was 78.

Mr. Padelford was born in Oakland and raised in the Bay Area. He settled in Douglas Flat 20 years ago. 

He worked as a self-employed carpenter all his life. He also worked in various places in Calaveras County such as the Angels Camp Museum and the food bank.

He enjoyed volunteering as a Christian youth mentor and escorted children on mission trips to Mexicali, Mexico.

He also enjoyed the people and history of the foothills. 

Mr. Padelford is survived by his wife of 56 years Barbara Padelford, of Douglas Flat; his children, David Padelford, of Castro Valley, Michele Colton, of Livermore, Dawn Caillaux, of Benicia, Jon Padelford, of Pleasant Hill, and Phil Padelford, of Concord; his siblings, Peter Padelford, of Arnold, and Susan Clark, of Oregon; and the many children he mentored.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church in Angels Camp.

San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

Mary Etta (Farrell) Segerstrom

May 17, 1920 — Sept. 13, 2012

Sonora resident Mary Etta (Farrell) Segerstrom died Sept. 13 at Sonora Regional Medical Center. She was 92.

Mrs. Segerstrom was born in Memphis, Tenn., and lived in Sonora for 67 years.  

She graduated from Stanford University and worked as a reporter for the San Francisco Call Bulletin. She married Donald I. Segerstrom in 1942.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald I. Segerstrom, in 1973; and her son, James F. Segerstrom, in 2007.

Mrs. Segerstrom is survived by her children Ann Segerstrom, of San Francisco, Donald Segerstrom Jr., of Sonora, David Segerstrom, of San Diego and Steven Segerstrom, of Santa Barbara; and grandchildren, Christian, Stephen, Hanna, William, Peter, Olivia and Maxwell Segerstrom.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Sonora Opera Hall, 250 S. Washington St., Sonora.

A donation in her name may be made to PEO International Peace Scholarship, c/o Joanne Nahmias, 20601 Diane Dr., Sonora, CA 95370.

Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Notices

HOWEY — Mary Howey, 93, formerly of Sonora, died Wednesday at Orangeburg Manor in Modesto. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Ronald Pennel

March 9, 1936 — Sept. 21, 2012

Groveland resident Ronald Pennel died Sept. 21 at Avalon Care Center in Sonora. He was 76.

Mr. Pennel was born in Long Beach and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea. 

He was a member of Pacific Service Employees Association, the San Jose Don’s Motorcycle Club and Port Stockton Motorcycle Club. 

He was a lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association and was an AMA representative to Congress for seven years. 

Mr. Pennel volunteered at the San Jose Family Camp near Groveland for about 30 years and worked as an electric foreman for PG&E for 38 years. 

Mr. Pennel lived in Groveland for 12 years. 

He was preceded in death by his son, James Pennel, in 2004.

Mr. Pennel is survived by his wife, Darlene Pennel, of Groveland; his daughter, Dawn Pennel, of San Jose; his son, Randy Pennel, of Groveland; his sister, Shirley Jacobson, of San Jose; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 

Services will be held at a later date. 

Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

Notices

CLEM — Elizabeth Clem, 59, of Sonora, died Tuesday at her home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

COOPER — Fern Cooper, 87, of Sonora, died Wednesday at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

Judy Greene

Nov. 22, 1912 — Sept. 22, 2012

Sonora resident Judy Greene died Sept. 22 at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. She was 99.

Mrs. Greene was born in Sonora in a house behind the Red Church. She worked as the director of the Tuolumne County Welfare Department until her retirement in 1971.

She enjoyed rock hunting and was a founding member of the Calaveras Gem and Mineral Society. She and co-founder Laura Elsey started the first and only licensed, county-operated adoption agency in California, which ran through the Tuolumne County Welfare Department for several years until closing. 

Mrs. Greene was preceded in death by her husband, Al Greene, in 2002; and her son, Albert Lee Greene, in 2007.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Vincent Nate and Darlene Greene, of Yerington, Nev., and Sonora, and Edmund and Patricia Greene, of Andrews, Texas; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

No services will be held. 

A donation in her name may be made to the Tuolumne County Humane Society. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Gloria Roberts      Mager Oxley 

Jan. 12, 1922 — Sept. 18, 2012

Columbia resident Gloria Roberts Mager Oxley died Sept. 18 at her home. She was 90.

Mrs. Oxley was born in Pittsburg, the youngest of four children to Grover and Katherine Roberts. 

She grew up in San Bruno and graduated from Burlingame High School. 

Her first job was in a creamery, making banana splits. She later became a switchboard operator. 

In 1943, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and was stationed in Italy and North Africa during World War II, working as a switchboard operator. She was honorably discharged in 1945. 

She married Jack Mager in 1946 and lived in South San Francisco. The family moved to Sonora in 1951, where her parents had opened Roberts Motel.

During the 1950s, Mrs. Oxley was a Red Cross swim and first aid instructor. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 10 years. At 45, she started attending Columbia College and earned an associate’s degree in 1970. 

Mrs. Oxley continued her education at Stanislaus State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1971. She continued on to complete a teaching credential and taught for six years. 

Mrs. Oxley enjoyed camping and fishing along the California coast and in the mountains. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, Canada, Mexico and throughout the U.S. She also enjoyed day trips to Yosemite and Sonora Pass. 

Mrs. Oxley’s interests also included gardening, swimming, quilting and genealogy. She was a volunteer at Columbia Elementary School with the PTA and was a scouting den mother. 

She was a member of Tuolumne County Historical Society, Tuolumne County Genealogical Society and Save Our St. Anne’s Church. She also volunteered at the Tuolumne County Library. 

She was a fan of the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers sports teams.

Mrs. Oxley is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Vivian Porta, Bob Roberts and Betty Strand; and three nieces.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Michael Mager, of Portland, Ore., Linda Mager, of Sonora, Patrice (Mager) and Mike Noble, of Turlock, and John and Debbie Mager, of Sonora; grandchildren and their spouses, Andrea Mager, of West Sacramento, Nate and Tiffany Henson, of Ceres, Rocky and Bridget (Henson) Pisciotta, of Sonora, Brian and Sarah Henson, of Sonora, Brittney, Sydney and Ashley Mager, all of Sonora, Josh and April Mager, of Portland, Donovan and Heidi Mager, of Portland, and Raul and Kristin (Mager) Villalobos, of San Fransisco; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds on Rawhide Road in Jamestown.

A donation in her name may be made to Save Our St. Anne’s Church, P.O. Box 1755, Columbia, CA 95310.

Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

Esther ‘Dugie’ Philippy

Aug. 4, 1918 — Sept. 24, 2012

Sonora resident Esther “Dugie” Philippy died Monday at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. She 94.

Ms. Philippy was born and raised in Denver, Colo., the daughter of Rosario and Lila Martinez.

She moved to California in her 30s with her family. She worked in high fashion in Hayward for more than 40 years before retiring to Tuolumne County 12 years ago to be closer to family.

Ms. Philippy was an artist, her family said. She enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, quilting, crafts, dancing and gardening.

She was a member and former president of the Sonora Senior Center and a member of Sierra Bible Church. 

Ms. Philippy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ramona Martinez, her brothers, Max Martinez and Ross Martinez, her daughter, Joann Gifford; her son-in-law, Richard Fazio; and her grandson, Dennis Dugan.

She is survived by children and their spouses, Sandra Fazio, of Sonora, Barry and Lynda Dugan, of Sonora, Debra Worcester, of San Francisco, and William and Nina Gifford, of Fremont; her grandchildren and their spouses, Rhonda and Robin Forsberg, of Oakdale, Brian and Sandra Gifford, of Fremont, Christine Fazio and her partner, Renee Farrell, of Oakland, Gina Nickels and her partner, Paul Jordan, of Winnipeg, Canada, Rick and Karen Fazio, of Rancho Mirage, Michelle Avery, of Sonora, Jody and Lisa Dugan, of Sonora, and Deanna Sutterfield, of Lake Tahoe; nine great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Sierra Bible Church, 15171 Tuolumne Road, Sonora. 

She will be interred at Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Hayward.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Sierra Bible Church. 

Allen Mortuary in Turlock is handling arrangements. 

Notices

KOHLER — George Henry Kohler, 88, of Twain Harte, died Friday at his home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

SEAVEY — Darrell Seavey, 78, of Sonora, died Tuesday at his home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

WILSON — Jeanne Wilson, 87, of Sonora, died Monday at her home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Chalmer Porter ‘C.P.’ Collinsworth

Oct. 19, 1918 — Sept. 20, 2012

Sonora resident Chalmer Porter “C.P.” Collinsworth died Sept. 20 at Meadow View Manor in Sonora. He was 93.

Mr. Collinsworth was born in Ukiah and grew up in Strathmore, Tulare County. He was a World War II veteran and a longtime resident of Oakdale. He moved to Porterville following the death of his wife, Emma Jean Collinsworth. He lived in Sonora, near family, for the last year of his life.

Mr. Collinsworth began his career at Montgomery Ward and left the company as western regional manager. He was also a former Oakdale City councilman. He was Oakdale’s first “Man of the Year,” because of his charitable work and community involvement. 

He was a member of the founding consortium to build Oakdale Golf and Country Club. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish, Catholic Charities, Lion’s Club, Oakdale Chamber of Commerce and SCORE.

Mr. Collinsworth enjoyed spending time with family and close friends, especially during holidays.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean (Heitsuman) Collinsworth; parents, Homer and Maude (Pugh) Collinsworth; and siblings, Leonard, Lester and Bertha.

He is survived by children and their spouses, Janice Lee Collinsworth, of Spokane, Wash., Gary and Pam (Macsenti) Collinsworth, of Sonora, and Gregg and Karinne (Giamona) Collinsworth, of Menlo Park; his brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Jean Collinsworth, of Medford, Ore.; his former wife, Edythe Lewis, of Porterville; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A donation in his name may be made to St. Anthony’s Foundation, 150 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102, or Catholic Charities, 14855 Mono Way, Suite 101, Sonora, CA 95370.

Services were held Monday.

Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Anthony D. ‘Tony’ Garcia Jr.

Aug. 23, 1939 — Sept. 14, 2012

Sonora resident Anthony D. “Tony” Garcia Jr. died Sept. 14 at Stanford University Medical Center. He was 73. 

Mr. Garcia was born in San Jose and lived in Sonora for nine years. He worked as a dairyman in Los Banos and Atwater for 20 years. He also worked in the auto parts industry for most of his life. He was a partner in Merced Clutch and Brake and owned Merced Filter Battery and Electric. He also served as a counter person and sales representative for Merced TBA and Sonora Auto Parts.

He served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Vietnam War. He was a past member of the Buhach Portuguese Men’s Pentecost Organization. 

Mr. Garcia was preceded in death by his father, Anthony D. Garcia Sr.; and his mother, Florence Garcia.

He is survived by sons, Duane Garcia, of Atwater and Anthony Garcia, of Ceres; daughters, Lori Wagner, of San Jose, Sherie Taylor, of Atwater, ToniAnn Gatzke, of Pleasanton, Nichole Weiss, of Ione and Linda Toste, of Ceres; his fiancee, Judy Heil, of Sonora; and 13 grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4601 Hyland Ave., San Jose, CA 95127. Entombment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in San Jose. 

A donation in his name may be made to Heredity Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Foundation, www.hht.org.

Beddingfield Funeral Services in Moorpark is handling arrangements. 

Ronnell Marie Mello

April 29, 1975 — Aug. 18, 2012

Former Tuolumne County resident Ronnell Marie Mello died Aug. 18 at a friend’s home in Newman. She was 37.

Ms. Mello was born in San Andreas and lived in Tuolumne County for 25 years. She graduated from Summerville High School in 1993 and earned an associate’s degree in child development from Columbia College.

She worked with disabled children at Tucci Learning Solutions in Marina, Monterey County. 

She enjoyed music and photography. 

Ms. Mello attended Peaceful Valley Church and its youth group while in Tuolumne County. She also enjoyed singing.

Ms. Mello was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mitzi Berry.

She is survived by her mother, Earleen Gaudette, of Sonora; her father, Marvin James Mello, of Manteca; grandparents, Ronald Earl Berry, of Sonora, and Tony and Virginia Mello, of Escalon; her sister, Kimbra Rae Gaudette, of Rocklin; a nephew, Braylon Davis, of Rocklin; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Lazy Z Ranch in Sonora.

Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel in Newman is handling arrangements. 

Ruby Lucille (Wright) Ray

June 6, 1925 — July 9, 2012

Jamestown resident Ruby Lucille (Wright) Ray died July 9 at Sonora Regional Medical Center long term care unit. She was 87.

Mrs. Wright was born in Weatherford, Okla. 

She worked as a riveter in Oklahoma City during World War II and moved to California in 1944 to be closer to family.

She worked as a cocktail waitress at the Elks Club in Paradise, in Butte County. She also lived in Manteca before settling in Jamestown 22 years ago. 

Mrs. Ray enjoyed dancing and practiced tri-chem painting for more than 40 years. 

She was a member of two chapters of the Red Hat Society and a woman’s club in Sonora. 

Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Robert Ray, in 2007; her parents, Roy Wright, in 1971, and Irene Wright, in 1991; and all three of her children, James Lee Elliott, in 1968, Deborah Elliott, in 1992, and Larry Elliott, in 2003; and her brothers, Eldon Wright, in 1963, and Dale Wright in 2000. 

She is survived by her siblings, Melba Price, of Sonora, Erma Wright, of Nevada, and Wilber Wright and Ray Wright, both of Idaho; one grandchild, Melodee Nelson, of Modesto; and two great-grandchildren. 

Services were held Sept. 1 at Parkview Cemetery in Manteca. 

Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. 

Notices

GREENE — Judy Greene, 99, of Sonora, died Friday at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

PENNEL — Ronald J. Pennel, 76, of Groveland, died Friday at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

RIX — Raymond Rix, 63, of Tuolumne, died Sunday at his home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. 

William P. ‘Bill’ Rutherford Sr.

Jan. 11, 1941 — Sept. 19, 2012

William P. “Bill” Rutherford Sr. was pronounced dead Wednesday morning at Sonora Regional Medical Center shortly after being taken there from his Tuolumne home. He was 71.

Mr. Rutherford was born in St. Helena on Jan. 11, 1941, to Betty Wimberly Rutherford McKenzie and Albert Rutherford. He was raised largely in the Napa and Fort Bragg areas except for about a year in New Jersey about the age of 10.

As a teenager, he moved to Shingle Springs in El Dorado County with his mother and stepfather, and graduated from El Dorado Union High School in 1958. He attended Napa Junior College and Columbia Junior College as well as taking many other college courses through the years. He also read voraciously, almost always technical how-to books.

Mr. Rutherford was a Boy Scout when he was young, reaching First Class rank. In the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, he was a Scoutmaster and a leader in the organizational aspects of Scouts in Tuolumne County and what was then Yosemite Area Council of Boy Scouts, headquartered in Modesto. Among other awards, he was given the prestigious Silver Beaver for his service to youth.

His wife said he loved playing the guitar and singing, especially with his children. His musical interests varied. He was a country music fan, but knew every word to every song John Denver ever sang and most of Pavarotti’s, as well. 

She said he also loved vacationing and mini-vacations and always said he was taking his retirement one trip at a time. Destinations included Hawaii, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, the Sierra Nevada, Idaho, the Southern California deserts, New Orleans, Florida, the Southwest and other places throughout the United States.

He was known for his cooking skills and was a founding member of the Central California Dutch Oven Association.

He had many hobbies over the years. His favorites in recent years included golf, fly fishing and playing chauffeur in costume as “Chuckie” for his family to special occasion wine tastings.

He had many jobs. Early ones included bookkeeper for Michigan Cal Lumber in Camino, El Dorado County, loan official with Liberty Loan in San Francisco and working in mines in El Dorado County.

He met his wife, Lenore, in July 1961 on a blind date in Placerville, and they were married that Oct. 21. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in October.

They moved to Tuolumne County in 1963, where he began a 25-year career with what was then called Pacific Asbestos in Copperopolis, working his way up from laborer to personnel director.

His avocation and on-again off-again career was as a draftsman, helping to design and draw everything from pieces of equipment to custom homes and commercial buildings. He first worked at an old-fashioned drafting table, then on AutoCAD. When he wasn’t working on AutoCad for a job, he was doing it as a hobby.

He worked at Orchard Supply in Sonora for several years as a department manager. When he died, he had been working at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne as a table games dealer for about six years. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rutherford was preceded in death by his stepfather, Darwin McKenzie; stepmother, Betty Rutherford; brother, Albert; and mother-in-law, Betty Fowler.

He is survived by his wife, Lenore Rutherford, of Tuolumne; children and spouses, Candi Perkins, of Tuolumne; Bill and Michele Rutherford, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Dan and Kathy Rutherford, of Tuolumne; grandchildren, Michael Rutherford, of Tuolumne, Jeremiah Perkins, of Half Moon Bay, Heather Rutherford, of Coeur d’Alene, Joel Perkins, of Tuolumne, Amanda Perkins, of Columbia, John Rutherford, of South Carolina, and Catie Rutherford, of Tuolumne; four great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Donations may be made in his name to a charity of choice. A service was held Sunday in Standard.

Virginia M. Christie

Nov. 11, 1917 — Sept. 12, 2012

San Andreas resident Virginia M. Christie died Sept. 12 at Mark Twain Convalescent Hospital in San Andreas. She was 94.

Ms. Christie was born in San Francisco.

She moved to the San Andreas area two years ago to be closer to family friends, Ray and Joan Callahan.

She worked as a public health nurse in Merced County for more than 40 years.

No services are planned.

San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

Carol Christine Cupps

Dec. 1, 1948 — Aug. 27, 2012

Jamestown resident Carol Christine Cupps died Aug. 27 at her daughter’s home in Lincoln. She was 63.

Mrs. Cupps was born in Meadville, Pa.

She lived in Tuolumne County for 11 years from 1983 to 1994 but left when her husband was transferred out of the area. She returned a year ago to be closer to family.

She worked as a phlebotomist at Sonora Community Hospital for 10 years.

Cupps enjoyed gardening and “do it yourself” projects. 

Mrs. Cupps was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Cupps, in 2010; and her father, Charles Myers, in April 2012.

She is survived by her mother, Doris Myers, of Folsom; her children and their spouses, Jennifer and Jon Williams, of Tuolumne, Jayne and Jamie Anderson, of Lincoln, and Justin and Katie Cupps, of Idaho; her siblings, Karen Johnson, of Folsom; Terri Dent, of Austin, Texas, and Jerry Myers, of Santa Clara; grandchildren, Nathan and Zakkary Williams, of Tuolumne, and Haley and Ashley Anderson, of Lincoln. 

Donations can be made to Hospice of the Sierra, 20100 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Oct. 6 at Valley Springs Presbyterian Church, 2401 Olympus Drive, Roseville, CA 95661.

The Neptune Society of California is handling arrangements. 

Notices

BROCKMAN — A memorial luncheon will be held for Joyce Brockman, 83, of Sonora, at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Pine Tree Restaurant, 19601 Hess Ave., East Sonora. Call Mary Jane Moffat at 533-8664 for details.

June S. Brown

June 15, 1923 — Sept. 15, 2012

Sonora resident June S. Brown died Saturday at her daughter’s home in Soulsbyville. She was 89.

Mrs. Brown was born in Minot, S.D. 

She moved to California in the early 1950s with her first husband, Gene Kampa.

She taught home economics in Hollister for 25 years before retiring to Tuolumne County in 1975, where she settled in Long Barn. 

She moved to Sonora in the late 1980s. 

Mrs. Brown held a variety of jobs in the area, including a rural mail delivery route, as camp host at Pinecrest Lake Campground and a cashier at Chicken Ranch Bingo and Casino.

She was a member of the Aronos Research Women’s Club, the California Retired Teachers Association and enjoyed playing bridge.

Her family said that she was always coordinating birthdays celebrations and often made trips to see her 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

She was a mother of five with a schedule full of sporting events and school activities and worked two jobs to support her family. 

Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by husband, Robert W. Brown and former husband, Gene Kampa. 

She is survived by her sons, Robert Kampa, of Aptos and Peter Kampa, of Sonora; her daughters, Frances Johnson, of Soulsbyville, Margaret Fortino, of Gilroy, and Carol Butros, of Mersin, Turkey; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  

Donations can be made to the Aronos Research Women’s Club scholarship fund.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Oct. 13 at the Willow Springs Ranch Clubhouse.

Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Jonne Christian        (Withers) Zahm

Sept. 6, 1919 — Sept. 12, 2012

Sonora resident Jonne Christian Zahm died Sept. 12 at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. She was 93.

Mrs. Zahm was born and raised in Berkeley, but her family had vacationed in Tuolumne County all her life. As a young girl, they camped in Pinecrest.

Her family built a cabin in the area in 1926 but sold it in the 1960s. 

She settled in Tuolumne County 47 years ago.

Mrs. Zahm had several occupations throughout her life, she worked as a receptionist with the Holiday Inn, as a clerk at Brady’s Drug Store on South Washington Street in Sonora, as a clerk with the U.S. Forest Service and was a staff member of Sierra Foothills Residential Care.

She attended the University of California, Berkeley for a couple of years but did not graduate.

She joined the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and served from Oct. 1943 to Dec. 1945. 

After the war she worked in Japan at a service club for the military. She would later return to Japan in the mid 1950s with her second husband, Ron Zahm as part of his military service.

She volunteered with the Senior/Youth Partnership program, enjoyed reading and animals.

Mrs. Zahm was preceded in death by her parents, John Walter Withers and Gertrude Alice (Morin) Withers; her sisters, Virginia Cramer Barnett, Sally Withers and Billie Leslie. 

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Zahm, of Sonora; her niece, Carol Stephens, of Sonora; grand niece, Tiffany Flavin and her husband, Tim, of Sonora; and one grandnephew, of Oakland; and former husband, Ron Zahm, of Ohio.

Donations can be made to the Tuolumne County Humane Society, P.O. Box 830, Jamestown, CA 95327. 

No services are planned.

The Neptune Society of California is handling arrangements. 

Notices

OXLEY — Gloria Oxley, 90, of Sonora, died Wednesday at her home. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

RUTHERFORD — William Rutherford, 71, of Tuolumne, died Wednesday at Sonora Regional Medical Center. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Mary Sue            ‘Molly’ Emerson

Sept. 22, 1930 — Aug. 12, 2012

Sonora resident Mary Sue “Molly” Emerson died Aug. 12 at Avalon Care Center of Sonora. She was 81.

Mrs. Emerson was born in Elk City, Kan., to Silas Paul and Esper (Wilson) Shelton.

Her family moved to California during her school years. She graduated from Point Loma High School, in San Diego.

In college she met Howard J. Quam, when he returned from service in the U.S. Army during World War II. 

She spent many years as homemaker but later returned to California Lutheran College in Camarillo. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1990. 

Mrs. Emerson worked as a social worker for Ventura County for 14 years until retirement.

She enjoyed history, writing, knitting and the outdoors. 

She volunteered as a docent at Columbia State Historic Park. 

Mrs. Emerson was preceded in death by her former husband in 2006.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Lory Stephen Quam, of Martinez, Lisa Quam, of Cottonwood, Ariz., Michael and Tami Quam, of Ventura, Christopher and Connie Quam, of Bakersfield, and Gregory Paul and Suzanne Quam, of Ventura; and five grandchildren, Jennifer, Brianna, Chelsea, Elizabeth and Michael. 

A private family service has been held. 

Allen Mortuary in Turlock is handling arrangements. 

Presley Robert       ‘Bob’  Corder

Nov. 26, 1932 — Sept. 12, 2012

Former Sonora resident Robert “Bob” Presley Corder died Sept. 12 at a nursing facility in Boise, Idaho. He was 79.

Mr. Corder was born in Cass County, Mo., to James Meredith and Mary Mae Corder.

He lived in Sonora for 43 years, from 1968 to 2011, until he moved to Boise to be closer to his daughters.

He graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights in 1950. After, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Mr. Corder worked as an installer for Western Electric Co. for 30 years. He also co-owned and operated the St. Charles Saloon in Columbia and the Sonora UPS store for several years. He later worked as a night security guard for the Chicken Ranch Bingo and Casino in Jamestown. 

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening and taking long walks with his dog. 

Mr. Corder was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rosie VonBehren; his brother Harold Corder; and one niece. 

He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Amyx, of Boise, and Cecily and Bob Marolf, of Grand Junction, Colo.; his grandchildren, James Amyx and his wife, Jennifer, of Meridian, Idaho,  Lyndee Cobler, of Boise, Zach Marolf and Candace Marolf,  both of Grand Junction; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; former wife and mother of his children, Donna Corder, of Boise; and wife, Laurine E. Corder, of Alameda. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 8931 Ardene St., Boise, ID 83709. 

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Cemetery in Boise.

Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise is handling arrangements. 

Denis ‘Bill’ Armstrong

July 28, 1948 — Sept. 12, 2012

Groveland resident Denis “Bill” Armstrong died Sept. 12 of lung disease at the UC Davis Medical Center. He was 64.

Mr. Armstrong was born in Modesto and raised in Oakdale. Growing up, he helped his father irrigate and work cattle.

He served in the National Guard in the late 1960s and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in forestry and natural resources from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1972.

Mr. Armstrong settled in the area in 1977, when he began working for the U.S. Forest Service in Groveland and Buck Meadows. 

He worked as a contract administrator and seasonal firefighter for 30 years until his retirement in 2007. 

He toured the United States by train and traveled to Europe, Costa Rica and Hawaii. He enjoyed trips to Lake Tahoe and Reno and fishing in Mexico and Alaska. He also took work assignments in Washington, D.C., Florida and Texas.

He enjoyed softball, bird hunting, reading and attending “happy hour” at the local grill.  

He became a fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers during his retirement.

Mr. Armstrong was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Armstrong.

He is survived by his mother, Bertie Armstrong, of Oakdale; son, Pat Armstrong, of Groveland; his brother, Scott Armstrong and his wife, Lori, of Escalon; his sister, Jane Rossini and her husband, Silvio Jr., of Oakdale, and Jacque Armstrong, of Oakdale; one nephew and three nieces. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation, P.O. Box 106, Latham, NY 12110. 

Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in La Grange, followed by a memorial at 2 p.m. at Oakdale Memorial Chapel.

Oakdale Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. 

Douglas Taylor Cameron 

April 7, 1926 — Sept. 10, 2012

Murphys resident Douglas Taylor Cameron died Sept. 10 at his home. He was 86.

Mr. Cameron was born in Dines, Wyo., to Frank and Florence Cameron, immigrants from England. 

The family moved to La Habra in Southern California in 1931.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served aboard the USS Croatan in World War II.

Mr. Cameron was honorably discharged in 1946 and moved to Boulder Creek, where he met Shirley Jeannotte. They married in 1949.

They settled in Scotts Valley where they built their own home and raised their family.

The Camerons retired to Arnold in 1978. During that time, they enjoyed traveling in recreational vehicles and trips to Alaska and Mexico.

They moved to Murphys in 2006.

Mr. Cameron was preceded in death by his brother, Keith Cameron.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Cameron, of Murphys; his children and their spouses, Debbie Babcock, of Felton; Michael and Bitsy Cameron, of Murphys; Nancy Krilanovich, of Scotts Valley; and Gail and Ron Barrett, of Murphys; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Sierra, 20100 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6, at the home of Ron and Gail Barrett, 900 French Gulch Road, Murphys. 

Angels Memorial Chapel is the handling arrangements. 

Notices

BROWN — June Brown, 88, of Sonora, died Saturday at her home. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.