Modoc County Record – May 31, 2007 Everett Oral Flynn Long-time Canby resident and decorated World War II veteran Everett Oral Flynn survived incredible odds and hardships during the war as one of eight from a platoon of 44 to survive the Siege of Bastogne "Battle of the Bulge" in 1944. Mr. Flynn passed away from lung cancer at his Canby, CA home, surrounded by family on May 24, 2007. He was 82. Pastor John Pierce of Christian Life Assembly will conduct a graveside service on Friday, June 1, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Alturas Cemetery with military honors for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. A gathering will follow at Christian Life Assembly, 225 West B Street, Alturas. A native of Stites, Idaho, born on January 14, 1925, Everett moved to Burney with his family and graduated from Fall River High School. At the young age of 18, Everett was drafted into the U.S. Army, 101st Air Born "Screaming Eagles," 501 Regiment, F Company in 1943, and volunteered as a paratrooper. His first mission was "Operation Overload" when three regiments parachuted into France behind Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, better known as the historic "D-Day." Three days later, troops from the beach joined up with the paratroopers inland. After six days in the thick of it, and mortar fire all around, Flynn was wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel. He was taken to England to be "patched up" and had a month and half of recuperation before being sent back into battle. But, not before a lucky seven-day furlough as Germans were buzz bombing London and Flynn was told he'd be safer leaving the city. He headed to Edinborough, Scotland, where he met the love of his life, Sheila Bathgate. He returned to active duty in time for the Siege of Bastogne, "Battle of the Bulge" where a handful of Americans held their ground against a German offensive that threatened to annihilate them in the coldest December on record, 1944. His tour of duty in Europe ended in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Hitler's "Eagle's Nest." Flynn was discharged on Christmas Eve, 1945. Everett began a truck-driving career when he returned to Burney. He saved enough to send for his fiancé Sheila in Scotland, and the two married almost a year after his return home. He drove for Burney Mills and later Loveness Logging and Glass Mountain Block (1966). He moved with Sheila and their two children to Canby in 1952, when their son Mel was 5 years old. Everett loved hunting and fishing and was sharp at darts and pool. His beloved Sheila passed away May 27, 1998. He was also preceded in death by his adult daughter Patricia Flynn and brother Melvin. He is survived by his son Melvin Flynn of Canby, CA; two brothers, oldest brother Arn Flynn of Sparks, NV and youngest brother Don Flynn of Cottonwood, CA; grandchildren Connie Dixon, Alturas; Melody Jones, Alturas; Rhonda Nelson, Spokane, WA; Laura Gallegos, Redding; Desiree Flynn, Klamath Falls, OR; great-grandchildren, Travis and Courtney Gallegos, Redding; Lavena and JJ Flynn, Klamath Falls, OR; Amanda Davis and Elizabeth Knigge, Alturas, CA. Visitation will be tonight, May 31 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kerr Mortuary in Alturas, CA. The Modoc Record published the story of Mr. Flynn's World War II experiences on November 4, 2004, entitled "A Veteran's Story." (A Side Note: It would appear that he served in the unit which the "Band of Brothers" was filmed. Billie Reynolds) Margaret M. Roden Long-time Modoc resident Margaret M. Roden passed away May 16, 2007, at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA. Margaret was born June 11, 1920 in Costilla, New Mexico to Antonio and Sophia Sena. Margaret is survived by two sons, Steve and wife Patty Roden, Portland, OR; Johnny Roden, Alturas, CA; daughter Sue and husband Jerry Wendland, Alturas, CA; four grandchildren, Corrina Roden, Phoenix, AZ, Jeff Roden, Portland, OR; Brian Roden, Portland, OR; and Rick Welling, Fresno, CA; six great-grandchildren and special nephew Dennis Suazo. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Roden, four brothers and three sisters. Services were held May 22, 2007 at Kerr Mortuary with interment following at Alturas Cemetery. Dorytha T. Smith Dorytha T. Smith passed away in her sleep from natural causes on May 26, 2007 in Woodland, CA. She was born December 8, 1915, the second of seven daughters to Sam and Etha Timmons in Davis Creek, CA. Preceded in death by her husband, Bud, whom she was married to for 70 years. She is survived by three sons; Bob Smith (Joan), Marysville, California, Jerry Smith (Jonny), Sacramento, California and Mike Smith, (Audrey), Price, Utah. Two sisters; Kathryn Currie and Nancy June Fuson. Nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in the Alturas Cemetery. No services will be held. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.