Erin Forrest Life-time Modocer, Erin Forrest of Alturas, went to the spirit world on December 29, 2005. Erin was 85 years of age and was one of five children born to George and Rose (Baker) Forrest. Mr. Forrest passed away unexpectedly at his home. Erin attended Fort Bidwell Indian School, grades one through three, Alturas Elementary, grades four through eight, graduated from Modoc High in 1938, then attended Riverside Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army as a Surgical Technician from July 1943 through December 1945 during World War II. Erin has been active in Indian and Governmental Affairs at both the state and national level for most of his adult life. He was an aide to Alan Cranston, U.S. Senator for eight years and served as an aide in the California Assembly for Pauline Davis for eight years. He has drafted legislation, served on numerous governmental committees and served as an advocate for land based American Indians for many years. He served as Vice Chairman for the National Tribal Chairman's Association and assisted in drafting the legislation for 437 funds under President Johnson. "He created and developed the Modoc Indian Health Project and was the Project Director of Modoc Indian Health Project from 1968 until his retirement in 2002," describes his wife Margaret. He was the Chairman of XL Tribal Council from 1946 to 1961; member of the National Congress of American Indian 1959 to 1962 and 1969 to 1970; Organizer and first chairman of the Inter-Tribal Council of California; appointed by California Governors 1959 to 1967 to Governor's Inter-State Indian Council, Chairman 1967; Special consultant to President Lyndon Johnson's Task Force on Indian Affairs 1967 to 1968; member of California Rural Health Board; Vice Chairman, California State Advisory Commission on Indian Affairs, 1964 to 1969; Chairman, Modoc County OEO Committee, 1966 to 1967; Chairman, Modoc County OEDP Committee 1966 to 1967, Chairman, Modoc County, North Fork Pit River Water Development Committee; Past member Phoenix Area Indian Health Board; Organizer and first President of the Northeastern California Sportsmen's Council, 1965 to 1972; Member of the California-Oregon Inter State Deer Herd Committee,1964 to 1968; Member of California State Democratic Central Committee1960 to 1974 and Chairman of the Modoc County Democratic Central Committee; Kiwanis Club; Director Northern Counties Wildlife Conservation Association; Chairman, Modoc J.O.M. Committee; Member, Board of Regents, Haskell Indian Junior College 1971 to 1973; Member of National Tribal Association Health Committee 1974; Vice President National Tribal Chairman's Association 1975; Erin received recognition for outstanding achievements in Indian Community Development from Indian Health Service in 1975; awarded for recognition of loyal and distinguished service on behalf of California Indian Tribes Dec. 1979; 1980 award for his gratitude for his advice and concern on behalf of California Tribes, CTCA Board of Directors; Indian Health Service Award of Appreciation April 1995. His hobbies were collecting Indian artifacts, raising Appaloosa horses, hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation. He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Margaret Forrest of Alturas; daughters Neneekah Forrest of Davis Creek; Rosemary Nelson of Alturas; Carol Forrest of Ventura; Paula Bryant of Loleta, CA; Julie Anne Tupper of Chiloquin, Or.; sons Erin Forrest, Jr. of Kingman, AZ; Poco Forrest of Chiloquin, OR; step-son Steve Ghorley of Orangevale, CA; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; brother Norman Forrest of Alturas. He was preceded in death by his mother and father George and Rosie Forrest; his brother Daniel Forrest of Alturas; sister, Francis Forrest of San Francisco; two grandsons, Tim Tucker of Seattle, WA and Shawn Hoover of Oregon; and great-grandson Joshua Forrest of Santa Rosa, CA. Donations in his memory may be directed to the Modoc Scholarship Fund c/o Plumas Bank, 510 North Main St., Alturas, CA 96101. There will be no services. Willa Eloise Mills Utt Willa Eloise Mills Utt was born in Washington County, OK to Clyde and Goldie Mills, on June 13, 1918. She was the middle child of three children. She attended school in Copan, OK, and upon graduation, she attended Emporia College of Business in Emporia, KS. While there she met and befriended Paul Utt. Willa and her sister Laudine came to California in the early forties where she helped Laudine cook for the Red River Lumber Company in Westwood and also at the Millwood Fountain in Susanville. Willa then took a position with Lockheed Corporation in Burbank where she soon advanced to Management Assistant in the Industrial Relations Division. In 1945 she married Paul Utt in Long Beach as he returned from service in the Army Air Corp. They then moved to Herlong, CA, where, Paul had been offered a job in security by the Army at a new supply depot. She and Paul moved to Janesville in 1948 where she remained until her passing. After giving birth to her one child, Paul Eugene Utt Jr., Willa returned to work entering Federal Civil Service in 1947. She soon climbed the ladder to the position of Civilian Personnel Officer. After providing Personnel Management programs for the Commander, she became the Director of Administration for Sierra Army Depot. She enjoyed the distinction of being the first woman Director within the U.S. Army's Material Command Depot System. As director, she was instrumental in forming a credit union for the use by both military and civilian employees at the depot. It is now Sierra Central Credit Union. Upon retiring in 1972 Willa spent many hours traveling, fishing, laughing and loving the company of her husband, two grandsons, and her sister. Willa said she was not retired but rather "eligible not to have to work." After the death of her husband Paul, Willa became both an active member and volunteer in many organizations. She is a charter member of the Jolly Elders, and the Mt. Tehama chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has helped many in her journey. Her favorite memories were the antics of her grandsons, Saturday night dances in Termo, the Likely Rodeo, and helping at the Madeline Store owned by her sister and brother-in-law Deana and Earl Allen. Her smile and great sense of humor will be missed. She slipped away quietly on December 27, 2005. Willa was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her sister Laudine, brother Cecil and brother-in-law Earl Allen. Willa is survived by her son Paul E. Utt (Gene) of Willows, CA, two grandchildren, Jason and his wife Deana of Elko, Nevada, Tim of Janesville, CA, and one great-granddaughter, Jasmine of Elko, Nevada. Services for Willa will be held in Susanville at the Walton Funeral Home on January 12, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. Burial to follow in Janesville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Willa's name to the charity of ones' choosing. Ted Wallace Brown A memorial service for Ted Wallace Brown of Cedarville, will be held Saturday, January 7 at 2 p.m. at the Surprise Valley Community Church with the Dr. Ben Zandstra to officiate. A potluck gathering will follow at 225 Bonner St, Cedarville. Mr. Brown passed away on January 2, 2006 of natural causes at Surprise Valley Health Care in Cedarville, CA. He was 74. Born on August 27, 1931 in Houlka, Mississippi, he attended Chamberlain Hunt Academy in his home state and Louisiana State University. He was a veteran having served four years with the U.S. Navy and another four years with the U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War and received his discharge in November 1958. He worked in retail sales for many years. He loved to cook and traveled all over the United States and Europe. He enjoyed outings with his family and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had moved to Surprise Valley two years ago. He was a very unselfish and loving father and will be greatly missed. No one could ever fill his shoes, describe his children. He is survived by his brother W. Ronald Brown of Douglasville, GA; sister J. Wanda Boudreaux of Baton Rouge, LA; three daughters: Teddie W. Hayes of Rocklin, CA; Teri W. Brown-Riley of Cedarville, CA and T. Winona Brown of Citrus Heights, CA. Grandchildren: Joshua, Christina, Jennifer, Kyle, Danielle, Jeremiah, Jessica, Geoffrey and Brandon. Great-grandchildren: Dylan, Jasmine, Darrion and Malachi. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert L. Brown; mother, Lillian S. Brown; brother, J. Donald Brown; sister, D. Marie Hallett, and son, Ted W. Brown, Jr. Donations in Mr. Brown's memory may be directed to the Surprise Valley Health Care District, P.O. Box 246, Cedarville, CA 96104. Kerr Mortuary in Alturas has charge of arrangements. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by avast! AntiVirus. Avast! Is Free To Home Users.