Modoc County Record news summaries for April 8, 1999 Norris Duval Gerig Funeral services will be held at a later date for Norris Duval Gerig, 83, of Bieber who died March 28, 1999 at Mayer's Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills. Mr. Gerig was born August 25, 1916 in Bieber and was a respected and well known rancher in the Big Valley area his entire life. He was married to Dorothy Mae Brewster November 7, 1935 in Reno. He was also a graduate of Bieber High School. Mr. Gerig served several years as an elementary and high school trustee at Bieber and was an original member of the Big Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the California Cattlemen Association and the Farm Bureau. Mr. Gerig is survived by his wife Dorothy, Bieber, son and daughter-in-law Peter and Lynne Gerig, Bieber, daughter Glenda, Redding, five grandchildren: Lori Salters, Weed, Bryan Gerig, Bieber, Michelle Estes, Dixon, Debbie Jones, Johnson Park, Ca., Johanna Markham, Redding and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Gerig, Sr., mother Leona, brother, Harold and grandson Curtis Gerig. His remains were cremated and a funeral service is pending. The family asks that donations be made to the charity of choice. Joe Neal Oates, Sr. Funeral services for Joe Neal Oates, Sr., of Likely, were held April 7, 1999 at the Likely Community Church with burial in the Likely Cemetery. Mr. Oates died followed about with cancer on April 3, in Alturas. He was born March 14, 1922 in Holland, Missouri, and moved to Modoc County 20 years ago. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was a part the occupation of China. He was discharged in March, 1946. He was also a member of the Free Masons in Steele, Mo. Mr. Oates was a self-employed trucker/broker in Steel, Missouri and after moving to Modoc, he worked several years for Lyneta Ranches and drove a hay truck for his son, Joe Oates, Jr. He also drove tankers part time for Ed Staub and Sons Petroleum, Inc. He loved fishing and spending time on the Mississippi River. In Modoc, he enjoyed fishing with companion Betty Driscoll at all the fishing holes. He also enjoyed tinkering with cars and inventing things that would make his life easier. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons', Skyler and Dustin, Little League games. He is survived by his son, Joe, Jr. and wife Kathy, of Alturas, daughter Jean Wolfe and husband Dean of Seal Beach, Ca., daughter Rita Cox of Memphis, Tn., daughter Suzanne Royce and husband Jerry, of Lonoke, Ar., grand children, Jessica, Shalan, Skyler, Dustin, Jerry, Michele, Amy, Brandi, Ciara, Kayla; great-grandchildren Jackson, Julia and Heather; companion Betty Driscoll and family, Bill Hooper and the family of Doug Hooper. The family asks that donations be made to Modoc County Little League or to the American Cancer Society. Pastor Rod Bodmer officiated at the service. Modoc County Record news summaries for April 22, 1999 Alfred Emery "Bud" Lewis Fort Bidwell resident, Alfred E. "Bud" Lewis died at the Surprise Valley Hospital in Cedarville on Friday, April 16, 1999 at the age of 81 from cancer. A graveside service will be held at the Fort Bidwell cemetery on Thursday April 22, at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Dan St.Clair officiating. Bud was born to Alfred and Birdie (Richie) Lewis at St. Paul, Minnesota on May 19, 1917. He grew up in Minnesota where he received his education. He worked for the railroad in maintenance as a machinist for a number of years before being drafted into the Army during World War II. He be came a tool and die maker while stationed at Los Alamos, New Mexico. After his discharge he owned and operated a machine shop at Sandia Base, New Mexico for the U.S. Navy. He later ran the experimental machine shop at the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, California until his retirement in 1973, when he moved to Fort Bidwell. After retirement he worked for the Postal Department for about five years delivering mail on the Fort Bidwell to Tulelake run. Bud served on the Fort Bidwell Volunteer Fire Department as President before he came disabled. He loved the out doors, so as much time as possible was spent fishing, hunt ing, hiking, rock hounding, gardening and taking care of his dogs. He was married to Bessie Florian in 1952 at Truth or Con sequences, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Bessie of Fort Bidwell; daughter, Joan Gibison of Omaha, Nebraska; son, Richard Lewis of Perris, Calif., step-daughter, Joan Kahler of Lake view and a number of grand and great-grandchildren. Contributions in the memory of Bud may be made to the Surprise Valley Medical Clinic, 745 Main Street, Cedarville, CA 96104 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Desert Rose Funeral Chapel of Lakeview is in charge of the arrangements. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.