Modoc County Record for Jan. 7, 1999 Ramona LaVerne McDonald Ramona LaVerne McDonald, a former Modoc resident for most of her life, passed away at her Los Flores, Calif. home on December 31, 1998. She was 61 years old. She was born Ramona Cates in Socorra, New Mexico on September 23, 1937 to Simi and Jewell Cates. She lived most of her life in Modoc County before moving to Tehama County 12 years ago. Mrs. McDonald was a dedicated mother who enjoyed cooking, making candy and baking cakes and enjoyed crafts. She also enjoyed being the boss of her dogs. Preceding her in death were two daughters, LaQuita McDonald and Vickie Stevenson, and a granddaughter Mandy Dowell. She is survived by her two sons, Scott McDonald of Los Flores and Doug McDonald of Susanville; a daughter Robin Greer of Gerber; sister Nadene Baker of Gerber; two brothers, Ed Cates of Reno, Nev. and Clifford Cates of Canby, Calif. A memorial service was held on Monday, January 4 at the Memorial Hall in Gerber, Calif. at 1:00 p.m. W. C. Fickert Memorial Chapel of Red Bluff took charge of arrangements. Irene Fisher Davidson Irene Dorothy Fisher Davidson, a lifelong resident of Alturas and an active member of the community, passed away at her home in Alturas, Calif. on Thursday morning, December 31, 1998. She had celebrated her 85th birthday just two days before. She was born in Alturas, Calif. to Frank and Leona [Claussen] Fisher on December 28, 1913. She was reared and attended Business College in Eugene, Ore. On June 13, 1940, Irene married Stanley Ray Davidson in Alturas. They have been married for 58 years and reared one daughter Marilyn David son-Reeves. Mrs. Davidson worked for the State of California for over 40 years as the office manager for the Department of Human Resources. She retired in 1977. She was known as "Nonnie," a name that was given to her by her granddaughter and was carried over and used to her great-grandchildren. Every Thursday Irene and Stan would help sort clothes for the Thrift Shop operated by Federated Church and spend time with lifelong friends. They have been long-time members of Federated Community Church in Alturas, where Mrs. Davidson served as a Deacon and helped wherever she was needed. She was a fifty-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and for a number of years volunteered to work the Modoc Medical Center Gift Shop. She was still involved in helping with the monthly birthday parties at Modoc Medical Center's Skilled Nursing Facility. She was also a faithful member of a weekly Bible Study. In addition, she enjoyed gardening, doing crossword puzzles, letter writing and recording her daily activities in her journal. In the spring, her garden was full of snapdragrons, pansies and other colorful flowers. She was preceded in death by her brother Marion Frank Fisher, who passed away in 1996. She is survived by her husband Stanley R. Davidson of Alturas; daughter Marilyn Sue Reeves and son-in-law Denver of Concord, Calif.; granddaughter Marilee Reeves-Boothe of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandson Kenn Ray Reeves of Concord; great-grandsons Jesse Ray Walser of Brentwood, Calif. and Nicholas Ryan Boothe of Las Vegas; and great-granddaughter Emily Claire Boothe of Las Vegas. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Federated Community Church in Alturas with the Rev. Ben Zandstra officiating. Burial followed at the Alturas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Federated Community Church Memorial Fund. Allan Cyrus Crum Services for Allan Cyrus Crum will be held at graveside today, January 7 at 11 a.m. at the McArthur Cemetery. Pastor Mack McKee will officiate. Mr. Crum died of natural causes on Friday, January 1, 1999 in Klamath Falls, Ore. He was born May 13, 1914 in Cayton Valley, Calif. to Birdie and Merton Crum who reared their son in the McArthur area. Mr. Crum worked for the Crum Meat Company from 1932 to 1944. The company butchered and supplied meat products to Northeast California. He sold out to his brothers in 1944 and began ranching on his own. He purchased a ranch in Pittville where he raised hay and cattle. He and Esther Eva Hobson were married on July 10, 1937 and have shared 61 years of marriage together. Mr. Crum retired in 1985, but continued to live on the ranch. He was a good carpenter and mechanic and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife Esther; sons and daughters-in-law, Melvin and Harriet Crum of Unity, Ore.; Don and Susan Crum of Alturas; daughters and sons-in-law Beverly and Bob Swarm, Bieber; Barbara and Bill Joiner, Lookout; Ida Marie and Jim McAlister, Ione, Wash.; grandchildren Bonnie Kist, Dixie Howard, Craig Joiner, Jennie Joiner, Frank Crum, Allan Crum, Lori McAlister, Annette Galles, Brian Crum and Laura Burrows. He also leaves five great-grandchildren; two brothers Orville and Donald Crum; two sisters Nelda Taylor and Blanch Anders. The family suggests any memorial contributions be directed to the Intermountain CattleWomen, P.O. Box 161, McArthur, CA 96056 for a scholarship for a graduating high school senior. William "Bill" Weild Minto William "Bill" Weild Minto, 77, of Merrill, Oregon, died December 30, 1998, in Merrill. Funeral services were held Monday, January 4 at the Eagleville Community Church with the Rev. Jim Davidson officiating. Interment followed at the Eagleville Cemetery. Mr. Minto was born October 24, 1921, in Eagleville, Calif., as the son of Elmer Weild and Ellen Phylinda Dorton Minto. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as tech sergeant from 1942 to 1945. On May 28, 1950, Mr. Minto married Sarah Jane Mankin in Red Bluff, Calif. to them were born two daughters. His wife, family and friends were always the most special in his life. He was a highly skilled carpenter for many years. He helped build many homes in and around Surprise Valley and Alturas. He also worked on ranches in the Eagleville area and had cattle of his own. His grandfather, Robert Weild Minto, was a pioneer who settled in Surprise Valley near present-day Eagleville. His grandfather donated the original land for the Eagleville Cemetery where Bill is now buried. His hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing and helping other people. Mr. Minto lived in Surprise Valley most of his life until moving to Merrill in 1993, where he was a member of the Merrill Baptist Church. He had also been active in the Alturas Christian Center and the Lake City Church. He was a life member and past commander of the Surprise Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars, was active with the Eagleville Volunteer Fire Department, and whole-heartedly supported the community. Survivors include his wife, Sarah Minto of Merrill; daughters and their husbands, Patty and Dave Jensen, and Kay and Jim Ellis, all of Merrill; granddaughter and husband, Shawna and Patrick Bynum of Chico; grandchildren Tracy Jacobs, USN in South Carolina, and Becky Jacobs and Ron Jacobs of Rock Springs, Wyoming; sister Mildred Maupin and Elma Dorton of Alturas, Ellen Boster of Salem, Missouri and Mabel Richardson of Redding; sisters-in-law Sharon Staton of Eagleville and Carol Minto of Gerlach, Nev.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ellen Minto; his granddaughter Kathy Jensen; brothers Bud and Jack Minto and sister Phyllis Watt. Memorial contributions may be made to the Klamath Hospice, 437 Main Street, Klamath Falls, Ore. 97601. Edward B. "Mac" McKelvy Former Alturas resident Edward B. "Mac" McKelvy died on Saturday, January 2, 1999 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Red Bluff, Calif. He was 80. He was born on January 14, 1919 to Edward and Jessie McKelvy in Dallas, Texas. He served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He married his wife Doris on June 7, 1946 and the two shared 52 years of marriage together. Mr. McKelvy worked for many years as a highway engineer for the U.S. Forest Service. Mr. McKelvy made Alturas his home from 1957 to 1963 while he worked for the Modoc National Forest. He moved to Corning in 1963 and worked there until his retirement. He was a member of the National Association for Retired Federal Employees; a former member of the Lions Club and the Good Sam Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and the mountains. He is survived by his wife Doris R. McKelvy of Corning; two sons, Forest E. McKelvy and Brad B. McKelvy, both of Corning; a daughter Bobette Bonner of Red Bluff; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Hall Bros. Corning Mortuary Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice. Private inurnment will take place at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning. Arrangements are under the direc tion of Hall Bros. Corning Mortuary. Margaret J. Dorn Private family services will be held at a later date for Margaret J. Dorn, age 88, who died January 1, 1999 at her residence in Eagleville. Mrs. Dorn was born April 27, 1910 in Santa Cruz, Ca. She graduated from Watsonville High School in 1927 and Fullerton Junior College in 1929. She married Conrad Dorn in Reno, Nv. in 1932. She was a member of Eastern Star of Lakeport, Ca., the Presbyterian Church of Kelseyville and the First Congregational Church in San Rafael. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family, interior decorating and journal keeping. Mrs. Dorn is survived by a daughter, Rosemary Sheppard, of Eagleville; a son, Reid Henderson Dorn, of Kelseyville; a sister, Eleanor Turnbul of Alameda; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church, number 8, N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, Ca. 94903. The Neptune Society of Chico is handling the arrangements. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.