Hester Steil Rahm Graveside services were held July 2, 2002 at Lake City Cemetery, Lake City, CA, for Hester Ellen Rahm. Mrs. Rahm passed away June 26, 2002 in Redding, CA. She was 63 years old. v She was born February 7, 1939 at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, CA to Leo and Bea Steil. A life-long resident of Alturas, CA, Hester graduated as valedictorian with Modoc High School Class of 1956. She attended nursing school at St. Luke's School of Nursing in San Francisco, earning her nursing degree in 1960. She and Rickard Rahm were married in Alturas, CA on June 5, 1960. The couple made their home in Alturas. Mrs. Rahm was Director of Nurses at Warnerview Convalescent Hospital in Alturas, CA. for many years. After her husband passed away in 1987, she relocated for a time to Red Bluff where she enjoyed her work as Director of Nursing for CareWest in Red Bluff. Mrs. Rahm was known as a good-hearted person. She enjoyed children and animals and worked as a dedicated Registered Nurse, caring for others, until her retirement. She is survived by her daughter Lori Reyome of Reno, Nv.; son Tony Rahm of Alturas; a sister Linda James of Gridley; seven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Lucille F. Haralson Former Alturas resident Lucille F. Haralson passed away June 25, 2002 at the age of 79. At the time of her death she was a resident of Foothill Manor Convalescent Home in Auburn, CA. Lucille Bittinger was born December 20, 1923 in Oakland, CA. She received her education at Lodi Academy and Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA. She married Wayne Haralson on February 7, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. They had two children, Robert and Barbara. Mrs. Haralson worked most of her life as a bookkeeper beginning in the Federal Civil Service in 1942. During the war, in order to follow her husband, she worked at Fort Mason in San Francisco; Oakland Army Base in Oakland, CA.; Camp Lee in Petersburg, Virginia; Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Torrey General Hospital in Palm Springs, CA. At the end of the war both she and her husband held jobs on automobile row in San Francisco before moving to Susanville, CA in 1950. Seven years later they moved to Alturas to purchase the Chevron station at 12th and Main Streets and operated Wayne's Chevron until 1982. While living in Alturas Mrs. Haralson worked as secretary to the principal at Modoc High School and at the Modoc County Social Services Department. Mrs. Haralson is survived by her son Robert Haralson of Juneau, Alaska; daughter Barbara Hucherson of Auburn, CA.; daughter-in-law Terri Haralson of Alturas; grandsons Mike Haralson and his wife Angela of Alturas; Robert Haralson of Alturas and Ryan Haralson of Reno, Nevada; great-grandsons Trace and Matt Corbett and Rowdy Haralson of Alturas. Her husband Wayne preceded her in death in April 1998. Interment will be in the Camino Cemetery, Placerville, CA. No services will be held at her request. Alma Fay Wimer Modoc resident Alma Fay Wimer passed away in Cedarville, CA on July 5, 2002. she was 95. Born December 24, 1906 to John and Cora Hanks in Eagleville, CA. she graduated from Surprise Valley High School, Cedarville. She married Bill Wimer in Eagleville in 1952. Mrs. Wimer taught grade school in Eagleville during the early 1950s. She later worked in Alturas as a dental assistant for Dr. Donald Doncaster until she retired and moved to the Bay Area for a time. She is survived by her sister Ilene Weiner and niece Bonnie Draper of Fallon, Nev.; nieces Niki Patterson of Winters, CA; Stephanie Egle of Alturas, CA and cousin Nelda Harris of Surprise Valley. Burial will be private at Eagleville, CA Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. July 18, 2002 John Eden (Jack) Benner A memorial service for lifetime Modoc rancher John Eden (Jack) Benner of Cedarville will be held Friday, July 19 in the Eagleville Community Hall at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Benner passed away on July 15, 2002 in Cedarville. A life time resident of Modoc County, he died in the same house in which he was born. He was 91 years of age. Born August 3, 1910 in Cedarville, CA, he graduated from Surprise Valley High School, Cedarville. He married Elouise Vale Wilson in Reno, Nev. on June 23, 1939 He was preceded in death by his wife Elouise in February of 1972; his son George Benner, grandson John E. Benner, sisters Jean Tierney and Irene Smith and brother Virgil Benner Mr. Benner is survived by his son John and daughter-in-law Wendy; daughter Mary Alice Sandstrom; grandchildren Lisa, Warren and Theresa Benner of Asotin, Washington; Buck Benner of Idaho, Christa Benner of Florida, Angela Main and Paula Benner of Klamath Falls, OR., Jennifer and Loren Vermillion of Cedarville, Melinda Sandstrom of Cedarville, extended grandchildren Lee and Waneva Conner of Reno, Nev.; great-grandchildren Warren Benner, Erik, Kevin and Justin Main, Monica and Brittany Vermillion and Claire Benner; Brothers Hector Benner of Chester, CA, Warren Benner of Klamath Falls, OR; sisters Beverly Moore of Alturas and Elenore Casselman of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends Donations may be made in his honor to Surprise Valley Hospital, P.O. Box 246, Cedarville, CA 96104....... Burial will be at Eagleville Cemetery at a later date. Donald Lee Armstrong Adin resident Donald Lee Armstrong, 52, passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2002 in Adin, CA. Services were held on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m. Pastor Walt Fisher conducted the service at graveside at the Adin Cemetery Mr. Armstrong was born August 19, 1949 in Bieber, CA. and finished high school in McMinnville, Ore. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War and was discharged on January 21, 1970. He was a life-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars He and Kay Wayman were married on November 8, 1969 in Reno, Nev. He was a timber faller by trade and had made Big Valley and Modoc County his home for 32 years. Mr. Armstrong had a passion for cooking and was known for his culinary talents. He often cooked for friends and family who enjoyed his meals. He also like to hunt, fish and spend time in the company of family and friends He is survived by his wife Kay Armstrong of Chico, CA; son Michael Armstrong of Manhattan Beach, CA.; daughter Kristin and son-in-law Tom Davis; grandson Tommy Davis, all of Williams, CA.; parents Bill and Norma Armstrong of Adin, CA.; brother Dave Armstrong of Prineville, OR; sister Kathy Darnell, Bieber, CA.; brother Randy Armstrong, Adin; grandmother Tina Armstrong, Adin Donations in Mr. Armstrong's memory may be directed to the Big Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship Fund Harriett Young Alturas resident Harriett Young passed away in Alturas, Calif. July 15, 2002, after a lengthy respiratory illness. She was 80. Born Harriett Smith on August 23, 1921 in Yreka, CA., she completed high school in Winnemucca, Nevada. She married Marlin Young of Alturas on May 19, 1965 in Virginia City, Nev. Mrs. Young worked with Harvey's Resort in Lake Tahoe, for many years, first as a Keno runner, then a Keno Writer and in later years in the resort office, until she retired. The Youngs relocated from Gardnerville, Nev. to Alturas, CA. nine years ago. Mrs. Young's enthusiasm for life and people was only what most people can imagine, say family members. "Her smile would brighten your day, just as the ray of sunshine warms your body in the cold of the winter. She has touched us all in so many ways. Her spirit lives in us all. She was loved by us all and will be missed." She is survived by her husband Marlin of Alturas, CA; sons Gene of Alturas,CA; Doug of Elko, Nev. and Richard of Moundhouse, Nev.; 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her lovable partner Gidget. Services will be private. Melba Eckhoff A former native of Modoc, Melba Eckhoff passed away on July 3, 2002 unexpectedly at Kaiser Hospital in Sacramento, CA, at the age of 84. She was born Melba June Essex on September 10, 1917 in Alturas, CA to Phillip and Mamie Essex. She grew up on the family's Hot Creek Ranch, now the Fisher Ranch. Her grammar school days were spent at Lone Star Country School. She and her brother, Marvin, drove a horse and buggy to school. Melba graduated from Modoc High School with the class of 1936. The following year, she graduated from Sullivan's Beauty College in San Jose, CA. On June 15, 1938, Melba and William "Bill" Eckhoff were married in Reno, NV. They celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. They have lived in Sacramento since the mid-forties. Melba was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, always ready to help those who needed her. She loved to garden, raise African Violets, crochet, and do needlework. She and Bill made a lot of ceramics greenware, of which Melba did the finishing and painting. She was Assistant Director of Mission Oaks Activity Center in Sacramento. She had volunteered over 4,000 hours of help with ceramics and other miscellaneous projects over the years. She is survived by her husband Bill, of Sacramento; daughters Cheryl and husband, Rudy Bays, of Rancho Cordova, CA, Susan and husband, Greg Marmas, of Scottsdale, AZ, and Joyce and husband John Grady of Carmichael, CA; sister Anna Bailey and husband, Fred, and sister Dolores Berlin, all of Alturas; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brother Marvin Essex; sisters Phyllis Hill and Fern Dederick; and two infant brothers. Melba will be greatly missed by her family, and all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Sacramento. July 25, 2002 Gus Speridon Gus Speridon, 79, a long-time resident of Alturas, CA, passed away on May 17, 2002 at Redding Medical Center following a long illness. Services were held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Redding. The Reverend Gregory Jensen officiated. Burial was at the Greek Orthodox Memorial Park in Colma, CA. Gus was born April 15, 1923 in Oil City, PA. Being an avid outdoorsman, and for his love of Modoc, he moved himself and his wife, Toula, to Alturas from South San Francisco in 1971. The Speridons owned and operated the Drifters Inn in Alturas, and Gus was a local hunting guide for several years in Modoc County. They moved to Redding in 1994. Gus was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and was very active in the Rotary Club in Alturas. Some long-time residents still remember the Fandango Day Parade back in the 1970s that Gus organized. Air Force jets buzzed Main Street, and marching bands came from all over the west. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. During the Second World War, Gus was a waist gunner and radioman on B-17s in the North Atlantic. He had an extensive career in law enforcement, including a job with the U.S. Marshall's Office in San Francisco and the Sheriff's Department in San Mateo. Gus was very active in bringing a full-time Greek Orthodox Church to Redding. He will be missed by all the parishioners and his many friends in Redding. Survivors include wife, Toula, of Redding; daughter, Pamela Seghieri, of Redding; brother, Nick, of Sonoma; and grandchildren, Michael Seghieri of San Mateo, Michelle Zacharias of Redding and Alyssa Seghieri of Redding. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. George Greek Orthodox Church at P.O. Box 492584, Redding, CA 96049. Harriett Young Alturas resident Harriett Young passed away in Alturas, Calif. July 15, 2002, after a lengthy respiratory illness. She was 80. Born Harriett Smith on August 23, 1921 in Yreka, CA., she completed high school in Winnemucca, Nevada. She married Marlin Young of Alturas on May 19, 1965 in Virginia City, Nev. Mrs. Young worked with Harvey's Resort in Lake Tahoe, for many years, first as a Keno runner, then a Keno Writer and in later years in the resort office, until she retired. The Youngs relocated from Gardnerville, Nev. to Alturas, CA. nine years ago. Mrs. Young's enthusiasm for life and people was only what most people can imagine, say family members. "Her smile would brighten your day, just as the ray of sunshine warms your body in the cold of the winter. She has touched us all in so many ways. Her spirit lives in us all. She was loved by us all and will be missed." She is survived by her husband Marlin of Alturas, CA; sons Gene of Alturas,CA; Doug of Elko, Nev. and Richard of Moundhouse, Nev.; sister Eldena Lorraine of Weed, CA; 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her lovable partner Gidget. Services will be private. Kenneth 'Hoss' Salters Kenneth Bryant "Hoss" Salters, 41, of Bieber, CA. died July 18, 2002 at Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, CA. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 23 at Bieber Memorial park. Kerr Mortuary in Alturas was in charge of crematory arrangements. Mr. Salters was employed as a prevention specialist at Modoc County Alcohol and Drug Services. The Record hopes to publish a complete obituary when the information is made available. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.