Modoc County Record – August 7,2003 Alva E. Troy, Jr Former Modoc resident Alva E. Troy passed away after a brief illness on July 27, 2003 in the Veterans' Hospital at Fresno, CA. He was 82. He is survived by his wife Doris Troy of Madera CA., daughter Patricia Roberts and son-in-law Richard of El Cajon, CA., two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one niece and seven nephews and by his sisters Georgia Smith of Alturas, CA and Helenne McCracken of Susanville, CA. Mr. Troy was preceded in death by his brother William E. Troy, father Alva E. Troy, Sr. and mother Matilda (Mattie) L. Kelly Troy and sister Lillian Frick of Burlingame. Alva was born on January 2, 1921 in Little River, Kansas. His family moved to Modoc County, CA. in 1929. His father Alva, worked for NCO Railroad and young Alva attended Alturas Grammar and Modoc High Schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served his country in the South Pacific. After the war, he settled and spent his time with his family in the San Francisco Bay area, where he was a career truck driver. He was active in AA and had just celebrated his 35th anniversary with Alcoholics Anonymous. He was well loved by many for his help and guidance in finding freedom from addictions. A memorial service will be held in Madera, CA., this August, where Mr. Troy had resided for the last 16 years. August 14, 2003 Isaac 'Ike' Schwyhart Isaac "Ike" William Schwyhart, 81, of Cedarville loved living the majority of his life in Surprise Valley and his community appreciated all he did over the years. The Modoc County Fairgrounds' superb appearance for 32 years can be credited to Mr. Schwyhart, who will be greatly missed by his community and family. Mr. Schwyhart died August 8, 2003 in a single vehicle accident not far from his Cedarville, CA home, at the end of a day of traveling. Dr. Ben Zandstra conducted services at graveside on August 13 at 11 a.m. at the Cedarville Cemetery. Mr. Schwyhart was born in Cedar Creek, Missouri on December 17, 1921. In an interview several years ago, he told the Modoc Record, his greatest ambition was to amass a $50 fortune. At age 17, he worked most of the year cutting cedar posts, for which he earned two cents a post. "I think I cut enough posts to fence the state of Missouri, but eventually I saved $50 and headed west," he said. After hearing from friends there was a fortune to be made as a lumberjack, he joined friends on a trip that ended up in Klamath Falls, OR and found even experienced loggers were out of work. When the group split up, he hitchhiked to Marysville to pick fruit and by the summer of 1940, he'd saved $80, even while sending money home each month. Hearing of a rodeo in Alturas, he hitched a ride north to Modoc County, where he worked in the hay fields at the Spicer Ranch for $35 a month and ended up working for Jack Conlan in Fort Bidwell. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1947, happy to return to Surprise Valley and the Conlan Ranch. Not long after, he met Betty Madsen in Lakeview, OR. The two were married on New Year's Eve in Ashland, OR in 1948. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Washington to help Betty's parents run their dairy ranch. It didn't take him long to realize that the move was one of the greatest mistakes of his life. He and Betty moved back to Surprise Valley and he vowed never to move again. He was soon hired as the maintenance person at the Modoc County Fairgrounds. It wasn't long before the 67 acres of lawns and 100,000 square feet of building were sparkling clean, with flowers blooming everywhere. He raised more than 5,000 flowers a year, specially nurtured to bloom during fair time. Known as a very congenial man, Schwyhart helped the roping club by announcing and timing their events. "He was always ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends, even up to the day he died. He was such a loving person," described his daughter-in-law Daisy. Schwyhart retired in 1984, after 32 years with the fair. His son, Bob carries on the tradition of flower displays, as the maintenance person for the Red Bluff Fairgrounds. Ike was honored as having the best safety record among all employees of the state fair system. He never missed a day of work for an on-the-job injury. He was also an avid squirrel hunter and loved fishing. Schwyhart was preceded in death by his wife Betty on March 20, 1994, a son Dale and two brothers Jim and John. He is survived by his son Bob and wife Daisy of Red Bluff; grandson Bobby Schwyhart and wife Jolene of Caldwell, Idaho; granddaughter Shawna Schwyhart of Santa Cruz, CA; great-granddaughter Dakota of Idaho; three sisters Nora Thurman of Warsaw, Mo., Lizzy Riley of Hollister, Mo. and Mary Jones of Jarrettsville, MD.; two brothers Gene of Cedar Creek, Mo. and Bobby of Overland, Mo. Memorials may be directed to any charity of the donor's choice. Kerr Mortuary, Alturas, was in charge of arrangements. Norma B. Weigel Alturas resident Norma Beatrice Weigel passed away July 29, 2003 in Alturas, CA. at the age of 85. A flair for fashion, she was rarely seen in public without a hat to match, worn atop her coifed white hair. Mrs. Weigel was outgoing and active in her community for the 50 plus years she made Modoc County her home. She enjoyed attending cultural and social functions and outings throughout the county. She had a zest for life, quick wit and cherished her independence. Born Norma Beatrice Henderson in Victoria, British Columbia on September 20, 1917, she was a star athlete in high school in Vancouver, especially in basketball and loved to ride horses. She was married to George Weigel for 30 years, until he passed away December 9, 1995. Mrs. Weigel was employed for many years with Boyd's Insurance as an administrative assistant. She was selected to participate on the local Draft Board during the 1960s. A member of Modoc Sidesaddlers and Modoc Brushpoppers, she rode side saddle in many parades. Honoring Mrs. Weigel's advance request, no services will be held. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family members. She is survived by her sister Bernice Dearing of Bow Island, Alberta, Canada; step-daughter Evelyn Matthews of Carson City, Nevada; step-son Ernest Weigel of Huntley, Montana; step-son Gary Weigel of Carson City, Nevada; step-son Norman Weigel of Thornton, California. She was preceded in death by her husband George and brother Ivan Henderson. Memorials may be made to any charity of the donor's choice. Eleanor Marie Redding Alturas resident Eleanor Marie Redding passed away August 8, 2003 at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA. She was 72. Mrs. Redding had moved to Alturas nearly 20 years ago, where she was surrounded by her family. Born in Dubuque, Iowa to Earl and Emily Remington on November 8, 1930, she married Charles Alfred Redding on April 10, 1948 in Richmond, CA. This year was their 55th wedding anniversary. The mother of five children, Mrs. Redding also raised her late daughter, Valerie's children, Jason Marquardt, Tina, Richard and Ronaele Clark, all of Alturas. She was a very caring and loving person who will be missed greatly by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Charles of Burney; children Carla Ritchie and Charles E. Redding both of Alturas and Sandra Kincaid of Medford, Oregon; grandchildren Daniel of Mississippi, Tammi Hood of Crescent City, CA, Amanda, Dan, Samantha and Ian of Alturas, CA; son-in-law James Ritchie of Alturas, Ronald Redding, II; great-grandchildren Jordon Marquardt, Ronald Redding, III, Shelly, Aubrianna, Isaiah and Gregory Hood. Her sister Marilyn Nelson, step-sisters Nina Morrison and Mary Berdollt; sisters-in-law Pat Bland and Lorretta Redding, numerous nieces and nephews all of the Bay Area. Mrs. Redding was preceded in death by her son Ronald Redding and daughter Valerie Marquardt. Kerr Mortuary will be taking care of arrangements. Private family services are pending. Condolences may be directed to Carla Ritchie, HC4, Box 43018, Alturas, CA 96101. Melvin Cody Compton Sr. For the past three years, Melvin Cody Compton, Sr. lived in Alturas, CA. Ten months ago, he left Alturas to visit relatives in Texas, expecting to return to Alturas, but was unable to, due to health reasons. Mr. Compton passed away on August 8, 2003 at the age of 76, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Temple, Texas. Born on January 5, 1926 in Lockhart, Texas, he was the youngest of eight children. His parents died in the 60's and his brothers and sisters preceded him in death as did one of his great-granddaughters Catherine C. Compton, II. Three of his four brothers served during World War II, and the fourth was not accepted into the Army because of medical reasons. His sisters worked civil defense jobs during WWII. Compton family members have fought in every war and battle since the first American Revolution. Melvin served in the United States Marine Corps. He fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was shot at by machine gun fire, ten feet from the famous flag raising. A History Channel video of the Battle of Iwo Jima has documented his actions which his family was able to witness. He is seen on film running and hitting the dirt, while serving in two different units at the same time. He refused the Purple Heart Medal saying, "A lot of other good men that didn't live, deserved that medal, and more medals than I did." He later served on the main island of Japan after the war. He was discharged with many medals for fighting for his country. During his adult life, Mr. Compton became and traveled all over the U.S. as an expert welder. He is survived by his wife, Rita E. Compton of Pasadena, Texas; his five children, 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren and follow: Son William F. Compton II, a Viet Nam veteran and wife, Christine of Alturas, CA. and their six children and four grandchildren-grandson Sgt. William F. Compton, III, US Army, and wife Patty, stationed in Virginia, great-grand children Zachary A. and Lauren M. Compton, granddaughter Patricia L. Compton and her two daughters; great grandchildren Melia L. Compton and Daisy Compton of Southern California; granddaughters Brayta A.B.Compton of Tennessee, Terez C. Compton, Jeannette C.Compton and grandson Jerry J. Compton all of Alturas, CA; Daughter Martha L. Freeman and husband Gene their two children and two grandchildren Melane Lockstead and husband Scott and their two children, (great-grand children) Panner and Brianna, Matthew O. Freeman and wife Rachel of Texas. Daughter Catherine C. Hamel and husband Jerry of Texas and their two sons (grandsons) Charles F. Guin, served in Army before the first Gulf War and wife Patty and their two sons (great-grandsons) Steven and Matthew Guin of Massachusetts; grandson Christopher D. Smith of Texas. Daughter Dorthy-Jo Compton and her four children (great-grandchildren) Chandra N. Compton, great-grandson Brandon N. Compton, great-granddaughter Valerie R. Compton of Texas; son Melvin C. Compton, Jr., of Texas. Services will be held on Friday, August 15 with military honors and burial at the VA cemetery in Houston, Texas ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.