Modoc County Record – October 2, 2003 Ronald Frank Floyd Former Alturas, Ca. resident Ronald Floyd, 64, passed away in Othello, Washington on September 18, 2003. Ronald was born May 28, 1939 in Toppenish, Washington to Frank and Thelma (Woods) Floyd. Ronald graduated from Modoc High School in 1959. He married the love of his life, Rita Sykes, on June 18, 1965 in Alturas, Ca. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Othello, Washington. Ronald was a mechanic all of his working life. He enjoyed fixing everything for his family and friends. He loved to garden, especially on the grounds of the Nazarene Church and his rose gardens. He enjoyed driving, listening to Southern Gospel music and most of all, he enjoyed loving and teasing his grandchildren. Survivors include: his wife Rita, two daughters, Terry Mayada and her husband Jeff of Kennewick, Washington; and Cheryl McCort and her husband Brad of Moses Lake, Wash.; his mother Thelma of Othello, Wash.; brothers, Jack of Sedro Wooley, Wash. and Stan of Othello, Wash.; sisters Barbara Rouse of Bonanza, Or., and Linda Dilly of Othello, Wash. and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother Dwayne Floyd and infant daughter Ronna Lee Floyd. Funeral services were held on September 23, 2003 at the Nazarene Church of Othello, Wash. October 9, 2003 Derril Marion Hess Alturas resident Derril Marion Hess, 89, passed away from natural causes on October 2, 2003, in Murray, Utah. He had been staying with his daughter, Diana Jones, in West Jordan, Utah for several months. She had been caring for Derril and his wife during his last illnesses. Born February 11, 1914, near Canby, Ca., Derril graduated from Chico State College in 1935 with a teaching degree. He played football and basketball and boxed for Chico State. Because of the Depression, he could not find a teaching job. He returned to Modoc County and worked in the logging industry for Loveness Logging and in construction during World War II. After the war, he returned to Canby, and in 1946 started working for Cal Trans as a mechanic. Derril retired in 1972 and then worked for the Forest Service on Blue Mountain Lookout for nine years, with his wife. He loved to fish, camp, hunt and watch sports. He coached Little League and was a Scout Master in Canby in the late 40's and mid 50's. He also served as a Board member for Arlington Elementary School, Canby. Derril married Minerva C. Scott on October 8, 1935 in Minden, NV. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary yesterday. He is survived by the love of his life Minerva Hess of Alturas, sons Ernest Hess and wife Marilyn and Butch Hess and wife Sandra of Alturas, Ca.; daughters Diana and husband Paul Jones of West Jordan, Utah; Carla and husband Jay Cross of Discovery Bay, Ca.; Janice and husband Chuck Bishop of Quincy, Ca. and Kathy and husband Leland Ward of Palo Cedro, Ca. He is also survived by his sister, Oleita Wentzel of Alturas, a brother, Richard Hess and wife Lynn of Estacada, Ore., and 18 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Services were held at 10 a.m. today, October 9 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alturas, with burial at the Alturas Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Robert Dustin Jose Oliver Graveside services for Robert Dustin Jose Oliver will be conducted by Pastor Curtis Barber on Friday, October 10 at 2 p.m. at the Alturas Cemetery. Robert Dustin JosŽ Oliver, 22, of Alturas, Ca., was born into this world October 27, 1980. He moved onto the next, October 3, 2003. Robert was born to Russell and Lita Oliver in Ely, Nevada. A talented young man, he had made his mark on the world early in life. He was in such a hurry, he didn't wait for the doctor and had to be delivered by the nurse. The family then moved to Alturas, Ca. where he lived, loved and laughed for the 21 years that followed. Robert graduated from Modoc High School, Alturas in 1999. It was there he met his friend and companion for the next seven years, April Orosco, who became his wife on September 7, 2002. Growing up, Robert's interests included cars, trucks and art. He played football, wearing jersey '69' for Modoc High. By the time he was 18, he had restored a 1973 Pontiac Ventura, the "Grey Squirrel." A strapping young man with artistic talents, Robert had many fans of his amazing, but painful artwork. "There are really no words to describe Robert, and those who knew him will forever smile in memory of a much loved and cherished soul," say family members. Robert had been employed with Northstate Homes in Alturas. He accepted a position for promotion at Sierra Pacific Industries in Susanville on August 4, 2003, and was relocating to Susanville with his wife. An accident at the mill claimed him. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Jackie Duran and uncle Desi Duran. He is survived by his wife, April Oliver of Alturas, Ca.; his parents, Russell and Lita Oliver, Alturas, Ca.; sister Sharon Oliver, Alturas; grandparents Al Duran of Alturas, D.M. Merle and Jeavene Oliver of Prescott, Ariz. and many other loving family members and friends. Kerr Mortuary in Alturas is taking care of arrangements. Interment will be at the Alturas Cemetery. Condolences and memorials may be directed to April Oliver at 330 S. Danhauser, Alturas, Ca. 96101. Minnie Elizabeth Smith Graveside services for Minnie Elizabeth Smith, 91, of Red Bluff, Ca. will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Susan E. Plucker of St. Peter's Episcopal Church officiating. Mrs. Smith died October 7, 2003, at her daughter's residence. Born May 26, 1912 in Red Bluff, Ca., she attended local schools and lived in Tehama County for many years. She then moved to Plumas and Modoc Counties where she was a homemaker and her husband worked for the County Road Department. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband Albert Smith, her son Harlan Smith, and grandson Wayne Smith. Her survivors include two daughters, Crystal Stone of Red Bluff and Audrey Stradley of Sacramento; four grandchildren: Cheryl Lance and Sandra Lingenfelter of Red Bluff, Susan McGaughran of Bozeman, Montana, and Becky Roden of Oregon. Arrangements are being handled by Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers, Red Bluff. October 16, 2003 Alan James 'A.J.' Johnson Today, Thursday, October 16 at 11 a.m. at the Cedarville Community Church, the family and friends of Alan James 'A.J.' Johnson will gather to pay tribute to c d with accomplishments. Mr. Johnson passed away on October 12, 2003, at his Cedarville, Ca. home. He was 73. The Rev. Ben Zandstra will conduct the Memorial Service Born on April 3, 1930 in Brampton, North Dakota, his grandparents worked hard to provide for him and passed on values which would guide him in his journey through life. He stood for things larger than himself, even when standing for something that might cost him his agreeable way of life. He loved his country and what it stands for: freedom, brotherhood, and divine respect for any single life. He worked hard to succeed. For him this meant serving his country with the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. With his fellow countrymen he served America through war and peace. Along the way he met the love of his life, Emma Lu Mason, while in high school in Silver City, New Mexico. They married September 3, 1949 in St. Louis, Mo. and had 54 years together. They had four beautiful daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Mr. Johnson loved his years of rodeo, being a team roper and a Gold Card member of the PRCA since 1960 The Weatherby Gun Association gave special tribute to A.J. for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Youth Program. He obtained ranches upon which to hunt and expert instruction of their youth in the proper handling of firearms. He was an Honorary member of the Weatherby Gun Collectors Club A retired Marine, A.J. served from 1947 to 1968. He served two tours of duty in Korea. After he was critically wounded, shot six times by a sniper in Korea, he was left to die, but his love for his wife and strong will to live made him a survivor, and required 13 months in the hospital. He returned to active duty until 1968, when he retired He developed lung cancer and was a survivor. He was at Ground Zero when the atom bomb was being tested. As a result of his wounds and cancer, he had pain everyday without complaint. When he was asked how he was doing, he'd say "I'm just fine. If I was any better I would be a twin. Got both beet on the floor this morning. It is great to be alive." In his later years, he offered support and encouragement to those who were battling cancer. During his lifetime, A.J. was also a hydrologist at Camp Pendleton and was a Range Technician from 1976 until 1986 with the Bureau of Land Management in Cedarville. He had made Modoc County his home for the past 27 years, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, team roping and was known as a "Dead eye squirrel shooter." Among his meritorious awards were: rifle expert, Purple Heart and Presidential Citation Unit, one star; two star, Good Conduct; three star, American Defense Ribbon; three star Korean Service Ribbon; United Nations Ribbon; Korean Presidential Citation and Bronze Star "V" for valor. A.J. had recorded two hundred twenty thousand one hundred and ninety-four squirrel kills, thus earning him the title "Dead eye squirrel shooter" in the Valley In December of 2001, he was honored by his Bureau of Land Management co-workers, with a surprise banquet to honor him with his Korean War Medal and special awards. His friends came from far to honor him. A.J. was very honored by this special act He was preceded in death by his daughter Laura Hill, grandparents, parents and sister LaYvonne He is survived by his wife Emma Lu Johnson of Cedarville, Ca.; daughters Karlene Johnson of Cedarville; Theresa Meyette of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Christine Fernane and husband James of San Diego; brothers John Johnson and wife Mabel of Cedarville; Tim McLaughlin and wife Rosemary of Spokane, Wash.; sister Ardith Egelston and husband Fred of South Dakota; grandchildren Byron Johnson and wife Christine of Oceanside, Ca,; Alana Schultz and husband Sam of Cedarville; April Bonilla and husband Xavier of Cedarville; Daniel Hill and Michelle Hill of Cedarville, Jesse Fernane of Florida, Michael Fernane and Kayleigh Palumbo of San Diego and William of Fresno; great-grandchildren Daylan, Sierra, Logan, Madison, Yessenia, April and numerous nieces and nephews Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedarville Community Church, the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice. Inurnment will be at the Cedarville Cemetery. Ernest Eaton Ernest G. Eaton, age 78, died July 29, 2003 at his home in West Richland, Wash. A long-time resident of Lake City, Eaton lived in Washington since moving there from Cedarville in 2001. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lake City, Calif. Cemetery ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.