Modoc County Record – March 6, 2003 Karol Eugene Woodward A memorial service for Karol Eugene Woodward, a long-time business owner, civic leader and community supporter, will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra on Saturday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the Federated Church. Mr. Woodward passed away peacefully at his Alturas home with family by his side, on Feb. 25, 2003, due to complications from congestive heart failure and cancer. The son of Phillips Arthur Woodward, known as "P.A." or "Pap" and Lula (Banister) Woodward, Karol was born in Alturas, CA on February 4, 1923. He graduated from Modoc High in 1940. Known to play the trumpet for a popular dance band while he was in high school and for a short time after, the band was called upon to play often and at the Romero Lodge. Karol also loved to play the piano and was the local Elks Lodge organist. He attended Heald's Business College in Sacramento, CA., after high school graduation, then worked for a short time at the Herlong Munitions, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in December 1942. He served during World War II at the Battle at Leyte Gulf as an Aviation Storekeeper 1st Class on the U.S.S. White Plains carrier. His military service earned him the Victory Medal and Philippines Liberation Star in addition to the Presidential Unit Citation Star and Good Conduct medal. When he received his discharge in February 1946, he returned home and became a partner with his father in Woodward's Grocery on Court Street. Karol and Mary Winset were married on October 5, 1947 and kept the business operating until 1980, when they liquidated the business. After enjoying winters at Granlibaken Ski Resort, Karol was hired as the resort's manager each winter at Granlibaken for 15 years. "He retired three times, but was called back each time to work," recalls Mary. Granlibaken included the resort, conference center and ski hill in Tahoe City. The Woodwards were avid skiers and Karol had been an active member of the Modoc Ski Club from 1947 until recently. A civic leader and community volunteer, he served many organizations. Karol was Mayor of Alturas from 1958 until 1962 and served two terms (8 years) as a Modoc County Supervisor, starting in 1963. He received his 50-year membership plaque in November 1996, from the Alturas Rotary Club, maintaining his membership from 1946 - 2003. He was a life member of the Alturas Elks Lodge 1756 for 41 years; served as an Alturas City Fire Department volunteer from 1946 until 1963, was President of the Modoc County Historical Society and an active supporter and member of Alturas and Modoc Chambers of Commerce throughout the years. He and Mary loved fishing, especially the streams of Modoc's Warner Mountains, hiking the steep canyons, even though his knees were "giving out," (from years of standing on a hard floor as a grocer), recalls his wife. He also loved skiing with his family and ice skating. A respected man and outgoing person with many long-time friends, Karol was honored as a long-time grocer during a Modoc Fair parade in Cedarville. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Woodward of Alturas; son Philip and wife Dr. Marilyn Wooley of Redding; daughter Anne Marzion and husband Ken of Sacramento; daughter Kathy and husband Dr. Ron R…tt of Sacramento; granddaughter Stephanie Buck of Sacramento and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Kathleen "Kay" Paulson. Memorials may be made to Cedar Pass Snow Park, HCR1, Box 11311, Alturas, CA 96101, Federated Church, P.O. Box 1708, Alturas, CA or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 428, Likely, CA 96116. Inurnment will be private and at a later date at the Alturas Cemetery. Kerr Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Roger Wayne Milliron California Pines resident and former Alturas business owner Roger Wayne Milliron passed away on Feb. 27, 2003 at Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, CA due to pneumonia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m. at the Alturas Elks Lodge 1756, with a potluck and social time to follow. Born in Jamestown, New York on March 9, 1932, he served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, in Korea on Pork Chop Hill. He was a sergeant at the time of his discharge. On November 9, 1957, he married Lola Dalbey in Reno, NV. They have shared 45 years of marriage. While living in the City of Orange for many years, the couple owned and operated Western State Drywall and L&M Lathing as commercial contractors. When they moved to Alturas in 1983, they purchased the Bottle Shop on Main Street, Alturas, and adopted the "Border town" sandwiches. They later sold the business and retired. Mr. Milliron was a member of the Modoc County Sheriff's Posse and Alturas Rotary Club. He also served as a Trustee at the Alturas Elks Lodge #1756 for many years, as well as Vice Chairman and as a director for the California Pines Community Services District. He is survived by his wife Lola and five children: ReneŽ Galvez of Beaumont, CA; MarchŽl Watkins of Artesia, CA; Darlene Milliron of Alturas; Diane Schlomer and David Milliron of Reno, NV. He also enjoyed his seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1372 Longfellow Ave., Chico, Ca. 95926 or to the American Diabetes Association, California Affiliate, 10445 Old Placerville Rd., Sacramento, CA. 95822. Opal Pearl Russell Cox Opal Pearl Cox, 59, of Alturas, passed away February 27, 2003. She was born in Trinidad, Texas on October 9, 1943, to Samuel Baker Russell and Francis Ella Gragg. Shortly afterward her family moved to Arkansas, where she spent her childhood years, then moved to Delano, California, with her family. In Delano, she met her husband James Mac Arthur Cox. They were married on July 19, 1965, at the Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada. Opal and Jim were close to sharing 38 years of marriage together. The majority of years, Opal and her family lived in Delano and Vallejo, CA. and worked as a maintenance crew. In 1986, they made their home in Alturas, CA. Opal began her career in Special Education as a teacher's Aide in 1987 for Modoc County Office of Education, retiring 13 years later. She enjoyed all the students she had been fortunate to work with during her years on the job. In her youth, Opal ran for the school track team, as well as, played basketball. An active woman, Opal was involved heavily with Special Olympics, where she helped the athletes learn to cross country ski, and helped with many other activities in which they competed. There were many things Opal loved to do including camping, fishing, and making arts and crafts. Lots of people would agree that when it came to telling stories, Opal had a way to draw you in and watch for your reaction in the tale of the story. It was known that Opal had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to joke. She was preceded in death by her son David Wayne Cox; sister, Lillie Alan Russell; brother, Vernon Leroy Russell, Opal is survived by her husband of 37 years, James Cox of Alturas; sisters, Lucile Frances Russell of Alturas, Myrel Russell Lutz of Delano, CA.; brothers, Leon Baker Russell of Hermiston, OR; Sammy Joe Russell of Huntley, Montana; mother-in-law Dora Cox of Sunrise, Arizona; in-laws Daniel Cox and Karrie Cox of Alturas, as well as many nieces and nephews and relatives. Graveside services were held March 5, at 2:30 p.m. at the Alturas Cemetery. Her family gives thanks to the numerous family and friends who attended her services. Opal will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Frank T. Tierney Frank Turrell Tierney, 48, passed away unexpectedly in Redding, CA. on February 26, 2003. He was a resident of Vancouver, WA at the time of his demise. Frank was born to Cyril and Pat Morgan Tierney on January 12, 1955 at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA and was reared in Alturas until 1966, when his family moved to Cottonwood, CA. He served in the U.S. Navy. His father Cyril, preceded him in death in 1980. He is survived by his mother, Pat of Gilchrist, Oregon.; sisters Morgan DeMarr of Burney, CA; Lana Tierney of West Linn, OR. and Valerie Hubbard, Palo Cedro, CA; also nieces and nephews. The Rev. Patrick Henry conducted a service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alturas at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. Interment followed at the Alturas Cemetery. Margie Louise Mansker Margie Louise Mansker, 75, went to be with the Lord and loved ones February, 28, 2003 at approximately 2 p.m. Services will be Friday, March 7, at 9:00 a.m. at Kerr Mortuary in Alturas, CA., followed by graveside service at 10:00 a.m. at Alturas Cemetery. Louise was the mother of six children with 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She married Doyle J. Mansker in Clovis, New Mexico on January 15, 1954. They retired and lived together in Alturas for 21 years when suddenly on May 22, 2002 Doyle passed away. Louise was born on January 19, 1927 in Paris, Texas. She was orphaned as a toddler and taken in by Mann and Addie Wooten of Lubbock, Texas. She was eventually adopted by Marshall and Annie Henyan (Wooten) of El Cajon, CA., where she grew up with four protective "Big Brothers," Pete, Joe, Willie and Woody Henyan. She attended Sweetwater High School in San Diego and worked as a "Riveter" at Rohr Aircraft during World War II. Louise loved being with friends and family members, cooking for them and sharing her loving down home wit. She loved laughter around her and always made the family laugh. She is survived by son Richard Anderson, and wife Becky of Nuevo, CA.; daughter Sheila Wilson and husband Carlos of Tyler, Texas; daughter Debra Russell and husband Gordon of Alturas, CA.; son Doyle Mansker II and Pia of Garden Grove, CA.; daughter Betsy Mansker of Albany, Oregon, and son Clinton Mansker of Alturas, CA. Margie Louise Mansker and her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Modoc Medical Center for the loving care that she was given during her last days. March 13, 2003 Early morning mobilehome fire kills two men A house fire that erupted in the early morning hours March 8 resulted in the death of two men, while two other residents were able to escape. According to Modoc Sheriff Bruce Mix, the fire was reported at 1:23 a.m. at a single-wide mobile home at the intersection of Pencil Road and Chukkar Lane in Modoc Estates. The fire was reported by Ron Schulter, Jr. When the Alturas Rural Fire Department arrived, the trailer house was fully engulfed. The renter of the home, Adam Hermann, and a juvenile female who was staying at the house were outside and told firemen that two other people remained in the structure. ARFD firemen entered the home, wearing breathing apparatus and found Terry Lee Larkin, age 44, and his dog in the front bedroom. He was removed and transported by ambulance to Modoc Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival. Larkin was not burned but apparently died of smoke inhalation. His dog was also dead. Firemen then found the badly burned body of David Wayne Gonzales, age 53, of Palermo, CA. in the living room area of the home. His remains were removed and he was declared dead at the scene. He had been burned over 100 percent of his body. According to Mix, Hermann said he was awakened by a "loud bang" just after 1 a.m. He got up to see what was happening and saw the living room was engulfed in flames. He yelled for the two men in the other part of the home to get out and then he and the juvenile female exited the east side of the home. They originally thought the other two men had gone out the west door, said Mix. Adding to the tragedy, said Mix, is that Gonzales came to Modoc to pick up up his stepdaughter (the juvenile female who escaped the fire) March 7. He was picking her up so she could visit a family member who was dying of cancer. They were scheduled to leave the morning of March 8. According to Mix, the fire apparently started in the living room, at an electrical heating unit in the structure. It spread quickly and was burning intensely when ARFD arrived. Mary Virginia Bales Alturas resident Mary Virginia Bales went to be with the Lord on March 8, 2003. Mrs. Bales passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, CA. She was 72. Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Bales had a fun sense of humor and was quick to share a smile. She was currently serving her 12th year as Chaplain for the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Chapter 113 in Alturas. She used her talent for decorating and design throughout her life. She was awarded a State trophy and named top graduate of her class at California Beautician School in Vallejo, CA. She enjoyed working as a beautician for many years in Southern California, until she retired. Mrs. Bales also had a passion for creating beautiful residential interiors and exteriors. Her efforts went into purchasing six homes during her lifetime, which she remodeled and redecorated beautifully before selling. Born Mary Virginia Kelly on May 13, 1930 in Belleville, Illinois, she met her future spouse, Winifred Wilson "Red" Bales, while she was staying in St. Louis, MO. When she was 16, in 1946, they were married in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved west to Southern California where their first son (of five children), was born when she was 19. Her husband of 23 years, passed away on January 21, 1971. In 1987, she moved to Alturas to be closer to her children. She became involved in the women's Auxiliary for Disabled American Veterans (DAVA) Chapter 113 and made many friends in the community. In 1988, she survived a massive heart attack and her testimonies were an inspiration to many people. Lovingly known as "Memas" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was proud to have five great-grandchildren in the past two years, with three of them born in the past four months. She was proud of her Irish "Kelly" heritage. She enjoyed gardening and grew her own vegetables and canned, much to the delight of her family. She enjoyed singing and worshipping the Lord. She also adored her Pomeranian poodle cross Mitzy. Greatly loved by her family, she will be missed dearly by all who knew her. She is survived by her brother Tom and wife Esther Kelly of Arnold, Ill; brother Jon and wife Fern Kelly of Cahokia, Ill.; son Chester and wife GiGi of Medford, OR; son Mark Bales of Alturas, CA and son Clark Bales and wife Alice, of Alturas; daughter Teresa Bibeau and husband Bill of Alturas, CA; granddaughters Elaine Bales and Tara Sommers, both of Alturas; Mary Seward of St. Joseph, MO; grandsons Daniel Bales of Medford, Brian Massey and Joseph Bibeau, of Alturas; great-grandchildren Wyatt, 2; Haleigh, 1-1/2; Ezekiel, 3-1/2 mos., Dylan, 2 mos. and Noah, 3 weeks. She is also survived by her dear friend and companion of 11 years, Paul Francia of Susanville. She was preceded in death by her mother Maybell and father Earl; sister Etna, brothers James and Bob and son Steven. A private family service was held at graveside this morning at 9 a.m., March 13 at the Alturas Cemetery. Kerr Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Remembrances may be directed to DAV Auxiliary Chapter 113, P.O. Box 361, Alturas, CA 96101. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.