Modoc County Record – May 1, 2003 Small plane crashes into mountain, 2 die Two people are presumed dead after the small Cessna airplane they were flying crashed into the south Warner Mountains near Eagleville April 25, about 5:20 p.m. According to Modoc Undersheriff Mark Gentry, the dead are Donald M. Lea II, age 46 of Adian, Or., and Jacqueline L. Wyatt, age 49, of Lake Oswego, Or. They are brother and sister. They were flying from Scottsdale, Arizona to Lakeview to visit relatives, he said. According to Gentry, Angie Benner of Eagleville called 9-1-1 Friday evening saying she heard a plane crash into the mountain near her home at the mouth of Emerson Canyon. Benner said it was snowing hard and she heard the sound of a plane's engine, heard it slow and then heard a loud explosion. Gentry said that at just after 5:30 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a call from the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle saying they had lost radio and radar contact with an aircraft in the area of Eagleville. Gentry said the FAA radar had the plane at about 13,200 feet, but then showed it was dropping at a rate of 3,000 feet per minute. When Bill Benner came home, he donned his full winter clothing and drove his four-wheeler up to Emerson campground. Benner said the snow was blinding and it was bitterly cold, but he felt he needed to at least check the area. He found nothing and returned home. Gentry said agencies were going to try and recover the plane and remains Wednesday, but weather conditions made it too dangerous. Crews will try to receive the wreckage as soon as weather permits. The mangled plane is located on a steep grade at the foot of about a 500 foot high cliff, said Gentry. Getting to it will have to be by air, and search and recovery crews may have to rappel down the cliff. The plane crashed not too far from an area where five people died in an Eagle Peak plane crash in November, 2001. The remains of those people were unable to be recovered for eight months because of the location of the downed aircraft and the weather. Gentry figures this recovery will be done this week. Gentry said the plane was spotted from the air Saturday by search teams, and not much of it remains. "Judging by what we saw, it hit very hard," said Gentry. "We'll have to wait for the FAA report to determine what actually happened. It appears the plane flew into the cliff and then dropped onto when it now sits." According to Gentry, Plain Parts, the company that recovered the November wreckage will also be called upon to retrieve this aircraft. Correction: Berchtold In last week's tragic accident which claimed the life of Alturas resident Toni Berchtold, the Record reported that driver Gary Berchtold was following the truck that jackknifed because of the truck's speed. In fact, the truck was westbound when it went out of control and the Berchtold vehicle was approaching it eastbound. The CHP report states that Berchtold approached the truck in the westbound lane and struck the trailer. The out-of-control truck and trailer had blocked both lanes of traffic. Toni Lynn Berchtold Toni Lynn Berchtold, 40, of Alturas, passed away April 21, 2003, from injuries sustained in a car accident. Born Toni Lynn Vincent in Willits, CA on August 27, 1962, to Fred and Merrium Vincent, Toni grew up in Laytonville, CA. She is the third of four children and the first girl to play little league hardball in her area. She was a wonderful athlete. Toni played high school volleyball and softball and earned a spot in the All-American book of records for both sports. She went to high school with Gary Berchtold, who became her husband on September 25, 1982. They have two beautiful daughters Brianna, 18 and Brittany, 15. Gary and Toni spent their first years together in Laytonville and Santa Rosa, then moved to Alturas in 1991. Toni worked as a cook for the Modoc Joint Unified School District for the past 10 years. Toni will be best remembered for her smile, her energy, and the love she brought to every person she met. She was fully devoted to her family and her girls were her pride and joy. A mother who put her family first, she not only took care of Brianna and Brittany, but helped many other young people through tough times. Toni and Gary opened their home to many Modoc kids who think of her as their second mother. Thelma Barker, her neighbor, enjoyed swapping favors with Toni and will miss their afternoons filled with laughter. Brianna and Brittany are athletes like their mother and Toni did her best to be at every one of their games. You'd find her pacing the fence line at softball games or cheering from the gym bleachers. Her voice, passion, and encouragement for the athletes will be missed by all. Up and down the halls of each school in Alturas, you'll hear how Toni brought a smile to so many children's faces while she did her job. She was a friend at every school site: breakfast with the little ones in the morning, a friend to middle school students at break, and making lunch at Alturas Elementary something to look forward to for students and staff. Toni paid attention to what was happening with children and helped them through their day. That might include sitting with a Kindergarten student every morning long enough for him to eat his cereal, hugging a middle school student having a rotten day, a quick scold before someone got in trouble, a good tease, a coat when it was below zero outside, or a special treat. If you wanted to have a good time at any event, you sat near Toni. She had a great sense of humor and a sense of clarity that brought laughter to every situation. With a twinkle in her eye and a skip in her step, she gave 100 percent to everything she did managing to motivate everyone around her. None will forget how she brightened a room, how she greeted all the girls with "Hey girlfriend!," the silver necklace she faithfully wore, the great meals she made after cooking at school all morning, and the cinnamon rolls that made events something to look forward to. Toni was a wonderful wife, best friend, and business partner to Gary. She was a loving daughter to her parents, and enjoyed a special bond with her sister Pam. She was a devoted, protective sister to her brothers, a special aunt to seven nieces and nephews, and a good friend to so many. She filled the room with light and offered an acceptance of who we all are. Her absence leaves a huge hole that cannot be filled in her family and in her community. Toni loved candles. Her family asks that everyone light a candle, so that "while Toni watches over us, she knows our thoughts are with her." Toni is survived by her husband Gary Berchtold, her daughters Brianna and Brittany, of Alturas, CA; her parents Fred and Merrium Vincent, Laytonville, CA; her brother Benny Vincent, his wife Lisa, and their children Kiana and Taylor Vincent of Santa Rosa; her sister Pam, her husband Ron, and their children Justin and Nathan Shannon of San Diego; her brother Michael and his daughter Jordyn Vincent of Laytonville; Gary's parents Max and Suzy Berchtold of Laytonville; and her sister-in-law Debbie Carbaugh, and her sons Jason and Eric of Alturas. A service was held at the Laytonville Cemetery on Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service was held in Alturas on Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Modoc High Griswold Gym. An account has been established at Bank of America at 205 Main Street, Alturas, CA 96101, for memorials to assist her daughters, Brianna and Brittany. Luther Cates Irwin Alturas resident Luther Cates Irwin, 67, passed away April 4, 2003 while visiting in Westminster, CA. Mr. Irwin's demise was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Born October 15, 1935 in Swift, Missouri, he graduated from Banning High School in Wilmington, California. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict until his discharge on January 7, 1957. Over the years, he had worked in electrical contracting, as an electrician at Todd Shipyard in San Pedro, CA, as a welder for the giant cranes at Bragg Crane in Long Beach, as a heavy equipment mechanic and truck driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and resided in Bellflower, CA. Mr. Irwin left Bragg Crane for a job opportunity in Redding for his wife Carol. They later moved to Modoc County, where Mr. Irwin was employed with Staub & Sons Petroleum, Inc. and Fitch Sand and Gravel in Alturas. The Irwins have made Modoc their home for the past 20 years. He and Carol Ann Beckett were married in Wilmington, CA on January 13, 1960. Mr. Irwin was a member of the Moose Lodge of Redding and the Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. of Burney. He enjoyed fishing, recreational boating and swimming, as his time allowed. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Carol Irwin of Alturas, CA; daughter Ronda Gysin of Alturas; sons Robert of Anderson, CA, Daniel of Oklahoma, Ronald and Michael of Arkansas, many grandsons and granddaughters and one great-grandson. His brother Jim Irwin of Westminster, sister Karen Pickle of Arkansas and several nieces and nephews, also survive. At his advance request, no services were to be held. Memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association. Doris Marie Kent Canby resident Doris Marie Kent passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on April 28, 2003 in Alturas, CA., just as she was recuperating from pneumonia. Mrs. Kent, 77, had enjoyed her 25 years as a resident of Canby. Services will be held Friday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Kerr Mortuary Chapel in Alturas with Brock Elliott as officiant. Interment will follow at the Alturas Cemetery. Born Doris Marie Herring on June 17, 1925 in Phoenix, Arizona, she graduated from schools there and married Milton John Kent in Phoenix on September 12, 1943. The Kents moved out to California to stay in 1954 and lived in San Jose for many years. Mrs. Kent worked in retail sales and retired from J.C. Penney's in 1976. The couple moved to Canby, CA to care for her parents, Bea and Allen Herring. Mrs. Kent's daughter Jeannette and son-in-law Dick Madison relocated to Modoc County shortly after. "Not only was mom a great mother, but a great friend," shared Mrs. Kent's daughter Mrs. Kent enjoyed fishing, rock hunting, writing poetry, cooking, baking, reading and talking about her great-grandchildren. She was always invited to I'SOT celebrations, which she enjoyed attending over the years. Known as "Dot" to her many friends, she was also a past member of the Canby Mother's Club. She and Milton reached their golden wedding celebration together before he preceded her in death on August 8, 1994. She was also preceded in death by her sisters Gladys and Martha, brother Don, her parents and granddaughter Christine. She is survived by her daughter Jeannette and son-in-law Dick Madison of Alturas; son Marlin and daughter-in-law Eileen Kent of Vacaville, CA; grandchildren Bob Madison of Las Vegas, Steve Kent of Georgia, Debbie Scott and Julie Rios of Reno, Greg Kent of Vacaville, 11 great-grandchildren, brothers Roland Herring of American Canyon, David Herring of Canby, Jerry Herring of Alabama and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to any charity of the donor's choice. Charlene L. Gray Charlene L. Gray, 56, passed away April 25, 2003 of respiratory failure in Alturas, CA. Mrs. Gray had lived in Modoc County since 1982. She moved from Modesto to New Pine Creek that year. In 1987, she moved from New Pine Creek to Alturas. Born Charlene L. Williams on April 22, 1947 in Long Beach, CA., she graduated from high school in Southern California. The mother of four sons and a homemaker, she also found time to draw, leaving several of her color and black and white sketches as gifts to her children. She kept and loved horses and crocheting and enjoyed her time with her grandchildren, who meant so much to her. She is survived by her sons Patrick Kelly Bradbury of Alturas, Chad Eric Bradbury of Redding, Douglas Wayne Bradbury of Redding and Christopher Duane Bradbury of Anderson, CA; grandchildren Katharine Michelle and Holly Elaine Bradbury of Alturas, Wyatt Wayne Bradbury of Redding and Rachel, Stephanie and Phillip Partsch of Anderson. Services were held April 29 at the Alturas Cemetery. May 8, 2003 Lois Gloria Knight Lois Gloria Knight, 80, passed away of natural causes at her Nubieber home on April 29, 2003. Pastor Jeff Bidwell conducted services at the Ladies Pioneer Club in Nubieber on Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. Born June 23, 1922 in Jamestown, North Dakota, Lois moved to Nubieber in 1945, where she worked as a clerk for the Burlington Northern Railroad. Mother of three sons and a daughter, she also has eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Suvivors include her sons Bill Sherrill of Nubieber; Larry of Tuolumne and Vincent of Rio Linda, CA; daughter Dianne Rose of Portland, OR and sister Laurenda Reich of Rochester, MN. Interment was at the Hillside Cemetery in Nubieber, CA. McDonald's Chapel in Burney was in charge of arrangements. Albert Frank Tourtillott Albert Frank Tourtillott, 84, of Cedarville, CA passed away May 3, 2003, at the Surprise Valley Hospital. Services for Mr. Tourtillott will be held at the Cedarville Community Church on Friday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra. Interment will follow at the Cedarville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Surprise Valley Hospital District. Joan English Joan English, 71, of Alturas, passed away in Klamath Falls, OR on May 4, 2003. Services will be held graveside at the Alturas Cemetery on Thursday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m. May 15, 2003 John Glenn 'Bud' Layton A graveside memorial service for John Glenn 'Bud' Layton will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Alturas Cemetery, Alturas, CA. Mr. Layton passed away May 13, 2003 in Redding, CA. The Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra will officiate the service. Mr. Layton's obituary will be published next week. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.