Obituaries: Helen Winset Young Former Alturas business owner and resident Helen Young passed away on November 26, 2003 of congestive heart failure at a Sparks, Nevada assisted living residence where she had relocated from Healdsburg, five years ago. Owner of the upscale "Clothes Horse," located next to the Niles Hotel in Alturas, she purchased the women's clothing shop from Gladys Woodward. She operated the business with her daughters during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when she made Modoc her home for a 15-year period. Originally from Alberta, Canada, where she was born to Vernia and Mabel (Graham) Winset on July 17, 1918, she finished high school in Healdsburg, Calif. and attended Santa Rosa Junior College. During the war, she worked in San Francisco. In 1954, she married Milton Young, a helicopter pilot, who was killed in a 1969 helicopter crash on the north slope of Alaska. Mrs. Young was a member of the Santa Rosa Assistance League and St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Alturas. She moved several times during her lifetime, but returned to Modoc County to live several times, where she also had family. She is survived by her daughters Pamela Matherly of Reno, Nev.; Dorothy Ray and husband Ken of Reno, Nev.; Mary Lew Biselli and husband Jim of Carson City; son Jim Young and wife Marcella of Santa Barbara, Calif.; grandchildren Anne Matherly, Nancy Matherly, Will and Matt Matherly and Graham Young; great-grandchildren Arianna and Michael; sister Mary Woodward of Alturas; and brother John Winset of Santa Rosa, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother Donald Winset and sister Dorothy Quinn. Inurnment will be next to her husband at the Healdsburg Cemetery. Irvin McGarva As the Angels in Heaven cried, on Saturday, November 28, 2003, the family and friends of Irvin McGarva gathered in Likely, California to say their final good-byes to a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend and a cowboy. Irvin was born on September 22, 1934 to Bob and Mary McGarva at Likely, Calif., in what is now called "the old McGarva house." Irvin and his brother Doug would spend their early childhood and part of their teen years with their grandparents, Doug and Maggie McGarva. Irvin knew early in his life that being a cowboy was what he wanted to aspire to. Not having any horses to ride, Irvin and Doug broke a couple of calves to ride. Then, their neighbor, Rob Flournoy, gave the brothers a horse and started Irvin on his way to becoming a Horse Breaker. He would break horses for most of the ranches in the South Fork Valley and Jess Valley. Irvin's passion for work teams, whether feeding cows in the winter or putting up loose hay in the summer, stayed with him all his life. He would often say that the tractor was the worst thing to come to the South Fork Valley, eliminating the need for beloved work horses. Irvin would travel down a lot of different roads during his time; in the early years, working on almost every ranch in the South Fork and Jess Valley. He enjoyed competing in rodeos, saddle broncs being his favorite event. He was also a very good and fast team roper. He was a member of the Likely Roping Club. Irvin was awarded the All-Around saddle at the Likely Rodeo in 1957. Irvin competed in rodeos for quite a few years. Traveling down different roads later in his life, he would become a logger, a truck driver and a buckaroo, just to name a few. Whatever the task at hand may have been, he always gave 100 percent and put a great deal of pride into his work. The road he traveled down the farthest and one which was probably the bumpiest, was being a father. And being a father was what he did best. Irvin enjoyed telling his children, grandkids and friends stories of the good old days; When the work teams were used to feed and hay with; When you heard names like Pistol, Deep Canyon and Indian Special at the Likely Rodeo. There was a special place in his heart for his granddaughter Willow, now age 16. Her achievements in the 4-H Livestock show ring filled his heart with pride. His children would often kid him about being the oldest 4-H member still attending 4-H events. Irvin will be missed very much. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert McGarva and Mary McMullen; brother Doug McGarva; sister Janice (McGarva) Tarp; sons William Robert, Quirt Jerome and Casey Eugene. He is survived by his children Ernie McGarva, Likely, Calif., Ervalee McGarva, Medford, Ore., Geraldine McGarva, Oravada, Nev., Milton "Yogi" McGarva, Likely, Calif., Russ McGarva, Reno, Nev., Dewey McGarva and daughter-in-law Marci, Likely, Calif.; brothers John McMullen, Lovelock, Nev., Kenny McMullen and sister-in-law Judy, Reno, Nev.; grandchildren, Willow McGarva, Greely Bautista and Aurelia Bautista, Oravada, Nev., Ricky McGarva and Joey, Likely, Calif., Sterling and Jordan McGarva, Battle Mountain, Nev., Sammie McGarva, Klamath Falls, Ore., Hezzie McGarva, Tuscarora, Nev., Canika McGarva, Elko, Nev., Trish Trinyion, Medford, Ore., Charlie McGarva, Ariz.; cousins Velma McCrary, Canby, Calif., Kenneth McGarva and Duane McGarva, Likely, Calif. Funeral Services were held at the Likely Fire Hall on Saturday, November 28. Bill Flournoy did the officiating. John Flournoy and Patricia Cantrall sang. Irvin's last ride was behind a team of Belgian work horses. Two kind and gentle giants carrying a kind and gentle giant of a man home. I will miss you and loved you with will all my heart. -- By Milton "Yogi" McGarva. Katie Frances Nelson Cedarville native Katie Frances Nelson passed away in Cedarville, Calif. on Tuesday, November 25, 2003. Born Kitty Frances Russell to Harry and Ella (Beebe) Russell in Cedarville, Calif. on December 22, 1903, Katie, as she was known throughout the years, would have celebrated her 100th birthday next month. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and traveled over Donner Pass in a covered wagon. From Sacramento, her mother traveled across Goose Lake to Cedarville. Katie's parents moved from Cedarville when they bought a place at Dry Creek Basin. Katie stayed in Alturas with a family while she was attending high school in Alturas. For over 63 years, Mrs. Nelson was active in the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Alturas Parlor 159 and was recently recognized as a life member. She had been a member of the Cedarville and Alturas Order of Eastern Star since the 1970s and was a 35-year member of Pythian Sisters (affiliated with Knights of Columbus) in Alturas. Mrs. Nelson was chief operator for the Phone Company for 33 years with Public Utilities which later became Citizens Utilities in Alturas. She retired at age 65 from Beaver State Phone Company in Lakeview, Oregon. During the late 1930's, when she was working the phone company night shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., two nights a week her daughter Wilma would accompany her, so as not to be home alone. When World War II began, Wilma teamed up to help her mother route the calls during especially busy times. Fond of roses, Mrs. Nelson's Alturas home was surrounded by her favorite flowers. She was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing. Her hunting expeditions took her to Alaska to hunt caribou, Canada for moose, Oregon for elk, Idaho for deer and elk and California for deer. She is survived by her sister Mable Teschner of Fredricksburg, Texas; daughter Wilma Waterman of Alturas, Calif.; two grandsons, George and Robyn Waterman of Hayward, Calif.; Don and Sue Waterman of Davis Creek, Calif.; three great-grandsons: Robert Waterman of Modesto, Calif., Doug and Shawna Waterman of Alturas, Calif. and James Waterman, currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army; great-granddaughter Jennifer and husband Jack Montgomery of Alturas, Calif. and five-great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by an infant son, Walter; brothers Charlie, Art, Jess and Bill Russell and a sister Lucille. Services were held on Monday, December 1 at 10 a.m. at the Alturas Baptist Church. Pastor Bud Kirk, Pastor Curtis Barber, Ray Sweet and Native Daughters of the Golden West were participants in conducting the service. Graveside services were conducted at the Alturas Cemetery by the Order of Eastern Star, Alturas. Pallbearers were Raymond Sweet, Bruce Mix, Lynn Harris, Roy Moore, Dwight Beeson and Bill McMaster. Alice M. Combs Former Surprise Valley resident Alice M. Combs, 87, of Klamath Falls, Ore. passed away Nov. 19, 2003, at Carmelita Hudson's Care Home there. Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Klamath Falls, with Lowell Stidolph and Sandy Denning officiating with interment at the Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth, Idaho on Nov. 28. Born Alice M. Vogt on Aug. 4, 1916, in Nyssa, Idaho, she was raised in Fruitland, Idaho, and New Plymouth. A gentle, kind and quiet person, she never missed a detail and often surprised her family with what she knew and remembered. Married to Manford "Mack" Combs on July 20, 1938, they farmed for many years in New Plymouth and moved to Caldwell, Idaho in the early 60s, where Mrs. Combs served others as a nurse's aide in nursing homes for 18 years, retiring in 1975. Mrs. Combs was active for 71 years in a worldwide Christian fellowship. She loved to cook, write poetry and hymns. She enjoyed traveling, camping and keeping up her flower garden. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law Ruth Ann and Tom Lake of Lake City, Calif., Kathie and Charlie Vaughn of St. George, Utah; brother and sisters-in-law, Alvin and Janet Vogt of Boise, Howard and Betty Vogt of Salem; five grandchildren, Jim and Lora Lake of Klamath Falls, Dan and Jolene Lake of Walla Walla, Wash., Jenny Vaughn of Colorado Springs, Colo., Tom Vaughn of Austin, Tex., and Helena Castaneda of Albuquerque, N.M.; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves a host of friends; nurse Sandy Darger; caregivers Carmelita Hudson, Dr. Lois Roberts and Dr. Blake Berven. Mrs. Combs had been a resident at Surprise Valley Hospital for a short time. She was preceded in death by her husband, her brother, Herman Vogt, three nephews and two nieces. Memorial contributions may be made to Surprise Valley Community Hospital in Cedarville or to a charity of choice. Lucille Doris McKinnon Alturas resident Lucille Doris McKinnon, who worked as Modoc National Forest purchasing agent until her retirement in the late 1980s, passed away November 20, 2003 in Alturas, Calif. Just 10 days shy of her 81st birthday, Mrs. McKinnon had enjoyed the last five years living with her daughter Carol Adams in Alturas. Born Lucille Doris Ehrlich on November 30, 1922 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, she graduated from Scottsbluff High School. Raised in Nebraska, she moved to California when she was 19 or 20. She had some nursing training, but worked in Aerospace industry for many years, where she also met her husband Milton H. McKinnon. The two were married on New Year's Day in 1945 in Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. McKinnon was a purchasing agent for Edwards Air Force Base outside Lancaster, Calif. When Milton retired, they made their move to Modoc County, where she worked as a purchasing agent with Modoc National Forest for over 10 years, until she retired in 1987. She cared for her husband until he preceded her in death on April 18, 1993. Active in the Alturas community, she loved to bowl and was a good golfer. She was also an avid reader and a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge, serving as their secretary/treasurer for many years. She also served as secretary for the Koffee Kats Bowling League in Alturas and was a member of the Lutheran Church here. She had a soft spot in her heart for animals--dogs, cats, birds and deer -- and enjoyed crocheting. At her advance request, no services will be held. Her family will miss her greatly. Mrs. McKinnon is survived one son and two daughters: her son Steve A. McKinnon, wife Roxanne and their son Sean A. McKinnon of Startup, Wash. Daughter Trudy J. McKinnon of Grand Junction, Colo. and her children son David Michael Clark, wife Cathy and their children Steven J. Mantovani, Mickey (James Michael Clark), and his daughter Jennifer Clark of Grand Junction, Colo. Trudy's daughter Deidre Marcia Haley, husband John and their sons Keith, Johnny and Brandon of Roseburg, Ore. Daughter Carol S. Adams of Alturas, Calif. and her children Eric S. McKinnon and wife Litz of Yokosuka, Japan; Dean A. Widener, wife Melanie of Sherwood, Ore.; and Christine R. Breese, husband James and their daughters Candice and Haylie, and son Kaylen of Elkhart, Indiana; Mrs. McKinnon's brother Marvin Erhlich, wife Joan who reside near Gorman, Calif. and their three children Cathy, Gail and Glen and six grandchildren in California and Washington. Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimers Research Foundation, 2065 West El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View, Calif. 94040. Eletha Jean Mackey Described as a very friendly and outgoing woman, Eletha Jean Mackey spent most of her adult life in Santa Rosa, until she moved to Modoc County six and a half years ago. She and her husband Bill were devoted to one another and enjoyed life together. Mrs. Mackey, 72, passed away on November 22, 2003 in Alturas, Calif. Born Eletha Jean Taylor in Vallejo, Calif. on July 19, 1931, she graduated from Petaluma High School, Petaluma, Calif. She worked at the Post Exchange "PX" Presidio Army Base in San Francisco earlier in her life. She married William W. Mackey in Reno, Nevada on August 10, 1963. While her children were young, she was active in the Parent Teacher Association in Santa Rosa, Calif., in addition to being a wonderful domestic engineer, wife and mother. She enjoyed the spectator side of horse racing in Santa Rosa, was a fan of singer Kenny Rogers and enjoyed attending his concerts. She also had a passion for cooking and gardening. She is survived by her husband William Mackey of Alturas, Calif.; daughter Cindy Kleman of Blaine, Wash.; son Marshall Caston; daughter Katie Cahill of Calif.; daughter Lisa Mackey of Santa Rosa, Calif.; stepson Richard Sullivan; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Mary Catherine (Bunny) Tayor of Alturas, Calif. and several grandchildren. Private family services will be held at a future date. Contributions in Mrs. Mackey's memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's Research Fund, 2065 West El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View, Calif. 94040. + + + + + + We would like to wish you and yours the very best during this Holiday Season. ~~~~~~ Billie C. Reynolds Anita "Jean" Waters-Reynolds (Family Genealogy) http://www.rh2o.com (Modoc County Genealogy) http://www.rh2o.com/modoc/ --- Our outgoing mail is checked by Norton AntiVirus.