Obituaries: Ava Jo Harden Ava Jo Harden of Alturas passed away unexpectedly on December 9, 2003 at her home, where she had lived for the past 41 years Born on November 2, 1927, to Hal and Tessie McGhee in Alturas, Calif., Ava Jo was frequently at her mother's bakery "Polly Ann Bakery," in Alturas, while she was growing up. The bakery was located in a portion of what is today, Brown's Pharmacy. Ava Jo attended Alturas Grammar School and was a member of the high school drill team, graduating from Modoc High School in 1945. She attended Mills College in Oakland, Calif. for the year that followed graduation and married Harold Harden of Alturas on Dec. 7, 1946, after he returned from war. For the next 16 years, they lived throughout California, Oregon and Nevada, while Harold worked on the booming power line construction after the war. They returned to Modoc in 1962, when their son Brian was age three. They settled into the home across the street from the house in which Ava Jo was born An avid sports fan, Ava Jo loved listening to Giants baseball games and watching football and basketball. She was a loving mother who always had a gentle smile on her face. Anyone who knew her will describe Mrs. Harden as a "really nice lady." She was also proud to have earned her 50-year pin as a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Alturas Mrs. Harden was a cat fancier and quite a horticulturist, able to grow and keep tropical plants, such as Bird of Paradise, blooming indoors over the years. Many of her large palms and plants were inherited from her mother. Mrs. Harden is survived by her son Brian Harden of Alturas, his wife Sheri and their children Jessi and Jason; brother and sister-in-law Sheldon and Dot Harden of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews and some long lost cousins in Texas Interment will be private at Alturas Cemetery. A memorial time of remembrance for family and friends will be held at the Harden home, 947 Main Street, Alturas on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Harden Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of U.S. Bank, 346 N. Main St., Alturas, Calif. 96101 Barbara Rae Slinkard Barbara Rae Slinkard passed away December 9, 2003, at her home in Alturas, Calif., after a lengthy illness. She was 82. Born Barbara Rae Hobbs on November 16, 1921 in Lake City, Calif., where her parents, Roy and Frankie Hobbs, owned a ranch. Barbara was the youngest child and worked on the ranch with her three sisters, Rhua, Thelma and Phylis Barbara attended school in Lake City, Calif. and graduated from Surprise Valley High School in 1940. She attended Healds Business College in Sacramento for one term. On Nov. 7, 1940, Barbara married another Surprise Valley High School graduate, Steve Slinkard, in Carson City, Nevada. They lived in Reno, until Steve entered the military. Barbara and her young son, Don, returned to Cedarville, Calif. until the end of World War II Steve and Barbara settled in Alturas where two more children, Gary and Wanda, were born. Barbara and Steve were married for 63 years, 50 years of their marriage in one home. Barbara enjoyed entertaining in her home, especially during the holidays. She enjoyed playing bridge, doing needle work, gardening and was a deacon in the Federated Church. She and Steve were feted for their 60th anniversary with many family members in attendance at the Nugget in Reno Barbara is survived by her husband, Steve of Alturas; daughter, Wanda of Reno, Nevada; sons Don and wife Bonnie; Gary and wife Susan of Alturas, four granddaughters, Shannon Galpin, Eagle Point, Ore.; Stephanie St. John, Laughlin, Nevada; Kerry Slinkard, Portland, Ore. and Jennifer Huntington, Gaithersburg, Maryland; three grandsons, Scott Slinkard, Alturas, Calif.; Sean Slinkard, Alturas and Bryan Slinkard, Chico, Calif.; four great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. Barbara's parents and her three sisters preceded her in death Private family committal services were held Thursday, Dec. 11, followed by a celebration of her life at the Federated Church in Alturas on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Dr. Ben Zandstra conducted the services. Kerr Mortuary handled arrangements Memorial donations may be directed to the Federated Church in Alturas. Services for Barbara Scofield A memorial service for former Alturas resident Barbara Scofield will be held Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Alturas. Mrs. Scofield passed away September 7, 2003 at Wessington Springs, South Dakota. She was 62 Married to Texus V. Scofield in Gardena, Calif. on February 7, 1959 they lived in various places and worked for the government. They arrived in Modoc County in 1965. When they retired in 1985, they relocated to Wessington Springs, SD. Texus preceded her in death on April 10, 1992 Barbara raised mini donkeys for 25 years, in addition to working several different jobs. She enjoyed raising and caring for her animals, riding horses and moving cattle on the Devil's Garden and Warner Mountains, snow skiing, attended auctions and refinished antiques. She was an active outdoors woman, who was also a lifelong supporter of 4-H and FFA and an avid supporter and spectator of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events, attending every game. She was a member of Legion Auxiliary of Alpena, SD, Elks, a 61-year member of Western Fraternal Life Association and a member of the American Donkey Association. She was a best friend and devoted mom and grandma Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Curtis Scofield and friend Karen King of Alturas, CA., her daughter Dawn Luckett and husband Val of Wessington Springs, SD, three grandchildren Mace, Josh and Vance Luckett, Wessington Springs, SD; one brother Dan Dolezal and wife Mary of Big Sandy, Texas and one niece Susan Dolezal of Plano, Texas; her uncle Louie (Dorothy) Cvikel and aunt Albina Brown all of Southern California and many dear friends Snook Macdonald Charles Stuart Macdonald III, 59, passed away on December 12, 2003 at the Surprise Valley Hospital in Cedarville, California. Known as Snook, he had been fighting cancer for most of this year He was born on August 13, 1944 in Pueblo, Colorado to Charles Stuart and Dorothy (Guye) Macdonald II. At a young age, his parents presented him with a pair of cowboy boots. He promptly announced he was going to be a cowboy--and that he was Snook was an avid basketball player and fan. He also held the pole vaulting record at Pueblo High School, District 60 for 15 years. With his big smile and gentlemanly manner, Snook made friends wherever he lived and worked He is survived by his father, C. Stuart Macdonald II of Pueblo, Colorado; his sister Virginia Biglow, husband Bob and niece Becky of Salida, Colorado; his son Justin Macdonald, wife Michele and granddaughters Brittany and Charley of Camp Verde, Arizona; his daughter Jami Mead, husband Brad and granddaughters Megan, Cassie and Paige of Seligman, Arizona; and lastly his friend and partner Linda Moorhouse of Eagleville, Calif. Robert Leo Weilmunster Former Surprise Valley resident Robert Leo Weilmunster, 69, of Gerber, Calif. passed away at his home on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 of natural causes. Services will be held today at 10 a.m. December 18 at Chapel of the Flowers in Red Bluff. Jack Bullen of Sacred Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct the graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery, Red Bluff, Calif Mr. Weilmunster was born on March 5, 1934 in Cedarville, Calif. to Leo and Bea Weilmunster. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served from 1954 until 1958 and fought in the Korean War. He was a 2nd class petty officer engineman diver and received the China Service Metal. Robert participated in the evacuation of refugees passage to freedom and the Tachen evacuation aboard the USS Cacapon and the USS Bolster. Robert moved to Tehama County from Cedarville in 1958. He was a graduate of Shasta College. He was employed as a pipe fitter with Diamond International for many years. A prior member of the Elks and Moose Lodges and John Birch Society, he was a current member of the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Los Molinos. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. Above all, he was a master of practical jokes. He was well loved by his family and friends and will be missed by all He is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Patti Weilmunster of Gerber, Calif.; son Robert Weilmunster of Red Bluff, Calif.; step-daughter, Liz Mosier, Gerber; brother, Don Weilmunster, Garden Valley, Idaho; step-son, William Morse, Rocklin, Calif. He also has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Bea Weilmunster. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers in Red Bluff was in charge of arrangements Charles 'Charley' Dameron Charles E. "Charley" Dameron, 89, died December 13, 2003, at Lake District Long-Term Care Facility in Lakeview Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, Lakeview, with Pastor Ray Durkin officiating. Interment will follow at Westside Cemetery. A reception and luncheon will follow at the church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday in Ousley Osterman Huffstutter Funeral Chapel, Lakeview Mr. Dameron was born July 13, 1914, in Milan, Kansas, to Anson B. and May V. (Rhodes) Dameron He lived in Milan until moving with his family to Canoga Park, CA., when he was 10 years old He married Roberta Heard on November 29, 1936, in Cedarville. They owned and operated a grocery store in Lake City for several years before moving in 1946 to Lakeview. In 1948, they moved to Westside, where he farmed until selling the farm in 1970 While farming, he held several jobs and drove school bus at Westside. The jobs included those at Lakeview Lumber, Lakeview Mercantile, and Moty and Van Dyke His first wife preceded him in death on January 21, 1962, and he was also preceded in death by his next three wives, Loretta; the former Essie Pradmore; and Lucille Threet, prior to marrying Lucille Conger in Reno on May 22, 1993 He enjoyed meeting and being with people Mr. Dameron was a member of First Baptist Church for many years. Among his survivors are his wife Lucille Dameron of Lakeview; daughter and son-in-law Sally and Con O'Keeffe of Boise, Idaho; sons and daughters-in-law Douglas and Rosemary Dameron of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Gary and Michele Dameron of Filer, Idaho; sister Clara Wray of Bellingham, Wash.; brother Merle Dameron of Washington D.C.; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; half-brothers Leroy, Kenny and Jerry Dameron; half-sisters Clella Paschal, Sonja Dameron and Vina Cink; and numerous nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by a brother, Virgil Dameron Memorial donations may be made to Lakeview County Library Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 44, Lakeview, OR. 97630, or the charity of the donor's choice Phoebe Coffer Young Phoebe Rachael Coffer Young, 101, died Dec. 6, 2003 at the Lake District Hospital in Lakeview, Ore Mrs. Young was born May 27, 1902 in Alturas to Modoc County pioneers Elliott Vanburen Coffer and the former Leatha Parlee Dorris. Her father was the second settler in Old Willow Ranch where he was in partnership with Andrew Snider. He was as a rancher and blacksmith. Her mother was the daughter of Cyrus G. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Dorris. Cyrus was one of the Dorris brothers who settled the town of Alturas and Corris, alif. Rachael fondly remembered her aunts and uncles Ed, Vernile, Roland, Green, Elsie Walker, Minta Bonner and Wylie Dorris Rachael married George Earl Young on April 19, 1919 in Yreka. Rachael was only 16 years old when they started their married life together on a logging camp at Bray. In 1933, they move dto Lakeview where they resided next to the Alstrom grocery store. Their first child, Ella Dorris Young, died the same day she was born on was born November 5, 1920. They had 12 more children after that, however: George Elliott, Charles Dwayne, Emmaline Sara Huskey, Chester Vernile, Hester Carmen Wilson, Harold Nate, Melvin Jay, Jerome Raymond, Loretta Ann Simpson, Bonnie Rachael Jelley, Bert Lewis and Guy Ervin Young. Nate, Charles Chester, George and Ella all preceded Rachael in death. Her husband was a sawyer in a lumber mill in Lakeview at the time of his death at the age of 56 on February 13, 1951. At last count, Rachael had 180 descendants including 47 grandchildren, 121 great grandchildren, and 60 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two nephews, Bill Coffer and William Young Mrs. Young was a lifelong Baptist and was proud to have helped in the planning and building of the Trinity Baptist Church. Most of her grandchildren remember being taught by her in Summer Bible School. Her other great interest was the Lake County Fair, for which she was a volunteer until she reached 101 years of age. She operated the hamburger concession in the Indian Campground until the 1960's and sold poppies as a member of the VFW 4070 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a life member and a Gold Star mother of the Auxiliary. When she was 99 years old, Mrs. Young became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution A very active woman with a clear mind, she could relate stories of Lake and Modoc County history. Her most memorable experience was watching, as a small child, the volcanic eruption of Mt. Lassen She saw the first airplane land in Alturas and was a passenger on the train from Lakeview to Alturas Memorial donations may be made to the Lake County Senior Citizens P.O. Box 871, Lakeview, OR., 97630 or to the Lake County Museum Endowment Fund C/O Eleanor Lynch, 203 South E Street, Lakeview, OR., 97630 or to a charity of the donor's choice Funeral Services were held December 13 at the First Presbyterian in Lakeview, Oregon with Rev. Vance Culpepper officiating. A potluck luncheon/reception followed at the Eagle Lodge. Ousley Osterman Huffstrutter Funeral Chapel has charge of the arrangements. The interment at the Westside Cemetery in Lakeview was private. Casket bearers were: George E. Young, Tim Young, Jeff Huskey, Chester James Young, Floyd Wilson, Melvin J. Young Jr., Quip Risley, Leroy Simpson, John Jelley and Gary L. Young. Honorary casket bearers: Dr. Robert W. Bomengen, Dr. Tim Gallagher, Bill Coffer, William Young, Orval Layton, Kenny Young, Ralph Young, Kevin Young, Howard Huskey, Jim Wilson, Don Wilson, Ray Young, Quirt Risley and Edward Jelley Jacqueline 'Jackie' O. Collis Jacqueline "Jackie" Olive Collis, 81, passed away in Alturas, Calif. on Monday, December 8, 2003. Pastor Destry Campbell will officiate graveside services on Friday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Alturas Cemetery. Mrs. Collis was born in Seattle, Washington on July 13, 1921. Services are being arranged by Kerr Mortuary. A complete obituary will be published in a future issue. + + + + + + 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.