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Sonja Yvonne Strong Thomas
Siskiyou County - Sonja Yvonne Strong Thomas was born Dec. 17, 1941. Sonja was a very loving wife, sister and mother. In her passing on May 15, 2009, she leaves behind her brother Larry Lee Strong of Days Creek, Ore.; her sons and daughter-in-laws, Steve Strong of Colorado, Cory and Charlene Thomas of Myrtle Creek, Ore. and Kyle and Mary Beth Thomas of Prairie City, Ore.; her grandchildren, Larry Thomas of Yreka, PV2 Levi Thomas of Yreka but based on a military base in Missouri, Ashley Killian of Lake Stevens, Wash., Shiloh Thomas of Prairie City, Ore., Michelle Richter of Winston, Ore., Nicole Freeman of Roseburg, Ore., Kimberly Little of Ten Mile, Ore., Tiffany King of Brownsmills, N.J. and Brandi Gilbert of Myrtle Creek, Ore.; her great-grandchildren, Michael Stevens, Kayla King, Amanda Freeman, Brandon Gilbert and Tori Gilbert; and her special family friends, George Lycett, Patty, Kay and Diana Thomas.
Last but not least, to all of the family and friends that her many years of life and wisdom touched in this world.
Farewell Sonja, we all love you!
Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Leroy E. Steiger
Siskiyou County - Leroy E. Steiger, known as “Chuck” to his family and friends, passed away May 3, 2009 after a long illness.
Leroy was born April 26, 1934 in Oakland, Calif. to Leroy A. Steiger and Ann W. McMullen Steiger.
He was raised in Susanville, Calif. by his mother and stepfather, M. J. Thompson. On Dec. 3, 1953, Leroy married Donna L. Williams of Medford, Ore. in Reno, Nev.
After serving with the United States Air Force in Korea during the Korean War, Leroy returned to private life and attended Lassen College. After graduation, he began his career with the State of California, Division of Forestry. A member of the Division of Forestry’s 25-year Club, Leroy, a fire captain, retired from the CDF in 1987 after 30 years of service, where he was affectionately known to many as the “humming dispatcher.”
A 47-year resident of Scott Valley, Leroy served for seven years on the Fort Jones Elementary School Board and was an active member of the California National Guard for 13 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent many memorable hours hunting with his sons, son-in-law and friends. Leroy was a lifetime member of the NRA and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a longtime member of Ducks Unlimited.
A devoted family man, “Chuck” was much loved by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna; his children, Mark (Kathy) Steiger, Gail (Scott) Taylor, Michael Steiger, Dennis (Julie) Steiger and Carolyn (Benjamin) Barrera; his grandchildren, Heather, Gabrielle, Andrew, and Zachary Taylor, Morgan (Jason) Barrera-Abney, Alexander Barrera and Caitlin Barrera, Amanda, Eva and Ed Steiger; and great-grandsons, Brett, Trenton and Gunnar. He also leaves a sister, Shirley Stone of Susanville, Calif.
Leroy was predeceased by a grandson, Benjamin C. Barrera, a brother M. J. Thompson Jr. and his parents.
Albert Edward Pearce
Yreka, Calif. - Albert Edward Pearce was born in Surrey, England on Feb. 8, 1930. A longtime resident of Siskiyou County, Albert passed away on April 21, 2009 at his home in Yreka.
A survivor of the German Blitzkrieg, Albert later served in the Royal Army. Bert married in 1951, moved the family to America in October 1963 and became an American citizen in 1989. Albert developed a fine entrepreneurial spirit as well as working as a machinist. He built and sold several businesses including video game stores and apartment and motel ownership. He moved to Weed in 1983 and upon retirement he moved to Yreka.
Albert is survived by his daughter Victoria; his granddaughter Jennifer Polcovar; his brother Arthur and his longtime friend and companion, Dorothy Norton.
No services are scheduled. Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jeanette Roberts
Montague, Calif. - Jeanette Roberts passed away at her home on Saturday, May 9, 2009 after her tough battle with cancer.
Jeanette was born Aug. 29, 1937 to James and Estlye Suffran in Pasadena, Calif. She was raised in Pasadena until the age of eight, when she moved to Fort Jones. She eventually moved to Happy Camp just before her seventh grade year. She graduated from Happy Camp High School and married her high school sweetheart Ernest “Ernie” Roberts. The young couple married Sept. 28, 1957 in Happy Camp. Together, Ernie and Jeanette had six children. Sadly, their son Danny Lee, fell into a canal and drowned at the young age of two in 1964. This tragedy was one she mourned throughout her life.
Jeanette and Ernie not only raised their children, but many more throughout the neighborhood. Jeanette had a love for children and cared for them through babysitting and working as a teacher’s aide. She enjoyed camping with her husband but considered it a special treat when she could bring her grandchildren along with them. She loved playing those penny slot machines and would brag to her co-workers about her big wins! Jeanette worked hard for everything she had and was proud of what she had attained in life.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents and her son Danny.
She leaves her husband of over 50 years, Ernie Roberts of Montague; daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Randy Horn of Montague; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Valerie Roberts of Lake Shastina; son and longtime girlfriend, Tom Roberts and Karen Haas of Montague; son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Karen Roberts of Montague; son and daughter-in-law, William and Moinica of Citrus Heights; seven grandchildren, Seth and Wendy Horn, Jenna Horn, Shala Horn, Dylan Roberts, Jess Roberts, Keirsten Roberts and Brody Roberts; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Dillon and Dallas Lambert; sister Kay Kahl of Eureka and her special cousin, who was like a brother, Billy Kelly of St. Helens, Wash.
Jeanette will be deeply missed by her family and close friends. A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel. Thursday, May 14, 2009 she will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. in the Fort Goff Cemetery
near Seiad Valley.
Jeanette requested any memorial contributions be made to www.cancer.org or Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Cir., Yreka, CA 96097.
Girdner Funeral Chapel and staff are proudly assisting Jeanette and her family.
Barbara Lynn Minder
Yreka, Calif. - Barbara Lynn Minder passed away on April 28, 2009. She was born on Nov. 23, 1954 in Sebastopol, Calif. to Betty Jean Craig and Fredrick Leonard Esselink Sr.
Barbara was preceded in death by her mother Betty Jean Craig of Yreka; brother Fredrick “Red Fred” Esselink Jr. of Coffee Creek, Calif.; and baby daughter Andrea Minder.
Barbara had many passions in life but most of all her children, her grandchildren and the sense that family and close friends were the most important to her. We will always remember her warm smile and beautiful spirit that could draw you in and make you feel special and cared for.
Barbara leaves behind her sister Linda Dippel and brother-in-law Keith Dippel of Chico, Calif.; her sons, Chad Minder and daughter-in-law Niomi Minder of Minnesota and Matthew Minder of Yreka; three beautiful grandchildren, Monique Minder, age 5, Audrey Minder, age 3 and Elli Minder, 1 year, 6 months.
She also leaves behind very dear friends of the family Lisa and Steve Dean and their two children, Forrest and Stevie of Yreka; and Jennifer and Anthony Aldrich and daughter, Mckenzie of Yreka. And the many other beloved friends she touched through the years.
There will be a celebration of her life at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Yreka United Methodist Church on the corner of Fairchild and Cedar streets in Yreka. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Goldie Miller
Medford, Ore. - Goldie Miller, longtime Hornbrook resident, passed away peacefully May 5, 2009 at Three Fountains care facility in Medford, Ore. Goldie was born Sept. 14, 1919, near Yreka, to Louis and Ethel Miller. She was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother, a third generation rancher and also honored in 2001 as one of the Siskiyou County Pioneer Cattlewomen of the Year.
Goldie was raised on a homestead ranch just across the Oregon border, graduated from Ashland High School in 1938 and married high school classmate Robert E. Miller. They owned various ranches near Ashland, Ore. and ran cattle primarily in the area now known as the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. After selling the Box O Ranch that included her old family homestead in 1962, they moved to the Camp Creek area near Irongate Lake in Siskiyou County. They raised two children, Bob Miller Jr. and Ellin Miller Spearin.
Goldie worked hard all her life doing the everyday ranch work of riding, working cattle, haying, fixing fence, feeding or whatever had to be done. She wore out several saddles in her lifetime from actual use over untold miles of tending cattle. In 1970, she moved to Hornbrook and continued to operate her own cattle herd and later, in conjunction with her son’s ranch, in the Copco and Irongate Lake areas.
Many people remember her hauling her horse Rusty in the back of her pickup for solitary rides to tend cattle. She was still actively riding and gathering cattle from the Soda Mountain and Bogus Mountain ranges at age 83. She was an inspiration to many, including riders both old and young, who tried to “keep up” with “Grandma Goldie” chasing cows through the brush.
Goldie also loved gardening, reading, fishing, bird watching, collecting rocks and antiques, playing cards and traveling with family and friends. She resided at Hornbrook until January 2008, when she entered assisted living due to Parkinson’s disease and failing health. Her cheerful, kind and positive outlook stayed with her to the end.
Goldie was predeceased by her parents and her grandson Brian Miller.
She leaves her son Bob Miller Jr. and wife Pat; daughter Ellin Spearin and husband Bill; granddaughter Tara Porterfield and husband Chet; great-granddaughters, Kady and Kara Porterfield; grandson Tom Spearin and wife Amanda; and brother Robert L. Miller. Goldie also leaves nieces, nephews and many many friends that will miss her dearly.
Services for Goldie will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the Hornbrook Community Church, with a graveside service to follow at the Henley-Hornbrook Cemetery
and a celebration of her life at the Hornbrook Grange.
Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to United Scholarships Inc., c/o Brian Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, Box 1328, Yreka, CA, 96097.
Clifford “Johnny” L. Gould Jr.
Happy Camp, Calif. - Happy Camp resident Clifford “Johnny” Gould, 66, died June 3, 2009 in a motor vehicle accident while returning home from a trip to Las Vegas, Nev.
Mr. Gould was born Nov. 28, 1942 in Sacramento, Calif. to Clifford and Lorraine (Corea) Gould.
He graduated from Happy Camp High in 1961 and joined the U.S. Navy, where he served on the USS Walker and the USS Pierce and was a veteran of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He returned to Happy Camp and married Donna Pence on May 27, 1966.
He joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1966 as a fire engine crew person. Through the years Johnny took other jobs in the Forest Service such as a fire engine operator, log scaler, small sales assistant and small sales officer, and retired 31 years later as the timber sales administrator.
In retirement, Johnny was reunited with his second love, his motorcycle. Hundreds of hours and thousands of miles later, Johnny, with several of his friends, thought it would be cool to form a motorcycle club. The State of Jefferson Brotherhood motorcycle club was born with only five members, all located in Happy Camp, and it has grown since then. He was the founding father of the Happy Camp River Run and his vision was to expand the Happy Camp River Park for the enjoyment of others. To make this dream a reality, Johnny had to work with the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce, where he was made an honorary member.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna Gould of Happy Camp; son and daughter-in-law, James and Ann (Farnham) Gould of Happy Camp; son and daughter-in-law, Clinton and Tammy (Michaelis) Gould of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Heather and Megan of Maupin, Ore. and Logan and Hailey of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his brother James Gould of Thornebay, Alaska.
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a memorial fund for those who wish to donate to make Johnny’s dream a reality. If you would like to donate, please send a check to: Donna Gould, P.O. Box 704, Happy Camp, CA 96039. Make checks payable to H.C.C.S.D. River Park Donation, on the memo line write: In memory of Johnny Gould.
No memorial services are planned at this time.
Richard Phillip Morgan
Roseburg, Ore. - Richard (Dick) passed peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at Curry Manor in Roseburg, Ore. of complications from Parkinson’s disease.
He was born March 28, 1928 in Montague, the oldest son of George and Nora Morgan, and raised on a ranch in Grenada.
He served in the Navy aboard the USS Thuban from 1947 to 1951. He married Betty Weisman, who survives him, on Nov. 6, 1948 in Grants Pass, Ore. Dick was a deputy sheriff and city policeman in Siskiyou County, and he was a truck driver in Sacramento for many years. He moved to Medford, Ore. in 1972, where he was a log truck owner and operator until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and his daughter Connie Morgan.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty; two sons, Allen and Phillip; their wives, Michele and Pam; his grandchildren, Nicholas Morgan and Amanda Whittington and her husband Jason and Natalie and Christopher Morgan; two great-grandsons, Justin Morgan and Camden Whittington; and his brother Clarence Morgan. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church, 456 West Pine St. in Central Point, Ore.
Jerome Eugene Abraham
Hornbrook, Calif. - Jerome Eugene Abraham of Hornbrook, formerly of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. passed away May 27, 2009 at home.
He was born Nov. 4, 1933 in Steger, Ill. and was preceded in death by both parents, Eugene Jerome Abraham and Celeste Abraham.
Jerry had two brothers, Warren Draben of New Jersey and Merle Draben of Florida; three sisters, Laurel of Arkansas, Ann Abraham Hennegar of Florida and Adele Abraham Matera of Colorado.
As his father was in the military, the family lived many places, Steger, Ill., Colorado Springs, Colo., Riverside, Calif. and Wiesbaden, Germany. Jerry graduated from high school in Germany and joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Germany for three years, then upon returning to the United States was stationed in Roswell, N.M. It was here that he met and married Earlene Bowers in 1955.
Jerry and Earlene had four children and 11 grandchildren. Their children include Bruce Abraham and his family of Battle Ground, Wash., David Abraham and his family of Oregon House, Calif., Gaye Lynn Abraham Smith and her family of Riverside Calif. and Donald Abraham and his family of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. During the growing up years of the family, Jerry was very involved in all the sports that the children were taking part in at school. He was also a scoutmaster when the children were in Boy Scouts.
Upon graduation from College as an electronic engineer, Jerry worked for Applied Radiation in Walnut Creek, Calif. for 18 months. In 1962, Jerry went to work for Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. He worked there for 34 1/2 years. While at JPL, his assignments included many unmanned spacecraft. In 1996, Jerry retired from JPL. He moved to Hornbrook to assume the duties as a preacher for the Yreka Church of Christ for six years.
Jerry loved his family very much and was very proud of each of them. Jerry loved to travel. He had a very wry sense of humor and loved being ornery, in a good way. Jerry loved to study his Bible. He really enjoyed the preaching and teaching he was able to do. Jerry will surely be missed.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at Stone Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 4 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. - Area #3 Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Calif. Stone Funeral Home of Upland, Calif. is in charge of arrangements.
