Life Tributes for the week of 10/30/19

Marian Delores Gonzalez

Marian Delores Gonzalez was born on March 10, 1942, in Oakland, to William Nelson and Thelma Evelyn (Allen) Cannon. Marian passed away at home with her children by her side on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Hanford.

Marian’s first marriage was to Willie Paul Bruner Jr. on June 24, 1961, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marian’s second marriage was to Tom Louis Gonzales Jr. on Oct. 18, 1975, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They made a life together with her children in Oxnard and later moved to Portola.

She worked in accounting and retired as Chief Financial officer for Plumas District Hospital in Quincy.

Marian is survived by her children, James Bruner, Paul (Carol) Bruner, Teresa (Michael) Brock, Barbara Bruner (Dusty Miller); grandchildren, Jozette, Willie Paul (Brittany), Cody, Spencer (Lisa), Justin, Michael (Amanda), Danielle, Nathan, Manuel, Angela, Audree and Anthony; great-grandchildren, Malcom, Joshua, Jackson, Chanc, Reign, Michael III, Aubree, Evan, Melody, Mason, Bentlee, Andrea, Leah, Janora, Rilee and Donovan; her brothers. Gary Cannon, Michael (Beth) Cannon, Timothy (Krista) Cannon; sisters, Becky (Sonny) Reynolds, Beverly (Robert) Green; sisters by choice, Cindy, Donna Stepp and Henry; nieces and nephews, Richard Olson, Clifford (Roxanne) Olson, Rhonda (Lonnie Dancer) Salin, Joshua Lawrence, Wesley (Jamie) Cannon, Bryan Cannon, Shannon James, Burt Reynolds, Mary Lawrence, Willie Reynolds, Henry Joseph (Erica) Freimuth, Cassandra (Sang) Bae, Anthony Owensby, Christopher (Camille) Cannon, Karen (Mitchell) Bertrand; many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; additional family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Cannon; her mother, Thelma Cannon; her first husband, Willie Paul Bruner Jr.; her second husband, Tom Gonzalez; her son, Ronald Dale Bruner; her sisters, Donna Sue Hook, Katheryn Janelle Wilson, Doris Jo Freimuth; and nieces, Tonya Williams, Evelyn Cannon and Mariah Kristine Kennedy.

Pamela Starr Grow

Pamela Starr Grow’s sunrise was Oct. 5, 1943, in Oakland. Her sunset was Oct. 4, 2019, in Sacramento. Pam passed away peacefully in her sleep at the U.C. Davis Medical Center with her family at her bedside. She was 75.

Pam lived in Portola for the past 21 years after previously residing in Ely, Nevada, Oakland, Fremont, Vacaville and Vallejo. Pam graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland in 1961 and started her working career just two weeks after graduation at Alameda County Probation Department in a clerical position.

Pam held several positions throughout her working career, including clerk and police dispatcher at the Fremont Police Department, secretary at Solano County Sheriff’s Department, grocery checker at Fry’s Food Stores, grocery checker, night crew manager and back room manager at Save Mart Stores and postal delivery carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Portola until retiring in 2009. In whatever position she held, Pam was a hard-working, dedicated employee.

Pam was the oldest of five children and is survived by her brothers, Gary Grow, of Reno, Nevada and Mike Grow (Pam), of St. George, Utah; sister, Sheila Hernandez (Leonard), of Portola; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Jackie Grow, of Portola; brother, Pat Grow, of Madera; sister-in-law, Sandy Grow (Gary), of Reno; and nephew Jarrod Honer, of Ft. Bragg.

Pam loved her family dearly and wouldn’t miss attending a family reunion or function. She adored her nieces and nephews and they adored her. She loved playing card games and enjoyed getting a game together with her family and friends. She was a kind, generous, fun-loving lady who will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched.

We want to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at U.C. Davis Medical Center, CT – ICU Unit for the wonderful, compassionate care they provided to her during her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m., at New Life Christian Center, 72690 Highway 70, Portola, CA 96122.

Elia Josephine Roberti Miles

Elia Josephine Roberti Miles, 98, died Oct. 24, 2019, in Loyalton. She was born to Josephine (Dotta) and Alfred Roberti Oct. 28, 1920, on the Wherity Ranch, now part of the Roberti Ranch, in the middle of the Sierra Valley.

Elia attended school through the eighth grade at the Island School, which was at the north end of Heriot Lane. The family had a horse that was strong enough to pull a cart and she and her brother, Elmer, who was five years younger, would ride in the cart to school, depending on the weather.

After that she worked at the family dairy, milking cows. In her late teens she became acquainted with Bruce Miles, who moved to the Sierra Valley and did custom farming for local ranchers. They married on Jan. 4, 1941, in Reno. The young couple lived on the Roberti Ranch for a short time, then moved to the ranch on Highway 49 west of Loyalton and eventually purchased it.

Elia and Bruce had three children: John Alfred, Virginia Elia and Pamela Ruth.

 Elia was a member of many local organizations, including the Sierra Valley Grange, to which she belonged for 84 years, as one could belong to the grange organization as young as 15 years. When she had reached her eightieth year of membership, she attended the California Grange convention in Atascadero and received an honor for being the longest living member.

She also led Echo 4-H when her children were members and not only chaperoned children at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair, but also exhibited ranch hay there on a yearly basis and is believed to be the longest exhibitor at the fair.

Elia was also active with Plumas-Sierra Cattlewomen, Sierra County Republican Women and Rotary Club of Loyalton; she served in leadership with those organizations and was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District.

She was a loyal member of the Loyalton Community Church, for which she served on the board and taught Sunday school for many years. She passionately pursued her relationship with Christ by giving of herself to many others in the community in word and deed. One of her ministries to other people was organizing the annual Christmas cookie packages that were sent to dozens of local military service members.

It has been said by many that Elia loved and collected people and that everyone she met became family. Well known for her hospitality, she frequently hosted Rotary exchange students and others.

Elia was one of the Loyalton High School Grizzlies’ greatest fans, faithfully attended home games and was made an honorary Grizzly many years ago. Additionally, she was given an honorary Loyalton High School certificate of graduation in 2010 from the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District.

One of her greatest loves was traveling to meet and visit family. Her travels took her to Brazil, Wales, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Poland, Mexico and Israel, as well as many other places. However, the objective of all of those trips was to connect with family — either Swiss blood relatives or those she came to call family.

She is survived by her children, John Miles, Virginia Roberts and Pam Cheek; grandchildren, Morgan Miles, Liesel Miles Finley, Heather Roberts Talbert, Dawn Roberts McCabe, Sarah Cheek Buckner, Beth Cheek Whitacre, Samuel Cheek, and Mary Cheek Cole; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bruce Miles and her brother, Elmer Roberti.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Loyalton Community Church, with a luncheon reception following at the Sierra Valley Grange in Vinton.

The family requests that contributions be made in lieu of flowers to any of the local organizations: Loyalton Community Church or scholarship funds for Rotary Club of Loyalton, Sierra Valley Grange, or Plumas-Sierra Cattlewomen.

Donnal Hulbert Nichols

Donnal Nichols, 85, of Cromberg, passed away peacefully at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, on Oct. 5, 2019.

Donnal was preceded in death by her husband, John Nichols Sr.; her parents, Perry and Dorothy Hulbert; sister, Ann Brons; brother, John Hulbert; and grandson Jedidiah Lusk.

Donnal is survived by her sister, Judy Smith; daughter, Cynthia Lusk; son, John Nichols Jr.; granddaughter, Jessica Ritchey; grandson, Justin Lusk; and great-granddaughter, Ellie Ritchey.

A memorial service will be held for Donnal in Quincy at the Quincy Ward LDS Church, Bellamy Lane, on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. A second memorial will be held at the Apple Hall, Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Highway 128, Boonville.

John Spence Van Wie

John Spence Van Wie passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Sept. 7, 2019, in Santa Maria.Spence was born Aug. 3, 1942, to John and Margaret Van Wie in San Diego.

He grew up in Highland and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports. After graduating from Pacific High School in 1960 he began a career with General Motors. His sons Sean and Kevin were born and he continued his love of the outdoors with them.

After retiring he met and married Marge and enjoyed many years at Lake Almanor. He loved the Chester community and worked for PCCDC and volunteered for local organizations like Sierra Hospice and the American Red Cross, helping families in crisis. Spence had a big heart and never met a stranger.

In June 2018 he moved to the central coast of California. Spence gave his life to Jesus and found The Bridge Church. He continued helping others, especially the young people.

Spence is survived by his son, Kevin and daughter-in-law, Krissy Van Wie; his brother and wife, David and Gerry Van Wie; and sister, Katie Van Wie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marge, his son, Sean and his parents, John and Margaret.