Obituaries for the week of 6/28/17

Dorothy Darlene Cunningham

Dorothy Darlene Cunningham passed from this life June 17, 2017, at her residence in Vinton. She was born Sept. 23, 1933, in Ainsworth, Nebraska.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth (Steele) Smith, and her husband, Billie Cunningham.

In her passing she leaves her daughter, Kelly Hughes, of Chilcoot; sons, Billie Gray, of King, North Carolina; Barry Cunningham, of Roi, Utah and Danny Joe Cunningham, of Vinton; a brother, Sam Smith, of Sparks, Nevada; sisters, Betty Christensen, of John Day, Oregon, and Donna Bughler, of Carson City, Nevada; along with 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life took place Sunday, June 25, at the family residence in Chilcoot. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Terry Ferguson

Terry Joe Ferguson joined his family and friends in heaven April 25, 2017. He was born in Boulder, Colorado, May 20, 1937. His family moved to California when he was 8 years old. In 1950, he found his true home when the family moved to Westwood (Clear Creek).

A friendly, outgoing person, Terry quickly adapted to school and classmates. He put his all into his studies, friendships and sports, and was recognized by the Sacramento Bee as the best high school football running back in Northern California. In basketball he was an equally dedicated top player. Teammates credit him with the 30-7 victory over Susanville in his senior year.

At an early age he developed a strong loyalty to Westwood. It was like an extended family to him, especially the families that “took him under their wing.” He dedicated his life to giving back to them and the community by being involved in the school system his entire adult life.

Graduating from Westwood High School in 1955, Terry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with pride and zest. He was stationed in Hawaii with the 4th Marine Division, and later in Camp Pendleton, with the 1st Force Recon. Like Westwood, the Marine Corp became a part of him. He spent many years with the Marine Corps League proudly standing as Color Guard for parades and funerals, and driving Marines to the VA Hospital in Reno, Nevada.

A graduate of U.C. Riverside, Terry started his teaching career in mid 60s in the San Francisco Bay Area, going on to work in the Rincon Valley School District in Santa Rose, but Westwood called him back, and in 1977 he returned to teach fifth grade. After receiving his administrative credentials from Sacramento State University he became Principal of the Fletcher Walker Elementary School from 1981 to 1992, gaining a reputation of always supporting his staff.

His love of technology was instrumental in bringing the first computers into Westwood schools. He also coached the Westwood Varsity Football Team, receiving an award in 1979, “In appreciation of your time and help.” Terry was also involved in Title 1, consulting for Westwood Unified School District, and administrative duties for the Westwood Charter School.

Terry was co-founder of the Breakfast For Kids program in 1991. His belief was that all students should have an equal opportunity to attend school free from hunger. Thanks to his continuous oversight it continues to run entirely on donations and volunteer help to this day.

His dedication to Westwood didn’t stop there. He was a member of Westwood Rotary and was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Paul Bunyan Centennial Parade in 2013. When the Westwood Museum restructured in 2013, he volunteered to be on the board and tackle the task of filing the myriad of paperwork required for a non-profit status. He continued to serve the board as president in 2014-15, and was a member until his passing. His “can do” attitude is credited with much of the success of the museum. He was also instrumental is coordinating class reunions over the years, and officiated at many friends and loved ones’ weddings and funerals.

Terry leaves behind his wife,Kathlene(Kathy) Ferguson, of Westwood; son, Colin Ferguson (Christie), ofMagalia; stepsons, Jesse Boland, ofWalnut Creek, and Nicolas Bliss, of Truckee; daughters, Tracy Mattern-Kindle (Corey), of Standish, and Shawna Mattern-Hall (Robert); sister, Sandra Lear (Charles), of Oroville; brother, Thomas Ferguson, of Hamilton, Montana; step-brother, Randy Watkins, ofNewport News, Virginia; grandchildren,Braiden,Cian and Nia Ferguson, Amorette Wallick, Shea Boland, Emma Carter, Melissa Mattern-Hans, Nikko, Ashley and Rachel Hall; and great-grandchild, Abella Wallick.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Byrd Marie Kaufman; father, Harry Neal Ferguson; son, Daron Ferguson; and twin sisters, Cynthia Lee andLynn MarieWatkins.

Terry lives on in the memory of his many friends as enhancing each person’s life with his outgoing, upbeat personality, generous smile and sense of adventure. His warmth and generosity of spirit will be missed at the Old Mill Cafe and Westwood Museum where he greeted locals and visitors alike, with a smile and a story to share.

As a father and grandfather, he was equally dedicated, never missing an important event. Often driving hours just to have lunch with his kids and grandkids, or traveling many miles to spend time with his beloved blended family. Terry was multifaceted man that loved his family, friends and community deeply, and they loved him back.

Candy Rhode

On June 7 my love, my best friend, my soul mate, Candy Rhode passed away from complications after heart surgery. Candy and I spent over 35 wonderful years side by side in one journey after another. These times were so beautiful, so hilarious, so special. She was the kindest person I’ve ever met. Her memory of all our past adventures was incredible, and her sense of life was priceless. Her reign in the kitchen was sheer monarchy, and anyone who was fortunate enough to scarf a plate of her cookin’ would fall into sheer ecstasy. Our two kids, Heather Rhode and Rebecca Urfer, are the best of both of us. I am so lucky to have met and lived our days together as one. Every flower I see, every Beatles and Journey song I hear, and every rib joint or Indian restaurant I smell, will forever bring a smile to my face and them damn tears gushing out again and again.

An all-day drop-in memorial was held on the following Sunday, June 11, at our home. A memorial garden was built in remembrance of Candy, and an outpouring of family and friends attended, all bringing beautiful flowers and plants which were planted in her honor.

Candy is survived by her husband, Peter Rhode, their two daughters, Heather Rhode and Rebecca Rhode, both of St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters, Sherry Gahn and Vicky Reed; and brother, Paul Harbison.

Candy painted her first beautiful sunset that evening, for everyone to see … one of many forthcoming to relish and remember, forever, in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her.

Arthur Roy “Art” Tantardino

Lake Almanor Peninsula resident Arthur Roy Tantardino passed from this life peacefully with his loving family at his side Saturday morning, June 24, 2017, at his residence overlooking Lake Almanor following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born December 12, 1937, in San Pedro to the late California natives Victor and Estella (Ayala) Tantardino. Art, as he affectionally became known, was raised in San Pedro and is a 1955 graduate of Reseda High School. He went on to put himself through college graduating from Loyola University as a member of their “Class of 1959.”

Upon his graduation, he began what became a 33-year career with Los Angeles County’s Probation Department rising to the position of Director of the department prior to his retirement in 1993.

In April of 1968 in Woodland Hills he was united in Holy Matrimony to the beautiful Barbara Jean Lopus and to this union a son and three daughters were born. The family settled in Southern California and in 1991 purchased the former Renaldi’s Pizza at Lake Almanor. Art traveled back and forth to Los Angeles for the last two years of employment with Los Angeles Probation Department.

An avid outdoorsman, he was a passionate bird hunter especially enjoying duck and dove hunting as well as time on the lakes and streams fishing. He was a lifetime member of both Ducks Unlimited and the California Waterfowl Association. Proud of his Italian heritage he was a member of the Sons of Italy and served his country honorably rising to the rank of Captain in the California National Guard. Art served the local community as a Past President of the Lake Almanor Country Club, and as a Past President of the Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce. A devout member of the Roman Catholic faith Art was an active member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church at Lake Almanor where he was instrumental as a member of their Building Committee in combining and moving the parish from Chester and Westwood to their new church at Lake Almanor.

In his passing, Art leaves his son Joseph and his wife Susan, of Lake Almanor; daughters Christina Heyland and husband Pat, of Huntsville, Alabama, Gina Taylor and Trish and her husband Jay Sabelman, all of Lake Almanor; along with his sister Gale Wilder, of San Jose. He was proud to be the grandfather to Topher, McKenna, Will, Joey, Gianna, Kate and Jack.

Art joins his loving wife Barbara Jean and brother Dale Gunn in their eternal home with the Lord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for the repose of his soul 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at his beloved Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 220 Clifford Drive, Lake Almanor, CA 96137. He and his wife will be interred privately following the services in the Chester District Cemetery.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family, along with signing the memorial guest register, is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com.

The family asks that any remembrances in his memory be made to either the Building Fund of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church or the California Waterfowl Association, c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 803, Greenville, CA 95947.