Obituries for the week of January 27, 2016
Maureen Ann Allara Godard
Maureen Ann Allara Godard, 71 years of age, passed from this life to be with the Lord on Jan. 18, 2016, with her daughters by her side at Northern Nevada Medical Center from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
Maureen and her husband Emery, along with their three daughters, moved to Portola in 1983 where Maureen volunteered at the local library until she became the librarian in 1988 until 2001. She also became involved in Girl Scouts. Leading each of her daughter’s troops and continued to help other troops even after her girls were done.
She moved to the Reno area in 2001 to help care for her grandchildren. While there, she also became an instructor for the English as a Second Language Program.
Maureen is preceded in death by her husband Emery Hugh Godard and son Lucas Godard.
She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Lara Godard of Reno, Michelle Proctor and husband Joey of Clackamas, Oregon, Teresa Mancilla of Portola and honorary daughter Sierra Skaufel of Portola; eight grandchildren: DeAndrea Palmer, Natalie Rodriguez, Destiny and Savannah Proctor, Sonya and Hailie Mancilla, Lucas Godard and Fransico Garcia; sister Carolyn (John) Szczerby of Portola and brother Eugene (Barbara) Allara of Portola and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are being held at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. Internment is at Whispering Pines Cemetery, followed by a reception at Holy Family’s Father Burns Hall.
Arrangements are entrusted to Manni Funeral Home of Portola.
Raymond D. Hamilton
Longtime Greenville resident and former businessman Raymond D. Hamilton — known affectionately by the CB handle of “Big Oakie” — passed from this life peacefully early Wednesday morning, Jan. 6, 2016, at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, following a valiant battle with lung disease. His loving family was at his side.
Born Sept. 10, 1938, in Proctor, Oklahoma, to Ausa and Beatrice (Kirby) Hamilton, he spent his early years in Proctor before moving with family to the northeastern California community of Greenville.
Ray went on to graduate from Greenville High as a member of the Class of 1956.
After meeting his sisters’ babysitter, Christine Norcom, in April of 1969 Ray married the love of his life and his best friend Christine and together they raised a daughter and two sons.
Following his graduation Ray went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and later for both Setzer and Cheney lumber companies. He went on to join the Laborers Union Local 185 and worked for McMurray and Sons and Kiewit Construction companies.
He returned to work in Greenville for McMullen Sand and Gravel and, upon the passing of the owner, took on the operation along with a partner, Roger Graham, for some 12 years before retiring.
Outside of his family, Ray’s passion in life was spending time in the outdoors fishing and hunting. He looked forward to his annual deer and elk hunts and, even in his poor health, bagged a deer this last season. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Taylorsville Riding and Roping Club and the “Berry Pickers.”
He served his community as a member of the community services district and was always there to donate material and equipment to numerous community projects as well as being a member of the Plumas County Search And Rescue Team. He enjoyed square dancing with his late wife and was a member of the Lake Almanor Bucks and Does Square Dancing Group, where he also served as one of their callers.
A little known fact was that Ray was an accomplished seamstress and his cross stitching and crocheting made many a local contestant jealous of his work as he won numerous awards for his work at the Plumas Sierra County Fair.
In passing Ray leaves his daughter, Gaylene Fukagawa and her husband Kevin, of Dayton, Nevada; sons Guy and his wife Melody, of Greenville, and Ray Dean and his wife Karen, of Sacramento; stepmother Grandma Lo, of Fernley, Nevada; his brother Junior Hamilton, of Taylorsville; and sisters Bonnie Fenton, of Fernley, Nevada, and Dee Price and Pat Long, both of Greenville. He was the proud grandparent to Rebecca, Katie, Chelsea, Tiffany and Kristin; great-granddaughter Saia; and was anxiously expecting his first great-grandson shortly.
Along with his loving wife Christine, Ray joins a brother, Richard Hamilton, in their eternal home.
A Celebration of Ray’s Life is being planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at the American Legion Hall in Greenville. (Location has changed, it was originally set for the Greenville Town Hall.)
An opportunity to express condolences to the family, along with signing the memorial guest register, is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.
Clarice “MomDogg”
Moeck Merrill
Clarice Merrill, “MomDogg” as she was affectionately known by those closest to her, a resident of Atherton, passed away on the morning of Jan. 17, 2016, from a pulmonary embolism due to complications after surgery. She was 69 years old.
Clarice was born Aug. 31, 1946, in Los Angeles, the only child to June and Stanley Moeck. The family moved to Paradise in Butte County where they lived until her junior year of high school, at which time they moved to Cambria where Clarice finished high school at Coast Joint Union High.
She married early and had two children, Rich and Tami. While later attending college at Cal Poly, Clarice met her husband of 39 years, Frank Merrill. Clarice and Frank moved to the Philippines so that he could pursue his veterinary degree. During this time, they adopted their daughter Amy and, at the completion of his degree, moved back to the United States. Shortly thereafter, Clarice gave birth to their son, Mike.
Clarice started her professional career with SRI International where she wrote business applications. Clarice’s dream was to move back to the Sierra Nevada and she convinced Frank to move his veterinary practice to Quincy, and together they bought the second family home.
After living in Quincy for seven years, Clarice moved back to the Bay area with her son to find work while Frank stayed in Quincy so their daughter could finish her senior year of high school. It was very important that their daughter was able to finish high school at the same school she started since Clarice was unable to do so when she was younger.
She was very proud that she graduated from Menlo College in 2002 with a degree in Business Management.
Clarice was an avid quilter and loved to attend quilting camps and shows with her girlfriends. She was active in Soroptimists in Quincy, and Eastern Star and Rainbow in Redwood City where she was the Mother Advisor.
She would give a lot of grief to her husband Frank for all of his rugby activities, but at the end of the day she loved rugby, was a rugby woman, mother and supporter to all who played.
Clarice had an intense love of animals and managed to collect seven dogs at one time. She had a continual trail of dogs, beginning with her German Shepherd, Ponza, and ending with her Chihuahua, Little Man.
Clarice was a loving wife, mother and friend and was the glue that bonded the family together. She loved sleepovers with her girlfriends, quilting, frequent banter with her husband, and time away at her home in Quincy.
Clarice is survived by her husband Frank, daughters Tami and Amy, her son Mike and several grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Officer Rich May, East Palo Alto PD, on January 7, 2006.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m., at Menlo-Atherton High School Center for the Performing Arts, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. For additional information, go to facebook.com/clarice.merrill.7.
Sharon Kay Surber
Longtime Quincy resident Sharon Kay Surber went on to her eternal home with the Lord Friday evening, Jan. 15, 2016, at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy.
Born Feb. 8, 1937 in Charles City, Iowa, to Iowa natives Harold and Marian (Frederick) Miller, Sharon and her family relocated to southern California when she was eight and later to the community of Porterville where she attended and graduated from Porterville High School. She went on to continue her education at Porterville Junior College.
While attending high school, Sharon met a handsome fellow student named Frederick Surber and as the high school sweethearts love for one another grew the couple was united in matrimony on Aug. 10, 1957, in Porterville. To this holy union one son and two daughters were born.
Sharon and Fred moved to the northeastern California community of Quincy in 1970 from Hanford.
First and foremost throughout her adult life Sharon was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in her family. Sharon was a life long Lutheran and a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Quincy where she took part in the care of the altar and sang in the choir. She enjoyed the art of sewing and cross-stitch. She and her husband enjoyed traveling together.
In her passing Sharon leaves her loving husband of fifty eight years, Fred of Quincy; daughters Catherine Rusk and her husband Steven of Chicago, Illinois and Karen Chang and her husband Gregory of Reno, Nevada; and son Timothy Surber of Quincy. Sharon was the proud grandmother of Melissa Rusk of Chicago, Illinois.
A Celebration of Sharon’s life is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at her beloved Our Savior Lutheran Church located at 298 East High Street in Quincy. Interment will take place in the Old Quincy Cemetery. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com. The family asks that any remembrances in Sharon’s memory be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sharon Surber Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1396, Quincy, CA 95971.
Richard Emory Turner
Richard Emory Turner, 75, passed on Jan. 11, 2016, at his home in Paradise, after a short battle with cancer.
Richard was born in San Rafael in 1940 to Emory Edmond Turner and Bernice Lovett. He graduated from San Rafael High School in 1958 and enlisted in the United States Navy immediately following his graduation.
Throughout his distinguished 31-year career, Richard traveled the world and received numerous awards and commendations. His career began as a Seaman Recruit (E-1) and progressed through the ranks to retire as a Lieutenant Commander (0-4) in 1989. His many duty stations included USS Pinnacle (MSO 462) Cuban Blockade in 1962, Antarctic Support Activity (Wintering over party 1969-1970), two tours in Japan and USS Guam (LPH 9). He concluded his career at CSTSC Mare Island, Vallejo, CA. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (five awards) and numerous other unit and service awards.
Following his naval career Richard received his Associate degree from Butte Junior College and graduated from California State University Chico with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 1994. Following graduation, he devoted his next 10 years to his fellow veterans as the Veteran Service Officer of Plumas County. During this time, he served as first vice president (2002) and president (2003) of the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
Richard was a member of the Masonic Order, Benevolent Order of Elks, Military Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans and American Legion, and was an active supporter of various community and veterans organizations.
Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Donna E. Turner; and their children Marie Kinney, Richard D. Turner, Kellie M. Foreman (Russ), Carol A. Turner and Robert F. Turner (Sharon). Also surviving are his siblings Mickie Love (Bill), Mary Kay Schlee, Sally Tipton and Robert Turner; his mother-in-law Virginia (Dolly) Langhoff; 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Shadow. He will also be missed by many friends around the world.
There will be no local services. LCDR Turner will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to the Neptune Society of No CA Chico Branch.
Stella Rose Whipple
Your life was a blessing
Your memory a treasure…
You are loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure…
Stella Rose Whipple, 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the Life Care Center in Lewiston, Idaho, after a five-year battle with cancer.
Stella was born Sept. 28, 1942, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Tex Stanford and Pina Geneva Bolon. She was one of six children.
She married William Allen Whipple on Dec. 4, 1964, in Reno, Nevada. This union was blessed with three children Tamara, Tim and Cori.
Stella and her family made their home in Quincy until she moved back to her hometown of Lewiston, Idaho, with her grandson Marcus in 2009.
Stella was affectionately known as “Rusty” in the Quincy area and “Babe” to her family. She took great pride and passion in her ability to paint and quilt. She dedicated herself to working with and helping others in every way possible, as seen by her loved ones and anyone gracious enough to be in her presence. She was truly one of a kind.
Stella is survived by her siblings Lee Thorton, Carl Stanford and Melinda Leddige. Her children Tamara Woolsey, Tim Whipple and Cori Huggins, along with her 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She is predeceased by her parents, Tex Stanford and Pina Geneva Bolon, along with her brothers, Tex Stanford and Paul Stanford.
For details & information surrounding the upcoming memorial services honoring Stella, please contact Tim Whipple by e-mail at [email protected].