Patterson Cemetery District Obits listing Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007 This file is part of the California Tombstone Project http://www.usgwtombstones.org/california/californ.html These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Allport Norman M 450420 p1 Killed in Action in Germany; Tech. Sgt. Norman Allport Added to Casualty List; "Killed in action in Germany on April 7th." That was the fateful message that reached Mr. and Mrs. Norman Allport yesterday morning at their Westley home to tell of their son, Tech. Sgt. Norman M. Allport, serving with the Army Engineers. A native of Canada, the deceased was 24 years of age and had spent virtually his entire life here coming to Westley when he was a year old. A graduate of Patterson High School with the Class of 1939, he later graduated from Modesto Junior College and was employed in San Francisco following that. Anxious to get into service when the war started, he was held back by the technical difficulties surrounding his foreign birth, and had to wait until he was inducted in August 1943. He trained at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and was sent to North Africa soon after our forces invaded that area, to serve in a battalion that was engaged in training men for replacements. Later his outfit went to Italy and he spent considerable time in that country, being transferred to France about four months ago. In his late letters he told of a recent furlough to Paris and of going on into Germany. Beside his parents, he is survived by a brother, Daryl, serving in the Navy, who is at present stationed at San Pedro, and a sister, Mrs. Vera Franklin of San Francisco, who is visiting here at present with her baby. Allport Norman M 450427 p1 18th to Die; Norman Allport (picture) Whose death in action in Germany on April 7th was reported last week. His is the 18th name to be added to the list of dead from Patterson Township. Anderson Walter 451012 p6 Bud Anderson's Brother Passes; Crows Landing, Oct. 10 - Walter Anderson, a resident here from babyhood until after his return from service in World War I, passed away Thursday at Los Angeles. In ill health for the past several years, he and his family had moved to the South two years ago. Funeral services were held at Modesto on Monday afternoon, interment following in Citizens Cemetery. Anderson was 49 years old and was a member of the Modesto police department for several years. He is survived by his wife, Edith, a son Dale, and one brother, James E. Anderson of Patterson. Anderson, Swan 450202 p1 Swan Anderson, Long Resident, Passed Friday; Swan Anderson, Patterson resident for the past twenty-eight years, passed away Friday morning at a Stockton hospital. He had been in falling health for some time and had been receiving hospital treatment for two months. A native of Sweden, he was 74 years of age, and came to this country at the age of 20. Eight children survive him – Mrs. Alice Brazil of Petaluma; Mrs. Rosie Breshear of Patterson; Otto of Modesto; Ernest of Sacramento; Alder of Santa Rosa; Ted of Honolulu and Morris and Roy of Patterson. Fourteen grandchildren also survive the deceased. Funeral service were held on Monday afternoon at Evans Funeral Chapel with M. V. Cheek officiating followed by interment in the Del Puerto Cemetery. Bain LS 450504 p1 Sailor Killed in Explosion at Vernalis; Explosion of the hydraulic gear on a plane catapult resulted in the killing of one sailor and injury of three others at the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station Thursday night of last week. According to the news released by the Navy, L.S. Bain, aviation machinist's mate first class, of Pisgah, Alabama, was killed; V. H. Singler, chief aviation machinist's mate of Modesto was seriously injured, and three others received lesser wounds. Barbour Joe 451019 p1 Joe Barbour Passes Away Thursday Night; Another link with the early days of Patterson was severed Thursday night of last week as Joe T. Barbour passed away at a Modesto hospital, failing to rally from a stroke suffered two weeks previous. Joe was as much a Patterson institution as the Plaza and he and his horse were a familiar daily sight as he made his rounds with his delivery service, often with a youngster or two dangling their legs over the side. Because, while Joe always had a joke for everyone, he had a special soft spot in his heart for kids and horses. He was 74 years of age, a fact which will come as a surprise to many, as he was vigorous and kept up his work until the last. Going home on a Friday evening he failed to appear next day and a search revealed he had been stricken some time during the night. A native of Missouri, Barbour had resided here for 32 years, coming here shortly after the new town was organized. He is survived by one son, Reo, of Bellflower. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel, with Rev. John T. Bickford in charge. Interment followed in Del Puerto Cemetery. Bartling Wlm A 450518 p4 Vernalis Pilot Dies in Crash; A Vernalis Air Station fighter pilot was instantly killed Monday morning when his plane crashed east of the San Joaquin River near the Maze Highway. Engine failure was the apparent cause according to witnesses who heard the plane come down. Ensign William A. Bartling was the pilot. His widow, residing in Modesto, survives him. He was from Missouri. Barutha Stanley J 450309 p1 One Killed, One Hurt by Hit-runner; Sailors From Air Station Highway Victims; Described by officers as "so soggy with booze that he was unable stand", William H. Lynch, 33, Crows Landing laborer, killed one sailor and badly injured another late Sunday night when he struck them with his car as they were walking from Crows Landing to the Air Station. Stanley J. Barutha, 19, was carried about 50 feet on the hood of the car and then hurled clear. His neck fractured by the blow, he survived, but a short time. Tossed to one side; Chas. Bailey, also 19, was tossed about 12 feet to one side. While he received internal injuries, his condition was not believed serious. Both had been assigned to the Crows Landing station only a short time. Even after hitting the men, Lynch was too far gone to realize what was happening and insisted on going on to the Air Station with a sailor he was driving home, and reporting the matter there, instead of stopping to aid his victims, officers state. Lynch and another laborer, Chas. G. Johnson left a Crows Landing cafe when it closed at midnight and offered to drive the sailor, Sherman Biles, back to the base. They were about 200 yards from the intersection of the road into the Navy field when they overtook the two sailors walking along the right-hand shoulder of the highway and crashed into them. Into custody; Shore Patrolmen took the two into custody when they arrived at the gate and Highway Patrolman E.L. McCabe was summoned. In the meantime, Johnson started to wander off and it is said the Navy boys worked him over a little on general principles as they rounded him up again. Lynch was lodged in the county jail on a manslaughter charge, while Johnson was held on a drunk complaint, pleading guilty to the charge in the Newman Justice Court. According to McCabe, he picked up Lynch about five years ago on a drunk driving charge. At that time he had no driver's license, nor did he have any when arrested this time. Barutha Stanley J 450413 p1 For Killing a Sailor---a Six Months Vacation; The District Attorney's office could not find sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution on a manslaughter charge. And so William H. Lynch, 33, Crows Landing laborer, is enjoying a six-month's vacation at the county road camp in the hills following his plea of guilty Wednesday to a drunk driving charge. As added punishment, his drivers' license was suspended for one year This in the face of the fact that he was arrested five years ago for drunk driving and had no license then, and had none when he was arrested on the night of March 4th after his car had struck and killed 19 year old Stanley J. Barutha, sailor at the Crows Landing Air Station. Held on a manslaughter charge following the fatality, the complaint was reduced to the misdemeanor rating last week and Lynch pleaded guilty before Judge J. Lee Robertson, sitting in the Modesto Justice Court, Wednesday Flagrant Case; According to the evidence compiled by Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe, Lynch had left a Crows Landing cafe with a companion, Charles C. Johnson, at the midnight closing hour and started to drive a sailor friend back to the station. Near the junction of the station road, Lynch struck two sailors walking along the edge, killing Barutha and injuring his companion. The sailor in the car tried to make him stop and aid them, according to the former's story, but Lynch refused and went on in to the station, where the Shore Patrol took over handling of the case. Both Lynch and Johnson were reported to be in a highly intoxicated state by the officers. Borges Joe 450330 p1 Joe Borges Dies in Initial Assault; Pfc. Joe F. "Smokie" Borges was killed in action on Iwo Jima on February 21st, two days after the initial landing, according to a Marine Corps telegram received by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Joe Borges of Fortuna. The deceased was 20 years of age and had been employed by J. F. Ramos prior to his enlistment in the Marines on March 19, 1944. He was serving in the 4th Marine Division. He was the brother of Mrs. Joe Estrada, residing on the Pomegranate avenue dairy ranch owned by Ramos. Broadway Alfred 450215 2 Former Resident Passes Away; Alfred Broadway, former Patterson resident, passed away at Modesto Friday. He was a native of England, aged 59 years, and is survived by his wife, Minnie, sister of Mrs. H. H. Stewart of Patterson; a daughter residing in England, and two sisters. Funeral services were held at Modesto Monday afternoon with interment there. Bunker Wim E 450629 p5 W. E. Bunker of Gustine Passes Away; William E. Bunker, native West Sider and member of a widely known pioneer family, passed away Monday morning in the West Side Hospital, as the result of a heart attack. In ill health for several months, he had entered the hospital five days before his death for treatment. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning from the family home south of Gustine, then to the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in that city where Mass was said by Rev. Joseph Losada. Interment was made in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Bunker was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Hunker, nee Elizabeth Dunning, who came to the West Side in 1868 to settle first in the Cottonwood district, later moving to the present home. Born 72 years ago, he spent most of his lifetime there, except for the brief period in his youth when he attended school in Oakland, managing extensive ranch interests, active in civic and community affairs, and serving as county supervisor for his district over a period of 22 years. Interested in education, he also served for years as a member of the governing board of the Gustine Grammar School and was a member of the original board of trustees, which organized the Gustine Union High School district, continuing in that position for 24 years. Surviving are his wife, Rose and two sons and a daughter. They are Edwin and Paul Bunker and Mrs. Elizabeth Munhall. In addition, there are six grandchildren and two brothers; Fred of Gustine and David of San Jose. Campbell Peter M 450525 p1 Sudden Passing of Visitor Wednesday; Peter M. Campbell, father of Mrs. H. S. Arnold passed away Wednesday evening a few hours after he became ill at the Arnold home on North Fourth Street. A resident of Hobson, Montana, he had spent the past few winters with his daughter here and had been planning to leave for his home shortly after the extended visit. A native of Ontario, he was 82 years of age. Besides Mrs. Arnold, he is survived by two sons, R. H. Campbell and J. C. Campbell, both of Hobson, and six grandchildren - one of them Verna Mae Campbell, who has also spent the Winter here with her aunt and attended school, being a member of the Las Palmas graduating class. The remains were shipped to Lewistown, Montana, yesterday by the Evans Funeral Chapel for services and interment in the family plot. Mrs. Arnold and Verna Mae accompanied them Case Arthur D 450112 p1 Second Son Lost by Former Westleyite; War Department casualty lists include the name of Staff Sgt. Arthur D. Case of Westley this week, reported killed in the European Theatre. Case was the son of Everett Case, migratory fruit worker who has been working in the Westley area at various intervals and has maintained that post office as his address. At present he is in Yakima, Washington. This is his second lost in World War II. Cleckler John E 450720 p2 Killed in Upset on River Road; John E. Cleckler, employed at the Lathrop Army Depot, was fatally injured Sunday afternoon when his car turned over while traveling along the River Road. Cleckler was southbound when he struck a very rough spot in the road near the entrance to Camp 1 of El Solyo Ranch. According to Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards, his car had gone out of control, swerving first to the left and then back to the right side of the road where it skidded crosswise and turned completely over, throwing him out in the maneuver. He was badly hurt in the spill, and survived but a few minutes. Coroner J. K. Ransom advance a theory of heart attach, but this was not born out by testimony of friends whom he had stopped to visit a few moments before, who said he was in normal health at that time. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Tuesday followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. A native of Texas, Cleckler was 68 years old. He is survived by his wife, Rose; a daughter and son, Anna Marie and Robert, who made their home with their parents; two other sons, J.D. and Ray, who live in Waco, Texas. Condell Lyle A 450427 p1 Navy Surgeon Kills Self; Lieut. Comdr. Lyle A. Condell, Navy flight surgeon, committed suicide at his Modesto home Saturday afternoon, shooting himself in the heart with a .22 pistol. Formerly stationed at the Vernalis Auxiliary Air Station, he had just returned from Watsonville, where he was assigned, for the weekend. Ill health and fear of being taken off active status were given as motives for his act. He had seen 28 months overseas service on a destroyer and in New Guinea operations. Corbin Leonard 450921 p1 Mother's Dream Foretells Marine's Fate; Fate of the last prisoner of War on the local casualty list was marked off this week as a Marine Corps telegram told the parents of Leonard Corbin, former local boy, that he had been lost in the torpedoing of a Jap prison ship on October 24, 1944. Corbin had enlisted in the Marines prior to Pearl Harbor and was one of the early casualties, being captured in the first days of the war. Following his capture, he was lost track of but his mother, Mrs. Charles Corbin of Merced, never despaired of his ultimate rescue – "until I dreamed one night that I saw him on a sinking ship; and then I lost hope," she wrote in a letter to Mrs. Melvin Skidmore of the Sunflower Ranch, where Corbin was employed while residing here. Leonard received his grammar school education here. The family moved away about eight years ago. Corvello Margaret J 450216 p2 Services Held Monday for Mrs. Corvello; Mrs. Margaret J. Corvello passed away at her home at the south end of the Colony Friday evening. A native of the Azores, she was 58 years of age and had resided in this country for the past 25 years. She is survived by her husband, John Corvello, and three children - Mary, John and Joseph, all of Crows Landing. Two sisters reside in the Azores Islands. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church Monday morning Rev. Manuel F. Rose in charge, followed by interment in Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery at Newman. Crooks William M 450330 p6 Newcomer Dies at Grayson; William M. Crooks passed away at his Grayson home Tuesday. A native of Texas, he was 77 years of age, and had come to California but four months ago. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Quincy M. Crooks, and four children – Mrs. Jewell Van Valkenberg of Dallas, Texas, W. M. Crooks of Westley and Porter Crooks and A. E. Crooks of Patterson, as well as five grandchildren. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at Modesto, followed by interment in the Masonic Cemetery there. Davidson Harold Sgt 450309 p4 Brother Is Killed In France Battle; Crows Landing, Mar. 8 - Louis Davidson, an employee of Marlar Campbell on the former W. C. Crow ranch, received word yesterday that his brother, Sgt. Harold Davidson, had been killed in action somewhere in France. Serving with a machine gun unit, Sgt. Davidson had been in the service for nearly four years, entering the Armed Forces from his home in Ohio. Eastin, Dorothy 450112 p2 Sister of J. D. Patterson Dies; Mrs. Dorothy Eastin, sister of J. D. Patterson, passed away at San Francisco Sunday. Funeral services were held at Fresno on Wednesday with the Patterson family attending from here. The deceased was the daughter of the late T. W. Patterson, founder of Patterson, and Mrs. Charles Griffith of San Francisco and is survived by three daughters: Mrs. William Stark, Mrs. William Docker and Ann Eastin. Embinder Robert 451116 p1 Vernalis Pilot Killed While Stunting; Ensign Robert Embinder of New York City, Hellcat pilot stationed at Vernalis, was killed Thursday afternoon of last week while stunting over the Bret Harte High School at Altaville near Angels Camp. According to students, he had turned the plane upside down in a second pass over the school at treetop level when it collided with a small hill, bounced and scattered fragments over a wide area. Embinder was on a routine training flight at the time. Forced Landing A Navy ship based at Crows Landing Station made a forced landing northwest of the field the same afternoon. Only casualty was the driver of the crash truck, which sped to the aid of the plane. He drove through a gate without stopping to open it, and a post, which was broken off snapped back to strike him in the head. He was not seriously hurt. Fenley James W 450330 p1 Killed in Action on Iwo Jima; Two Local Homes Hit by News of Casualties; Bloody Iwo Jima struck home to Patterson this week as Mrs. Mable Meinzer Fenley received the news that her husband, Corporal James W. Fenley of the Marine Corps, had been one of the nearly 4,200 killed on the island. The message from Lt. Gen. A. A. Vandergrift of the Marine Corps stated that his death occurred on March 2nd, 11 days after the landing. The deceased had previously been seriously wounded in his initial action on Guam on July 21st last, receiving arm and leg wounds then which hospitalized him for six weeks. This was his second battle. Enlisting shortly after Pearl Harbor, Fenley went overseas in January 1944, going into the 3rd Marines. His home was in Ringgold, Texas. Mrs. Fenley, now employed at the Westley Farm Workers' community, was working at San Francisco when they were married in October 1943. Fovinci Fred J 450713 p1 Killed in Explosion of B29; Lt Fred Fovinci Victim of Mishap in Colorado; Veteran of 50 bombing missions from North Africa, Lt. Frank S. Fovinci was the victim of a freak mishap Monday when the B-29 Superfortress he was flying in was struck by lightning and exploded, shortly after taking off from its training field at Pueblo, Colorado. All 13 members of the crew were lost in the disaster. Fovinci was a native of Patterson, aged 29 years, and attended the local schools, graduating from Patterson High in 1934. The family later moved to Stockton, where he was employed until he entered the Army Air Force. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Dorothy Fovinci, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Fovinci, two sisters - Mrs. Peter Bonelli of Berkeley, and Mrs. Charles Pescio of, Sonora, and two brothers; 1st Lt. Fred Fovinci and Cpl. Mario Fovinci. Funeral services will be held at the DeYoung Chapel at Stockton tomorrow, Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by interment in the Rural Cemetery there. Frame, Jackson 450112 p1 Jack Frame Dies at Stockton Saturday; Failing to rally from a stroke which hospitalized him on New Year's Day, Jackson Frame passed away at Stockton Saturday. A native of New York, the deceased was 69 years of age and has been a Patterson resident for 26 years prior to leaving for Stockton three months ago. He was first employed at the red Mountain magnesite mine, but when the Del Puerto Canyon labor camp was founded, he became one of the staff, supervising road building operations of the crew. Last fall, he resigned to follow Superintendent 0. N. Minniear to Stockton, where he became a supervisor for the California Youth Authority. News of the passing of the genial Jack, popular with all who knew him, came as a shock, as he had been very active for his years. He is survived by his son, Harold, of Pacific Grove; and a sister and brother, Mrs. Etta Pyle and James Frame, both residing in Colorado. Funeral services were held from the Evans Chapel Tuesday afternoon with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Gardner Robert E Lt 450525 p1 Names Added to Patterson Service Casualty List; Even as plans are shaped up to honor our hero dead on Memorial Day, the casualty list of Patterson Township is revised to add two more names, bringing the total to 21 dead. One of these comes as a new tragedy as a local high school graduate is killed in a training crash. The other is discounted somewhat by the long period he has been missing. Death in action of the husband of a local woman; return of a prisoner of war and reports of three injuries complete a busy week's record of the toll of war. Lieut. Gardner Officially Ruled Dead by War Dept. First Lieut. Robert E. Gardner, missing in action since May 12, 1944, has now been officially declared dead by the War Department following a year in which no trace of him has been found. The War Department communication to his widow, Mrs. Lucretia Gardner, states that they "have entertained hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. "The record concerning your husband shows that he was a crew member of a B-25 "Mitchell Bomber" which departed form Aleson Field, Corsica, 12 May, 1944, on a mission to bomb Itro road junction near the town of Itri. This town is located on the west coast of Italy, approximately five mile northeast of Gaeta. Just when the bombs were dropped; the aircraft received a direct hit from enemy aircraft and was seen to disintegrate and crash within a matter of seconds. The wreckage of this plane was located on the eastern slope of Mt Craide (sp?), one mile west of Itri, but I regret to inform you that the body of your husband could not be identified. Consideration has been recently given to all available information bearing on the absence of you husband ...In view of the fact that tw Brilliant Record; Gardner had achieved a brilliant military record. Despite the handicap of inadequate education, as he had been forced to go to work before his schooling was completed, he made rapid progress in his training and was awarded his wings at Roswell Field, New Mexico. He received advanced bomber training at Greenville, North Carolina, and arrived in North Africa in December, 1945, for active duty. He had been awarded the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters. His promotion to first lieutenant was received following his loss. Besides his wife he is survived by one son, Robert, Jr. Ghisletta Anton 450302 p1 Passing of A. Ghisletta at Modesto Friday; Anton Ghisletta, pioneer Patterson Colony settler, passed away at a Modesto hospital Friday morning, failing to recover from an operation performed ten days previous. A native of Switzerland, he was 66 years of age, and had resided here for 30 years past. His is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Ghisletta, and ten children : Anthony of Patterson, Stanley of Crows Landing, Mrs. Carlene Mahaffey of Vallejo; Leo, Coxswain in the United States Navy, Franklin, corporal in the United States Army, and Mrs. Annalee Dompe, Miles, Margaret Lorenne, and Ronald of Patterson. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church Monday morning with Rev. Manuel F. Rose in charge, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Graves William C 451116 p1 Goat Herder Found Dead in Canyon Home; A lonely life came to a lonely end for William C. Graves, whose body was found in his Hospital Canyon Cabin west of Vernalis last week. Graves had resided there for the past 35 years, engaging in raising goats, and his death had probably occuried three weeks previous, judging from calendar dates marked off and the condition of the remains. The body was brought to the Evans Funeral chapel and thence to the Manteca cemetery Friday for graveside services. The deceased was born in Lathrop 65 years ago and had resided in this area all his life. He is survived by five sisters and one brother, all California residents. Greer Marvin 450209 p1 14th Killed in Action; Marvin Greer Now Reported Killed In France; Previously reported missing in action, the death of Pfc. Marvin Greer was reported in a War Department telegram received yesterday by his wife, Mrs. Imabel Greer. On December 3rd, Mrs. Greer was notified that her husband had been missing since November 9th somewhere along the Franco-German border. He had been overseas little more than a month at the time, following a year of training in Texas. Greer was 30 years of age. Beside his wife he is survived by four children, Gerald, Earl and a pair of twins - Marvin Dean and Marvie Jean. His father, Steven Greer, resides in Richmond. He was also the brother of Mrs. Carmel Wilson and. Mrs. Homer Self of Patterson, Mrs. Olive Wilson of Richmond and Mrs. Clarence Crittenden of San Francisco. Greer is the 14th man from Patterson Township to lose his life in World War II. Halseth Thea G 450119 p2 Mrs. Thea G. Halseth Passes Away Saturday; Mrs. Thea G Halseth passed away Saturday at a Turlock hospital following an operation which failed to bring aid to her. A native of Minnesota, the deceased was 46 years of age and had resided in this community for the past 23 years. She survived her husband, Fred Halseth. but little over a year, and her passing inflicts a double blow on the bereaved family of seven children. These include Mrs. Meda Washburn of Oakdale and Earl, Leo, Roland, Emerald, Marlene a n d Sharon of Patterson. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Clara Johnson of British Columbia, and four brothers — Joseph, Elmer and William Sand of Alberta, and Oscar Sand of Turlock. Funeral services were held from Our Savior s Lutheran Church on Monday afternoon with Rev, M. K. Hartmann in charge, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery, The Evans Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Harrelson Walter W 450925 p1 Mother Given Posthumous Award to Son; For taking part m the paratroop invasion of France on D-Day, Pfc. Walter W. Harrelson of Patterson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He survived that hazardous exploit only to die in action on June 23rd. Last Friday afternoon, a special retreat ceremony was staged at Hammond General Hospital at Modesto, at which the award was pinned on Mrs. Minnie M. Harrelson, mother of the deceased veteran, by Col. L. R. Poust, commanding officer. The accompanying citation was as follows: "For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 6 June 1944 in Normandy, France. Shortly after 0100 on D-Day, these men dropped by parachutes as members of small Pathfinder team with equipment and apparatus for guiding the incoming parachute and gilder lifts to designated drop and landing zones. They were the advance elements of a mighty armada of airborne elements. They had no protection save their individual arms. The very nature of their mission denied them the protection of seeking cover and concealment after landing. The operation of their apparatus and the marking lights on the fields they occupied revealed their exact location to the enemy. They exhibited superb courage, cool-headed efficiency and daring of the highest order. They accomplished their hazardous missions with remarkable efficiency. Many of them made the supreme sacrifice, many of them were wounded, but all did their duty and contributed materially to the success of the greatest night airborne operation ever attempted. Their voluntary performance of this especially hazardous duty was a superb demonstration of the qualities, which bring Victory ever closer. Harris Ardie 451026 p2 xxFatal Crash on Highway; Napa Negress Dies Following Crash with Mendes Car; One died and two were seriously injured Friday evening as the result of an auto collision on the highway at the north edge of town. Mrs. Ardie Harris, 34, Napa Negress, died three hours later in the county hospital as a result of injuries received when her head was hurled through the windshield of the car driven by her husband, Elmer Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Fra nk Mendes both incurred head injuries and Mr. Mendes was struck in the chest by the blow as the car went out of control. The collision occurred about 5 p.m. as Mendes attempted to make a left turn off the highway into Northtmead at the C. T. Jennings corner. According to Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe, who investigated, Mendes said that he gave the proper hand signal, while Harris denied that he had. Both cars were northbound. Mendes had gone about three feet over the center stripe when Harris, who had started to pass as Mendes slowed down, crashed into his left rear wheel. The impact sent the Mendes car into the hedge on the Jennings place, while Harris's car went ahead about seventy feet before stopping. Both cars were badly damaged. Harris Joycelyn 450413 p1 Three Die in Head-on Auto Wreck: Robert Poe; Car Crashes into Hay Truck near Vernalis; Worst West Side Highway crash since the Greyhound bus wreck cost three lives about 5:30 Monday evening as a northbound passenger car went out of control a mile north of Vernalis and crashed head-on in to a large truck owned by the Associated Dehydrator Corporation of Vernalis, operating the hay dehydrating plant there. Three Oklahomans were the victims – Robert Poe, 35, of Tulsa; Marguerite Stewart, 29, of Ralston, and Joycelyn Harris, 28, of Oklahoma City. The first two were instantly killed, but Miss Harris, the driver, died four hours later in the San Joaquin Hospital. Lynn W. Easley of Manteca, driver of the truck, told officers that the car apparently went completely out of control as Miss Harris attempted to pass a small coupe. It came at him, swerving wildly from side to side of the highway, and although he pulled three feet off the west side of the road in an attempt to avoid the crash, they met head-on. The car was completely demolished, throwing wreckage for 50 feet around. The truck was over turned and Easley incurred minor cuts and bruises. So terrific was the impact that the truck engine was turned almost to a right angle, while the frame was bent and the whole truck badly damaged. Haywood Charles J 450713 p1 Graysonite Killed in Car Crash; C. J. Haywood Victim of Upset Wednesday; Losing control of his car as he neared the turn at the Grayson cemetery, Charles J. Haywood of Grayson was fatally injured about 3:15 Wednesday afternoon as the car overturned crushing him beneath it. Haywood was en route home from his job at the Vernalis Air Station when the mishap occurred. Whether a blowout caused him to lose control, or some other factor appeared was not certain, but evidence at the scene of the mishap indicate that the car swerved to the right and then back to the left side of the road before turning over, probably two times, and landing with the driver pinned underneath. Haywood was still living when extricated but passed away about thirty minutes later. Distraction over the death of a son recently killed in action in the South Pacific is a surmise advanced by his friends as a possible factor contributing to the crash. A native of Arkansas; the deceased was 55 years of age and had resided here for two years. He is survived by two others sons in the Army – Charles and Clyde, and by four other children, Mrs. Effie Schaller and Mrs. Gladys Kidd of Texas, and Jack and Lillie of Grayson. Remains are at the Evans Funeral Chapel and will be shipped this evening to Lubbock, Texas for interment. Haywood John B 450216 p1 Parents Given Awards For Deceased Son; A delegation from Camp Roberts visited Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Haywood of Westley Sunday to present them with the Silver Star and Purple Heart Decorations on behalf of their deceased son, Second Lieutenant John B. Haywood, killed in action on the Italian front. They had been invited to a ceremony at the camp but unable to go and the awards brought here instead. Hector George 451102 p1 Father of C. Hector Passes; George Hector, 70, a well known farmer of the Tracy section, passed away last Friday following a heart attack. He was the father of Chester Hector of Patterson. Hittle Robert 450907 p1 Local Boy Victim of Japs in Burma; Robert Hittle Dies in Nip Prison Camp; Houston Survivor Passed Away Two Years Ago A grim see-saw of uncertainty regarding the fate of Robert Hittle, first battle casualty of World War II for Patterson, apparently ended Saturday as a Navy telegram brought news to his mother, Mrs. Rosalie Hittle, that he had died in a prison camp in Thailand on August 17, 1943. Hittle was a shop's cook, third class, on the ill fated Cruiser Houston, which was sunk in the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th 1942. Believed lost with all hands, news that Robert was missing in action was sent on March 14th, 1942, just two years after he had enlisted in the Navy. Reported safe; Only scant hope of his survival remained, as no trace of any of the Houston's crew was reported until nearly two years later. Then on January 3rd, 1944, word was received that Hittle was one of the survivors at the end of hostilities. And then, through some error yet unexplained, Hittle's name was included in a new report of those rescued. But the official telegram Saturday seems to be the last word. Lifelong resident; Hittle was 25 years of age and had lived here virtually all his life, coming here at the age of 6 months. He attended the local schools. He is survived by his mother and father, A.B. Hittle, and sister Peggy, all local residents, and another sister, Dorothy, who resides in Southern California. One Still Missing; News of Hittle's fate leaves but one name on the casualty list to be cleared up – that of Maj. Eugene Torvend, shot down in a B-29 raid over Kobe on June 15th. Hope is still held that he may be found in a Jap prison camp. Two others are still on the "missing" list – Harold Storch and Kenneth Rohr, shot down in air raids in the European Theatre, but the lapse of time left little doubt as to their fate. With the inclusion of their names, the Patterson township casualty list now stands at 26 dead and one missing. Huber Henry 450504 p1 Henry Huber Passes Away; Newman, May 3. (Special); Funeral rites for Henry Huber, who passed away in his R Street home Monday morning, were held this morning at 10:30 in the Davis Chapel. Rev. H. J. Von Renner, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church, conducted the services and interment followed in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Huber, for 69 years a California resident and spending most of those years on the West Side, was long an engineer for The Standard Oil Company pipe line, retiring from the station at Patterson several years ago to again make his home in Newman. A native of Germany and 76 years old. Huber is survived by his wife, Nellie, his daughter, Mrs. Helen Riddle of Patterson, and by four brothers and one sister; all well known in Newman. They are Charles of Newman; Fred, Ernest and Mrs. Freda Winters of Sacramento; and Louis of Stockton. Jones, David 450126 p1 David Jones Passes Away at Modesto; David Jones, Orange Avenue resident many years until his removal to Modesto nine months ago, passed away at a Modesto Hospital yesterday morning after a brief illness. Aged 63 years, he was a native of Wales and had resided in this county since 1919. Beside his wife. Mrs. Alida Jones, he is survived by three sisters — Mrs. Ellen Jones and Mrs. Louisa Yerke of Illinois and a sister in Wales; and two brothers, Charles of Illinois and Lewis of Oakland. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at Our Savior s Lutheran Church with Dr. M. K. Hartmann officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Kidd William T 450126 p1 Death of W. T. Kidd Yesterday Morning William T. Kidd, highly esteemed resident of the community for over a quarter of a century, passed away at his North Third Street home at two o clock yesterday morning. While in failing health for several months, the end was sudden, resulting from a heart attack. A native of Kentucky. the deceased would have been 82 year old next week. He engaged in farming there all his life until the family removed to Patterson in 1918. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Janice Lee Kidd and two daughters, Mesdames Earl Redford and Rodney Edwards, as well as ten grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. The ninth was born last Friday, a daughter to Mrs Anna Elholm of Gustine Mr. and Mrs. Kidd observed t h e i r 58th wedding anniversary on September 9th last. Funeral services will be held at the Evans Funeral Chapel at 10:30 o clock Saturday morning with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 02/09/1945, p 1 Funeral Saturday for John Ohm One of the old-timers of this area passed away last week with the death of John Ohm of Vernalis at a Stockton hospital. Funeral services were held at Tracy Saturday afternoon. Ohm had resided on his 1100 acre ranch immediately south of San Joaquin City for almost an even half century, coming there in 1896. A native of Denmark, he was 83 years of age. His youth was spent in seafaring and he came to this country in 1881, traveling across country by immigrant train to Banta. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Anna Ohm, and five children - Thomas Ohm and Miss Minnie Ohm of Vernalis; Mrs. Lillian Ohm and Mrs. Anna Fisk of Tracy and Mrs. Alma Asnbro, wife of Sheriff Martin Asnbro of Stockton. Patterson Irrigator, 02/16/1945, p 1 Westley Boy Is Killed J.B. McCleskey Reported Killed in Belgium Another addition to the mounting casualty roll of Patterson Township is reported this week with the death of Private J. B. McCleskey. Previously reported missing in action, the latest advices confirm his death while serving with a paratroop division in Belgium on January 7th. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. McCleskey, who resides on the Frank Cox ranch. A brother, Mark, is in N a v y training at San Diego. Several sisters also survive, one of whom, Elvie, is a former Patterson high student. Patterson Irrigator, 02/16/1945, p 2 Will Sharp Passes Away at Grayson Will T. Sharp, Grayson resident for the past ten years, passed away at his home Saturday night, victim of a heart attack. He was a native of Nebraska, aged 58 years. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and four children - Mrs. Madeline Swinney of Grayson, Mrs. Adeline Rogers of San Diego, Rodney Sharp of Grayson and Sgt. Norman P. Sharp, stationed at Walla Walla, Wash. He was also the brother of Emmett and Walter Sharp of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Buell and Muell Sharp of Watson, Missouri; Mrs. Nell Himer of Idaho and Mrs. Mussetta Railsbaek of Nebraska. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 03/23/1945, p 1 Passing of Mrs. Ed Pagel at Oakland Mrs. Lillie Bell Pagel, wife of Edward Pagel, passed away at an Oakland rest home Friday, where she had been staying for about two months. A native of Kansas, she was 65 years of age and had resided in Patterson for the past 15 years. Beside her husband she is survived by four daughters; Mrs. Mina Hite, Mrs. Marie Rooney and Mrs. Margaret Wolfe of Oakland and Mrs. Martin Kibbe of Livermore. Two sisters and six brothers and two grandchildren, also survive her. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. M. B.~ Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 03/23/1945, p 4 Infant Passes Graveside services were held at Del Puerto Cemetery Tuesday for David Wesley, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. 0. E. Wesley, who survived but a few hours after birth Sunday. Rev. H. C, Vancil officiated. Patterson Irrigator, 04/06/1945, p 1,2 Reveal Death of Major L.H. Phillips Year Ago on Secret Mindoro Mission I am deeply distressed to inform you corrected report just received states your son, Major Lawrence H. Phillips, who previously was rep Thus did the Adjutant General of the Army end seventeen months of worry for Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Phillips as this message was received Tuesday morning - seventeen months during which suspense finally turned into certainty, as one of the many thousands of heroic episodes that will make up the history of the war, was partially unveiled All I can say is that I am perfectly happy and will have no regrets if I can only accomplish a part of what is possible Thus wrote Major Phillips on November 6, 1943, the last letter to be received by his parents. The intimation was plain. He was starting out on a mission in which long odds were against him and he was under no illusions regarding his possible fate. The next news to be received arrived last spring in the form of an official notification of the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major Phillips' "for extraordinary heroism in action from October 23, 1943, to March 15, 1944." And then on October 30th came a confidential letter from the Adjutant General, stating that Lawrence had been missing since March 15th, but asking that the news be kept to themselves for military reasons. And this request was faithfully observed by these loyal soldiers on the home front, who allowed not a hint to get out of their worries - until the final news came Tuesday. Grave found The next day a letter brought added details as a missive from the island headquarters told of finding his grave as follows: Headquarters First Reconnaissance Battalion, Special United States Army Forces in the Far East. 22 March. 1945 It is with a deep sense of sympathy that this command takes note of his loss to you and to the military service. Major Phillips was known to this organization as an aggressive and outstanding soldier of splendid character. In a civilian cemetery near the town of Abra de Hog, Mindoro stands your son's grave with the following inscription, "Major L.H. Phillips, U.S. Army, shot at Cabilagan by Nips Imperial Army, March 15, 1944." It is reported that Major Phillips was given a military funeral by the Japanese. Active in Islands Phillips had enjoyed wide contacts in the Philippines as a result of his career as manager of the Bugo Misamis plantation of the Philippine Packing Corporation, subsidiary of the California Packing Corporation, on Mindanao Island. He was highly popular with all who knew him – extending from the ranch laborers who once gave him a great feast on the occasion of his birthday, up to President Quezon himself. In fact, Quezon had suggested his appointment as Minister of Agriculture, but when it was pointed out that he was not a native of the islands, the plan was modified to make him adviser to the minister - a post which it was planned would occupy a part of his time along with his other duties. This occurred at luncheon conferences in Washington late in 1941 and then came Pearl Harbor and the cancellation of plans to return to the islands. Offered other posts Phillips was offered some attractive posts in agricultural development of critical materials in which he would have been of great service and safe. But he felt his place was in the islands, where he could serve best among the people he knew so well. And so he accepted a commission as captain in the Army Engineers – with duties which were never given out, but which are now believed to have been the dangerous task of contacting the guerrilla forces and aiding in paving the way for the surprise invasion tactics of MacArthur - and his death on Mindoro many months before this invasion was a sacrifice which may have aided in saving the lives of countless men who were to follow him. New Guinea Farms But before this work was ready, the engineer-farmer was able to make a notable contribution to the campaigns by his development of New Guinea farming, a project which enabled huge quantities of fruit and vegetables to be cultivated in a land where this was thought impossible and his achievements earned him a feature article in Yank, the Armed Forces' magazine. This is the story of Major Lawrence Phillips to date. And when the details are filled in, possibly soon, possibly later, it seems that a tale worthy of a movie epic will be completed. Leaves three children Beside his parents, Phillips is survived by three children - Florence 14; Neil 12, and Ruth 6, who make their home with their maternal grandparents at Cupertino; their mother having passed away a number of years ago. A native of Santa Clara, he was 38 years of age at the time of his death. He graduated from Patterson Union High School with the Class of 1923 and attended the University of California at Davis, where he made a fine record of accomplishment. For a time, he served with the Federal Land Bank, and then he accepted the fateful appointment to the Philippine position. Patterson Irrigator, 04/06/1945, p 6 Crows Landing Boy Killed on Iwo Jima Crows Landing. Apr. 4-- Private First Class Donald Osburn of the Marines has been killed in action. The tragic message reached his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Jack Osburn, just before noon on Saturday, informing them that their boy had died on Iwo Jima on March 10th during the hardest and toughest campaign ever fought in the history of the Marine Corps. No details were given. Memorial services for the deceased will be held at the Newman Presbyterian Church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Donald, born at Newman on January 18, 1925, was a graduate of Bonita Grammar School here and of Orestimba Union High School, receiving his diploma with the Class of ‘43. He had enlisted in the Marine Corps in January of that year and was given permission to complete high school before reporting for active duty or July 1st. After attending training school at State Teachers College in Flagstaff, Arizona, he was assigned for further training at San Diego. He volunteered for special training as a Marine Raider, completing this phase at Camp Pendleton. He was then assigned to the Fleet Force Infantry and went overseas in August of last year. Since then, his duties were such that Donald was unable to write of his experiences in the Pacific nor concerning where he was stationed. His parents knew that he was on Iwo Jima, for news dispatches had mentioned his unit as taking part. When letters failed to arrive, even after the normal delay expected under combat conditions, the anxiety of his parents proved well-founded. Active Boy Scout Donald was an active Boy Scout and achieved the signal, and merited, honor of being named an Eagle Scout. During his Senior year in high school, he assisted Scoutmaster Tom Yancey with many phases of Scout activity. He was also an active member of the Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian Church. His father is associated with the First National Bark here and was manager of the local Branch of the Bank of Newman for many years before being transferred to the main office at Newman, a position which he resigned last Summer to return here to accept his present post. Patterson Irrigator, 04/06/1945, p 6 Rites For Naval Officer Yesterday s Newman Index gives the following concerning the death of a Crows Landing Air Station officer well known here, the family having resided here prior to their removal to Newman: Funeral services are to be held at ten o clock this morning in the Davis Chapel for Russell Raymond Robertson. chief inspector for the Twelfth Naval District, who died suddenly late last Wednesday afternoon as the result of a. heart attack. Chaplain Robert Matzke of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station will conduct the rites. Selection will be sung by George Correia to the organ accompaniment of Mrs. A. T. Kiersch. Interment will follow in Belmont Cemetery, Fresno. Robertson was on duty at the Crows Landing Naval Auxiliary Air Station when stricken as he conversed with a fellow officer. Immediate medical attention was of no avail. He had been stationed here for the past 28 months, he and his family residing at the Hageman home on Kern Street. A native of Omaha, Nebraska. he was 50 years old and had been in California during the past eight years. Surviving are his wife, Elfreda, and his youngest daughter, Betty, of Newman; a son, Richard, serving in the Army; and two other daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Judd and Miss Marjorie Robertson, who make their home at Charleston, South Carolina. Patterson Irrigator, 04/13/1945, p 1 Three Die in Head-on Auto Wreck: Marguerite Stewart Car Crashes into Hay Truck near Vernalis Worst West Side Highway crash since the Greyhound bus wreck cost three lives about 5:30 Monday evening as a northbound passenger car went out of control a mile north of Vernalis and crashed head-on in to a large truck owned by the Associated Dehydrator Corporation of Vernalis, operating the hay dehydrating plant there. Three Oklahomans were the victims – Robert Poe, 35, of Tulsa; Marguerite Stewart, 29, of Ralston, and Joycelyn Harris, 28, of Oklahoma City. The first two were instantly killed, but Miss Harris, the driver, died four hours later in the San Joaquin Hospital. Lynn W. Easley of Manteca, driver of the truck, told officers that the car apparently went completely out of control as Miss Harris attempted to pass a small coupe. It came at him, swerving wildly from side to side of the highway, and although he pulled three feet off the west side of the road in an attempt to avoid the crash, they met head-on. The car was completely demolished, throwing wreckage for 50 feet around. The truck was over turned and Easley incurred minor cuts and bruises. So terrific was the impact that the truck engine was turned almost to a right angle, while the frame was bent and the whole truck badly damaged. Patterson Irrigator, 04/13/1945, p 1 Three Die in Head-on Auto Wreck: Joycelyn Harris Car Crashes into Hay Truck near Vernalis Worst West Side Highway crash since the Greyhound bus wreck cost three lives about 5:30 Monday evening as a northbound passenger car went out of control a mile north of Vernalis and crashed head-on in to a large truck owned by the Associated Dehydrator Corporation of Vernalis, operating the hay dehydrating plant there. Three Oklahomans were the victims – Robert Poe, 35, of Tulsa; Marguerite Stewart, 29, of Ralston, and Joycelyn Harris, 28, of Oklahoma City. The first two were instantly killed, but Miss Harris, the driver, died four hours later in the San Joaquin Hospital. Lynn W. Easley of Manteca, driver of the truck, told officers that the car apparently went completely out of control as Miss Harris attempted to pass a small coupe. It came at him, swerving wildly from side to side of the highway, and although he pulled three feet off the west side of the road in an attempt to avoid the crash, they met head-on. The car was completely demolished, throwing wreckage for 50 feet around. The truck was over turned and Easley incurred minor cuts and bruises. So terrific was the impact that the truck engine was turned almost to a right angle, while the frame was bent and the whole truck badly damaged. Patterson Irrigator, 04/13/1945, p 6 Laborer Killed By Train Saturday Crows Landing. Apr. 12. "Big Pete" Sundin ranch laborer in this district for many years, was struck sometime Saturday night by a southbound train and instantly killed. His terribly mangled body was discovered early Sunday morning by William Hall near the sidetrack, which serves the Grisez bean warehouse. Sundin had been in town Saturday evening and was apparently walking to his sleeping quarters east of the railroad when struck as he was crossing the main line. Deputies of the coroner's office who placed the body in charge of the Davis Chapel at Newman made an investigation. Interment was made Monday in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Sundin was about 73 years old. Patterson Irrigator, 04/27/9145, p 1 Joe F. Lopes Passes Away Friday Morning Joe E. Lopes, Colony rancher for the past 25 years, passed away at a Modesto hospital Friday morning where he had been taken for treatment. A native of the Azores Islands, he was 53 years of age. The family home is at Mulberry and Vineyard Avenues. He was a veteran of World War I, and was a member of Elijah B. Hayes Post of the American Legion, as well as the U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. Lodges. Besides his widow, Mrs. Victoria Lopes; he is survived by four children – Mary, Joseph, Helen and John. Four sisters survive – Mrs. Manuel Morris of Manteca, Mrs. John S. Nunes of Patterson, Mrs. Manuel Silva of Centerville and Mrs. Joe R. Costa of Los Banos. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church Monday morning with Rev. Manuel F. Rose in charge, followed by internment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 05/04/1945, p 1 Killed in Farm Mishap Wednesday Hay Worker Crushed under Trailer Wednesday Crushed under the wheels of a heavy trailer attached to a hay baler, Robert E. Lee Ollis, 18, was fatally injured about 8:30 Wednesday morning. The mishap occurred on the old he was employed with a baling Brown place on First Street, where crew working for J.H. Ramos. Rushed to the office of Dr. E.G. Allen, he expired just after being carried in, his chest being crushed in the accident. According to witnesses, Ollis was following the baler with a pitchfork and had stooped over for some reason but failed to clear the trailer and was knocked beneath a wheel. Phil Moe, driver of the baler was unaware of the accident until he was hailed by other workmen. Funeral Today The deceased was a native of Arkansas and is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Haney Ollis of Colorado, and ten brothers and sisters. Three smaller ones reside with the parents; the others are as follows - Mrs. Myrtle Biggerstaff and Mrs. Melissa Leach of Missouri; Mrs. Edna Sigler of Crows Landing; Frank and John Ollis of Newman, Tommy Ollis of Modesto and Harvey Ollis of Escalon. Funeral services will be held at Escalon this morning with interment there. Arrangements are in charge of the Evans Funeral Chapel. Patterson Irrigator, 05/11/1945, p 1 Dies of Wounds in Germany Missing Soldier Now Reported to Have Died Report now received from the German Government through the International Red Cross states Private First Class Carl Marler, who was prev her family in Ceres. Marler was reported missing in action on November 11th in a message received December 11th His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Marler resided here at that time, but have since moved to Missouri. The deceased was 20 years of age and had resided here for eight years and attended Patterson High School before joining the Army. He had been in service just a year when he died. He has three brothers in the service - Radio Technician Truman Marler of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, S1/c Troy Marler, serving in the Pacific, and Pfc. Clifton Marler, serving in France. A brother-in-law, Ray Maze, F1/c, is also serving in the Pacific. Mrs. Maze is residing in Patterson. Another brother John, and a sister, Wilma, reside with their parents. Patterson Irrigator, 05/18/1945, p 1 One Killed; Two Hurt in Bad Crash Mrs. Joe Teixeira Victim of Collision on Sycamore Ave. Her car struck squarely in the center by a heavy milk truck, Mrs. Isabel Teixeira, wife of Joe Teixeira of Pomegranate Avenue, was fatally injured shortly before ten o‘clock Wednesday morning. Her infant niece, daughter of Mrs. Beatrice Luis of Crows Landing, who was riding with her, incurred a fractured skull, and George Martin, driver of the truck incurred minor injuries. The crash occurred at the intersection of Sycamore and Pomegranate Avenues as Mrs. Teixeira was returning home after taking her children to school. Martin, driving Chester Caporgno's truck, was southbound on Sycamore, hitting her coupe as she crossed the intersection. The coupe was crumpled into a shapeless mass by the blow, which also knocked the front wheels off the truck so that it hurled forward out of control, pushing the engine ahead of it until they stopped against a fence along the side of the road. Mrs. Teixeira was still alive when taken from the car but passed away shortly afterward as first aid was being administered. The baby was taken to a Turlock hospital for treatment, and Martin went to the West Side Hospital. Funeral Saturday The deceased is survived by her husband and three small children, Joe, Jr., Tony and Mary Ann, as well as two sisters; Mrs. Elvera Trinta of Patterson and Mrs. Beatrice Luis of Crows Landing, and one brother; Tony Durao of the U.S. Navy. A native of Portugal, she was 35 years of age and had resided here for four years past. Rosary service will be held at 8:30 this evening at the Evans Funeral Chapel, followed by funeral services Saturday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart, with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 05/18/1945, p 3 Services Held for Child Funeral services were held at the Evans Chapel yesterday morning for Mary Patricia Waford, 3 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Waford, who passed away at Rodeo Tuesday. Rev. H. C. Vancil officiated, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 05/25/1945, p1 Husband of Local Woman Dies on Ie Shima Mrs. Lauren J. Williams received a War Department telegram on Wednesday informing her that her husband had been killed in action on Ie Shima on April 17th. A member of the 77th Division, he was lost in the same action that Correspondent Ernie Pyle was killed in Besides his wife, he is survived by three small children - Eleanor, Wesley and Katherine. The family has been making their home with Mrs. Williams' mother, Mrs. F. Dompe, since he entered service, and Mrs. Williams has been employed at the Patterson Bakery. Williams is a former Tracy boy and entered service last June, going overseas in December. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Williams, reside in Stockton. Patterson Irrigator, 05/25/1945, p1 Names Added to Patterson Service Casualty List Even as plans are shaped up to honor our hero dead on Memorial Day, the casualty list of Patterson Township is revised to add two more names, bringing the total to 21 dead. One of these comes as a new tragedy as a local high school graduate is killed in a training crash. The other is discounted somewhat by the long period he has been missing. Death in action of the husband of a local woman; return of a prisoner of war and reports of three injuries complete a busy week's record of the toll of war. Phillip Noble Dies in Plane Crash Friday Another Patterson boy was added to the toll of war Friday as Ensign Phillip Noble crashed to his death in a Hellcat fighter plane in maneuvers near Livermore. Awaiting assignment to a flat top at the completion of a. long training period, Noble was stationed at the Livermore station. Engaged in a practice dogfight with his teammates, Noble had just gone into a spin but, had worked out of it, when suddenly he shot down again and crashed.. He was rated as an expert flyer by his comrades, who said that he was a hard one to beat in dog fighting maneuvers, and the exact cause of the crash was undetermined. Patterson High Graduate Noble graduated from Patterson High with the Class of 1941 and enrolled at Reed College at Portland, Oregon, until he entered Naval training in March, 1943. He trained at Spokane, Washington, St. Mary's College; Norman, Oklahoma, Corpus Christi, Texas, Jacksonville, Florida, and Fallon, Nevada. He was the son of Mrs. Wilna Eggleston, now residing at Turlock, and Paul Noble, Sr., of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by one brother, Ensign Paul Noble, Jr., who was recently commissioned as a Naval deck officer at Columbia University. Paul had just returned to Miami, Florida, after being home on leave, when the fatality occurred, and he was able to obtain another leave and fly out for the funeral. Military Services Military services were held at Modesto Tuesday afternoon, with officers of the Livermore Station in charge, with Chaplain Boserman conducting the rites and a color guard and firing squad from his squadron. A squadron of five Hellcats flew over to pay a final saute as interment took place at Masonic Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 06/01/1945, p 1 Andrew Williams Dies of Wounds Incurred in Action Pfc. Andrew I. Williams is the latest Patterson casualty in battle as a War Department telegram brings news of his fatal injury in action on Luzon. Conflicting statements in two messages leave some details of the casualty in doubt as the first wire told of his serious injury on Negroes on April 21st; the second, two, days later, stated he died of wounds on Luzon on April 21st. As he was known to have been on Luzon, the first wire was undoubtedly in error. The deceased was 27 years of age and a long-time Patterson resident. He graduated from Las Palmas School about 11 years ago and had been employed in this area until he left for Portland, Oregon, to work in the shipyards about six months before he was inducted there in October, 1941. He received training at Camp Roberts, March Field and Fort Lewis and went to Hawaii in September 1942, where training was completed. He saw his first action on New Briton, where he was slightly wounded and spent three weeks in the hospital. From there he took part in many campaigns, culminating in the invasion of Luzon, and was again slightly wounded on January 28th. He was with the contingent that liberated the Santa Tomas prisoners. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Williams, former Orange Avenue residents, now live at Sa1inas. He is also survived by two sisters - Mrs. William Schaub and Mrs. Almira Barnes, both of Ceres. Patterson Irrigator, 06/08/1945, p 1 Long Time Resident Dies at Her Home Mrs. Josephine Garcia Merchan passed away Thursday evening of last week at her Sperry Avenue home. A native of Spain, she was 89 years of age and had resided here for the past 33 years. She is survived by her son, Joe Merchan of Patterson. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church Monday morning with Rev. Manuel V. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 06/08/1945, p 1 Wife Follows Husband in Death Less than two months after the passing of her husband, Joe E. Lopes, Mrs. Victoria Lopes passed away at a Stockton hospital Wednesday. His death occurred on April 20th. The deceased was a native of the Azores; aged 36 years, and four children are orphaned by her passing - Mary, Joe, Helen and John. She was the sister-in-law of Mrs. John S. Nunes, also. She was a member of the S.P.R.S.I. Lodge, which held special Rosary services last evening at the Evans Funeral Chapel. Rosary services will be held at the chapel tonight at 8:30. Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart church at 10 a.m. Saturday with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 06/15/1945, p 1 Flyer Killed in Crash on Target Range Failing to come out of a bomb dive on the local target range, a pilot from the Livermore Naval Air Station was killed Wednesday morning as his plane crushed and burned. The mishap was seen by Fire Chief 0.S. Ball, who happened to be talking with State Forest Ranger George Britton at the time and the two picked up Assistant Chief John Delphia and were at the scene ahead of the Navy crash crew. They extinguished the flames and removed the badly mangled remains of the pilot, who had been instantly killed in the impact. (Note: Pilot's name not given) Patterson Irrigator, 06/22/1945, p 1 Death in an Orchard I'm satisfied it's foul play. Constable C.W. Kirk Death from natural causes. – Coroner J.K. Ranson's certificate. (?) the coroner has the trump (?) unless unexpected luck brings up new evidence in the mystery death of L. Peterson, whose badly decomposed remains were found Monday in an almond orchard on the Sunflower Ranch. Details of the case add another puzzler to a long list of deaths by violence in this area through the years which have never been solved. Stripped of belongings The body was discovered by irrigators about 200 yards south of Sperry Avenue, sprawling in a furrow from which irrigation waters had receded. It was clothed only in khaki trousers, nothing else. Dried mud was caked on the soles of the feet and the upturned hands, but so many tracks of farm workers were in the area that no other clues were offered, and the only possible aid was a marking in the soft earth about 100 yards distance which might have been made by placing a body there. Cabin stripped Following identification of the body, his cabin at the Azevedo Camp was visited. Here it was found that every trace of his possession had been cleaned out with the exception of a pair of shoes inside and a shirt with a few blood stains laying on the doorstep. No ration book, draft card or other essential belongings were found and the place showed signs of having recently been swept out. The blood spots were located on a portion of the shirt where they might have dropped from a small cut below the ear on the body, which had apparently been bruised on one side of the face. Otherwise there were no marks of violence and no bones broken, although the condition of the body made final conclusion difficult as to injuries. Peterson had last been seen alive on Thursday morning by a couple residing at the camp as far as any testimony could be unearthed. Thus the time of his death was highly indeterminate. Arrest made Kirk, aided by chief of Police Carl Busengdal and Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe, began an investigation which soon resulted in the arrest of Joe Teke, laborer occupying a room adjoining Peterson's, who was said to have declared he knew who killed Peterson. Intoxicated at the time he denied all knowledge of the case when he sobered up. And following the coroner's action in declaring death was from natural causes Kirk released his prisoner. Ransom made only a perfunctory examination of the case, as did representatives of the sheriff and district attorney's office who came over for a short time Tuesday. And so another death goes into the unsolved filing unless local officers can unearth additional evidence. No trace of relatives Little more could be learned of Peterson's life than his death. Estimated to be about 42 years of age, he had worked in this area for some months, and is believe to have been here at other periods in the past. A heavy drinker, he had little money at any time, so robbery could not have been the motive. He had said that he had two sisters in Los Angeles, but nothing was left to provide any trace of them or other relatives. Even the coroner's death certificate just read "John Doe." And as John Doe he was buried in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 06/22/1945, p 1 Son of Local Woman Killed on Okinawa Pvt. Henry E. Mayfield son of Mrs. Nora Mayfield of Patterson, was killed in action on Okinawa on May 29th while fighting with the Marine Corps. Mrs. Mayfield had left for a visit at Tipton before the news was received and no further details could be learned. She has resided here for several years and her son had visited here while on leave. Patterson Irrigator, 06/22/1945, p 2 Passing of Mrs. Anna Ohm Funeral Services were held at Tracy yesterday morning for Mrs. Anna Ohm, pioneer resident of the Vernalis area, who passed away Tuesday at her home at San Joaquin City. She survived her husband, the late John Ohm, less than five months. They had celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary a short time before his death. The family had resided on their San Joaquin city ranch for almost an even half century. Mrs. Ohm was the mother of Thomas Ohm and Miss Minnie Ohm of Vernalis, mrs. Alma Ansbro of Stockton, wife of Sheriff Martin Ansbro; mrs. Lillian Ohm and Mrs. Annie Fisk of Tracy and the late John Ohm, Jr.. She was the sister of Mrs. Minnie Ohm of Stockton and Mrs. Margaret Bruhns of Oakland. Another sister resides in Germany. Mrs. Ohm also leaves four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Patterson Irrigator, 06/22/1945, p 5 Rites Saturday For Former Resident Crows Landing, June 20 - Mrs. Emily Silveira, widow of the late Felix A. Silveira and a resident here until she moved to San Rafael a few years ago, passed away at that city this morning, according to the message reaching local relatives. Rosary services will be held in the Davis Chapel at Newman at eight o'clock Friday evening. Funeral rites are to be held from the chapel there at nine o'clock Saturday morning, the cortege coming to the Crows Landing Catholic church were Mass will be said, beginning at 9:30, by Rev. Manuel Rose. Interment will follow in Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery. The silveira family resided here for many years and for some time conducted the store at Byersville near the San Joaquin river. Both were active in the work of fraternal organizations. Mrs. Silveria is survived by her only child, mrs. Evelyn Mello of San Rafael. Patterson Irrigator, 06/29/1945, p1 J. H. Ramos Dies At S. F. Hospital One of the community's most popular and widely-known citizens was lost Saturday morning with the passing of Joseph H. Ramos at Stanford Lane Hospital in San Francisco. He had been there four weeks fighting a losing battle for recovery from an operation. A native of Dublin, Alameda County, he was 59 years of age and had been a resident of this community for 23 years past. He had been in business for many years but recently sold out his interest to devote his time to his extensive farming operations. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Harvey of Oakland, a grandson, Howard Gomez of the U. S Navy; his mother, Mrs. Eugenia Ramos of Oakland; three sisters, Mesdames Anna Perry, Mary Vargas and Louise Freitas, all of Oakland and two brothers, John Ramos of Vallejo and Frank Ramos of Turlock. Rosary services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Monday evening. Funeral services were held at the Chapel Tuesday morning, followed by interment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery at Hayward. Rev. Henry Plunkett of Newman officiated. At the cemetery rites were held by Rev. J. A. Martins of Hayward, former pastor of Sacred Heart Church. Patterson Irrigator, 07/06/1945, p1 Passing of Vernalis Man Funeral services were held at Tracy Friday morning for George O. Walter, lifelong resident of the Tracy-Vernalis area. Born in 1887 at the Walter Ranch on the West Side Highway, he had farmed all his life, except for service in World War I, and was operating a ranch near Vernalis at the time of his death Patterson Irrigator, 07/20/1945, p 1 Killed in Ceres Crash Robert Trumble, 68, residing at El Solyo Ranch, was fatally injured Monday night in an auto crash at Ceres. He was riding in a car driver by Lonie Zumwalt of Oakdale, who attempted to turn off the highway and was struck by a large truck; Zumwalt received minor injuries. Patterson Irrigator, 07/20/1945, p 2 Pioneer Lumberman Passes Away Newman, July 19. (Special) - A career which spanned almost three-quarters of a century of West Side history came to a close at 2:10 a.m. Monday morning when John Hardin Yancey passed away quietly at the West Side Hospital. Several months of failing health had preceded the final illness, which became so critical last week that he was moved from his home to the hospital. Funeral services were held this morning at ten o'clock in the Davis Chapel, with Rev. H. A. Rodgers, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, conducting the rites. The cortage then journeyed to the Park View Crematory at Stockton. Yancey was born at Stockton 73 years ago. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Yancey were then residents of Hills Ferry, where the couple had come from Kentucky. In 1869 they had opened a general store and lumber yard and conducted the post office and express office. A few years later, the elder Yancey became general manager for the San Joaquin Lumber Company of Stockton, owners of a chain of lumberyards throughout the valley. His headquarters were at Modesto, where the son attended school - a pupil for a time of Thomas Downey, principal of the high school there and later head of the high school here. In 1888, the Stockton firm opened a lumber yard here as the Southern Pacific company completed its railroad down the West Side, the new town of Newman was founded and many Hills Ferry business enterprises were moved. Yancey purchased the Newman yard in 1892, formed the Yancy Lumber Co., and in later years opened branches at Crows Landing and Patterson, the son joining him in the management and taking over complete control with the pioneer's death in 1914. John Yancey's civic career is a review of the community's historic activity. Member of the Town Council, mayor, Chamber of Commerce director, school trustee, bank director, chairman of the Newman Branch of the Red Cross, member of the Ration Board panel, head of numerous civic committees, local representative on the West Side United Chambers of Commerce executive board. Exchange club member and a host of other community duties were assumed as the years rolled by. In addition, he was long a member of Hills Ferry Masonic Lodge, its youngest master during the year he headed the order. In recent months, his eldest son, Tom, has managed the firm's affairs. Also surviving are his wife, Merle, and three other children – Madeline of San Francisco, Mrs. Kenneth Orr of Newman, and Joel, who is now rushing homeward from his Army base at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he having been accorded a 17 day furlough by his commanding officer. Sisters are Mabel Smith of San Mateo, and Jean Flood and Nell Humphrey, both residing at Oakland. Patterson Irrigator, 08/10/1945, p 8 Navy Man Is Killed by Modesto Train Roy L. Lott, aviation machinists mate at the Crows Landing Naval Auxiliary Air Station was instantly killed ear1y Sunday morning when run over by a freight train at Modesto. The accident occurred near the Southern Pacific Company depot, but the circumstances can only be surmised by officers. Lott's body was found shortly after the freight train had pulled out of the city and it is believed that he had either attempted to crawl under the train an instant before it started, or tried to climb between the cars after the train was moving. Lott was 23 years old and his mother lives in Texas. Patterson Irrigator, 08/17/1945, p 2 Discharged Passes Away War Veteran Carver L. Shores, veteran of World War II passed away at the Veterans Hospital at Livermore Monday following an extended illness. He had served a year before being given a physical discharge two years ago. He was 39 years of age and a native of Texas, having resided in Grayson before entering service. He is survived by his wife Beatrice Shores, residing at the home of her brother, Wes Stroud of Del Puerto Avenue. Funeral services were held yesterday at the Davis Funeral Chapel with Rev. John Greer of Modesto officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. The American Legion took part in the services. Patterson Irrigator, 08/17/1945, p 2 Death Mystery Deepened by New Discovery Patterson s latest death mystery, apparently buried under the indifference of county officials concerned, was exhumed this week as a puzzling new element was added to the case. Clad only in khaki trousers the badly decomposed body of L. Peterson, farm laborer, was found in an almond orchard on the Sunflower Ranch southwest of town on the morning of June 18th. The ensuing investigation failed to reveal any clue as to whether he had died a natural death or had been killed, and the matter was dropped until the discovery of a shirt, shoes, socks and hat a short distance from the place where the body had been found by another ranch workman These were identified as Peterson s by a receipt for cabin rent from the Azevedo Camp found in a pocket. And there the matter rests again, with no more explanation for this puzzling find than the original mystery. Called "Natural Death" Coroner J. K. Ransom signed a certificate of "death from natural causes" on the evening of the day the body was found. It was not until the next afternoon that investigators from the sheriff s and district attorney s office arrived on the scene, despite urgent pleas from Deputy Coroner VerDayne Williams. By that time, it was impossible to obtain any clues as the area had been tracked up. In the meantime, Constable C. W. Kirk and Highway Patrolman E. L.. McCabe had devoted all their energies to doing what they could with the resources at hand and their efforts resulted in the arrest of a companion of Peterson s, Joe Teke, who claimed knowledge of the case while drunk, but denied it when sober. He was arrested twice, but after the county authorities dropped the case, he was released. Search of Peterson s cabin after his death revealed only a pair of shoes and a shirt on the doorstep. All other belongings were missing and the place showed signs of having been recently cleaned out. A blood stain on a shoulder of the shirt might have come from a cut on the ear of the dead man. And there the case rests, more puzzling than before. Patterson Irrigator, 09/14/1945, p 1 Hans Kolding Passes after Long Illness Hans Kolding passed away Thursday afternoon of last week at his Patterson home, following an Illness of several months. He underwent an operation at Santa Barbara some time ago, but nothing could be done to relieve him and he was brought home again. A native of Gary, Calif.; the deceased was 47 years of age. Residing in the Lompoc area most of his life, the family removed to this section nearly seven years ago, and he has been engaged in ranching here and in the Crows Landing area. Beside his widow he is survived by two sons - Victor, who is serving with the Army Air Force in the Aleutians, and Charles of Patterson. Four sisters and four brothers also survive him. The sisters are Mrs. Anna Mehlschau of Patterson; Mrs. Johanna Odenbaugh of Fresno and Mrs. Charles Dittman and Mrs. Trina Martin of Lompoc. The brothers are Lars and Vincent of Patterson and Mike and Otto of Lompoc. The remains were taken to Lompoc Saturday for services at the Presbyterian Church there, with Rev. W. A. Dunlap officiating, followed by interment in the family plot in the Lompoc Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Evans Funeral Chapel. Those going down from here for the services included Messrs. and Mesdames Lars Kolding, Vincent Kolding and family, George Mehlschau and family and Mrs. Odenbaugh, who is visiting with them, R.P. Houk, Melvin Robinson of Crows Landing; Mrs. Evelyn Hayton and George Morehart. Patterson Irrigator, 09/21/1945, p 2 Local Sailor Dies in Tokyo Action Killed in action over Tokyo three weeks before the end of the war. That was the fate of Thomas F Skawski, gunner on a torpedo bomber, who spent about a year in this area while training at the Crows Landing Air Station, and married a local girl, Miss Mary Jo Callahan. Skawski was the son of Isadore Skawski of Springfield. Mass, and left high school there to enlist in the Navy in 1942. Following training he was sent overseas for a year, after which he was assigned to the Crows Landing field with a rating of third class petty officer. Romance blossomed during his stay here, and his marriage to Miss Callahan occurred at Reno on January 30, 1944. His squadron of Privateers left for overseas in November 1944, and his bride went east the first part of this year to stay with his family while awaiting his return. A letter from his commander stated that he was killed in action about a half mile north of Tokyo on August 10th. Mrs. Skawski is expected home soon to rejoin her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Callahan, here. Patterson Irrigator, 10/05/1945, p 1 Suicide Ends Bizarre Episode: Cecil Polk Demented Man Shoots Self After Terror Reign A madcap mixture of slapstick and tragedy that lacked only the wisecracking heroine to provide all the ingredients of a Grade B comedy thriller-driller dished out plenty of excitement hereabouts Monday morning. It can't happen here, you mutter as you walk out in the middle of the screen nightmare. But it did. And so if you'll please hold onto your hats, we'll take you for a fast ride to get the play by innings. An Exciting Awakening The first flash is in the Jake Gantz home on Eucalyptus Avenue at 3:15 a.m., Jake is absent, running his hay baler, and Mrs. Gantz is likewise, helping him out in the shortage of labor. Only one home is Ray, their son, a sound sleeper, who is finally awakened by a barefooted six-foot intruder, wet to the knees, standing; over him with a gun and telling him so. I've been going all over the house for the past fifteen minutes, said the visitor, "and you didn't move." Alter Ray had awakened enough to convince himself that this was really happening to him, the visitor ordered him to get shells for the two guns he had found - .38-40 and .22 caliber rifles respectively. Ray complied and then he was commanded to get some cigarettes. "Toss them to me and don't come too close," was the order. Then for the next 15 minutes, the visitor sat on the edge of the bed with the loaded guns crossed on his lap and talked. He wanted to know how far he was from Stockton, talked about people he knew and finally said, "Some people think I'm crazy but I'm not. The Communists are after me." Finally he relaxed his guard for a moment and went into the bathroom. That gave Ray his chance and be dashed for a window, which was open, but screened. The screen was stuck, and a breathless moment followed as he tugged at it, trying to loosen it without making a noise. He succeeded and leaped out, clad only in his shorts and dashed across the yard, just as the intruder returned and ran to the window. He took one shot at Ray as the latter dove into a nearby ditch, not missing very far by the sound of the bullet. Ray then crept along in the dark and finally made his way to the J. B. Anderson home nearby. Awakening them, he told his tale, and wanted to phone the officers, only to be greeted with incredulous looks. It was just too fantastic to believe, and the Andersons soothed him, provided a nightgown for covering and sent him home, pacifying him with a loaded .38 revolver to shoot his nightmare if it returned. Gets car Deciding to go back home and do his own phoning, Ray started, but stopped at the Elmo Meyers place to see if they had had any experience with the prowler. Yes, they had heard him come into the barnyard and drive off in a pick-up parked there, but had done nothing at first, thinking it was a workman who had come alter it. Then Ray went on back home and phoned the officers himself. After a brief pause for station announcements, the next episode opens about an hour later as Fred Troesch of Gustine, oil truck driver, saw the parked pickup and a body beside it a short distance north of Westley. Evidence showed that the mystery man had shot himself through the forehead with the larger rifle in the car, after taking a couple of practice shots with the small rifle, one of which went through the side glass. He then staggered out to fall beside the car, and was in a semiconscious condition. Comedy of errors Several calls to officers and ambulances and doctors followed as passers-by gathered. Dr. E. G. Allen was summoned, and while he was examining the wounded man, a tomato truck driven by Ray Morrison passed. Morrison is a nephew of Elmo Meyers, and he recognized the pickup as one driven by his uncle, it being the property of Al Bevis, Mayers' employer. A glance at the bloody features of the wounded man and Ray "identified" his uncle and almost collapsed. And then Dr. Allen, being bound in that direction decided to stop by and notify Bevis of the mishap to his car and his ranch worker. But while they were talking, who should walk up, but Meyers himself. Dies next morning But the last act in the bizarre episode was tragedy as the principle character succumbed in the county hospital twenty four hours later without regaining consciousness. Estimated to be about 35 years old and weighting about 200 pounds, he left no clue to his identity, and fingerprint records are being sought as a possible trace. A Stockton woman believed that the dead man might be a missing son, Edgar Smith as the general description was the same, but no positive identification could be made. Patterson Irrigator, 10/05/1945, p 1 Services Held Tuesday For Don W. Silvers Don W. Silvers well known local merchant for many years, passed away Thursday of last week at the Del Puerto Road Camp, where he had been employed at light work while seeking to regain his health by getting out into the open. First employed here by Safeway, when they operated a local store, he left to work elsewhere but returned here four years ago to go into partnership with C.H. Peterson in opening the D&G Market. He was compelled to retire the first of the year by the state of his health. A native of Missouri, he was 53 years of age. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Alma Silvers, and four children - Don Edward, who has just received his discharge from the Army, Mrs. Mary Iacopetti, Mrs. Opal Lucas and Mrs. Ruth Germolus, all of Patterson. Seven brothers and sisters also survive him - Mesdames Maud Sellers of Hawaii, Marguerite Williams and Trula Underwood of Missouri, Beatrice Hayes of Illinois, Alberta Kerr of San Bernardino and Lillian Silva of San Francisco, and Harold Silvers of San Bruno. Five grandchildren also survive him. He was a member of West Side Council, Knights of Columbus. Rosary services were held at the Evans funeral Chapel Monday evening, followed by funeral services at Sacred Heart church on Tuesday morning, with Rev Manuel F. Rose officiating. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 10/05/1945, p 4 Child Dies on Way to Hospital Monday Crows Landing, Oct. 3 - Little Ingrid Lelva Knutson, whose first birthday would have been this Thursday, passed away at four o'clock on Monday morning as she was being rushed from her home here to the West Side Hospital. The girl had been Ill and was receiving medical attention. During Sunday night, her mother had arisen at regular intervals to give medicine. But early morning revealed the child had become critically ill suddenly. Every effort was made at the hospital to revive her, but to no avail. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Johannes Knudsen and their three other children - Jackie, Barbara and Arthur - moved here about a month ago when the father was employed by Bettencourt Bros., as a truck driver. Patterson Irrigator, 10/12/1945, p 1 Lt. Harold Totman Dies in Crash Transport Pilot Victim of Post War Mishap Surviving the hazards of the Pacific campaigns only to perish in a post-conflict crash was the fate of First Lieutenant Harold J Totman, Patterson transport pilot, who was lost on September 17th. The telegram carried no detail beyond the fact that he had been killed in Japan, but the date coincides with typhoons reported there and some transports were reported to have crashed at the time. News of the tragedy was broken to his parents. Dr. and Mrs. Frank Totman, in an indirect manner, as a slip allowed a letter to come back marked "deceased" before the official notification was received. But Monday the official wire sent to their former home in Santa Cruz was forwarded, and what seemed to have been an error was grimly confirmed. Born in Patterson Lieutenant Totman was 22 year of age and a native of Patterson, receiving his elementary and high school education here and then graduating from Modesto Junior College. Following this he was enrolled in the University of California branch at Davis when he entered the Army Air Force. Sent to Lincoln, Nebraska, for basic training, he then went to Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for pre-flight instruction. Flight-training war received at Santa Ann, Kings City and Chico, and he was commissioned at Douglas, Arizona. Following advance instruction at Randolph Field, Texas, he was sent to New Guinea with the 11th Airborne Division as pilot of a C-47 troop transport and took part in campaigns at various points there, thence at Leyte and on Luzon, dropping paratroopers for the subjugation of Corregidor in Manila Bay. Service on Okinawa followed and then his squadron had the distinction of carrying some of the first troops to land in Japan, a job he was still engaged in when disaster overtook him. Hoped To Come Home His last letter was written September 9th, telling of his hopes to be home for Christmas. Although eligible for discharge, he was engaged in such essential operation that it had been put off several times. Patterson Irrigator, 10/12/1945, p. 2 The crazed man, who created a minor reign of terror in the Colony Monday of last week and then committed suicide by fatally wounding himself in the head, has been identified as Cecil Polk, age 37, of Riverdale. Identification was made through fingerprints taken when he served a jail term for disturbing the peace. He was born in Chandler, Oklahoma. Story corrected Ray Gantz, who was held captive by Polk for a time, has modified details of his original story, which did an injustice to the J. B. Anderson family. While they though he had been dreaming when he told his tale, they did everything possible to aid him, and he went to bed there for an hour before returning home, and also tried to call officers from there, but was not successful. Patterson Irrigator, 10/19/1945, p 1 Death of J. P. Sillerman Friday Civic Leader Fails to Survive Critical Operation A losing battle following a critical operation three weeks previous ended in death for John P Sillerman Friday afternoon at Mt Zion Hospital, San Francisco. An outstanding leader in civic effort, Sillerman had worked tirelessly through the eighteen years he has been a Pattersonite to further many causes. This was recognized in his position as a director of the Patterson Chamber of Commerce, a position he held much of the time since he came here, and he also held the presidency for one term. The deceased was an ardent worker for the Boy Scouts and served as district chairman for the West Side for many years. He was also very active in city affairs and was a member of the city Council for several terms. He also devoted much effort to the Patterson-Westley War Chest and initiated the move that led to its unique form of organization to underwrite community contributions. A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the American Legion Post and contributed much work in its interests. He was also a member of the Patterson Rotary Club, the Hibbin, Minn., Lodge, F. & A.M., and San Jose Scottish Rite Consistory. He was a native of New York City, aged 56 years. Coming to Patterson from Delhi, where he was engineer for the veterans' settlement project there, he served as engineer for the Patterson Water Company for fifteen years, resigning in 1943, following an interval devoted to farming. Patterson Irrigator, 10/19/1945 p1 Infant Passes Funeral services were held at Modesto Monday for Douglas Tyler, 2-day old son of Mr. and Mrs. Al Tyler of Patterson, who passed away Friday. A brother also survived. Patterson Irrigator, 10/26/1945, p 1 Lost Pilot Crashed on Jap Mountain Bad weather was the cause of the fatal crash in which Lieut. Harold Totman lost his life in Japan, according to a letter giving fuller information than was accorded in the telegram telling of his death two weeks ago. Capt. W. E. Moore of the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron gives the details in a letter to Harold's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Totman as follows: Harold was pilot of a plane that departed on September 17th from Motobu, Okinawa, on a routine cargo flight to Atsugi, Honshu, Japan. Prevailing weather conditions at his destination forced Harold to descend on instruments through the overcast and in so doing his plane crashed into the mountains south of Atsugi. Death came instantly. You can be proud of your son. He was a hard and loyal worker and held in highest regard by all. Patterson Irrigator, 11/02/1945, sinking a Jap carrier and the act was believed to be carried out in revenge. Patterson Irrigator, 11/09/1945, p 1 James Lynam Passes in S.F. A pioneer resident of California, of Newman and of Patterson passed away Friday with the death at San Francisco of James Lynam after an extended illness. A native of England, Lynam was 85 years of age. He came to this country as a boy of 12 and arrived in California when he was 20, locating at Watsonville. Here he married a daughter of one of the early Spanish families to settle in California, their residence dating back into the 1700's. A skilled shoemaker, he had a shop in San Francisco for a time, handling custom made shoes. Early Resident Exact dates are not obtainable, but he came to Newman early in the 1900's, where he conducted a shoe repair shop, and about 25 years ago he moved his business to Patterson. But he had an eye on the new community from the day it was planned and was among those attending the opening day sale of lots when the town subdivision was placed on the market. He bought several that day, and has continued buying ever since until he became one of the biggest holders of Patterson realty, including some of the largest downtown properties. His faith in Patterson's future was absolute, and he sometimes remarked that he could not see how anyone could doubt the prospect ahead. Retiring from active business many years ago, he has devoted his time to supervision of his properties until his final illness caused his removal to San Francisco. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J.W. Gibson of San Francisco, and son, Edward J. Lynam of Sacramento. Two grandsons also survive – T/5 John W. Gibson and Cpl. Edward Lynam, Jr. The latter was able to attend the services. Services were held at the Davis Funeral Chapel Monday morning with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 11/23/1945, p 1 Boy Killed Playing on Highway Crows Landing, Nov. 21 - Eddie Rivas, 7 year old Crows Landing boy, was fatally injured Friday morning while waiting alongside the West Side Highway for a school bus. Eddie playfully dashed out in front of a pick-up driver by James H. Balentine, who found it impossible to avoid striking him. Chief L.F. Jensen of Newman was asked by the Highway Patrol to investigate the accident as it was Patrolman McCabe's day off and be was away from home. Questioning of witnesses and a study of the circumstances of the accident caused Jensen to term the tragedy as apparently unavoidable, for this is what he learned: A group of children were on the east side of the highway just south of the highway bridge over Orestimba Creek, where the road to the Rivas home crosses the railroad track. The time was a few moments after eight o'clock. Suddenly, for some unknown reason, Eddie ran across the highway into the west lane, just as Balentine's car, traveling south, came over the rising bridge. Governor on car The car had a governor on it, limiting its speed to fifty miles an hour. Balentine told Jensen that he was traveling between 40 and 45 miles. Tire marks on the pavement showed that the machine had been stopped within fifty feet. Riding with Balentine were his son, Everett, and Arthur W. Swanson. The Balentines live on the former Nels Anderson ranch southwest of Crows Landing. At the hospital, it was found that the boys legs had both been broken by the crash and that he was suffering from severe internal injuries. To San Fernando The body was sent on the Owl on Sunday to San Fernando, former home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfonso Rivas, where services were held on Monday. The family came to this district a year and a half ago. During recent months, the father has been employed, by Awe & Campbell, bean farmers. In addition to Dianne and his parents, Eddie is survived by another sister, Sandra. Patterson Irrigator, 11/23/1945, p 1 Add Another to List of Hero Dead Lt. Arthur Luce of El Solyo Now Declared Deceased Reported missing April 29, 1944, Lt. Arthur Luce of El Solyo, brother of Mrs. Steve Bingham of Patterson, is now officially declared dead in a communication from the War Department. Lt. Luce was a co-pilot on a Liberator bomber when his ship was attacked by enemy fighter planes about thirty miles north of Brunswick, Germany, while on a bombing run to Berlin, and news of his final fate was never learned. And so the War Department now declares "since no information has been received which would support a presumption of his continued survival, an official finding of death has been recorded and a presumptive date of death set as of November 6, 1945." Luce was residing on EL Solyo Ranch when he went into service. A graduate of Lodi High School; the final word was received by his mother on his 26th birthday anniversary. Twenty-Nine on list Luce's name is the 29th to be listed on the roll of Patterson Township dead in service, with one still unaccounted for. Patterson Irrigator, 11/30/1945, p 1 Major Louie Martin Dies in Plane Crash Surviving the countless perils of nearly three years of active service in battle zones, Major Louis Martin, Army Air Force pilot, was killed in the crash of an Army Transport plane near Auburn on Wednesday night which took sixteen lives. Fine Record Major Martin had an extraordinary career of achievement for his country. A native of Patterson, he was 26 years of age and received his education in the local schools and at Modesto Junior College. Volunteering for service, he worked his way up through every Army rank, starting his piloting Career as a flight sergeant and earning successive steps up to his final rating. Overseas 33 months in the Mediterranean Theatre, he piloted C-47 transports through many hazardous episodes which earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses and, three Air Medals. The DFC was first received for completing a hazardous mission to land fuel for the Partisans in Greece by night at a secret base inside occupied areas. His was the only one of 38 planes to complete the mission. The second citation followed a notable feat in bringing a crippled transport back over a hundred miles after it was damaged as a package of supplies dropped out and fouled the stabilizer. Following the end of the war he was engaged in ferrying troops to South America, but was hospitalized for an operation and came home. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Martin; two sisters, Mrs. Beatrice Wight of Oakland and Evangeline of Patterson, and four brothers, Tom and John of Modesto, Manuel of the Merchant Marine and Fred of the U. S. Navy. Military Funeral Monday Rosary services will be held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Sunday night at 8 o'clock, followed by funeral services at Sacred Heart Church at 10 a.m., Monday, with Rev. M. F. Rose officiating Patterson Irrigator, 12/07/1945, p 3 Major Martin's Funeral Held Monday Final rites for Major Louie Martin were held Monday morning at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating. A large turnout paid final tribute to the flyer who had survived war's hazards, only to die in a peacetime crash while on a routine flight. Pallbearers included five classmates of the Class of 1938 of Patterson High School - Capt. John Westlund, Capt. James Glotfelty, First Lieutenant John Gill, Sergeant Manuel Relvas and Sergeant Tony Azevedo. The sixth, Lieutenant Arne Ingebretsen, was a close friend of long standing. Details of crash Some more details of the crash that cost Martin's life Wednesday night of last week were learned when the remains were brought home. Martin had been back on duty but a few weeks following a long leave, and as is customary for pilots returning from overseas, was required to serve as co-pilot for a specified time in order to become acquainted with domestic regulations again. He was based at Stockton Field. His transport was on a flight from Palm Springs to McClellan Field, Sacramento, and was apparently having trouble locating the field when the crash occurred near Auburn. The ship brushed a hilltop in the dark and the wings were torn off by the trees, resulting in the crash. Three crew members and five Japanese-American passengers were killed, with 16 more injured. Patterson Irrigator, 12/14/1945, p 2 Crew Mates Tell Fate of Harold Storch, Killed in Bombing Raid Reports released by the family of Staff Sergeant Harold Storch, ball turret gunner lost from a B-24 Liberator over Germany in July, 1944, give full details of the mishap that cost the life of the Patterson boy. A War Department letter related that he had left San Giovanni, Italy, on his 51st bombing mission on July 7th, bound for Odertal, Germany, with oil refineries their target. Arriving over their destination the ship was hit by enemy flak and gradually lost altitude and its place in the formation as they left the target area. Storch was hit in the leg by shellfire and was given orders to bail out at once, as the ship was so badly damaged that further flight was impossible. All members of the crew parachuted down, but nothing further was learned of Harold's fate until the following day when a German guard found his body outside the plane with fractured neck and legs. A later letter from the pilot of the ship stated that it was not known whether Harold failed to jump until too late or whether his parachute failed to function. The German guard also reported that the remains were interred in a cemetery not far from the scene of the crash. Storch had been in service 17 months when he was killed, 5 months of this being overseas. He was the son of Mr. and Mr. Peter Storch and is also survived by three sisters; Mrs. Lewis Daily of Crows Landing, Mrs. L. D. Terry of Newman and Miss Evelyn Storch of Patterson, and four brothers ; Pfc. Peter Storch and Pvt. Robert Storch of the Army, Herman of Madera and Gustave of Patterson. Patterson Irrigator, 12/21/1945, p 1 Graysonite Dies in Auto Collision Car Driver Jailed on Charge of Manslaughter One dead and one jailed on manslaughter charges was the tragic outcome of a Westley auto crash Friday evening. William Hoyt Miller of Grayson incurred fatal injuries in the crash, passing away a little over two hours later in a Modesto hospital as the result of a fractured skull. R. E. Rhodes, 52, also of Grayson, driver of the death car, was arrested following investigation of the mishap by Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe. Caused by drinking rout According to stories compiled by McCabe, the tragedy followed a drinking bout indulged in by several workmen at the H. & N. Farm Co. alfalfa mill on the highway, during which one workman made several trips to Westley for more whiskey. Miller, World War I veteran who suffered from results of a gas attack in that conflict, took no part in the drinking, it was said, but did accept an offer of Rhodes to drive him home when the shift changed at 5:30. Others tried to persuade him not to drive with Rhodes, but he took the chance and they started out. They had traveled as far as the intersection of the Frank Cox road when they met a large semi-trailer truck, driven by J. H. Sheldon of Santa Maria. According to Sheldon, Rhodes was far over on the west side of the highway as be approached, with two wheels on the dirt. Rhodes showed no signs of moving over and Sheldon finally turned to the left to avoid a collision. He almost got by but Rhodes swung over at the last moment to strike the back wheels of the big truck, crushing the lighter car badly. Both were taken to the hospital, but Rhodes incurred only a fractured rib and was discharged after treatment. Funeral Tuesday Miller was 56 years of age and a native of Missouri, having resided in Grayson for three years past. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Etta Miller and two Sons; Pvt. Arthur Miller of the U. S. Army and Hoyt Miller of Grayson and one daughter, Jewell., of Grayson. Three sisters also survive, residing in the Middle West. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Tuesday afternoon with Rev. H. C. Vancil officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Patterson Irrigator, 12/28/1945, p 1 J. M. Rose Passes Away Saturday Jack Monroe Rose passed away at his home at 201 South Fourth Street Saturday afternoon following an illness. A native of Missouri, he was 63 years of age and had resided in Patterson for the past 17 years. He is survived by his wife, Etta, and three children, Anna Herndon of Dinuba, Mrs. Imabelle Greer of Patterson and Jack Rose of Patterson. Services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Monday afternoon with Rev. W. J. Venable officiating. Interment followed in Del Puerto Cemetery.