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. Avilla John D 441124 p1 Funeral Rites Held For John D. Avila, Sr.; Crows Landing, Nov. 22. -- Funeral services were held in the Catholic Church here this morning at ten o'clock for John D. Avilla. Sr., local dairyman, who passed away on Sunday in the West Side Hospital at Newman where he had been receiving treatment for the past two weeks. The rites were conducted by Rev. Manuel Rose and interment was made in the Hills Ferry Cemetery at Newman. Rosary services had been held on Monday and Tuesday evenings in the Davis Chapel in that city. Avilla was a native of the Azores and 70 years old and had been a resident of the United States for 50 years. His dairy is located two miles north of here. He was a member of I. D. E. S. No. 87. Surviving are his wife, Mary, his son, John, Jr:, and a brother; Manuel, whose home is in Alameda. Baccala Maria 440331 p1 Passing of Mrs. Charles Baccala; Mrs. Maria Baccala, wife of Charles Baccala and a resident of this area for the past 27 years, passed away at a Modesto hospital Monday following an extended illness. A native of Switzerland, she was 60 years of age. Beside her husband, she is survived by a sister, Mrs. Louisa Borradori of Gustine. Funeral services were held at the Newman Catholic Church yesterday morning followed by interment there. Rev. Henry Plunkett officiated. Benson C A 440303 p4 Passing of C. A. Benson Friday at Modesto; Stricken suddenly in a Modesto store Friday afternoon. Charles A. Benson, long time local resident, passed away a few hours later in a hospital there, victim of a heart attack. A native of Sweden, the deceased was 84 years of age and had resided In Patterson Colony for 33 years, coming here in the first months of development of the colony. Retiring from farming after many years, he was custodian of Las Palmas School until his retirement from active work. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Benson, and by the following children; Harvey Benson of Modesto; William Benson of Los Angeles; Mrs. Alice Munz of Modesto; Mrs. Walter Sorensen of Patterson and Raymond Benson of the United States Navy. All were here for the services with the exception of Raymond. He is also survived by a brother, Edward, of Minnesota, and a sister, Mrs. Amanda Grein of Billings, Montana. Eight grandchildren survive him. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon from the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Russell Moline officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Bertao Anthony 441020 p2 Missing Crows Landing Boy Now Listed as Killed; Crows Landing, Oct. 18. -- All hope that Anthony Bertao, Crows Landing soldier serving in Italy, might be a prisoner of war was dashed away Monday afternoon when a telegram reached here from the War Department stating definitely that the youth had been killed in action. Listed As Missing -- Last week, Anthony was listed as missing in action and, owing to the rapid changes in the combat area, there was a possibility that he might still be alive. But Tuesday's message brought the word that his body had been found. And so another Gold Star is placed upon the township's service flag. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bertao, whose dairy ranch home is three miles east of here, Anthony entered the service two years ago and was assigned to an infantry division which went overseas eight months ago to be stationed in the Italian sector. Borges Joe C 440728 p1 Joe C. Borges Passes Away at His Home; Joe C. Borges, West Side dairyman for a long period of years, passed away at his South Fourth Street home Tuesday following an extended illness. A native of the Azores, he was 69 years of age. He had resided in California 38 years, living in the Gustine area before coming to Patterson 10 years ago to a dairy ranch in the south end of the Colony, until his retirement to a home in town. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and seven children - #NAME? Patterson. Eight brothers and sisters also survive him -- Mrs. Rosie Alves of Chowchilla; Manuel Borges of Massachusetts; Vozirno Borges of San Jose; Mrs. Frances Mello of Woodland, and two sisters and two brothers in the Azores. rosary services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel last evening. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. today at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Manuel F. Rose, in charge, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Brennan James 440114 p1 James Brennan, - Pioneer of West Side, Passes; James A. Brennan, one of the real old-timers of the West Side, passed away at Santa Cruz Wednesday at the age of 88. Born in Sonora, his family moved to the West Side when he was 8 years old and he spent most of his life in this area, being- active in farming in the Vernalis section until about 15 years ago. Funeral services will be held at the Chase Parlor at Santa Cruz at 2 p.m., Saturday. Brennan James 440121 p2 Funeral of Pioneer Held; Funeral services were held at Santa Cruz Saturday for James Brennan, 88, pioneer of the Vernalis area, whose death was briefly mentioned last week. Further information on his life is now available. Coming to this section at the age of 8, he grew up to settle on a ranch 3 miles south of Vernalis. He married Miss Jennie Hammonds, sister of J. M. Hammonds, another pioneer settler. Their only child, Ethel, married J. G. Ryan, who took over operation of the ranch when Brennan retired to Capitola to reside about 13 years ago. Mrs. Ryan passed away several years ago. Four grandchildren survive Brennan -- Ray Ryan of San Francisco; Lloyd Ryan in the Army, Kenneth Ryan in the Navy and Mrs. Dorothy Voigt of Capitola. Another Old Settler Passes; And by a coincidence, J. P. Hammonds, son of J. M. Hammonds, reports the recent passing of Miss Helah Laird, housekeeper in the Hammonds home who cared for him through childhood. The daughter of a member of the Donner Party, Miss Laird was with the Hammonds for approximately 30 years, leaving here in 1924 to reside in Campbell, where she passed away. Brunoni Peter 440414 p1 Sudden Passing of Peter Brunoni Sunday; Death struck suddenly for Peter Brunoni Sunday evening as he passed away at the family home on Almond Avenue following: an illness of but two days, as a result of complications resulting from a throat infection. A native of Switzerland, the decreased was 43 years of age and had resided in Patterson since 1914, three years after his arrival in this country. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Emma Brunoni; two daughters, Jeanne and Audrey, and one son. Peter, Jr. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Brunoni of Patterson. He was the brother of Max and Antone Brunoni, Mrs. Lucy Del Nero and Mrs. Esther Pedroni, all of Patterson; Mrs. Mabel Basuini of San Jose and Mrs. Mary Lombardini and Mrs. Elva Perocelli of San Joaquin. Services were held Wednesday morning at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Father Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Cardoso Joseph M 440107 p4 Nephew Is Killed In Plane Crash; Crows Landing, Jan. 5.-- Mr. and Mrs. Emidio A. Melo received word on Monday afternoon that their nephew, Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Cardoso of the Ferrying Command, was killed earlier in a plane crash. The youth, 26 years of age, was a co-pilot and no details were available here up until noon today. Cardoza was the son of the late Joe M. Cardoza and of Mrs. Georgina M. Cardoso of Stratford, and the brother of Mrs. Manuel Rosa of Waukina, Mrs. Manuel Costa of Fresno, Mrs. Albert Martin and Lee, Emidio and Demas Cardoso of Stratford, and PPC. Anthony Cardoso, U. S. Marines. Mrs. Cardoso is a sister of Mr. Melo, and Mrs. Melo and her daughter, Mrs. Marie Silva, left on Monday afternoon for Stratford. Carlson Hulda 440204 p1 Passing of Mrs. Albert Carlson; Mrs. Hulda Carlson, wife of Albert Carlson, passed away at the family home on Fig and Sycamore Avenues Monday morning following a long illness. A native of Sweden, she was 71years of age and had resided here for the past 25 years. She is survived by two sons, Eugene and Paul, both of Patterson, and one sister, Mrs. Martha Carlson of Illinois, the sisters having married brothers. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon with Rev. Joseph Broman and Rev. Russell H. Moline taking part in the services, followed by interment in the Turlock Cemetery. Cheatham Oliver 440428 p1 Death of Oliver Cheatham; Oliver Cheatham former Pattersonite and brother of Cullom Cheatham, passed away at Modesto last week. following a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held there Saturday afternoon. He is survived by his wife and four children; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cheatham of Modesto, and brother, Floyd, of San Jose. Costa John V 440804 p1 Heart Attack Fatal For John V. Costa; Slumping over suddenly at the wheel of a car he was sitting in in Gilroy Tuesday, John V. Costa expired following a heart attack. A native of the Azores, Costa was 56 years of age. He had resided on Apricot Avenue for the past 7 years. He had been in this country for 36 years. He is survived by his widow Emily, and eleven children as follows: John V. Costa of Merced; Tony Costa of Newman; Joe Costa of Los Banos; Mrs. Emily Dias of Patterson; Manuel Costa of Lemoore; and Frank, Margaret, Arthur, Lorraine, Eugene and Bobbie Costa of Patterson. A brother resides in Massachusetts; his mother and two sisters are in the Azores and one sister in Lisbon. Seven grandchildren also survive him. Rosary services were held last evening at the Evans Funeral Chapel and funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock this morning at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Cox Frank Jr 441229 p1 Frank Cox, Jr, Killed in Action; Had Previously Been Reported Missing In Germany; Patterson Township's grim toll of war casualties went up another notch Tuesday as a War Department telegram brought word to Mrs. Ann Cox that her son, Frank, Cox , Jr., had been killed in action Thanksgiving Day, November 23, in Germany. Just two weeks previous, a wire had reported him missing and the second messages wiped out any hopes of his still being alive. As nearly as could be figured he had been at the front less than two weeks, being rushed in as an engineer replacement in the First Army, battling near the Holland border. Son of a pioneer family of the area, Frank was 20 years of age. He attended the Westley grammar school and Patterson High School but graduated from Bellamarine Preparatory School in San Jose whence he went to Santa Clara University. Leaving there to enter officers' training school for the Army Engineer Corps, his studies were interrupted when officer quotas were filled last April and he was transferred to the ranks. Following basic training he had been overseas less than two months when he was killed. He is survived by five sisters -- Mrs. Betty King, Mrs. Jane Thomas, Mrs. Madelyn Chatton, Mrs. Frances Mallory and Miss Mary Louise Cox, and one brother, John. Crow B F 440505 p1 Pioneer Crows Landing Man Passes Away; B. F. Crow, a pioneer of Crows Landing until his retirement a few years ago, passed away Wednesday morning at Modesto. Funeral services are to be held on Friday afternoon at two o'clock at the Shannon Chapel, with Rev. W. R. Baird. pastor of the First Christian Church of Modesto, conducting the rites. Interment will be in the family plot in Modesto Cemetery. Born near Oakdale 77 years ago. Crow came to Crows Landing in his early youth and the family home was maintained for nearly half a century on the ranch east of that city. With Mrs. Crow, who survives him, he has made his home in Modesto for the past few years. His two sons are Roy of Vallejo and Arthur of Westley. Mrs. Ethel Leitch of Oakdale and Mrs. Edith Epply of Santa Cruz are his sisters. His brother, Herbert, resides at Gilroy. Davis Melvin R 440915 p2 Infant Dies At Modesto; Melvin Ray Davis, 3-mos. old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Davis of Grayson, passed away at a Modesto hospital Monday. Besides his parents he is survived by one brother. Graveside services were held at Del Puerto Cemetery Tuesday afternoon. DeCregori George W 440728 p5 Cleaning Plant Employee Dies at Gustine; George W. DeCregori, a resident of Gustine since his birth 47 years ago, passed away in the West Side Hospital at Newman late Sunday evening after having been moved there for treatment the day before. He had been in failing health for several months, although he had been continuing his work as driver of a pick-up and delivery truck for the West Side Cleaners at Patterson. A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the Gustine Post of the American Legion and also of West Side Council, Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Pearl, his son. George, Jr., and six brothers and sisters. They are Joseph and Louis of Los Banos, Frank and Mrs. Annie Canale of Santa Cruz, Antone of Newman, and Mrs. Mary Avila of Gustine. Del Nero Paul 440107 p1 Paul Del Nero, Pioneer Dairy Man, Passes; Crows Landing:, Jan. 6 -- Paul Del Nero, for 44 year a resident of this community, passed away early Tuesday morning at his dairy ranch home three miles north of here. He had been in failing, health for several months. Funeral services were held this morning at ten o'clock in the Catholic Church here, with Rev. Manuel F. Rose conducting the mass. Interment followed in the Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery. Rosary Services were held on Wednesday evening in the Davis Chapel at Newman. Del Nero was a native of Italy born 73 years ago. He came directly to California from his homeland to make this state his residence for half a century. He is survived by his wife Albania, and eight children. They are Thomas, George and William of Crows Landing, Charles of Patterson, Mrs. Lillian Palmer of Fresno, Mrs. Mae Beach of Turlock, Mrs. Rose Pirrone of Salida, and Mrs. Mary Costa of Crockett. A brother, James, resides at Sacramento. Dickson Harlan R 440211 p1 Two Die in Crash of Local Bomber Harlan Rocky Dickson; Surviving the Battles of Midway ind Coral Sea with citation for heroism, only to die in a routine training flight was the fate of Lt. Com. Harlan Rocky Dickson. 29, skipper of a squadron at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Air Station Saturday. With him died Edward Hlywa, 21, aviation radioman 1st class. The crash occurred near San Luis Obispo, where witnesses saw the dive bomber he was piloting go into a dive from which it never recovered. Dickson was awarded two Navy Crosses. One was for blasting two carriers in the Battle of the Coral Sea; the other for locating the enemy carrier which sent planes to mortally wound the Yorktown in the Battle of Midway and for directing planes to the enemy ship, which was sunk in turn. He also assisted in sinking three other Jap vessels at Midway. In other actions, he participated in the first raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Dogan Selma J 440218 p1 Newman Crash -- The fatal mishap near Newman occurred Saturday evening when Pvt. Selma J. Dogan of Fort Ord was fatally injured and Mr. and Mrs. Sampel Wynn and baby received minor injuries. Manslaughter charges have been filed against John J. Toledo, Gustine milk truck driver, charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and with being intoxicated when his truck hit the Wynn car. Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe investigated the crash and filed the charges. According to McCabe, his investigation revealed that Wynn was traveling north at the time, with Dogan, probably asleep, sitting alone in the rear seat of the sedan. Toledo, driving a 1oaded milk truck, was headed south. Tire marks, McCabe said, as well as the statement of Wynn, indicated that Toledo was driving on the wrong side of the highway. As Wynn swerved to his right to avoid a collision, the truck careened towards him, the steel body raking the sedan from the window at the driver's side and cutting clear through to the back, striking Dogan in the chest with crushing effect. The truck proceeded down the left side of the road for some 200 feet, with cans of milk being thrown into the ditch alongside, before being stopped in its proper lane. The sedan, after passing the intersection at that point, came to a halt cross-wise of the road, facing west. Dogan was 34 years old and his home address is Roanoke, Virginia. His body was shipped there on Monday, upon instructions received from his wife, Odessa, who resides at Roanoke. Dominguez Gabriel 440609 p1 Passing of G. Dominguez at Stockton; Gabriel Dominguez, well-known local sheep man, passed away at Stockton on Thursday of last week.. A native of Spain, the deceased was 56 years of age and had resided in this area for many years. He is survived by his brother, Domingo, of Patterson. Funeral services were held at Stockton Wednesday with interment in San Joaquin Cemetery. Dristy Glen 441103 p1 Drowns in Spill From Speedboat; Glen Dristy Victim Of Mishap At Turlock Reservoir; A speedboat enthusiast who could not swim. That summed up the story of Glen Dristy, local mechanic, who was drowned Sunday afternoon in the Turlock Irrigation District Reservoir when his outboard motorboat threw him out. The fatality occurred despite the heroic effort of Dave Goldstein, 17, who almost gave his own life in attempting to save Dristy. The two had gone to the reservoir that afternoon to try out Dristy's boat, which he had been working on in his spare time in an ambition to build the fastest speedboat in the county, a goal which he was close to achieving. With Dristy at the tiller, they were making fast speed when another craft passed across their bow and they struck the wave from its wash, causing Dristy's boat to rear up and throw him into the water some distance away. Goldstein managed to hang on, but as soon as he saw Dristy struggling in the water he dove out and swam to his aid. But by the time he reached him, Dristy had gone under a couple of times in a panicky struggle, and Goldstein had a difficult time handling him, almost being drawn under himself.. Although a good swimmer, he was of much smaller build them Dristy. But he pluckily hung on until the other motorboat swung around and came up to aid them. By that time. Goldstein was almost exhausted, so that when the rescuers reached out from the boat and tried to yank him in first, the unconscious form slipped from his tired fingers and sank like a rock. Local-Search Party -- Following a perfunctory visit to the scene by Coroner Jack Ransome, no effort to drag for the body was made by county officials, and Monday morning Jack Metcalf, friend and former employer of the deceased, rallied a group of a dozen from here to go up to the reservoir. They dragged the lake from 11 until 5:40 in the evening when the body was found. It was brought to Patterson, but a wire from Nebraska relatives ordered immediate shipment back there and no services were held here. Ex-Service Man -- Dristy was about 27 years of age, according to Metcalf, exact details being unavailable in the absence of any relatives here. He was an adopted son of a Prairie Home, Nebraska, family, where the remains were shipped. He had resided here about two years, although of this eleven months were spent in service from February to November 1943, being honorably discharged for physical disability. He had married an Oakland girl, but the couple had separated, reportedly because she had not completed divorce proceedings from another man. He was employed as a mechanic at the Hendy Garage and was a member of the Patterson American Legion Post. Dunkleberger Marion O 441110 p1 Death of Marion Dunkleberger; Marion O. Dunkleberger passed away Sunday at his Grayson home at the age of 66. A native of Indiana, he had resided in this area for nearly nine years past operating the Azevedo Service Station for a time. He is survived by one son Laurence of Grayson, and one grandson. A sister, Mrs. Ina Hale resides at Alameda; a brother, Oscar, at Minden, Nebraska, and a half-brother, Lewis McMillan is in Arkansas. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by Interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Eggloff A E 441222 p1 Five Die in Trio of Air Crashes: A.E. Eggloff; Vernalis Field, Scene Of Mishaps Friday Night; The aviators' superstition that mishaps come in threes received grim verification Friday night when five died in three separate crashes in the vicinity of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Entirely unrelated in cause, the three crackups occurred within two hours and within a three-mile radius. Ensign Donald Miller of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, was the first victim, lost in making a forced landing with his fighter plane. Ensign R. K. Henry, Jr., of Egremont, Mass., was lost in the crack-up of his fighter plane about three miles from the field. Finally, a bomber crashed a half mile from the field, killing the three occupants -- Ensign Kevin C. Mead of Greenwich, Conn., Aviation Ordnance man Second Class George R. Hood of Colver, Penn., and Radioman Third Class A. E. Eggloff of Libertyville, Ill. Faria Joe 440922 p3 Postpone Wedding Because Of Death; Death of Joe Faria, uncle of the bride-to-be, caused the postponement of a wedding planned for last Sunday when Miss Dorothy Nunes was scheduled to be married to Carl White of Snelling. The ceremony is now planned for next Sunday. Faulkner John F 441201 p2 Passes Away After Brief Illness; John Franklin Faulkner, who made his home on the former N. Andersen ranch south of Crows Landing, passed away Sunday noon in the West Side Hospital. which he had entered for treatment three days before. Funeral services were held in the Davis Chapel on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. White, pastor of the First South Baptist Church at Patterson, conducting the rites. Interment was made in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Faulkner was a native of Arkansas and was 48 years old. He is survived by his wife, Agnes, and nine children. They are Mrs. Lela Parker of Westley, Mrs. Margaret Daniel, William, Clifford, Evelyn, Pauline, Carl, Earldean and Lawson, all of Crows Landing. Follick Cornelius 440218 p1 Retired Farmer Passes Away; Cornelius Follick, retired rancher, who has resided here, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday following an extended illness. He was a native of Indiana and was 70 years of age. Funeral arrangements were made at Modesto. Ford Edgar L 441222 p1 Westley Boy Killed in Germany; Edgar Ford Lost In Action On November 24th; Edgar Leon Ford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford of Westley, was. killed in action in Germany on November 24th, according to a War Department telegram received by them. Ford was serving with a machine gun company and had been overseas about a year. He was 23 years of age. His father is in charge of maintenance of the Federal Farm Workers Community at Westley and the family has resided there about three years, coming here from Texas. He has a brother, Fay, also in overseas service; a married sister residing in San Diego, and a younger sister residing with her parents. Francisco Tony Mrs 440218 p1 Passing of Mrs. Tony Francisco at Crows Landing; Crows Landing, Feb. 17 -- Mrs. Tony Francisco passed away Wednesday afternoon at the West Side Hospital following a short illness. A native of the Azores Islands, she was 45 years of age and had resided in this area for the past 30 years. Besides her husband she is survived by two sons, both in the Army. Pvt. Edward Francisco is stationed at San Francisco; Pfc. Ernest Francisco in Nebraska. Tentative funeral arrangements call for services at the Crows Landing Church at 10 a. m. Monday, depending on the arrival of Ernest from Nebraska, with Rosary Services at the Davis Chapel at Newman at 9 p. m. Sunday. Frisvold Ingeborg Mrs 440218 p1 Services Here For Former Resident; Funeral services were held here Monday afternoon for Mrs. Ingeborg Frisvold, former local resident, who passed away at Albany Friday. A native of Norway, she was 88 years of age. She is survived by two daughters -- Mrs. Marie Greening of Oakdale and Mrs. Annie Christopherson of Albany, and three sons -- Carl and Andy of Albany and Martin of Oakland. Her husband passed away in 1927 and the remains were interred in the family plot at Del Puerto Cemetery, where her remains were taken, following the rites at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, with Rev. M. K. Hartmann officiating. Members of the family were here for the services. George William J 440407 p1 William George Passes Away in San Francisco; William J. George, former well-known local resident who grew up in the community, passed away at a San Francisco hospital Saturday night following a lengthy illness. Complications following a severe attack of flu a number of months ago caused his death. He was about 33 years of age. Funeral services were held there Wednesday. He is survived by his wife and one child; his mother; a sister, Mrs. Emma Mazoni of Richmond. and a brother, Charles, of Vallejo. Gori Louis 441222 p1 Man Drowns as He Slips Into River; The body of Louis Gori, for many years a ranch laborer in this section, was found caught in the limbs of a tree in the middle of the San Joaquin River at Crows Landing Monday morning after he had apparently fallen from the bank the night before. According to authorities who investigated the mishap. Gori had left the auto camp, located south of the Crows Landing bridge to return to his cabin upstream late in the evening. He was not missed until the next morning. In the search which followed, Mrs. M. W. Billstrom, proprietor of the auto court, found markings on the river bank which indicated Gori had slipped and fell some sixteen feet. Funeral services were held Wednesday at Newman, Rev. H. J. von Renner, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church conducting the rites. Interment was made in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Gori was a native of Hungary and was 64 years old. Grapen Robert 440804 p6 Nephew of Mrs. Henry Johnson Lost at Saipan; Robert Grapen, nephew of Mrs. Henry Johnson and known to many through visits here was killed in the operations incident to landing on Saipan, it has been reported. He was a Marine mortar gunner and a veteran of Tarawa. His mother. Mrs. Esther Grapen, lives in Burlingame. Hall John Sgt 441013 p1 Other West Side Casualties; Tech. Sgt. John Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hall of Newman, has been reported killed in action in the European Theater. His father is well-known here as a member of the P. G. & E. construction crew that spends much time here. Details of the casualty are given by the Newman Index as follows: John would have been 25 years old on November 7th. Born at Ceres, he was a graduate of Yolo School here and of the Orestimba Union High School with the Class of '38. During his school days, he was active in athletics and won his letters in basketball and baseball. dent and entered the service from that district. His last furlough was prior to last Christmas, he departing for overseas soon afterwards. Harrelson Walter W 440811 p6 Walter Harrelson Dies In Action In France; He always wanted to be a paratrooper. And so he volunteered two years ago, when he was but seventeen for the vigorous training that led him along the path of adventure to its fatal ending in Normandy. "Private First Class Walter W. Harrelson was killed in action on June 23rd in France," the telegram from the War Department to his parents read, adding another name to Patterson's overlong casualty list. The Harrelson family has resided in Patterson for the past three years. Walter enlisted in November, 1942, and was sent to Ft Benning, Georgia. He received most of his training there and at Camp McCall, North Carolina, before going overseas in December. He landed in Ireland for training there, and was later sent to England for the final preparations before the invasion. He has a brother, Leo, in an infantry outfit at Camp Phillips, Kansas. Beside his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Harrelson, he is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Rosa Lee McKee, Emma Jane and Hary Jean Harrelson, and two other brothers, James, Jr., and Billy Ray. Henry R K Jr Ens 441222 p1 Five Die in Trio of Air Crashes: R.K. Henry Jr; Vernalis Field, Scene Of Mishaps Friday Night; The aviators' superstition that mishaps come in threes received grim verification Friday night when five died in three separate crashes in the vicinity of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Entirely unrelated in cause, the three crackups occurred within two hours and within a three-mile radius. Ensign Donald Miller of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, was the first victim, lost in making a forced landing with his fighter plane. Ensign R. K. Henry, Jr., of Egremont, Mass., was lost in the crack-up of his fighter plane about three miles from the field. Finally, a bomber crashed a half mile from the field, killing the three occupants -- Ensign Kevin C. Mead of Greenwich, Conn., Aviation Ordnance man Second Class George R. Hood of Colver, Penn., and Radioman Third Class A. E. Eggloff of Libertyville, Ill. Hill Emily 440602 p1 Passing of Mrs. Emily Hill; Mrs. Emily Maude Hill, long-time Patterson resident, passed away at a Modesto hospital Thursday afternoon of last week following an illness of some duration. A native of England, the deceased had been in this country 29 years, 28 of which were spent in Patterson. She is survived by one son, Colton, of Huntingdon Park, and two brothers residing in England. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Saturday afternoon with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Hlywa Edward 440211 p1 Two Die in Crash of Local Bomber Edward Hlywa; Surviving the Battles of Midway ind Coral Sea with citation for heroism, only to die in a routine training flight was the fate of Lt. Com. Harlan Rocky Dickson. 29, skipper of a squadron at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Air Station Saturday. With him died Edward Hlywa, 21, aviation radioman 1st class. The crash occurred near San Luis Obispo, where witnesses saw the dive bomber he was piloting go into a dive from which it never recovered. Dickson was awarded two Navy Crosses. One was for blasting two carriers in the Battle of the Coral Sea; the other for locating the enemy carrier which sent planes to mortally wound the Yorktown in the Battle of Midway and for directing planes to the enemy ship, which was sunk in turn. He also assisted in sinking three other Jap vessels at Midway. In other actions, he participated in the first raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Hogue Henry A 440602 p1 Infant Son Passes Away; Henry Alvie Hogue six-months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hogue of Westley, passed away at a Modesto hospital Friday. Two brothers and a sister also survive him. Grave side services were held at Del Puerto Cemetery Monday with Rev. H. C. Vancil officiating. Hood George R 441222 p1 Five Die in Trio of Air Crashes: George R. Hood; Vernalis Field, Scene Of Mishaps Friday Night; The aviators' superstition that mishaps come in threes received grim verification Friday night when five died in three separate crashes in the vicinity of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Entirely unrelated in cause, the three crackups occurred within two hours and within a three-mile radius. Ensign Donald Miller of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, was the first victim, lost in making a forced landing with his fighter plane. Ensign R. K. Henry, Jr., of Egremont, Mass., was lost in the crack-up of his fighter plane about three miles from the field. Finally, a bomber crashed a half mile from the field, killing the three occupants -- Ensign Kevin C. Mead of Greenwich, Conn., Aviation Ordnance man Second Class George R. Hood of Colver, Penn., and Radioman Third Class A. E. Eggloff of Libertyville, Ill. Hopper George 440630 p2 Two Fatally Hurt When Truck Overturns: George Hopper; Crows Landing, June 26. -- An overturned truck that immediately burst into flames on Sunday afternoon brought death to a sailor and a 14-year-old boy and inflicted severe burns on the driver of the vehicle. The tragic accident occurred at the Isom turn a mile east of here when the truck went out of control either because of the shifting of the load of lettuce or a locked brake. Headed towards Modesto, the truck capsized about 75 feet east of the sharp turn. The dead sailor is George Hopper, 19, stationed at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Naval Air Station. He was rushed to the Hammand General Hospital at Modesto and died of his injuries and burns at four o'clock the next morning. The second victim was Dale Smith, nephew of Hugh Smith who was driving the truck. The boy was taken to the West Side Hospital at Newman suffering from third degree burns over his entire body. He passed away at eight o'clock Tuesday morning. Also in the same hospital, seriously burned, is the uncle. The three were pulled from the flaming cab by passersby soon after the crash and ambulances summoned. Mrs. Smith came at once from the Watsonville home of the family and stated that her husband had come in from a trip at 1:30 that morning and had been called to make a rush delivery of lettuce to East Side points. When informed that a sailor had been a passenger, she was under the impression that he was the brother of young Dale. The brother is at the Crows Landing station and had asked that his uncle look him up when driving by. Dale was born at Amarillo, Texas, and had been in California for a year and a half, attending high school. The remains were taken to Gilroy where funeral services to be held. Howard Herman R 441229 p1 Former Local Man Passes; Word was received here this week of the passing of Herman R. Howard, former local resident, at Antioch. Formerly employed on the Bridgford ranch, he left here about six or seven years ago Johnson Ronald E 440915 p1 Infant Dies En Route to Hospital; An 8-mos. old Grayson infant passed away Monday afternoon en route to Modesto as the car that was carrying his mother and other members of the family stalled for lack of gas. Ronald Eugene Johnson became critically ill, and his mother, Mary Frances Johnson, appealed to a neighbor, Leon Stroud, for aid in getting to a hospital. About four miles from Modesto, the car stalled and the sheriff's office was appealed to for aid, but the baby died before the arrival of Deputy Sheriff Cope Hartley. The car had to be towed into Modesto as no gas was available nearby. Kellogg Lee D 440421 p1 Son of Local Farm Worker Killed Italy; Pfc. Lee D. Kellogg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Kellogg, residing at the Azevedo Camp, was reported killed in action in a wire received from the War Department Friday. Previously reported missing in action, the second wire stated that he had been killed on February 18th. The deceased was a nephew of David Kellogg, who dropped dead of a heart attack while working in a spinach field last week. Kirkman John M 441027 p2 Passing of J. M. Kirkman Sunday in San Francisco; John M. Kirkman passed away Sunday at a San Francisco hospital where he had been taken for treatment a couple of days previously. A native of Visalia, he was 61 years of age. He had spent most of his life in that area until coming to Patterson in 1935. Recently he had been employed by the Forest Service in Tuolumne County until illness caused him to return to the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. L. Spencer, here. Besides his widow, he is survived by three daughters -- Mrs. Violet Davis of Escalon, Mrs. Merle La Riviere of San Francisco, and Mrs. June Spencer of Patterson. and one son -- Guy of Visalia. A brother, B. E. Kirkman of Martinez. and a sister, Mrs. Maude Amyx of Hayward, also survive. Funeral services were held at Visalia Wednesday morning with interment in the family plot in the Exeter cemetery. Kveck James 440512 p1 James Kveck Passes Away Friday at Home; A long-time Colony resident passed away at his Colony home on Las Palmas Avenue Friday as James Kvech succumbed to a heart attack. A native of Iowa, he was 71years of age and had resided here for the past 24 years. Besides his wife, Louise, he is survived by two sons, George and Richard, both of Patterson, and one grandchild. He also has a sister, Mrs. May Wesley, in Texas, and a brother. Albert Kveck, in Minnesota. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Monday afternoon with Rev. M. K. Hartmann officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Lewis R C 440303 p4 Former Pastor Dies At Sierra Madre; Crows Landing, Mar.1 -- Friends of R. C. Lewis, who served as the last full time pastor of the Crows Landing Presbyterian Church have learned of his death at Sierra Madre on February 26. Mr. Lewis had suffered with a heart ailment for several weeks preceding his demise. Funeral services were held in Pasadena on February 29th. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Jessie Lewis, and a sister, Mrs. Sarah Roe, both having made their home here during the time. Little Edith 441006 p1 Passing of Mrs. Edith Little Friday; Mrs. Edith Sophie Little, Patterson resident for the past fourteen years, passed away at a Modesto hospital Friday following a brief illness. She was residing in Turlock at the time of her death, however. A native of Kansas, the deceased was 56 years of age. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Faul of Patterson. Four brothers, and one sister also survive her -- Edward Pagel of Patterson, Louis Pagel of Waterloo, Iowa, Theodore Pagel of Holton, Kansas, Henry Pagel of Dennison, Kansas, and Mrs. Lena Bumpus of Oakland. Rites were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Sunday afternoon with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Little Lenora 441229 p1 Services Here For Mother of Mrs. John Lane; Funeral services were held here Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Lenora Little of Modesto, mother of Mrs. John Lane of Patterson. Mrs. Little passed away Christmas morning as the result of injuries received a week previous in an intersection crash on the highway north of Modesto. The deceased was 59 years of age and a native of Tennessee. Besides Mrs. Lane, she is survived by three other daughters --Mrs. Lenore Bellomy of Modesto, Mrs. Fay Cobb of Arkansas and Miss Rosemary Little of Modesto. Three sisters reside in Tennessee and one brother in Arkansas. Services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. H. C. Vancil officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Lyon Armond D 440505 p1 Services Held For Infant; Armond Donald Lyon, son of Tech. Sgt. and Mrs. Donald E. Lyon, passed away Thursday of last week. but two days after birth. Grave side services were held at Del Puerto Friday with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating. Sgt. Lyon came up from Santa Barbara for the services. Mrs. Lyon plans to remain with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Johnson for a time following her return from Hammond General Hospital. Maciel Marie M 440324 p1 Local Visitor Passes Away Suddenly; Marie Margaret Maciel, 28, of Antioch passed away suddenly at Newman Wednesday afternoon in a doctor s office while en route to a hospital there. She was the daughter of Mrs Mary Bulcao of Antioch, and they had been visiting at the Bulaco ranch in Patterson Colony when an illness of long standing became acute. The remains were taken to Antioch for services. Martin Edna 440908 p1 Passing of Mrs Paul Martin at Modesto; Mrs. Edna Martin, wife of Paul Martin, former manager of the Hotel del Puerto, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday following an extended illness. Except for short periods, she had resided here most of the time for the past 14 years. She was 49 years of age. She is survived by one brother, Robert Berry, of Mena, Arkansas. Funeral services were held at Modesto Tuesday afternoon, followed by cremation of the remains at Parkview Crematory. Mead Kevin C Ens. 441222 p1 Five Die in Trio of Air Crashes: Kevin C Mead; Vernalis Field, Scene Of Mishaps Friday Night; The aviators' superstition that mishaps come in threes received grim verification Friday night when five died in three separate crashes in the vicinity of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Entirely unrelated in cause, the three crackups occurred within two hours and within a three-mile radius. Ensign Donald Miller of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, was the first victim, lost in making a forced landing with his fighter plane. Ensign R. K. Henry, Jr., of Egremont, Mass., was lost in the crack-up of his fighter plane about three miles from the field. Finally, a bomber crashed a half mile from the field, killing the three occupants -- Ensign Kevin C. Mead of Greenwich, Conn., Aviation Ordnance man Second Class George R. Hood of Colver, Penn., and Radioman Third Class A. E. Eggloff of Libertyville, Ill. Meanza Mary 441229 p1 Girl Killed as Car Skids Into Westley Auto; Phil Winegar of Westley was both lucky and unlucky Friday when a car skidded out of control on the highway west of Livermore and crashed into him broadside, resulting in one death and two injuries. Winegar was lucky because he escaped with only a severe shaking up -- unlucky because his car was badly damaged in the crash in which he was involved through no act of his own. The mishap occurred about a mile beyond Livermore. The other driver started to pass on a curve but saw Winegar approaching and slammed on his brakes to get back into line. It was raining, however, and his vehicle skidded side wise so that it blocked the road and Winegar's car crashed into it. Miss Mary Meanza of Modesto was fatally injured, passing away a few hours later in a Livermore hospital, and her mother, Mrs. Anna Meanza, incurred fractured ribs and bruises. A sailor they had picked up incurred internal injuries Miller Donald Ens 441222 p1 Five Die in Trio of Air Crashes: Donald Miller; Vernalis Field, Scene Of Mishaps Friday Night; The aviators' superstition that mishaps come in threes received grim verification Friday night when five died in three separate crashes in the vicinity of the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Entirely unrelated in cause, the three crackups occurred within two hours and within a three-mile radius. Ensign Donald Miller of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, was the first victim, lost in making a forced landing with his fighter plane. Ensign R. K. Henry, Jr., of Egremont, Mass., was lost in the crack-up of his fighter plane about three miles from the field. Finally, a bomber crashed a half mile from the field, killing the three occupants -- Ensign Kevin C. Mead of Greenwich, Conn., Aviation Ordnance man Second Class George R. Hood of Colver, Penn., and Radioman Third Class A. E. Eggloff of Libertyville, Ill. Navy Pilot 440915 p2 Vernalis Flyer Victim of Landing Crash; Losing control as he prepared to land following night practice flying, the ensign pilot of a Navy, torpedo plane was killed in an early morning crash at the Vernalis Naval Auxiliary Air Station Friday. Nelson Eva 440329 p1 Passing of Mrs. Eva Nelson Monday; Mrs. Eva Caroline Nelson passed away Monday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Bergman, on North sixth Street. A native of Sweden, aged 77 years, she had resided in the United States for 44 years, coming to Patterson 23 years ago. She is survived by but the one daughter and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Evans funeral chapel Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Russell H. Mollne officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Nixon James 440804 p1 Grayson Soldier Is Killed; James Nixon, Lost Since February, On List of Dead; Missing since February 10th Private James O. Nixon is now listed as having been killed in action on that date in the Italian campaign, according to a telegram received Tuesday by his mother, Mrs. Elna Nixon of Grayson. Ninth Patterson Township man to die in the service of his county in World War II, Nixon had had a close call two weeks before his death when he received minor wounds, but he was returned to duty on February first. The deceased was 21 years of age, and was one of twin brothers in the service, Jesse C. Nixon being in the Navy. He attended Patterson High School for a year before entering the State Guard at the start of the war, whence he was inducted into the Army. His father, James L. Nixon resides in Oak Harbor, Washington. He has four brothers, Wilfred and Charles, and four sisters -- Mrs. Lee Della, Mrs. Clarence Mabry and Pauline and Catherine Nixon, all of Grayson. Norelius Catherine 441124 p1 Norelius Rites Held Saturday Afternoon; Funeral services for Mrs. Catherine Norelius, found dead in bed at her home Thursday morning of last week, were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Saturday afternoon with Rev. Russell H. Molline officiating. He was assisted by Rev. Gideon Sjolander of the Turlock Swedish Baptist church, pastor to the Norelius family in Minnesota many years ago. Following the services, the remains were shipped east to Isanti, Minnesota, for interment in the family plot there. Miss Lillian Eastlund of San Francisco, sister of the deceased and only immediate surviving relative, accompanied the remains. Mrs. NoreIius was a native of Minnesota and was almost 77 years of age. She had been a resident of Patterson since 1915, when her husband, the late Albert Norelius entered business here. Olivero Edward 440818 p1 Former Local Boy Killed in France; Edward Olivero, 21, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. M. Olivero of Patterson, was killed in action in France on July 8th according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Olivero. The family resided on the Frank Cox ranch for four or five years, leaving here about ten years ago. Olsen Nels G 440908 p1 Nels G. Olson Dies Suddenly on Wednesday; Nels G. Olson. among the first settlers in Patterson Colony passed away quite suddenly Wednesday evening following an operation at a Modesto hospital. He had resided on his Sycamore Avenue ranch since 1911. A native of Sweden, he had been in this country forty years. He is survived by two sisters Mrs. Olga Baxter of Portland, Oregon, and Mrs. Ida North of Patterson. A half-brother, Peter Hanson, lives in San Diego. Funeral services will be held at two o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. The deceased was a veteran of World War I and a member of Elijah B. Hayes Post of the American Legion, which will take part in the services. Parker Homer L 441208 p1 Homer L. Parker Passes Away; Homer Lee Parker, better known as "Jack" Parker, passed away at a Modesto hospital Sunday following an illness of four months' duration. A native of Oklahoma, aged 47 years, he had resided here for the past eight years. He is survived by his wife, Odessa, and four children -- Dolores Jane, Doris Elaine, James and, Richard, now residing in Oakland. Brothers and sisters surviving are Mrs. Edna Harrow and Clarence Parker of Patterson, George, Jeff and Fred Parker of Oakland and Mrs. Myrtle Benham of Richmond. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Tuesday afternoon with Rev. H. C. Vancil officiating. The remains were taken to Dos Palos for interment in the family plot there. Parkerson Raymond D 441222 p8 Grayson Child Passes Away; Raymond Dale Parkerson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Parkerson of Grayson, died at a Modesto hospital Monday. He was 2 1/2 years of age and is survived by his parents and one sister, Virginia. Parkerson was inducted into the Navy last week but was given permission to come home for the funeral, held Wednesday at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. John Greer of Turlock in charge. Interment in Del Puerto Cemetery followed. Pedroni Esther 440728 p1 Passing of Mrs. Esther Pedroni at Gilroy; Mrs. Esther Pedroni, wife of Peter Pedroni and Patterson resident since the early days of the Colony, passed away Saturday at a Gilroy hospital. She had been ill for some time and had been visiting her daughter at Gilroy for about three weeks when the fatal attack came. She had resided in California for 38 years, coming to this state from her native land of Switzerland. She was 52 years of age. Beside her husband, she is survived by two daughters - Mrs. Evelyn Porcella of Gilroy and Mrs. Hulda Horwitz of Patterson; and two sons - Sgt. Adolph Pedroni of Camp Hulen, Texas, and T. Sgt. George Pedroni. Other surviving members of the family are her mother, Mrs. Mary Brunoni of Patterson; four sisters -- Mrs. Lucy DelNero of Patterson, Mrs. Mary Lombardini and Mrs. Elva Perocelli of San Joaquin and Mrs. Mable Basuini of San Jose; and two brothers, Tony and Max Brunoni of Patterson. Funeral arrangements were delayed in the hopes that both sons could come home. But while Adolph arrived from Texas Tuesday, George was located at an embarkation area bound for Pacific service and could not obtain leave. Rosary services will be held tonight at 8:30 at the Evans Funeral Chapel, followed by services at Sacred Heart Church at 10 o'clock Saturday morning with Rev. Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Peters Margaret 440707 p1 Woman Victim of Mystery Killing On Highway; Maniacal fury was revealed in a midnight murder mystery Wednesday night as the terribly battered remains of Mrs. Margaret Peters, 42, were picked up from the highway three miles south of town by local officers. The victim was one of a quartet riding along the highway at that point and was either pushed or leaped from the car, owned by Otis Elmer Newman, 23, local laborer. Just what happened to her as she struck is still undetermined. But circumstantial evidence and stories of the other two members of the party indicate that Newman retraced his route to run over her while driving at high speed and drag her body some distance along the highway before it fell free. Miss Olive Rose of Brentwood, who was visiting here, and Cleve Teague, local laborer, were other members of the quartet. According to their tale to officers, they were driving slowly southward along the highway at about a 25- mile-per-hour speed. Mrs. Peters and Newman were in the back seat, when a sudden scuffle occurred and the woman was either pushed out or leaped from the car. Teague alleged that Newman then pressed a gun to his back and told him to keep going, although no trace of a weapon was found in later investigation. But Teague stopped near the county road Intersection and he and Miss Rose got out of the car. According to them, Newman then drove on turning east on the county road a short way and then retraced his path and passed them going north at high speed. They then went into the Ghisletta ranch to phone to town and summon help. Body Found -- Highway Patrolman E. L. McCabe and Constable C. W. Kirk went out to the scene while Chief of Police Carl Busengdal went on Newman's trail. McCabe found the terribly battered remains on the road where Newman had struck them. Reconstruction of visible signs indicated that the body had been dragged about sixty-five feet face downward, resulting in bad mutilation and tearing off the jaw. But whether she had been killed in the original fall, knocked unconscious, or was not seriously hurt until struck by the car on its return, remains to be discovered, if possible. In the meantime, Busengdal had located Newman at his room at the Emerald Hotel, where Mrs. A. G Coito told him she had just heard him on the stairs, although presuming he was on his way out to start work with a hay-baling crew. When the chief entered the room, Newman feigned deep sleep and refused to respond until he was slapped to arouse him. He then leaped up and threatened to throw Busengdal down the stairs and had to be forcibly subdued. While being taken to jail, Newman boasted that they needed more witnesses than they had to hang anything onto him and that he had been in trouble plenty of times before. Teague and Miss Rose were also held in detention pending Investigation of the case. Car Found -- Final link in the case was the discovery of the death car, a Ford sedan, abandoned in the alley between South Fifth and Sixth Streets near C. Examination of the chassis showed fragments of flesh and hair still clinging to it, evidence of the terrific blow which had been struck. Large Family -- The deceased resided at the home of her sister, Mrs. Art Fowler, on I Street, being employed at the Tracy Quartermaster Depot, where Miss Rose also works. Her husband passed away some years ago and she is survived by five children. Three of them reside here with her -- James, 16, Rosella, 11, and Joseph, 7, and two older daughters, Mrs. Frances Land and Miss Dorothy Peters, reside in Oklahoma. A brother, Dan Harris, and Mrs. Harris, of Bend, Oregon, have been visiting here for the past week. Plans are being made to ship the remains to Oklahoma for interment. Deputy Coroner Verdayne Williams took charge of the body. Peterson Fred Sgt 440428 p1 Killed in Action in Italy War; Sgt. Fred Peterson Dies Of Wounds On March 29th; A veteran of action in North Africa and Italy, Sergeant Fred Peterson, former local resident who enlisted from Modesto is reported dead in Italy, the result of wounds received in battle. He passed away on March 29th, according to the official telegram received from the War Department by his widow. He is also survived by a. five-year old son, Carl Edward; his parents, a sister and three brothers, two of whom are in the Armed Forces. Mrs. Charles Richardson of Patterson is his sister, Peterson resided here, about seven years. He entered the Army in June, 1942, and had served overseas for 15 months. Long List -- The new casualty adds another name to the already overlong list of local casualties, making nine men who have died in the service of their country, while two are missing in action and two are prisoners of war. Pfitser John 440825 p1 Death of John Pfitser, Long-time Resident; John Pfitser, retired rancher and resident of this area for the past 20 years, passed away early Wednesday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Nick Frunz, on Pomelo Avenue. He had been ill for several years past. Aged 71 years, he was a native of Switzerland. Mrs. Frunz is the only close relative surviving. Rosary services will be held at the Evans Funeral Chapel at 8:15 this evening, followed by funeral services at Sacred Heart Church Saturday morning at 10 o'clock with Rev. Manuel F. Rose in charge. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Pike Willis 440225 p1 Willis Pike Found Dead in His Garden; Stricken in the yard of his North Fourth Street home, Willis Pike passed away some time Monday evening, victim of a heart attack. The remains were discovered at 3:50 a. m. Tuesday by C. L. Henzel, driver for the Patterson Ranch Co. dairy, who was making his rounds. As nearly as can be established, Pike was seen by several while shopping downtown between 4 and 5 Monday afternoon. As there were no lights on the house and he did not carry the flashlight he was known to be in the habit of using at night in the yard, it is assumed that the attack occurred in the early evening. From tracks at the spot, it is surmised that he had been looking at a bush at the edge of the driveway when he was stricken and had crawled a few feet before he succumbed. Dr. E. G. Allen, who was summoned to examine the remains, declared that in all probability, death had occurred within a very few moments of the attack. Pike had been in ill health for some time and had stated recently to friends that he knew the end was near. He was residing alone, having had difficulty in obtaining a housekeeper. Authority on Fruits -- Pike came to this section when he installed and took charge of the operation of the dehydrator plant at El Solyo Ranch, then managed by his brother, Roy Pike. He was an authority on dried fruits, with world-wide knowledge of this and many other crops gained through a lifetime of work and travel for various firms. Following his retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively, until she passed away some years ago, when he decided to locate in Patterson, calling it the "friendliest" town he knew of to live in. His daughter, Mrs. Leland K. Whittier, and husband of Beverly Hills, arrived yesterday to take charge of funeral arrangements. Services will be held at the Evans Chapel at 2 p. m. today, with cremation to follow. Pints Paul 440428 p6 Two Dead; Two Critically Hurt in Crash: Paul Pints; A terrific head-on crash on the West Side Highway three miles north of Vernalis early yesterday morning resulted in the death of two and critical injuries to two others involved. Miss Arlene Van Hess, 18, and Paul Pints, 17. of Modesto, are dead and Leland Hendricks, 17, of Modesto, and Samuel Mires, soldier from Camp Roberts arc badly hurt. Mires was northbound when he met the car containing the three others. Pitzer Dwight 441013 p1 Patterson Pilot Killed on Biak; Missing Boy in German Prison Camp; Good and bad news shared the wires for Patterson families Monday as the death of a fighter pilot was reported, while the same day brought word of the safety of another soldier previously reported missing in action but now found to be a prisoner of war. Dwight Pitzer Killed In Crash Second Lieutenant Dwight D. Pitzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Pitzer fell to his death in the crash of his plane on Biak Island, off Dutch New Guinea, on September 27th, according to the wire received from the War Department by his parents. Piloting a P-47, he had been in the forward area for four months and had taken part in four missions, according to a letter received last week. From the text of the telegram, it is presumed that he was not in actual combat at the time of the mishap, but that the crash was an accident, or possibly failure to get back with a damaged plane. The dead pilot was a native of Kansas, aged 25 years, and had been engaged in school teaching prior to his enlistment here in 1942. He received his wings in January, 1943, following which he was given advanced training until 1942. He received his wings in January,1943, following which he was given advanced training until the departure of his squadron overseas. He is survived by his wife and an infant daughter, born last week. residing in Kansas. Besides his parents, he is also survived by nine brothers and sisters -- Mrs. Ruth Pitzer of Patterson, Mrs. Norman Bass of Smith Center, Kansas, Faith Pitzer of Patterson, Paul Pitzer of Aptos, James and Robert Pitzer of Patterson, and two boys in the Army -- Sgt. Ivan Pitzer of Seattle and Cpl. Victor Pitzer of Idaho. Renfrow Mary 441010 p2 Mrs. Mary Renfrow Passes Away Monday; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Renfrow passed away Monday at her home on El Circulo. A native of Kentucky, she was 79 years of age and had resided here for the past two years. She is survived by one daughter -- Mrs. Viola Harlin of Oklahoma, and three sons -- M. L. Renfrow of Arkansas, and P. E. Renfrow and Joe Renfrew of Patterson, as well as three grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon with Rev. H. C. Vancil in charge, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Rhodes Amos 440609 p1 Farewell Swim Fatal to Grayson Naval Inductee; He was scheduled to be inducted into the Navy yesterday. And so Amos Rhodes, 23, of Grayson and a group of friends went for a farewell swim in the Tuolumne at the Nine Mile Bridge at Shiloh Hall Wednesday afternoon. It was his farewell swim, because somehow something happened and he went down stream under the bridge, never to come up. Search for the body started that night with Constable C. W. Kirk in charge and later the coroner's office took over. The deceased is the son of J. C. Rhodes of Grayson, his mother having passed away a few years ago. Rhodes Amos 440616 p7 Recover Body of Drowned Naval Inductee; The body of Amos Rhodes, drowned Wednesday afternoon in the Tuolumne River at Nine-Mile Bridge, was recovered Friday evening following a two-day search. The tragic mishap occurred at a picnic planned as a farewell to him prior to his induction in the Navy the next day. The deceased was a native of Tennessee, aged 23 years, and resided at Grayson. He is survived by his wife and one son, LeRoy; his father. J. C. Rhodes of Grayson ; four brothers, Osier, Ariel and Eccord Rhodes and Alva Vires, and one sister, Cleo, all of Grayson; and three sisters residing in Georgia -- Mesdames Cannie Peek, Lizzie Nix and Laura Peek. Grave side services were held Saturday noon at Del Puerto Cemetery with Elder D. A. Layne of Modesto officiating. Arrangements were in charge of the Evans Funeral Chapel. Rose Leonard P 440721 p1 Leonard Rose Passes Away Saturday; Leonard Perry Rose, a resident of the Patterson district for more than thirty years before moving some five months ago to Volta to operate a dairy, passed away in the West Side Hospital early Saturday morning. Suffering from a cold, he had continued to do his ranch work. Pneumonia developed and he was taken to the hospital six days before his death. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning at ten o'clock in the Holy Ghost Catholic Church at Gustine, Rev. E. H. Heubbers conducting the rites. Interment was made in the Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery at Newman under arrangements by the Davis Chapel. A resident of the Azores. Rose was 32 years old. Rose is survived by his wife, Marion, and three children -- Edward, Beverly and Patricia Rose. His parents. Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Rose, reside here. Two brothers and two sisters also survive. They are Joe P. Rose, Jr., and Mrs. Mary Borges of Newman and Mrs. Hazel Brown and John Rose of Patterson. Serpa Vincent 441010 p2 Crows Landing, Nov. 9. -- Vincent Serpa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe V. Serpa, Sr., of Crows Landing, was instantly killed early Sunday evening and Manuel Chaves, also of this city was injured when the sedan, driven by the latter turned over several times on a curve approaching the north city limits of Gustine. The two young men were on their way to attend the wedding dance of their close friend, Alerd Caton, also of Crows Landing, who had claimed Miss Georgiana Ferreira of Gustine as his bride that day. They had been present at the wedding and the reception which followed, had returned to Crows Landing to perform their ranch chores, and were eagerly looking forward to the enjoyment of the evening party. Missed Curve According to the officers who investigated the fatal crash, Chaves evidently failed to note the curve --first of two at that point -- the sedan skidding off the shoulder of the highway onto ground softened by recent rains, and then turning over possibly four or more times. Serpa was thrown from the car, his body being found some seventy-five feet from the machine. Indications were that momentum propelled him through the air to stride the guy wire of a power pole located on the side of the highway, and that his life was snuffed out instantly. To hospital -- Chaves was rushed to the West Side Hospital for treatment and observation, but, in spite of the fact that the car was practically demolished. his injuries were such that he was able to leave the hospital Monday and return to his home. Funeral services for young Serpa were held yesterday morning in the Catholic Church at Crows Landing, with Rev. Manuel Rose conducting the rites. Interment at Newman followed. Serpa was born at Crows Landing twenty-one years ago. He attended Bonita Grammar School and since then has been associated with his father in the conduct of a dairy business. Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister and brother -- Mrs. Joe Freitas of Turlock and Joe V. Serpa, Jr. whose Army unit is now stationed at Fresno. The latter was given a furlough immediately by his commanding officer and will be at home until November 23rd. Silveira A S 440505 p7 Former West Sider Dies Suddenly At Pacific Grove; A. S. Silveira, until six months ago operating a dairy on his ranch at Crows Landing died suddenly Wednesday morning at Pacific Grove where the family had been making their home since leaving the West Side. No details had been received by local relatives but they understood that Silveira had apparently been in good health. He had visited here only last week. Tentative arrangements are for the funeral services to be held at the Newman Catholic Church at ten o'clock on Saturday morning, with Rev. Henry Plunkctt conducting the rites. Interment is to be made in Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery. Silveira, a native of the Azores, was 50 years old and came to the United States in 1915. After residing at Alvarado and Livingston, he moved to Crows Landing to remain for several years, first: as a tenant on the W. F. Fink ranch and later buying the J. D. Fink property. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters, Dorothy and Ida. His two brothers are Joe, who lives at Alvarado. and Manuel, of Gridley. A sister, Mary, is in the Azores. Simas Joe 440616 p1 Passing of Joe Simas Monday at His Home; A heart attack proved fatal to Joe S. Simas at his Walnut Avenue home late Monday afternoon. A native of the Azores Islands, the deceased was 49 years of age and had resided here for the past nine years. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children. Delinda and Theodore, as well as a brother Manuel S. Simas of Santa Clara, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Macedo, residing in the Azores. Rosary services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Wednesday evening. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church yesterday morning with Father Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's, Cemetery. Slaughter Andrew 440505 p1 Air Station Cook Killed in Hotel Fire; Andrew Slaughter, Negro cook at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Crows Landing was killed Wednesday night in a disastrous blaze at Modesto when the Hotel Modesto was gutted. Trapped with his wife and child on the fifth floor, he tried to leap for the firemen's rescue ladder too soon and fell to the pavement below as his grasp slipped. His family were saved. Many other close calls were recorded in the disaster, which destroyed the older portion of the big structure and badly damaged a newer addition. Fire Warden Ossie Ball was called over to aid in handling the blaze. Smith Dale 440630 p2 Two Fatally Hurt When Truck Overturns: Dale Smith; Crows Landing, June 26. -- An overturned truck that immediately burst into flames on Sunday afternoon brought death to a sailor and a 14-year-old boy and inflicted severe burns on the driver of the vehicle. The tragic accident occurred at the Isom turn a mile east of here when the truck went out of control either because of the shifting of the load of lettuce or a locked brake. Headed towards Modesto, the truck capsized about 75 feet east of the sharp turn. The dead sailor is George Hopper, 19, stationed at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Naval Air Station. He was rushed to the Hammand General Hospital at Modesto and died of his injuries and burns at four o'clock the next morning. The second victim was Dale Smith, nephew of Hugh Smith who was driving the truck. The boy was taken to the West Side Hospital at Newman suffering from third degree burns over his entire body. He passed away at eight o'clock Tuesday morning. Also in the same hospital, seriously burned, is the uncle. The three were pulled from the flaming cab by passersby soon after the crash and ambulances summoned. Mrs. Smith came at once from the Watsonville home of the family and stated that her husband had come in from a trip at 1:30 that morning and had been called to make a rush delivery of lettuce to East Side points. When informed that a sailor had been a passenger, she was under the impression that he was the brother of young Dale. The brother is at the Crows Landing station and had asked that his uncle look him up when driving by. Dale was born at Amarillo, Texas, and had been in California for a year and a half, attending high school. The remains were taken to Gilroy where funeral services to be held. Strand Charles Mrs 440512 p1 Passing of Mrs. Charles Strand; Confined to her South Third Street home by illness for several years past, Mrs. Emma Charlotte Strand passed away Monday. A native of Sweden, she was 82 years of age and had resided here for the past 22 years. She is survived by her husband, Charles, and three sons, William of Michigan and Albert and Harry of Patterson. Mr. and Mrs. Strand had recently observed their 62nd wedding anniversary. A brother, Emir Johnson of Atascadero, also survives. Funeral services were held from the Evans Funeral Chapel Wednesday afternoon with Rev. J. D. Bronan of Turlock officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Swerer Milton 440204 p2 Milton Swerer Dies at Modesto; Milton Swerer, for many years a farmer and stockman on land he owned west of the Oak Flat Ranch, passed away last Wednesday night in a rest home at Modesto. A native of Tuttletown, he was 81 years old. Several years ago he sold his Coast Range property and recently had been making his home at Modesto. Among his relatives are two brothers, Frank Swerer, also a former resident here, of Modesto and C. W. Swerer of Tuttletown. Tapen George W 440324 p1 Flier Dies as Result of Crash Injuries; Crash of a Navy flier south of town, reported last week, resulted fatally for the victim, who passed away in a Modesto hospital the next day. Ensign George W. Tapen, 22, of Brookline, Massachusetts, was the officer, whose name was released by Naval District headquarters following notification of his family. Tapen was last in a squadron returning to the field from night flying maneuvers when his plane failed to come out of a final dive. Thoresen August 441215 p1 A. Thoresen Passes Away Monday; August Thoresen, longtime local resident, passed away Monday evening at a Turlock hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for a week. A native of Norway, he was 72 years of age and had resided in this community for the past twenty-four years. Only immediate relative surviving is a brother, Thomas Thoresen, who resides in Fargo, North Dakota. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Evans Chapel with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Van Hess Arlene 440421 p6 Two Dead; Two Critically Hurt in Crash: Arlene Van Hess; A terrific head-on crash on the West Side Highway three miles north of Vernalis early yesterday morning resulted in the death of two and critical injuries to two others involved. Miss Arlene Van Hess, 18, and Paul Pints, 17. of Modesto, are dead and Leland Hendricks, 17, of Modesto, and Samuel Mires, soldier from Camp Roberts arc badly hurt. Mires was northbound when he met the car containing the three others. Van Sickle Ira 440218 p1 Ira Van Sickle, Long Resident Passes Away; Ira. Van Sickle retired farmer and long-time resident of Patterson Colony, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday morning following a month's illness. A native of Iowa, he was 79 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Van Sickle came to Patterson in 1914. She passed away about a year ago. He is survived by five children by his first wife, all of whom reside in Iowa. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Tuesday with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Waters Elizabeth 440714 p1 Hold Funeral Rites for Mrs. M. E. Waters; Funeral services were held here Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Elizabeth Waters, wife of M. E. Waters. Long-time Patterson residents, the family moved to Vallejo seven years ago, where she passed away quite suddenly last Saturday. A native of New Zealand, aged 69, she had been in California for 44 years. One son, Burton, now a seaman in the Navy. and a granddaughter, Carol, also survive. Services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Henry Rodgers of Newman officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Woodward Grisella B 441020 p1 Pioneer Colony Resident Passes Away Monday; Mrs. Grisella Belle Woodward, pioneer resident of Patterson Colony, passed away at the West Side Hospital near Newman early Monday morning, where she had been ill for a week or so. A resident of California for 52 years, Mrs. Woodward came to the new colony with her husband in 1911, shortly after it was developed and has resided here for 33 years. A native of Venton, Iowa, the deceased was 72 years of age. Beside her husband, J. H. Woodward, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Anna Keller of Kansas, and one brother, J. C. Fulton of Patterson. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon, with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery. Woodward Louis C 441201 p1 Passing of L. C. Woodward Here Tuesday; Louis Cass Woodward passed away Tuesday evening at the J. H. Woodward home on Las Palmas Avenue. A native of Iowa, he had resided here for the past year, coming here from Pomona, where the family lived for 14 years. He is survived by his wife, Winona, and two sons, Rex, and Max of Patterson, and one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Edelbeck of Pomona. Four grandchildren also survive him. He was a brother of J. H. Woodward of Patterson and Frank and Alonzo Woodward of Idaho and Mrs. Allie Mitchell of San Diego. Funeral services were held at the Evans Chapel yesterday afternoon, with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating. The remains ere shipped to Pomona for interment, where graveside services will he held this afternoon. Wright Joseph G 440922 p1 Pensioner Passes Away at Modesto; Joseph G. Wright, long-time resident of this area, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday. He had been employed on various farms in this vicinity and was formerly a plumber in Crows Landing, but for some years has been retired on pension. A native of Corvallis, Oregon, he was 76 years of age. A niece in Berkeley took charge of the remains, which were shipped to that city by the Evans Funeral Chapel for services Monday morning, followed by cremation.