Obituaries: Tehachapi News

Thyra N. Rose

Mrs. Thyra N. Rose, of Tehachapi, Calif., died Friday, Nov. 7 at the age of 90. The cause of death was Alzheimer's disease.

Mrs. Rose was born in San Francisco on April 2, 1918, to an English immigrant mother, Miriam Williams, and a Swedish immigrant father, Ernest Johnson. Before the end of the year, her father died as a casualty of the Spanish Influenza pandemic that swept around the world in 1918-1919, killing an estimated 50 million people.

Approximately 600,000 Americans perished during the epidemic. Although her mother also contracted the virus, she survived to raise her young daughter.

Thyra's early years were anything but ordinary, as her mother accepted employment as a member of the famous Ziegfield Follies dance troupe during the early 1920s.

Fortunately, her life soon achieved relative stability after her young mother met and married a World War I veteran and talented reporter in San Francisco, Walter Naughton.

The young family soon moved to Los Angeles after Mr. Naughton accepted employment with the William Randolph Hearst Corporation as a reporter for The Los Angeles Examiner. The Examiner was Los Angeles' premier daily newspaper until the 1950s.

Throughout her school years at Fairfax High School and later as a student at UCLA, Thyra's home life continued to be anything but routine. Later in life, she would often recall returning home from school to find her parents' house filled with notable guests that included the police chief and sheriff of Los Angeles, along with the famous reporter and playwright Damon Runyon. Prohibition-era all-night poker parties supplied with an abundance of alcohol provided by guests in law enforcement were routine.

Following graduation from UCLA in 1940, Thyra soon met a Lockheed Aircraft engineer, John Rose, and they were married on Valentine's Day, 1942. She gave birth to her first son, Russell, the following year. World War II soon intervened in their lives as her husband volunteered to serve as a Naval officer in the Pacific Theater. They would not be reunited for more than two years.

Eventually settling in Calabasas, Calif., to raise her four boys, she would captivate her children with her extensive interest and knowledge of all sports. However, her beloved UCLA Bruin football team remained her primary sports interest well into her 80s. Thyra was an active and accomplished golfer throughout her life and a charter member of the Calabasas Country Club.

Mrs. Rose was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, John, in 2006 and her second son Robert in 1998. She is survived by her beloved and idolizing sons Russell of Tehachapi, Frank of Napa, Calif., and Ronn of Roseville, Calif., along with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Gordon Lee Mort

Gordon Lee Mort was born on June 5, 1944 in Tulare. He passed away after a couragous battle with Leukemia on Nov. 14, 2008 at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield.

He was proceeded in death by his loving wife, Bette Jean Mort; parents Ira and Ella Mort; brothers Mickey and Wayne Mort; sisters Dolly Penrose and Aileen Edwards.
Gordon is survived by his daughter Lisa Rene' Mort and son Robert Gordon Mort, of Tehachapi. Sisters Dorothy Buhler, Mary Ella Vasser, Anna Belle Woody and Brother John Mort; in-laws Harry and Becky Brewer, Stan and Linda Morgan, Karen Mckinney and Sally Burkett. Adopted daughter Sheila Downs and adopted grand-daughter Shelby Hughes. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gordon was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, grandpa and friend. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him. We love and miss you Papa Gordon.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Mobile Estate Park in the Recreation Room, 333 S. Dennison Rd. Anyone that wishes to attend is welcome.

Joseph Alden Mulliniks

Joseph was a long-time Tehachapi resident who passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008.

He was born in Byers, Okla., on March 25, 1923. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Mulliniks, and a son, Sandy Lee Mulliniks.

He is survived by his four loving children, Donna Sprague, Patricia Osborn, Steve Mulliniks, and Glenn Mulliniks. “Jody” also left behind 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held in Tehachapi, his beloved mountain home, at Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc., on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 at 10 a.m. Viewing will be held at Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 3 to 8 p.m.

Immediately following the graveside service on Thursday, a luncheon will be served at Kelcy's Restaurant in Tehachapi; as everyone knew, Joe's favorite place.

Francis ‘Frank’ Marion Niccoli

Francis ‘Frank’ Marion Niccoli
Aug. 15, 1912 - Oct. 23, 2008

Francis Marion Niccoli passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, with his family by his side. He was 96-years-old. He survived by his wife of 77 years, Wanda and his sons, Don and Michele Niccoli. No services are scheduled.

Daniel Cormack

Our dear Uncle Danny passed away Oct. 22, 2008 at 71-years-old.
He was a proud Veteran and a retired postal worker.

He came to Tehachapi six months ago to be with us. He never had children so he was surprised to see a household so full of life and activities. He loved our family very much. When speaking of Brett his great nephew, it was always "that kid is something else." They shared the badge of "sports junkies" together. Savanna was his Florence Nightingale, and Kyle understood his dry sense of humor.

Karen and Duane Walker are grateful for these last six months of being able to give him a full-time family. We love you Uncle Danny.

Inge Marie Schionning

Inge Marie Schionning, aged 87, died peacefully in her Porterville home on Oct. 6, 2008 following a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer's Disease and congestive heart failure.

Inge was born to Viola and Niels Schionning in Randers, Denmark in 1921. She was the fourth child and the first girl in the family. Another boy followed a couple of years later and the family of seven spent many happy hours bicycling, boating, and swimming in the North Sea during annual trips to their summer house in northern Jutland.

As an adult Inge attended nursing school and graduated as a registered nurse. She worked for a time in England and Denmark. At age 30 she immigrated to Thunder Bay, Canada, where she worked for 11 years, became a Canadian citizen, and gave birth to her only child, Susan.

In 1961, Inge moved her small family to California and became a United States citizen. She worked as a visiting nurse, then at the Atascadero State Hospital as a psychiatric nurse, and finally at the Porterville State Hospital from which she retired at age 61.

Inge was always active and independent: her greatest passions were traveling and photography. She visitedmany foreign countries including numerous trips to Denmark, and traveled almost all of the US and Canada. She also enjoyed ocean swimming, horseback riding, flying with her daughter, and taking long walks with the one or two dogs she usually had at her side. Her last three canine companions were rescued Doberman Pinschers: Jagger, Mansfeld, and Queen. They provided great comfort almost to the end.

Inge is survived by her daughter, Susan Schionning, a Tehachapi resident. She was predeceased by all four of her brothers, Knud, Otto, Christian, and Kuart who also succumbed to congestive heart failure in their late seventies and eighties.

Susan would like to extend a personal thank you to Magali Bautista, Juanita Curiel, Angel Biezeman and the nurses, technicians, staff and volunteers of Hospice of Tulare County, all of whom were a great source of help during Inge's long illness.

Donations in Inge's memory will be gratefully accepted by Doberman Pinscher SOS a non-profit Doberman rescue based in Tehachapi. Please send donations to Doberman Pinscher SOS, P. O. Box 2195, Tehachapi, CA 93581-2195.

Nauwausau Madeline Markiewitz

Nauwausau Madeline Markiewitz, long time resident of Mojave, Calif., passed away at age 83 on Aug. 12, 2008, at her daughter’s home in Sacramento. Her kind heart, humble and compassionate nature and positive spirit will be remembered always and missed deeply by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In 1945, she married her “Soldier Boy” sweetheart, Louis Markiewitz, whom she met during WWII, and was uprooted from her home and close family in Heidelberg, Miss., to arrive by train in the wild west town of Mojave. There she taught Sunday school, was a Legal Medical Secretary, worked for the California Highway Patrol and raised three children who became a medical doctor (Dorothy), a dentist (David) and a director of testing at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey (Warren “Mark”).

Along with Louis, she was a Grand Marshall for the Mojave Gold Rush Days in 1998 and she truly loved her desert town of Mojave and her good friends living there. Always giving her time to others, she was a den mother for the cub scouts, chaplain for the Mojave Emblem Club, Secretary of the Mojave AARP, vocalist in the Community Church Choir, one of the Gold Rush Days Golden Girls, and an officer for the PTA. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose encouragement and love gave her family confidence to pursue any dream and her death has left a huge void in their lives.

Greeting her in heaven were her husband Louis Markiewitz; parents Houston and Idalia Coker, and a brother, Reverend David Coker.

Nauwausau is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Dorothy and Brian Peterson and their daughter, Marisa Nicole Williams and her husband Kevin; a son, Mark Markiewitz; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. David and Cheryl Markiewitz and their three children, Jason David Markiewitz and his wife Diana and their children, Victoria and Andrew, Kristi Nauwausau Kerr and her husband Ryan and their children Dillon and Justin and Jonathan Louis Markiewitz and his wife Leah; sisters and their husbands Margaret and Bob Thomas, and Carolyn and Joe Payne; brothers and their wives Randall and Connie Coker, Ken and Barbara Coker, and life-long best friend and cousin whom Wasa loved like a sister, Bernadine Hankins.

On Aug. 19 a memorial service attended by over 150 family and friends was held in Laurel, Miss., followed by the funeral at the Florence Church Cemetery in Sandersville, Miss. Jason Markiewitz read poems about his grandmother Nauwausau from the book he authored, Beneath the Mojave Desert Moon, and Reverend Jimmy Holder officiated the ceremony. Pallbearers were Jason Markiewitz, Kevin Williams, Brad Payne, Adam Coker, Mark Lyon and William Allbrook.

Norman Paul Kell

Norman passed away peacefully, in his sleep, at his home in Stallion Springs.
He is survived by the love of his life Muriel, his wife and soul mate of 58 years. His five loving children; Debi Eaton and husband Jim, Lori Nelson, Steve Kell, April Kell and Sean Kell; brothers; Arthur Kell and wife Barbara, William Kell and wife Gail; grandchildren, Lindsay and Kalee Nelson, Taylor and Shane Kell, Ashley Deegan, Rich Eaton and Ryan Eaton and wife Jessica; great-grandchildren, Nolan Clark, Gavin, Loren, Colten, Ryan and Mason Eaton.

Norman was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He served in the United States Navy for four years and was an Ironworker and Certified Welder. Fishing, hunting, camping, and his family were his passions in life. He loved the outdoors and working in his shop.

Everyone that knew him loved him. Norm will truly be missed by all his family and friends and in our hearts forever.

Our family would like to invite you to a celebration of his life on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. at his and Muriel's home: 18140 Hambletonian Drive, Stallion Springs.
Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.

Louise C. Scheer-Smead

Former Tehachapi resident, Louise C. Scheer-Smead passed away in Bakersfield early Sunday morning, Oct. 12, following a lengthy illness. She was 86-years-old.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 16th at Wood Family Funeral Service Chapel with the graveside service following at Tehachapi Public Cemetery - Eastside.

Mrs. Smead was born in Collinsville, Texas to parents Flenoy Clyde and Willie Mae (Cranford) Coulston on January 25, 1922. She moved to Kern County in 1937 and settled in Tehachapi in 1970 when she married Larry Smead.

Louise worked for Smead Construction Company as office manager for several years. She was very active in the community as a member of Eastern Star, Bakersfield Chapter 125 and served as Worthy Matron in 1964-1965, Shriner's Nile Club, Tehachapi Hospital Guild, served on the election board as well as a member of Tehachapi Community Congregational Church. She liked to crochet and collect stuffed animals, and loved to travel. Louise was passionate about her service and volunteer work.

Louise is survived by her daughters, Patricia Schopp of El Cajon, Linda McAdoo and husband C.L. of Bakersfield, Carol Day of Porterville and Evelyn Scott and husband Jeff of Marietta, Ohio; nephew Larry Mobley of Taft; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; eight great great-grandchildren and her special friend, Betsy O'Kelly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry in April of 1979; parents, Flenoy and Willie Coulston, sister, Opal Ray Mobley; granddaughter, Deborah Wallace-Manuel; great-granddaughter Tonya Manuel; granddaughter, Kelly Opluspic and son-in-law Frank L. Day.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Mrs. Smead's memory to Optimal Hospice: 48700 Stockdale Highway, Suite 120, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. is handling the arrangements.

Khary Khalil Kidd

The sunrise of Khary Khalil Kidd's life began March 28, 1976. He was born to Mudiwa (Irene Hogan) Odeleye and the late Leo Kidd. He was the oldest of three children and took this role very responsively.

Khary attended school in Oakland, St Croix, Los Angeles, and Tehachapi. He graduated from Tehachapi High School in 1994. He participated in basketball and was on the football team for Tehachapi High. He attended Lassen College in Susanville.

He returned to Los Angeles and began his career in 1996 with Greyhound Bus Company, where he worked his way through the ranks to become Production Manager. He was a dedicated and hardworking employee whose work was evidenced by his job title.

Khary was a loving and devoted Father to his 10-year-old son, Khalil. He was an awesome role model teaching his son life's lessons. This loving foundation is the legacy that lives on in Khalil. Khary and Khalil were inseparable, they spent numerous hours watching sports and analyzing the games. Khary loved sports, especially the Oakland Raiders.

In fact, Khary loved life and it showed in his attitude. He had a million-dollar smile and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you and he did it willingly.

Khary was the best big brother to his two siblings Deyaa and Aleke. They knew he had their backs and he was always there for them,including giving them sage advise.
Khary's life ended abruptly on September 16, 2008, but his spirit lives on in our hearts and minds.

Those left to cherish his loving memory are his son, Khalil and Valerie (Khalil's mother); his mother Mudiwa (Irene) Odeleye and her husband Ayokunle; his brother, Deyaa; his sister Aleke; his grandmother, Ester Hogan and many many Aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Beatrice Anne Husar

The family of Beatrice (Betty) Anne Husar is saddened to announce the passing of their mother on Sept. 25, 2008 at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

Services were held at St. Malachy Catholic Church on Sept. 30, 2008.

Betty was the eldest daughter of Joseph F. and Josephine K Gehl. She was born in Milwaukee, Wis on May 10, 1931. She attended Messmer Catholic High School.

She married Anthony J. Husar in a grand ceremony on Aug. 20, 1949 at St. John de Nepomuc Church. In 1958, the family moved from Milwaukee to Southern California and bought a home in the small strip of Los Angeles County known as Clifton Heights. (Now incorporated into Redondo Beach).

The family became members of St Lawrence Martyr Church. She and the family were active at the elementary and senior high schools and many other youth organizations. She retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1983.

In 1984, she and Tony moved again to the more rural area of Tehachapi. She loved Tehachapi as it reminded her of the four seasons in Milwaukee. She wholeheartly involved herself in the community of Stallion Springs and Tehachapi. When her husband, Tony, became ill in 1996, she devoted herself to his care. In 1999 they celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a Catholic Mass and a huge party at the Moose Lodge in Tehachapi. Many friends and family came from throughout the country to share that wonderful weekend. Tony passed on in February of 2000.

She loved and cared for her mother Josephine until her death in 2003. She was a good neighbor and friend to many of the people she met throughout her life and they remembered her and Tony.

From an early age, the Catholic teaching of service to others influenced Betty and this permeated her entire life. She was devoted to her seven children, guiding and enjoying all of them into their adult lives. She spent a career of time as a volunteer for numerous organizations and activities including Girl Scout, Boy Scouts, classroom and sporting activities, church groups, and senior care. As a member of the Catholic Daughters of America at St Malachy Church, she gave of her time and talents. She served in various positions and in 2003 was elected Regent (head honcho) for a two-year term. At the time of her death, she and her gentleman friend, Ray Mulford, were spearheading an effort to bring a senior living facility to the Tehachapi area.

Betty was an eager traveler. As a child she traveled extensively around the Great Lakes region with her parents. ut the six-week road trip from Milwaukee to Southern California in 1958 began a lifetime of travel with Tony that would include six of the seven continents. The most memorable trip was a six-week family vacation to Alaska in 1970. She often said that it was the grandest of family vacations. After Tony's passing, she continued to travel with her Church group and other friends. She was looking forward to a trip to China and the Great Wall in 2009.

A good challenge was something that Betty could not resist and she took them all on with gusto. Whether it was running a Cub Scout Pack or designing and building houses with Tony, everything was well thought out and done with flair. She had a style all her own.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and husband, and two grandchildren. She is survived by her seven children: Susan (Robert) Robins, James (Mary) Husar, Mark (Cynthia) Husar, John (Debra) Husar, Judith (Victor) Mettler, Donald (Shirley) Husar, and Lynda (Ronald) Weldy, twenty-four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services were officiated by Fr Joel Davadilla at St. Malachy Catholic Church on September 30, 2008. The members of the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) organized the wake and rosary on the preceding evening. The CDA also hosted the reception and luncheon after the funeral services. Her remains will be entombed along side her husband at the Bakersfield National Cemetery at the Tajon Ranch in early 2009.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Catholic Daughters of America in Tehachapi.

Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to all who gave generously of their time and talents to Betty's funeral services and reception.

Eugene Wilmer Mason

Eugene Wilmer Mason entered eternity peacefully in the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2008. Gene was born June 26, 1920, to William and Alice Wareheim Mason in Manitou Springs, Colo.

He attended Manitou Springs High School, after graduating he attended undergrad studies in Colorado, before moving on to USC in Los Angeles. He also achieved a

Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer Chiropractic School in Los Angeles.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII, with tours in England and Europe. After WWII Gene returned to Manhattan Beach, Calif. and began working for North American Aviation, Rocketdyne & Rockwell International in the aircraft & aerospace divisions for more than 35 years.

Antelope Valley later became his home for over 30 years, Gene became one of the original commuters from Lancaster to the San Fernando Valley in the 1960s. He retired in 1980 and built his own home near the golf course at Bear Valley Springs. Gene enjoyed many long days and afternoons of golf for more than twenty years in BVS.

Gene recently relocated to Granada Hills living at A Loving Heart - Senior Care where he told his tales, sang his songs, and was admired by all.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Loren Mason; the mother of his children, Kathleen Lane Mason; and his second wife, Irene Mason. He is survived by his son Mark (Diane) Mason of Granada Hills, daughter Lynda (Jim) Oswald of Seaside, and his son, David (Kerri) Mason of Lancaster. Gene was the proud grandfather of Laurel (Derrick) Miller and Michael Oswald of Los Angeles, Jayme Oswald and Kevin Oswald of Seaside; Ryan Mason and Kellie Mason of Granada Hills, and Taylor Mason and Hayden Mason of Lancaster.

A memorial service was held poolside on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, in Lancaster near the slide he went down celebrating his 85th birthday.

“And now Gene begins Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before”

~ adapted from The Chronicles of Narnia - The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis

Foy Albert Pierce

Foy Albert Pierce, age 73, passed away on Sept. 26, 2008 in Tehachapi . He was born to Foy and Videl Pierce on Dec, 29, 1934, in Fresno. He had been a resident of Kern County for ten years.

Foy married Barbara Carol Bukewihge on May 1, 1983 in Gardena, Calif. and had recently celebrated their twenty fifth wedding anniversary. Foy was a Model Technician in the AeroSpace Industry, a field in which he worked for twenty five years. He was a member of the United States Army Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1963.

Foy had a passion for cars. He loved to restore classic hot rods; his favorites being his 1950 Chevy Deluxe Coupe and his 1960 Buick Skylark. He also loved working in his yard and playing with his eight cats and four dogs.

Foy is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Dean Pierce and wife Roberta; Don Pierce and Troy Pierce; daughters, Jerri Warren and Tamera Pedia and husband Todd. He is also survived by sister, Dovie Bywater; brother, Jerry Landen; twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Foy and Videl Pierce.

He was a wonderful husband, father and friend.

Laura S. Lindsey

Laura S. Lindsey, of Stockton, passed away Oct. 9, 2008.

Laura was born May 22,1949 to Walter and Laura Gessner, in Great Falls, Mont.

Laura is survived by her husband, George Lindsey and her two sons, Shane Lindsey of Lodi, Jason Lindsey of Bakersfield; her mother, Laura Gessner of Woolbridge; her sister Vicki Davidson of Pacific Grove, and Sandy Gessner-Crabtree of Washington.

Everyone who knew Laura knew her as Su. In Su’s life she traveled intensively with her family, living three years in England. She graduated from Fresno State’s nursing program with a BSRN in 1971, then worked in intensive care at St. Agnis for nine years.

After moving to Tehachapi, Su earned her teaching degree and had a long and successful career in teaching. During this period she was also the school nurse. She ended her teaching career at Ansel Adams Elementary School. She was a successful business woman with an arts and crafts store and family shop.

She will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her creativity, humor, and love for her students.