Jennifer Rose Boatright

Robert Alan Hildebrand

James (Jim) Clair Jeskey

Merald Lyle Murchison, Sr.

Harold Talmadge Benefield

Born April 15, 1981 and raised in Lassen County, Jennifer passed peacefully at her home in Colfax, Calif. early Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, 2011, after a valiant journey with melanoma cancer. Jenny had a wonderful sense of adventure, traveling to Mexico, Nicaragua and other South American countries to follow her intellectual, personal and cultural passions based in Liberation Theology and human justice. She also lived and worked in the Earthship Community in Taos, N.M. and farmed the organic orchards of Placerville, Calif. Her warmth, love of life, and passion for exploration touched everyone whose path she crossed. Throughout her illness, Jenny always managed a smile that made others smile as well. Jenny graduated from Lassen High School in 1999 and continued on to graduate from Humboldt State with a degree in religious studies. Jennifer is predeceased by her adoring father, James Boartight, and is survived by her mother, Georgann Chiozza, sisters Kimberly and Rachael, brothers Blane, Keith, Karl and David and their families. She is also survived by numerous other loving family members, friends and her traveling companion and devoted dog, Dutch.

Jennifer Rose — always in our thoughts — forever in our hearts.

Services were held Nov. 19 at the Sisters of Mercy Chapel in Auburn, Calif. followed by a celebration of life reception in Applegate, Calif. Jennifer requested that gifts in memory be made to organizations that supported her during her illness and beyond, including Commonweal (Cancer Retreat) P.O. Box 316, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 and Sisters of Mercy in Auburn, Calif.

July 11, 1947 — Nov. 18, 2011

Bob Hildebrand, loving husband and father, passed away Nov. 18 peacefully at home with his wife Thelma and sister by his side. Bob had recently retired from Sierra Army Depot after 29 years of service. Bob was known for his good-natured, friendly personality. His nicknames included “fish hawk,” “fuel god” and “one way.” He was a true friend to all who knew him. He took care of his family and had a big heart.

Over the years Bob spent much of his time in the outdoors. He loved fishing Eagle Lake, hunting, reading, riding motorcycles and hiking. He was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1968.

Bob moved his family to Lassen County in 1978, first working for Coin Lumber prior to Sierra Army Depot. As a youth, Bob enjoyed growing up in the desert and his time spent on the Colorado River, having lived in Parker, Ariz. and Needles, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William and Martha Hildebrand; and sister Marla K. Gomez; all formerly of Janesville.

Bob is survived by his wife Thelma, and daughter Marci (Casey) Cobb, of Susanville; brother Bill (Vicki) Hildebrand and sister Marsh (Darryl) Gardner, both of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Honey Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanville, CA 96130.

The family will be holding a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Susanville, Calif.

James (Jim) Clair Jeskey passed away peacefully on Nov. 10, 2011 with his family by his side after a yearlong battle with throat cancer.

Jim was born to Carl and Marian Jeskey in Susanville, Calif. July 23, 1926. Jim was always proud of his pioneer heritage being a descendent of the Leavitt and Hart families in Lassen County. He was a graduate of Lassen High School and was honored as Alumni of the Year in 1967. He served in the Army during World War II, and after being discharged, he returned to Susanville and attended Lassen College where he met his soulmate for life, Jane Anderson. They were married Dec. 18, 1949. They moved to Oakland where Jim continued his education at Berkeley pursuing a degree in business. Jim and Jane found that the big university life was not for them so they returned to northern California where Jim and his father Carl went into the aggregate business together.

Jim changed career paths in 1965, went to work for the city of Susanville as city clerk and later finance director. While working for the city he went back to school and received his degree in business administration from Chico State University. He finished his career at Lassen College, retiring as purchasing agent.

Jim was a dedicated public servant. He loved Susanville and Lassen County and strived to make this community a better place. He served on the city council two different times in his life and was chosen as mayor in each term. He was referred to as the “negotiator” in local government. He was able to get the city and county to work together to get projects completed. He served, chaired and was honored for serving on many boards and committees in his lifetime. The most recent included: Lassen County Fair Advisory Board, Lassen Regional Solid Waster Board, Lassen County Grand Jury (twice), Northeastern Rural Health Board, Lassen County Treasury Oversight Committee, BLM Advisory Board and Courthouse Renovation Committee. He was an integral part of Sierra Army Depot Base Realignment Committee.

Jim was also active in several local clubs. He was past president and received the Paul Harris Fellowship award with the Rotary Club. He was recently honored as a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. Jim was past president and was active in the Silver Lake Homeowner Association.

Jim may have been busy with civic affairs, but he always had time for his family. In the summer the family spent many weekends together at their cabin at Silver Lake. He loved his family and was always a caring and patient husband, father and grandfather. Jim will be missed deeply by family and friends. He leaves us so many wonderful memories and lasting impressions from the way he lived his life and the way he touched ours.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jane, daughters and their husbands, Marsha and Robert Smith and Sally and Jim Timperley, his grandchildren Jeremy (Kindra) and Rachelle Smith and great-granddaughter Kaydence Smith.

Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Lassen High School Alumni Association or, as was Jim’s philosophy, donate some of your time toward making your community a better place.

Celebration of Life was held at 12 p.m. Nov. 18, 2011 at Jensen Hall.

Merald Lyle Murchison, Sr., AKA: Griz, peacefully passed from this life Thursday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2011, at Banner Lassen Medical Center with his loving family at his side. He had fought a valiant battle with cancer.

Born in Baker, Ore., on May 12, 1941, he was raised and educated in Chester, graduating from Chester High School. He moved to Susanville in 1975 where he was employed for Sierra Pacific Industries and later owned and operated Murchison Trucking before retiring with Gilbert Ketcherside Trucking.

“PaPa" Lyle enjoyed treating his grandchildren to rides and letting them sit in the truck blowing the horn. His other passions in life were NASCAR, football and family gatherings. The family could always rely on razzing Sunday afternoon telephone calls about racing and football, not ending until the race or games were completed.

In passing Lyle leaves his wife, Susan; mother, Isabelle Murchison; sisters, Dorothy McDonough and Sharon Roberts; children, Lyle Jr., Keith, Gene, Penny and Boyd; stepsons, Matt and Josh; twelve grand-children and one great-grandchild.

He joins in his eternal home his father, Merald Murdo Murchison; daughter, Sharlene and grandson, Michael.

A celebration of Lyle’s life is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Gospel Tabernacle, 425 Ash St., Susanville. A reception will follow at the Susanville Senior Citizens Center, side dishes would be appreciated.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family, along with signing the memorial guest register, is available online atfehrmanmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks thatremembrances in Lyle’s memory be made to Honey Lake Hospice, P. O. Box 1166, Susanville, CA 96130.

Harold Talmadge Benefield

Longtime Greenville resident Harold Talmadge Benefield, 92, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, at Country Villa Riverview in Susanville.

He was born in Wetumpka, Okla., on June 2, 1919, to the late Fonzie and Ruth (Smith) Benefield.

In passing Harold leaves his children, William J. Benefield of Janesville, Richard and Gary Benefield, both of Minden, Nev., and Sherrie L. Wilson of Greenville; brothers, Fonzie and Jimmy; sisters, Etta, Betty, Berta, Wanda and Margaret; ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He joins his son, Harold; brother, Warren and three grandchildren in their eternal home.

A celebration of Harold’s life will take place at a later date. Interment will take place alongside his late wife in the Greenville District Cemetery. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.