Delvin Starr Mix

Robert “Rob” Raymond Ritola

Harold Fairn Tupper, Jr

Arletta Jean (Taylor) Tupper

Rodney Lee Shelburne Wells

Delvin Starr Mix was born July 16, 1956 in Susanville, Calif. and entered into rest Dec. 5, 2011 in Reno, Nev.

Delvin lived the majority of his life in Susanville. He enjoyed traveling, doing beadwork and taking care of his 10 dogs. Delvin was from the Maidu Tribe and was very proud of his heritage.

He is survived by his mother, Clara Le Compte; significant other, Regina Ellenwood; sisters, Valerie Edwards, Darlene Joe, Rhonda Rupert, Sharon and Debbie; brothers, Mickey Mix, John Mix, Gus Mix, Rhinno Mix, Carl Edwards and James Edwards; daughters, Wakara and Starr; sons, Donsugi and Carlyle; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donnie Mix and Darrell Mix Jr.

Robert “Rob” Ritola passed away on Nov. 27, 2011, while vacationing with his wife, Kim, of thirty-five years on Beachcomber Island, Fiji. Rob was 58.

Rob was born to Robert Andrew Ritola and June Leitaker on Aug. 10, 1953 (both deceased) and raised in Humboldt County moving to Susanville, Calif., in 1963. He graduated from Lassen High School in 1972, joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1975. Rob married Kimberly Pence in 1976 and they have made their home with their two daughters Deana and Bobbie in Siskiyou County for the past 26 years. Robert was a hard-working rancher and avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, farm, work wood and give his “Pooh Bear” (Kim) a hard time.

He was employed by the Department of Corrections for 28 years until his medically-mandated retirement in 2006 due to the incapacitating affects of multiple strokes. Since his retirement he and Kim have traveled to South Africa, Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and anywhere warm! Rob enjoyed computer games, Facebook and his grandchildren Kylie, Bryce and Colton.

Rob is survived by his beloved wife, best friend and working buddy, Kim; daughter Deana Bowen and son-in-law Branden, of Ft. Jones, their 3 children and unborn child; daughter Bobbie and her unborn child, of Monterey, Calif.; sister LeeAnn McCoy and brother-in-law Kevin McCoy, of Phoenix, Ariz.; from Susanville, brother Jay Ritola and sister-in-law, Cathy; step-parents Curt and Linda Leitaker; step-brothers, Karl and Curtis Leitaker, their wives Cathleen and Vicky; stepsisters, Chele Damuth and her husband Don, from Spearfish, S.D. and Maj. Tami Meyers, of Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 17, 2011, at Ft. Jones Cemetery with a “Celebration of Life” reception held immediately after at the Catholic Parish Hall, Ft. Jones.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Stroke Foundation — Stroke Research (strokeassociation.org) or Fairchild Medical Center Foundation (fairchildfoundation.org).

Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at girdnerfuneralchapel.com.

Harold Fairn Tupper, Jr., 86, of Susanville, passed away Nov. 13, 2011, in the company of his children.

Son of Jessie Elizabeth (Moran) Tupper and Harold Fairn Tupper, Sr., Harold was born July 9, 1925, in Durant, Okla. He had two siblings, William Tupper (deceased) and Elizabeth Sandstrom.

“Tupper,” as he was affectionately known, was a loving father and adoring husband. In 1950 he married Arletta Jean Taylor. Together they raised six strong and independent children. Arletta passed away Nov. 9, leading the way to their next great adventure.

Harold had a four-decade career in education. He was a public school teacher in Marysville, Calif., then principal, and then an administrator with the California Youth Authority and the California Department of Corrections. When he retired in 1990, he was Advisor of Academic Instruction at Susanville CCC. He had a key role in designing and implementing the college curriculum program for California inmates; a program that significantly reduced recidivism.

As a volunteer, Harold took pride in working with the Lassen County American Legion, whose members recognized his passion for service and encouraged and appreciated his efforts. He drove the transport van to Reno for many years. He was also instrumental in establishing Bobby Sox Softball in Lassen County, managing and coaching with Arletta.

Harold is survived by Elizabeth Sandstrom (sister); and his six children, Deborah Tupper (Michael Sawyer), Harold F. Tupper III (Lynda), Matthew Tupper, Rebecca Newman (Walter), Jennifer Tupper and Jeffrey Tupper (Barry Ross). There are six grandchildren, Harold F. Tupper IV, Kristen Sawyer, Timothy Sawyer, Aimee Ross-Tupper, Jonathon Ross-Tupper and Cicily Tupper. There are three great-grandchildren: Damian Tupper, Evan Tupper and Gabriel Tupper.

His family would like to thank all of those who made his last days comfortable, especially his friends and the staff at Honey Lake Hospice and Country Villa Riverview. He will be missed for his wonderful sense of fun and great “Blue Sky” stories.

A graveside memorial for Harold and Arletta will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Honey Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanville, CA 96130.

Arletta Jean (Taylor) Tupper, 82, of Susanville, passed away Nov. 9, 2011, surrounded by her six loving and devoted children. Four days later, she was joined in death by Harold Tupper Jr., her husband of nearly 62 years.

Daughter of Eva Dell Atkins and Alvin Edward Taylor, Arletta was born Feb. 4, 1929 in Eureka, Calif. She had two sisters Elizabeth Hedlund (deceased), and Darylene Oxtot and a brother James Taylor (deceased). She met Harold Tupper Jr. while they were both students at Humbolt State. Sweethearts for life, they married in 1950.

Arletta’s greatest pleasures were being a wife and raising a family. She had a wicked sense of humor and delighted in scaring her children while watching spooky movies. She was a good friend and neighbor. She created an environment that was comfortable and welcoming. Her home was always filled with play and love.

Arletta had a keen, inquisitive wit, taking college courses into her seventies. She raised her children to be independent, industrious and creative. She was very involved with local sports and volunteer organizations, but especially pleased with her participation in Lassen County Bobby Sox Softball. She was an ardent coach and manager and instrumental in the early years of organization. She had a strong belief in God and lived by the Ten Commandments. She found great beauty in nature, as expressed by her abundant garden, filling it with irises, roses, fruit trees and a collection of rocks from her adventures and the adventures of her family. Her touch was magical and she could grow anything from a seed or pit.

Arletta is survived by Darylene Oxtot, sister; and by her six children, Deborah Tupper (Michael Sawyer), Harold Fairn Tupper III (Lynda), Matthew Tupper, Rebecca Newman (Walter), Jennifer Tupper, and Jeffrey Tupper (Barry Ross). There are six grandchildren, Harold Fairn Tupper IV, Kristen Sawyer, Timothy Sawyer, Aimee Ross-Tupper, Jonathon Ross-Tupper and Cicily Tupper. She also had three great grandchildren, Damian Tupper, Evan Tupper and Gabriel Tupper.

A celebration for Arletta and Harold will be held in the spring. It was their favorite time and is special for the family in that it celebrates rebirth and renewal of life and spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Honey Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanville, CA 96130.

Rodney Lee Shelburne Wells died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy, at the age of 75.

He was born in Fresno, Feb. 18, 1936, to Donald and Charlotte (Stapleton) Shelburne. He was raised by Merwin (Red) and Charlotte Wells.

In passing Rodney leaves his wife of 51 years, Judith A. Wells of Quincy; daughter Michelle Wells; sons, Mike Wells of Loomis; Matt Wells of San Francisco and Robert Lee Gibson of San Ramon; along with four grandchildren.

A celebration of Rodney’s life was held at the Quincy Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Tuesday, Dec. 13. Interment with military honors will take place in the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, Wednesday, Dec. 14. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

The family suggests any remembrances in Rodney’s memory be made to Quincy High School Athletics c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 53, Quincy, CA 95971.