Life Tributes for the week of 10/23/18

Thomas J. Beard

Longtime Lassen County resident Thomas J. Beard went to be with the Lord, at home due to natural causes on July 9, 2018 at the age of 91. Tom went from this life with the satisfaction of a life well lived and given to the service of his country.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri to Paul and Mary Beard, Tom was the youngest of three brothers. He was raised with farming by milking cows and hand churning butter. Tom excelled in sports playing football and making all state in wrestling for his class. At age 18, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army for WWII.

Placed in a rifle platoon in the Battle of the Bulge, Tom saw strong combat action in the Ardennes, Normandy, and the Rhineland of Germany. Cold damage occurred to tens of thousands of soldiers during the Belgium subzero winters. A member of the 75th Infantry Division, Tom was decorated with medals: Army of Occupation, European African Middle Eastern Campaign, World War II Victory, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Tom graduated Penn State University with a B.S. degree in forestry. In California he began a career with the US Forest Service by timber cruising and as district ranger on the Mad River Ranger District where he met his future wife Barbara. His experience extended into firefighting, timber, and lands management. He was a licensed professional forester with the state of California.

Awarded a certificate of merit by LNF Tom was named “Mr. Biomass” for his instrumental role in the creation and operation of the Wendel geothermal biomass power plant. He was a strong advocate of fire safety, fuels reduction and defensible space on both private and public property.

Tom celebrated more than 56 years of marriage and 38 years of service with the USFS.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Beard; his older brothers, Owen and Paul Jr.; and his wife Barbara. He is survived by his son, William Beard, of Susanville; daughter, Mary Smith; granddaughters, Abby and Kylah Smith, of Chico, California.

Tom served God and country with honor and distinction. He was laid to rest with full military honors next to his beloved wife Barbara at Diamond Crest Cemetery. His family appreciates your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Donations to his memory can be made to the church or charity of your choice in his name.

Donald “DJ” Jack Short

Donald “DJ” Short was born in Susanville, California and passed away Oct. 12, 2018 at his home in Susanville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Short; step-father, Arleigh Del Grande; sisters, Christine Leedham and Kathleen Del Grande; grandson, Raleigh Parker. He is survived by his mother, Jeanne Del Grande; wife, Carla; daughter, Donelle (Brian) Wade; step-daughter, Michele Schindler; step-son, Scott McBeen; siblings, Michael Del Grande (Denise), Patrick (Toni) Del Grande; and five grandchildren.

Donald was raised in Eureka, California and spent his summers in Herlong and Janesville with his father and grandparents. He served in the Navy 1964-1968. He worked at California Department of Corrections for 30 years.

Donald and Carla married on Oct. 28, 1978 in Reno, Nevada and made their home in Susanville and raised their children together. He was a very loving husband and father.

Donald loved to hunt and fish, but his passion was driving racecars. He raced for more than 30 years. Donald was a friend to everyone and helped anyone in need. He will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Services will be held at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. followed by a burial at Diamond Crest Cemetery and reception at Diamond Mountain Casino. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Honey Lake Hopice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanaville, California. 96130 or a charity of your choice.

Rose Marie Mecham

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Rose Marie Mecham passed away in the comfort of her home at the age of 78 following a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Rose was born Feb. 5, 1940 on her family’s farm in Decatur County, Iowa to Morris and Lenna Lemonds. She was born the third of six children.

Rose moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1960 where she met Robin Mecham, marrying him on Aug. 11, 1962 in Boulder City, Nevada. They lived in Boulder City, Nevada, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Phoenix, Arizona before settling in Susanville, California in the beginning of 1977, where she lived the rest of her life.

Rose worked as a bookkeeper for the Lassen County Superintendent of Schools for more than 20 years. Following her retirement, she continued using her talent acting as bookkeeper for Crossroads Ministries. Rose managed the Crossroads Thrift Store, CR Stuff, for many years where she made many friends and helped build a great community of volunteers. Though her work and volunteer service was important to her, her greatest love on this earth was for her family.

Rose is mother of two sons, Shawn (wife Kyna) and Mike (wife Jennifer); Grandma to five, Samuel, and Kenneth (wife Kristian), Devin (wife Lauren), Michaela (husband Luke Baker), and Breanne; and Great Grandma to Ellie, Norah, Emma and Leland Mecham, and Winnie, Lenna and Nettie Baker.

Rose is preceded in death by her father Morris and her mother Lenna, her sister Ruth and her brother Louie. She is survived by her husband Robin of Susanville, and her sisters Charlotte, Sally and Linda all of Iowa, and by her sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rose loved everybody, and everybody loved Rose.

There will be a memorial service at Gospel Tabernacle on Fourth and Ash in Susanville on Tuesday at 11 a.m., Oct. 23. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rose’s name to Crossroads Ministries SpareADime, Inc. at Plumas Bank.