Life Tributes for the week of 10/29/19

Joe Burl Henderson

Our loving father Joe Burl Henderson passed away Sept. 15, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. He was born in Oklahoma on Sept. 18, 1931; he was 87 years old. He was the third born of five children. He lived in Susanville for more than 45 years. He married Betty Jo Moore in 1956 until her passing on Sept. 23, 2001.

Joe had a wonderful career with the Department of Corrections for 27 years. He was a dedicated employee, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his son, Joe B. Henderson; daughter, Ruby L. Henderson, both of Susanville; daughter, Brenda Henderson Gorbet; and Scott Gorbet, son-in-law, of Sparks, Nevada.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 2, 2019 at Diamond Crest Cemetery with a Celebration of Life immediately following at the Masonic Temple in Susanville.

Jake Benell Price

Jake Benell Price passed away Oct. 13, 2019 with his beloved family by his side. Jake was born Feb. 24, 1944 to Ben and Edna Price then living in Cordelia, California.

After spending four years in the military and receiving an honorable discharge, Jake returned to Oregon and purchased a horse ranch where he for many years trained and showed Tennessee Walking horses as well as boarding horses for customers. More recently Jake and Shirley had turned their farm into “Equestrian Wine Tours” which was a positive change for them as well as their community. During his illness, Grants Pass, Oregon was their home.

Amazingly Jake had an unbelievable sense of energy and humor, always the entertainment at gatherings of family and friends. Jake’s passing creates a huge vacancy in our hearts, but his memory will be with us forever.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Edna Price; and sister, Bonna Ytciana.

Survivors are his wife, Shirley, of Grants Pass; sister, Barbara Heryford (Bill), of Cedarville, California; brother, Bud Price (Bea Price), of Susanville; mother-in-law, Betty Hyatt; sister-in-law, Judy Odom; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at a later date in Cedarville, California.

Joseph Barba

Joseph (Joe) Barba, 94, of Susanville, California, passed away Oct. 18 2019, in Reno, Nevada. Joe was born in Susanville to Louis and Adella Barba. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susie; his parents and siblings, Julia Rodriguez, Katherine Souders and Edward Barba.

Joe is survived by his daughters; Madeline McIntire and Patricia Webber, of Susanville, Wilhelmina (Louis) Buchanan of Las Vegas, Nevada, Joyce (Arlan) Melendez of Reno, Nevada; his son, Fred (Paige) Gusman, of Reno; and by his brother and sister, Tom Barba and Teresa (Edward) Phillips, of Susanville. He is also survived by many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Joe was a veteran of WWII, a rifleman, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, First Marine Division in the Pacific Campaign, 1942-1945.

He earned the Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars (Combat “V,” Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal for WWII).

After the war, Joe returned to Susanville, married Susie, and raised their family in Herlong, California and Susanville. He worked in law enforcement as a federal police officer and as a correctional officer for the state of California. He also served as Post Commander for the Susanville VFW.

Joe loved to eat, dance, tell stories, tease and cajole and work in his yard. He also enjoyed the Reno casinos. He was wise and clever, funny and strong and lived a long, full, hard and interesting life.

Funeral services will be held on Nov. 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 120 Union St., Susanville. Rosary is at 10:45 a.m.; Mass is at 11 a.m. Graveside services immediately following at Diamond Crest Cemetery, Susanville. Lunch reception is at Susanville Indian Rancheria Resource Center.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to VFW Post 2381, Veterans Memorial Hall, 1205 Main St., Susanville, CA 96130.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to the caregivers at Pleasant Care Group Home, Compassion Care Hospice in Reno, Nevada, and the Susanville Indian Rancheria for their loving care and support during Joe’s final days, as well as to Walton’s Colonial Mortuary for being exceptionally accommodating and understanding.