Life Tributes for the week of 7/31/18
Frank Ernaga
Frank Ernaga, 87, of Susanville, California, passed away April 30, 2018. Ernaga was born on Aug. 22, 1930 in Susanville.
He graduated from Lassen High School and Lassen Junior College before attending UCLA to play baseball where he was an All-American. Before graduating from UCLA he participated in the Korean War for two years and upon his return to the states he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs.
After playing a few years in the minor leagues, he was called up to the major leagues and played for the Chicago Cubs during the 1957-58 seasons. During his first at bat as a Chicago Cub, Ernaga hit a home run and followed it up with a triple his second time at bat in the majors. To this day, Ernaga is the only Chicago Cub to hit a home run and a triple in the same game. What made this accomplishment even more impressive is both hits were hit off hall of famer Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves.
After his play in the majors, Ernaga was traded to the Washington Senators, an expansion team, and was offered a position as a player coach. However, Ernaga declined the offer to go back home to Susanville to raise his family where he started a construction company and became a devoted member of the community.
Frank was a selfless and thoughtful man who was an avid sports fan and outdoorsman. He enjoyed attending sporting events, fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends. He never missed an event with his grandchildren, who knew him as Papa. Papa was their favorite coach, baseball player, enthusiastic storyteller, comedian, motivator and their number one fan. He loved nothing more than showing off his kids’ and grandkids’ accomplishments. He was a great Dad and an even better Papa.
Ernaga is survived by his children, David and Jim Ernaga, of Susanville, Stephanie Van Hooser, of Sparks, Nevada; as well as his grandchildren, Logan and Katelyn Ernaga, and Baelyn and Kallyn Van Hooser. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judy, in 1997.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 at the Memorial Baseball Field on North Street in Susanville. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lassen High School Alumni Association.
Joyce L. Hart
Our dear mother Joyce passed away peacefully in Susanville on Friday, July 20, 2018 at the age of 86 surrounded by family.
She has moved on to join her husband Stanley Eugene Hart, granddaughter Shelly Lynn Humphrey, parents, brothers Roy and Roger Johnson, and many other beloved family members and dear friends.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1931 in San Francisco, California to Arthur and Lydia Johnson. She was the second born of five children; Roy (dec.), Alan (Jeannie), Roger (dec.), and Carol (Donn).
Mom loved sharing her memories of being raised in a sparsely populated neighborhood, on the grassy hill in Bernal Heights District of San Francisco. She liked being surrounded by her treasured grandmother, aunts, cousins and other family. She spoke often of how they would ride the buses to Play Land, the zoo, the ocean and uptown to buy lunch or snacks for 50 cents.
In her teens, the Johnson family moved to Sawyers Bar, California, in Siskiyou County.
There her father took ownership of a small country store that Mom worked in along with helping to look after her younger siblings.
As a young adult, she returned to San Francisco for a short time and lived with her grandmother, then returned to Sawyers Bar. It was there that she met our dad where he was logging during the summer.
They were married July 5, 1956 living in Redway and Covelo, California. They had four kids; Susan Hart, of Susanville; son Ross Hart, of Bealeton, Virginia; daughter, Donna Hart; and son Dean Hart, of Alturas, California.
In 1966, they moved the family to Westwood and then on to Susanville in 1969 to which they soon called home. Mom was a homemaker for many years while us kids where young.
Years later she took a job as a clerk for Warrens Pharmacy and then at the Senior Nutrition Center; both giving her ample opportunity to become more acquainted with many others in the Susanville community.
Mom loved treasured times with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren; Rusty Hart (Shanna), Ryan Hart, Mason Wolf (Erica); and her four great-granddaughters, Abigale, Isabelle, Kaiya and Claire.
Mom was best known for sharing a good joke, playing cards or board games with friends, reading and working puzzles.
She would strive to smile and maintain a cheerful and positive disposition. She was well known for baking treats for friends and neighbors and always eager to meet and welcome any newcomers to her neighborhood.
Mom will be dearly missed by family and many close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be planned and announced at a later date.
David R. Villalovos
Nov. 29, 1959 –
July 09, 2018
David Richard passed away at Renown Hospital in Reno, Nevada with his sisters by his side singing spiritual songs and quoting scripture.
David was a big man with a big heart. He enjoyed family gatherings, watching football and just hanging out with friends. David was a very special person who will be greatly missed.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Refugio and Isabel (Flores) Villalovos. He is survived by his sisters, JoAnn Villalovos, of Westwood and Olivia Berg (Dennis), of Westwood; brother, Vicente Villalovos (Janet), of Red Bluff; niece, Denee; and nephews, Clint and Ken; as well as numerous, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at Westwood Assembly of God Church.
We appreciate all who called or sent cards of condolence.
Goodbye Dave … see you at the Resurrection!
Margaret Elizabeth Bradley
Margie was born in San Diego in 1968, attended Mesa College, and lived there until she wed in 1993. As a military wife, she lived in four different states before settling in the Susanville area in 2004.
Margie worked as a cashier, and touched a lot of people with her warm and giving personality.
On July 18, 2018, while visiting her daughter in San Diego, she passed away of natural causes; she was 50.
Margie is survived by her mother, Susan; her husband, Scot; her children, Breana, Collin, and Keegan; her granddaughter, Precious; her sister, Rebecca and her family; and the many friends she had in Lassen County, and around the country. She will be sorely missed.
Services for Margie will be held in San Diego, and her family appreciates your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.
Emma “Beth” Schafer
It is with great sadness that the family of Emma “Beth” Schafer announces her passing on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the age of 67. Beth passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Chico, California.
Beth was born to Goldie Peconom and Donald Schafer on Aug. 16, 1950. She was a loving and strong individual that never let her disabilities stop her from living the best life possible. As a graduate of Lassen High School she went on to participate in the Special Olympics, where she competed in Track and Field winning many medals during her time. Beth touched the lives of everyone she met and she will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Goldie Peconom; her sister, Sharon Schafer and her brother, Herbert Frank Schafer.
She is survived by her nephew, Leslie Gorbet, of California; her two great-nieces, Brandie Gorbet, of California; and Brittney Homewytewa, of Arizona; her great-nephew, Donald Gorbet, of California; two great-great nephews; and two great-great nieces; along with many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a donation in Beth’s memory be made to the Special Olympics.