Obituaries for the week of 1/9/18
Zellamae Miles
On Jan. 2, Susanville tragically lost Zellamae Miles, one of its leading residents, in an automobile accident.
Born Oct. 17, 1926 to Zella and Medford Arnold, Zellamae was the granddaughter of Susan Roop and great-granddaughter of Susanville’s founder, Isaac Roop.
Proud of her pioneer roots, she served for nearly 15 years as a volunteer and museum docent for the Lassen County Historical Society. She volunteered each year at the Third Grade History Day and served two terms as board president.
Zellamae was a member of the local chapter of PEO, a group which provides college scholarship support for young women, several book clubs, a stamping group and a tea group. She was vocal and active on local and national issues, particularly women’s rights, and was a frequent contributor to the Letters to the Editor section.
Early in her work life, she worked at Travis-Miles Meats. Later, she was one of Susanville’s successful real estate agents.
Zellamae was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Herald Miles. She is survived by her son, Chuck, and daughter, Shireen. She was proud of her granddaughters, Darcy Gleave, Aubrey Abbott and Charlotte Thori; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Because of her warmth and love of life, Zellamae was always surrounded by wonderful friends.
Zellamae will be honored at a Celebration of Life gathering in the spring. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lassen Historical Society at P.O. Box 321, Susanville, CA 96130, to the PEO Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 164, Janesville, CA 96114 or to a charity or cause of your choice.
Mary Smith
Mary Corrine Smith (Rattray), of Susanville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Banner Lassen Medical Center on Dec. 8, 2017 at the age of 63.
Mary was born to Walter and Corrine Rattray on Dec. 14, 1953 in Prosser, Washington. She grew up in Prosser, married James Johnson, and moved to Porterville, California where after years of working in retail, she returned to college to complete her life-long dream of becoming a registered nurse. She worked and served in the EMS and medical community for more than 25 years before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago.
Mary, our Meme, was beautiful, kind and genuine in her way of caring for others.
She would often tell us how God had blessed her, by helping her get through nursing school when she was older. She worked hard at becoming a registered nurse. Anyone who knew her, knew she definitely was made to be a nurse. God had gifted her with a sincere care and concern for others. She used that opportunity to minister to others often. She loved being a nurse. She was more sincere in her love and care for others because she did honestly value each person she came across, as being valuable to the Lord. Mary will always be regarded as a sweet, caring and giving mother, and grandmother. No other woman can stand in comparison to her, in the hearts of her family. Her smile and laughter were precious to our hearts. We are so comforted in knowing she is not looking back, but is where she wanted to be. With her Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved to talk about Him. And now she is beholding Him, safe and secure.
Her husband, Stuart Smith, survives Mary, along with her beloved daughters, Lisa Flores and Christy Lewis; sister, Leola Newman; brother, David Rattray; six grandchildren, Megan Holley, Macee Flores, Matthew Flores, Nathan Lewis, Carli Lewis and Coleton Lewis. Before her untimely death, Mary became a great grandmother by the birth of Sawyer Flores. Many aunts, cousins and in-laws also survive her. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Corrine Rattray, and her bother, Robert Rattray.
Graveside funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Prosser Cemetery in Washington for immediate family and were officiated by Pastor Tony Loubet.
Please join family and friends in a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 1 p.m. Jan. 13, 2018 to be held at the Susanville Assembly of God Church, at 473-465 Richmond Road North, Susanville, CA.
Betty Jean Westlake
Betty Jean Delia Westlake died Dec. 22, 2017 in Reno, Nevada. Betty was 89.
Betty Jean was born Feb. 24, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to her parents Delia and Walter Peterson. Betty graduated high school in 1945. She married James (Jim) H. Westlake Aug. 16, 1947 in Minneapolis. Betty and Jim moved to Los Angeles, California in 1948 in search of work. Betty worked at Douglas Aircraft for a year.
The family moved to Susanville, California in 1955, where Betty worked at Sears Catalog for four years, U.S. Forest Service for five years and many years doing books for Lassen Auto Electric, Les and Jim’s Texaco station. In 1959, her family relocated to Janesville where she had lived for the past 58 years.
Betty and Jim enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Center Wheelers. Betty also loved to paint, taking paint classes for many years.
Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her son, Kim Westlake, 1972, and husband James Westlake, 2008. Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law James (Jay) and Janet Westlake; three grandchildren and their spouses, Michelle and Curtis Prosise, of Chico, California; Kevin and Emmy Westlake, of Cottonwood, California; and Angela and Jarrod Mesloh, of Fallon, Nevada; and seven great-grandchildren.
Betty has been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Ruth Merriner
A Celebration of Ruth Lippert Merriner’s life will be held at a memorial service next month for this distinguished entrepreneur, volunteer and outstanding philanthropist.
Ruth was born on March 31, 1922, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and passed away in her home peacefully on Dec. 12, 2017. Proceeded in death (2001) by husband of 59 years, Delbert Lamont Merriner. Survived by children, Audrey Lee, Patti Merriner, Rich Merriner and Wayne Andrus-Merriner, as well as 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Ruth and Del moved their home and business, Richdel, Inc., to Carson City including 12 other families in 1970. Richdel manufactured irrigation valves and controllers, bringing with them the potential to eventually employ 500 local residents. Ruth made many contributions to the
community as a lifelong member of the Soroptimist Club, as well as Woman of the Year for that organization.
Ruth also fulfilled the couple’s desire to contribute to the community and health care in particular with building The Merriner Cottages in 2006 as an adjunct to the services at Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare. In addition, she was a member of the auxiliary and winner of the title Woman of the Year for that same institution.
Finally, Ruth continued to give and be part of the Carson City fabric, which resulted in the award of “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2009 by the Healthcare Heroes of Nevada Business Magazine.
Memorial donations may be made to The Merriner Cottages in care of Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare.
Family and friends are invited to the Memorial Service next month for Ruth Merriner at Fountainhead Four Square Church, 3609 US Highway 395 South, Carson City, Nevada, 89705, at 1 p.m. Jan. 20, 2018. Services will be presided over by Pastor Louie Locke and open to the public.
Linda Sue Fregia
Linda Sue Fregia, 72, passed away on Dec. 30, 2017 at Enloe Hospital, Chico, California. She was a resident of Westwood Senior Apartments in Westwood, California. She was born April 8, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was the daughter of Richard and Norma Denton. She is survived by her brothers, Richard and Robert Denton; and sisters, Leslie Denton and Pamala Davis.
Linda was a wonderful mother of five children. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Coffindaffer and her sons, Richard Mitchell, James Francis and Jonathan Francis. She is predeceased by her daughter, Marlene Mitchell. She has 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren.
Services are pending at this time.