Obituaries for the week of 11/15/16

Everett George Heard

Everett George Heard went home to be with his Lord Jesus on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Susanville, California. Everett was 76 years old. Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend is survived by his children, Tonja Johnson, Howard Heard, Gena Meier, Justin Heard and Shaun Heard; 12 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Everett was born on Oct. 14, 1940 in Susanville to Claude and Della Heard. Everett, like his late wife Sharon, was an only child. Everett married Sharon in Reno, Nevada, Oct. 17, 1965, and they spent 50 years together.

Everett was a second parent to over a half dozen other children throughout the years that called him and Sharon mom and dad.

Everett graduated from Lassen High School, Heald Business College as well as attended Lassen Community College. Over the years he held seats on local school boards, was a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician. He also enjoyed track in high school. He played basketball on local teams as an adult as well as softball and was also a big “side line coach” for his children when they participated in sports. 

His parents purchased Heard’s Market in 1948, and when his father passed away, Everett ran the store until his passing. All of his children have worked at the business as well as a host of employees over the years. His son Justin still keeps up the family tradition, working 70 hour weeks, keeping the general store open for locals as well as travelers passing through. 

Everett enjoyed meeting new people, neighbors and travelers alike. He never let anyone leave a stranger. He would fellowship with everyone he met. His family and friends will always remember him as being an icon in the community.

A reception is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Susanville Assembly of God church, 473-465 Richmond Road, Susanville, Ca. Interment to follow at Lake City, California. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Everett’s life.

Robert (Bob) Ogden

Bob Ogden, 94, passed away peacefully in his sleep at The Masonic Home in Union City, on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2016. He was born Sept. 19, 1922 to Robert and Ruth Ogden in Susanville, California. He was very proud to be a fourth generation native Californian and a patriotic serviceman of the Navy. Bob enjoyed selling real estate, playing his harmonica, crossword puzzles and playing poker. He was also an excellent ballroom dancer.

He is survived by his two sons and one daughter, Greg Ogden, of San Carlos, Matt Ogden, of Saint Louis, and Alison Bockus, of Carmel; and two twin granddaughters, Maisy and Madison Bockus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his three siblings; one brother, Wallace Stevens; and two sisters, Muriel Rozier and Carmel Coward.

Frank Lee Ward

As someone who will always be remembered for being there to help others, Westwood resident Frank Lee Ward passed from this life Oct. 6, 2016.

Born in Palo Alto on Jan. 26, 1944, to the late John and Mildred (Woods) Ward, he was raised and educated in Palo Alto, graduating from Cobberly High School as a member of the Class of 1962 and went on to continue his education in the community college system.

In his early 20s Frank began a career with the U.S. Forest Service, first as a firefighter with the Greenville Ranger District, then later assigned to the Redding Hotshots, eventually returning to the Greenville Ranger District where he entered their timber sales division working under the late Jim Oxford.

Frank retired in 2000. Throughout his career, he served as a member of the Mount Lassen Ski Patrol retiring after some 30 years of service.

Frank moved to Westwood eleven years ago from Chester. He has been a longtime honorary member of the Westwood/Lake Almanor Rotary Club and was recently honored with Rotary’s highest honor as a Paul Harris Fellow.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed woodcutting, hunting, target shooting and ammunition reloading, fishing, and for over 45 years enjoyed obtaining Christmas Trees for some very special customers.

In his untimely passing, Frank leaves his daughters Dawn Ritchie, of Chico, and Kimberly Ferguson — who followed in his footsteps and became an accomplished skier — of Kiowa, Colorado; the pride and joy of his later life, his grandson Eric Holliday, of Arlington, Texas; along with a granddaughter, Tiffany Ritchie.

He will be forever loved and missed by his loving companion for the past 11 years, Sheila Oxford, of Westwood, and his extended family of Stacy Oxford Birky and Nicole Birky, of Westwood, and James Oxford Jr. and his wife Jama, of Florida.

At Frank’s request, no services will take place. Private scattering will take place in the Lassen Volcanic National Park.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family, along with signing the memorial guest register, is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Margaret Weld

The family of Margaret Weld would like you to know our Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma peacefully passed away Nov. 2, 2016, with daughter Carol by her side. Interment will be Nov. 15 at 12:30 p.m. at Diamond Crest Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life in the spring, her favorite time of the year.