Obituaries for the week of 2/13/18

Pearl Bill

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pearl “Lee” Leuna Bill. A loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She passed away on Jan. 25, 2018 after a brief illness, with her family by her side. Lee was 84. She was born to James Noah and Lucy Allen (Stout) in Chester, Arkansas on April 21, 1933.

Lee moved wit her family to Lassen County at the age of 12. She graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1952. She then met and married her husband, Stanley Bill, in 1954 after he returned from World War II. Stanley and Lee would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in June.

Lee was a homemaker and worked as part of the family cattle ranch, the Bill Brother’s Ranch, in Standish, California. This included cooking for the very large family, numerous ranch hands and hay crews. Cooking was one of her greatest passions and she always remembered this time fondly to her family. She loved her life in the country, which inspired her artwork, including drawing and painting. She was also an avid reader and would discuss books at length when given the opportunity. Stanley and Lee in their early years, enjoyed attending area dances, sometimes traveling as far as Termo and Likely with friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Lucy; brothers, Burl and Dale Allen; and sisters, Dorothy Boster, Jessie Cole and Margaret Ann Johnson.

Lee is survived by her husband, Stanley Bill, of Susanville; her daughter, Patricia Plummer, of Westwood; and granddaughters, Jennifer Browne, of Reno, and Michelle Campbell, of Chester.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services held, but as she was an animal lover, the family requests that you please support the Lassen County Animal Shelter, as she did. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to LCAS Trust Fund, 707 Nevada St., Suite 4, Susanville, CA 96130.

Everett Lee Myers

Everett Lee Myers passed away from complications due to cancer on Feb. 2, 2018. Everett was born on May 2, 1931, in Richardsville, Oklahoma, to parents Elmer and Ruthey Myers. He was a graduate of Checotah High School in Oklahoma. Following graduation he moved with the family to Arvin, California, for three years where he worked along with the family for Degiorgio Farms. After his short stay in California, the family moved back to Checotah, Oklahoma, where he dated and eventually married Katie Lou Carey.

After their marriage, he entered the U.S. Army and served two and a half years at Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon discharge, they returned to Oklahoma where they attended Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah, where both majored in education. Upon graduation, they moved to Loyalton, California, in 1958 where they began their teaching careers and started a family. During this time he earned a Master’s Degree in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno. Seven years later, they moved to Susanville, California, where Everett continued his teaching and coaching career at Lassen High School. While at Lassen, he taught physical education, coached football, basketball, taught driver’s education and served as the school’s athletic director. After retiring from teaching in 1989, he and Katie enjoyed living at Horse Lake Ranch, where they helped manage the Five-Dot Land and Cattle Company’s Wildlife Management Program. During this time he was also elected and served on the Lassen Union High School Board of Trustees for two terms.

Everett and Katie moved to Sparks, Nevada in 1998. While living in Sparks, he was an active participant in the Sparks United Methodist Church, was a member and Past Master (2003) of the Benjamin Franklin Masonic Lodge #45 and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Nevada and held the office of Chaplain. He was also a major contributor in the creation of the Sparks United Methodist Church Farmers Market that continues to exist and thrive today serving the church and greater community.

Everett is survived by his three sons, Greg (JoAnne), of South Jordan, Utah, Bryan (Laura), of Sparks, Nevada, and Kelly (Windy), of Loomis, California. He is survived by four grandchildren, Leslie Dixon of Herriman, Utah, Brad Myers of Herriman, Utah, Kyle Myers of Loomis, California, Candice Robinson of Reno, Nevada and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Lloyd Myers, Charlie Myers, ImaJean Stone, and Kathleen Wells, and numerous nieces and nephews.

James Curtis Ballard
James Curtis Ballard (Jim), passed away on Jan. 30, 2018 at his home in Herlong, California. He was born to Vernon and Marguerite Ballard on March 17, 1950 in Mount Shasta, California. At a young age, his family moved to Milton-Freewater, Oregon where he lived until high school graduation. Following graduation from McLoughlin Union High School, Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He served active duty from 1968 to 1972. During that time, he spent two tours in Vietnam as a Sea Bee and married his high school sweetheart. Jim and Pat were married on Oct. 3, 1970. While in Vietnam, Jim received two field promotions, a gallantry cross and five other medals and ribbons.

Upon completion of his military service, Jim immediately began his career with the United States Forest Service. Jim enjoyed his role as “Smokey the Bear” in numerous parades and during many campfire learning programs. After the combined total of 28 years federal service, Jim retired from the Forest Service in 1996.

Jim enjoyed spending time with their beloved dachshund Jumba and was a local wildlife enthusiast. He and Pat spent many an hour watching and photographing the creatures that visited their backyard habitat. Jim also loved to pass the time by completing beautiful and unique jigsaw puzzles. Jim leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Pat; son John, of Milford, California; son, Jim (Kim), of Mariposa, California; son Josh (Trish), of Janesville, California; seven grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Martha, of Milton-Freewater, Oregon; sister, Verna, of West Richland, Washington; and brother, Bill, of Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date.

Devin Wesley Burch
Devin Wesley Burch, age 30, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2018, at his home in Susanville, California. Devin was born Oct. 2, 1987 in Susanville, California. He grew up and attended school in Susanville. He subsequently went on to attend Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Sacramento, California, graduating in 2014. He continued doing what he loved in his career as a mechanic. Devin loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and dirt bike rider. Devin was a kind and loving person with a great heart and gentle spirit. He loved spending time with his friends and family and touched the lives of many people. Devin is survived by his fiancé, Samantha and their son Parker Olsen; father, Chris Burch; his mother and step-father, Rose (Meredith) and Nedry Guitierez; his sisters, Jericka (Burch) Morrow, Shalise Burch and Marie Guitierez; his grandfather, Wesley Burch; his grandmother, Anna Bennett; his nephew, Kayden Morrow; his niece, Layla Rose Morrow; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Devin will be deeply missed by his family and friends and all who knew him. A funeral services was held at Reaching Nations for Christ Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, followed by graveside services at Janesville Cemetery. A viewing was held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.

Anthony John Cognina

Anthony John Cognina (“Tony”) was born Aug. 14, 1946 to a farming family in
Fremont, California. He got involved in farm work at the age of 10, driving tractors on his father’s farm. The family moved several times, eventually purchasing a cattle ranch in King City, California. While residing in King City, Anthony met then married his wife, Ellen Stephens in 1979. Anthony and Ellen both loved to farm so in 2001, they moved their family to property they purchased near Litchfield, California, where they developed then operated a hay ranch.

Tony lost his battle with cancer and passed away in a Reno hospital on Jan. 13, 2018. He is preceded in death by his father, Carmelo Cognina, mother, Julianna Hipolito Cognina, and brother, Alfred Cognina. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Cognina, and sons Matthew and Brian Cognina. Anthony was a devoted husband and father and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Services will be held on Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on North Union Street in Susanville, California. A reception will follow at the church hall located at the corner of North and North Weatherlow.