Obituaries for the week of 2/20/18

Rita Boston Wilczynski

Rita Boston Wilczynski, 77, of Susanville, passed away on Feb. 11, 2018 at the Warnerview Skilled Nursing Facility in Alturas, California.

She is survived by her husband, John Wilczynski, who was born and raised in Forest City, Pennsylvania. They met and were engaged while attending the University of Missouri. They were married on June 8, 1963 at the St. John’s Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri.

Born in Pawnee, Illinois, daughter of Chester and Mary Sullivan Boston. They lived in Mt. Shasta, California from 1963 until 1975. Rita attended College of the Siskiyou’s to obtain the educational classes she needed for a teaching degree. She was a substitute teacher at Weed High School, McCloud High School, Dunsmuir High School and Mt. Shasta High School. She moved to Susanville, in the summer of 1975, when her husband, who worked for the Forest Service, was transferred to the Lassen N.F. headquarters.

Rita qualified for a fulltime teaching certificate in 1976 and was employed by the Lassen Union High School. She taught chemistry, geometry, physics, algebra,

general math; as well as being the advisor for the Academic Olympic competition team.

She was a lifetime member of the California Teachers Association and later when she retired, she was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association where she served as president for several terms.

Rita is survived by a son, John J. Wilczynski III, who graduated from Lassen High School and then went on to serve four years as a U.S. Navy Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. John J. left the U.S. Navy and was hired by Alaska Airlines as a pilot in 2002, and now has 15 years as a commercial pilot.

John and his wife, Darlene, a graduate of the U.S. Navy Academy, have two sons; John J, IV and his wife Alissa, Both graduated from University of Montana and Matthew, who is a freshman at the City College.

Rita is also survived by a daughter Julia Marie Cooper and her husband John Cooper. Julia served four years in the U.S. Navy. She is now an actuary for BlueCross/Blue Shield of Washington. Her husband John stayed in the Navy until he completed his 20 years of service. Julie and John have two sons Joseph is a sophomore at the University of Washington. Michael is a senior at the high school.

Also surviving is a brother Larry and Elaine Boston, of Folsom, Louisiana; Pat and Joe Powell, of Rocheport, Missouri; and Beth and Roger Heafield, of Asheville, North Carolina; four nieces and two nephews; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles living in Illinois. The funeral mass was held on Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church with burial at the Diamond Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-0050.

Joseph Emile Paul

1942-2018

Joseph Emile Paul passed away on Feb. 10 in Santa Rosa at the age of 75. Joseph leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth and his four children, Anne Corey, Richard Powell, Debora Paul and Amy Baker as well as six grandchildren, Paige and Sam Lacoste, Riona and Evelyn Powell, Nicholas and Sarah Davey. He is survived by his siblings Viola Wright, Arthur Paul, Mary Dodgion and Larry Paul.  Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Paul and Viola (Weik) Paul, and his sisters Roberta Welter and Drucilla Pelmulder (Jim).

Joe was born Dec. 7, 1942 in Los Angeles, California and his family moved Sebastopol in 1946. He graduated Analy High School in 1960, and after earning an AA degree from Santa Rosa Junior College, he began a 35 year career as a truck mechanic before retiring at age 55 from Pacific Motor Trucking.

Joe and Elizabeth then moved to Adin, California where they had spent countless weekends readying their property in anticipation of settling there. They became devoted members of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Bieber, California, a mission congregation of St. Francis of Assisi in Burney, California.

Joe’s lifetime activities include earning a black belt in karate, running several marathons and restoring vehicles and equipment.
Joe was an avid collector of Native American artifacts, most of which he discovered close to his home in Adin. He also enjoyed gardening and shared his abundant tomato and zucchini harvest with neighbors and his church family.

Joe was dedicated to his family and always willing to travel to see them. He was selfless and giving to family and friends and had a huge heart.

A funeral mass was held at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Sebastopol, California at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.
In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Joe to St. Stephens missionary church in Bieber, California.

Betty A. Solari

Betty A. (Royce) Solari passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2018, in Turlock, California, at the age of 88. She was born on Jan. 31, 1930 in Antioch, California to George and Iva Royce. Betty was the second of four children who were raised during and after the Great Depression. After graduating from Antioch High School, she took a job at a drive-in restaurant where she met her future husband, Dave Solari.

Betty and Dave were married and relocated to Kings Beach, California where they remained for about 10 years. Growing weary of the snow and long winters; Betty, Dave and their son, Davy (as she always referred to him) relocated to Standish in 1964. Betty remained a stay at home mom to Davy along with many of his friends.

Betty was a great cook and frequently prepared large meals for invited guests at the Solari home. People never left her house hungry. Backyard barbecues, horseshoe derbies and card playing with friends was a staple for many years while they lived in Standish and their home was a gathering point where many of the locals would meet to visit.

In 1975, Betty took a job at Neil’s Mercantile in Standish and worked there until 1986. She and Dave decided to relocate to Hughson, California, where Dave’s family conducted a commercial farming operation.

Betty fell in love with the much milder climate and always had a beautiful yard loaded with many flowers, plants and trees. She and Dave retired in 1995 and traveled around the western U.S. for a few years until Dave was no longer able. Betty was active in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hughson. She remained on the family ranch until just prior to her passing.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dave, infant daughter Jan, and her sisters Margie and Sally. She is survived by her son Davy, (Gina), granddaughter Tia, her brother John Royce and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family asks to make a contribution to your favorite charity.

Carol Ann Knight

Carol Ann Knight, 74, of Doyle California passed on Dec. 2, 2017. She was born on March 9, 1943 in Santa Monica, California.
Carol is joining her late husband Dale Knight, brother, Richie Eagle and long missed mother, Edna Glascock.

Carol is survived by her loving son Matthew W. Bussell and his sweetheart Angie, her daughter Dina G. Rimack and husband Gary. Carol’s granddaughter, Chrystal T. Oswald and her sweetheart Ryan. Her much loved brother, Don Stephens and sister Susan Woodmansee and husband Tom.

Carol loved cooking, gardening, her dog Frankie, Arabian horses and loud music. She attended motocross and 4-H events to support her children and made midnight pancakes for her granddaughter. She enjoyed her daily chit-chat with her brother, and sharing family happenings with her sister. Carol was loved and wasn’t shy about showing her affection.

The family will be having a private service for family and friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to the community who have helped and supported Carol and her loved ones.

Raymond C Byers Jr.

Raymond C Byers Jr. passed away on Jan. 21, 2018. He was born Sept. 12, 1936 in Chanute, Kansas, and after his time in the military, he moved to the Los Angeles area and married wife, Nora.

They moved to Lassen County in the early 1980’s, built their home in Janesville and ran a successful business until retiring in 1998.

During their retirement, Ray and his wife spent their time traveling and spending winters at Lake Havasu. Ray enjoyed fishing, golfing and devoting time to his friends and family.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, his daughters Karen Herrera, Kelly Byers and Reka Mejia, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Barbara Kathryn Schrock
Barbara Kathryn “Kathy” Schrock was born June 20, 1959 to Simon and the late Arlene Yoder. She passed away unexpectedly Feb. 13, 2018, of an apparent heart attack at her home in Litchfield, California.

On April 2, 1981, she married Jonas Schrock. They were blessed with nearly 37 happy years together. She was Mom to her seven sons and four daughters. Jonathan and Malinda Schrock, Litchfield; Margaret and Phil Brenneman, Bangor, California; Sanford and Barbara Schrock, Rawlins, Wyoming; Merle Schrock, Osceola, Texas; Leonard and Sharon Schrock, Gold Creek, Montana; Marilyn and Nelson Hochstedler, Kalona, Iowa; Darlene and Marcus Miller, Litchfield; Clyde, Alvin, Simon and Dianne Schrock, of Litchfield. She loved being Grandma to Violet, Glendon, Phyllis, Kenlynn, Karl, Lamar, Heidi, Rylan, Theodore, Kinsley, Kianna and Riata. Kathy is also survived by her father, Simon Yoder, of Paris, Tennessee; and brothers, Alvin (Emma) Yoder Lamar, Missouri; Norman (Dorothy) Yoder, of Paris, Tennessee; Elwood (Julia) Russelville, Kentucky; Elmer (Pauline) Yoder, Paris, Tennessee; Everett (Elmina) Yoder, of Paris, Tennessee; Lyndon (Joann) Yoder Bloomfield, Missouri, Ralph (Janice) Yoder Paris, TN, and sisters Pauline (Alvin) Schrock Olney, Illinois, Martha (David) Wengerd Standish, California, Viola (John) Nissley Rutherford, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Arlene Yoder, and grandson, Joshua Schrock.

Mom will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. Her compassionate, loving heart and gentle, Christian spirit touched everyone she met. Her joy and delight was being surrounded by her family and cuddling her grandchildren. The family wishes to thank everyone who supported us during this time with gifts of food and flowers, and messages of love and prayers.