Obituaries for the week of 5/23/17

David Alson Newman

David (Dave) Alson Newman passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

David was born at his grandmother’s home in Reno, Nevada on Jan. 24, 1941. David grew up in Susanville.

After graduating from Lassen High School, he went on to obtain a degree in engineering. In 1965, David started his engineering career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Department, where he worked on many of the roads and trails people still use today. He retired in 1998, after 33 years.

David enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends most of all. He was a member of the Lassen High School Alumni Association, where he was able to see old friends and make new ones.

David was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Antoinette (Andy) Newman; parents, Alson and Louise Newman, of Susanville; his brother, Howard Newman and his wife Alice Newman, of Sacramento, California.

He is survived by his son, Randy Newman, of Susanville; his daughter, Maryann Kiar, her husband Wesley Kiar and their two sons, Kaleb and Kevin Kiar, of Janesville; along with multiple nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life barbecue will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24 at his home located at 698-910 Susan Hills Drive.

Owen Jones

Owen Jones, a lifelong resident of Susanville, passed away on April 7, 2017.

Born on Dec. 3, 1936, he had been living in Reno with his daughter prior to his death. Owen is preceded in death by his parents, James Wesley Jones and Dolly Elizabeth (Panel) Jones; his wife, Gloria Jean; and son, James Elmer Jones.

Owen came from a large family and was very much a family man. He is survived by his daughter, Sherry (Robert) Chappuis, of Reno; his grandchildren, Joey Chappuis, of Reno and Amanda Locke-Youngs (Chance); two great grandkids, Hunter and Emma, all of New York, Josh Locke (Billie Jean); and great granddaughter, Zillah, of Sparks.

Owen is survived by his sister, Mary Rita (Pat) Montgomery, of Eagle Lake, California, four daughters, Connie (Rick) Moll, of Janesville, Brenda Kay (Bob) Jones, of Fresno, Sandy (Jessica) Berry, of Alaska and Deedee (Dave) McCann, of Susanville.

Preceded in death by brother, Dee Jones (Ruth), still of Montana, and their five children, Debbie, Rocky, Cheryl, Rusty; proceeded in death by niece Sandy; brother, Roy Lynn and Arlene, of Susanville; children Deidre (Greg) Baston, of Janesville, Kyle and (Jennifer) Jones, of Montana.

Proceeded in death by sister, Alice Lee Edwards (Jackie), of Janesville. Their children are Loretta Larimer, of Janesville, Jody (Billy) Kiar, of Milford, Rickie and Lori Edwards, of Janesville, Roger and Bobby Edwards, of Sonora. Sister, Maxine (Page) Montgomery, of Standish, their children Michael (Ronda) Panos, Erin (Tami) Montgomery, of Standish, Clay (Kristen) Montgomery, of Lake Almanor. Sister, Norma (TM) Williams, of Quincy, and their four children, Allen (Linda) and Tom (Cathy) Williams, of Quincy, Karen (Roy), of Anderson, and Terri (Todd) Texter, of Monterey. Brother Jack (Marge) Jones, of Milford. Brother, Raymond, who proceeded him in death, wife, (Mary) Jones, of Redding, and their children, Brandy (Nick) Jones, of Redding, Skip (Becky), of Susanville, special double cousins, Argle and Wanda Jones (Argle Lee and Jason Jones, of Reno, and Newman and Ann (Greg and Eddie) Jones, of Reno. Numerous more family and friends.

Owen worked has a heavy equipment operate and contractor prior to retirement.

For many years, he would organize the yearly Jones “REDNECK” family reunion. This was a time that brought great joy to Owen, as he loved seeing his entire family and friends.

Throughout the years there were many family traditions created, like the Sunday omelet in the Ziploc baggie, annual softball game of California Jones vs. Everyone else. Music provided by our very own talented family. Owen and Argle Jones put many years into organizing a weekend of events for family to join together and reunite. It is only fitting that for his funeral we have a family gathering in his honor.

The celebration of Owen Jones’ life will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27 at the Senior Center on Sunkist Street and events at Fruit Growers Park directly across the street.

A softball game will be played in his honor and is being organized by Wesley and Maryann Kiar and Amanda Young. Please bring your lawn chairs, musical instruments, ball gloves and bats and be ready for a great game of family fun for all ages. Barbecue meat will be provided by the family and barbecue by Tom and Vickie Flux. Drinks, side dishes and desserts are welcome.

Rowena Trussell

Rowena Banister Trussell passed away on May 15, 2017 at the age of 93. She and her twin brother Roy were born in Manton, California, on Oct. 4, 1923 to Elvie and Maude Banister.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; her parents; four brothers and two sisters; her oldest son, Robert; and youngest grandson, Jake. She is survived by daughter, Laurel Milton; son, David, and his wife, Ann; daughter-in-law, Laurie Karikka; four grandchildren, Sephanie Stroud and husband, Roy, Robert J. Trussell, Terrie Trussell Ginder and husband, Justin, and Matt Trussell. Also surviving are her sister, Jean Robinson; nine great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Rowena attended Bird Flat School in Doyle, California, and graduated from Lassen High School in 1942. She worked at Milford Store and then Herlong Ammunition Depot. In 1944, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, becoming a WAVE and serving at Alameda Naval Air Station.

She met her husband Ronald in 1940. He served in the U.S. Air Force and they were married Aug. 11, 1945, a proud military couple. They were on their honeymoon when “D” Day was declared. They settled in Susanville.

Rowena was a school secretary for Susanville school districts for 17 years. She was loved and admired by her co-workers and the students, and, she loved her school family.

She enjoyed sewing, crafts, square dancing, but most of all, her family, home and friends. After she and Ronald both retired in 1987, they enjoyed and did a lot of traveling. Square dancing with the Center Wheelers was a highlight for them for 14 years.

Rowena was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, was a member of the Lassen Hospital Auxiliary, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Lassen Historical Society, Lassen High School Alumni Association and California School Employees Association.

Rowena was loved and will be missed by so many. Services were held on Saturday, May 20 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary followed by a military burial at Diamond Crest Cemetery.