Patterson and Grayson Obituaries 1944, Page 4
Obituary images open in a new brower window.
Pfitser John 440825 p1
Death of John Pfitser, Long-time Resident; John Pfitser, retired rancher and resident of this area for the past 20 years, passed away early Wednesday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Nick Frunz, on Pomelo Avenue. He had been ill for several years past. Aged 71 years, he was a native of Switzerland. Mrs. Frunz is the only close relative surviving. Rosary services will be held at the Evans Funeral Chapel at 8:15 this evening, followed by funeral services at Sacred Heart Church Saturday morning at 10 o'clock with Rev. Manuel F. Rose in charge. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Click For Image
Pike Willis 440225 p1
Willis Pike Found Dead in His Garden; Stricken in the yard of his North Fourth Street home, Willis Pike passed away some time Monday evening, victim of a heart attack. The remains were discovered at 3:50 a. m. Tuesday by C. L. Henzel, driver for the Patterson Ranch Co. dairy, who was making his rounds. As nearly as can be established, Pike was seen by several while shopping downtown between 4 and 5 Monday afternoon. As there were no lights on the house and he did not carry the flashlight he was known to be in the habit of using at night in the yard, it is assumed that the attack occurred in the early evening. From tracks at the spot, it is surmised that he had been looking at a bush at the edge of the driveway when he was stricken and had crawled a few feet before he succumbed. Dr. E. G. Allen, who was summoned to examine the remains, declared that in all probability, death had occurred within a very few moments of the attack. Pike had been in ill health for some time and had stated recently to friends that he knew the end was near. He was residing alone, having had difficulty in obtaining a housekeeper. Authority on Fruits -- Pike came to this section when he installed and took charge of the operation of the dehydrator plant at El Solyo Ranch, then managed by his brother, Roy Pike. He was an authority on dried fruits, with world-wide knowledge of this and many other crops gained through a lifetime of work and travel for various firms. Following his retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively, until she passed away some years ago, when he decided to locate in Patterson, calling it the "friendliest" town he knew of to live in. His daughter, Mrs. Leland K. Whittier, and husband of Beverly Hills, arrived yesterday to take charge of funeral arrangements. Services will be held at the Evans Chapel at 2 p. m. today, with cremation to follow.
Click For Image
Pints Paul 440428 p6
Two Dead; Two Critically Hurt in Crash: Paul Pints; A terrific head-on crash on the West Side Highway three miles north of Vernalis early yesterday morning resulted in the death of two and critical injuries to two others involved. Miss Arlene Van Hess, 18, and Paul Pints, 17. of Modesto, are dead and Leland Hendricks, 17, of Modesto, and Samuel Mires, soldier from Camp Roberts arc badly hurt. Mires was northbound when he met the car containing the three others.
Click For Image
Pitzer Dwight 441013 p1
Patterson Pilot Killed on Biak; Missing Boy in German Prison Camp; Good and bad news shared the wires for Patterson families Monday as the death of a fighter pilot was reported, while the same day brought word of the safety of another soldier previously reported missing in action but now found to be a prisoner of war. Dwight Pitzer Killed In Crash Second Lieutenant Dwight D. Pitzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Pitzer fell to his death in the crash of his plane on Biak Island, off Dutch New Guinea, on September 27th, according to the wire received from the War Department by his parents. Piloting a P-47, he had been in the forward area for four months and had taken part in four missions, according to a letter received last week. From the text of the telegram, it is presumed that he was not in actual combat at the time of the mishap, but that the crash was an accident, or possibly failure to get back with a damaged plane. The dead pilot was a native of Kansas, aged 25 years, and had been engaged in school teaching prior to his enlistment here in 1942. He received his wings in January, 1943, following which he was given advanced training until 1942. He received his wings in January,1943, following which he was given advanced training until the departure of his squadron overseas. He is survived by his wife and an infant daughter, born last week. residing in Kansas. Besides his parents, he is also survived by nine brothers and sisters -- Mrs. Ruth Pitzer of Patterson, Mrs. Norman Bass of Smith Center, Kansas, Faith Pitzer of Patterson, Paul Pitzer of Aptos, James and Robert Pitzer of Patterson, and two boys in the Army -- Sgt. Ivan Pitzer of Seattle and Cpl. Victor Pitzer of Idaho.
Click For Image
Renfrow Mary 441010 p2
Mrs. Mary Renfrow Passes Away Monday; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Renfrow passed away Monday at her home on El Circulo. A native of Kentucky, she was 79 years of age and had resided here for the past two years. She is survived by one daughter -- Mrs. Viola Harlin of Oklahoma, and three sons -- M. L. Renfrow of Arkansas, and P. E. Renfrow and Joe Renfrew of Patterson, as well as three grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon with Rev. H. C. Vancil in charge, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Rhodes Amos 440609 p1
Farewell Swim Fatal to Grayson Naval Inductee; He was scheduled to be inducted into the Navy yesterday. And so Amos Rhodes, 23, of Grayson and a group of friends went for a farewell swim in the Tuolumne at the Nine Mile Bridge at Shiloh Hall Wednesday afternoon. It was his farewell swim, because somehow something happened and he went down stream under the bridge, never to come up. Search for the body started that night with Constable C. W. Kirk in charge and later the coroner's office took over. The deceased is the son of J. C. Rhodes of Grayson, his mother having passed away a few years ago.
Click For Image
Rhodes Amos 440616 p7
Recover Body of Drowned Naval Inductee; The body of Amos Rhodes, drowned Wednesday afternoon in the Tuolumne River at Nine-Mile Bridge, was recovered Friday evening following a two-day search. The tragic mishap occurred at a picnic planned as a farewell to him prior to his induction in the Navy the next day. The deceased was a native of Tennessee, aged 23 years, and resided at Grayson. He is survived by his wife and one son, LeRoy; his father. J. C. Rhodes of Grayson ; four brothers, Osier, Ariel and Eccord Rhodes and Alva Vires, and one sister, Cleo, all of Grayson; and three sisters residing in Georgia -- Mesdames Cannie Peek, Lizzie Nix and Laura Peek. Grave side services were held Saturday noon at Del Puerto Cemetery with Elder D. A. Layne of Modesto officiating. Arrangements were in charge of the Evans Funeral Chapel.
Click For Image
Rose Leonard P 440721 p1
Leonard Rose Passes Away Saturday; Leonard Perry Rose, a resident of the Patterson district for more than thirty years before moving some five months ago to Volta to operate a dairy, passed away in the West Side Hospital early Saturday morning. Suffering from a cold, he had continued to do his ranch work. Pneumonia developed and he was taken to the hospital six days before his death. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning at ten o'clock in the Holy Ghost Catholic Church at Gustine, Rev. E. H. Heubbers conducting the rites. Interment was made in the Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery at Newman under arrangements by the Davis Chapel. A resident of the Azores. Rose was 32 years old. Rose is survived by his wife, Marion, and three children -- Edward, Beverly and Patricia Rose. His parents. Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Rose, reside here. Two brothers and two sisters also survive. They are Joe P. Rose, Jr., and Mrs. Mary Borges of Newman and Mrs. Hazel Brown and John Rose of Patterson.
Click For Image
Serpa Vincent 441010 p2
Crows Landing, Nov. 9. -- Vincent Serpa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe V. Serpa, Sr., of Crows Landing, was instantly killed early Sunday evening and Manuel Chaves, also of this city was injured when the sedan, driven by the latter turned over several times on a curve approaching the north city limits of Gustine. The two young men were on their way to attend the wedding dance of their close friend, Alerd Caton, also of Crows Landing, who had claimed Miss Georgiana Ferreira of Gustine as his bride that day. They had been present at the wedding and the reception which followed, had returned to Crows Landing to perform their ranch chores, and were eagerly looking forward to the enjoyment of the evening party. Missed Curve According to the officers who investigated the fatal crash, Chaves evidently failed to note the curve --first of two at that point -- the sedan skidding off the shoulder of the highway onto ground softened by recent rains, and then turning over possibly four or more times. Serpa was thrown from the car, his body being found some seventy-five feet from the machine. Indications were that momentum propelled him through the air to stride the guy wire of a power pole located on the side of the highway, and that his life was snuffed out instantly. To hospital -- Chaves was rushed to the West Side Hospital for treatment and observation, but, in spite of the fact that the car was practically demolished. his injuries were such that he was able to leave the hospital Monday and return to his home. Funeral services for young Serpa were held yesterday morning in the Catholic Church at Crows Landing, with Rev. Manuel Rose conducting the rites. Interment at Newman followed. Serpa was born at Crows Landing twenty-one years ago. He attended Bonita Grammar School and since then has been associated with his father in the conduct of a dairy business. Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister and brother -- Mrs. Joe Freitas of Turlock and Joe V. Serpa, Jr. whose Army unit is now stationed at Fresno. The latter was given a furlough immediately by his commanding officer and will be at home until November 23rd.
Click For Image
Silveira A S 440505 p7
Former West Sider Dies Suddenly At Pacific Grove; A. S. Silveira, until six months ago operating a dairy on his ranch at Crows Landing died suddenly Wednesday morning at Pacific Grove where the family had been making their home since leaving the West Side. No details had been received by local relatives but they understood that Silveira had apparently been in good health. He had visited here only last week. Tentative arrangements are for the funeral services to be held at the Newman Catholic Church at ten o'clock on Saturday morning, with Rev. Henry Plunkctt conducting the rites. Interment is to be made in Hills Ferry Catholic Cemetery. Silveira, a native of the Azores, was 50 years old and came to the United States in 1915. After residing at Alvarado and Livingston, he moved to Crows Landing to remain for several years, first: as a tenant on the W. F. Fink ranch and later buying the J. D. Fink property. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters, Dorothy and Ida. His two brothers are Joe, who lives at Alvarado. and Manuel, of Gridley. A sister, Mary, is in the Azores.
Click For Image
Simas Joe 440616 p1
Passing of Joe Simas Monday at His Home; A heart attack proved fatal to Joe S. Simas at his Walnut Avenue home late Monday afternoon. A native of the Azores Islands, the deceased was 49 years of age and had resided here for the past nine years. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children. Delinda and Theodore, as well as a brother Manuel S. Simas of Santa Clara, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Macedo, residing in the Azores. Rosary services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Wednesday evening. Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Church yesterday morning with Father Manuel F. Rose officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary's, Cemetery.
Click For Image
Slaughter Andrew 440505 p1
Air Station Cook Killed in Hotel Fire; Andrew Slaughter, Negro cook at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Crows Landing was killed Wednesday night in a disastrous blaze at Modesto when the Hotel Modesto was gutted. Trapped with his wife and child on the fifth floor, he tried to leap for the firemen's rescue ladder too soon and fell to the pavement below as his grasp slipped. His family were saved. Many other close calls were recorded in the disaster, which destroyed the older portion of the big structure and badly damaged a newer addition. Fire Warden Ossie Ball was called over to aid in handling the blaze.
Click For Image
Smith Dale 440630 p2
Two Fatally Hurt When Truck Overturns: Dale Smith; Crows Landing, June 26. -- An overturned truck that immediately burst into flames on Sunday afternoon brought death to a sailor and a 14-year-old boy and inflicted severe burns on the driver of the vehicle. The tragic accident occurred at the Isom turn a mile east of here when the truck went out of control either because of the shifting of the load of lettuce or a locked brake. Headed towards Modesto, the truck capsized about 75 feet east of the sharp turn. The dead sailor is George Hopper, 19, stationed at the Crows Landing Auxiliary Naval Air Station. He was rushed to the Hammand General Hospital at Modesto and died of his injuries and burns at four o'clock the next morning. The second victim was Dale Smith, nephew of Hugh Smith who was driving the truck. The boy was taken to the West Side Hospital at Newman suffering from third degree burns over his entire body. He passed away at eight o'clock Tuesday morning. Also in the same hospital, seriously burned, is the uncle. The three were pulled from the flaming cab by passersby soon after the crash and ambulances summoned. Mrs. Smith came at once from the Watsonville home of the family and stated that her husband had come in from a trip at 1:30 that morning and had been called to make a rush delivery of lettuce to East Side points. When informed that a sailor had been a passenger, she was under the impression that he was the brother of young Dale. The brother is at the Crows Landing station and had asked that his uncle look him up when driving by. Dale was born at Amarillo, Texas, and had been in California for a year and a half, attending high school. The remains were taken to Gilroy where funeral services to be held.
Click For Image
Strand Charles Mrs 440512 p1
Passing of Mrs. Charles Strand; Confined to her South Third Street home by illness for several years past, Mrs. Emma Charlotte Strand passed away Monday. A native of Sweden, she was 82 years of age and had resided here for the past 22 years. She is survived by her husband, Charles, and three sons, William of Michigan and Albert and Harry of Patterson. Mr. and Mrs. Strand had recently observed their 62nd wedding anniversary. A brother, Emir Johnson of Atascadero, also survives. Funeral services were held from the Evans Funeral Chapel Wednesday afternoon with Rev. J. D. Bronan of Turlock officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Swerer Milton 440204 p2
Milton Swerer Dies at Modesto; Milton Swerer, for many years a farmer and stockman on land he owned west of the Oak Flat Ranch, passed away last Wednesday night in a rest home at Modesto. A native of Tuttletown, he was 81 years old. Several years ago he sold his Coast Range property and recently had been making his home at Modesto. Among his relatives are two brothers, Frank Swerer, also a former resident here, of Modesto and C. W. Swerer of Tuttletown.
Click For Image
Tapen George W 440324 p1
Flier Dies as Result of Crash Injuries; Crash of a Navy flier south of town, reported last week, resulted fatally for the victim, who passed away in a Modesto hospital the next day. Ensign George W. Tapen, 22, of Brookline, Massachusetts, was the officer, whose name was released by Naval District headquarters following notification of his family. Tapen was last in a squadron returning to the field from night flying maneuvers when his plane failed to come out of a final dive.
Click For Image
Thoresen August 441215 p1
A. Thoresen Passes Away Monday; August Thoresen, longtime local resident, passed away Monday evening at a Turlock hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for a week. A native of Norway, he was 72 years of age and had resided in this community for the past twenty-four years. Only immediate relative surviving is a brother, Thomas Thoresen, who resides in Fargo, North Dakota. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Evans Chapel with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Van Hess Arlene 440421 p6
Two Dead; Two Critically Hurt in Crash: Arlene Van Hess; A terrific head-on crash on the West Side Highway three miles north of Vernalis early yesterday morning resulted in the death of two and critical injuries to two others involved. Miss Arlene Van Hess, 18, and Paul Pints, 17. of Modesto, are dead and Leland Hendricks, 17, of Modesto, and Samuel Mires, soldier from Camp Roberts arc badly hurt. Mires was northbound when he met the car containing the three others.
Click For Image
Van Sickle Ira 440218 p1
Ira Van Sickle, Long Resident Passes Away; Ira. Van Sickle retired farmer and long-time resident of Patterson Colony, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday morning following a month's illness. A native of Iowa, he was 79 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Van Sickle came to Patterson in 1914. She passed away about a year ago. He is survived by five children by his first wife, all of whom reside in Iowa. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel Tuesday with Rev. M. B. Cheek officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Waters Elizabeth 440714 p1
Hold Funeral Rites for Mrs. M. E. Waters; Funeral services were held here Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Elizabeth Waters, wife of M. E. Waters. Long-time Patterson residents, the family moved to Vallejo seven years ago, where she passed away quite suddenly last Saturday. A native of New Zealand, aged 69, she had been in California for 44 years. One son, Burton, now a seaman in the Navy. and a granddaughter, Carol, also survive. Services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel with Rev. Henry Rodgers of Newman officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Woodward Grisella B 441020 p1
Pioneer Colony Resident Passes Away Monday; Mrs. Grisella Belle Woodward, pioneer resident of Patterson Colony, passed away at the West Side Hospital near Newman early Monday morning, where she had been ill for a week or so. A resident of California for 52 years, Mrs. Woodward came to the new colony with her husband in 1911, shortly after it was developed and has resided here for 33 years. A native of Venton, Iowa, the deceased was 72 years of age. Beside her husband, J. H. Woodward, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Anna Keller of Kansas, and one brother, J. C. Fulton of Patterson. Funeral services were held at the Evans Funeral Chapel yesterday afternoon, with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating followed by interment in Del Puerto Cemetery.
Click For Image
Woodward Louis C 441201 p1
Passing of L. C. Woodward Here Tuesday; Louis Cass Woodward passed away Tuesday evening at the J. H. Woodward home on Las Palmas Avenue. A native of Iowa, he had resided here for the past year, coming here from Pomona, where the family lived for 14 years. He is survived by his wife, Winona, and two sons, Rex, and Max of Patterson, and one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Edelbeck of Pomona. Four grandchildren also survive him. He was a brother of J. H. Woodward of Patterson and Frank and Alonzo Woodward of Idaho and Mrs. Allie Mitchell of San Diego. Funeral services were held at the Evans Chapel yesterday afternoon, with Rev. Russell H. Moline officiating. The remains ere shipped to Pomona for interment, where graveside services will he held this afternoon.
Click For Image
Wright Joseph G 440922 p1
Pensioner Passes Away at Modesto; Joseph G. Wright, long-time resident of this area, passed away at a Modesto hospital Saturday. He had been employed on various farms in this vicinity and was formerly a plumber in Crows Landing, but for some years has been retired on pension. A native of Corvallis, Oregon, he was 76 years of age. A niece in Berkeley took charge of the remains, which were shipped to that city by the Evans Funeral Chapel for services Monday morning, followed by cremation.
Click For Image
Donated by Gale and Jean Stroud
May 2008
Stanislaus Obituary Index
Return to Main Page ~~ ArchivesThis Web page is sponsored on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by Richard S. Wilson. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.