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Death Notices

This page lists those who have passed away since the printing of the Book of Memoirs for 2009. The most current are listed first.

Hazel Robertson . Madolyn Chandler . Seda Suzuki . Edgar Nelson . Elva Busher . Velma Lord . Vernon Gunckel . Wayne Kessel . Louise Iles . Charlene Barnes . Doris Ham . George Weber . Jeannette Thurman . Rita Tanner . Gordon Fairchild . Tobina Dalton . Ethel Adams . Lee Williamson . Robert Clazie . Erna Bimson . J. Donald Zerbe
 
 
Please also see the online version of the Book of Memoirs for 2009 (1.90 MB)
 
Please also see the online version of the Book of Memoirs for 2008 (2.25 MB)  
 
Please also see the online version of the Book of Memoirs for 2007 (1.51 MB)
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Hazel Robertson, surviving spouse of the Rev. Thomas Robertson, died on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. She is survived by three children: Charlotte Bertrand of Volcano, California, Carolyn Giuliani of Richardson, Texas, and Dwight Robertson of Bakersfield, California; and by eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
 
Condolences to the family may be sent to 1510 Jennifer Street, Richardson, TX 75082. 
 
A funeral service was held on Monday, February 22, at the Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. 
 
Thomas and Hazel Robertson originally served in the East Oklahoma and North Texas Conferences before transferring to California-Nevada in 1949. In this Conference they served the Dos Palos, Hughson, Elk Grove, and Williams churches. Thomas Robertson died in 1987. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY or online at secure.salvationarmy.org.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Madolyn Chandler, the spouse of the Rev. Alfred Chandler, died on Friday, February 5, 2010. She is survived by her husband, who resides at 750 Auburn Ravine Road, Auburn, CA 95603; by two children: Stephen Chandler of Auburn and Elaine Chandler of Aurora, CO; and by two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, February 13 at 11 a.m., at the Pioneer United Methodist Church in Auburn. The Rev. Barbara Smith presided. 
 
Alfred and Madolyn Chandler served the Fresno: Sierra Vista, Livingston, Lindsay, Watsonville, Oakland: Laurel, and Los Banos churches before retiring in 1975. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Pioneer United Methodist Church, 1338 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Seda Suzuki, the surviving spouse of the Rev. Lester Suzuki, died on Saturday, January 9, 2010. She is survived by three daughters: Irene Tekawa of Berkeley, Janet Brockmann of Hayward, and Marisa Suzuki of El Cerrito; by three grandchildren; and by four great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 547 Santa Clara Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707. 
 
The memorial service was held on Sunday, January 24 at the Methodist United Church in Berkeley. Bishop Roy Sano and the Rev. Naomi Southard  presided. 
 
Lester and Seda Suzuki originally served with the Japanese Provisional Conference before transferring to California-Nevada in 1964. In this Conference they served the Berkeley United and Sacramento: Pioneer churches before retiring in 1976. Lester Suzuki died in 1999. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to either the Methodist United Church, 1710 Carleton Street, Berkeley, CA 94703; the Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org/donate; or to a charity of one's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Edgar Nelson died on Saturday, January 23, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Marian Nelson, who resides at 1075 McCollum Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991. 
 
A memorial service was held on Friday, January 29, at 12 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Yuba City. The Rev. Lois Black presided. 
 
Edgar and Marian Nelson served the Oakland: Pioneer Memorial, Del Ray, Sonora, San Jose: St. Paul's, Mill Valley, and Yuba City: First churches before their retirement in 1985.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Elva Busher, surviving spouse of the Rev. Fred Busher, died on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at age 100. She is survived by three children and three step-children: James Busher of Vacaville, John Busher of San Francisco, Peter Busher of Newburyport, MA, Gareth Busher of Concord, Frederick Busher of Stockton, and Dorothy Carpenter of Oakley; and by 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
 
Condolences to the family may be sent to 1922 Funston Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116. 
 
A memorial service is planned for a later date. 
 
Fred Busher served the San Andres, Valley Springs, Fortuna, Redding: First, Reno, Richmond: St. Luke's and San Francisco: Calvary churches before his death in 1964. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the charity of one's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Velma Lord, surviving spouse of the Rev. Charles Lord, died on Friday, November 20, 2009. She is survived by three children: Robert Lord of San Jose, Jane Price of Alamo, and Richard Lord of Fresno, California; by six grandchildren; and by four great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 1529 St. Alphonsus Way, Alamo, CA 94507. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, January 9 at 1:30 p.m., at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, the Rev. Don Cunningham presiding. A reception followed the service, at the Lake Park Retirement Residence, 1850 Alice Street, Oakland. 
 
Charles and Velma Lord served the Arcata, Santa Clara, Alameda: First, Bakersfield: Trinity, Oakland: First, and Concord churches before his death in 1969. Charles Lord also served as District Superintendent of the Central District from 1956 through 1961. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Fred Finch Youth Center, 3800 Coolidge Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602, or to a charity of one's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Vernon Gunckel died on Monday, November 30, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Gunckel, who resides at 109 Olde Towne Place, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 4K9, Canada; by a child, Coretta Gotten; and by four grandchildren. 
 
A memorial visitation was held on December 5, at the Ogden Funeral Home in Toronto. 
 
Vernon Gunckel lived in Canada for many years, serving in ministry to the dying and bereaved. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 (donate.doctorswithoutborders.org), or to Amnesty International, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001 (www.amnesty.org).
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Wayne Kessel died on Thursday, December 3, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Kessel; by two children: Donald Kessel of Morgan Hill, and Linda Kessel Solis of San Jose; and by one grandchild. Condolences to the family may be sent to 359 Mayellen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, December 12, at 2 p.m., at the Campbell United Methodist Church, the Rev. Alan Jones presiding. 
 
Wayne Kessel served the Burlingame, Gilroy, San Jose: Alum Rock, Oakland: Laurel, Merced, Livermore: Asbury, San Rafael: First, and Fremont: St. Paul's churches before retiring in 1987. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Wayne Kessel Memorial Fund, Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA 95008.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Louise Iles, surviving spouse of the Rev. Dwight Iles, died on Saturday, November 28, 2009. She is survived by four children: John Iles of Phoenix, Arizona, Martha Worcester of Seattle, Washington, Mary Jane Hershey of Sonoma, California, and Sharon Sauer of Richmond, Virginia; and by 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. 
 
A memorial service was held at the Haller Lake United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington.  
 
Dwight Iles served in the Northwest Indiana Conference before transferring to California-Nevada in 1947. In this Conference they served the Greenville Parish, Los Molinos, Cone, Portola, Nevada City, Newcastle, Five Points, and Earlimart churches before retiring in 1965. Dwight Iles died in 1990. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Louise Iles Memorial Fund, Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 First Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98125.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Charlene Barnes, surviving spouse of the Rev. Melvin Barnes, died on Friday, November 27, 2009. She is survived by seven children: Cynthia Myers of Sonora, Brenda Trapasso of Shingletown, Bill Barnes of Klamath, Cathy Gill of Linden, and Sandra Wright of Lodi, California, Claudia Kelley of Sisters, Oregon, and Patti Aslakson of Grants Pass, Oregon; by 22 grandchildren; and by 29 great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to Cynthia Myers at 745 Cielo Vista Way, Sonora, CA 95370. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m., at the River Valley Foursquare Church, 1770 Pleasant Street, Redding. 
 
Melvin Barnes served the Soulsbyvile, Tuolumne, Linden, Valley Springs, and Klamath churches before retiring in 1983. He died in 2003. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the United Methodist Church of the Redwoods, P.O. Box 246, Klamath, CA 95548.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Doris Ham, surviving spouse of the Rev. Chester Ham, died on Sunday, November 22, 2009. She is survived by three daughters: Doris Jarvis of Marysville, California, and Marilyn Gnehm and Theo Dumars, both of Wildwood, Florida; and by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 1720 Ellis Lake Drive, #1, Marysville, CA 95901. 
 
The family plans no memorial service. 
 
Chester and Doris Ham served the Escalon, San Jose: Willow Glen, and Richmond: St. Luke's churches before his death in 1959. 
 
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association at donate.americanheart.org.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor George Weber died on Monday, November 9, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Weber, who resides at 4869 N. Harrison, No. 104, Fresno, CA 93704; by two children: Joel Weber of Clovis and Julia Kyger of Bahrain; and by four grandchildren. 
 
A private memorial service will be held for the family. 
 
George and Wilma Weber originally served the Kansas West and Oregon-Idaho Conferences before transferring to California-Nevada in 1959. In this Conference they served the Sunnyvale: Lakewood, Red Bluff, Gilroy, Hughson, Modesto: First, Sacramento: St. Andrew's, Sanger, and Wasco churches before retiring in 1990. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Organ Fund, First Congregational Church, 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd., Fresno, CA 93704.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Jeannette Thurman, surviving spouse of the Rev. Arthur Thurman, died on Sunday, October 4, 2009. She is survived by two children: Rachel Cowden of Citrus Heights and Janelia Thurman of Albany, and by five grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 845 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA 94706. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m., at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Berkeley. The Revs. Heather Hammer and Odette Lockwood-Stewart presided. 
 
Arthur and Jeannette Thurman served the Fall River, Colusa, Reno: First, Modesto: First, and Berkeley: Epworth churches. Art Thurman also served as Conference Director of Methodist Youth, Bay View District Superintendent, Shasta District Superintendent, and Program Director of the Conference Council. He died in 1981. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Fred Finch Youth Center, 3800 Coolidge Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Rita Tanner, surviving spouse of the Rev. Robert Tanner, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. She is survived by four children: Susan Tanner-Dorn of Clinton, Iowa, Clark Tanner of Montrose, Colorado, and Fawn Bos and Robert Tanner of Clovis, California; and by 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 10517 E. Cedarwood Court, Clovis, CA 93619. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, August 29, at the New Hope Community Church in Clovis. 
 
Robert Tanner originally served in the Northern New York and Desert Southwest Conferences before transferring to California-Nevada in 1960. In this Conference he served the Tuolumne, Soulsbyville, Upper Lake-Clearlake Oaks, Linden, Quincy, and Earlimart-Alpaugh churches. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite B6, Fresno, CA 93711. The family invites friends and acquaintances of Rita to access the obituary link on Farewell.com and sign the guestbook.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Gordon Fairchild died on Friday, August 21, 2009, in Sacramento, California. He is survived by three children: Ginger Stimac of Sacramento, Randall Fairchild of Sacramento, and Martha Fairchild of Citrus Heights; and by four grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 5380 Camellia Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95819. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, September 12 at 1 p.m., at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Sacramento. The Revs. Faith Whitmore and Jerry Smith presided. 
 
Gordon Fairchild served the Chico: Trinity, San Francisco: Geneva Avenue, Reedley: First, Elk Grove, Sacramento: Wesley, and Florin churches before retiring in 1991.
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202, or www.heifer.org.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Mrs. Tobina Dalton, spouse of the Rev. William Dalton, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. She is survived by her husband, who resides at 2120 Elmwood Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204; by five children: Marianna Al-Jundi of Sacramento, Jan Dalton of Traverse City, Michigan, Suzanne Dalton of Santa Barbara, Kathleen Bracho of Memphis, Tennessee, and George Dalton of Antioch, California; and by eight grandchildren. 
 
The memorial service was held on Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m., at the Central United Methodist Church in Stockton. The Revs. David Bennett, Gary Putnam, and Gil Vieira presided. 
 
Bill and Tobina Dalton served the Ceres, Orland, Sonoma, San Bruno, Sebastopol, Redwood City: First, and Stockton: St. Paul's churches before retiring in 1981. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Fred Finch Youth Center, 3800 Coolidge Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602-3311 (www.fredfinch.org) or to a charity of one's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Ethel Adams, surviving spouse of the Rev. Kenneth Adams, died on Friday, August 14, 2009. She is survived by three children: Tom Adams of Sacramento, Jon Adams of Fresno, and Beth Bolduc of Salt Lake City; by 10 grandchildren; and by 15 great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to 15 Newell Circle, Napa, CA 94558. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, August 29 at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Napa. The Rev. Doug Monroe presided. 
 
Kenneth and Ethel Adams served the Oakland: Golden Gate, Antioch, San Francisco: Calvary, Napa: First, Fresno: First, and Bakersfield: First churches before retiring in 1976. He also served as District Superintendent of the Sacramento-Nevada District from 1960 through 1966. Kenneth Adams died in 2002. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph Street, Napa, CA 94553, or to a charity of one's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Lee Williamson died on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Williamson, who resides at 29179 Delgado Road, Hayward, CA 94544; a son, Roy Williamson of Oroville, California; a daughter, V.J. Williamson of Concord, California; and by three grandchildren.  
 
An informal memorial service with potluck was held on Saturday, September 12 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Hayward. The Rev. John Chamberlin, Sarah Hubinsky Phelps, Katie Kandarian, and John Wichman presided. 
 
Lee Williamson served the Pleasanton: Lynnewood, Park Presidio, Oakland: Melrose United, Albany, and Hayward Wesley churches before retiring in 2004. He was honored at the last Annual Conference Session with the 2009 Talbert Award for Racial Justice. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the South Hayward Parish Food Program, c/o The Food Program, 2024 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544; to Lavender Seniors, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577; the Ecumenical Peace Institute, P.O. Box 9334, Berkeley, CA 94709-0334; or to the Methodist Federation for Social Action, c/o Dean Coons, 3960 N. Peardale Drive, Lafayette, CA 94549.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor Robert Clazie died on Thursday, June 18, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Lois Clazie, who resides at 827 Montrose Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95409. 
 
The memorial service was held on Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa, with The Revs. Greg Bergquist and Bill Marx presiding. 
 
Bob Clazie served the Redwood Highway, Courtland, Eureka, Richmond: St. Luke's, San Mateo: First, South San Francisco: St. Paul's, Sacramento: Central, Oakland: St. Stephen's, Palo Alto: Wesley, Oakland: Rockridge, Clearlake: Community, and Lincoln churches before retiring in 1992. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Robert and Lois Clazie Endowment Scholarship Fund, Iliff School of Theology, 2201 South University, Denver, CO 80210, or to the First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Mrs. Erna Bimson, surviving spouse of the Rev. Richard Bimson, died on Sunday, May 17, 2009. She is survived by five children: Robert Bimson of Napa, California; Richard Bimson and Keith Bimson, both of Davis, California; Kent Bimson of Cape Canaveral, Florida; and Shirley Jake of Granite Bay, California; and by 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
 
Condolences to the family may be sent to Robert Bimson, 1126 Deerfield Drive, Napa, CA 94558. 
 
The memorial service was held on Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Napa, with The Rev. Doug Monroe presiding. 
 
Richard and Erna Bimson served the Sunnyvale, Sacramento: Wesley, San Francisco: Geneva, Tracy, Atwater, Lodi, Redwood City: First, and San Jose: Cambrian Park churches before retiring in 1979. Richard Bimson died in 1990. 
 
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Napa Valley Hospice, 414 S. Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94599; to the First United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph Street, Napa, CA 94559; or to the American Cancer Society affiliate of the giver's choice.
 
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Retired pastor J. Donald Zerbe died on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. He is survived by three children: Richard Zerbe of Sutherlin, Oregon, Donald Zerbe of Roseburg, Oregon, and Elizabeth Marias of Kalispell, Montana; and by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Condolences to the family may be sent to Elizabeth Marias, 1004 Sixth Avenue, East, Kalispell, MT 59901.
 
At last report, the memorial service still was being planned for a future date. 
 
Don Zerbe originally served in the West Michigan Conference before transferring to California-Nevada in 1950. In this Conference he served the Scott Valley Parish, Etna, Ft. Jones, Greenview, Vallejo: First, Mountain View: Trinity, San Jose: St. Paul's, Alameda: Twin Towers, Oakland: Central, Maxwell, and Willows churches before retiring in 1981.