Obituaries

Obituaries are listed Chronologically. The most recent individuals are posted at the top.

NOTE: This page may not include the most recent obituaries. Please also note that not every individual has an obituary in Coalinga Press. Some families may choose a different option. Some obituaries are not written and submitted for publication until long after a family member has passed. We apologize for any late postings. For the most accurate information, our digital version of Coalinga Press is available as a subscription for $45 a year. Hard/printed copies are available by subscription delivered to your home locally for $80 a year. This online version is provided as a courtesy and is not inclusive.

Bill Jeffreys

Elvira L. Sauceda

Michael Coe

Nancy Kay Hames

Michael Allen Tranchita

Michael Angelo Lupo

Nalani S. Greathouse

Clara Veeneman

Matt Franklin Culver

Jean Marie Tarkington

Joy Neal

Ellen Francis Clare

Tom Smith

Marilyn LaDean Arp

Donald Lemuel Heriford

Betty May Garrett

Verna Jean Den Hartog

George Franklin Fletcher

Leonard L. Skaggs

Robert “Bob” David Burch

Keith Hintergardt

Daniel Curtis Lam

Oscar Garcia Garza

Allen Nebelung

Sherry Tarver

Faith Ann Vinyard

George E. Peacher

Marcelina Castillo

Ron Melvin Wohlgemuth

Kylie Fernandez Newland

Minnie Marie Scrivner Clay

Thelma A. Cervantes

Victor “Chiquis” Cortes

Norman Johansen

Bill Morris

Mary Josephine Trumbly

Hazel Medina

Patricia “Pat” James

Maria del Rosario “Chayo” Ortega Cervantes

Sherri White Hicks

Melanie Vargas

Lela “Lee” Ann (Keirns) Uhlemann

Juanna Mary Rete

Richard Vickers

Raenell Culwell Padilla

Beverly Jean Kreyenhagen

Wanda Sue Trippel

Jerimiah Godare

John A. Green

Raymond Randall Oxborrow

Harold W. Ellison

Linda C. Gardner

Linda C. Gardner (aka Linda Taylor) was born on November 23, 1955, as Linda Carol Ferrell in Hanford, CA to Homer R. and Lois J. (Garrison) Ferrell. She attended Coalinga High School in Coalinga, CA.

In her pastime she enjoyed taking care of her horses, and spending time horseback riding with her dear friend, Vanessa Folks (Nix). Additionally, she enjoyed visiting with her family and friends more than anything. One of her greatest joys was raising her granddaughter. Linda C. Gardner (aka Linda Taylor) of Las Vegas, NV passed away on October 28, 2020 after a long illness and recovery from a liver transplant.

She was preceded in death by her father, Homer Ferrell; Mother, Lois Keylon; and Brother, Sherman Ferrell. She is survived by her husband, Mark Gardner of Las Vegas, NV; son, Robert Williams and Stepson Zebadiah Gardner, both of MN; sister, Carrie (Bob) Jennings of Fresno, CA; granddaughter, Destiny Williams of Las Vegas, NV and great granddaughter, Lilith Fernandez, both of Las Vegas, NV; and numerous cousins. Linda was laid to rest on November 13, 2020 at Lemoore Cemetery in Lemoore, CA. It was her wish to be buried near her family. Linda C. Gardner (aka Linda Taylor) you will forever be remembered for the love that you had for your family and friends.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/18848006/Linda-Taylor/Las-Vegas/Nevada/Heritage-Mortuary-Inc

Jo Ann Hills

Charles G. Vaughn

Frank L. Johnson, Jr.

Wanda Buckner

Bettie Zane Paul

Jill Ann Zwicky

Doyle C. Argenbright, Sr.

David Dwight Popejoy

Jacqueline Cecilia Tafoya Bushby

Kirk L. Irwin

Kirk’s father, Bud, owned Bud’s Welding Shop in Coalinga, CA. In the late 70’s, Kirk partnered with Bud to become K-Bud’s Welding Service, which remained open for approximately 30+ years. In 2004, Kirk began work for the State of CA (PVSP) as a maintenance mechanic. He took great pride in his job, and his work ethic goes unmatched.

He was the perfect balance of humor and drive, always encouraging his children to strive for their very best. Although his wife and children were everything, it is safe to say his greatest joy was born on October 1, 2013. Kirk was promoted to a Papa (grandpa) when Jaxton Scott Sigler came into this world. Jax is a carbon copy of Papa Kirk including his infamous sense of humor; they were the very best of friends. Fort building, campouts, slushie drives, and wrestling matches were just a few of their favorite things. Family was Kirk’s number one.

Kirk loved his community and worked to see Coalinga thrive. He often donated materials, finances, or time to see improvements to our little town. He coached countless youth sports teams throughout his childrens’ childhood, and made multiple donations to CHUSD. Kirk was AYSO president for many years, served on the RDA commission, and has sat on the Coalinga Huron Recreation and Parks District board for the past 19 years, still serving until his passing. He strived to better this community for all, young and old.

Kirk’s story would be incomplete without mentioning his friends. If you needed something, he had it. If you needed help, he was there. If you needed a laugh, he was your guy. Once you met Kirk, you never forgot him. He made a lasting impression, most often with his sense of humor. The jokes, pranks, and tall tales left his victims still thinking about it days later, questioning it’s truth or laughing in disbelief. He loved making life fun. He often said, ‘If life can’t be fun, what’s the point?”

Kirk is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Helen Irwin. Kirk is survived by his wife Teresa, children Monica and Kyle, son in law Robert Sigler, grandson Jaxton, brother Steve Irwin and wife Laurie, sister Keri Hills and husband Bob, sister Sherri Cadena and husband Sevando, sister in law Mary Rose Houck and husband Ed, half brother and sister Paul and Connie, and his 5 nieces and nephews, Kelly (Houck) Gonzales, Corinna Rosella Irwin, Ben Irwin, Cash Cadena, and Rhea (Cadena) Billingsley, and 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Due to current restrictions, a Celebration of Life will need to be postponed but not forgotten. We will be having a wonderful get together with all of his friends, family, and co-workers in the near future, guaranteed to include delicious food, great company, memorable stories, and of course, lots of laughs. If you would like to make a donation in Kirk’s memory, Coalinga Huron Recreation and Parks District (CHRPD) was an organization that was very important to him.

CHRPD P.O. BOX 386

Helen Trainer Vance

Alfredo Marcos Salaiza

Rafael Renteria

Jon B. Griffith

This Obituary is for the man that didn’t like long winded birthday cards.

This is for a loving Husband, brother, Dad, and Poppie.

Jon B. Griffith was born in Coalinga California on November 9th, 1943. Jon passed on August 11th, 2020 at the Hanford Ca Adventist Hospital. He had been battling at home for weeks and then in Hanford Hospital for 24 days the effects of Pneumonia and COPD. He wanted it known that it was not Covid-19, and it wasn’t.

He was an extremely tough man and was completely coherent and joking until the very end. He got the wonderful privilege of holding his wife’s hand in passing the morning of August 11, 2020. It was her privilege as well. They were meant to be husband and wife of the past 56 years.

He was born and raised in Coalinga California. He joined the US Airforce in 1963. He met his future wife while in the Air Force in Rapid City South Dakota. He married Delaine Parker, a college student in 1964 in Wibaux Montana. Together they had 2 children, Robin Uribe and Michael Griffith both of Coalinga Ca.

Jon worked all of his life early on for the local pharmacy and Catholic church. Once grown up after high school, he worked as an equipment operator for the Forestry and later was hired at Atlas Asbestos as a driver. Eventually he landed a pump station operator job with Getty oil and later made a long career at Texaco oil in Coalinga. Just before retirement he was a driver for Zollie Knight fuel Service.

He raised a family which is very proud to have called him Dad, later he became Poppie to all the grandchildren and then his great grandchildren.

He was a Hard-Core San Francisco Giants fan, something he passed along to all of his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his dogs and we know he’s with them and his loved ones right now. He was a man of great humor and an incredibly hard worker with talent at anything he tackled.

He is survived by his Wife, Delaine Griffith, Sisters Becky and Sandra, Daughter Robin Uribe, Son Michael Griffith, Son in-law Anthony Uribe, Grand children Clark Griffith, Mallory Wells, Matt

Griffith, Austin Uribe, granddaughter in-law Breanna Griffith, granddaughter in-law Amanda Griffin, grandson in-law Kyle Wells, Great grandchildren, Parker Wells, Rowdy Wells, Ellie-Mae Griffith and Juliette Griffith, along with the many friends he met during his life.

He has joined his mother Louise Griffith, Father A.C. Griffith, his grandparents Mo-Mo and Po-Po. He is also with his beloved dogs, he calls his girls.

We love you and couldn’t have asked for a better Husband, Brother, Dad, friend and Poppie. See you again one day. We love you and miss you as we know you do us.

In lieu of flowers for Jon, please consider a donation to Companion Animal Remembrance and Endowment Fund:

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Office of the Dean
One Shields Ave
Davis, CA 95616
Check payable to UC Regents.

Carol Louise Maloney Stephens

Donna Ramalho

Donna Ramalho, fondly known as Gowey to her grandchildren, went to be with the Lord at the age of 73 on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in Farmington, New Mexico.

Donna was a longtime Coalinga resident. She graduated from Coalinga High School in 1965. She also married Ernest Ramalho on February 6, 1965. She worked in the banking industry for 30+ years, serving as branch manager of multiple banks in Coalinga.

Active in the Coalinga community, Donna served as a member of the Coalinga Chamber of Commerce and involved herself with nu-
merous charitable organizations. Donna had a love for the Lord, volunteering to serve in the many congregations she was able to be part of.

Donna was a resilient woman, surviving cancer and overcoming a number of health obstacles during her life. She deeply loved her family and friends, taking special pride in being a grandmother. Friends and family describe Donna as warm, kind hearted, strong, humble, dedicated, and loving. She truly embodied the matriarch role in the Ramalho family.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Clarence (C.G.) and Cordia Lee. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Ramal-
ho; her sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Virginia Ramalho, Dean and Jamie Ramalho; her grandchildren, Darren, Kaitlyn, Joseph, and Carlee Ramalho; her brothers, Bobby and Ronnie Lee, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held in Coalinga at a later date due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Dolores M. Medina

Anjanette Marie Smithson

Anjanette Marie Smithson was born to Charles David Smithson and Alyce Allene Epps on February 3, 1970 in Coalinga, CA and passed away July 9, 2020 in Coalinga, CA.

She is survived by her parents, David Smithson and Allene Smithson, her sister Traci Mendosa and brother-in-law Patrick, and brother Richard Smithson as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Anjanette grew up in Bakersfield, CA later moving to King City, CA where at age 20 was diagnosed with Leukemia. She received a bone marrow transplant that same year and was declared cured at age 25.

She has spent the last 30 years battling complications from her treatment. Hip replacements, revisions, and pain we could not imagine yet she always had a smile and a kind thing to say. She never met a stranger. She made friends wherever she went and will be missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to thank Ardent Hospice for their care and support during Anjanette’s final days especially: Deb White RN, Jacob, and Pastor Steve. You are true Angels of Mercy.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Anjanette’s Memory.

Gary George Hohnstein

Chasity Elaine Montgomery

Chasity was born on October 10, 1974 in San- dusky, Michigan to Carolyn Hilliker Morris.

She grew up in Coalinga and graduated from Coalinga High School in 1992. She attended West Hills Junior College where she met her
husband, Jason Montgomery.
After marrying Jason, Chasity began a career in the U.S. Postal service as a rural mail carrier in Hollister California. She later became a residential mail carrier in Lemoore, California, and eventually came to Coalinga. Her last move and final chapter was in Dillon, Montana, working in the Dillon Postal Branch Office.

Along with her years of service in the post Office, came the joys and blessings of her life: daughters Halie and Harlie.

Chasity and her husband Jason helped establish and coach Dillon High School’s first girls’ softball team. She leaves many friends and coworkers in Coalinga and Montana.

Chasity is survived by her husband James Montgomery, daughters Hailie, 23, and Harlie, 16, grandmother Imogene Hilliker, mother Carolyn Morris, father Dale Morris, stepmother Janet Morris, brothers Buck Morris (Whitney), Jason Montgomery, sister Misty Morris, stepsisters Andrea Gilliat, Faith Funk (nee Gilliat) (Dave), Bethany Grainer (nee Gilliat) and stepbrother Jon Gilliat. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles.
Celebration of Life plans are pending.

David Philip Lupo

Betty Jo Lane

Ruby Marie Byers Norwood

BEVERLY JEANNE GEREN WHITAKER

Our lovely Aunt Jeanne passed away on Friday, May 1, 2020. She was the oldest child of Bill and Jeannette Harding Geren born in Downey, California on March 18, 1940.

At age 11, Jeanne, her brother Jimmy and sister Susan, moved with their parents from Los Angeles to the small town of Coalinga. Their father Bill, a CHP patrolman, had been transferred by the California Highway Patrol. Soon after, their mom began her employment with the US Post Office. Jeanne liked school and excelled in business courses including shorthand. After graduating from Coalinga High School in 1958, Jeanne moved to Los Angeles where she found employment as a Senior Management Assistant for British Petroleum (ARCO). She retired from ARCO after 40 years.

Jeanne was introduced to a good-looking ambulance driver, William “Bill” Whitaker, who didn’t seem to mind waiting for the “always late, but worth the wait” Jeanne Geren. The two ended up tying the knot on February 27, 1971. Sometime 1980’s they found an empty lot in Morro Bay, the coastal town they loved to visit. They purchased the lot, but as there was a building moratorium at the time, it took years to get a building permit. They were ecstatic when their dream home with a view of the ocean was finally completed in 1992. Jeanne retired in 1999 and the two moved to their paradise in Morro Bay. Bill and Jeanne became active members of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and were later sealed for all Time and Eternity at the Los Angeles Temple. They volunteered to help whenever needed and enjoyed activities with others.

Jeanne was predeceased by her husband, Bill Whitaker; her parents, Bill Geren and Jeannette Deverick; her sister Susan Geren Keenan; and her nephew Jeff Geren.

She is survived by her brother James Geren (Tanya), brother-in-law Michael Keenan, niece Lisa Reckas (Jim), nephew Robert Georgatos (Mitzie), niece Jennifer Puentes (Tony), niece Alison Galleguillos (Troy), niece Andrea Geren, and many great nieces and nephews and cousins.

A special thanks goes to Dennis and Suzy Marshall who devoted much their time and medical expertise to assist Jeanne during the last year of her life.

Jeanne insisted that no services be held as she always thought of others before herself. The family will be holding a small graveside service, which is regulated by current conditions, at the Coalinga Cemetery where she will be interred next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to either Stand Strong (standstrongnow.org) or Woods Humane Society (woodshumanesociety.org)

Jeanne would like you to please be kind and generous to others.

Gilma H. Ramirez

Lloyd “Skip” Anderson

There will be a flag presentation ceremony for Skip will be held on January 8th at 2pm at the Elks Lodge. This is an open invitation to the public from us.

Kent Leroy Frame

John “Jack” Hancock

On March 21, 1981, he married the love of his life, Teresa Lennon. They had their first child, Monica Irwin (Sigler), on Sept. 19, 1987. Their second child, Kyle Irwin, was born Dec. 20, 1991. As a father, he was ever present and involved. Family time was well spent, usually full of laughter. He was the perfect balance of humor and drive, always encouraging his children to strive for their very best. Although his wife and children were everything, it is safe to say his greatest joy was born on October 1, 2013. Kirk was promoted to a Papa (grandpa) when Jaxton Scott Sigler came into this world. Jax is a carbon copy of Papa Kirk including his infamous sense of humor; they were the very best of friends. Fort building, campouts, slushie drives, and wrestling matches were just a few of their favorite things. Family was Kirk’s number one.