John Grauer

John Christian Grauer, 79, died Friday, April 6 after a short illness with his family by his side. He was born in Edmont Long Island, NY and made his way west in 1968. Mr. Grauer retired from Jorgensen Fire Protection after more than 25 years as a serviceman and warehouse supervisor. Although retired, he was always willing to lend a hand either helping local businesses, family ...

Ruby Lucas

Ruby B. Lucas, 98, died Monday, April 2 at Oak Valley Care Center (OVCC), Oakdale. She was born in Rufe, Okla. to Jim and Carrie Perrin, the oldest of seven children. She lived in Salida since 1936, except for seven years in Washington and seven years in Oakdale. Mrs. Lucas was a charter member of the former Northwest Assembly of God in Salida. ...

Dorothy Russell

Dorothy A. Russell, 87, died on Good Friday, April 6 at Brighton Place, Spring Valley. She was born in Pasadena on Dec. 22, 1924. She lived most of her life in Oakdale. Mrs. Russell loved flowers and playing games with family and friends. She had a contagious, wonderful laughter. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided her much joy in her later years. She will be missed by ...

David Hinshaw

David Hinshaw, 56, died Sunday, March 25. He was born in Oakdale and was a lifelong resident, graduating from Oakdale High School in 1973. He was diagnosed early in life, at age 20, with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He became one of Stanford's cancer research patients in working toward a cure for this disease. Mr. Hinshaw was married for 36 years to his wife, Paula. He worked for Foster Farms Dairy for 13 years, retiring due to ...

Billy George Highfill

Billy George Highfill, 83, died peacefully on Monday, March 26 at home. He was born in Gaineville, Texas. He lived in Oakdale for 67 years. Mr. Highfill served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. The family thanks the many friends and family who faithfully visited him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice Henriques Highfill; son, Billy (Brenda) Highfill; daughter, Karrie (Farrell) Shatswell; two grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He ...

Dr. Leo “Lindy” Morris, DDS

Dr. Leo "Lindy" Morris, DDS, 82, of Riverbank died peacefully on Sunday, April 1 in Modesto.

Apolonia ‘Polly’ Hoffman

Apolonia 'Polly' Hoffman, 93, died suddenly on Wednesday, March 21 at Oak Valley Hospital.

Kenneth C. ‘Whitey’ Josephson

Kenneth C. 'Whitey' Josephson, 84, died Sunday, March 25 in the presence of his loving family.

Florabelle ‘Florie’ Lathrop

Florabelle 'Florie' Lathrop, 93, died recently in Turlock. She was born in Oakdale. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Cox of Hilmar; son, Lawrence Lathrop of Soldotna, Alaska; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, John 'Jack' Lathrop; son, John Lathrop; and grandson, Robert Cox. Rosary with mass to follow will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 30 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 8417 ...

Carol Jean ‘Dolly’ Speck Snyder

Carol Jean 'Dolly' Speck Snyder, 67, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 22 at Doctor's Hospital.

Jason Edward Turnage

Jason Edward Turnage, 39, died Wednesday, March 14 of colon cancer. He was born in Fremont, California and lived the majority of his life in Oakdale. He was a 1991 graduate of Oakdale High School and a United States Navy veteran. In 1995, he and friend Jeff Sawyer founded Oakies Board Shop. He began Plush Screen Printing in 1996 with one employee Paul Riva. In 2003 the two men combined their experience and began a ...

Mark Steven Godkin

Mark Steven Godkin, 61, died unexpectedly Monday, March 12 in Modesto. He was born in Oakland and raised in San Leandro. After graduating from Marina High School he started working for Pacific Telephone. Mr. Godkin moved to Oakdale where he pursued his love of living in the country, horses, hunting and sports. After his retirement he enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. He was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church. He is survived by ...

Tony Navarro

Tony Navarro died Dec. 11, 2011 of cancer. A memorial bike and car run celebrating his life and legacy will be held for his friends and family on Saturday, March 24., leaving from 1049 East A St., Oakdale at 11:15 a.m. It will continue through town, exit on J59 / La Grange. First stop will be at 'Basso Bridge' river near La Grange, then proceed to the La Grange Odd Fellows Lodge to continue with ...

William James ‘Bill’ Pooley

William James 'Bill' Pooley, 60, died Wednesday, March 14 in Iowa as the result of a fall.

Hoyet Seals

Hoyet Seals, 94, died Thursday, March 15. He and wife, Arline Seals, moved to Oakdale from Southern California in 1988. He and his wife enjoyed their home in Oakdale where they were active members in the Community United Methodist Church. Mr. Hoyet enjoyed fishing, camping, and creating projects, including model railroads, in his workshop. He loved spending time with his family and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arline Seals; daughter, ...

Lena Blaser Burtschi

Lena Blaser Burtschi, 86, died Monday, Feb. 18.

Joseph Akana ‘Butch’ Flores

Joseph Akana 'Butch' Flores, 65, died Thursday, Feb. 14 of natural causes at home surrounded by loved ones.

Lila “Lee” DePriest Forbes

Lila "Lee" DePriest Forbes, 92, died Monday, Feb. 18 in Turlock.

Joyce Earlee Gladys

Joyce Earlee Gladys, 68, died Friday, Feb. 22 of pancreatic cancer in Oakdale.

Col. Kenneth Lee Moll

Col. Kenneth Lee Moll, 85, died Thursday, Feb. 21 in Alexandria, Va.

F M Mooney

F M Mooney, 96, died quietly Thursday, Feb. 21.

Robert Paul ‘Bob’ Reed

Robert Paul 'Bob' Reed, 69, died Sunday, Feb. 17 at home in Soulsbyville, with his wife and daughters at his side after a longstanding battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in Hinckley, Minn. He lived in Oakdale for 25 years and lived in Soulsbyville for the last 13 years. Mr. Reed was an educator and humbly affected countless lives throughout his 69 years of life and 36 years as ...

Donna Joyce (Johnson) Smallwood

Donna Joyce (Johnson) Smallwood, 75, died Monday, Feb. 18 in Sonora.

McNeil Ballard, Jr.

McNeil J. 'Jim' Ballard, Jr., 77, died Monday, Feb. 11 from a very fast acting cancer at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family moved all around the United States as he grew up. He went to Los Gatos High School, went into the Air Force, and graduated from Northwestern University. Mr. Ballard's first job after college was ...

Mary Jo Banducci

James Capley

James Allen Capley, 73, died Friday, Feb. 15. He was born in Whittier to Mellie and Eugene Capley. He decided at a very early age that he wanted to become a cowboy. He was just that and loved every bit of horseshoeing, working cattle, and training horses. Mr. Capley lived in Oakdale for more than 40 years and was loved by many. He ...

Mildred Downing

Mildred Downing, 86, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. She was born to Harold Vail and Esther Finfrock in Hines (now Paramount) California on Jan. 13, 1927. She was oldest of five children. She grew up in Bellflower, and graduated from Excelsior High School. She was a secretary at Republic Supply near Los Angeles, CA. One of her greatest joys as a young adult was taking her younger ...

Dorothy Lajeunesse

Dorothy Lajeunesse, 89, died Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Alexander Cohen Hospice House after a battle with cancer. She was born in Santa Rosa, the daughter of John and Helen Irwin. She grew up in Oakland and graduated from Oakland Technical High School. In 1990, she moved to Oakdale to be closer to her family after retiring from Brockway Glass Credit Union. Survivors include ...

Suzanne Holtan

Suzanne (Feichter) Holtan, 65, died Friday, Feb. 8 at UC Davis Medical Center after a long battle with heart-lung disease. She was a graduate of Oakdale High School and then lived in the Bay Area for many years. She retired to Twin Falls, Idaho with her husband Sam and granddaughter Amber. After her husband's death, she moved to Oakdale in 2009. Survivors include her granddaughter, Amber ...

Graham Sorensen

Graham James Sorensen, 77, died peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 14 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family at Doctor's Hospital, Modesto. He was born in Salinas, the son of Adolph and Ada Sorensen. He attended schools in Salinas and was a graduate of Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. He served in the Army National Guard. Mr. Sorensen worked many years for ...