OBITUARIES
Keith Harvey Sorensen
Jun 7, 2026
Keith H. Sorensen, age 86, passed away on June 7, 2026.
Born in Minnesota, Keith graduated from Albert Lea High School on June 3, 1957. Shortly after graduation, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy on June 24, 1957. He completed basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes and served honorably until his discharge on June...
Frank Bruce Neff
Jun 1, 2026
Frank Bruce “Buster” Neff passed away on June 1, 2026 in Ridgecrest, California. Frank was 94 years old, he is, and was loved by so many.
Frank was born January 3rd, 1932 in San Clemente, California to Ester N. and Glenn Ray Neff, both of whom preceded him in death,
Frank had a full 20 year career as a flight engineer in...
Patricia Ann Kulas
May 28, 2026
Patricia Ann Kulas (née Taunton), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Ridgecrest, California, on May 28, 2026, at the age of 78. Her devoted husband of nearly 59 years, Ralph, was by her side.
Born on August 15, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Patricia lived a life defined by creativity, compassion, faith, and...
Mertie Manda Smith
May 26, 2026
Mertie Manda Smith, née Valentine, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dedicated civil service employee, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. Born on January 25, 1924, in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Mertie lived an inspiring life marked by steadfast commitment, service, and a deep devotion to family.
Mertie proudly served her country during World War II as a member...
Geraldine McCullough
May 21, 2026
Geraldine McCullough was born on April 4, 1931, in Portland, Oregon, to Omar B. Willie and Nell Willie, who owned a ranch. Known to family and friends as "Jerry," she loved horses and was a true cowgirl at heart.
Jerry rode in rodeos and barrel-raced her horses. She even participated in cattle drives, where she roped cattle, jumped from her horse,...
Jess Ernesto John Chacon
May 20, 2026
Jess Ernesto John Chaco was born November 27, 1982 in Pueblo, Colorado. He passed away on May 20, 2026 in Ridgecrest, California. A more detailed obituary to follow.
Corinne Elizabeth Maki
May 20, 2026
Corinne Elizabeth Maki passed away in her home on May 20, 2026. Corinne lived with her Partner Nicki Conlan and her daughter Hannah.
Corinne was born September 26, 1978 in Ridgecrest, CA.
Corrine loved life with her four children and recently became a grandma of twins, a little boy and a little girl, about three and a half months ago and was...
Earl Lamar Wicker
May 19, 2026
Earl Lamar Wicker, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 19, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California, surrounded by the love of his family.
Earl was born on January 27, 1939, in Valdosta, Georgia. Throughout his life, he was known for his dedication to God, his community and deep love for his family and friends. He enlisted in the Air Force...
Gordon "Dick" Richard Reymore
May 19, 2026
Gordon “Dick” Richard Reymore entered the wide-open gates of Heaven on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the age of 92. He was born on September 12, 1933 to Clarence and Evalyn Reymore in Onieda, NY. He seemed to enter the world with an immediate sense of how things work…there was nothing that he couldn’t make or fix to perfection!
Dick was...
Lorna Jane Clayson
May 15, 2026
Lorna Jane Clayson died May 15, 2026. She was born the fourth child of Emery Arthur and Clydie Jane Seckinger Clayson on November 17, 1961. Jane grew up surrounded by a large family with parents who encouraged her to develop her faith, talents, and independence. Jane enjoyed reading, watercoloring, hand-made bookbinding, crafting, and British literature and history. She loved learning...
Cheryl Darlene Bernhardi
May 14, 2026
Cheryl and her parents came to China Lake in the early 40s and lived at 402 B. Forrestal. She attended elementary school and middle school, graduation from Burroughs. She attended Bakersfield College where she received her teaching degree. She finished out her career after 30 years. She enjoyed her career immensely.
Cheryl enjoyed traveling with her husband Bruce. If you saw...
MaryAnn Burke
May 13, 2026
MaryAnn Burke went home to be with our Lord May 13, 2026. She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, December 16, 1935, to John Peter & Ruth Mehl Ost. As a child, she and her sister Barbara never got to stay anywhere too long. Her dad was a mining engineer from the Colorado School of Mines, so they lived in places...
Rosalie Bignall Ferguson
May 12, 2026
Early in the morning of May 12, 2026, Rosalie Bignall Ferguson slipped from this life to return home to Heavenly Father and her husband, Bryant Ferguson, to move forward in the next chapter of their eternal journey.
Rosalie was born May 26, 1934, to Bliss and Reva Bignall in Grace, Idaho. The family moved to Heber City, UT when she was...
Janet Lorraine Dake
May 11, 2026
Janet (Moniz) Dake, 90, was born in Hayward California the third of four children. In her youth, she helped with her family’s mini-farm growing vegetables, caring for chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs and also helped harvest apricots from their small orchard.
When Janet married in 1963, she moved to Ridgecrest CA where she and her husband Jim raised their three children. Janet...
Alice Penelope "Penny" Raymond
May 3, 2026
"Alice Penelope “Penny” Raymond passed away on May 3, 2026, in North Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 73. She was born on July 17, 1952, in Midland, Texas, to Beverly and George Kirkpatrick.
Penny lived in Ridgecrest, Santa Monica, Las Vegas, and Pahrump throughout her life, with Las Vegas being her longtime home for more than 30 years. She...
Wanda Louise Church
May 1, 2026
Wanda Louise (Bryant) Church passed peacefully from this beautiful world on May 1, 2026, in Ridgecrest, CA. She was born on October 24, 1934, in Knoxville, TN, to William E. Bryant and Lula (Spurgeon) Bryant.
Wanda’s childhood was spent roaming the hills of Tennessee with her dog and cat, developing an early and lifelong love of animals, gardening, reading, and the...
Susan Judith Gill Dunn
Apr 30, 2026
Susan Judith Gill Dunn, 60, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Susan spent most of her life in California before recently moving to Huntsville, Alabama. She will be remembered for her love of NASCAR, her little dog Gracie, and a good cup of coffee—simple joys that brought her comfort and happiness.
She is survived by her two daughters, Ashley Molato and...
Jeffrey Maurice Black
Apr 23, 2026
Jeffrey Maurice Black would have been happy spending every living hour on his dirt bike.
Jeff passed away peacefully with close family by his side on April 23rd 2026. Jeff was 62 years old at the time of his passing. Jeff was born in Eureka California and moved with his family to Inyokern in his early childhood years. He acclimated well...
Norman "Mike" Michael Kauppi
Apr 20, 2026
Norman Michael “Mike” Kauppi, 68, passed away suddenly on April 20, 2026, at Riverside Community Hospital with his beloved wife and brother-in-law by his side.Mike was born on March 25, 1958, in Virginia, Minnesota, to Norman and Carol Kauppi. Though shy as a child, he grew into a talented athlete and became a high school basketball standout while attending Aurora-Hoyt...
Samuel Alexander Perez
Apr 11, 2026
Sammy was born on June 4, 2009. He was a very loving and joyful young man. No matter the circumstances he never failed to make people laugh, Sammy loved to worship the Lord and spread God's love towards everyone. Until his last moments he praised the Lord.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an...
