OBITUARIES
Gayle Elizabeth Smith
Sep 5, 2026
Gayle Elizabeth Smith, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on September 5, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California, at the age of 76.
Gayle was a loving and devoted mother to Thomas Otto, Stepmother to Lawrence (Corrine) Maples, Lisa (Jeff) Simolon, and Danielle Horgan, and Grandmother.
Gayle worked at Drummond Medical Center before shifting her career and becoming a Defense
Contractor with Comarco...
Eunice Ellen Gilliland
Sep 2, 2026
Eunice Ellen Stellmon Covert Gilliland, born on June 21, 1939, in Nez Perce, Idaho, passed away peacefully at her home on September 2, 2026, after a courageous battle to extend her life through twenty three monthly blood transfusions. She was the beloved daughter of Carey Ivon Stellmon and Glee Lorraine Moomey Stellmon, and was predeceased by her dear parents, her...
Shelby Dane King
Aug 12, 2026
Shelby Dane King 1939-2026
One of Ridgecrest, Indian Wells Valley and the state’s leading contractors for the last 52 years, Mr. Shelby Dane King, 87, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away peacefully at his home on August 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He has now embarked on his final flight, this one to Heaven, to be with his family members...
Geraldine "Gerri" Ann Levy
Aug 11, 2026
In Loving Memory of Geraldine “Gerri” Levy
On August 11, 2026, our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away in Bluffton, South Carolina, after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 13, 1935, to Katherine and Leslie Stuart, Gerri was the second oldest of five girls. She joined the Navy after high school and...
Cecilia Jane West
Aug 9, 2026
Cecilia Jane West of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born September 19, 1939, in Pampa, Texas, the oldest child of Cecil and Laura Lois Cross.
In the 1940s, Cecilia’s parents moved their family to California, where Cecilia would eventually build a life filled with family, friendship, and love. She began her...
Richard Clarence Toborg
Aug 5, 2026
Richard Clarence Toborg, born on October 20, 1946, in San Fernando valley, California, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California, surrounded by his loving family.Richard’s journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where he grew up and spent his younger years. After graduating from high school, Richard joined the United States Navy, where he proudly dedicated 20...
Mary Jane Matthews
Aug 5, 2026
Mary Jane Matthews left this life to join her soulmate, Matt on August 5, 2026. Mary Jane was born at home in Shackelford County, Texas, on January 15, 1941 to Jim & Sibyl Miller. She grew up and attended schools within an 18 mile radius of Albany, Texas. Her main comment on where she lived was "in the sticks" on...
Joseph McDonough
Aug 3, 2026
Our precious father, husband, grandpa, great grandpa, brother and friend, Joseph McDonough, was called home by his Savior Jesus Christ on 8/3/26 at the age of 97, and 26 days before his 98th birthday. Our dad was the third child of eight, and the first of 2 boys. He grew up on a farm in Fromberg, Montana with no running...
Francisco Orozco Barajas
Aug 3, 2026
En memoria de Francisco Orozco Barajas
Francisco Orozco Barajas nació el 11 de agosto de 1947, en Apatzingán, Michoacán, México. Pasó gran parte de su infancia y juventud en su tierra natal, donde vivió hasta los 18 años. En 1971, después del fallecimiento de su único hermano, quien era su hermano mayor, Francisco decidió trasladarse a Guadalajara, Jalisco, en busca de...
Billy Gene Brown
Aug 2, 2026
Billy Brown of Ridgecrest, CA passed away on August 2, 2026, one month before his 97th birthday.
Born on September 2, 1929 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, one month before the start of the Great Depression, Billy was the child of Blanche and Robert Brown.
After the loss of his father the family moved to New Mexico and worked on a ranch. It wasn’t...
Karen Joyce Hines
Jul 28, 2026
Karen Joyce Hines, 77 of Ridgecrest, CA passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 28th 2026. She was born on Sept 16th 1948 in Quincy, IL to Frederick Otis and Fern Lorien DeJaynes.
She was a wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
Karen went to Trona elementary and Trona high school. She worked at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital starting out as a...
Martha Kathleen Harkey
Jul 26, 2026
Martha Kathleen Harkey, 69, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on Sunday, 26 July 2026 at Loma Linda University Medical Center after a brief illness. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, educator and friend. She was born in Long Beach, California on 20 January 1957 to Melvin and Tobi Thompson, and was the fifth of eight children. Martha graduated from...
Victor Jesus Lara
Jul 20, 2026
Victor Jesus Lara, beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, uncle, and friend, passed away on July 20, 2026, at the age of 25. Born on June 18, 2001, Victor's life, though brief, was marked by a radiant presence and a genuine joy that he infused into every moment and relationship.
From an early age, Victor endeared himself to all who had the...
Ilene Keristine Huss
Jul 18, 2026
In Loving Memory of
Ilene Keristine Huss
June 16, 1933 – July 18, 2026
Ilene Keristine Huss was born on June 16, 1933, in the family home in East Los Angeles, California.
On June 2, 1956, she married, Logan A.L. Huss. Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and service to others. Ilene is survived by her two daughters, Gloria (Steve)...
Pedro Ortiz Maciel
Jul 13, 2026
Pedro Ortiz Maciel was born on May 19, 1960 to Jose and Magdalena Maciel. He passed away on July 13, 2026 in Bakersfield, California. He is survived by his loving wife Maria Maciel.
Edward Kirk Tipler
Jul 12, 2026
Edward Kirk Tipler was born October 23, 1950 in Port Angeles, Washington. Ed made his journey to heaven on July 12, 2026 after battling brain cancer, WI6RE signed off.
Ed was adopted at birth by Charles and Wanda Tipler of Palouse, Washington, and they were wonderful parents. Ed was raised on a rural farm in Palouse, Washington raising cattle, wheat, and...
Robert Karl Strittar
Jul 11, 2026
Robert Karl Strittar
October 30, 1971 - July 11, 2026 Aged 54
Born in Berwyn, Illinois on Oct. 30, 1971, raised in Forest Park, Illinois. He later lived in Ridgecrest, California and passed away in Loma Linda, California on July 11, 2026
A visitation is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 28 at Holland & Lyons Mortuary. Funeral services...
Dennis Emmet Henden
Jun 24, 2026
Mr. Dennis Emmet Henden, age 86, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Dennis was born on May 10, 1940, in Chester, South Dakota. In 1942, his family relocated to Compton, California, eventually settling in Ridgecrest while he was in junior high school. It was there that he spent most...
Odell Edward Braun
Jun 23, 2026
Odell Edward Braun was born on May 19, 1932 in Minnesota to Edward and Margaret Braun. He passed away in Ridgecrest, California on June 23, 2026. There is a memorial service in his honor at 11AM on August 8th, 2026 at HK Holland Memorial Chapel in Ridgecrest, Ca. He will be buried privately next to his wife at St. Mary's...
