OBITUARIES
Margaret "Maggi" A. Travis Wade
Feb 11, 2026
Margaret “Maggi” A. Travis Wade
Margaret “Maggi” A Travis Wade passed away in Ridgecrest, CA on 11 Feb 2026 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her mother Margaret L. Gedonius, daughter Jocelyn Pittman, son Keith L. Travis, and grandson Alex Moore. She is survived by her son Preston Wade and daughter-in-law Lynn of Ridgecrest, granddaughter Megan...
Margaret Ann Mattingly Freeman
Feb 3, 2026
Born in Washington, DC on August 23, 1933,
Margaret Ann Mattingly Freeman was the only child of Roger Louis Mattingly and Ida Heller Gadd Mattingly.
Margaret grew up rooted in faith and family, attending River Road Presbyterian Church with her parents. With family living in neighboring states, Margaret and her parents gathered with them, keeping ties close. She enjoyed studying ballet as...
Diana Pearson
Jan 30, 2026
Diana Jo Pearson, 79, of Ridgecrest, Ca. Passed away peacefully January 30th, 2026 surrounded by her family.
Diana was born in 1946 in San Diego, Ca to Leland and Evelyn Sander. She graduated from Granada Hills High School in 1964. On March 4th, 1966 she married the love of her life, Don Pearson. Don and Diana lived in Port Hueneme while...
Clara Iorillo
Jan 29, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our cherished mother and friend Clara Iorillo, age 99, of Ridgecrest, CA on January 29, 2026. She brought joy to everyone who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.
Born August 26, 1926, in Merced CA.
A longtime resident of Ridgecrest, since the 1940s her and her husband Alex owned several restaurants...
Lois Marie Van Guilder
Jan 29, 2026
Lois Marie Van Guilder
Born July 17, 1933 in Morrilton, Arkansas. Lois grew up on cotton farms in Oppelo, Perry and Morrilton. Lois graduated from Morrilton High School in 1952. She moved to Burbank, Ca. and worked for PAC Bell as an operator and later transferred to Phoenix, Arizona in 1958. Lois later worked at Joe Walker Jr. High School as...
Derek Robert Farrer
Jan 27, 2026
Derek Robert Farrer, 76, of Trona, CA, passed away on January 27, 2026 after a prolonged stay at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.
Derek was born February 14, 1949 in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of Robert Farrer and Alice Forrest.
Derek became a permanent resident of the United States in 1964, when his father sent him to live with his sister and her family...
Dougall "Doug" Walter Boyd
Jan 25, 2026
Dougall Walter Boyd (Doug), Born 14 March 1935 in Pasadena, CA; died peacefully at home on 25 January 2026
The Boyd family moved to China Lake in 1952. Doug attended schools on base and graduated from Burroughs High School in 1953. Doug obtained the Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts of America when he was in High School.
He supported the mission...
Juanita Louise Willis
Jan 22, 2026
Juanita Louise Willis, 79, a devoted mother and creative spirit, passed away peacefully of natural causes, on January 22, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California, with her two children by her side. Juanita was born October 2, 1946 in Taft, California to Matthew H. Doyle and Ida Louise Doyle. She will now be reunited with her beloved husband of 52 years, William...
Robert Lawrence Eierman
Jan 17, 2026
Robert Lawrence Eierman, 81, passed away on January 17, 2026.
Robert was an aerospace engineer who worked on the China Lake Naval Base for over 20 years. He was proud of his career and the contributions he made through his work.
He loved attending NASCAR races, watching his son Devin race in Washington, building model airplanes, and spending cherished time with his...
Joanna Mae Stauffer
Jan 15, 2026
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in us to do. –-- Ephesians 2:10
Joanna Mae Stauffer died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, January 15, 2026. Jo, as she was always known to family and friends, was born in Topeka, Kansas on May 23rd of a year not to be disclosed to...
Mary Bernadette Hyles
Jan 11, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Bernadette Hyles (Guyett), who passed on January 11th, 2026, at the age of 73. She passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. As a family, we prayed the Lord's Prayer, the “Our Father” together, honoring the example of steadfast faith she showed throughout her life.
Early...
Michael "Ted" Lystad
Jan 11, 2026
Michael "Ted" Lystad, born on June 30, 1951, in Bottineau, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death, a testament to the deep bonds he cherished throughout his life.
Ted dedicated many years of his professional career to the Bureau of Land Management as a drilling...
Michael Gair Hess
Jan 11, 2026
Michael Gair Hess, 65 of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on January 11, 2026.
The oldest of four children, Michael Hess was born in Ridgecrest, California on March 21, 1960 to Max and Dorrine Hess. Michael graduated from Burroughs High School in 1978. A devout Catholic, Michael entered Holy Redeemer College, a Redemptorist seminary in Wisconsin immediately following graduation. In 1979, he...
Donte Javon William
Jan 9, 2026
Donte Javon William, born on May 1, 1999, in El Centro, California, departed this life unexpectedly on January 9, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. At the young age of 26, Donte established himself as a talented electrical engineer working for a government contractor, where he was known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Donte's personality shone brightly in all aspects...
John William Owen
Jan 8, 2026
John W Owen ( Papa Owen) left this earth unexpectedly on January 8th 2026. He was 73 years old.
A loving father and papa who's selflessness, devotion to family, strong work ethic, and guiding presence, led to being a "go-to" person, a source of unconditional love, and a hero who built lasting memories through actions, not just words, leaving behind a...
John Charles Baker
Jan 7, 2026
John Charles Baker, a devoted home painter for 42 years, passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2026 in Ridgecrest, California. John was born on July 6, 1957, in Tracy, California.
John leaves behind two beloved children, Zack Baker and Tiana Baker. He is also survived by his sister, Tina Klassen, who will cherish his memory.
In remembrance of John, a memorial service...
Phyllis Elizabeth Leet Schultz
Jan 6, 2026
Phyllis Elizabeth Leet Schultz, 84, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away suddenly on January 6th, 2026 after a short illness. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, aunty, and wife, and she will be deeply missed.
Phyllis was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, on August 3, 1941, to Theodore James and Marie (Chase) Leet, as the third of four children. In 1959, she married...
Frankie Lee Byrd
Jan 3, 2026
Frankie Byrd passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 3, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. She is now joining her parents, her four sisters, and her two brothers in heaven.
Frankie was the proud mother of Samantha Barnett; her daughter Sarah Cliborne and son-in-law Tom Cliborne; and her adopted children, Adrian Hughes and Jessica Maciel. She was a loving grandmother to...
