OBITUARIES
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...
Richard Bradley Crites
Jan 2, 2026
Richard Bradley Crites died January 2, 2026. He was born the fourth child of Herbert Henry Crites and Ernestine JoAnn Phillips Crites in Greene County, PA, May 24, 1954. After the sudden death of his father in December 1958, he spent his early years on his Grandpap Phillip's farm in Spraggs, PA. When his mother married Floyd Wayne “Speedy” Booth...
Valerie Jean Brooks
Dec 28, 2025
Valerie Jean Brooks, born on June 5, 1959, in China Lake, California, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, in Riverside, California. Valerie dedicated her professional life as a sub-contractor for Searles Valley Minerals, contributing her skills and expertise over many years.
A long-time resident of Trona, California, Valerie was a devoted and loving mother to her two daughters, Jessica M....
Janet Anne Gambini
Dec 27, 2025
Janet Anne Gambini, 86, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2025.She was born in Providence, RI, on August 22nd, 1939, to Albert and Genevieve Gambini.She loved life and people and those who were lucky enough to cross her path!! She was never short on opinion, she brought spice and spark everywhere she went. She was a cat lover like no...
Elizabeth "Betty" Petach
Dec 19, 2025
Betty Petach passed away at the High Desert Haven on December 19, 2025.
Betty Petach was born on January 3, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was raised with her sister Jean in Bloomington, Indiana by her parents Wendell and Alita Wright. Her father, Wendell, was the second Dean of Education and Vice President at Indiana University. The School of Education building...
Nash Douglas Berry
Dec 11, 2025
Nash Douglas Berry, born on November 14, 2005, in California, tragically passed away in an accident on December 11, 2025, at the tender age of twenty. Nash's life, though brief, was marked by joy, laughter, and a commitment to his education and career.
A proud graduate of Burroughs High School in 2024, Nash demonstrated a remarkable dedication to his craft as...
David George Campbell
Dec 11, 2025
David George Campbell, born on October 23, 1948, in Athens, Ohio, passed away on December 11, 2025, in Ridgecrest, California. He was a devoted husband to Sara K. Campbell, who survives him.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Carl A. Campbell and Georgia A. Campbell. His legacy is one characterized by his commitment to family and the profound relationships...
Michael Scott Braithwaite
Dec 6, 2025
Michael Scott Braithwaite, born in Ridgecrest, California to Moyle and Dianne Braithwaite October 17, 1964, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025 primarily from complications of long term Lyme Disease. Despite recurring painful symptoms, with the assistance of various doctors he was able to pursue a career as a civil engineer for electric public utilities, designing and over-seeing the construction...
Helena Marie Sunny Wise
2025
With deep love and profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Helena Marie “Sunny” Wise, 71, long-time resident of Santa Clarita, California. She was born on December 3, 1954, in Ridgecrest, California, and passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025, in the presence of her daughters, Marie and Shawnie Wise-Hawkins, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.
A service...
Tammie Aline Ferris Brunet
Dec 2, 2025
Tammie A. Ferris Brunet, 56, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital after a two and a half year battle with cancer. She was born December 22, 1968, in Long Beach, California to Walter and Patrisha Young Ferris.
At age 18, Tammie married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Brunet on January 3, 1987. She was a loyal...
Nancy Bemis Brown
Nov 27, 2025
Nancy Bemis Brown
April 5th, 1933
Nancy Bemis Brown, 92, of Ridgecrest, CA, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, on November 27th, 2025, passing peacefully.
Born on April 5th, 1933, to the late Harry John Bemis and Carroll Thomas Bemis, in Kalamazoo, MI. Nancy grew up in Kalamazoo, MI, and Highland Park, Dallas, TX. She attended two years of college...
Jim Kight
Nov 21, 2025
James "Jim" Gordon Kight passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025. Born on August 6,1949, in Glendale, California, Jim spent his early childhood in Inglewood before moving with his family to Ridgecrest in 1959-a community he would proudly call home for the rest of his life.
After high school, Jim began his career with the Sierra Sands Unified School District. In...
Priscilla Rhianne Parks
Nov 14, 2025
Priscilla Rhianne Parks, 20, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on Friday, November 14th, 2025.
Priscilla was born on October 25, 2005, in Ridgecrest, California, to parents Michael Cowley and Pamela Parks. She grew up in Ridgecrest and later was trying to build a new life in Bishop, California.
Priscilla was known for her compassion for others, her unique sense of humor, and...
Betty Lou Shumway
Nov 12, 2025
Betty Lou Shumway of Ridgecrest CA passed away quietly on November 12, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born on March 2, 1927, in Bellflower, CA. She married Gordon Shumway on September 28, 1945, was married for 66 years and raised three children. In the summer of 1962, the Shumway family relocated to Ridgecrest when her husband took...
Dale Phillip Moore
Nov 11, 2025
In the early hours of November 11, 2025, Veterans Day—Dale Phillip Moore, 63, peacefully left his earthly home to begin his eternal life. To know Dale was to know a man who brought light wherever he went, restoring warmth and comfort to every place and every person he touched.
Born on September 3, 1962, in Norfolk, Virginia, Dale was the youngest...
Scottie Donald Joe Williams
Nov 9, 2025
Scottie Williams was born in Ridgecrest, California and grew up there with his parents, Katherine and Scott, and his sisters, Kimberly and Sarah. The youngest of three, he was the apple of his mom’s eye and a source of joy, humor, and warmth to everyone who knew him. He was deeply loved by his family: his grandma JoAnn, his stepdad...
Robert Burnett Dillinger
Nov 7, 2025
Robert Burnett Dillinger 29 Apr 1934-7 Nov 2025 If life was a baseball game, Bob went the full 9, extra innings, and won. He was born in 1934 in Susanville, California to hardworking parents, Burnett and Irene (nee Ducasse), who owned a local flower shop and wanted the most life had to offer for Bob and his brother Norm. Growing...
Cheryl Janet Sargent Hopkins
Nov 2, 2025
Cheryl J. Hill Sargent Hopkins, 82, of Polson, Montana, and formerly of Trona, California, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025. She was born July 22, 1943, in Trona to Euvalva (Val) and Edith Pixler Hill.
At age 16, Cheryl married the love of her life, Kenneth Sargent. After Ken's Navy retirement they returned to Trona. At...
Royce Henry Heseman
Oct 31, 2025
Royce Henry Heseman passed away peacefully in Ridgecrest, California on October 31, 2025 at the age of 99 years and 7 months. Royce was born on March 27, 1926 in San Francisco, California to Henry and Elsie Heseman. He had one younger sister, Viola. Royce lived in St. Louis, Missouri and Ontario, California before coming with his family to...
