Maria Goni

George Francis Ward

Jeffrey David Washabaugh

Angela Siler

Maria Goni

Maria Goni, 83, passed away at her home in Susanville on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011.

She was a native of Lassen County, born in Susanville on Feb. 16, 1928, to Eugenio and Benita Ezquer. When Maria was 5 years old the family returned to Spain to live, where they remained for 19 years, living first in Burgui, Navarra, and then moving to Pamplona after the Spanish Civil War ended. The family then returned to Susanville, living in a house on Pardee Avenue. Maria and her sister, Rose, both became employed at Lassen Memorial Hospital, where Maria worked as a nurse for more than 20 years. She loved being a nurse, and it showed in what she did. She took wonderful care of all the people who were her patients.

Maria was very proud to be Basque. During the 1950s and ‘60s she enjoyed going to all the local Basque dances and picnics and having good times with friends. It is at one of those Basque dances, at the St. Francis Hotel, where she met her future husband, Gene Goni. They were married on Sept. 27, 1964, and enjoyed 44 years together before Gene passed away in July, 2008.

Together with their dear friends and partners, the Urionaguenas, Maria and Gene ran Flintstone Logging, a successful business in the area for many years. They bought their home on Parkdale Avenue in 1969, raising a daughter and son there, where the family remains to this day. The home was the place on many joyous times and celebrations. Maria was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She kept a beautiful home and garden and made anyone who walked through her door feel right at home. She also kept you laughing most of the time with her funny sense of humor.

Maria was especially close to her sister, Rose, from whom she hardly ever spent a moment away from since being born. Even after Maria and Rose were married — and their husbands were cousins — their family homes were just around the corner from each other. Although Rose is blond and Maria was brunette, people would often have a hard time telling them apart. They were inseparable. You would see them about town doing their errands, but always together. Maria always looked up to and leaned on her “older” sister and loved her dearly.

Maria is survived by her sister, Rose Arainty, of Susanville; her daughter, Rose Goni Davis, and her husband Spencer, of Fair Oaks, Calif.; her son, Paul, and his wife Leslie, of Susanville; her three grandkids, Matthew Goni, Derek Goni and Sabrina Davis; her aunt, Mariana Gonzalez, of Murcia, Spain; her sister-in-law and family, Angelina “Angie” Goni; her cousin and his family, Policarpo Esparza, of Susanville; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout Susanville and Navarra, Spain.

Rosary service and Catholic mass funeral were held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville, followed by interment at Diamond Crest Cemetery. A reception followed immediately at Monsignor Moran Hall.

The family requests any donations please be made in Maria’s name to the Sacred Heart Caring and Sharing Program or to a charity of their choice.

George Francis Ward

Born in Muskogee, Okla. on March 3 1926 and passed away in his home in Janesville, Calif. on Sept. 19, 2011.

George moved to San Pablo, Calif. in 1940. He attended local schools and ultimately lived in the town of Richmond with his family. George worked as a Teamster hauling lumber from the Fort Bragg area to the East Bay until the early 1950’s, when he became an Operating Engineer. For more than 55 years George was a member of Operating Engineers Local 3.

As a resident of Janesville for more than 40 years he was known and loved by his neighbors. He was an avid angler and hunter who loved to be outdoors and enjoyed the beauty of nature.

George is preceded in death by his mother Mary Doll and his wife Patricia Ward. He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth Canaday, Pat Feltz and Carol Reeve, plus one brother John Templeton. In addition he is survived by his son Steve Ward and his daughter Susan Ward, plus many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jeffrey David Washabaugh

Jeffrey David Washabaugh, of Milford, Calif. passed away Sept. 27, 2011. Jeff was born Nov. 10, 1988 in Livermore, Calif. He graduated from Westwood Charter School in Susanville, then from Northwest Lineman College in March of 2009.

Jeff was an avid hunter and fisherman. He always had a pole in his truck and couldn't pass a stream or lake without stopping to fish.

Jeff is survived by his parents Rick and Carrie Washabaugh, of Milford; three brothers, Jared, Justin and Jason; three nephews, one niece, two sisters-in-law and grandparents, numerous aunts, uncle and cousins.

As you pass a beautiful fishing stream, meadow or lake think of Jeff fondly.

A celebration of Jeff's life was held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at the Susanville Assembly of God Church.

An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Angela Siler

Angela Siler, 23, died Sept. 10, 2011. She was born Feb. 16, 1988.

Angela is survived by mother Michelle Siler; brother Skye Walters; grandparents Alfred and Lois Martinez, grandparents Millie Alfred (deceased) and Donald Siler Sr.; aunt Denise Frawick, uncle Donald G. Siler Jr. (deceased), uncle Ron and aunt Carol Devey, and aunt Deanna and uncle Jeff Leech.

Services were held at the Highland Baptist Church.