Rick Edward Martin

Vondalee M. Milton

Juana (Lupe) Zinn

Rick Edward Martin

Rick Edward Martin, 50, was born Jan. 17, 1961 in Susanville, Calif. Rick went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 26, 2011. Rick was born and raised in Susanville. He was a hard working man. Rick worked as timber faller, small business owner and at the Sierra Army Depot.

Rick had a love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter. Rick was a family man. He loved and cared for his family. Rick’s love of children led him to coach little league and softball. He coached softball for many years with his dear friend David Mitchell.

Rick is survived by the love of his life, his wife Yvonne Martin; children, Danielle Martin, of Rocklin, Calif. Joshua Martin, of Susanville, daughter-in-law Dillon Carolina Martin, of Rouge River, Ore., Melissa Martin, of Susanville; nine beautiful grandchildren; mother, Donna Jayne, of Susanville; sister, Kathy Ayers, of Herlong, Calif.; uncle and aunt, David and Shirley Martin, of Alturas; uncle and aunt Larry and Golda Martin, of Sandia, Texas.

Rick was preceded in death by his father John Martin, sister Cindy Martin, grandmother Virginia Johnson and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Rick will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at Susanville Assembly Church.

Vondalee Mulroney Milton has always been one to keep her family and friends close to her heart and has never forgotten her Irish roots. Born to Merlyn E. Mulroney and Wanda Mae McClelland in Susanville, Calif. Dec. 1, 1939, Vondalee, who came to be known as Vonda, graduated from Lassen High School in 1957 and Reno Business College in 1960. She married her high school sweetheart, Russell E. Milton, April 30, 1960 in Reno, Nev. Two children were born to them, Tamara Lee and Ryan Pierce.

The Miltons moved from Susanville to Alturas, Calif. in 1971, where together “Vonda and Russ” owned and operated Modoc Motor Parts in Alturas and Cedarville, until they retired in 2005.

Vonda’s knack for organizing fun family gatherings and her gracious hostess skills drew family and friends together for good times and holidays, whether at the Milton home in Alturas or at Eagle Lake, where Russ and Vonda built their dream cabin, overlooking Eagle Lake, known as a relaxing retreat for everyone who stopped in. She enjoyed cooking and often treated guests to newly-discovered recipes which were always wonderful. Famous for her homemade green Blarney Stones (cakes), which those fortunate to receive on St. Patrick’s Day will not soon forget. Her indomitable Irish spirit came through in all aspects of her life and radiated warmth and good cheer to all she came in contact with. People who got to call her friend consider themselves luckier than finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Vonda made lifelong friendships.

Her sense of humor, honesty and humbleness were coupled with helping others see things from a different perspective. Vonda enjoyed the art of quilting and gardening and was always willing to try something new or go someplace new. She took up piano lessons in retirement, loved traveling to Eagle Lake and enjoyed many concerts and live performances. The Alturas Community Theater was one of Vonda’s treasured projects. She even convinced her grandchildren to volunteer time with her on the theater project.

Vonda chose to become a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in 1973. She has been a dedicated and supportive church member through the years at church events and has held positions on the church board and with Episcopal Church Women. Vonda was a member of the first-ever Alturas Chamber of Commerce and Welcoming Committee, when it formed in 1991. She personally helped welcome new business owners and residents with informational/gift packets and a kind visit to get newcomers off to a welcome start and answer their questions. She was also a member of the American Red Cross. A wonderful, loving mother, business partner and wife, her family from children to great-grandchildren, have always come first.

Vonda passed away peacefully on Jan. 9, 2012 in Alturas with her husband by her side.

Vonda is survived by her husband Russell, of Alturas; sister Patty Gomez, of Janesville, Calif.; daughter Tami McCollum and husband Jeff, of Sattley, Calif.; son Ryan Milton, ofAlturas; grandson Cody McCollum, wife Nicole and great-grandson Cooper, of Loyalton, Calif.; grandson Kenny McCollum, of Calpine, Calif. and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 21, 2012 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 310 North St., Alturas, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to High Desert Hospice, 112 E. 2nd St., Alturas, CA 96101 or Alturas Community Theater, 127 S. Main St., Alturas, CA96101

Vonda’s family so appreciates all your kind actions, thoughts and prayers during this time.

Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend and hero passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Dec. 23, 2011.

She was born March 8, 1934 in Reno, Nev. A Sparks native, she graduated from Sparks High and Reno Business College with a degree in business. She worked for Wells Cargo in Reno and Care West in Susanville.

After raising her seven children, she went to work for the California Correctional Center where she retired after 14 years.

She was an avid bowler and thoroughly enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in all sports. She enjoyed Tai-Chi and donated her time to the thrift shop. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Women’s Auxiliary. She never knew a stranger, and greeted everyone with a smile, a smile you could see in her eyes. Her family was most important to her.

She is survived by her brother Victor (Vicky) Macias, of Reno; children Rita Phillips, and Karen Simon, of Sparks; Carol Baublit, Gary Zinn, and Dan Zinn, of Susanville; and Robert (Kristina) Zinn, of Paradise, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and her “baby” Scooter (dog).

She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley James Zinn; mother Antonia Macias, fathers Ralph Rodriquez, and Calixto Macias; and sister, Esperanza Rodriguez.

Services were held Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Susanville, with reception following at Monsignor Moran Hall. Internment will be at a later date at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, of Reno, Nev.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the AIDS, kidney or lupus foundation in her name.