Mark Aronson

Harold John Linonel “Mac” McDermott

Esther Evangeline “Eddie” Retallack

Tyler E. Sykes

Mark Aronson

Susanville resident Mark Aronson died at his residence of natural causes Jan. 9, 2013.

Aronson was born in California Aug. 10, 1951.

He is survived by his sons, Shawn and Dianna Aronson, of Susanville; and David and Barbara Aronson, of Florida; daughters, Angie and Johnathan Bartosh, of Wisconsin; Amanda Aronson, of Yreka, Calif.; brother John, of Colville, Calif.; sister, Cindie, of Reno, Nev.; and five grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time.

Harold John Linonel “Mac” McDermott

Harold John Lionel “Mac” McDermott passed away in Spanish Springs, Nev. after a short illness Jan. 5, 2013. Family members were by his side.

Mac was born in 1922 to Alfred and Lillian (Jacobs) McDermott in Denver, Colo. He grew up in Denver and served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

After the war, Mac met the love of his life, Mary B. Schell.  They married and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and by 1952 had three children: John (wife, Deborah), Maryann Frantz and George (wife, Teddie).

Together they educated their children in the arts and encouraged them to excel in whatever interested them.

Mac became a highly respected master mechanic and welder.  He worked at the Pacific States Steel Corp. in Union City, Calif. and retired after 31 years.  He was also a business owner and an important help to his wife, Mary, as they ran the Newark School of Dance for more than 30 years.

Mac and Mary retired together in 1978 to the beautiful Janesville, Calif. area to build their “home among the trees.”  There they built a house on 20 acres with all the amenities, even digging most of the utility trenches by hand. 

They never shied away from hard work and were always a good example of how to get things done without complaining.    

Mary began to show signs of dementia, and Mac was always there to do for Mom what she used to do so well for herself.  Mac was Mom’s loving caregiver for more than 15 years.

During his lifetime Mac was a printer, candy maker, welder, engineer, chauffer, builder, inventor, mechanic, heavy equipment operator, sound technician, dancer and caregiver.  He had little formal education but was always learning, even attending night school with the encouragement of Mary.  Mac was also a gifted teacher, lovingly imparting his wisdom to those around him especially his children and grandchildren.

Helping others was a major component of his life.  He gave many hours to the Susanville Senior Center as a volunteer and was always there to help his neighbors.

Mac was a loving caring man who really loved and respected people.  He had a graciousness about him that attracted people to him who became his friends for life.  Mac would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it and he would make do without it.

In addition to his three children and their spouses, Mac leaves behind seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Mac’s life will be held at a later date by his family.

The family wishes to say a special thank you to the loving staff and residents of Cascades of the Sierras Retirement Community, who meant so much to Mac and his family.

Anyone wishing to leave condolences or messages concerning Mac and to sign the “Book of Memories” may do so at waltonsfuneralhomes.com.

Esther Evangeline “Eddie” Retallack

Longtime area realtor, Esther E. "Eddie" Retallack, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy.

She was born to Cecil and Madeline (VanSchaick) Orr on Sept. 15, 1928 in Pasadena, Calif.

Eddie is survived by her son, Thomas T. Retallack and his wife, Peggy, of Klamath Falls, Ore.; grandchildren, Thomas "Tim" Retallack, Jr., of Greenhorn Ranch, Calif., Robin Retallack, of Bloomington Springs, Tenn., Tammy Magrese, of Cookville, Tenn., and Jill Johnson, of Rohnert Park, Calif.; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Eddie was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas H. Retallack and Charles Anson; brother, Daniel; and sister, Madeline.

A celebration of Eddie's life took place at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 at the Fehrman Mortuary Chapel in Quincy. Interment will take place in the Chester District Cemetery. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Tyler E. Sykes

Tyler E. Sykes, of Susanville, Calif., went home to the Lord on Jan. 7, 2013. He lost a brave battle to cancer at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nev. at the age of 29. Tyler was born in Lakeview, Ore. to Douglas and Teri Sykes on March 20, 1983.

Tyler graduated at the top of his class from Lassen Technical Institute of Lassen High School in 2001. He then attended Arizona Automotive Institute on a full ride scholarship and graduated with highest honors. He then returned home and worked for Doyle Motors and taught the night automotive course at Lassen High School. Later he started working for the California Department of Corrections as a correctional officer at High Desert State Prison.

Tyler enjoyed car racing, fishing, hunting, quad and dirt bike racing and other outdoor activities. He enjoyed playing with his niece, Jubilee, and nephew, Gideon, and with his dogs, Ivory and Skeeter. He loved playing with his best friend, Mike (a.k.a. Bubba)’s children, John, Taylor and Tucker Brooks, and planned on starting a family of his own. Above all else, he enjoyed helping others. He was always there for everyone, no matter what. He will be dearly missed.

Tyler is survived by his fiancé, Candy Smith, of Susanville; parents, Doug and Teri Sykes, of Janesville, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Kendra (Sykes) and Jason Matkins, of Merrill, Ore.; niece and nephew, Jubilee and Gideon Matkins, of Merrill; great-grandmother, Pauline Courtney, of Anderson, Calif.; grandparents, Leonard and Leatha Sykes, of Alturas, Calif.; uncles and aunts, Danny and Colleen Sykes, of Redding, Calif., Rocky and Sandy King, of Anderson, Walt and Karen Glass, of Cottonwood, Calif., Mike Glass, of Redding and Kim Glass, of Anderson. He is also survived by many great-aunts and great-uncles, cousins and close friends.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2012 at Honey Lake Valley Assembly in Janesville, with internment following at Janesville Cemetery. A celebration of life potluck was held following services at Honey Lake Valley Assembly.