Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Richard Travis Godbold, BHS 1944

Richard Godbold, BHS 1944

Richard Godbold passed away quickly and quietly in his sleep on Friday, May 27, 2011 from heart failure at age 84.

Richard Travis Godbold was born in Los Angeles on November 8, 1925 to Henry Travis Godbold and Ruth E. Godbold, he graduated from Burbank High School in 1944 and then served his country in the Navy during World War II.

He spent his life in the automobile business, starting with his father at the Pasadena Hudson dealership and then eventually became the owner of Hauter Ford in Montrose, CA, from which he retired in 1997.

He was a member of the Montrose-La Crescenta Club for over 40 years and also helped start the Key Club in 1962 at Crescenta Valley High School.He traveled extensively around the world and enjoyed culinary delights from many cultures.

He and his wife Lois designed and built their own home in 1962 in La Canada where he resided for the rest of his life. They were avid bridge players and belonged to a bridge club.Richard was a serious amateur golfer who belonged to the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, CA and also the Indian Wells Country Club in Indian Wells, CA.

He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman and a member of Ducks Unlimited who trained Labrador retrievers and had three: Boomer, Rebel and Hudson. And as an avid chef he often prepared his hunted game of duck, dove and quail for gourmet dinners.

He married Joanne Hart in 1944 with whom he had three children, and then divorced and married Lois Shermer in 1962. Richard is survived by his sons Glen, Gary, and Michael and his daughter Karen, his grandchildren Philip, Jeffrey, Michele, Krista, Gary and Devin, and his great grandchildren Katelin, Heather, James, Ashley, Dylan, Carly, Brooklynn, Alyssa, Andrew and Brady. He will be forever loved and missed.

Glendale News-Press, June 03, 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Carol Cleeland-Wells, BHS 1971

Carol Cleeland-Wells, BHS 1971


CAROL CLEELAND-WELLS


Carol Cleeland-Wells, 47, died Dec. 25, 2000, in Granada Hills.


Ms. Cleeland-Wells was born in Burbank and lived here for 18 years.
She worked as a special education assistant with the Los Angeles Unified
School District for 10 years. She loved to travel, eat out and watch "All
My Children."


She is survived by her husband, Roy Wells; daughters Wendy, Tracy and
Kelley; and by her mother, Arden Cleeland.
Services were held at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.


Published Burbank Leader, January 10, 2001

Monday, June 27, 2011

Gail Memmott Freshwater, BHS 1938

Gail Memmott Freshwater, BHS 1938
Gail Memmott Freshwater, born February 1, 1920, passed away December 30, 2009 in Huntington Beach, California, due to kidney failure.
Born in Lexington, Nebraska, graduated from Burbank High School in 1938, marched in the Rose Parade as a majorette. Served as queen of the Job's Daughters. Attended Occidental College where she was president of women students and "Tiger Princess", graduating in 1942.
Had a 24-year teaching career. Enjoyed traveling, boating, living in Huntington Harbor, water exercise, playing the piano, and volunteer work. Remembered for making her own Christmas cards for the last 45 years.
Preceded in death by son, Rob Chapin (1996) and husband, Charlie Freshwater (2004). Leaves daughter, Chris and husband Jerry Paden; grandchildren, Marisa Cole and George King; brother, Don Memmott; several cousins and cherished friends. She was dearly loved, will be greatly missed and her memory will live on in our hearts.

The family suggests donations in Gail's name to Kidney Foundation of California or Kidney TRUST.

Published in Orange County Register on January 14, 2010

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Leland Schelling (Lee) Groshong, BHS 1944

Leland Schelling (Lee) Groshong, BHS 1944

Lee Groshong - March 10, 1926 - May 18, 2011

Leland Schelling (Lee) Groshong was born in Burbank on March 10, 1926 and passed away on May 18, 2011 at his home in North Hills.

Lee graduated from Burbank High School in 1944. He joined the Army Air Corps after graduation and was discharged at the end of WWII. In 1946 he was married to Shirley Losey of Glendale. They had a son, Chris, and were divorced in 1948. In 1958 Lee married Marguerite Huber and became a stepfather to her children Joe and Michele. Together Lee and Marguerite had a daughter, Susan. They enjoyed nearly 48 years of marriage until Marguerite passed away in 2006.

In 1956 Lee confounded Advance Overhead Door, Inc. in Van Nuys. For nearly 50 years Advance was the premier garage door company in the Valley and did business throughout Southern California. The company closed recently. For a number of years Lee also owned California Door Company in Anaheim.

In his spare time he enjoyed spending time at his Donner Lake cabin and was active in two bowling leagues until his declining health forced him to stop.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marguerite, his two siblings, Bob Groshong and Lois Culler, and his stepson Joe Huber. He is survived by his children Chris Groshong of Las Vegas, Nevada, Susan Groshong (Bob Dillard) of Evanston, Illinois, and Michele Dressback of Granada Hills; his eight grandchildren Kim, Tracey, Tom, Jessica, Joshua, Jennifer, Chris, and Corey; and three great-grandchildren Maegan, Lindsey, and Austin.

Services will be held Sunday May 22, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary, 11160 Stranwood Avenue, Mission Hills, CA 91345. http://missionhillsmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Providence Holy Cross Foundation, 15031 Rinaldi St. Mission Hills, CA 91345, (818) 898-4600, or to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, P.O Box 8816, Truckee, CA 96162, (530) 582-4711 http://www.tdlandtrust.org

Published in the Los Angeles Times on May 22, 2011

Friday, June 24, 2011

Terry Lee Schulthies, BHS 1963

Terry Lee Schulthies, BHS 1963

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend lost his eight-month battle with cancer on January 16, 2011.

Terry Lee Schulthies was born in Leavenworth, Kansas to Benjamin Franklin Jr. and Virginia "Gin" Lee Schulthies on January 3, 1945. The Schulthies family made their way to California in 1947 where they chose Burbank, California to call their home.


Young and ambitious Terry was a hardworking man who enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, camping or playing baseball he always found his way outside.

Terry started working at Burbank's historical landmark restaurant Bob's Big Boy and attended Burbank Schools including Luther Middle School and Burbank High. Terry met the love of his life Joanna Lynn Hart in middle school. The young couple married in August 1962 and soon after they welcomed their first-born Ronnie Lee in 1963.


They continued to add to the family when they welcomed Brian Wayne to the world in 1967 and Eric Wade in 1972. And if three strong willed boys were not enough in 1986 they added a fourth boy, Patrick Scott.

Terry began is career working for Oroweat/Entenmann's Bakery. He was well respected by his colleagues, and made dreams a possibility not only for his family, but also for his co-workers. Terry's kind and genuine qualities were infectious and he made a warm, everlasting impression on those around him.


Above all though, the most important part of Terry's life was his family. Knowing how important quality time with his wife and four sons was, Terry made it a point to take family vacations, especially to the Sierra Mountains. The sense of family was passed on to his son's, which is prevalent due to his seven grandchildren. Jessica Leeann 23, Kristina Irene 21, Daron John 20, Todd Raymond 17, Dylan Michael 16, Sierra Marie 4, and Carlee Ann 10 months.

In 2001, Terry retired from his 37-year tenure at Oroweat/Entemann's and shortly after convinced Joanna to retire from Burbank Unified School District. In 2003, Terry and Joanna found their dream home and made the move to Elizabeth, Colorado. Terry leaves behind a beautiful legacy and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dr. Robert Deyo Leland, Former Principal

Dr. Robert Deyo Leland, Former Principal



When Bob Leland retired as the principal of Burbank High School, he continued his lifelong dedication to youth by acting as a child advocate in the courts. No one who knew Dr. Leland was surprised. Few people worked harder at their jobs than Bob Leland. He presided over Burbank High School and its then new continuation school throughout the 1960s.


He watched his staff form a chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, his students become fans of the Beatles, an ever-increasing list of Burbank graduates fall in Vietnam, and the kids of Burbank reject small town conservatism to become flower children. Somehow through his sincerity and sense of fair play, Bob Leland kept his school afloat. Dr. Leland died on the 22nd of December 2008. He was proceeded in death by his wife Pearl Leland, retired professor of nursing from Los Angeles Valley College. Bob was a good man.



Obit from the Desert Sun, December 2008

Robert Deyo Leland was born June 30, 1919 in Albion, Mich. He served in the Army's horse mounted 7th Calvary. He also trained at Camp Young in the Southern California desert with General George Patton. He was in the service from 1941 to 1945 and was injured in battle in the Pacific.


While stationed in San Luis Obispo at Camp Roberts in 1942, he met Pearl Macomber and married her two months later. They were married for 65 years until Pearl's death. They had three children, Scott Leland, Barbara Bradham and Linda Edgar; five grandchildren, Rena, Kristin, Erin, Shannon and Wesley and five great grandchildren, Tait, Tomas, Katherine, John and Kai.


After his life changing experience during the war, he saw that the future of our country would depend on Education. He devoted his working life to the education of young people. He started his career as a Teacher with the Burbank Unified School District and retired in 1981 as the Principal of Burbank High School.

He earned his BA and Masters degrees at UCLA and his PHD at USC. He was Burbank Young Man of the Year and was very involved with the YMCA. He was president of the Burbank Rotary. He was foreman of the Los Angeles Grand Jury, 1988-1989.


He loved the ocean and they purchased a home in San Clemente, Calif. They moved to Palm Desert in 1992. He volunteered at the College of the Desert Library and the Coachella Valley Historical Society.


He died at the age of 89, Dec. 22, 2008 from the complications of Parkinson's disease with loving family all around him. He loved life and would not let anything get in the way of living life large. His outlook on life was positive, progressive, happy and full of interest in others and the whole world around him. A celebration of his life will be held on Sat., Feb. 28, 2009 in Palm Desert.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Paul McCauley, BHS 1967

Paul McCauley, BHS 1967


Passed away on June 26, 2010 from a battle with cancer.Paul was the fourth of 10 children in the McCauley family. The second child, Tim McCauley, BHS '64, also passed away from cancer a few years ago, as did their mother when she was young. Paul was a CPA and lived in Marina del Rey.


Note: Paul left Burbank High and did not graduate with us as he graduated from another high school, but he is still part of our class and he made friends with many of his Burbank High classmates.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Gerald F "Jerry" Funk, Jr., BHS 1946

Gerald F "Jerry" Funk, Jr., BHS 1946
Jan. 6, 1928, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Dec. 20, 1985, Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, USA

First-born child of Gerald F. Funk and Ruth Emogene Holcomb. Several years later the family moved to Burbank, CA, where he spent the rest of his life, graduating from Burbank High School in Jan. 1946.

He then entered the U.S. Navy, where he served for 2 years, 1 spent on Guam. Glendale College was next, where he played football. Football would remain a large part of his life until his death.

After college, he played for the ERACs (Eagle Rock Athletic Club), a semi-pro football team, until he was 30 years old. He then took up bowling, and carried an average of over 200 for many years.

His other passion was cars, and he loved to restore Mustangs. He was a partner with his father in Funk Bros. Brake and Front End, a long-time family business. His uncles were also involved in the brake business, and there were several Funk brake shops in Southern California.

In February 1981, he was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid, and after a 5-year battle, passed away at home with Ferdinand Farkle Funk, his favorite cat, by his side. He was a very loving and devoted husband and father, and is missed daily by his 2 sons and his second wife, Gaye Dawn Selover Funk.


From Burbank Newspaper

Gerald Funk

Gerald F. Funk, Jr., 57, died December 20, in his Burbank home.
He was born in Culver City, but had lived in the Burbank area for 54 years. He had worked for Funk Brothers Brakes.
He is survived by his wife Gaye; sons; Jon and Michael; parents Gerald and Ruth; and five grandchildren. Services will be private, the Neptune Society in charge of arrangements.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lyn Louise Garner, BHS '64

Lyn Louise Garner, BHS '64


December 7, 1946 - November 16, 2010


I just received verification from Gloria McGlinsey Tidwell '64 of the passing of Lyn Garner '64...Pam (she went by her maiden name Garner):


I am so sorry to have to tell you that I have very sad news about Lyn Garner. Lyn passed away late last year, after enduring a very difficult and painful fight with pancreatic cancer. Lyn was such a wonderful person and she was my dearest friend. Fortunately, her son and daughter were by her side when she passed on. Again, I am so sorry to be the bearer of such sad news, but I look forward to hearing from you again under happier circumstances. I hope that you and your family are all in good health.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Laura Ellen Ziskin, BHS 1968

Laura Ellen Ziskin, BHS 1968

'Spider-Man' Producer Laura Ziskin Passes Away


It's a sad day in Hollywood. Laura Ziskin, best known for her work as a producer for the 'Spider-Man' film franchise, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2011 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 61.


According to E! Online, in addition to her work on 'Spider-Man,' she also served as a producer for the 1990 hit 'Pretty Woman.' In 2002, she was also the first woman to serve as a solo producer for the Academy Awards -- a role for which she won several Emmy Awards.


Ziskin was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2004 and decided to co-found the cancer-fighting organization Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)."It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that our colleague and dear friend Laura Ziskin, co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, passed away peacefully today at her home in Santa Monica, California," the organization said in a statement."While our hearts are broken, this loss strengthens the determination of the entire Stand Up To Cancer family to make Laura's fervent wish one day become a reality: to make it possible for everyone diagnosed with cancer to become long term survivors," the statement continued.


Christina Applegate, a breast cancer survivor, tweeted in honor of Ziskin Sunday night. "Just heard that the remarkable, talented, amazing Laura Ziskin has passed away! #su2c we will continue to fight for you!!! Bless you Laura!" she wrote.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Ronald Lee Noble, BHS 1954

Ronald Lee Noble, BHS 1954

Ronald Lee Noble

Born in Winslow, Arizona on Oct. 20, 1936. Departed on May 29, 2011 and resided in Elma, WA.

Ronald Lee Noble entered into rest on May 29, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. He was 74 years old. Ron was born to R.O. Noble and Margaret (Hosler) Noble on October 20, 1936 in Winslow, AZ. He moved to Burbank, CA in his youth, graduating from Burbank High School. Following high school he went to Humboldt College and took Forestry, which started his love of the forest. On July 20, 1957 he married Eula May Jones. They had three children; Kevin, Darlene and Jason.

In 1966 they moved their family to Kent, WA where they lived for two years. In 1968 they moved to Malone, WA. Ron worked in several industries during his life; a plastics factory, commercial fishing, Boeing, a furniture factory and logging. By far, logging was his favorite. He worked several decades in logging as a timber faller and had many stories to tell. Ron enjoyed the outdoors. He liked to hike and camp. He loved hunting and fishing.

Ron also enjoyed developing pictures in his darkroom. Ron especially enjoyed telling others about his God, Jehovah, and His grand promises for the future from the Bible. Ron was very caring toward the "fatherless boys".

On November 21, 2010 Ron married Joan Murphy and lovingly welcomed her eight children into the family. Many years previous, when her youngest boys were growing up he had been like a father to them, teaching them to hunt and fish and how to be good men. He instilled a strong work ethic in them.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Joan, at the family home; his mother; Margaret Culver, Burbank, CA, his brother; Shannon Noble and sister Julie Mares, both of CA; his three natural children, Kevin Noble and his wife, Linda, Elma, WA, Darlene Martin, Crooked River Ranch, OR, Jason Noble, Lacey, WA and their children Rachael, Michael, Katherine, Talon and Jon. He is also survived by Joan's four sons; Doug, David, Warren, and Dale and three daughters; Nancy, Colleen and Velma and by their 16 grandchildren. He is survived by 20 great grandchildren from both families, his Aunt Gerry and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eula, his father and an infant son.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Robert "Bob" W. Burnette, BHS 1935

Robert "Bob" W. Burnette, BHS 1935



Robert "Bob" W. Burnette, also known as "Bopie," died at his home in Camarillo on the evening of May 6, 2011. He was born July 1, 1918 in Oakland, Calif. That gave him more than 92 years to live a truly spectacular life, leaving behind a world of people who will honor him and miss him greatly.


Bob grew up in Burbank, as the son of Estelle Burnette, the principal of Roosevelt School in Magnolia Park, and Pearl Burnette, a math teacher at Burbank High School. At an early age, Bob became interested in boxing, butterflies, and nature in general. These interests would continue throughout his life.

Early on, Bob also became very interested in his own physical fitness, so much so that the house he would later build had a volleyball court, a hand ball court, a workout room, a large pool, and, of course, a horseshoe pit.


Bob eventually attended Burbank High School, Glendale Junior College, and U.C.L.A. At U.C.L.A., he joined Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and by his senior year he had become its president. It was during his time at U.C.L.A. that he met the love of his life, Paulette Steinen.


Early in 1941, he graduated from U.C.L.A and went to Quantico, Va., for Marine Officer training. Later in that same year, he married Paulette and joined the 2nd battalion of Carlson's Raiders as a platoon leader in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, Bob earned a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts and two beautiful, baby daughters: Bobbie Jean and Bettina.

After finishing his military career as a Lt. Col., Bob returned stateside, trying several trades before eventually settling in Moorpark in 1952, building a house, and becoming an egg rancher. Egg ranching lasted throughout the growing years of his daughters and changed to Christmas tree farming in 1961, when he and Paulette opened the Burnette Christmas Tree Farm. About this same time, Bob became an appraiser for the Veteran's Administration, a career he would have until he retired at the age of 80. Bob was an integral part of the growing city of Moorpark.

He was president of Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce and was Moorpark's Citizen of the Year in 1983. Bob and Paulette lived and farmed in Moorpark through the births of their five grandchildren, eventually quitting the tree business in 1983 and moving to Leisure Village in Camarillo. Over the next 20 years, Bob continued to live his life as a gift, making others feel loved and honored to be a part of it, leaving this world only when his body gave up, because his spirit never would. We love and will miss him greatly.


Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, Paulette; his two daughters: Bobbie Burnette and Bettina Gedney (John); five grandchildren: Antony Nagelmann (Helen Faraday-Young), Christopher Nagelmann (Lori Lehouiller), Georgeanne Gedney (Justin Hosmer), Sara Hagen, and Jared Gedney (Lisa Nguyen); six great-grandchildren: Payton, Chantal, and Brendan Nagelmann, Erik Hagen, and Xuan and Quynh Gedney; four nieces: Sylvia Gerard, Kay Hamilton, Judy Muhlethaler and Mayla Stufft; and one nephew: Randy Steinen.


Bob's last request was that we "have a thrash" (party) in his honor. So his friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at 12 noon on May 21, at Las Posas Country Club.


In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Veronica Mary Haller McDermott, BHS 1934?

Veronica Mary Haller McDermott, BHS 1934?

MCDERMOTT, Veronica Mary Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, born October 25, 1916 in Blair, Nebraska; passed away in Glendale, California, May 11, 2010. She was a graduate of Burbank High School.

The daughter of Bernard and Ethel Haller, Veronica was the third of thirteen children. During and after WWII, she worked as a secretary. She married James A. McDermott on April 14, 1951. Veronica and Jim raised five children. Her faith in God was enduring and she witnessed that faith and love in every way and every day throughout her life. She was known for her love of family, her selflessness, honesty, and humility. No sacrifice for someone else was too great. She shunned the spotlight and in doing so became a beacon for others.

She possessed a keen, practical mind and a sharp but understanding moral sense. She now enters Heaven with her beloved husband, Jim, who passed away in 1998.

She is survived by eight brothers and sisters; her children: James, Jr. and Cynthia Kurtz McDermott, Mary McDermott, Patricia and Robert Kidwell, Joan and Michael Maher, Maureen and Dennis Franks; the pride of her life her nine grandchildren: Paul, Geoffrey, Sarah, Colleen, Brian, Meaghan, Kevin, Madeline, Rebecca and granddaughter-in-law, Averi, along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on May 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Incarnation Catholic Church, Glendale. Interment immediately following, San Fernando Mission Cemetery, San Fernando. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daughters of Mary & Joseph Retirement Fund, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5004. Callanan & Woods-Scovern (818) 242-0258

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Karl Mordo Dana, BHS 1970

Karl Mordo Dana, BHS 1970


August 8, 1952 - June 13, 2000


Karl M. Dana, 47, of Kaneohe died Tuesday June 13, 2000 in Kailua, HI. He was born in Los Angeles. He is survived by parents Leo and Janet; brother Mark, and sisters Deborah Richman, Jennifer Dana and Diane Bell. Private services. No flowers. Donations suggested to Hospice Hawaii and/or the American Cancer Society.


Thursday, June 15, 2000, Honolulu Star-Bulletin