Janice Marlene Krenzer Keder, BHS 1948

Janice Marlene Krenzer Keder, BHS 1948

December 22, 1930 - December 10, 2024

Janice Marlene Krenzer Keder died December 10, 2024, just shy of her 94th birthday, due to Alzheimer's disease. Jan was born December 22, 1930, at home in Dodge County, Nebraska. She spent her early years on a farm in rural Nebraska where she attended a one room school. In 1941 her family moved to California to seek better economic opportunity. Jan graduated from Burbank High School and earned an A.A. from Glendale College. 

During a sum
mer trip to Nebraska, she met Wilbert Keder at a Farmers Union Hall dance. They married in 1951 in Pittsburgh, PA where Bert was a graduate student. During the next three decades she raised four children while living in Richland, WA and Bradford, PA. She returned to school during the 1970s and obtained both her B.A. and M.L.S. at the University of Pittsburgh. Jan went on to work professionally at Pitt Bradford, on Semester at Sea, and as science librarian at Colorado College until her retirement in 1996.

Jan's many interests included world travel (to all 7 continents), reading, gardening, quilting, playing word games, spending time with friends, and instructing her family how to load the dishwasher. 

Her husband Bert, son John (Cheryl), and son-in-law Bill Gignac (Nan) preceded her in death. Her survivors include her brother Richard Krenzer (Sandi); her daughters Nan, Lisa (Bill Pohlman), and Martha; her daughter-in-law Cheryl; her grandchildren Nicki, Austin, Tyler, Elliot, Neal, and Carl; and honorary son Uddhav.

 A formal service is not planned. Her family will fulfill her request to scatter her ashes on the Oregon coast. In memory of Jan, please consider a donation to the Colorado College Summer Music Festival.

Published by The Gazette on Dec. 22, 2024.

Bret Alan Michel, BHS 1984

Bret Alan Michel, BHS 1984

Burbank Leader, October, 2005

Bret Alan Michel died on October 1, 2005, in Burbank, California. He was 39. Michel was born on April 8, 1966, in Glendale, California and attended Burbank High School.

He is survived by his parents Louis and Gayle Michel; sons Casey and Trevor Michel; sister Shelley Marthaller and brother-in-law Sean; nephew Jacob and niece Destiny Marthaller.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Valley Funeral Home Chapel, 2121 W. Burbank Blvd, Burbank. Interment will follow at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park, 10621 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.

Helga Preisman Sitkin, Former BHS Teacher

Helga Preisman Sitkin, Former BHS Teacher

July 16, 1920 – August 18, 2021

The Los Angeles Time, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, August 29, 2021

Helga (101) was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Died in West Hollywood, California. Graduated from Flora Stone Mather College, Western Reserve University, in Cleveland in 1941. Pursued the career she wanted as Continuity Director of radio station WHK, and later, radio-television director of the Marcus Advertising Agency. Worked in New York City from 1945 to 1947 as a script writer and publicist. 

Moved to Los Angeles in 1953, married, had three children. Became active in community affairs; PTA President, Los Feliz Elementary School; United Crusade Chairman, Hollywood Council; Cheerful Helpers for Handicapped Children; Los Angeles Free Clinic in Hollywood.  Continued her education at Cal State, L.A., earning a lifetime secondary teaching credential, an M.A. in Special Education, and a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor’s License. 

Helga taught English from 1969 to 1992 at Burbank High School and Monterey Continuation School in Burbank. After retirement from the school system, she taught ESL at ORT from 1997 to 2009. She was an instructor at the General Studies Department at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and later, its Faculty Coordinator for Instructor Training and Development. Since 1987, Helga hosted and produced a weekly interview show for the American Radio Network.

She is survived by her son, James Sitkin (Lafayette, CA), son Alan Sitkin (London, UK), daughter Susan Geraghty (Summerville, SC), their spouses Sue, Verna, and Brendan, and grandchildren, Lea, Daniel, Rachel, Lena, Nicole, Eva, and Michael.

Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choice in Helga’s name.

Vicki Ann Bencheck, BHS 1964

Vicki Ann Bencheck, BHS 1964

Los Angeles Times, Thursday, September 29, 1997

Vicki Ann Bencheck, 51, Glendale, California, registered nurse. Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale. Note: No other details at this time. May she rest in peace!

Raymond E. Pyne, BHS 1959

Raymond E. Pyne, BHS 1959

Record Searchlight, Saturday, July 6, 2013

Raymond Pyne, 72, of Cottonwood, California died Thursday at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California. Arrangements are pending at Allen and Dahl Funeral Chapel in Redding.

Timothy John Staley, BHS 1962

Timothy John Staley, BHS 1962

The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California

Wednesday, January 23, 1991   

Timothy John Staley beloved husband of Karen; loving father of Kristen and Tania; dearest son-in-law of Edythe Wachsman; grandson of Lee Baker; nephew of Doris Wakeman. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

Services to be held Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood. Glasband-Willen Mortuary, North Hollywood, directors.

George Martin Brake, BHS 1963

George Martin Brake, BHS 1963 

Published in the Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 9, 1997

Graveside services for George Martin Brake, 52, of Hogan Drive, who died Tuesday, October 7, 1997, at home of a heart attack, are set for 11 a.m. Friday in Evergreen Cemetery.

His parents were the late Warren Reed Brake and Lorraine Leona Caulfield Brake.

He is survived by his wife, Karen l. Bunting Brake of Murfreesboro; two sons, Charles Allen Brake, David Ian Brake, both of Nashville; stepson, Michael Shane Bragg of Wartrace; two daughters, Janne Marie Root of Madison, Bonnie Jean McDonald of Manchester; stepdaughter, Cathryn Boles of Manchester; two brothers, Jon Brake of California, Edward Brake of Washington; and five grandchildren.

A native of California and a member of the Christian Gospel temple of Goodlettsville, he had lived here the past four years. He was an independent truck driver.

 

Robert (Bob) Williams, BHS 1956

Robert (Bob) Williams, BHS 1956

January 19, 1938 – April 17, 2020

Bob was born January 19, 1938 in Santa Monica, passed away April 17, 2020. He grew up in Burbank, California with one brother. He was a loving father to a son and two daughters from a previous marriage. He lived many places, but mainly in Texas and California. Bob reconnected with Mardi through Classmates.com as both had grown up in Burbank, living in the same neighborhood and having gone to the church and schools during their early years. 

One of Mardi’s fondest memories is having a lemonade stand, which Bob would drive by on his Cushman scooter. Mardi asked him why he never stopped to by lemonade. Bob replied, “Because you didn’t sell beer.” 

They married and moved to Texas, where Bob owned a 4 acre ranch with fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Mardi mowed the huge yard with her John Deere, a birthday gift from Bob. They moved to San Clemente in 2012. Bob was an active man with many hobbies, including scuba diving, boating, hunting, skiing, crabbing, fishing, RVing, bike riding, poker, and rock tumbling. His greetings, charm, and love of living big, will be his legacy. Rest in peace, Bob!

(From Mardi Brockway Williams “56, wife)

Walter George Holland, BHS 1943

Walter George Holland, BHS 1943

Walter George Holland, passed to glory on December 7, 2019 at age 94. After graduating from Burbank High School, he answered his country’s call to serve by joining the United States Navy. Trained as a Navy pilot, he flew an Sb2C Helldiver off the USS Antietam on an extended Pacific tour at the end of WWII.

In 1947, he attended UCLA. He married my mother, Velma Regan (BHS 45) in 1951 and raised 3 children in Twentynine Palms, California, where he began his 25-year career teaching high school history, geography, and driver’s ed. Walt later became Athletic Director and Vice Principal before retiring from education and becoming a real estate agent for Sunshine Realty. 

My parents enjoyed 68 wonderful years together, traveling the USA and Canada in their fifth wheel trailer, visiting their 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and will be greatly missed. Submitted by Barbara Uyeda, daughter for the Senior Bulldogs Newsletter.

 

John William (Jack) Moorman, BHS 1945

John William (Jack) Moorman, BHS 1945

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, November 15, 1995

John W. (Jack) Moorman long time Burbank resident passed away Thursday, November 9, 1995 of cancer.

He was born in Burbank on December 28, 1926. He attended Burbank schools and was a star football player, track, and was active in all school activities. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school. After he was discharged he attended USC, Occidental College and Cal State Northridge. He was employed at Lockheed for 40 years.

Jack was preceded in death by his son, Scott Moorman and his brother, Dick Moorman.

In addition to his daughter Julie, Jack is survived by three grandchildren, Garret Moorman, Nassi, Shannon Moorman and Devin Moorman.

Viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evening at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. A funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday the 17th of November at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.

 Donations may be made in Jack Moorman’s name to the Cancer Society. A scholarship fund is also being arranged for Burbank High School in Jack’s name. Forest Lawn Mortuary Directors.