Merrilyn Sue Robinson Spilman, BHS 1961

Merrilyn Sue Robinson Spilman, BHS 1961

Ukiah Daily Journal, Ukiah, California, Monday, October 14, 1974

R.V. woman succumbs to rifle wound

Merrilyn Sue Spilman, 31, died at 10:45 last night in a Ukiah hospital, about 12 hours after she shot herself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle. Mrs. Spilman was found late yesterday morning in the kitchen of the family home in Redwood Valley by her husband, Jack Lee Spilman. She was rushed to the hospital by Ukiah Ambulance Service.

There was no note found but it is believed that Mrs. Spilman was despondent as the result of a recent accident in which she was seriously injured.

In addition to her husband, two children survive. Funeral services for Mrs. Spilman, a native of Lubbock, Texas, are pending at Eversole Mortuary. 

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Ukiah Daily Journal, Ukiah, California, Tuesday, October 15, 1974

Wednesday services for Mrs. Spilman

Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 at Eversole Mortuary for Merrilyn Sue Spilman. The 31-year-old Texas native died Sunday in a Ukiah hospital. She had lived in Redwood Valley for the past nine years.

She is survived by her husband Jack, and by two children, Tammy Marie and Stacey Sue, all of Redwood Valley; by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Robinson of Lake Isabella, California; by a sister, Mrs. Norma Wolfbauer of Northridge and a brother, Gary L. Robinson of Lake Isabella.

Officiating at services will be the Rev. Ken Hewitt. Burial will be in Ukiah Cemetery.

 

Jack Robert Lewis, BHS 1942

Jack Robert Lewis, BHS 1942

Valley Times Today, North Hollywood, California, Thursday, March 8, 1962

Burbank Pilot Dies As Plane Crashes Saugus Power Line

Services are pending today for a Burbank pilot killed when his World War II trainer struck a power line and crashed Wednesday March 7, 1962. Sheriff’s officials said Jack Robert Lewis, 38, 530 Jamestown Road, Burbank, was apparently buzzing the home of a fellow worker five miles northwest of Saugus when the accident occurred.

LEWIS, a supervisor at General Controls Company, Glendale, had taken off earlier in the single-engine plane from Whiteman Airpark in Pacoima. Lewis apparently buzzed low over the home of Andrew Jepson, 45, in San Francisquito Canyon, and had engine trouble as he changed the pitch of the props of the old trainer. The plane plunged into a hillside where it burst into flames. 

JEPSON, a machine maintenance repairman, said the plane crashed about 200 yards from his home. He ran to the house of Mrs. Kay E. Hansen, 27602 Santa Clarita Road, and she called the fire and sheriff’s departments. Lewis leaves his wife, Maurine, 40, and a daughter, Robin, 15. 

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Press-Telegram, Long Beach, California, Thursday, March 8, 1962

Pilot Buzzes Friend’s Home, Dies in Crash

SAUGUS – The pilot of a World War II training plane was killed Wednesday when the plane’s engine failed as he swooped low over the home of a friend in San Francisquito Canyon. 

According to sheriff’s deputies, Jack Robert Lewis, 38, Burbank, crashed into a hillside after diving through a 220,000-volt power line.

Edward Alexander Scheibel, BHS 1960

Edward Alexander Scheibel, BHS 1960

Ventura County Star-Free Press, Saturday, July 26, 1986

Services for Edward Alexander Scheibel, 44, Simi Valley, will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Friend of Peace Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, with the Rev. Peter Berg officiating. 

Mr. Scheibel died Thursday in a Simi Valley hospital after a long illness. He was born April 9, 1942, in Sun Valley, and had lived in the county eight years, coming from Tujunga. He was an insurance agent at First Interstate Bancard Company, Simi Valley. He was a member of Friends of Peace Lutheran.

Mr. Scheibel is survived by wife Judy; daughters, Tina Scheibel and Katie Scheibel, both of Simi Valley; father, Edward Scheibel of Cove, Arkansas; brother Kevin of Tecachapi; and sisters Silver Morris of Jenks, Oklahoma, and Crystal Thompson of Glendale.

Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Reardon, Simi Valley Mortuary.

Brian James Church, BHS 1983

Brian James Church, BHS 1983

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Metcalf Mortuary - St. George on Oct. 22, 2024.

St. George, Utah – Brian James Church, 59, passed away October 17, 2024. He was born on December 28, 1964, in Apple Valley, California to Raymond and Martha Church.

A visitation will be held in St. George, Utah on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary located at 288 West St. George Blvd.

Graveside services will be held in Provo, Utah on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street.

William ''Bill'' Austin, BHS 1966

Junior Photo

William ''Bill'' Austin, BHS 1966

August 19, 1948 — August 5, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William Austin, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Born on August 19, 1948, in Oklahoma, William tragically left us on August 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 75.

William pursued a career as a Fleet Manager in the construction industry having worked for Ready-Mix retiring in 2008. He dedicated his life to his work, always striving for excellence and leaving a lasting impact on all those he encountered.

William is survived by his loving spouse, Shelia Austin, who meant the world to him. Together, they shared a bond that will continue to live on in our hearts. They started their family with the birth of son, Jay Austin and later welcomed son, David. He and Shelia also expanded their hearts with Bill's daughter from a prior marriage, Tammy Lynn Austin.

Bill loved to water ski, and was a licensed pilot loving to fly, rebuild classic cars, go to the NASCAR races, and raced his own cars at the Speedway. He and Shelia loved to dance to County music. He loved his grandchildren and spending time with them: Alexis, Briana, Hunter and Madison.

In honor of William's memory, a series of ceremonies and services have been planned. The family with receive friends and family at 3:00 PM at Davis Funeral Home, 6200 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119 with funeral services following at 4 PM.

He will be laid to rest at Davis Memorial Park.

We invite all friends and family to join us in honoring William's life and legacy at these services. Your presence and support would mean the world to us during this difficult time.

May William Austin rest in eternal peace as we cherish the memories and the love he shared with all of us.

Published by the Davis Funeral Homes

Richard Edward Bedigan, BHS 1968

Richard Edward Bedigan, BHS 1968

Teacher Gets Probation in Drug Case

BY JON STEINMAN, Los Angeles Times

DEC. 19, 1997 

A Burbank high school teacher who admitted to repeated use of cocaine in school, while claiming his drug habit did not violate professional ethics, was sentenced to probation, officials said Thursday.

Los Angeles County Municipal Judge Rand Rubin conditionally sentenced Richard Bedigan, 47, to probation--an outcome that could lead to any criminal record for the Burroughs High School science teacher being expunged. Bedigan, who was the junior varsity girls tennis coach, was ordered to complete a two-year drug counseling and testing program.

Neither Rubin nor Bedigan could be reached for comment.

Bedigan has been on unpaid leave from his job since his arrest in October after he was observed taking cocaine in his Burroughs High classroom after his students had gone to lunch.

Bedigan admitted to regular use of cocaine on school grounds, according to court documents.

“He [Bedigan] does not feel that he ever violated the spirit of his profession,” according to the probation report prepared by Walter Kelly, the Los Angeles County probation officer who handled Bedigan’s case. “This writer strongly disagrees and would have grave concerns if this defendant returned to being a teacher.”

Prosecutors said probation is the normal sentence for first offenders.

“If he fails the program, if he tests positive for drug use, if he blows it at all, he’s looking at three years in prison,” said Craig Mitchell, deputy district attorney assigned to the case.

School officials said they will seek to fire Bedigan, a seven-year veteran of the Burbank Unified School District.

Mitchell called the outcome pretty standard, because Bedigan had no priors.

The city’s education code stipulates that drug use is a dismissible offense, said Bob Fraser, district director of personnel, explaining the district’s decision to begin the termination process.

A Burbank resident and 1968 Burbank High School alum, Bedigan has maintained his silence since his arrest and has kept the shades drawn at his home, a block away from Burbank High.

Edward Bedigan, Richard’s father, served as assistant superintendent of the Burbank school district for 10 years until his retirement in 1973. He died of cancer in 1992. The elder Bedigan began his career as an educator in the same high school where his son was arrested.

Bedigan’s guilty plea is the latest in a series of personnel problems faced by the Burbank school district in the last three years.

NOTE: Richard ended up turning his life around and was clean, It is not an easy task to do and very few drug users succeed. Richard's family can be very proud of him. But because using drugs did take a toll on Richard's body and later caused other health issues which led to his death. May he rest in peace.

Mark Timothy Ross, BHS 1964

 

Mark Timothy Ross, BHS 1964

January 6, 1947 — September 22, 2024

Highland, Utah

Mark Timothy Ross, 77, of Highland, Utah passed away on September 22, 2024. He was born on January 6, 1947 to Mark Bell Ross and Leah Rae Johnson Ross, in Burbank, California. He is the brother to Janice Vick, Karen (Mark) Mitchell, Mariane (the late Dave) Armstrong, the late Jeff (Annette) Ross.

Tim served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. He married Helen Marie Stanworth on June 12, 1970 in the Los Angeles Temple. He attended BYU for 4 years in pre-med and then St Louis University Medical School. He played in the NFL for the St Louis Cardinals #82 wide receiver.

They moved to Orange County in 1976 to practice family medicine for 13 years. He and Marie moved to Utah in 1988 and Tim practiced medicine until he was 60 years old. They were temple workers for 5 years together. He was bishop on campus at BYU for 5 years as well.

Together they had 7 children, Jason Ross, Jennifer (Joel) Farrar, Brian (Stacia) Ross, Aaron Ross, Ethan (Jessica) Ross, Logan (Erica) Ross, and Sarah (Justin) Wilde. He has 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Tim loved Harley Davidson motorcycle rides, Lake Powell, the beach, hunting, fishing and all sports. He enjoyed attending all of his grandkids sporting activities and dance events. 

He loved his family. They were everything to him. His sweet wife Marie was his angel.

Tim is preceded in death by Timmy Ross, Leah Ross, Tara Voll, Jenna Ross, Austin Fullmer, Brooklyn Larsen, Kenna Bangerter, Jackson Farrar, Chanel Ross, Jeneca Walker, Alyssa Ross, Jacob Ross, Tatum Ross, Haven Ross, Devan Atticus Ross, Tommy Bangerter, Velzy Bangerter, Rome Calvert, and Oakley Walker.

Graveside Services will be on Saturday, September 28, 2024 in the Elsinore Cemetery at 3:30 p.m.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

Dena Long Stetson, BHS 1994

Dena Long Stetson, BHS 1994

On July 8th, 2024 my sister Dena Long (Stetson) was found unresponsive in her car in Boulder City. Our family is left shattered and grief-stricken. Dena struggled with her demons, but unfortunately, she never got the help she desperately needed. In light of this tragedy, 

I’m reaching out to our community to help raise funds for her funeral expenses. Any donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and help us give Dena the proper goodbye she deserves.

Brett Christopher Shapen, BHS 1989

Brett Christopher Shapen, BHS 1989

March 21, 1971 – April 12, 2023

In the care of Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park & Mortuary

Brett Christopher Shapen, age 52, of Temecula, California passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Brett was born in California. He grew up in Burbank with his younger brother Brian and parents Leon and Patricia Shapen. Brett was a 1989 graduate of Burbank High School.

A funeral service for Brett will be held Monday, May 8, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St Vincent Ferrer Church, 27931 Murrieta Road, Menifee, CA 92585. A committal service will occur Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Menifee, CA 92585.

Jean Leona Ruliffson Nelson, BHS 1935

Jean Leona Ruliffson Nelson, BHS 1935

Ventura County Star, Ventura, California, Sunday, August 25, 2002

Jean Leona Nelson, 86, of Ventura passed away Friday, August 23, 2002. Jean known to many as “Grandma Jean,” passed away after a long illness of liver disease. Prior to that she was a cancer survivor. Jean spent her final days in bed under the loving care of her “angel,” Hilda Hernandez. 

Jean was born July 17, 1916 in North Dakota. She enjoyed camping and surf fishing with family and friends. She was the creator of the “Pebble People by Jean,” made from the pebbles she and her husband would collect from the beaches near her home in Northern San Diego, Leucadia, California. The “Pebble People” were sold in gift shops throughout California. Her other hobbies included knitting, gardening, cooking and her grandchildren. She met her husband while working in a bakery in Glendale. They were married on August 17, 1935, at the Wilshire Wedding Chapel in Beverly Hills. She graduated from Burbank High School in Burbank. Jean was the loving wife of Vernon Herbert “Scotty” Nelson, who preceded her in death on January 28, 1996, at the age of 83. 

Jean is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Victoria Nelson, of Ventera, and Barry and Nancy Nelson, of Oviedo, Florida. She was a proud grandmother of Lori Nelson, Hilda Hernandez, Darin Nelson (ex-wife Bertal), Derik Nelson, Rick and Paula Nelson, all of Ventura, Mando Nelson, Sedona, Arizona, Robert Nelson, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Florean and Rodney Nelson, of Anaheim. She was a great-grandmother to Zachary, Haylie, Devin, and Brittney Nelson and Gracie Yarz of Ventura, Ashley Nelson of San Francisco, Nicole Nelson, of Dinuba, California, Ronnie Ann and Ameam Nelson, of Sedona, Arizona. She is also survived by her sister, Marie Wirgler, of Hemet, California; and brother, Allen Ruliffson, of Arizona.

Jean was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She was an extraordinary and brave woman. She was always happy and genuinely cared about everyone she knew. Grandma Jean will always be loved, remembered and missed by all who knew her. We love you.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 25, at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Tidema Drive, Ventura.