Richard Russell Sonnie, BHS 1947

Richard Russell Sonnie
January 9, 1929 – September 28, 2016

Richard passed away suddenly at his home on Sept. 28th. Richard was 87 years old.
He was a much loved husband, father and uncle. Richard is survived by his wife Lupe of 59 years and his 3 daughters, Celina, Monica (Darryl Hoch) and Elena (Jeff Schweppe). He is also survived by 2 grandsons Charlie and Joey and niece Anna (Tony Valdez) and nephew Ricardo Duran (Cecilia). For all those who met or knew him, Richard "Dick" was known as a kind, friendly man with a quick wit and dry sense of humor.

Services: Wed, October 5th, 2016 Rosary 9:30am, Mass 10:00-11:00am
St. Andrew Church, 301 N. Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91103
Internment: San Fernando Mission Cemetery 11160 Stranwood Ave. Mission Hills, CA 91345

Richard was born in Cleveland Ohio but was raised in the Tujunga, Burbank area. Richard "Dick" as we was called, attended both Verdugo Hills High School (1943-45) and Burbank High School (1945-47).

Later, he attended Glendale Jr. College 1947, Los Angeles City College 1950, and Cal State Los Angeles 1954-1956. It was at Los Angeles City College that he met his wife Lupe. During his school years Dick was affiliated with the Boy Scouts (High School), Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and Kappa Phi Sigma Fraternity

Richard was a Corporate Technician 5th grade (class) in the Army 1950-53. He had specialty training in Signal, Radio and Teletype repair and was assigned to Radio Operation Company 97th Signal Operation Battalion, Stuttgart, Germany. Richard received the Army Occupational Medal (G) – Army of Occupation medal to recognize occupation service in Germany.

For over 40 years, Richard was a Secondary School Teacher (High School) with the LA Unified School District, teaching Industrial Education (Automotive, Drafting, and Electronics), Mathematics, History, Social Studies and Drivers Education. He taught at San Fernando High School, Los Angeles High School, Kennedy High School, and Nightingale Junior High
His hobbies included: Automotive repair, electrical repair, Gardening, Reading (Autobiographies, History), Golf, Crossword Puzzles, and Travel with his wife Lupe.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Richard's honor to Nightingale Middle School 3311 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA

Grace Williams Smith Stephens, Former BHS Teacher

Burbank Leader, March 1, 1989

July 24, 1902 - February 25, 1989

Grace Williams Smith Stephens, 86, died February 25, 1989 in Duarte, California. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she had been a resident of Burbank for 48 years. She had been a teacher with Burbank High School from 1946 to 1966, member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank and the Presbyterian Woman's Club.

Mrs. Stephens is survived by her sons, Roderic of Valencia, California and John Stephens of Burbank; two grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank. Private burial will be at Grandview Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

Note: She retired from teaching at Burbank High School at the end of the 1966 school year.

Jacqueline Jean Elrod LeBaron, BHS 1967

Jacqueline Jean LeBaron passed from this life into eternity on October 23, 2015 in Longview, Texas. She was 67. Jackie was born on March 25, 1948, in Burbank, California to her parents, Willard and Lois Elrod. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1967.

Jackie retired from the Gregg County Veteran's Service Office after 21 years of service. She served the veterans of Gregg and surrounding counties by helping them apply for and obtain earned benefits. She made many friends during her tenure with Gregg County.

Jackie was an avid bowler for most of her life, serving on the Longview Women's Bowling Association and Longview Junior Bowling Association Board of Directors. She also enjoyed crocheting and reading.

Jackie is survived by her loving ex-husband, Charles LeBaron; her son, Brian LeBaron and granddaughter--the joy of her life, Brianna; step-son, Charles LeBaron, Jr. and his children, Peyton, Cameron, and Addison; her sister and brother-in-law, Sherry and Victor Brint of Roseburg, Oregon; her niece and husband, Denise and Jerry Emery also of Roseburg, Oregon; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her infant son, Jeffrey Bush; and her infant brother, Terry Lee Elrod.

Jackie's life will be honored at a memorial service on November 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, Texas.

Rader Longview-Henderson Funeral

Lorraine Marie Moore Piela, BHS 1972

Lorraine Marie Moore Piela, BHS 1972

Burbank Review, August 1974

Former Burbank girl dies riding bike

Lorraine M. Moore Piela, 20, a former resident of Burbank, was killed Monday, August 5, 1974 in a tragic hit-in-run accident.

The Burbank High School graduate was killed when an automobile hit her while she was riding a bicycle in Mountain View, California. She moved to Mountain View with her husband two months ago. The driver of the vehicle which hit Mrs. Piela was taken into custody. He was booked on suspicious felony drunk driving and hit and run.

Mrs. Piela is survived by her husband; Jan Piela; mother, Joetta L. Barcus; father, George E. Moore; two brothers, George E. Moore Jr. and Allan Moore, and grandparents, Edna Moore and James Stiles. Funeral Services will be held at Fillbach-Bailey Funeral Home, Saturday, August 10, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow.

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Obituary

Burbank

Lorraine Piela

Service arrangements for Lorraine M. (Moore) Piela, 20, who died August 5 in Mountain View, California , have been changed. She had been a Burbank resident for 18 years. Visitation will be Friday, August 9 at Fillbach-Bailey Funeral Home Chapel from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Services will be Saturday, August 10 at 11:15 a.m. at the Central Baptist Church, 320 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank. Officiating clergy will be the Rev. Hazen Simpson. Funeral directors are Fillbach-Bailey Funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.

Dean Martin Buttress, BHS 1974

Dean Martin Buttress, BHS 1974
Dean died peacefully in his home on February 25, 2017. Dean was 61 years old.
Dean was born in Hamilton, Canada as his parents were migrating to the United States from England. Dean became a US Citizen in 1980 and soon married Cindy in 1981, making their home in Burbank. Together they adopted six children throughout their 35 year marriage. Dean loved his family, friends, coaching football and coaching basketball, watching football and basketball, old western movies and celebrating every holiday at his home.

Dean loved USC and especially watching the Super Bowl with his two best friends, John Rome and Steve Alamillo, and his brother-in-law, Marty Garrison. Dean had a great sense of humor and his devotion to his family, as well as his smile and laugh, will be greatly missed.

Dean is survived by his wife, Cindy; his mother, Emmie and Papa Joe; children, Jason, Kevin, Sarah, Joe, Deana and Laila; his grandson, Gunner; neighbors, nieces and nephews and especially his cousin, Stu, who traveled from England last summer to be with him .

In memory of Dean we ask everyone to love one another every day because life is short!

Published in Los Angeles Daily News from Mar. 5 to Mar. 6, 2017

Christina "Christy" Ortega O'Neill, BHS 1968

Christina "Christy" O'Neill left this world and began her journey to Heaven on February 15, 2017. She passed away at the age of 67 in her home after a long battle with cancer.

Christy loved spending time with her family and friends. She cherished the time that she spent with her four grandchildren. As she would always say, she loved them "to the moon and back." She and her husband, Kevin, enjoyed many camping adventures in their motorhome. Her favorite camping spot was Carpinteria where she visited often with Kevin and her extended family and friends. Chris will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her generous smile, warm heart, and kind disposition. She will be missed by all of those whose lives she has touched.

Chris grew up in Burbank, California and graduated from Burbank High School. She was a longtime employee with the Burbank Unified School District at Washington Elementary School.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Kevin; daughter Colleen Simon-O'Neill (Jenny) and son Patrick O'Neill (Alison); grandchildren Quinn, Theodore, Peyton, and Andrew; siblings Emilio Ortega, Ana Neria, Fred Ortega, and Tony Ortega. Services will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Burbank on Saturday, March 4, 2017, Rosary at 11:30 am, Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City of Hope in memory of Christina O'Neill.

Published in The Burbank Leader on March 1, 2017

Thomas David Tyle, BHS 1961

Thomas David Tyle, BHS 1961

Burbank Daily Review, June 28, 1969

Thomas David Tyle
December 4, 1942 - June 25, 1969

Former Burbank resident Thomas David Tyle, of North Hollywood, died Wednesday, June 25, 1969 at the age of 26.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Fillbach-Bailey Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday at Fillbach-Bailey Funeral Chapel. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California.

A native of Burbank, Mr. Tyle attended Burbank schools and was employed as a machinist at a local company.

Surviving are his wife, Susan; his son, Thomas Jr.; and his mother, Mrs. Helen Westhead, all of Burbank; his father, David Tyle, of Marietta, Georgia, and his sister, Mrs. Barbara Young, of Burbank.