Pearl Joy Holen Brown Berman, BHS 1941

Pearl Joy Brown
April 9, 1923 - May 20, 2018

Pearl was born in Burbank to Jacob and Celia Holen and died at 95 on May 20, 2018. She left an indelible mark on her family, friends, patients and the world. 

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. Josiah Brown and her second husband Jack Berman. She leaves her brother Marvin, his wife Marta, her children, Jeffrey, Celia and Todd, their wives Lisa and Regina, and four adoring grandchildren Natasha, Josiah, Allison and Zoe. 

Services will be held at: Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery on Wednesday, May 23 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to: UCLA Giving, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90024 with: "The Josiah Brown Lecture" on the memo line.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on May 23, 2018

Richard Michael Maurer, BHS 1959

Richard Michael  Maurer, BHS 1959
January 30, 1942 - October 30, 2018 

Richard M. Maurer 76, of Grand Haven, Michigan passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 30, 2018. Richard was born January 30, 1942 in Burbank California. He graduated from UCLA in 1964 with a B.S. in Finance and has over 40 years of sales and marketing management experience between Dow Chemical Company and the Noble Company. Richard was a veteran if the United States Army serving his country during the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart. 

Richard is survived by his children a son, Michael Maurer of Grand Haven, daughter Vernice Branch of San Diego, California, along with her husband, Stephen Branch; grandchildren Tyrus and Cole, his sister Judy (Don) Sterner of San Clemente, California; nephew Mark (Dawn) Sterner of Aptos; nephew, Orian Stener; grand-niece Xena. 

Richard was an amazing human being, an incredible father, wonderful grandfather, thoughtful uncle, loving brother and great friend to all who knew him. A Celebration of Life Gathering with a luncheon will be held on Monday, November 19th at St. Patrick- St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Grand Haven, Michigan from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with Military Honors being bestowed at 1:15 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to The Wounded Warrior

Project, Catholic Charities of West Michigan or Hospice of North Ottawa Community. Leave a tribute for Richard at our website www.shorelinememorial.com Arrangements by Shoreline Memorial Services, Muskegon, Michigan (231)-722-5050

Published in The Burbank Leader on Nov. 17, 2018

Barrie David Gardner, BHS 1960

Burbank Review, Monday, March 31, 1969

Collision Kills Ex-Burbanker

Barrie David Gardner, a former Burbank resident, was killed Saturday when the car he was driving collided with a moving van. Burbank Police Chief Rex Andrews told the Daily Review that Gardner, 26, was driving northbound on the San Diego Freeway when the accident occurred.

He apparently intended on taking the Sepulveda offramp, then had a change of mind and as he swerved back his station wagon struck the back of an Allied Moving van, Andrews, a neighbor and close friend of Gardner's parents, said.

Upon collision a 7-foot piece of metal in the rear of the station wagon broke through the seat of the car and impaled Gardner, Andrews said. He was pronounced dead at an Encino hospital.

Gardner, who lived in Glendale, had been a resident of Burbank for 21 years and was a native of Ohio. He was a 1960 graduate of Burbank High School where he was a star on the track team, Andrews said.

He was also a member of Theta Ki at Sacramento State College and the Wilshire Christian Church. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the United States Marine Corps.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Royal Gardner of Burbank; and one sister, Miss Rebecca Ann Gardner of Van Nuys. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. Interment will also be at Forest Lawn.

The Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service, 333 East Magnolia, is in charge of the arrangements.

Verna Emma Forbes Willson, BHS 1939

Verna Emma Forbes Willson, BHS 1939

October 12, 1921 - October 2, 2013 
Born in Burbank, CA 
Resided in Ogden, UT

Earth has lost and heaven has gained an intelligent, strong, determined woman.

Verna was born October 12, 1921 in Burbank, California to Jesse Warren and Emily Wrampelmeier Peyton Forbes. She was an only child. During WW II Verna served as a "Rosie the Riveter" for Lockheed, working mainly on P-38's. After WWII she moved to Lubbock, TX, worked as an elevator operator for Hilton Hotels, and met Otis Willson. They eloped (with her mother-in-law going along) to Roswell, NM where they married October 21, 1946. They settled in Pacoima, CA. Three children were born to them, but the two boys died at birth. About 1952, Otis developed tuberculosis and was hospitalized for nearly 4 years. Verna moved back to Burbank and returned to Lockheed, starting as a file clerk. She was a feminist rights advocate and fought hard to advance and get equal pay as the men doing the same work. She retired from Lockheed as an avionics engineer, working on black boxes and collaborating with the men from the "skunk works." 

In 1978 Otis and Verna moved to Brigham City, Utah to be near their daughter and grandchildren. Otis died December 20, 1978. Verna then moved to Salt Lake City where she refurbished a historic home in the Avenues. She then moved to Farmington, NM where she ran for the office of city mayor at the age of 80, getting about a third of the votes. Next, Verna moved to Ogden, UT. Shortly after this move, she was baptized a member of the LDS church. She had strongly opposed her daughter joining the church years earlier, but was converted by examples of many good people in NM and UT. Throughout her life, Verna enjoyed doing genealogy, and published articles in many genealogy magazines, plus a book on her family lines. She also enjoyed politics and writing letters to the editor which were published many places, including The New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine. 

Verna left this life on October 2, 2013 of causes related to heart failure and osteoporosis. She is survived by her daughter Linda Nelson (Blaine), 5 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by dear friends and "adopted" family from NM, Margie Lee Smith (Marty), their 9 children and many grandchildren. 

Per Verna's request, there will be no viewing. Graveside services will be held in Brigham City on October 9th at 3:00 p.m, under the direction of Myers Mortuary of Layton. In lieu of flowers, donations to any charity in her name are suggested. Condolences may be sent to www.myers-mortuary.com

Christine Marjorie Harper, BHS 1913

Christina Marjorie Harper
1894 - 1916

Christina Marjorie Harper was born in 1894 the daughter of John Harper and Jessie Morrison. 

Christina was a 1913  graduate of Burbank High School and passed away on April 27, 1916 in Los Angeles County, California. Christina was the first known Burbank High School Alumni to pass away according to the Burbank High Alumni Association which was started after the first graduation. 

Christina was 21 years, 8 months and 8 days old when she died. Christina was buried a long way from Burbank as she is interred in the Zion Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut. 
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The Burbank Review, Burbank, California, Saturday, April 29, 1916, Page 1

BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LIFE ENDED

The many friends of Mrs. J.M. Harper and family were shocked last week by the news that Miss Christine Harper, who was teaching at Colton, was seriously ill with tonsillitis, her life despaired of. Her mother went to her and brought her home to Burbank, where she could be under the immediate care of Dr. E. H. Thompson. But there was nothing which could be done to save her and just before 11 o'clock Thursday morning, the beautiful spirit took its flight.

Miss Harper was a beautiful girl and dearly beloved by her schoolmates and friends and teachers here, among whom she had grown from childhood to womanhood. Following her graduation from Burbank High School, she attendedthe San Diego Normal school from which she graduated and secured the position at Colton, where she was teaching when taken ill.

There are many who will grieve with the mother and sisters bereft of the loved one and the sympathy of all goes out to them in their great loss.

The funeral is to be held at 2 o'clock this Saturday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, Rev. Henry A. Rudin, pastor of the church will officiate.
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The Burbank Review, Burbank, California, Saturday, May 6, 1916, Page 1

CHRISTINE HARPER LAID TO REST

The funeral services for Miss Christine Harper, daughter of Mrs. J. M. Harper, were held from the Presbyterian church last Saturday, at 2 p.m., Rev. H.A. Rudin, pastor of the church officiated and brought a message of comfort to the bereaved ones, his text being taken from the prayer of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, when He says, "Not My Will, O'God, but Thine be done."

The church was filled by those who had known and loved her and the air was redolent of the perfume of beautiful bloom banked about the casket. Six young gentlemen and eight young ladies, friends and schoolmates of Miss Harper, acted as active and honorary pallbearers. The young men were Ward Shelton, Ernest Brown, Wiley Cole, James Hendricks, of Van Nuys; Connie Clarke and Earl Robinson. These lifted the casket and tenderly carried it into the church vestibule, then marched to the front of the church. After the casket had been placed, the young ladies, who were the Misses Marie Kern, Clara Clarke, Claire Glenn, Louise Lawrence, Blanche Shelton, Genevieve Robinson, Juanita Malone and Edna Ludlow, passed down the aisles, four on each side and carrying sheaves of white sweet peas. As they passed the casket they softly dropped the lovely blossoms upon it.

The choir sang softly, "Lead Kindly Light" and Miss Lulu Snyder sang very sweetly, "Crossing the Bar;" Mrs. C. E. Pomeroy and Mrs. O. R. Boyd sang that beautiful hymn, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought." At the close the choir sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

A large concourse of friends followed the remains to Rosedale cemetery where short services were said and the body cremated.

Christine was of a retiring nature, but dearly beloved by those who knew her best and she will be sadly missed by her young friends and in the home circle. To these, her nearest, the sympathy of all goes out.

Ralph L. Zink, aka, Donald Woods, BHS 1925, Actor

December 2, 1906 -  March 5, 1998

A prolific actor with a 40-year career that included appearances in 98 plays, 150 television shows and 75 films, Donald Woods referred to himself as the "King of the B's". He started out as a radio and stage actor. He was a pleasant, boyish leading man of the 1930s who later moved into mature character roles. Played Perry Mason in one of a series of Warner Brothers B pictures.

Born in Canada as Ralph L. Zink and raised in Burbank where he graduated from Burbank High School in 1925. At Burbank High he was a debater, athlete, Ceralbus Editor. The 1937 Burbank High Ceralbus theme was the “Spirit of Drama” and the Ceralbus was dedicated to Donald Woods. He wrote on the dedication page the following:

Prologue- Congratulations, Class of ’37, and thank you for the honor bestowed on me in this issue of the Ceralbus. Eleven years ago the writer left Burbank High School with a diploma tucked away in the bottom of a trunk. The diploma was carefully framed , but the notes were shoved away in storage. Eleven years later those notes, bound and classified, form an active part of my small library-but for the life of me I cannot find my diploma! How was I to know that five years later I would be making my living in the theater? That five years later my best friend would be a young doctor? That nine years later a complete analysis of the character of Charles Darnay would help me secure a part in a motion picture? My notes on Drama, Biology, and English were invaluable. Which all goes to prove, fellow students, that in my case a note or two in the hand was worth several diplomas on the wall!! Good Luck.” – Donald Woods, Editor of Ceralbus ‘25

He attended the University of California at Berkeley, and made his film debut in 1928. He legally changed his professional name in 1945 after having done many radio and stage productions and appearing in the features "Sweet Adeline" (1934) and "A Tale of Two Cities" (1935). Woods hosted two 1950s television series, "The Orchid Award" and "Hotel Cosmopolitan" and was a regular on the series "Tammy". Known primarily for his western and whodunit work, Woods also guest starred on "Wagon Train" (NBC) and "The Wild, Wild West" (CBS). His last movie was in 1969 True Grit, starring John Wayne.

Woods retired from acting in 1976 and become a successful real estate broker in Palm Springs, California, where he lived with his wife, childhood sweetheart Josephine Van der Horck. They were married from 1933 until his death on Thursday, March 05, 1998, in Palm Springs, California at the age of 91 of Cardiopulmonary Failure. They had two children, Linda and Conrad (Conrad became a tennis pro and modern painter). His grave is located at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.

Donald Woods Personal Quote: “I try to do at least one play per year whatever else I’m doing – such as selling $300,000 worth of real estate in Palm Springs.”

To read more about Donald Woods and to see all his movies and television series he appeared in and to watch video clips to some of his movies , click here IMDB Data Base

Herbert "Herb" Lewis Hinthorne, BHS 1936

In Loving Memory Of Herbert Lewis Hinthorne

May 14, 1918 - November 29, 2009

A friend of mine Herbert "Herb" Lewis Hinthorne, Burbank High School, Class of 1936 and a member of the Senior Bulldogs passed away at age 91 last Sunday, November 29, 2009. His daughter Nancy, BHS 1959 said her father died suddenly and had been in fairly good health and three weeks before his death had played a round of golf.

In a book Burbank History it says this about Herbert Hinthorne: "Burbank's senior fireman Captain Herbert Hinthorne retired in July, 1974, after 36 years on the job. The captain always carried a nickel in his pocket, used in the old days to make telephone calls for more fire units."

Herb knew my uncle as they were firefighters together until my uncle moved away, but Herb stayed in Burbank and fought many fires over the years. Herb's daughter Nancy was my sister's best friend in high school. Herb is survived by his wife Agnes, daughters, Nancy and Joyce and their families. Joyce also went to Burbank High.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him!

Richard Paul Cummings, BHS 1965

Sad to report that BHS Class of 1965 lost another classmate December 7, 2018, Rick Cummings. He had been ill with dementia/Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s for several years now. Rick passed peacefully with his wife and two of his daughters by his side. 

There will be a viewing on Tuesday December 11th from 4-8 pm at Mckenzie Mortuary,  3843  E Anaheim St, Long Beach 90804, and the funeral will be at the same location on Wednesday at 11 am. 

Please pass this info on to our classmates.  Submitted by Susie Carson Sojka '65

June Ann Young Macomber, BHS 1948

June Ann Young Macomber, BHS 1948
1931-2016

June Ann Macomber passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 30, 2016 at the age of 85. For the past 3 years June lived in a private home called Cottage of the Oaks in Ventura County, in the city of Thousand Oaks. Her 2 boys live within 15 minutes of her home and had looked after her welfare since her move to California in 2009.

June was born on June 18, 1931 in Denver, CO to James and Anna Young. She had one sibling, Jimmy who was 11 years June’s senior. June’s parents moved the family to California in 1940. After moving to a few different cities and getting the feel of California, the young family settled into Burbank.

The high school June attended was Burbank High, where she met and fell in love with the man she would be married to for the rest of her life, Gary Macomber. June and Gary Married in 1947 and not long after started their family where they were thrilled to welcome 3 sons. June was the proud grandmother to 4 grandchildren and a very proud great grandmother to 7 children. June and Gary’s loving marriage grew to 60 years until Gary’s passing in 2007.

June worked in the California School system for 22 years. She worked in the cafeteria at Cleveland High School. She was also a secretary at Ukiah High and Pomolita Middle School. June and Gary finally retired together in 1988 to start a new chapter of their lives.

They loved to travel on their motorcycles. They have been through every state in the US and every Province in Canada. They rode from Northern California to the Panama Canal. They even flew their motorcycle to Europe and rode through many countries there.

In 1955 June and Gary joined the Mormon Church thanks to a dear friend, Allen Coryell and his wife Gayle. June held several positions in the church, but loved the mission that they served together in the Fiji Islands.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main, Spanish Fork, Utah. Viewing will be from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Salem City Cemetery


Published in the Daily Herald, Provo, Utah, Aug 3, 2016

Mary Lee Belloni Howell, BHS 1964

From Pam Kirkwood, BHS 64

We are extremely sad to tell you that Mary Lee Belloni Howell BHS '64 passed away last night December 5, 2018. The information so far, is very minimal. All we know is that Mary Lee took a bad fall about a week ago. When more information is available, we will let you know.

Mary Lee was a beloved friend to so many. She served as the Drill Team Captain in her Senior Year and was heavily involved in school activities.

Mary Lee leaves 2 sons, Michael and Brandon and was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Howell (Also from BHS '64).

Evie Swierczynski, BHS 2021

Evie Swierczynski
JULY 15, 2003 – OCTOBER 30, 2018

Burbank High School sophomore Evie Swierczynski lost her battle with acute myeloid leukemia on Tuesday evening October 30, 2018, less than six months after her diagnosis.

The former John Muir Middle School student was 15 years old. Evie’s father, Duane, tweeted Wednesday morning that the family’s “hearts are broken beyond words. Thank you for all of your love and support this year.”

Besides her father, Evie is survived by her mother, Meredith, and brother, Parker.

Evie was a member of the school’s drama department, and the group created a tribute in her honor, according to Bertram, Burbank High's principal. “There was a small gathering and poster here, a memorial, where kids put handprints and left unique messages about her,” Bertram said.

Bertram said Evie’s parents have discussed a celebration of life, but plans were not finalized as of Friday afternoon. Her family has asked that students and friends honor her memory by donating blood or platelets to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, where Evie had been receiving care.

Evie was super glue. Not in the arts-and-crafts sense, though she loved creating things and used plenty of adhesive (and tape and paper and colored pencils) in the process. No, Evie was the glue that connected family and friends in a way that was not always visible, but deep and powerful nonetheless.

We know this, because without her the world feels like it is ready to fall apart.

When Evie was 11 she created a pop-up store with hand-made purses and wallets and little sculptures. She’d join her father at small comic book conventions and sell her wares right next to his comics and novels. And she’d outsell him by a wide margin. But her motivation wasn’t money (she was always donating the lion’s share of the proceeds to St. Jude’s Hospital). She simply wanted to bring a little joy into people’s lives. Evie called her venture “The Fun Store.” She’d even put out a container of free toys and candy for anyone to take, just so that no one would ever feel left out.

That was the thing about Evie; she always gravitated to the outsiders. Her favorite stuffed animals were oddball creatures: rats, ostriches, pot-bellied cats… any kind of cat, really. If you were at a party feeling awkward and alone, Evie would bring you into the fold, introduce you around. She had her own dreams and plans (following in the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton and attending Columbia University so that she could teach history). But she always took great joy in whatever you wanted to do.

And no matter what you were doing, she’d make you laugh. Evie was born with incredible comedic timing, a gift that would show itself at the most surprising moments. During her first round of chemo, the painkillers made her act a little… goofy. “Wow, we haven’t seen you this silly since you were four,” her parents noted. Evie replied, “But when I was four, did I do this…?” Then gave us the finger.

Over the past five months she gave cancer the finger, too. When that struggle became too great she retreated to some other place, and only then did her parents realize the truth: Evie had been supporting them just as much as they’d been supporting her. A mischievous smile; a deadpan retort; a peace sign; rolled eyes; an exaggerated selfie pose; a hug. These were the things that kept them going during an especially frightening time.

Her family and friends are heartbroken and grieving her loss, not sure how to proceed, afraid that this new world will come flying apart. But Evie showed us the way, by example of her life. In the face of loneliness or fear or adversity, you laugh. You create. You blow bubbles. You hug. You make up stories about stuffed animals. You give to those who have less. And sometimes, you give fear the middle finger, because it’s funny.

Evie will always be super glue.

And she will forever bind together those who love her.

Team Evie GoFundMe Page

George Leigh Wissmann, BHS 1974

George Leigh Wissmann, BHS 1974

George Leigh Wissmann, 62, was born on March 29, 1956, in Los Angeles , California, and passed away August 6, 2018. He resided in Santa Clarita, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

George attended Providencia Elementary School, Luther Burbank Junior High School and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974.

According to his sister Lynda Wissmann she posted on Facebook that her brother passed on August 4, 2018 and the obituary above has his death listed as August 6, so not sure which one is correct. No other details at this time.

Kelly Jean Wilkins, BHS 1989

Kelly Jean Wilkins, BHS 1989
January 15, 1971 - September 3, 2018

Kelly Jean Wilkins, 47, of Le Mars, formerly of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, passed away on Monday, September 3, 2018 at Unity Point Health- St. Luke's in Sioux City, Iowa following an extended illness. A graveside service will take place at a later date. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Kelly’s family with funeral arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.