Neal E. Bowers, BHS 1943

Neal E. Bowers, BHS 1943

The Post Newpaper, 2008

Neal E. Bowers, 83, of Lodi, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1925, in Lodi, to John and Dorothy (Talley) Bowers. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1943, Ashland College and Case Western Reserve Law School.On Aug. 9, 1947, he married Betty Jane Fetzer.

He passed the Bar in 1954 and started his law practice with Kenneth Still in Lodi. He also owned Burbank Hardware until the early 1960s. He was a member of the Lodi First Congregational Church and the Lodi American Legion Post. He was a WWII U.S. Marine Corp. veteran, having served in the Pacific Theater.

He was an avid gardener and fisherman, pickerel being his favorite, and had made many trips to his cabin retreat in Hastings, Ontario, Canada. He was well-versed and talented in a number of sports, which included being named a Wayne County All Star in basketball. He participated in several independent league softball, basketball and baseball teams and was a loyal fan of the Cleveland Indians. He enjoyed golfing in evening leagues and the Monday morning Lodi Seniors League at Knollbrook G.C.

Surviving are his two daughters, Susan Birch of Wadsworth and Michele Traeger of Medina, Texas; three grandchildren, Jessica and Jennifer Birch and Sean Traeger; two great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Jarelle; and brother, Wilbur Bowers of Creston. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane, in 1999.

A funeral service was held Thursday, Dec. 18 at Lodi First Congregational Church, 114 Church St., Lodi, with the Rev. David Dake and the Rev. Robert Holmes officiating. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lodi. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the church.

Carol M. Bull Laitinen, BHS 1950

Carol M. Bull Laitinen, BHS 1950

Carol M. Laitinen, 77, of La Crosse passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Carol was born March 17, 1933, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada to Clair and Grace Bull, American and Canadian citizens, respectively.

Carol’s father served as a Canadian Air Force officer in WWII. During Carol’s first 13 years, the family moved frequently, from Thunder Bay to Montreal to Winnipeg and then to Vancouver, when the war ended. Carol’s family then moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1946. Carol graduated from Burbank High School in 1950, and she ultimately joined Atomics International in 1960, the same day as her future husband, Mal Laitinen. While waiting for six months to obtain security clearance from the Atomic Energy Commission, Mal and Carol started dating, and in 1962, they married.

Through Carol’s loving guidance and unselfish desire to have her husband fulfill a lifelong passion, the couple moved to Houghton, Michigan in 1963, where Mal became a teacher at Michigan Technological University. Carol and Mal lived in Houghton for seven years by Lake Superior, the Great Lake which reminded Carol of her childhood days in Thunder Bay. In 1970, they moved to La Crosse, Wis., where Mal was hired and continues to serve as a teacher at the Trane Company.

Carol always loved animals, and she passed that love on to her sons, Steve and Jim, and to her husband. She lovingly cared for all dogs and cats that crossed her path, whether to feed them, find them a home, or to make them a part of her family.

Carol’s passion from her early years on was classical music, with Mozart being one of her favorites. In the late 1950’s, she performed as an operatic soprano in Los Angeles. Carol’s avorite opera singer was Maria Callas. Carol never lost her deep appreciation for classical music, and during the last 35 years of her life, she enthusiastically played classical guitar. Carol’s sons gained tremendously from her love of music and the arts.

Carol was an adult convert to the Catholic Church. Through her calm and resilient faith, her husband also converted to Catholicism, and the couple ultimately renewed their marriage vows in the Catholic Church. Carol’s strong belief in Christ served her unwaveringly, through both personal triumph and tragedy over the years. Although Carol struggled with certain issues in the Church, she remained true and faithful to Christ, and devoutly used the Rosary in her prayers.

Carol lived life completely, without reservation. She lived to serve and provide joy to others, her husband, her sons, her friends, a person in need, and the many animals she saved and cared for. Carol will be sorely missed.

Carol is survived by her loving husband, Maldon; two sons, Stephen Laitinen of Minneapolis, and James (Kirsten) Laitinen of St. Paul; a grandson, Bodhi; sister-in-law, Ronnelle Laitinen; and a niece, Rebecca (Richard) Dunn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Dorla Bernu; two brothers-in-law, Manley Laitinen and Mervel Bernu; and a son, Christopher.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Michael Lee Wimmer, BHS 1961

Michael Lee Wimmer, BHS 1961

Antelope Valley Press, Thursday, July 17, 2008

WIMMER, Michael Lee, was born on June 1, 1943, to Roy and Joan Wimmer. He died on July 13, 2008.

Mike grew up in Burbank, Calif., until he entered the Air Force in 1961, to get training as a firefighter. His career as a firefighter with Burbank Airport through Lockheed Martin continued until his retirement in 1986. He then furthered his career as a Fire Safety Specialist with NASA Dryden. He settled in Antelope Valley in 1971, and eventually moved to Tehachapi.

Mike loved to travel and he was an avid gardener, creating a home oasis. Family made him very happy and it grew every year. He loved to barbeque, make up various food and cocktail concoctions to entertain the kids.

Mike is survived by his wife, Shawn, sister, Diane DeHart, daughter Kerstin Wimmer and her 3 sons. He is also survived by 2 step-children and their families and he will be missed beyond words by all of them.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Bear Valley Community Church in Tehachapi. Donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Anita H. Cole Hinkle, BHS 1938

Anita H. Cole Hinkle, BHS 1938

Las Vegas Sun, Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Anita H. Hinkle, 91, died July 28, 2009 at a local hospital.

The 16-year Boulder City resident was born March 7, 1918, in Los Angeles. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her sons Steven Hinkle and Scott Hinkle and daughter-in-law Regina Hinkle, all of Henderson; sister Mary Jane Strickland of Burbank, California; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Palm Mortuary handled the arrangements.

Richard Tibbetts Frankian, BHS 1947

Richard Tibbetts Frankian, BHS 1947

Richard T. Frankian, Innovative Engineer Who Helped Build Several Communities, Dies at 81

FRANKIAN, RICHARD TIBBETTS - April 17, 1929 - May 22, 2010

Long time Burbank resident Richard T. "Dick" Frankian, beloved husband, father and grandfather and an innovative geotechnical engineer who helped build several local communities, died of a heart ailment near his vacation home in Port Alberni, British Columbia. He was 81.

Most of the residents of Southern California and the Bay Area likely live in a development, drive over bridges or work in a setting that had Mr. Frankian's engineering touch related to it. A world-class leader in the area of slope stability, he was the primary geotechnical consultant for three of the largest development projects in the history of Los Angeles county: Albertson Ranch/Calabasas, Valencia/Santa Clarita and Newhall Ranch. Before that, he had conducted research on projects in several other communities including San Pedro, Glendale, Pasadena, Catalina Island and Portugese Bend in Rolling Hills.

Having top secret clearance, he was responsible for identifying the soil characteristics for the Atlas Missile sites in the United States, making presentations directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was also a geotechnical consultant to the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, and had worked for the State of California Division of Bridges.Mr. Frankian's early career was spent with the firms of Dames & Moore, the Bechtel Co. and the Parsons Co., all worldwide leaders in the engineering field. He then founded his own firm, R.T. Frankian & Associates, in 1963, which has served clients in 38 states and six countries.

Mr. Frankian was a co-founder of the Sigma Phi Delta Engineering Fraternity at both UCLA and UC Berkeley, and a founding member of the Soil and Foundation Engineers Association (SAFEA), now called California Geotechnical Engineering Association (CalGeo). He was also a member of the Technical Advisory Committee responsible for developing the inaugural California Geotechnical Engineering registration exam. He was lecturer at UCLA for ten years in the fields of soil mechanics and engineering until handing that off to another member of his firm.

Mr. Frankian was the only child of Sooren and Eunice Tibbetts Frankian and is preceded in death by his beloved Joeann, his wife of 35 years who died in 1985. He is survived by Rosemary, his wife of 17 years; his children, Mary L. and Greg Chambers of Roseville, California; Virginia S. Frankian of Vancouver, BC; Nancy J. and Mark Pierce of Burbank, California; Dorothy J. and Gabe Margve of Burbank, California; Mark R. and Nanette Frankian of Saugus, California; and James A. and Suzy Frankian of Burbank; his grandchildren Timothy and Elizabeth Chambers, Mathew and Steven Pierce, Nicholas and Angelique Margve, Micayla, Karis Gwen and Abigail Frankian, and Jacqueline, Clayton, Hope and J. William Frankian. His step-children Thomas and Janet Wineland; Robert and Kim Wineland; Jennifer Wineland Shelton; and J'Amy and Russel Babb; and step-grandchildren Brad Wineland, Kate Wonser, Molly, Hanna, and Emma Wineland, Lyndsey Rickabaugh, Leah Paul, Lanette Shelton; and Thomas, James, Em'Lee and Robert Babb; and step- great-grandchildren Carter and Cannon Rickabaugh and Alison Wineland.

His friends, clients, colleagues and work associates will miss his tremendous intellect, friendly smile, excellent sense of humor as well as the care and attention that he was always willing to give to those he worked and shared time with. Dick was a generous and kind boss that made his employees feel like they were part of the family.His family is blessed with an abundance of memories of times spent sharing holidays, playing numerous games of cribbage, hearts and Parcheesi. As well as an unlimited number of hours fishing and swimming in the lakes and streams surrounding the family cabin located near Huntington Lake, California.

The time spent with his grandchildren and step-grandchildren at his vacation home in Port Alberni, British Columbia, a.k.a. "CAMP GRAMP", are among the most cherished and will be the times most missed. Mr. Frankian was a man of deep faith and conviction. He encouraged his friends and family to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior just as he had done.

After his retirement Mr. Frankian enjoyed fellowshipping with other believers from his church community in Port Alberni or at the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank where he and his family have been long time members.

A service of celebration will be held on Sunday, June 6th at the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, 521 East Olive Ave in Burbank at 3:00 PM with a reception immediately following in the church's Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers donations can be mailed c/o R. T. Frankian & Associates, 1329 Scott Rd, Burbank 91504. Please indicate donations for the R. T. Frankian Memorial Scholarship fund on the memo line.

Judy Minges Case, BHS 1971

Judy Minges Case, BHS 1971

Burbank Leader, April 2002

Judy Minges Case, 49, died April 8, 2002, in Snellville, Georgia.

Ms. Case was born Oct. 28, 1952, in Glendale. She lived in Burbank, California for more than 30 years. She was a housewife.

Ms. Case is survived by her husband, Randy; sons, R. J. and Mark; brothers, Bill, Bob and Doug; and sister, Phyllis.No funeral services were held. The family requests memorial donations be made to Embracing Hospice Care, 2160 Fountain Drive, Snellville, GA 30078.

Robert Stuart Whitford, BHS 1957

Robert Stuart Whitford, BHS 1957

Burbank Leader, Wednesday, September 20, 2000

Robert Stuart Whitford, 60, died September 14, 2000 in Palmdale. Mr. Whitford was born in Los Angeles and lived in Burbank for 53 years. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1957, where he was a member of the football team. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He retired from Lockheed where he worked for 37 years.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Whitford; mother Hazel A. Whitford; daughters, Shelly Suda and Carrie; son, Robert; grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Brandon and Amber; sisters, Linda Haynes, Gayle Cottriel and Cherri Googe, all of Burbank; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church of Burbank.

Kristine Ann Meade Reger, BHS 1970

Kristine Ann Meade Reger, BHS 1970

The Reno Gazette-Journal , 7/13/2006

Kristine Ann Reger passed on at her home in Yerington on June 28. She was 54.

She was born in Ankare, Turkey, the daughter of Robert and Gloria Meade on April 30, 1952. She married Arthur Frank Reger in Burbank, CA on December 9, 1972. They lived in Chester, CA and moved to Yerington six years ago. She worked as a bookkeeper for Lilliput Motor Co. She was a life member of Soroptimist International of Chester.

She is survived by her husband of Yerington; sons, Bryan (Tina) Reger of Yerington, Jeremy (Char) Fowler of Minot, ND; her sisters, Sandy Cable of Genoa and Carol Rickard of Hopewell, NJ; brothers, Robert Meade of Moses Lake, WA and Tony Rickard of Virginia Beach, VA; nephews, Jeremy (Alena) Cable of Fernley and Christopher Rickard of Virginia Beach; niece, Sarah Wirth of Seattle, WA; her grandchildren, Madison, Ashley and Katelynn Reger, all of Yerington and Kaleb Fowler of Minot, and Chelsea Bristor of Reno.

A memorial service was held July 6 at the Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy. 208, Yerington. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Ronald McDonald House, 323 Maine St., Reno, NV, 89502.

Ella Miller Touhey, BHS 1942

Ella Miller Touhey, BHS 1942

San Gabriel Valley Tribune (West Covina, CA) - Tuesday, September 11, 2007
　
TOUHEY-Ella Miller Touhey, born January 3, 1925 in Panama City, Panama. She passed away on September 5, 2007 in West Covina, CA at the age of 82. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Ella is preceded in death by her husband John A. Touhey and daughter-in-law Nancy and is survived by her 4 sons, David, Patrick (Kathy), John (Jennifer), and Michael (Debbie). She also has 7 grandchildren, Cherise, Nicole, Danielle, Michelle, Ryanne, Morgan, and Brandon as well as 2 great grandchildren, Kayla and Ashlynn.

Ella was born in Panama City, Panama and immigrated to the United States as a child eventually settling in California. She was a graduate of Burbank High School class of 1942. She began her career with the Corps of Engineers working 14 years as a clerk. Ella then left federal service to become a mother as well as to serve as an administrative assistant in her husband's newspaper business, "The Touhey Report".

Upon the death of her husband John, she returned to federal service as a U.S. Postal Worker from which she retired. Ella and her sons also owned and managed Rockview Dairy in West Covina for 31 years. Ella will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services directed by Rose Hills will take place September 12 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society "Breast C ancer Awareness Fund" in memory of Ella M. Touhey 339 E. Rowland Avenue, Covina, CA 91723.

John Kevin Holst, BHS 1969

John Kevin Holst, BHS 1969

Los Angeles Times, January 22, 1983

John K. Holst, survived by mother Ida V. Holst, father Rudolph; two brothers Robert G. and Thomas A. Holst.

Visitation Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary, 10621 Victory Blvd. North Hollywood. Graveside Services Monday, 1 p.m. Valhalla Memorial Park. Pierce Brothers Valhalla directors.