EDNA MAY MITCHELL MCMULLEN, FUHS 1931

McMullen, Edna May (Mitchell), born October 18, 1912 in Buena Park, CA to Mary Van Genderen Mitchell and David Mitchell, Sr., Mrs. McMullen passed away August 24, 2008 in Roseville, CA at the age of 96.
She graduated from Fullerton High School in 1931 and went on to become a nurse's aid at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. She began her career there when the hospital first opened in 1957 and continued working there for over 24 years. "Mac", as she was known to both doctors and hospital staff, retired at age 70 and was missed both for her dedication to her work and the cakes that she would regularly bake to share with co-workers. She enjoyed sports having played baseball in her youth and bowling until she was 90 years of age. She loved going to horse races at Santa Anita Race Track near her home in Arcadia, watching baseball games and traveling with seniors groups. She moved to Sacramento from Arcadia in 2002 to be near her family.
Edna is survived by her daughters, Debra Reta of Sacramento, Dorothy Paoli of Lincoln, and Ruth Baylis of Lincoln; grandchildren, Sue Petersen of Eureka, Heidi Paoli of Loomis, John Richardson of Inglewood, Alison Reta of Los Angeles and Russell Reta of Sacramento. She also leaves several nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. McMullen; son, Robert Gordon McMullen and her siblings David, Ira (Rip), John, William, George (Barney), Elizabeth Duce, Jennie and Cornelia (Jo). She was the last surviving member of her generation of the David Mitchell, Sr. family who pioneered their ranch on Western Avenue in Buena Park.
Private interment will be in Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia, CA .
Published in the Orange County Register on 8/30/2008
View/Sign Guest Book (available until 9/30/2008)

JEFF VLHA, FUHS 1978

Vlha, Jeffrey, born April 4, 1960, departed August 22, 2008.
Jeff Vlha was born and raised in Fullerton, CA. He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Vlha, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, and his mother, Birdie Vlha. He is survived by his two sisters, Valerie and Annette and his nieces and nephews, Devin, Nicholas, Jonathan, Stefanie and Garrett. After his mother Birdie Vlha's passing, Jeff was the sole caregiver for his father, Paul Vlha, until his father passed away.
Jeff was a standout athlete since he was a young boy and exceeded in Baseball. He played baseball for the 1978 FUHS Indians when they captured the CIF championship title and he was named "Player of the year"! Jeff played baseball at Fullerton College as well as Lewis and Clark College in Idaho where his team went on to be conference champions. He was drafted into the Major leagues by the Pittsburg Pirates and Minnesota Twins. He obtained a black belt in Karate in Japan were he traveled with his sensei Yamazak. Jeff was known throughout the community. He was highly respected and loved by many. Jeff Vlha lived his life the "VLHA" way! He will be missed tremendously by all of those who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Jeff's life will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton. 902 N. Harbor Blvd. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary
Published in the Orange County Register 8/29/2008
View/Sign Guest Book (available until 9/29/2008)

GREAT SONG FROM A SOLDIER

Message to Connie from a friend:

This is a new and awesome video. Three soldiers wrote the song and put this together in their 'free time' over 'there'. The singer needs a Recording Contract when he comes home! This is a small way we can show our troops we support their efforts, their sacrifice and that of their families. This is absolutely awesome!

Put on your sound and click below...
http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

ALVIN BOYD (FUHS 52) GRANDSON JOHN BOYD

Alvin and Betty Askey Boyd (FUHS '51) are the grandparents of John.
Here is a hot link to a football news story about Alvin and Betty's grandson John. Do not click on anything once the program loads. Just be patient and the tape will begin running. You can click the "Repeat" button after the tape is finished if you pass the mouse over the tape screen and click on the green box that appears at the bottom left of the tape screen.
I couldn't get the correct tape to play when I clicked on "View this Webisode" on his section called "2008 Orange County All-Star Football GameHalftime Special: John "Superman" Boyd July 2008". Somebody goofed up that link.

http://www.aimsports.tv/tv/programs/football/2008%20OC%20All-Star%20Football%20Game/Football_2008-OC-All-Star-Game-John-Boyd_July-2008.htm

JON STEARMAN, FUHS 1966

Stearman, Jon Alan, age 60, of Orange, born May 31, 1948 in Los Angeles, entered into rest July 22, 2008. Jon was predeceased by his father, Jack S. Stearman. He is survived by his loving wife, Delta; children, Kevin, Debbie, Todd, John, Annette; 5 grandchildren as well as his mother, Jean Stearman; brothers, Jim (Sandy), Jeff (Joy); uncles, nieces and nephews. Jon grew up in Fullerton, graduated from Fullerton High School and received a B.A. degree from Cal State Fullerton. He graduated from Tri-Aviation Corp. He was a private pilot and served time in the Air Force. In 1969 he was ordained minister at Universal Life Church. From 1982-1988 Jon served as The Director of The Produce Marketing Assoc. He was a certified mediator and Notary Public. Jon worked as The Director of Legal Affairs at Narconon So. Cal.

A remembrance gathering was held August 3rd, 2008 and as Jon wished, his remains were scattered at sea. Jon, you are missed and in our hearts forever.
McAulay & Wallace Mortuary

Published in the Orange County Register on 8/17/2008
View/Sign Guest Book (available until 9/17/2008)

TIRED DIALING FINGERS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Starting August 23-08, all Orange County 714 phone numbers have to be dialed as if they were long distance- even if you are just calling your next-door neighbor! (This is because all of the young whipper-snappers are hogging the available phone lines for their cell phones and the area has to be sub-divided with an "over-lay" until, hopefully, a better solution is found. Of course, some of us older types may be guilty of causing some of this problem too.)

When using a cell phone to call someone, one doesn't have to dial the "1", just the "714", but why try to remember two different set of rules? (One answer to this question was in the Register today. The newspaper published some comments from people and one person said he was concerned about having to dial the "1" because if he then mis-dialed the "714" area code, he could be making a long distance call to gosh-knows-where!)

One Register reader commented: I remember the "good ol days" when we only had three area codes to cover from the Grapevine south to Mexico: 213, 714, 619. Man, I'm getting old.

If you make many 714 phone calls to the same people, it would be a good idea to get a phone with a “memory” feature that will allow you to program phone numbers into a list so that you only have to hit the “1”, for instance, to have the phone automatically dial whoever was assigned number “1”. These phones have a “list holder” on the phone that holds a printed list of who was assigned to what number. (If I went to buy one of these phones, I would have the salesperson show me how to enter some phone numbers into the memory feature. I believe in “Monkey See- Monkey Do. I have never heard, “Monkey Read- Monkey Do”.)

If your existing phone has a memory feature that you haven’t used yet, this is the time to find that user booklet and get it figured out.

DENYCE J. COLE, FUHS '55? '56?

Gene Grant is seeking information about Denyce.

(The following is an email message from Gene Grant who didn't graduate from FUHS, but who had many friends there.)

Denyce J. Cole would have graduated between 1955 and 56 but she may have married before graduation. I have no idea what her married name was.

Email Connie if you have any information. CVANHORN@PACBELL.NET

Gene also said that he keeps checking the web site below that lists alumni email addresses, hoping to find old friends. If you don't have your email address there, how can friends find you?
http://members.aol.com/fuhsalumni/alumni.htm

NORMAN HAWKINS, FUHS '58

Barbara Phillips Roher and her cousin Francine Phillips Fisher notified me Friday that Norman Hawkins FUHS Class of '58 has passed away. Norman had been severely ill for some time. The last contact I had with him was he hoped he would be around long enough for our class's 50th Reunion. He will be missed. No further details are available at this time.
Mike Johnson
Norman Hawkins passed away the end of July. He was a former Fullerton resident, 1958 graduate of Fullerton Union High School and graduate of University Of California at Los Angeles . He was a computer specialist who retired from FEDEX , having started with FEDEX in its early years. Norman had been in and out of hospitals for about six months. Most of that time he'd been in an in-patient therapy rehab center to strengthen his legs. Norman was being treated for a drug resistant infection in three of his four heart valves. That added to complications with his congestive heart failure. His desire was to be cremated and to have his ashes spread at sea. There is to be a get together of his friends; date to be announced. When he passed away he was at home with a care giver.
Also from Mike Johnson

JOSEPH SCHRAFF, FUHS 1988

Schraff, Joseph William. May 23, 1970 - August 4, 2008.

Joe, Little Joe, Joey, Josef. Joe entered into this world with a few difficulties into the loving arms of his parents Ted and Becky Schraff. As a small child he made his own way. Joey grew up several years younger than his siblings Kesa, Theo and Patty. Although at times he may have felt separate from his siblings, Joe was the one that made our family complete. Joe always had a smile on his face and an easy going attitude with whatever came his way. Of course Joe was always armed with a smart comment, joke or prank. While growing up, Joe survived several cross county road trips with all six of his family members. We all slept in one tent at the KOA campgrounds, moving from one Air Force base to another. Finally in 1984 our family settled in Fullerton California. Joe played bass in several bands including Travolta, Karate Kids and The Distraction. He and his band mates always put on a good show. Joe enjoyed his time at Jax Bicycle shop in HB while making many friends with both coworkers and customers. His love for soccer, music, bicycles, beer and bratwurst also led him to discover his soul mate Vennice James Cooley.

After a long courting period they married October 23 2005 on the majestic Queen Mary in Long Beach Ca. It was an all night celebration of love and life! Wanting everything to be perfect for his son, Joe's father Ted Schraff even had to take out a troublemaker during the celebration. It goes to show don't mess with a Schraff and especially don't mess with their loved one's!!!

In 2004 Joe was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. In true Schraff fashion Joseph fought to live until the very last day. He was even able to celebrate Vennice's 33 birthday on August first. Surrounded by love and the soothing words of his wife, family, friends and new puppy Taggie, Joseph Schraff passed early Monday morning August 4th 2008 at home.

We celebrate his life Tuesday 4pm August 12 at Old World HB.

In lieu of flowers Joe and Vennice wish to donate to the State Parks of California to keep bike trails open! www. calparks.org. Make a gift on online in memory of Joe.
Published in the Orange County Register on 8/9/2008
Notice • Guest Book (available until 9/9/08)• Flowers • Charities

PRESTON PYEATTE, JR., FUHS 1938

Pyeatte, Preston E., Jr, passed away, August 5th from complications of Parkinson's disease.
He was born April 6th, 1920, in Cane Hill, Arkansas to Eugenia Pittman Pyeatte and Preston Earl Pyeate, Sr., the second of four children. The family moved to Fullerton, when Preston was six.
He was a graduate of Fullerton High School and Fullerton College, with degrees in business and agriculture. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps and trained in fire protection and flight engineering. After discharge, in 1946, he was hired by the Fullerton Fire Department and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Batallion Chief in charge of arson investigation and fire prevention. In 1947, he married Bunne Oakley, who he was introduced to by Ruth and Harold Hale, his "other parents". They had one daughter, Cristin. He served on the original education committee that developed the Junior Fireman program, still used in Orange County schools. Preston served on the board of Fullerton Community Hospital, was active in the YMCA and Masonic Lodge. He was a recipient of the Hiram Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Masons, for dedicated service. He also taught fire science at Santa Ana City College before retiring, in 1977, to Lido Isle, Newport Beach, to be close to his daughter's family.
Preston was truly one of the greatest members of the "greatest generation". A kind, gentle, moral man who was loved by all who knew him. After retiring, he spent countless hours in his garage, greeting all who passed, with kind words, a warm smile, and would fix anything that was brought to his "shop".
Bunne, his wife of 50 years, passed away in 1998. He is survived by his daughter, Cristin; son-in-law, Michael; grandchildren, Todd and Nicole, and great-granddaughter, Chloe. You are loved and will be missed by all who knew you. Thank you for your teachings and love.
Pacific View services were private. A toast to a life well lived will be held, August 17th at his daughter and son-in-law's home in Newport Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the SPCA would be appreciated.
Published in the Orange County Register on 8/9/2008
Notice • Guest Book (available until 9/9/08) • Flowers • Charities

BILL MILLS, FUHS 1945

Mills, William Arlee "Bill".
Bill Mills entered into eternal life on Wednesday, August 6, 2008. His loving and devoted family and friends were at his side. Bill was born on May 25, 1927 to Dorothy and Arlee Mills in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in Fullerton along side his brother Bob. He attended Fullerton High School before enlisting in the Navy in 1944. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Bette Whitelock, on May 16, 1948. Together they had two children, Scott and Diane, and multiple dogs named Sammy. They raised their family in Fullerton but enjoyed escaping to their San Clemente beach house where many fond memories were made. Bill and his brother Bob followed in their father's footsteps and went into business together. They had several Ford dealerships, tractor stores, an auto part store, and various real estate endeavourers throughout their career. Bill won several prestigious awards including the Time Quality Dealership Award. Bill retired from Mills Ford in 1992. He enjoyed spending his retirement with his wife traveling near and far in their motor home with their close friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren Erin, Alisa, Alexa, Greg, and Kyle. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Bette; son, Scott; daughter, Diane; daughter-in-law, Jane; son-in-law, John, and five grandchildren, Erin (Tyler), Alisa (Ryan), Alexa (Michael), Greg, Kyle, and Sammy.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the City of Hope or a charity of your choosing in his honor.


McAulay & Wallace Mortuary
Published in the Orange County Register from 8/9/2008 - 8/11/2008
Notice • Guest Book (available until 9/9/08) • Flowers • Charities

RHODA RIECKE BELLIS, FUHS 1940

Bellis, Rhoda LaVerne. July 7, 1921 - August 1, 2008.
Although born in Sedalia Missouri, LaVerne's parents Henry and Bessie Riecke moved the family to Orange County in 1925. La Verne attended school in Fullerton and graduated from Fullerton Union High school in 1940. She married Orville Bellis in 1942 and they made their home in Santa Ana having four children. LaVerne was active in local PTA activities and served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Ana YWCA. Teaching knittting and other needlecrafts, she was known for her creative abilities and knack for teaching people with special needs.
LaVerne is survived by son, Dennis Bellis, daughters, Sharon Avey, Rene' Schweitzer and Tami Bengis; 9 grandchildren, and 4 great- grandchildren.
Interment is at Pacific View Cemetery in Corona Del Mar, California.
Published in the Orange County Register on 8/8/2008
Notice • Guest Book (available until 9/8/2008)• Flowers • Charities