News

MADERA - Beloved husband, father, grandfather and coach, Gerald “Gerry” Sullivan, age 77, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in Fresno, CA. He was a native of Newport, RI and a resident of Madera, CA for 46 years,

He was in the banking business for 40 years working for numerous banks in the Madera area as a loan officer, where he made many loans to farmers. Gerry was in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962 and was an ambassador for the Madera Chamber of Commerce. He coached Pop Warner Madera Youth Football from 1974 to 1982 and was a member of the Madera Breakfast Lions Club.

Gerry was preceded in death by his brothers Ray and Thomas Sullivan and granddaughter Lily Marisol Torrez.

John Nick Peters (87) a native of Scottsbluff, NE & a resident of Madera, CA for 46 years, passed away Thursday, July 12, 2018 in Madera, CA. In 1971, John moved his family to Madera & served the local community as the athletic director for Madera High School until 1989 when he retired. Following his passion for sports & youth, John continued to use his time serving Madera Unified School District on the Board of Trustees from 1998-2002.  

In his college years, John was a star football player for the University of Wyoming & was inducted into the Hall of Fame after the Gator Bowl championship in 1950. In 1984, John was the recipient of the Jim Echols Award for outstanding achievement in the field of athletics.  

Jack W. Schnoor (86) was born on June 11, 1932 at the family ranch in Chowchilla to Logan and Ruby Schnoor. He went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 25, 2018, 14 days after his 86th birthday. Jack was abundantly blessed by the love of his wife, Barbara, his children, family, and friends. A respected Valley agricultural and community leader and businessman, Jack had a full life, dedicated to family, community, church and agriculture.

Jack grew up in Chowchilla, graduated from Chowchilla Elementary School and Chowchilla Union High School, and attended Fresno State before spending two years in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict where he was stationed at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah.

Thomas Ryan Daggett (78) was born on April 13, 1940 to Ryan and Helen Daggett in Hawthorn, CA. His lifetime was shared with a loving family continuing with his enjoyment of playing football and wrestling throughout his high school and college years. His love for his country led him to serving his country in the US Air Force where he was a trainer in the use of the portable hydrant systems taking him to many parts of the United States and France.

Following his military days he attended Fresno City College with a Police Science certificate and worked for the US Marshall's Dept in Fresno before and after entering the Fresno Sheriff's Dept in 1969 and retiring after 30 years of service.

Mr. Fay Hickman (79) was born on May 5, 1939 in Sacramento, CA to Henry and Laura Hanks Steen. In his teens, Fay changed his last name to his step-father, Boyd K. Hickman. He graduated from Madera Union High School in the Class of 1958 where he lettered in basketball. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962 on a Destroyer surviving a hurricane in the South China Seas. After his discharge, he returned to Madera and was employed by Oberti Olives and retired from Tri Valley Olives after 45 years. Fay was an avid golfer and bowler and excelled in both.

He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. He will be missed by all.

Garrett Michael Noblett (27) - The world lost a talented and promising young man when Garrett Michael Noblett passed away at home and in the presence of his loving parents, Michael and Rochelle Noblett, on June 14, 2018.  His girlfriend, Kamilah Murphy, was also at his side.