News

Geneva Leach (92) returned to her Heavenly home on December 13, 2017 after a long and blessed life. Her devotion to her family and her strong belief in God supported her throughout her life and gave her peace.

Geneva was born to the late Ezekiel “Zeke” and Mary “Florence” Bounds on November 20, 1925 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. She moved from Perkins, OK to Madera, CA when she was 15 years old. She attended church one Sunday morning and found the love of her life and best friend, Gerald Leach. She married him on February 18, 1946 when he had a few days of leave from the United States Navy. They were married for over 60 years until his death in 2006.

Patricia (Pat) Washburn (91) was born on June 21, 1926 as Patricia Ryan. She was born in Madera, Ca. After a brief illness she died on November 27, 2017 in O’Neals, Ca. known as Ryan Ranch at Hildreth. She graduated from Madera High School Class of 1946. She later married Jimmie Washburn on June 21, 1945. She lived 88 years in the O’Neals area.

She is a retired school bus driver of the Spring Valley School District after 25 years. She belonged to many organizations over the years, Gem and Mineral club, 4-H leader 15 years, O’Neals Community Center, O’Neals Farm Bureau Women’s Club, Grandmother’s Club, Coarsegold Historical Society, Fresno Orchid Society and two different Card Clubs.

Australian Jack Green (86) died suddenly in Norma Mastin’s home on November 15, 2017. Jack was born in Etalong, New South Wales, Australia on April 11, 1931. He was a 4th generation Australian. Jack has been coming to California for the holidays since 1995.

Jack was Curator of the Eric Worrell Reptile Park in Australia for 21 years where he took care of all of the animals, milked venomous snakes to make antivenom, and he put on the Saturday alligator show. He was the original “Crocodile Dundee”!

Cristian Jonathan Ramirez (17) passed away on November 7th, 2017 at Valley Children’s Hospital. Cristian was born in Madera on January 21, 2000 to Misael and Araceli (Macedo) Ramirez. Cristian attended Madera High School, where he was a member of the Varsity Soccer Team and a dedicated student.

Soccer was his passion; he started playing at the mere age of 4 1/2 years old. He was an all-around athlete, learning to ride a bike at the age of 2 (without training wheels), winning 1st place at a Jiu Jitsu tournament at the age of 12, and succeeding at any sport he set his mind to. He had academic aspirations to be an architect and to attend a well-recognized four year university.

Anthony Joseph Basila (96) died Friday, November 3, after a brief illness. He was born to Sultana and Joseph Basila in Sanger, CA, on October 17, 1921. The family moved to Madera a few years later. Since the 1930s, Tony lived in the family home except for his service during World War II and the last 11 months of his life.

At age seven, he began helping on the family farm and worked until he was 93. He grew cotton, grapes, almonds and pistachios. He went to Ripperdan Elementary School and graduated from Madera High School in 1940.

Frances Chapa (87) passed away peacefully at her Madera home on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born to Juan and Francisca Rubio on June 4, 1930 in Madera. She has been a lifelong resident of Madera, and worked for over 20 years as a sorter for Oberti Olives. Frances loved to dance and cook meals for her family. She also enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren during their family gatherings. Frances was an avid word search player and also loved to go and watch her grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Manual Rubio and Sal Rubio, and her four sisters, Blanche Hernandez, Carmen Reyna, Jennie Rubio and Mary Crandall.