News

Former Owner of Snow White Drive-In Passes: Jean Nelson (86)

Jean Elizabeth Nelson (81) passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the age of 86. She was born in Fairmead, CA to Emanuel and Ella Miller. She was a life resident of Madera, where she owned and operated “Snow White Drive In” for 50 years. Jean enjoyed gardening in her spare time.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Arlan Miller. Jean is survived by her two sons, Larry Nelson of Madera, Ron Nelson of Oklahoma City, OK, her two daughters, Sandy Nevis and her husband Terry of Lodi, CA, Sharon Biggers and her husband Sam of Madera, her brother, Pete Miller of Marina, CA and her sister, Irene Pratt of Madera. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Charles Gray (69)

Charles "Charlie" Andrew Gray (69) was born on June 2, 1946 in Madera, California to John and Ruby Gray. Charles attended local schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1965. He joined the Army soon after graduation.

He was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 after completing parachute training in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1967 he returned to the United States where he finished his military obligation in Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Former Thomas Jefferson Woodshop Teacher Passes: Ronald Wayne Tyndal (71)

Ronald Wayne Tyndal (71). long time Madera educator, died at home on January 30th after a decade long struggle with Corticobasal degeneration, a rare neurological disease. He was born in Miami, Florida, and came to Madera at an early age with his mother, Lillian Walker.

He attended Madera schools and graduated from Madera Union High School in 1963 where he participated in baseball, football and wrestling. He attended Reedley College and Fresno State College where he received his teaching credential. During his high school and college years he was a well-known employee of Hal's Market in Madera.

Dino Petrucci (85)

Dino Antonio Petrucci (85), a native and life-long resident of Madera passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016, with his family by his side. Dino was born to Vincenzo and Ilide Petrucci, Italian Immigrants who were members of the large Italian community who helped settle and pioneer Madera with its rich agricultural history.

Dino attended the old Howard School and graduated from Madera Union High School in 1947. In 1948, he served as the California State FFA President. He then attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education. In 1951 he wed his bride, Peggy Hayes—they would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this March.

Joyce Irene Mensch (75)

Joyce Irene (Newby) Mensch (75) died peacefully after a lengthy illness at her home in Madera, Ca. on December 7, 2015 at the age of 75. Joyce was born on August 8, 1940 in Wisbech, Cambridge shire England. She was born to George and Glades Newby.

She married Sheldon when he was stationed in the Air Force in England on November 30, 1958. After serving 20 years in the military the family settled in Madera, Ca in 1976. Joyce worked for the City of Madera Parks and Community Service as a site coordinator for the Frank Bergon Center.

Ruth Lyon (86)

Ruth Lyon (86) passed away on November 7, 2015 at Cedar Creek Retirement Community in Madera, Ca, at the age of 86 after a lengthy illness. Ruth was born on April 15, 1929 to Joe and Peggy Mayhew in Alberta, Canada.Ruth was raised in Madera and married Roy Ben Lyon in Glascow Kentucky. Roy was stationed at Fort Knox Kentucky and served with the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II.

Ruth's life was devoted to raising her children and grandchildren. Ruth also served on the grand jury and was a member of the Women's Improvement Club for many years where she served as President. She also was a member of the Madera Historical Society.

Robert Loquaci (92)

Robert “Bob” Loquaci (92) spent his life farming the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Bob was born in Madera, CA to Urbano Loquaci and Eda Pistoresi Loquaci, and began farming grapes with his father as soon as he was old enough to help. He met the love of his life, Dora Karahadian, when they were teenagers, and they were married after Bob returned from his service with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Bob and Dora were married for 70 years, and have two sons, David and Leslie, who have continued the family's farming legacy.

Bob's commitment to agriculture drove him to advocate on behalf of the farming community. He was a Founding Director and President of the Raisin Bargaining Association., and represented the domestic raisin industry by testifying in Washington D.C., where President Nixon later signed a law making imported raisins meet US Food Safety standards. Bob also traveled to Japan twice to open the market for U.S. raisins and promote raisin sales.