News

Bruce Allen Townsend (74) a long time Madera Educator passed from this life on Monday, March 9, 2015 at St. Agnes Medical Center following a 12 year heroic battle with leukemia. Bruce, 74, was born in Buffalo, New York and later moved to Southern California with his family where he graduated from Glendale High School.

Bruce attended the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History and teaching credential. Moving to Madera Bruce began his career with the Madera Unified School District, teaching at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Furman High School also Home Schooling for children with medical conditions who were unable to attend regular school. Retiring in 2003, following 30 years with the District.

William LaVern Adams (99), a native of Fresno, CA and a resident of Madera, CA for 65 years passed away, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at Country Villa, Madera. He was an owner and operator of Adams Auto Electric from 1954 to 2001. William was a veteran of the U.S. Army, Pacific Island in a tank destroyer battalion during WWII.

He was a faithful follower of the Warbirds and other airplanes. William also made his living as a musician playing guitar with various orchestras' in his early days. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather and cherished his time he spent with his family.

Mrs. Mildred M. Houlding, 92 passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at home with her loving family at her side. Mildred was born in Schriever Louisiana, on July 16, 1922, to parents Ourestile and Ida (Boudreaux) Sonier.

After graduation from high school, Mildred moved to New Orleans where she lived and worked in the textile industry. In 1941, through a mutual friend, Mildred was introduced to Bob Houlding. Shortly after the introduction, World War II broke out and Bob was shipped out to March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. Lillian Jackalord (known as Auntie) and Mildred drove Bob's car to California. On April 9, 1942, Bob Houlding married Mildred.

Alfred Tamberi (92) passed away peacefully after a long illness on Monday, February 9, 2015 at the age of 92. He was born on May 30, 1922 to parents Paul and Marianna (Micheli) Tamberi.

Al attended local schools and graduated from Madera Union High School in 1941. He worked in the lumber industry and construction until his enlistment into the U.S. Army Air Forces/Army Air Corps during WWII. He saw action in Italy and while there was able to meet his namesake, his maternal grandfather, Alfredo Micheli in addition to all of his aunts and uncles in San Felippo, Lucca, Italy.

Lyndon Leroy Mandrell (75) after courageously fighting health issues for the last three and a half years, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2015, in Fresno, CA.

Lyndon was born on March 9, 1939, in Mountain View, OK, to Leonard and Amy Mandrell. He was the eldest of four children. In 1948, the family moved to California and settled in the Red Top area. He attended local schools and graduated from Chowchilla High School in 1958. After high school, Lyndon attended Modesto Jr. College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for four years.

Alan Dee Patchell (58) was born in Texas on July 2, 1956 and moved to California when he was only 3 years old. He graduated from Carpinteria High School and then served in the US Navy sub service. After the Navy Al went into law enforcement with Santa Barbara S.O.

He moved to Madera and worked at the Madera Jail and then Madera Probation Department. He retired December 2008 as Deputy Chief at Madera Juvenile Hall. He was an Elk and former Lion's Club member. He loved riding his motorcycle. Al will be missed by everyone whose life he touched.