Category: Obituaries

Submitted by Tim Schaefer–
Kathy was a Sacramento native and lived in Citrus Heights for more than 30 years. She was a graduate of Hiram Johnson High School, an employee of the Sacramento Bee (classified advertising) most her career and raised her children on Trilby Court in Citrus Heights. She was a friend to everyone she met, an attentive caregiver to her parents and husband at the end of their lives, and relentlessly positive and kind.

Kathy battled breast cancer too often the past 30 years (she was BRCA2+) and it is what ultimately took her life. During her cancer battles, she rarely complained and amazed everyone with her positivity in the face of side effects from medications and pain.

Kathy’s three children, Robert Wardlow (Brandy O’Brien), Kristina Wardlow (Tim Schaefer), and Haley Karish (Marc Karish) could not have asked for more in a mother. She was courageous, humorous and concerned about others until the end of her life.

Kathy also leaves behind her brother, Larry Ruff, and nine grandchildren: Jacob, Alexis, McKenzie, Tresten, Ally, Michael, Benjamin, Katherine, and Samantha. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Opal and Clem Ruff, and her husband of 31 years, David Draper.

*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here

Submitted by Terri Shaffer–
Long time Citrus Heights resident, Max Alexander, went home to be with the Lord on April 21, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He lived in Citrus Heights for 83 years.

Max was born in Council Grove, Kansas. In 1937, at just over a year old, his parents, Fred and Nera Alexander, relocated to Roseville driving their ‘32 Chevy. Four years later, in 1941, the family moved to Citrus Heights on property previously owned by the Van Maren family, now known as Stock Ranch. Max attended Sylvan School in the old schoolhouse and graduated from San Juan High School in 1953. During high school, in 1952, he received recognition as All Sierra Foothill League Halfback.

It was in high school that he met the love of his live, Carol Mayes, from Roseville. They were married in 1954 at the Citrus Heights Friends Church located on Old Auburn Road and moved to the family property off Sylvan Road where they raised their three children, Terri, Paul, and Jim. Max and Carol just celebrated their 70th anniversary in February.

After high school Max began his career as a land surveyor with the Department of Water Resources. He later transferred to the California Department of Transportation where he was a civil engineer as a pavement specialist. He retired from the State at age 55.

Max worked hard at his job but enjoyed his free time more. He was an avid backpacker, hunter, camper and fisherman. He loved playing practical jokes, helping others, and traveling. One of his most proud accomplishments was working with Craftsmen for Christ to rebuild homes in Arboga after the 1997 floods. He went on mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico, was recognized for donating 1,676 units of blood, and stayed involved in Citrus Heights politics.

Max was adventurous. After retirement, he took a canoe trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, rode a glider at age 65, ziplined at 70, went skydiving at 75, and climbed half dome four times including on his 80th birthday. He and his wife Carol traveled extensively including trips to Africa, Peru, Galapagos, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Europe, and China.

Most importantly, Max was a man of God. He lived his life as a true disciple of Jesus and is now in his forever home in Heaven where he has a renewed body and memory. He is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Terri, eight grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons Paul and Jim.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Max’s birthday, Thursday, August 8th at 2:00 at the Citrus Heights Friends Church.

*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here

Submitted by Eric Rhees–
Ralph Rhees passed away January 18, 2024 at age 86 in his Citrus Heights home surrounded by family members. He was born in Ogden, Utah Sept. 27, 1937, to Horace and Elizabeth Rhees, the youngest of 7 children. Ralph grew up on his parents’ farm in Pleasant View where he learned many useful skills. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.

Ralph attended Weber State College where he earned a two-year Certificate in Machine Shop Technology.

He served a two-year church mission among the people of the Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico. He was able to speak the language and share stories and traditions for the rest of his life.

Ralph married Beverly Crook on December 16, 1960 in the Idaho Falls, ID Temple. They had seven children and adopted a son. As a family they lived in Utah, Idaho and California. Their most recent location was Woodland, CA. After 41 years of marriage Bev passed away in 2001.

Ralph married Karen Bell Evans in 2002 in the Oakland, CA Temple. Ralph and Karen have enjoyed 21 loving years together and their families have become one big family.

As a machinist, and later a manufacturing engineer, Ralph worked at several companies including Romney Engineering Co. in Salt Lake City, Thiokol Corp. in Brigham City, and his own machine shop, Rhees Machine and Manufacturing in Malad, Idaho. He retired from Aerojet Rocketdyne in 1993 where he worked as a machinist and then a manufacturing engineer on Delta rocket motors used by NASA. He worked for a few more years at Ames Co. in Woodland.

Ralph will be remembered most for his love, service to others, his mischievous streak, and being able to fix just about anything. Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, son, Alan, and grandson, Scott, as well as many other family members. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his children Jerald (Deanna), Dyan (Faustino-decd), Michael, Heidi (Steve), Eric (Dawanna), Chana (Ronald-decd), Hayden (Chelsea), Kristen (Joe), Ryan, Todd, Sheriane, and Travis. Ralph has 33 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8056 Oak Ave, Citrus Heights, CA 95610, on January 27 at 10:00 AM, with an opportunity to visit with the family afterwards.

A second service will be held Saturday February 3 at 11 AM with an opportunity to visit with the family at 10 am at Lindquist Mortuary 2140 North Washington Blvd. North Ogden, UT 84414

Ralph will be interred at Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah

*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here

Submitted by family–
John Paul Turner of Carmichael, California died at the young age of 50-years-old on October 30, 2023, one day before his favorite holiday of Halloween, after a long battle with cancer. Lovingly referred to as “Paul” by his family, and “JP” by his closest friends, he was known for his loud laugh and the ability to make a pal out of everyone he met. His kind nature meant he always rooted for the underdog and for those who were treated unfairly, and there were many times he gave a stranger the shirt off of his back.

Paul Turner was born on April 2, 1973 in Petaluma, California. He was the second child of John Henry and Gale Marie Turner and younger brother to Yvonne Michelle Turner. His family moved to Citrus Heights, California when he was 3-years-old to relocate to the Army base of Sacramento. During that time in the late 1970s, much of Citrus Heights was undeveloped and Paul enjoyed a youth spent catching pollywogs and crawdads in Arcade Creek and riding his dirt bike with friends in empty fields and at the dunes. When he was 4-years-old, his family adopted a Viszla dog named Betsy, and that’s where Paul’s love of animals began. He was always the first child to volunteer to take home the classroom hamster, bunny, or snake during the Christmas school break. Over the years, numerous animals found their way into Paul’s heart and home including dogs, cats, hermit crabs, fish, and the most beautiful yellow canary, which he named Pippit. Paul’s childhood dream was to be a veterinarian when he grew up so that he could help sick and injured animals.

When Paul was in 4th grade, he began attending the private Carden School in Sacramento. It was there that he joined a musical performing group called Cosmic Kids and his love of music blossomed. Paul was a natural the moment he picked up a guitar! He was quickly enrolled in piano lessons and learned to read music very easily. Some of his favorite bands growing up were Twisted Sister, Men at Work, Dead Kennedys, and Social Distortion. Paul’s love of music and his ability to play any instrument continued until the very end of his life. He recently gifted his young nephew Finnegan with an electric guitar in hopes that he would follow in his Uncle’s talented musical footsteps.

Paul spent his freshman year playing football at Jesuit High School before he decided that he wasn’t particularly interested in team sports, and preferred to forge his own athletic path. He continued to build and ride skateboards and construct many wooden ramps and half pipes, which overtook the driveway and front lawn of his parent’s house and became the go-to spot for all the kids in the neighborhood. Tony Hawk would have been proud! Paul’s athletic abilities and love of everything outdoors led him to enjoy the summer months kayaking, snorkeling, and whitewater rafting on the Sacramento and American Rivers, followed by a giant barbecue of course! He spent winters skiing and snowboarding the mountains of Lake Tahoe. If you were a friend of his, he would have invited you to join him on one of his outdoor adventures. And for those whose first time it was, he was ever so happy to teach you the ropes and share his excitement with you.

Paul followed in his mother’s footsteps, and joined Pacific Bell in 1998 as a Staff Clerk in the Kings Way, Sacramento office. He attended school to study human resources, personnel, and payroll issues. Paul furthered his education with the phone company by accepting any training and overtime that was offered to him. He was soon moved in to a technical position and loved working in the 911 troubleshooting center, where he walked field technicians through repairing the network when phone lines failed anywhere in California. Paul’s most recent position was as an ENOC Technician in the Marconi office where he would diagnose and troubleshoot infrastructure problems in the Network Operations Center. In 2019, he was awarded the AT&T Customer Service Award for Excellence. Paul was also a very active Executive Committee member with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9421, a labor union representing roughly 1,500 members in the Sacramento region. Again, always fighting for the underdog.

Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents Margaret & Charles C. Turner and uncle Charles L. Turner of Fort Bragg, California; grandparents Evelyn & George Smith and uncle Clark Milligan of Charleston, South Carolina.

Paul leaves behind family who loves him deeply including parents John & Gale Turner, sister Yvonne Turner & nephew Finnegan Turner, all of Citrus Heights, California. Paul will be missed by his aunt Laura & uncle Jimmy Milligan; aunt Bonnie Figueiredo, cousins Tina Figueiredo, Tony Figueiredo, and Jeff & Courtney Figueiredo; aunt Mary & uncle Frank Hollis, cousins Pati Moretto, Frank Hollis, Jeff Hollis & Anela Alvidrez, and Heather & Tony Cardoza.

Submitted by Chris Hall–
Donna Ray Hall has passed away on August 2, 2023. She lived til she was 83 years old. A long time resident of Citrus Heights. She is survived by her husband Donald Hall, her two children Shawna and Christopher Hall, as well her 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held this Saturday, at 11 am at the LDS church on Van Maren Lane.

*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here

By Mike Hazlip—
Volunteers with the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden in Citrus Heights remember fellow gardener Jim Thornton as one who helped build up the community, both physically and in spirit.

Thornton was laid to rest on April 3, but his handiwork continues to be felt throughout the community garden at the corner of Stock Ranch and Sylvan roads, members say. He was the impetus behind building the raised garden beds that are now part of the garden.

His wife of 52 years, Judy Thornton, remembers her late husband as someone who put others first.

“He was an amazing person,” Judy Thornton said, noting the two met in their twenties. “He loved adventure, was a very outgoing person. There wasn’t a person that he was afraid to talk to. He could make conversation and just make them feel comfortable and just made a lot of friends that way. You know, loved to help people. Loved to serve people.”

With back and knee problems, it was Jim Thornton’s idea to build raised garden beds for the community, Judy Thornton said, an accomplishment that benefits several other members as well.

“He got the ball rolling,” Judy Thornton said, adding that her husband would look for discount lumber at Lowe’s. “That’s how we were able to get the lumber most of the time. He just loved doing that. He loved to be of service, to provide something better for everybody.”

Additionally, Jim Thornton helped with the garden’s greenhouse and its flagstone foundation. The tool shed, built through an Eagle Scout project, also had Thornton’s influence, said garden member Debbie LeVon.

Jim Thornton was a maintenance worker until retirement, his wife said. After his retirement, the couple spent many hours working at the community garden until health concerns forced them to take some time off. They later returned after recovering from cancer treatments, Judy Thornton said.

Paul and Carolyn Ogden remember Thornton as someone who welcomed and helped newcomers to the community.

“He was always welcoming new members and say, what can I do for you? How can I help you?” Paul Ogden said.

Carolyn Ogden called Thornton “the heart of the garden,” recalling his efforts to improve the community.

Paul Ogden, now vice president of the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden as a result of Thornton’s influence, said plans are in the works to create a display plaque to honor Thornton and others who have contributed to the community. He also said a bench at the garden in his memory is another possibility.

Community member Chuck Benward said Thornton has been a part of the garden since the beginning. He remembers Thornton supplying materials, often out of his own pocket.

“He had a lot of experience, lots of ideas,” Benward said. “One of his favorite phrases was saying, ‘We have a lot of board straighteners, so I don’t care if they’re crooked. I will straight them out.’”

Thornton’s presence grew beyond the community garden, Judy Thornton said, with past friends and acquaintances saying he left a lasting impact.

“Everyone who did share something at the funeral was that way, that what an impact he had on their lives and that he would be sorely missed,” she said.

The garden was founded in 2009 with a sponsorship from the city and is now self-sufficient and relies on membership fees and fundraisers to help maintain and improve the location each year.

Gardeners can grow and harvest their vegetables in an assigned 4 x 20-foot plot for an annual membership fee. Other membership levels are available at a lower cost and allow for harvesting from “common areas” and attending the garden’s educational seminars.

Those interested in learning more about the garden can visit www.sylvanranchgarden.org.