Obituaries

United States Marine Corps Captain (retired), Robert Paul Pier (Bob) left this life for eternity on Jan. 8, 2020 to be reunited with his Creator and his waiting wife, Ruth Jane Pier. Bob was born on August 10, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana as the youngest of nine children, Bob was 88 years old.

Eric Steven Abowd left this world all too early at the age of 39 on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Eric was born March 28, 1980 in Seattle, Washington but moved to Carson City shortly after, where he spent all his growing-up years. Eric bled Nevada blue and white as a wrestler, running back and Captain for the Carson High Football program. He was always happiest driving the ball up the field.

On Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th 2019 Charles Jay Anderson III (SGT US Army RET), Our loving father passed away too early at the age of 67.

Jean Marie Hamilton
September 11, 1937 – December 3, 2019

Jean Hamilton passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday Dec. 3rd.
Jean married Bud Hamilton on December 22, 1956 in Lindsey, California. They moved to Carson City, Nevada in 1972. Jean always wanted to be a nurse and went to nursing school as soon as all her kids were in school. She enjoyed a 37 year career as a Registered Nurse, with the majority of it spent at Carson Tahoe Hospital. Everyone who worked with her, or were under her care, said she was truly the best nurse.

Daniel Leif Braafladt died peacefully in Carson City, Nevada on Nov. 7, 2019 at the age of 62. Dan is survived by his wife Toni, his daughter Lacy, his grandkids Emmett and Reta, and his dog Bear.

He was born in Carmichael, CA to Jeane and Phil Braafladt. Dan spent a lifetime being the best type of man there is. He could fix anything. His spirit and jolly laugh made any occasion better. His love and respect for wildlife and nature were admirable. He was an avid hunter, sports lover, and was a pretty darn good shot. His wisdom, love, and long garage talks will be missed by so many.

William "Bill" Clarence Thornton, father, attorney, pilot, part-time cowboy, corny joke-teller, and mentor to many, had his final flight on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 after gracefully charting his course with Parkinson's Disease for over twenty years. Bill died peacefully at home in hospice care surrounded by loved ones.

John Nicholas Sulli was born Jan. 1, 1953, in San Jose, Calif., to Emil and Eleanor Sulli. Surrounded by the family and caregivers that loved and cared for him, on Nov. 8, 2019, he passed peacefully and sweetly from this life to reunite with his family who have pre-deceased him. Johnny was blessed with being born and living with Down's Syndrome for 66 years, 10 months in mortality.

Carmela A Porcella Inman passed unexpectedly on Nov. 8, 2019. Carmela was born Feb. 16, 1958 in Long Island, New York. She was born to the late Roger Porcella and Audrey DeLuca Porcella, and is survived by her husband William Inman who was the love of her life, Mother Audrey DeLuca Porcella, Brother Roger Porcella and wife Karen, sister Mary Beth and husband Brad, 4 nieces and nephews, 9 great nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Ronald Gutzman passed peacefully on 10/23/2019 at the age of 84. He served in the marine corps as a control tower operator, graduated with two master’s in mathematics and became a principal for Las Vegas school district in 1963. Ron was involved in copious organizations and groups such as the Disabled Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, and American Legion member where he tirelessly advocated for veterans.

Barbara Joy Mott was born to Frank and Ruby Clair in La Junta, Colorado on Oct. 3, 1932. She was Frank and Ruby's second child and only daughter. Her father was a blacksmith and metal worker but passed away when Joy was only ten years old.

After Frank's death the family made its living by picking fruit in California such as peaches, almonds, grapefruit, plums and sometimes cotton. Barbara always went by her middle name Joy and said that she didn't know that her first name was Barbara until she was in the fifth grade.

David Wise, age 82, passed away on August 29, 2019. Dave was a 2nd generation Nevadan born in Carson City on July 14, 1937 to Roy and Lynn (Stewart) Wise. He was an amazing man who loved life, he was easy going, caring, funny, loving, and always had the most positive attitude. He was always smiling, even in the end.

He was so well liked, loved by others and had so many friends who thought highly of him. He loved his family and his extended family who just simply became his family.

After the basketball team he coached was whistled for an unprecedented technical foul – a “provocative crossover” dribble – Rick Chandler blended two major parts of his professional life. He wrote a column about it.

Chandler was a well-known sportswriter and a highly successful coach. But he also was somewhat of an enigma. Parts of his life were a mystery to friends and peers other than that he was undeniably unassuming and altruistic. He was involved in many things that people didn’t know about for the simple reason that he rarely talked about himself.

Longtime Nevada journalist Dennis Myers suffered a massive stroke last week. He was admitted to Renown Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Aug. 22, and declared brain dead on Saturday, Aug 24. A registered organ donor, he was kept on life support until Monday, Aug. 26, when he was taken in for surgical recovery of his organs for donation.

Roger Morrison Laird passed away on August 6, 2019, in the comfort of his home in Carson City, NV surrounded by close family.

Roger was married to his high school sweetheart, Jean (Russell) Laird. They shared 56 years of marriage.

Please join us for Jim Wilson's Celebration of Life Ceremony at Calvary Chapel 1635 E. Clearview Dr. in Carson City on July 18th at 3:00 pm.

Jim passed away on June 26, 2019. Jim was a Realtor for over 50 years, and was past president for Sierra Nevada Realtor Association in 1972 and 2001. He contributed Much of his life, and success to Northern Nevada, and his Country USA.

Lieutenant Colonel James E. Wilson, retired from the United States Army. Jim was well respected and especially well liked by fellow Realtors and by many throughout Nevada.

Joseph (Joe) Burnett March 30, 1969- July 3, 2019. Joe got his wings July 3, 2019 at the young age of 50 surrounded by family and friends. Born March 30, 1969 to Michael and Judy Burnett in Inglewood, CA Joe moved to Nevada when he was 3 years old and was a Nevadan through and through from that day forward minus the birth right all he was missing was the title of Native Nevadan.

Rev. Dr. Gil Linsley was born in 1928 in Alhambra, California. He passed peacefully and aware into the next plane of existence on July 1, 2019 at South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

During his lifetime he had a successful career as a jazz trumpet player, water ski school owner and instructor, and Science of Mind minister. He had a love of water skiing which developed upon his move to Lake Tahoe in 1960 to play trumpet in the house bands at the casinos.

Rev. Dr. Gil Linsley was born in 1928 in Alhambra, California. During his lifetime he had a successful career as a jazz trumpet player, water ski school owner and instructor, and Science of Mind minister. He had a love of water skiing which developed upon his move to Lake Tahoe in 1960 to play trumpet in the house bands at the casinos. He did trick and slalom skiing until he stopped at age 86.

Andrea "Ande" Engleman, a former newswoman and longtime fixture in Nevada media who, as executive director of Nevada Press Association, was a strong advocate for open government and press freedom in the state, died of cancer at her home in Carson City on June 12. She was 79.

Local artist Larry Kotik passed away on June 4, 2019. A Silver City resident for the past 20 years, he was best known for painting the mural at Dayton Elementary School, teaching art through local artist in residence programs, coaching track in area high schools, as well as a revered portfolio of fine art.

Jeffrey L. Thompson passed unexpectedly on March 15, 2019 due to injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident.
Jeff was born Jan 17, 1957 in Jamestown, New York.

He was born to the late Melvin Thompson and Kay (Tolman) Thompson.

Our wonderful father, husband, brother and friend Rich Sorenson made his way to heaven on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at the young age of 66. He was surrounded by family and friends as he, in his words, went before us to “get the party started” with Jesus!

Phillip (Grandpa) Parra, 86, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019. He is survived by his beloved wife Louise Parra; his Sons James, Frank, Nick, Richard and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A viewing with service to follow will be held on Friday April 26, 2019 at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley in Carson City from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Location to be announced.

Robert C. Gray, 97, of Orinda, California passed away peacefully at home April 3, 2019. Robert was born in Oakland, California to Harry E. Gray and Kathleen S. Carter on August 13, 1921.

Robert was kind, energetic and lived a full life. He was an advanced stamp collector and in 1935 he attended the first Boy Scout National Jamboree at Washington D.C.

Pierre Hathaway passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at his home in Carson City, Nevada. Pierre had been receiving hospice care at his home where his wife of 24 years, Florence Phillips-Hathaway, had been caring for him following a 5-month illness.

Jorge Pierrott, 43, loving husband and devoted father of two, passed away unexpectedly on April 3, 2019, in Carson City, Nevada.

Catherine Diane Mattoon, age 59, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family March 14, 2019. She was born September 18, 1959 in Burbank, California to Ronald and Diane Wonser.

At age 18 on October 1, 1977 she married the love of her life, Mark Mattoon. Catherine is survived by her husband and children: Mark Jr., Brian, Heather, Matthew, Stephanie and Christopher and her five grandchildren.

David Michael Ortiz passed away March 16 surrounded by family in Gardnerville. He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Joseph and Cruzita Ortiz on April 12, 1950.

David grew up in Santa Fe Springs, California with his 7 siblings and served in the U.S. Navy before moving to Lake Tahoe. He was a Facilities Engineer at Harrah's Lake Tahoe for 33 years where he met and married the love of his life, Paula (Bachmeier).

Carol Beeson Cronenberger: November 7, 1937 to March 14, 2019. Born to Harold and Evelyn Beeson in Oroville, Calif., Carol spent her childhood in the hard scrabble lumber camp of Grays Flat in the Feather River Canyon and later in Marysville, where Harold continued his life’s work as a sawmill planer. The Beesons moved to Reno in 1951, where Carol graduated from Reno High School in 1955 and the University of Nevada, Reno in 1959.

I would like to take a moment and introduce you to an extraordinary dog, Bobby the Boxer. Bobby was born with a neurological disorder that controlled his motor skills; it’s like Parkinson's for a human.