Robert “Bob” John Vierra, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, died on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. The oldest of three sons, he was born to John and Olivia Vierra on July 24, 1944.
He grew up in Maxwell and graduated in 1962 from Maxwell High School, where he was very involved in athletics and FFA. He received his bachelor’s degree from Chico State and his teaching credential from UC Davis.
He married his high school sweetheart, Sandee, in 1965, and together they raised their son John in Orland. In 2003, he married Nancy and relocated to Colusa.
He spent his 34 years of teaching agriculture at Orland High School, where he started the school farm. He had a major impact on so many students who came through his classroom, and he cared for his students like they were his own.
Throughout his teaching career, he received numerous awards and achievements, which were highlighted by his Honorary American Farmer Degree.
He had a passion for farming, including pigs, sheep, rice, and almonds. He and John raised pigs for many years. During this time, they were very successful and won many shows statewide.
During rice harvest, you could find Bob driving harvester.
Besides his family, his pride and joy was the almond enterprise he started with his brothers, Jim and Vern, in 2006. He also served on the Colusa County Fair Board for several years.
He was a one-of-a-kind man. He was as loyal as they come and honest. You always knew exactly what he was thinking, agree his loved ones.
Few people could light up a room like Bob did, and he had the most contagious laugh.
At the center of his world was his family. He will be missed tremendously, and his legacy will live on through his family and former students.
He is survived by his brother James (Danette) Vierra; wife Nancy Vierra; son John (Shannon) Vierra; stepdaughter Courtney (Kelly) Kolb; stepson Greg (Patty) Peters; grandchildren Kendall (Kyle) Mendes, Blake (Mickele) Vierra, Austin and Carson Kolb, and Sawyer and Emerson Peters; great-grandson Henry Mendes; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Olivia Vierra; wife Sandee Vierra; brother Vern Vierra; and Vern’s wife, Jenifer Vierra.
A graveside service is set for 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at the Maxwell Cemetery. Donations can be made in Bob’s memory to: Maxwell Cemetery P.O. Box 201, Maxwell, CA 95955; Colusa City Fire Department, 750 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932; or the Colusa County Fair Foundation, P.O. Box 745, Colusa, CA 95932.
Suzanne Dermody Myra of Willows died peacefully at Enloe Medical Center in Chico on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. She was born in Los Angeles to John Wayne Dermody, a World War II veteran, and her beautiful mother, Betty Jean Burgess, on April 17, 1948.
She graduated from Buchser High School in Santa Clara in 1965. In 1969, she completed her undergraduate degree at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., majoring in music and minoring in elementary education.
In 1969, after graduating from college, she married David Horsley. They then moved to Federal Way, Wash., just south of Seattle.
Between 1971-1976, they had four children: Ninzel Horsley, Peter Horsley, Melissa Horsley, and Paul Horsley. In 1983, she divorced and then married the love of her life, Ken Myra, on Nov. 7, 1984.
Suzanne and Ken had three children together: Katrina Myra, Maria Myra, and Benjamin Myra. In total, Suzanne had seven children.
She was a full-time mother and homemaker over the course of her entire life. In between raising her children, she was heavily involved in the communities where she lived, especially in Federal Way, Wash., and Willows.
She loved many things in life, including her country, teaching piano to all ages, teaching students at school, teaching high school seminary students through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, singing, reading her scriptures, going to the temple, researching her family’s history and genealogy, and especially spending time with all her family, friends, and church missionaries.
Her family agrees, “Our sweet wife, mother, grandmother, and friend was greatly loved, and she will be deeply missed.”
She is survived by her daughters Ninzel Rasmuson, Melissa Dempsey, Katrina Parry, and Maria Smith; sons Peter Horsley, Paul Horsley, and Benjamin Myra; grandchildren Zachary, Joseph, Averey, Hayden, Caleb, Taylor, Isaac, Austin, Ava, Jared, Lillie, Abigail, Noah, Maya, Savannah, Jacob, Ethan, Alexander, Ashton, Adin, Isabella, Isaiah, Keziah, Hazel, Carson, Caden, Alana, Olivia, and Julius; and great-grandchild Wesley.
In March of 2023, the 30th grandchild will be born from Benjamin’s family. In the summer of 2023, two more great-grandchildren will be born from Joseph and Maya’s families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the VFW Memorial Hall, 525 West Sycamore Street, Willows. In lieu of flowers, please donate to VFW Post 1770.
Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Saturday, Jan. 28:
1:50 a.m., Luis Neftali Martinez, 54, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on County Road 14, west of County Road HH, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
Sunday, Jan. 29:
4:23 a.m., John Timothy Knirr, 34, of Sacramento, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging vandalism, driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody on the northbound side of Interstate 5, just south of County Road 60, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
7:02 a.m., Isaiah Pascacio Macalam-Guillen, 24, of Colusa, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on Highway 45, south of County Road 44, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
8:18 p.m., Filiberto Carmona Villalobos, 45, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody along the canal, south of County Road 9, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
Lori Anne Calvert of Glenn died in Willows on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. She was born to Carl and Betty Calvert on July 20, 1958.
She grew up on the family farm in Glenn and graduated from Willows High School in 1977.
She lived briefly in Orland and Oroville before moving to Alaska for four years. She returned home to Glenn in 1986.
She lived in a small home on her family’s farm until her health no longer allowed her to live independently. At that time, she moved to Willows.
While living on the farm, she enjoyed gardening and her pets. She loved art in many forms, especially drawing.
She cherished her family and friends and taught about blessings and compassion.
She is survived by her brother Lester Calvert (Francine) of Princeton; sister Carlene Mann (Joel) of Glenn; stepmother Eleanor Calvert of Chico; aunts Mardell Bacon-Niemeyer of Princeton and Virginia Darby of Chico; nephews and nieces Nathan Calvert, Jessica Desch, Kyle Calvert (Bre), David Mann (Lyndsay), Paige Calvert, and Scott Mann (Ashley); and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Carl Calvert and Betty Calvert; and uncles Larry Robinson and Russell Calvert.
Graveside services at the Willows Cemetery are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Una Lee Berglof died in Williams on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. She was born in Eufaula, Okla., to Thomas Harrison and Mae Blankinship on Aug. 24, 1935.
She lived for more than 60 years in Willows with her late husband, Harold. She worked for many years as a flagger for flying services.
She enjoyed cooking and canning. Everyone will remember Ma Berglof’s dill pickles!
She enjoyed playing Bingo and numerous card games with her friends. She loved her family, her children, and her many grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, Harold Berglof, Jr., Greg Berglof and daughter-in-law Phyllis, and Jack Berglof and daughter-in-law Florence; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Joyce Golden; and brothers Kenny and Jimmy Fisher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Berglof; daughter Carol Ann Grabski; brothers Roy, Tim, Larry and Tom Harrison; and daughter-in-law Leanne Berglof.
A graveside service is planned at the Willows Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3.
Surrounded by loved ones, Michele Teresita St. Louis died in Chico on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, following a brief illness. She was born in Chico to George Francis and Teresita Adeline St. Louis on Oct. 17, 1963, which, coincidentally, was her mother’s 21st birthday.
She grew up in Orland and spent her entire life in Glenn County. She attended Lake Elementary School and Orland High School.
After high school, she became a home health aide and worked in the hospice program for many years, followed by becoming a medical assistant and working in other health care settings. Over the years, her family would hear from some of her patients’ families about the amazing care she provided to their loved ones.
She had a tremendous amount of compassion and empathy for others.
Traveling to Fort Bragg or Sun River with her family were some of her favorite pastimes. She was also extremely lucky whenever she had the opportunity to play slot machines.
She loved all her family and friends fiercely. She was incredibly proud of her nieces and nephews and their children as well.
Any activity involving family was extremely important to her.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Michael St. Louis of Colusa; one granddaughter; siblings Corinne Enos (Rick) of Glenn, Lonnie St. Louis (Stacy) of Orland, and Janelle Maxwell (Wade) of San Jose; two nieces; five nephews; and four great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Terry St. Louis.
A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, at the home of Rick and Corinne Enos in Glenn. Feel free to contact Corinne Enos or Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary in Orland for more information.
Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Thursday, Jan. 19:
12:17 a.m., Sharlene Rae Harker, 61, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a laundry or shopping cart (a misdemeanor), and warrants alleging loitering on private property, and peeking into an inhabited building (both misdemeanors). Bail for the fresh charge was set at zero, while bail for one of the warrants was set at $14,000 and the other was a no-bail warrant. She was taken into custody at the Chevron station, 848 Newville Road, by an Orland police officer.
2:02 p.m., David Allen Sullivan II, 36, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody one mile south of First Street at Sacramento Avenue, Hamilton City, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
9:38 p.m., Arlo Wayne Little, 33, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $16,000. He was taken into custody at the Chevron station on West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Friday, Jan. 20:
12:04 p.m., Steven Dean Middleton, 61, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging trespassing (a misdemeanor), petty theft (a misdemeanor), possession of burglary tools (a misdemeanors), and vehicle theft (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 1230 Railroad Avenue by an Orland police officer.
Saturday, Jan. 21:
11:12 a.m., Joshua James Christian, 30, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging willful cruelty to a child possibly resulting in injury or death (a felony). Bail was set at $50,000. He was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, apt. #162, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
1:49 p.m., James Henry Gomes, 61, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody on the Newville Road Interstate 5 overpass by an Orland police officer.
Sunday, Jan. 22:
6:49 p.m., Hector Santiz Gomez, 25, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at Colusa and Fifth Streets by an Orland police officer.
7 p.m., Alfredo Diaz-Lopez, 20, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at Colusa and Fifth Streets by an Orland police officer.
7:13 p.m., Victor Manuel Santiz-Lopez, 20, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at Colusa and Fifth Streets by an Orland police officer.
9:52 p.m., Heath Elliott Cain, 48, of Meridian, Idaho, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of a drug (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody on the southbound side of Interstate 5, south of County Road 33, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
Monday, Jan. 23:
No one was booked into the Glenn County Jail on this date.
Tuesday, Jan. 24:
10 a.m., Alexandria Anne Acosta, 38, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $109,000. She was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
10 a.m., Johnathan Perry Bush, 35, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Bail was set at $60,000. He was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
12:30 p.m., Nicholas Walter Potter, 22, of Antioch, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Bail was set at $22,000. He was taken into custody at the Colusa County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
11:05 p.m., Hermelindo Gonzalez Salgado, 33, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony burglary, petty theft (a misdemeanor), and possession of stolen property (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $40,000. He was taken into custody on East Street at Roosevelt Avenue by an Orland police officer.
Wednesday, Jan. 25:
11 a.m., Daniel Bernardo, 33, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc., and violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence, and violation of probation (all misdemeanors), and warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $57,000. He was taken into custody at 4976 Fifth Avenue, Capay District, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
11:30 a.m., Andy Kao Saechao, 27, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation, possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody at 255 North Tehama Street, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.
11:45 a.m., Danny Alen Claggett, 43, of Oroville, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on an order of production for warrants alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Total bail was set at $106,000, but he was also held without bail for a California Department of Corrections detainer. He was taken into custody at Folsom State Prison by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
12:41 p.m., Michael Anthony Perez, 29, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging obstructing or resisting a public service officer (a misdemeanor), and felony violation of probation, and warrants alleging obstructing or resisting a public service officer (a misdemeanor), and failure to appear on a felony charge. Total bail was set at $92,000. He was taken into custody at 6155 Highway 162, sp. #18, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.
4:53 p.m., Billie Elizabeth Bowles, 40, of Lower Lake, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. She was taken into custody on Highway 99, north of County Road 68, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
5:24 p.m., Markus Christopher Jackson, 22, of Glenn, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant (a felony), and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at Highway 162 and County Road S by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
9:25 p.m., Trina Machelle Massey, 28, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. She was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
Thursday, Jan. 26:
4:17 a.m., Todd Allen Ecker, 31, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony burglary. Bail was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody at the Willow Oaks Apartments, 1201 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
8:22 a.m., Javier Ruben Martinez, 19, of Red Bluff, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $35,000. He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.
9:38 a.m., Sarah Elizabeth Gammon, 38, of Red Bluff, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging carrying a switchblade knife on her person, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, giving false identification to a peace officer, and obstructing or resisting a public service officer (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at Colusa and Fourth Streets by an Orland police officer. The next day at the jail, at 6:49 p.m., she was charged with alleged gassing of a detention employee (a felony). Bail for this charge was set at $20,000.
Friday, Jan. 27:
3:28 a.m., James Randall Vessels, 35, of Maxwell, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, and hit and run with property damage (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at the ARCO mini-mart and gas station, 1399 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
2:20 p.m., Ignacio Aguilar-Magana, 28, of North Highlands, was remanded to the Glenn County Jail without bail for charges alleging reckless driving on a highway (a misdemeanor), and possession of a narcotic controlled substance for sale (a felony). He was taken into custody at the Willows Superior Court by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
A service has been scheduled for Marsha Dian Carvalho, 81, who died after being struck by a vehicle while she was crossing a street in Willows late Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2022.
She was born in Oakland to John and Dorothy Carvalho on May 13, 1941.
Shortly after her birth, she moved with her parents to Willows, where she grew up and graduated from Willows High School.
Her funeral service is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the parish hall at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 1129 West Wood Street, Willows.
Her children invite those who knew her, “Please come join our family in honoring our amazing mother’s life.”
Retired California Highway Patrol Captain Bruce A. Carpenter died on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the age of 63.
He served as a corporal in the United States Army for four years. He was part of the 82nd Military Police Company, 82nd Airborne Division.
He then continued a life of service by becoming a California Highway Patrol officer and rising through the ranks to captain. He spent 38 years in service with the California Highway Patrol.
He led the Willows Area Office of the CHP for three and a half years, splitting his time between the Willows and Ukiah offices. Upon his promotion to captain in 2016, he left Willows and began devoting all his leadership skills at the Ukiah office.
He was the commander of the Willows CHP Office in April of 2014, when a FedEx truck on Interstate 5 in Orland collided with a bus carrying students to Humboldt University, killing 10 people.
His loved ones agree, he was a pillar of strength for all who knew him. His presence offered a sense of peace in difficult times.
His smile was infectious and brought light to any room he walked into.
During his time of retirement, he spent his days creating a wonderful farm with his wife, Nan. Together they built a life of happiness.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Nan; mother Joyce; siblings Deborah, Curtis, Robert, Roger, Pamela, and Terry; sons Aaronn, Josh, Gabriel, and Christopher; daughter-in-law Ashley; and grandchildren Carter, Caden, and Audrey. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico. A graveside service is to follow at noon the same day at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, 11115 Midway, Chico.
Willows resident Ryan Joseph Amaru died at Glenn Medical Center in Willows on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. He was born to Kellie and Tony Amaru on June 28, 1995.
At 6’10”, he played basketball in high school, liked to bowl, listen to music, and watch movies. After high school, he worked and played as young people do, and especially enjoyed sibling nights with his sisters.
He ultimately landed a job where he worked for six years, working up into a management position. He was a gentle soul, a friend to all, and could be counted on to be there in times of need.
He is survived by his mother and father, Kellie and Tony Amaru; sisters Shyla (Tyler) Krause, and Ashley Amaru; grandparents John Suetta, and Sue and Carl Hammond; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Carol and Joe Amaru, and Jamie Suetta.
A celebration of life is planned for 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Elks Lodge in Willows.
A potluck-style meal is planned. Please bring your favorite dish to share, and the family will be providing tri-tip and rolls.
The Glenn County Observer 