News

Fred G. Nix (75), died January 24, 2022, from a sudden illness. Born November 17, 1946, he was the only son of the late Gordon and Ann “Walker,” Nix in Madera, California. He attended local schools including John Adams, St. Joachim’s, Brenda, and Madera Union High School with the Class of 1964.

On graduation night instead of going through commencement exercises with his classmates, he opted to attend a Rolling Stones concert in Fresno a move he never regrated. He attended Fresno State and Fresno City colleges. After college, he worked for the Madera County Road Department. In the 1970s he owned the local Radio Shack franchise.

MADERA - The owner of Madera's hardware store, General Builders Supply,  passed away Sunday at the age of 91. Mr. H.B. “Bud” Smith, Jr.,  a native of Bradford, Arkansas and a resident of Madera since 1947, was a member of the First Christian Church in Madera and served as a member of the California National Guard at the Merced Unit for 10 years.

In 1947 after he moved to Madera from Arkansas he was introduced to a lovely young woman, Betty Creamer, as a 16 year old she was young and beautiful, Bud was a wise 17 year old and made sure she was home by 10 pm or there would be no date the following Saturday. They were married on September 3, 1949 and have enjoyed 72 years of life together.

Mrs. Sarah Rodriguez (80) was born in Superior, AZ to Marcelino and Sara Lopez. Soon after birth, she and her family moved to Madera, CA where she was then a lifelong resident. Sarah and Max Rodriguez were married on September 29, 1962, and lived happily for the next 59 years.

Sarah had three children, Barbara Dolan, Karen Scrivner, and Mark Rodriguez. She also has two grandchildren, Davis Pogue and Juliana Pogue. She was immensely loved by her family and friends. Sarah will truly be missed.

Billie Mahon (80) passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. She was born in Mesa, Arizona on November 10, 1941, to William and Eva Marie Gaines. The family, including older sister Gloria (Nana) and younger brother William (Wee-um) lived all over, eventually settling in Madera where Billie would live the rest of her life.

She met the love of her life, Bob Mahon, at Madera High. The two were married in 1960 and had a wonderful life and marriage together that included their four children: Ruth Ann, Robert, Patricia (Tricia) and Susan (Susie).

Mrs. Veryl Dunn (76), a native of Chicago, IL, and a resident of Madera, CA for 60 years, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, December 24, 2021. She was a cook for Fruit Basket Restaurant for over 30 years and later Farnesi’s Restaurant in Chowchilla until her retirement.

She was a hard-working wife and mother. She helped around the family’s 5-acre farm and raised her 2 sons while working full time. Her hobbies include reading, solving word puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and later, quilting. She was a member of the Heart of California Quilters Guild in charge of refreshments during their meetings and helped out anywhere she could during the quilt shows the organization would sponsor.

Chuck “Chucky” Reiring Jr, (41) was born December 29, 1979, in Madera California.  Chuck passed away on December 15th, 2021, while at work in Richmond California.

Chuck was born, raised, and sometimes proud to be from Madera. He graduated from Madera High School in the class of 1999. Chuck had always been a hard worker. His first job was at the age of 12, sweeping the floors at the fairgrounds to earn carnival ride tickets. In high school, he got a job bussing tables at Farnesi’s restaurant. During high school, he learned to weld, and soon after got a job at Evapco West welding. He also had jobs at Evans Feed and Livestock Supply, and Valley Feed & Fuel. Chuck’s most recent accomplishment was earning a career as a train conductor with the BNSF railway based in and commuting to Richmond California.

Chuck loved life. He had an easy-going temperament with a keen sense of humor. He loved having a good time and laughing, being outdoors, camping, fishing, 4 wheeling, and mud bogging. One of his greatest joys in life was being a parent. He adored, and was adored by, his children and was likened to a superhero by his nieces and nephews. He was a loyal friend and will be greatly missed by many.

Chuck was preceded in death by his dad, Chuck Reiring Sr, and both maternal and paternal grandparents.

He is survived by his love of 18 years Angie Vierra (Madera), his 20-year-old son Charles Reiring (Oklahoma), 8-year-old daughter Dixie Reiring (Madera), his mom Joyce Reiring (Auberry Ca), sister Kari and Patrick Lauver (Topeka Kansas), sister Kathy Reiring (Auberry Ca), in-laws Jim and Barbara Myers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews, and many, many friends.

Services for Chuck will take place on December 30th, 2021, at 11 am, at Jay Chapel in Madera Ca.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made towards Dixie’s tuition at Crossroads Christian School, 17755 Road 26, Madera, CA 93638 559-662-1624