News

Marilyn Wibbenhorst (93) was born on Aug. 2, 1928, in Pasadena, California to parents Roy & Ann Martin. She lived life to the fullest! She spent much of her childhood riding horses; “Sonny Boy” was one of her favorites.

Marilyn earned her degree at USC. It was during this time that she met William (Bill) Wibbenhorst, a student at UCLA. Bill was in the ROTC program for the Navy. In 1952, and just before he would leave for a tour in the Korean War, the two were married. They have four children together: Lynne, William (Billy), Teresa (Terri), and Lee Ann (Lee). Soon after Bill’s discharge, they made the move to Madera. Bill was the love of her life for 68 years.

Marlon V. Brinagh (56), a Madera resident since 1975 passed away on November 23, 2021, following an extended illness. Marlon was born in Los Angeles, to Charlie Brinagh Jr. and Versie Jones Brinagh .

The family moved to Madera where Marlon attended school graduating from Madera High School and later attending Laney Community College in Oakland where he received his Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts. He was a chef for 34 years, employed in Hospital Food Service in Orange County and later as a Private Chef, known for his Bar-B-Que in the Madera Ranchos, where the family had lived for 18 years.

Frances Elizabeth Breedlove (83) went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 28th, 2021. She was surrounded by loved ones. In her last few years, she was cared for by her granddaughter Heidi and great-granddaughter Maddie. Frankie was born in Tulare, CA to Victor and Nora Miller. Frankie moved from Southern California to Madera with her husband Howard in 1969.

Frankie worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for a few years before starting a small business in Madera called the Pant Shack. Eventually, Frankie and Howard started Madera Roofing, Inc. in 1975. She also volunteered for several organizations. She enjoyed giving her time as a den mother for Cub Scouts, the school library, and PTA. She was a member of a small music group and loved playing the banjo. They would sing at different convalescent homes in Madera, bringing joy and comfort to the residents. In addition to work and volunteering, Frankie was an avid bowler.

David “Ross” Thornton (80) passed away October 18, 2021; after a long battle with diabetes, Ross was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1940, moved to Houston in 1950, and later to Illinois, where he graduated from high school in Park Ridge in 1958.

Ross attended school for radio broadcasting in Chicago and was hired for his first job as a disc jockey in Douglas, Arizona. In 1964, he moved to Madera and took a job with K-HOT Radio. He stayed on the air in Madera until the radio station was sold to a new owner in 1974.  His next adventure was in medical supply sales. He then changed careers again after marrying his second wife, Barbara Sordi-Gleason, in 1988. He started selling insurance for Foster and Parker Insurance Agency, where he worked for 26 years before retiring in 2013. 

Beverly Ann Varney (91) passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 14, 2021, to live with Jesus. She was 91 years old. Beverly was born March 22, 1930, to Leon Reed Blizzard and Ella M. Baird Blizzard in Lansing, Michigan.

Beverly grew up in Dewitt, Michigan, and attended Dewitt Elementary and High School. Upon graduating High School, she attended Edward W. Sparrow Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1951 as a Registered Nurse. She married Vernell W. Varney on January 17, 1954. They have two sons, David (Colleen Gillespie) Varney and Jay (Amy) Varney.

Johnny Deniz (90) was born on July 24, 1931, and passed away on September 24, 2021, at the age of 90. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Rosa Deniz, his brother Manuel Deniz, his sisters Marie Cabral, and Amelia Fox, and his first wife Wilma Toschi. He is survived by his wife Dorie, his three children, Cindy Shafer, Brian Deniz, and Karen Helton, his step-daughters Jennifer (Weber) Ullmann and Kathryn (Weber) Keener, grandchildren Alan Deniz, Kevin Deniz, Spencer Deniz, Carson Deniz, Ainzley Deniz, Justin Shafer, Jimmy Shafer, Katelyn (Shafer) Nocito, Taylor Helton, Alison Helton, and ten great-grandchildren.