News

Reba Schwartz Allred (93) a longtime resident of Madera, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2017 in Fresno at Clear View Retirement Home where she had lived most recently.

Reba was born in Flaydada, Texas one of six children born to Lee and Anna Garrett Mackey, The family later relocated to Madera County where she received her education, married and raised her family. Reba retired as a Bookkeeper following a career that spanned 27 years with the Madera Unified School District.

Bart Sciacqua (80) was born on August 7, 1937 in Madera, California. He passed away at home on September 4, 2017 with his family at his side.Bart was a brave and decorated firefighter/civil servant. He spent twenty-five years protecting our natural resources and community as a Captain with the California Department of Forestry. He was a role model, a leader and was named fireman of the year in 1973 and 1982, retiring in 1988.

Bart continued to make a positive impact on the community by channeling his energy on our community’s youth through coaching girl’s softball. His passion was ignited by coaching his two young daughters, Diane and Vickie and it blossomed into a 40-year career as one of the Valley’s winningest coaches. Bart began his coaching career with the Madera Bobby Sox league in the early 1970s, later organizing and coaching many young ladies on the Madera Blazers fast pitch softball team for many years.

Priscilla Ann Hughes (94) was born to Osborne and Lois Rutherford on July 13, 1923 and spent her childhood in Southern California where she graduated from Verdugo Hills High School in 1941. Later that year she married William A Hughes and moved to Madera where she lived until she entered into rest on August 22, 2017.

Priscilla is preceded in death by her husband, Bill and a granddaughter Danielle Hughes. She is survived by her six children: Priscilla (C.J.) Turner, Edie (Larry) Dearing, Mary Jane (George) Oehlschlaeger, Bill Hughes, Bob (Janie) Hughes, and Ken Hughes; grandchildren: Coutney Stasulat Rubio, Darilyn and Darrin Dearing, Bill and Brandon Hughes and Chris Hughes; and great grandchildren: Max, Keegan, and Hayden Rubio and Alexa Dearing.

Michael Emmett Purl (70) died August 16, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family after a short and courageous battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. Michael was born December 22, 1946 in Madera, California to Mary Grace Leggett and Emmett Purl, Jr. He graduated from Madera Union High School Class of 1964. Many of his classmates were his lifelong friends. While in high school, he was in the band under Mr. Allen Harkins playing the clarinet and the saxophone, and was the drum major for the “Showband of the Valley” leading the band in statewide parades.

Michael attended Fresno State College and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. He began his broadcasting career doing voiceovers of the Sunday comics on KMJ while still in college. During college, he took a job at KFSN Channel 30, working his way up from floor man to news director. He successfully implemented the format of Action News.

Glenn Mays (84), a native of Huntington Beach, CA and a resident of Madera County for 70 years, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 in Coarsegold, CA. He was in logistics and a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, a member of the Madera V.F.W. and Madera Noon Lions Club. He was also the Veteran Service Officer and Public Guardian Administrator for Madera County.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 65 years, Pauline Mays of Coarsegold, CA. 2 daughters: Glenna Gaugel and her husband Gerhard and Andrea Mrosko and her husband, Dave all of Bakersfield, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren: John Gaugel and his wife Elaina, Marlena Gaugel, Matt, Amanda and Zac Mrosko and 1 great granddaughter, Hannah Gaugel.

Madeline Medellin (89), lifelong resident of Madera, CA wife to Martin for over 69 years, mother to daughters Toni and Judie and son Reg passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Friday, August 11, 2017. Madeline was a professional cosmetologist who owned and operated Madeline’s Beauty Salon for over fifty years forging many friendships and cultivating the careers of coworkers.

She took great pride in her all-female business and its contribution to economic development to downtown Madera in the 60’s – 70’s. In contrast to her busy professional life she took great comfort in her passion for gardening and took great pleasure in providing fruits and vegetables for her family and friends. A woman of many strengths and opinions she never shied away from a good debate on political, social or personal issues with friends or acquaintances -- which were a draw for her husband, Martin whom she met post-WWII while he was on leave. It was a match that lasted for over 69 years. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.