And Funeral Notices
Dennis Anthony Carroll flew on the wings of angels to be with our Lord on December 21,2020. Heaven opened their gates to receive him. Dennis was born February 11, 1954 at the “Old” St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Dennis had a great sense of humor and he loved to make people laugh. Heaven must be an even happier place now that he is there. Many who knew him, knew him as Denny or Gus.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Mary, his brother Patrick, his sister Lena Colivas. He leaves behind his wife, Gwen Kjer (K-jer as he lovingly called her), his children Brice (Jess), Chris, Renee (Grant Diaz), Marisa Castro, and Elizabeth Carroll. His step-sons, although to him, they were his sons, Todd (Fanisha), Sam (Kendall), and Jake (Tawyna)Morris. Dennis loved children and his grandchildren were no exception, Mara, Hailey, Olivia, Sasha, Cecilia, Sophia and Isabella Carroll, Harlynn Diaz, Jeter and Jacob Morris and another grandson due in March. His brother, Kevin (Annette), sisters-in-law Helene Carroll, Jean (Charlie) Giannini, and brother-inlaw, Ellis (Jenny) Kjer. Dennis’ buddies who were his brothers from an other mother, Chuck (Carol) Harris, Tom (Nancy) Bessette, and Tony (Gloria) Hughes. Lastly, his sweet dog, Maggie Mae who misses him.
Dennis grew up in Eureka, attended Sacred Heart School, St. Bernard Elementary School, and graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1972. While attending high school, he participated in football, night league and wrestling.
In August of 1972, Dennis enlisted in the Air Force where he reached the rank of Master Sargent and he was part of the flight crew on C-5’s in the 75th Military Airlift Squadron and the 21st “Bee Liners” Airlift Squadron. Dennis was very proud of his son, Chris who had designed the patch for the “Bee Liners.” He left the Air Force briefly when his father was diagnosed with a terminal condition. During that time, Dennis enlisted in the National Guard, Company “A” of the 579th Combat Engineer Unit. He returned to the Air Force after his dad’s death. Dennis so loved his time in the Air Force and the life long friends he made there. Dennis proudly served our country from 1972 to 1995 when he retired. He jokingly would say, “I’ve been to every continent, including Antarctica, all 50 states and I’ve been shot at in 8 languages.”
After retiring from the military, he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad/Southern Pacific Railroad where he thought he’d be working in the yard but instead they made him an locomotive engineer. He told them he had no experience and they told him where are you going to get it? In 1999, he accepted a job with Amtrak as a locomotive engineer and during his time there he also was a Road Foreman of engines. He retired in early 2020, when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He would say he had the jobs that people dreamed of having. He regretted not being able to take that last trip up the mountain.
Dennis fought hard to put his Multiple Myeloma in remission and he succeeded in doing so, four months after his treatment started. He was so appreciative of his oncologist, Maj. Christin DeStefano, USAF 60th Medical Group, Travis AF Base. He also, thought fondly of his infusion nurse, Margo. Dennis was ready to get on with his life. He and Gwen were in the process of moving to Arizona and traveling in their new to them motor home. Dennis and Gwen traveled to Ireland for their honeymoon and found where his relatives would have paid their taxes to the lord and the castle that belonged to the other side of the family. They traveled to the east coast and walked some of the civil war grounds and had plans to return as Dennis was a civil war buff.
Dennis loved to hunt deer, pheasant and ducks with his buddies, Chuck Harris and Tom Bessette. Dennis had had plans to go
h hh squirrel hunting with his stepson Sam and pig hunting in Texas with his stepson Todd along with Chuck and Tom. He enjoyed going antique shopping and even just admiring them. He was in the process of restoring his 1950 Chevy pickup. He counted any time he had with his family, as the most precious. He loved when his children would come to visit and bring his grandchildren. Dennis was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vacaville, Elk Lodge, 652 Eureka and the Marine Memorial, San Francisco.
To quote some: the party started when Denny walked in the room; and if Denny was there and you didn’t have a good time, it was your own fault.
In honor of Dennis, raise a shot of Jameson or a glass of Guinness and light up a cigar.
In this time of COVID, a private family graveside will take place at the Veterans Cemetery in Dixon, CA under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Roses, Santa Rosa, CA.
Susan Ingle Snell
Susan Ingle Snell went home to be with the Lord on December 26th, 2020. Sue was born on September 11, 1946, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Paul and Flora Ingle. Sue was an Army BRAT; she lived in Formosa (Taiwan) and Germany and across the U.S. Sue met her husband, Odi in Nebraska and they married in 1970. The two settled in Fortuna in 1974. Sue was a devoted mother of 3, but there were always a couple extra kids that needed a place to stay and Sue and Odi’s door was always open. Sue was also a dedicated member the Campton Heights Baptist Church. Sue volunteered in the AWANA program, taught Sunday School, and volunteered her time in many areas of the church. Sue enjoyed playing golf at REGCC; she was awful at it, but she loved it. When it came to her grandchildren, Sue was at soccer and football games, cheerleading events even in the wind and rain. She was no fairweather fan. She was funny, sarcastic, smart, and supportive. She left our hearts aching in shock. Sue was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Orliff “Odi” Snell. Sue is survived by her daughter Jessie (Brett) Coleman; daughter Melissa (Paul) Davis, and son Orliff (Nicole) Snell II, brother Dave (Barbara) Ingle, brother Paul Ingle, sister Carol (Tom)Robinson, sister Mary (John) Tinkey, brother-in-law Jack (Marguerite) Snell, and sister-inlaw Ellen Snell, grandchildren Emma and Brett Coleman, Dillynn, Flora, Orliff, and Annabelle Snell, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial to celebrate Sue’s life will be held as soon as possible, but no date is scheduled at this time. 3/2/1956 12/27/2020 Tim was one of the most thoughtful, kind and gentle men one would likely meet. He was built of quiet strength. Words that have been used to describe him are that he was a man of integrity, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, decency, generosity and wisdom. A statement he left with his wishes to be carried out when the time came was “About My Life: I didn’t always hit all the notes but I had a blast trying!” Despite him saying so, all who knew him know that he lived his life creating a symphony. That beautiful music is now quieted but his life’s song will always be remembered by the many, many people who loved him so very much.
Tim was born at the old General Hospital at Harris and H in Eureka, as a 4thgeneration member of a Humboldt family. Other than when attending Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, from which he received his B.A. in photographic sciences in 1980, Tim lived his entire life in Humboldt County. He made this choice in spite of an offer choice in spite of an offer after graduation to travel the world as an assistant to one of the world’s greatest photographers at the time. The most inspiring senior each year was sought out for this distinction and honor. It is a testament to Tim’s love of and dedication to his family and Humboldt County that he chose to remain here for the rest of his life. In doing so, he positively touched many, many lives over the years. During his Brook’s years, Tim worked full-time at a service station, having learned the trade from working with his father at the family’s stations. His favorite anecdote of that time was the pleasure of pumping gas for Jane Fonda.
Tim attended South Bay Elementary School where he was Valedictorian of the graduating 6th grade class. He went on to attend Jacobs Junior High and Eureka High. As unassuming as Tim was, his mother had to find out from Mr. Moenke that a musical composition she heard at one of the high school performances had been composed by Tim. Tim could pick up and learn to play any musical instrument and became more than adept at some of them in short periods of time. He attended CR and HSU before getting his degree at Brooks Institute. He loved school and excelled therein, as he did in all of his endeavors throughout his life.
After graduating from college Tim spent some time in Eureka as a professional photographer working with Jack Anderson. He then went on to spend the rest of his working life at Pacific Gas and Electric Company. During his 30 years with the company Tim was respected for the work he accomplished in many of its divisions and turned down offers to be in management so that he could continue to work in the field. His favorite and final job was being a meter reader until, coincidently with retirement imminent, his services were no longer needed due to the introduction of smart meters.
In retirement Tim involved himself in many activities new to him which brought new and wonderful people into his life and him into theirs. He spent many weeks in 11 years traveling with his husband on 6 continents and to upwards of 40 countries. His delight in these adventures was apparent to all. For many years he was a valued board member of Humboldt Light Opera Company supporting its endeavors in every way he could, sometimes even when it took him out of his comfort zone.
Tim was predeceased by his father, Charlie Willits. He is survived by his partner (of 21 years)/husband Jim Willits, his mother Mary (Marilyn) Willits, his sister Connie Alvara, his brother Chris Willits, his 3 Hicks nephews, Steve, Scott and Stuart, as well as their wives, children, grandchildren, and, recently, great granddaughter, making Tim rejoice in being a great, great uncle. His nephews adored him and spoke of how much they learned from him (how to fish…), sometimes even moreso than from their own father.
Tim never desired to have many things. He was wise enough to know that the people in his life were what needed to be valued. He made sure those people knew their importance to him. He was loving, wellloved and will be missed by more of the community than he might ever have imagined. He is deserving of it all.
Tim died at home, the place in all the world where he most loved to be, of a previously undiagnosed health issue. A celebration of Tim’s life will be held when everyone can freely gather together again.
The family requests that any donations in Tim’s name be made to Humboldt Light Opera Company, 92 Sunnybrae Center, Arcata, CA 95521.