Allan Lane Morris Sr. went home to be with his Lord, Creator and Savior on Sept. 1, 2011. He will be back home with his wife, Susie Robison Morris, his parents, C. Allan and Fawn E Morris, his little brother, Michael L Morris, along with numerous other family members who will all be there to greet and welcome him home.

Allan is survived by his children, Stormy Daniels (Ryan), Abel Morris (Brandy), Justin Morris (Angel), and Allan Morris Jr. (Robin), stepdaughter, Laurel Jackson (Brad). His grandchildren, Scruff, Michael, Cheeko, Joey, Justin, Alyssa, Alexis, Nick, Jazzy, Olivia, Julia and Braeden. Allan is also survived by his sister, Fawn A. Morris Orr, his brother, Denny Zermeno (Christy), his father and mother-in-law, Ray and Phyllis Robison, brother-in-law, Brett Robison (Betty), sisters-in-law, Linda Harrison (Tim) and Cindy Robison, his uncle, Chuck Williams, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Allan also leaves behind his girls, Ella Norris and Renee Tapia (Steven) along with 36 other foster children, and his canine kids, Casey and Lucy.

Born to Theora and Daisy (Hawk) Willis on December 30, 1937, in Decatur Co., Iowa. Her family were farmers of the rich southern Iowa soil. Virginia attended a one-room school until the third grade, when it was closed and students sent to grade school in Davis City, Iowa.

The family bought a general store in Davis City and ran it until her father began working as a carpenter for the C.B & Q (Chicago, Burlington and Quincy) Railroad, where he worked until retirement. Virginia attended Decatur County Unified High School. At a very early age she drew pictures to add to her assignments.

She always said her favorite job was being a mother. In March of 1955, son Michael was born. In May of 1957, son Darrell was born.

Helen M. Ritter went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 27, 2011.  She was 93.

Helen was born Jan. 30, 1918, in Bloomfield, Iowa, to Paul and Leah (Stansberry) Killion. Her mother died when she was 2and she was raised by her Aunt Edith. After high school, Helen attended the Pratt Art School, in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she studied interior design and graduated with honors. She returned to Iowa to manage her grandfather’s gift store where she married her high school sweetheart, Paul F. Ritter, in Centerville on March 23, 1940. They moved to Southern California, settling in Orange County. Helen worked as a data processor for the Orange County Unified School District until retirement. She and Paul purchased a second home in Crescent City where they eventually moved in 1987.

Though she enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, china painting, and reading, she also had a less tame side that was always up for a challenge. This included learning to water ski and paraglide well into her 70s and owning and riding a Honda 125 trail bike. She and Paul also enjoyed traveling around the country in their retirement.

Helen was very active in the community including volunteering with the Senior Center and the R.S.V.P. program helping in the Del Norte School District. She was also a member of the Crescent City Women’s Club, a widow’s support group, quilting club, an investment club in Orange, Calif., and attended Calvary Chapel of the Redwoods until her health wouldn’t allow it.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Jill Ritter of Laguna Hills, Calif., Jake and Lesley Ritter of Crescent City and Mike and Shirley Ritter of Crescent City, grandchildren and their spouses, Jeff Ritter, Stephanie and Keith Allen, Sara and Jay Vigeland, Aaron and Beth Ritter, Joshua and Haley Ritter, Amy and Rivers Drown, Katie and Beau Smith, great-grandchildren, Ben and Mackenzie Allen, Spenser, Peyton, Gabriel, and Isabella Schrier, Alex and Nathan Ritter, Kaden, Jaylee, Avrey, and Lincoln Ritter, Bailee and Evan Drown, and Khloe Smith. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, sister, Maxine Rolls, daughter-in-law, Sandi Ritter, and great grandson William.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

— Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel

Jose Luis Ramirez, Jr. passed away on September 13, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer in Crescent City. A lifelong resident of Del Norte County, he was born on September 3, 1988, in Crescent City.

Jose attended St Joseph’s Catholic School, Crescent Elk and Del Norte High School.

He had previously worked at Denny’s as a cook before his illness. Jose enjoyed fishing, basketball and football.

Mike Taff, longtime local resident, passed away September 11, 2011.

Born in Arcata, May 27, 1942, to Patricia and Warren Taff, who have gone before him. He leaves his loving, caring sister Irene Blake behind. He was an artist, puzzler and enjoyed his friends at the casino. He was a big helper to many friends. Services will be in Fortuna, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Gobles Mortuary, 560 12th St. Followed by a potluck at St. Francis, 568 16th St. May God grant you always…a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you.

— Submitted by Family

Donna died peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  Suffering losses of an Alzheimer- type dementia, she had been under the faithful and loving care of son, Scott, and her caregiver, Freidas Almazon. Through much of the illness, her pride in Scott was evident when she would say, “Scott works in Disneyland...he’s one tall dude.”

Although born in Stockton, Calif., on October 5, 1942, most of Donna’s childhood was spent in Smith River, with her mother, Emogene, and step-father, Ted Westbrook.

 Following schooling in Smith River and graduation from Del Norte High School, Donna enrolled at Humboldt State College in Arcata. Enjoying the studying of German, French and Spanish, she graduated with a degree in German in 1965. This followed in June of 1966 with a California Teaching Credential with a Specialization in Secondary Teaching.

Born November 25, 1920, in Port, Okla., the sixth of 10 children to Wirt and Elsie Lucas. She was raised on a horse-powered farm during the dust bowl years, picking cotton and baling hay until leaving for college in 1938. She was Valedictorian at Port High School. She met her future husband Howard Smith in Oregon where she was teaching school and he was in basic training for the Army during WWII.

They moved to Crescent City in 1954. He worked as a lab and x-ray technician for area doctors until his retirement in 1985. She worked as a medical records technician for Seaside Hospital. She could be heard every week for many years on the local radio program called “Who’s New in Pink and Blue” featuring the hospital’s newborns and their mothers.