Obituaries: March 6, 2009

Melvin V. Allen

Melvin V. Allen, 78, of Cottonwood died March 5, 2009 Thursday at home. Arrangements handled by Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Anderson (365-5466).

Homer E. "Gene" Barrett

Homer E. "Gene" Barrett, 83, of Anderson died March 3, 2009 Wednesday at home. Arrangements handled by Lawncrest Chapel in Redding (222-1587).

Natasha Barnett

Natasha Barnett born August 6, 1984 at Palo Alto, CA, passed away March 4, 2009 in Anderson, CA.

Survived by husband William Barnett, daughter Kyle Wilson, son Mathew Barnett, mother Deborah Gardiner of Anderson and two sisters of Anderson, CA, father Kenneth Wilson of Norwood, OH, mother in law Shirley Barnett of Redding, two brothers in law and one sister in law.

MEMORIAL SERVICE will be Saturday March 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. at 9306 Placer Rd., Redding, CA.

All friends and family are welcome to come. Call 241-2814 for directions if needed.

Duke Rickert

Duke Rickert, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at home.

He was born in Greenville, PA on October 26, 1919 to the parents of George and Florence Rickert. The Rickert family moved to CA in 1923 and first settled in southern CA. The family moved many times throughout CA over his early years. Duke graduated from Yuba City High School and attended Modesto Junior College. His favorite sport was football. In 1942 he served his country in World War II, joining the United States Army Air Corp. During the war he was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Australia. After his military service in 1945 and he returned to Anderson, CA where he worked with his family in ranching.

In 1946 he moved to Meridian, CA to begin a meat processing business again with his family. Later the family operated a feed mill in Meridian.

In 1951 he married Elizabeth Schuchart of Flournoy, CA. They started their early marriage in Meridian, CA and then later moved to Cottonwood, CA. In 1961 they formed Rickert Meat Company, a new partnership with his wife, father and two brothers and their wives. After 37 successful years, he retired from Rickert Meat Company in 1998. Duke Rickert enjoyed basketball, and played many games in the Redding area leagues. Duke's surviving family includes wife Elizabeth of 57 of years, son Stephen, grandson Ryan Gravette and granddaughters Aletha Drenth (and Dan), Megan and Lauren Rickert, great-grandsons Isaiah, Tyler, Alexander and Eric Gravette and Amanda, and great-granddaughter McKayla Drenth, brother James D. Rickert (and Eva), and sister-in-law Ruth Rickert.

He was predeceased by daughter Kay and brother Clyde "Bud" Rickert. Services will be held Saturday morning, March 7 at 11 a.m. at Allen and Dahl's Anderson Chapel followed by burial at the Cottonwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Elizabeth's Hospice, 1425 Vista Way Red Bluff, CA, 96080 or a charity of your choice.