Obituaries

Russell L. Buchen

1918-2007

Russell L. Buchen, 88, a resident of Gardnerville since 1990, died Feb. 21, 2007, at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Buchen was born Dec. 2, 1918, in Minneapolis, Minn. to Edwin and Ann Buchen. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the Okinawa campaign. He was employed by Frito-Lay for 28 years and retired in 1983.

He enjoyed outdoor activities and spent many happy hours swimming, water skiing and, most of all, horseback riding.

He is survived by his wife, Betty and his daughter and her husband, Karen and Dale Bohlman, all of Gardnerville.

Arrangements were in the care of FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home in Gardnerville.

William W. 'Grumpy' Franklin

1920-2007

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Sunday at the Carson City Masonic Temple, 113 E. Washington St. for William w. "Grumpy" Franklin, 86, who died March 8, 2007, in Carson City.

Mr. Franklin was born July 23, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah to William John and Blanch Coakley Franklin. He attended the University of Utah and joined the U. S. Navy. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer from the Nevada National Guard.

He has been a resident of Carson City for 65 years.

He was a member of Carson Lodge No.1 F & AM, Douglas Lodge No. 12 F & AM, Kit Carson Shrine Club and Kerak Shrine Temple.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Franklin in 2006 as well as one brother and one sister.

He is survived by daughters Nancy Peek Ives and her husband Jerome of Truckee, Calif. and Dr. Patricia Therrell and her husband Michael of Snohomish, Wash., as well as five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are in the care of Walton's Chapel of the Valley in Carson City. Cremation will be at Walton's Sierra Crematory in Carson City.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriner's Children Hospital in Sacramento, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.

Helen Edna Silk

1927-2007

A private family memorial is planned for Helen Edna Silk, 79, who died at her home in Gardnerville, March 12, 2007.

Mrs. Silk was born Aug. 20, 1927, in Merced, Calif. to Warren Meracle and Estelle Easterly.

She graduated from high school and college in California and worked as a secretary for numerous businesses. She married George A. Silk Dec. 26, 1989.

She enjoyed playing the organ, crocheting, embroidery and tatting (making lace).

She was preceded in death by her first husband of almost 40 years, John Joseph Tarro, 1984 in California.

She is survived by her husband George A. Silk of Gardnerville; son James A. Tarro II of Florida; daughter Jeannie Weathers of Carson City; son Ken and his wife Julia Silk of Sebastopol, Calif.; brother John and his wife Margrette of Irvine, Calif.; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are in the care of Walton's Douglas County Mortuary in Minden. Cremation will take place at Walton's Sierra Crematory in Carson City.

Mickey Swit

1929-2007

A memorial service is 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville for Mickey Swit, 77, who died at his Gardnerville home March 4, 2007.

Mr. Swit was born Aug. 22, 1929, in Brier Hill, Penn., to Mitro and Mary Swit. He completed eighth grade and joined the service at the age of 16.

He served in the 752nd tank battalion from 1946 to 1948 doing a tour of duty in Italy guarding war prisoners.

He worked 42 years for the railroad as a conductor and retired in 1989. He married his wife Harriet, April 11, 1983, in Lakewood, Ohio.

They lived in Parma, Ohio, before moving to Gardnerville 17 years ago.

He was a member of St. Gall Catholic Church, the United Transportation Union for 59 years, and the VFW Post 8583. He loved hunting, fishing and playing nickel poker. His favorite hobby was playing the organ.

He was preceded in death by his son Mark Swit, Aug. 20, 1984, in Parma, Ohio, his sister Margaret Sinosky and his three brothers Michael, Charles and George Swit.

He is survived by his wife Harriet Swit of Gardnerville; son Vincent Swit of Vallejo, Calif.; daughters Michelle Swit of Parma, Ohio and Linda Hughes of Lake Forest, Calif., stepdaughter Cheryl Johnston of Las Vegas; sisters Mary Jane Adragna and Helen Timco, as well as eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are in the care of Capitol City Cremations. Burial will take place at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brookpark, Ohio.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Gall Memorial Gardens or Barton Hospice, 1615 Highway 395, Suite C, Minden, NV 89423.