The Ancestors and Cousins of Tracy Lynn DeVault

Person Page 536

Terry Lee Thomas1

M, #13376

Parents

FatherWilliam Oliver Thomas (b. 13 March 1931, d. 23 October 2001)
MotherAnieta Walstrom
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Terry Lee Thomas and Barbara Jean Clark were married on 26 May 1984.2

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Linda Susan Thomas1

F, #13377

Parents

FatherWilliam Oliver Thomas (b. 13 March 1931, d. 23 October 2001)
MotherAnieta Walstrom
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Linda Susan Thomas and Paul Harper were married on 16 August 1986.2

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Joanie Gardner1

F, #13378
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Joanie Gardner and Frank Joseph Thomas were married on 14 July 1984.2

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Cody Arron Thomas1,2

M, #13379

Parents

Pedigree Link

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Percy Roland Sivits1,2

M, #13380, b. 23 November 1920, d. 1 July 1944

Parents

FatherWilliam Lincoln Sivits (b. 8 February 1891, d. 3 April 1989)
MotherOlive Margaret Greeley (b. 18 April 1896, d. February 1941)
Pedigree Link

Family: Violet Edna Bellamy (b. 10 April 1921)

DaughterSharon Lee Sivits+

BASIC FACTS

Percy Roland Sivits was born on 23 November 1920 in Nebraska.3 He and Violet Edna Bellamy were married in May 1941.2 He died on 1 July 1944, at age 23, in Europe.
Percy Roland Sivits had reference number 13648. World War II. Percy was killed in operations while in the European theater. He was a aviation ordinance man 2-C. The letter received from the US Atlantic Fleet states the circumstances of the accident as follows: His plane was making training gunnery runs on a towed sleeve. The plane was seen to commence one of these runs in a normal manner and ended in a steep dive. At a extremely high speed the plane hit the water and sank immediately. A fishing boat in the area found nothing but a few pieces of publications known to have been carried in the plane and a few pieces of wreckage. No bodies were recovered. The depth of the water at the scene of the crash prevented any attempts at salvage.

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas
  3. [S1806] 1930 Census, Nebraska, Lincoln County

Violet Edna Bellamy1,2

F, #13381, b. 10 April 1921
Pedigree Link

Family: Percy Roland Sivits (b. 23 November 1920, d. 1 July 1944)

DaughterSharon Lee Sivits+

BASIC FACTS

Violet Edna Bellamy was born on 10 April 1921.2 She and Percy Roland Sivits were married in May 1941.2
Violet Edna Bellamy had reference number 13649.

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Sharon Lee Sivits1

F, #13382

Parents

FatherPercy Roland Sivits (b. 23 November 1920, d. 1 July 1944)
MotherViolet Edna Bellamy (b. 10 April 1921)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Sharon Lee Sivits and Glenn Griffen were married on 6 October 1961.2 She and Frank Cory were married on 28 June 1971.2

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Glenn Griffen1

M, #13383
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Glenn Griffen and Sharon Lee Sivits were married on 6 October 1961.2

Citations

  1. [S12342] Phone conversation with William Oliver Thomas, April 26, 2001
  2. [S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Nancy Reeves1

F, #13384
Pedigree Link

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins

Edward Prothero Reeves, Jr1

M, #13385, b. 1832, d. 6 May 1841

Parents

FatherEdward Prothero Reeves (b. 7 August 1777, d. 6 May 1841)
MotherSusan Pierce (b. 22 September 1794, d. 17 July 1880)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Edward Prothero Reeves, Jr, was born in 1832.2 He died on 6 May 1841, at age ~9.1
Edward Prothero Reeves, Jr, had reference number 13653.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S5880] Genealogy prepared by Edward Earl Reeves-Graybill

Frederick Reeves Rutledge1,2,3,4

M, #13386, b. 17 November 1894, d. 17 December 1978

Parents

FatherFrederick Rutledge (b. 10 February 1867, d. 5 October 1958)
MotherMable Reeves (b. 17 August 1873, d. 8 October 1965)
Pedigree Link

Family: Ruth Q. DeVille (b. 15 January 1901, d. 29 June 1990)

SonFrederick Reeves Rutledge, Jr.+ (b. 1 November 1921, d. 12 August 2009)
DaughterRuth E. Rutledge+
DaughterAnne Elizabeth Rutledge+ (b. 20 November 1924, d. 31 October 1980)

BASIC FACTS

Frederick Reeves Rutledge was born on 17 November 1894 in North Carolina.5,6 He and Ruth Q. DeVille were divorced before 1937. He and Beatrice Clyde Edwards were married in 1937 in Duval County, Florida.7 He died on 17 December 1978, at age 84, in Camden, Kershaw Co., South Carolina.6,8,7 He was buried in Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson Co., North Carolina.8
Frederick Reeves Rutledge was also known as Frederick Rutledge, Jr.5 He had reference number 13654. His Social Security Number was 261-16-3923, issued: Florida, last residence: Camden, Kershaw Co., South Carolina.6 He was enumerated on the census in Buncombe County, North Carolina (1900, 1930); Palm Beach County, Florida (1940.) He was an Agent - insurance (1930); broker - insurance (1940.)3,4 GRAVE MARKER

FREDERICK REEVES
RUTLEDGE
NOV. 17, 1894 - DEC. 17, 1978
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.

Citations

  1. [S6681] Genealogy prepared by Margaret Orbach, Source Medium: Book
  2. [S601] 1900 Census, North Carolina, Buncombe County
  3. [S1832] 1930 Census, North Carolina, Buncombe County
  4. [S2070] 1940 Census, Florida, Palm Beach County
  5. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  6. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book
  7. [S6463] Genealogy prepared by kayceekay1970 (Ancestry.com)
  8. [S4980] Find A Grave (Internet), Source Medium: Book

John Reeves Rutledge1,2,3

M, #13387, b. April 1899, d. June 1900

Parents

FatherFrederick Rutledge (b. 10 February 1867, d. 5 October 1958)
MotherMable Reeves (b. 17 August 1873, d. 8 October 1965)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

John Reeves Rutledge was born in April 1899 in North Carolina.1 He died in June 1900, at age 1.2,4 He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.4
John Reeves Rutledge had reference number 13655. He was enumerated on the census in Buncombe County, North Carolina (1900.) GRAVE MARKER

JOHN
SON OF
FREDERICK & MABEL R.
RUTLEDGE
APRIL ?? 1899
JUNE ?? 1900.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S6681] Genealogy prepared by Margaret Orbach, Source Medium: Book
  3. [S601] 1900 Census, North Carolina, Buncombe County
  4. [S4980] Find A Grave (Internet), Source Medium: Book

Patrick Winfield Allen1

M, #13388
Pedigree Link

Family: Amanda "Allie" Fulton

SonPinkney Epps Allen+ (b. 19 November 1863, d. 28 November 1915)

BASIC FACTS

Patrick Winfield Allen was also known as Pinkney W. Allen.2,3 He had reference number 13656. He held the title Rev.

Citations

  1. [S4980] Find A Grave (Internet), Source Medium: Book
  2. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  3. [S3769] Death Certificate - Pinkney Epps Allen

William Reeves Shuler1,2

M, #13389, b. 16 January 1911, d. 11 March 1984

Parents

FatherRobert Pierce "Bob" Shuler (b. 4 August 1880, d. 11 September 1965)
MotherMary Eleanor "Nelle" Reeves (b. 1 June 1885, d. 4 August 1981)
Pedigree Link

Family: Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes (b. 16 November 1910, d. 8 May 1992)

SonPh.D William Beeuwkes Shuler
DaughterLeslie Ann Shuler

BASIC FACTS

William Reeves Shuler was born on 16 January 1911 in Temple, Bell Co., Texas.1 He died on 11 March 1984, at age 73, in Fairfax, Fairfax Co., Virginia.1
William Reeves Shuler had reference number 13657. He held the title Gen. He was enumerated on the census in Los Angeles County, California (1940.) He was a Surveyor - federal (1940.)2 OBITUARY - The Washington Post

William earned his bachelor's degree from Cal Tech and entered West Point, graduating in 1936. He was a graduate of the Army War College and earned a master's degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
During World War II, he served in the Aleutian campaign and commanded an engineer combat group of the First Army in Europe. He earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He also received decorations from Belgium and France. He later held various posts as an engineering officer in the Pacific, the Mediterranean and this country.
An amateur radio enthusiast with the call sign W4KN, Gen Shuler was a member of the American Radio Relay League.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S2032] 1940 Census, California, Los Angeles County

Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes1,2

F, #13390, b. 16 November 1910, d. 8 May 1992

Parents

Pedigree Link

Family: William Reeves Shuler (b. 16 January 1911, d. 11 March 1984)

SonPh.D William Beeuwkes Shuler
DaughterLeslie Ann Shuler

BASIC FACTS

Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes was born on 16 November 1910 in Bloomfield, Essex Co., New Jersey.2,3 She died on 8 May 1992, at age 81, in Alameda Co., California.2
Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes had reference number 13658. Her Social Security Number was 538-07-7457, issued: Washington, last residence: Three Rivers, Tulare Co., California.4 OBITUARY - Martha (Beeuwkes) Hossman, sister of Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" (Beeuwkes Shuler, The Seattle Times from Nov. 29 to Nov. 30, 2009

Martha Beeuwkes HOSSMAN On November 15, 2009 in her home in Seattle, Washington, Martha "Marty" Beeuwkes Hossman departed this life just a day before her 99th birthday. Born in Bloomfield N.J. to Reinier Beeuwkes and Anna New Beeuwkes, Martha was one of three children. She is predeceased by a twin sister, Marjorie Beeuwkes Shuler and an older brother, Reinier Beeuwkes, Jr. At an early age Martha and her family moved to Seattle where Martha grew up. She graduated from the University of Washing ton where she joined Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, maintaining a lifetime membership. In Seattle Martha met and married her late husband, Carl L. Hossman, and together they raised two children. Martha was a lady that savored life, thrived on adventure, and sought continuously to learn. Well into her late 90s she spent several hours every day working on her computer while continuing the study of French. An admirer of Grandma Moses, she took up drawing at age 98. She loved a daily game of double solitaire with her beloved caregivers and often won. She had a wry sense of humor and was a fun, loving person who truly cared about people. She loved dogs and considered them people too. She gave generously to family, caregivers and organizations important to her. Moreover, she gave of herself, her attention, her love and her personal time. Martha believed in practicing the golden rule and touched the hearts and lives of all who knew her in a very profound and personal way. Survivors include Martha's daughter, Alix Hossman McDonough, her husband Thomas Heiple, son Carl L. Hossman Jr. and wife, Ginny, two grand-children, Andrew and Ashley Hossman, her husband Josh Klakring and their son, Wyatt. Additional survivors include nieces, Leslie Blaine and Betsy Beeuwkes Cook, nephews, Reinier III, John and Henry Beeuwkes and William R. Shuler, Jr. A private family service will be held in Seattle.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S2859] California Birth/Death Records (Internet), Source Medium: Book
  3. [S11180] Obituary - Martha (Beeuwkes) Hossman, sister of Marjorie Elizabeth "Marge" (Beeuwkes Shuler
  4. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book

Ph.D William Beeuwkes Shuler1

M, #13391

Parents

FatherWilliam Reeves Shuler (b. 16 January 1911, d. 11 March 1984)
MotherMarjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes (b. 16 November 1910, d. 8 May 1992)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Ph.D William Beeuwkes Shuler and Jeannie Wilkinson were married in 1962.1 He and Billie Jean Hensley were married before 2000.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins

Leslie Ann Shuler1

F, #13392

Parents

FatherWilliam Reeves Shuler (b. 16 January 1911, d. 11 March 1984)
MotherMarjorie Elizabeth "Marge" Beeuwkes (b. 16 November 1910, d. 8 May 1992)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Leslie Ann Shuler and Roger Blain or Blaine were married in 1967.1

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins

Dorothy Shuler1,2

F, #13393, b. 4 July 1913, d. 27 July 1998

Parents

FatherRobert Pierce "Bob" Shuler (b. 4 August 1880, d. 11 September 1965)
MotherMary Eleanor "Nelle" Reeves (b. 1 June 1885, d. 4 August 1981)
Pedigree Link

Family: Willis Lloyd Pitkin (b. 18 July 1908, d. 12 February 2002)

DaughterWilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin+ (b. 3 April 1934, d. 12 December 2012)
SonWillis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr.+ (b. 20 March 1936, d. 21 July 2013)
DaughterJane Ellen "Janie" Pitkin

BASIC FACTS

Dorothy Shuler was born on 4 July 1913 in Austin, Travis Co., Texas.1 She and Willis Lloyd Pitkin were married on 18 January 1932.3 She died on 27 July 1998, at age 85.
Dorothy Shuler had reference number 13661. Her Social Security Number was 555-36-9129, issued: California, last residence: Dayton, Yamhill Co., Oregon.4 She was enumerated on the census in Los Angeles County, California (1940.)

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S2032] 1940 Census, California, Los Angeles County
  3. [S12195] Obituary - Willis Lloyd Pitkin
  4. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book

Willis Lloyd Pitkin1

M, #13394, b. 18 July 1908, d. 12 February 2002

Parents

Pedigree Link

Family: Dorothy Shuler (b. 4 July 1913, d. 27 July 1998)

DaughterWilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin+ (b. 3 April 1934, d. 12 December 2012)
SonWillis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr.+ (b. 20 March 1936, d. 21 July 2013)
DaughterJane Ellen "Janie" Pitkin

BASIC FACTS

Willis Lloyd Pitkin was born on 18 July 1908 in Fort Pierre, Stanley Co., South Dakota.1,2 He and Dorothy Shuler were married on 18 January 1932.3 He died on 12 February 2002, at age 93, in Westport Clatsop Co., Oregon.4,2
Willis Lloyd Pitkin had reference number 13662. His Social Security Number was 555-36-9184, issued: California, last residence: Hyde Park, Cache Co., Utah.4 He was a Service station owner (1930); ran a service station (1930 - 1965.)3,5 World War II, U.S. Navy.3 He was enumerated on the census in Los Angeles County, California (1930.) OBITUARY - News-Register, McMinnville, Oregon, March 2, 2002

Former longtime Dayton resident Willis Lloyd Pitkin of Westport died Feb. 12, 2002, in his daughter's home in Westport. He was 93. A family memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born July 18, 1908, in Ft. Pierre, S.D. He lived in South Dakota and later was raised and educated in Iowa, Montana and California.
He and Dorothy Shuler were married Jan. 18, 1932.
Mr. Pitkin lived in California from 1924 to 1972. He ran a service station from 1930 to 1965. He served in the Navy during World War II.
He moved to Neck Road, Dayton, in 1972 and lived there until 1998, then moved with his wife to Utah. Mrs. Pitkin died in 1998. Mr. Pitkin moved from Utah to Westport in 2001.
An avid gardener, he had grown cantaloupes to be sold in Putt's Market, Dayton. He was a frequent contributor to the Readers' Forum in the News-Register.
Survivors include two daughters, Willma Nelle de Vries of Westport and Jane Ellen Bauermann of Lacey, Wash.; a son, Willis L. Pitkin Jr. of Hyde Park, Utah; 10 grandchildren, 6 stepgrandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by his brothers, Ward, Caryll and Jim, and by sisters Lois and Jean.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S4980] Find A Grave (Internet), Source Medium: Book
  3. [S12195] Obituary - Willis Lloyd Pitkin
  4. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book
  5. [S1552] 1930 Census, California, Los Angeles County

Wilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin1,2

F, #13395, b. 3 April 1934, d. 12 December 2012

Parents

FatherWillis Lloyd Pitkin (b. 18 July 1908, d. 12 February 2002)
MotherDorothy Shuler (b. 4 July 1913, d. 27 July 1998)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Wilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin was born on 3 April 1934 in Hollywood, Los Angeles Co., California.1,2 She and Ted George de Vries were married in 1952.1,2 She and Ted George de Vries were divorced about 1974.2 She died on 12 December 2012, at age 78, in Westport Clatsop Co., Oregon.2
Wilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin had reference number 13663. She resided in Westport, Clatsop Co., Oregon (2002.)3 She was educated Attended grade schools in El Monte and graduated from El Monte Union High School.2 She was an Owned strawberry farm in Goble, Columbia Co., Oregon; owned in operated a restaurant, bed & breakfast in the old King Salmon Lodge in Westport, Clatsop Co., Oregon.2 OBITUARY - Daily Astorian, December 18, 2012

Wilma Nelle “Willie” de Vries, 78, of Westport, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at home, of cancer.
She was born April 3, 1934, in Hollywood, Calif., to Willis L. and Dorothy (Shuler) Pitkin.
Raised in Southern California, she attended grade schools in El Monte and graduated from El Monte Union High School.
In 1952, she married Ted de Vries, a dairyman. In their 22 years of marriage, they had five children and adopted a sixth. They later divorced.
After her marriage ended, Mrs. de Vries moved to Oregon, where she bought a strawberry farm in Goble. When her children were grown, she moved to her dream home, the old King Salmon Lodge in Westport. The inn then became a restaurant and a bed and breakfast. Under her ownership, it also has been used as a sanctuary for foster children, a final retreat for elderly needing full time care and a safe house for abandoned dogs and cats.
Family members say that all who knew her knew compassion, nurturing, healing and love.
She is survived by four sons, Steve de Vries and his wife, Cindy, of Olympia, Wash., Scott and James de Vries of Westport and Chris de Vries and his wife, Jacqueline, of Seattle; two daughters, Johanna DeVries of Bellingham, Wash., and Karen Sakamoto and her husband, Larry, of Renton, Wash.; a brother, Will Pitkin and his wife, Teri, of Palm Desert, Calif.; and a sister, Jane Bauerman and her husband, John, of Jackson Hole, Wyo.
At Mrs. de Vries’ request, there will be no funeral.
Memorial contributions may be made to a local food bank, animal shelter or hospice.
Ocean View Cremation & Burial Service of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S12201] Obituary - Wilma Nelle (Pitkin) de Vries
  3. [S12195] Obituary - Willis Lloyd Pitkin

Willis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr.1

M, #13396, b. 20 March 1936, d. 21 July 2013

Parents

FatherWillis Lloyd Pitkin (b. 18 July 1908, d. 12 February 2002)
MotherDorothy Shuler (b. 4 July 1913, d. 27 July 1998)
Pedigree Link

Family 1: Mary Frederick Callagan

SonDavid Sherwood Pitkin (b. 1960, d. 17 January 2010)
SonPaul Eric Pitkin+

BASIC FACTS

Willis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr., was born on 20 March 1936 in Los Angeles Co., California.1,2 He and Mary Frederick Callagan were married on 6 July 1959 in Imperial Co., California.1,3 He and Sandra "Sandy" Sanderson were married before 1970. He and Teri Haynes were married before 2013. He died on 21 July 2013, at age 77.4
Willis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr., had reference number 13664. He resided in Hyde Park, Cache Co., Utah (2002.)5 His Social Security Number was Issued: California.4 He was educated Received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Southern California (1958), received his doctorate from the same university (1973.)6 He was a Teacher of college English.6 OBITUARY - Logan Herald Journal on July 28, 2013

Willis Lloyd Pitkin Jr., the son of Willis L. and Dorothy Shuler Pitkin, died July 21, 2013. He did not expect to meet "Heavenly Father," but if such a meeting occurred, Willis was likely the less flabbergasted of the two.
Will was born Feb. 20, 1936, and lived till 1969 in California. He was married three times - to Mary Frederica Calligan (who gave him a stepdaughter, Regan, and two sons, David and Paul), to Sandra Sanderson (who gave him a son, Joe, and two daughters, Sara and Clarity), and to Teri Haynes Boschetti (who gave him four stepsons - Rock, Brian, Tim, and Russ). Thorough and conscientious training from his first two wives prepared him for a wonderful third marriage. He lived to mourn the loss of Brian, Dave, and Regan's first daughter, Mary Helen.
Will received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Southern California in 1958, promptly began graduate school, and received his doctorate from the same university in 1973 (when he finally applied for graduation, the dean of the USC graduate school emerged from his office to congratulate Will as the student who had made the slowest progress towards a doctorate that he had ever encountered). During his graduate studies and for many years afterward, Will worked as a teacher of college English, most of these years - and the best of them - at Utah State University. He helped and inspired and loved thousands of students, who remember him for his wit, his generosity, his deep knowledge and his disdain for academic fashions. He was likelier to wear a T-shirt and shorts to class than a coat and tie; he preferred always to be called "Will" rather than "Dr. Pitkin." He wrote a textbook on writing called Generating Prose, a book considered unfashionable almost as soon as he had finished it. But it was no less a good book for that.
Like his father, Will was a lifelong gardener: he kept many dozens of chickens, cultivated hundreds of heirloom varieties of tomatoes and squash and garlic and strawberries, spared thousands of tomato hornworms. Over his life he gave away great piles of fruit and vegetables to friends, colleagues, his children, neighbors, strangers, visiting home teachers, and anyone who looked like he would be cheered up by a handful of fresh tomatoes.
Also like his father, he was deeply troubled by any kind of waste. It pained him to see people treat as garbage anything which could be spread on his garden as fertilizer. In broad daylight, and sometimes by night, Will took the grass clippings that neighbors had left at the curb for garbage pickup: the whole community had contributed to his compost heap. It was harder still for him to watch someone throw into the trash anything which might be eaten by one of his beloved animals (including his most beloved animal, Homo sapiens). He regarded the expiration dates on food packaging as quaint advisories which he might, at his discretion, disregard.
He spoke slowly but tirelessly. He wrote hundreds of letters to the editor of The Herald Journal (at least it seemed that many), letters shining a light wherever he saw thoughtlessness or hypocrisy or self-righteousness. Nonconformists, gay people, misfits, and anyone who felt friendless in the Cache Valley knew from his letters that they had a friend in Will.
Years of linguistic training and a natural talent for goofing off made him into a formidable Scrabble player. He impressed hundreds of opponents with his ability to make one word into another, to dredge up long-forgotten words, and to concoct plausible-sounding terms that no one at the table dared challenge. Language was, for him, a source of joy and mystery and beauty, and people who spoke with him or read a note from him or played a game with him came away feeling as though language was richer than they had realized.
He is at peace now, survived by his wife, Teri; daughters Regan Pitkin Butler, Sara Sanderson Pitkin, and Clarity Sanderson Jonker; sons Paul, Joe, Rock, Tim, and Russ; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. We miss him.
A celebration of Will's life will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the house of Bill and Carol Strong, 947 Sumac, Logan, UT 84321.

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S2722] Birth Records - California, California Birth Index 1905 - 1995 (Ancestry.Com)
  3. [S8902] Marriage Records - California, "California Marriage Index, 1949 - 1959" (Ancestry.com)
  4. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book
  5. [S12195] Obituary - Willis Lloyd Pitkin
  6. [S12196] Obituary - Willis Lloyd Pitkin, Jr

Jane Ellen "Janie" Pitkin1

F, #13397

Parents

FatherWillis Lloyd Pitkin (b. 18 July 1908, d. 12 February 2002)
MotherDorothy Shuler (b. 4 July 1913, d. 27 July 1998)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Jane Ellen "Janie" Pitkin and John J. Bauermann were married on 14 March 1970 in Placer Co., California.2

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S8903] Marriage Records - California, "California Marriage Index, 1960 - 1985" (Ancestry.com), Source Medium: Book

Ted George de Vries1,2

M, #13398, b. 23 March 1930, d. April 1983
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Ted George de Vries was born on 23 March 1930.2 He and Wilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin were married in 1952.1,3 He and Wilma Nelle "Willie" Pitkin were divorced about 1974.3 He died in April 1983, at age 53.4
Ted George de Vries had reference number 13666. He was a Dairyman.3 His Social Security Number was 551-50-0027, issued: California.4

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S12447] U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes, 1791 - 1992 (Ancestry.com)
  3. [S12201] Obituary - Wilma Nelle (Pitkin) de Vries
  4. [S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book

Ruth Audrey "Audrey" Barnes1,2

F, #13399, b. 15 April 1921, d. 2 September 2002

Parents

Pedigree Link

Family: Ph.D Robert Pierce Shuler, Jr., (b. 6 November 1916, d. 25 August 2000)

DaughterJudith Ann "Judy" Shuler+
SonRobert Pierce Shuler, III+
DaughterJill Kathleen Shuler+
DaughterPh.D Jan Laurel Shuler+

BASIC FACTS

Ruth Audrey "Audrey" Barnes was born on 15 April 1921 in Trimble Co., Kentucky.1,3 She and Ph.D Robert Pierce Shuler, Jr., were married in 1940.1 She and Ph.D Robert Pierce Shuler, Jr., were divorced in January 1969 in Los Angeles Co., California.2 She died on 2 September 2002, at age 81, in Claremont, Los Angeles Co., California.3
Ruth Audrey "Audrey" Barnes had reference number 13667. She was a Teacher.1 She resided in Claremont, California.1

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins
  2. [S4209] Divorce Records - California Divorce Index, 1966 - 1984 (Ancestry.com)
  3. [S6106] Genealogy prepared by honolulu_pam (Ancestry.com)

Judith Ann "Judy" Shuler1

F, #13400

Parents

FatherPh.D Robert Pierce Shuler, Jr. (b. 6 November 1916, d. 25 August 2000)
MotherRuth Audrey "Audrey" Barnes (b. 15 April 1921, d. 2 September 2002)
Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Judith Ann "Judy" Shuler and Charles Turner were married in 1968.1

Citations

  1. [S2798] Book: Ancestral Sketches by LeRoy Reeves and the Family of Edward Reeves and Jane Melvin by Willie Reeves Hardin Bivins