Donald C. Smith

Donald Crane Smith, an endlessly inquisitive chemist who worked decades in space exploration and upon retiring to Pahrump, decided that it was heavenly, too, died Thanksgiving Day, 2008, at age 91.

Smith, a native of Ohio, lived more than half his life in greater Los Angeles and worked a total of 40 years for North American Aviation and Hughes Aircraft. By the time he played an essential role in the surveyor program, which, in 1966-68 sent a series of unmanned landing craft to the moon, he'd established himself as an expert in contamination control.

From that point, until 1987, when he hung up his lab coat for the last time at Hughes, he was known in his field as "Dr. Clean."

He and his late wife, Berthalea Smith, moved to Pahrump in 1999, from the Leisure World in Seal Beach, Calif. Together they savored the desert valley's vistas, bingo, their favorite slots, tennis matches on TV, Sunday mornings at Pahrump Community Church and visits from their children and grandchildren.

Berthalea died in March of 2006. One year later, Don moved into Beehive Home, the assisted living residence whose staff loved and cared for him as though he was family.

The day before he died of a heart attack, Smith enjoyed his breakfast at the Beehive and read the daily newspaper, then donned the lucky necklace of carved animals that he bought in Africa and drove himself to the Pahrump Nugget for a bingo session netting him a $60 shared pot.

Back at the Beehive, he was grateful for dinner followed by a special dessert, a banana split. He slept well and was looking forward to Thanksgiving.

A scholar and a lifelong Christian, Smith earned his undergraduate degrees at Miami University and his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He traveled much of the world and delved at length into the mystery of when God created the heavens and Earth.

Blessed with a resonant bass voice, he sang for years in the Pahrump Community Church's Praise Team choir.

He felt blessed by the friendship of the stray cat that chose him to scratch her head and provide her sustenance.

Smith is survived by his daughter, Caren Cash, La Mesa, Calif.; sons David Smith of Pahrump and Chris (Diane Peterson) Smith of Santa Rosa, Calif.; grandson Max Smith of Eugene, Ore.; stepdaughter Lingie Holder of Costa Mesa, Calif.; stepson Anson Avery of Spokane, Wash., and step-grandchildren Cynde Foreman and Darren Foreman, both of Los Angeles; Bryan Avery of Portland, Ore., and Anson Fletcher Avery and Alison Avery, both of Spokane.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Pahrump Community Church on East Wilson Street. (11/25/2008)

Dorothy Durka

Dorothy Durka, formerly of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Nov. 25, 2008, in Pahrump.

She belonged to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Her son, Terry Durka of Pahrump; granddaughters Carrie (Ted) Mulnix of La Vergne, Ohio and Jennifer Demme of Columbus, Ohio; and grandchildren Kody, Katie and Riley survive her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edmund; parents Joseph and Helen Walezak; sister Julia and brother Alvin.

Graveside services were held at Grandview Cemetery. (11/25/2008)

Jesse Ray Wabbel

Jesse Ray Wabbel, 25, passed away Nov. 28, 2008, in Pahrump.

He was born Aug. 3, 1983, in Las Vegas and was a resident of Pahrump for three months, having come from Reno.

The was employed by Angel Air in air conditioning and heating, was of the Christian faith and had a 16-and-a-half-year education.

His father and stepmother, Harold "Gus" and Elaine Wabbel of Pahrump; mother Karen Carling of Elko; sisters Geneil (Larry) White of Pahrump, Nathina Jean of Tennessee and Christina Cope of Elko; brother Matthew (Miranda) Wabbel of Pahrump; nephews Nathan and Larky of Pahrump; grandparents Art and Geneil Carling and grandfather Ted Wabbel of Missouri survive him.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Naomi Wabbel.

Services will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 3, Pahrump Family Mortuary. (11/28/2008)

Gerald P. Kelly

Gerald P. Kelly, 82, passed away Nov. 15, 2008, in Pahrump.

He was born Feb. 4, 1926, in Jolly, Iowa. He was a seven-year resident of Pahrump, coming from California.

He worked in the gas utility industry and was a Marine during World War II.

His wife Elizabeth Kelly of Pahrump; daughter, Molly Kelly of California; sons Alan Kelly, James Kelly and Larry Kelly, all of California and Daniel Kelly of Oregon and 11 grandchildren survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be at 11:20 a.m. on Nov. 24 at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial cemetery. (11/20/2008)

David Mantell

David Lee Mantell, 67, passed away Nov. 6, 2008.

He was born Aug. 5, 1941, in Vermont, and was a resident of Nevada for 21 years.

He was a retired truck driver trainer and served in the U.S. Navy.

He enjoyed flying ultralight aircraft, fishing, hunting, golfing woodworking, cooking and gardening.

He is survived by his loving wife LaVerne M. Mantell; daughter Deborah L. (Jeff) Mick; son Robert B. (Karen) Mantell; grandchildren Santanna Mick, Michael Mantell and Matthew Mick and step-grandchildren Jennifer, Rick and Randy McCaffrey.

Services were 1:20 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

There will be a rememberance at his home at 1 p.m. Jan. 12.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Odyssey Harbor House Hospice. (11/06/2008)

Joan Rogers

Joan Rogers, 73, passed away Nov. 27, 2008, in Las Vegas.

She was born Oct. 4, 1935, in West Virginia, and was a resident of Pahrump for 38 years, having come from California.

Her sons Jim McFarlane of Tyler, Texas and Brian McFarlane of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; daughter Ruth McFarlane; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive her.

She was preceded in death by Cecil Rogers and Geraldine Ramos.

Services are within our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice. (11/27/2008)