J. Forest Cahlan

J. Forest "Frosty" Cahlan, son of Al and Ruth Cahlan, fourth generation Nevadan and a member of one of Nevada's earliest families, died peacefully at home March 15, 2008, of cancer.

Born in Las Vegas on April 30, 1934, Forest was raised in an active newspaper family, where he learned the importance of community activism that set a standard of participation throughout his life.

Forest graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1952 and entered the University of Nevada, Reno. He then attended the University of Arizona, graduating with a law degree in 1960. He started practicing law immediately and was the city attorney for Boulder City early in his career.

Forest was first married to the mother of his three sons, Jeanne Greenwalt, in 1955.

While in Las Vegas, he was active in Rotary, Jaycees, Elks and local and national politics. He had a knack for knowing what was going on in the community along with his vivid recollection of the people and events that occurred during the early days of Las Vegas.

While practicing law, he applied the perspective of a reporter who sought to understand the events unfolding within his community.

There was even a time when Forest flew his plane from county to county in a statewide effort to help in the counting of votes in a hotly contested United States Senate race.

Over the years, while growing up in the household of a newspaper man who was active in the community and was co-owner of the Review-Journal, and while practicing law, Forest met and conversed with influential and colorful people such as LBJ, JFK, Bugsy Segal and Benny Binion.

Forest enjoyed sports. He played on the Las Vegas High School football team and when he wasn't playing sports, time permitting, he attended football, basketball and baseball games with his family and friends. He coached Pop Warner football for many years and was a UNLV donor and avid booster.

In 1985, Forest moved to Pahrump and assumed the position of Deputy District Attorney for Nye County. After leaving that office, he resumed his private law practice, which his son joined as a partner and continues today.

Forest was past president of the Pahrump Rotary Club and with his wife, Sharon, was instrumental in establishing the Rotary Interact Club at Pahrump Valley High School.

He provided legal services on a pro bono basis for both the Pahrump Arts Council and the Senior Center.

The Nevada Silver Tappers held a special place in his heart.

Forest was a loving husband and father and proud of his family, especially his sons, stepdaughter and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, stepdaughter Amber (Tim) Sandhoff; sons Mike (Tina) Cahlan, John (Terry) Cahlan and Brad (Jodie) Cahlan; sister Marion Henderson; cousin Virginia Letts; and grandchildren Alisha, Shaun, Brandon, Sarah Rose, Dayne, Ashlyn and Hanah Cahlan.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 20 at Pahrump Family Mortuary, 5441 Vicki Ann Rd.

Following the services, the family will hold a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nevada Cancer Institute or Nathan Adelson Hospice. (03/15/2008)

James W. Johnson

James W. Johnson, 69, passed away March 10, 2008, in Pahrump.

He was born Sept. 16, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Okla. and was a resident of Pahrump for 10 years having come from Las Vegas where he lived for 35 years.

He was retired, of the Catholic faith and a veteran of the Marine Corps (1955-1959).

He had a 14-year education.

His significant other of 26 years Donna Dunigan of Pahrump, daughter Marcia (Bret) Johnson; stepdaughters Leslie (Mike) Cordero and Bari McCullough, both of Las Vegas; stepsons Charles (Patti) Dunigan of Clinton, Wash. and Kevin Carson of Las Vegas and four grandchildren survive him.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, March 22 at Pahrump Family Mortuary. (03/10/2008)

Juanita Mae Kastelic

On March 7, 2008, Juanita Mae Kastelic went to Heaven to be with the Angels, her beloved son Gerald and our Lord.

Born June 27, 1931 in Omaha, Neb., Juanita was one of 13 children of Martha and Lawrence Miller. She lived in Omaha for 38 years before moving to Las Vegas where she spent the next 24 years.

She was a cashier in the Culinary Union. Upon retiring 14 years ago, she moved to Pahrump and pursued her love of golf.

Juanita loved to laugh and she enjoyed life to the fullest. She especially loved quoting poetry, songs and ditties and knew one for any and every occasion. The room lit up when she entered and dimmed when she left.

Throughout her lifetime, every person she touched was left enriched and smiling.

Her leaving has left such sorrow and she will be deeply missed.

She was very active as a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and MOCA, Women of the Moose 808, charter member of the Pahrump Elks Lodge 2796 and the Red Hat Society.

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Floyd; son Guy (Sherry) Kastelic; grandchildren Aaron Sindelar and Brandi Sindelar; great-grandchildren Brennan and Andrea; family in Omaha, Neb.: brother Edward (Betty) Miller; Florence Sharp, Frank (Frances) Bouska and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Juanita, M.T.Y.L.T.T., "Qu'hier, moins que demain," Floyd.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5, VFW Hall, 4651 S. Homestead Rd. (03/07/2008)

Jere H. McDonald

Jere H. McDonald passed away March 8, 2008.

He was born July 28, 1938, in Memphis, Tenn. and was a resident of Pahrump for 12 years, having come from California.

He was following his trade and became a licensed painting contractor.

He was an animal lover and treated his pets as kids.

Jere was loved by all and will not be forgotten.

His wife Honey McDonald; sisters Janet Smith and Nancy Armas; son Kurt McDonald; daughters Maureen Castorina, Cathy Murphy and Laura Turner; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and two more on the way survive him.

Services will be at 1 p.m., March 22 at the Neptune Society, 798 South 2nd Street, San Jose, Calif. (03/08/2008)