Obituaries

OBITUARY - Tom Schoettler was born in Glendale, California to Hal and Loretta Schoettler, one of six children raised in Central California.  In 1948, Tom played offense for the Madera High School championship football team.

He graduated in 1950 briefly attended Fresno State University when he was called for two years of active duty in the United States Navy in the Korean Conflict where he received numerous citations.

Scott Jones (52) - The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of retired Undersheriff Scott Jones. Jones, 52, collapsed last night at his home in Clovis.  Emergency Medical personnel responded and immediately transported him to Clovis Community Hospital where he later died.

Jones began his career as a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office in 1983.  In 2007, Jones was promoted to the rank of Undersheriff by newly elected Sheriff Margaret Mims.  He held that rank until his retirement in 2013. The exact cause of death is unknown at this time, however, it is believed to have been medically related.

James Eldred McKinney died peacefully in Madera on December 3, 2014 at the age of 100. He was born April 19, 1914, in Gordonsville, Tennessee to Myrtle and Eva McKinney. Eldred was the fourth son in a family which eventually grew to 11 children. Although he wasn’t the youngest, they nicknamed him Little Boy. He grew up surrounded by many close relatives.

As soon as he was old enough, Eldred began working on his parents’ 160-acre farm. There he developed a lifelong love of farming. In 1932, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. He hoped to complete college, but he had to return home after only 6 months to help on the farm. Later that year, he left Tennessee to join his older brother Buddy, who was working for their uncle, J.R. Gibbs, in Madera.

Richard Ryan Ortiz Jr. was called to heaven on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at a young age of 22. A lifelong resident of Madera, he attended Sherman Thomas Charter School and Madera High where he graduated as a Coyote. He was a member of the Christian Church Good News Ministries.

Richie is remembered as a loving son, grandson, brother, nephew, and a friend. Richie enjoyed participating in baseball and soccer. He enjoyed watching boxing and MMA. Richie also loved the LA Dodgers and Dallas Cowboys.