News

MADERA - Former Madera Police Chief Gordon E. Skeels was born December 9, 1935 to Clarence Err and Ruth Alice (VinGee) Skeels in Palmyra, New York. He entered into eternity on January 23, 2019 after a lengthy illness. Gordon attended and graduated from school in Palmyra, New York at the Palmyra-Marcedon Central School.

In 1953 he joined the New York National Guard and belonged to the 105th Brigade Headquarters Company and was there for two years. During that same year he married Sharon Allen and they had two children, Pamella Jean and Sherili. They moved to Fresno where they later divorced in 1962. Gordon then married Carole June (Dotson) on August 14, 1964 in Madera and they were married for 48 years.

NORTH FORK - Eldren Lee Sherman “Sarge” passed away at his home in North Fork, CA, on Monday January 14, 2019 at the age of 96. He was born January 31, 1922, the son of Lee Brown Sherman and Mae Elizabeth Polkenhorn. Eldren was a lifelong resident of North Fork. He was a veteran of WWII, recipient of the Purple Heart from wounds he received while serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He was married to Francys Emily Sherman who preceded him in death in 2002.

Eldren is retired after 35 years as a crane and loader operator in the logging industry with American Forest Products. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying his time hunting, fishing and gardening. In years past he helped in building the Isabel dam and was a master stone mason whom many chose to use for his artistic fireplace designs.

John Louis Stockli (82) passed away on January 12, 2019 in Madera, Calif., surrounded by his children. John was born to Louis and Mary (Herman) Stockli in Fresno on December 5, 1936. His parents’ strong work ethic was instilled in him from an early age where he would milk cows and do other farm jobs. 

John graduated from Madera High School with the Class of 1954.  Following high school, he served in the United States Army from 1955-1962 with an honorable discharge. John met and married Carol Ann Bandoni in 1959. They were blessed with two sets of twins – Christopher and Christine (1960); and Kurt and Karla (1963).  

Edward “Joe” Maciel (81) passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 in Madera. Joe was born in Biola, CA and a resident of Madera for 70 years. He was a graduate of Madera High School, class of 1957. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He worked for Merced Continental Canning Co, a concrete pipe fitter and later drove a Forklift for 30 years at Mission Bell Winery before his retirement.

Joe was preceded in death by his baby brother Joe, his father, Jose Maria Maciel, his mother Isabel Pino-Maciel, his sister, MaryEllen Lopez-Maciel, his brother-in-law, Pete Rista, and his brother-in-law O.J. Hefner. The family would like to thank the staff at Kaiser Permanente and Optimal Hospice for the kindness shown to Joe and his family.

Russell Dean Suderman was born March 25, 1956 to John and Charity Mae Suderman of Reedley, CA and he passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 after a short illness in Fresno, CA. He served the City of Madera on the Police Department for 30 years. Russell was an active member of the Madera Elks Lodge for 34 years.

John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Teresa Suderman, his daughter, Karen Suderman, his son, Robert Suderman and daughter-in-law Elica Suderman, his grandson, Brennen Suderman of Madera, his father, John Suderman of Reedley, his sister, Brenda Rodie of Reno, NV, his brothers, David Suderman and his wife Diane of Selma, Johnny Suderman and his wife Kathy of San Diego and Ronald Suderman of Sanger.

Deborah Ann (Koretoff) Gingell (57) passed away, peacefully, on January 4th at the CRMC Medical Center, Fresno, CA after suffering a massive heart attack the day before. Deborah was born & raised in Madera and is survived by her Father, John Koretoff Jr. and Brothers John Koretoff III and Richard Koretoff and Sister Nina Koretoff as well as Husband of nearly 15 years Peter Gingell and her 4 rescued Dogs - Duby, Dylan, Dasha & Daisy.

Her husband Peter had this to say about Deborah, "There are no words to describe my loss but here it goes…..I met Deborah, online, and we chatted for about a year, that led to phone calls and eventually I flew out from Nottingham, England to California to visit Deborah with my Daughter, Sara. We did all the tourist stuff in Los Angeles and had a great time. I flew back on my own a couple of months later and from then on every few months for two years after that. Eventually we decided we were meant for each other and started on immigration paperwork and I moved to California in May of 2004. We were married on June 26th 2004 and a few months later I became a Permanent Resident."