May 19, 1942 – November 27, 2023 We celebrate the life and legacy of our brother, father, grand- and great-grandfather, Kent Theodore Niles, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rowena (Renee), brother Edwin (Ed) and sister Justine, children Frank and James Cappini, and Kimberlee Mickel. He is survived by his brothers Dave and Wendell, children Kent Niles Jr. (Ted), Kelly Short, Ron Niles, Angela Wright, Sandy Claiborne, David Wheaton, Michael Bryant, Judy Williams, Kathy Parman, John Cappini, and grand-children and great-grandchildren too numerous to list. Kent’s first two marriages, to Patricia Glick and Helene Eldredge, ended in divorce. In 1985, Kent married Rowena (Renee) Jester, each of whom would quickly become the love of the others’ life. Until they were separated by Renee’s passing in early 2021, we all admired the strength of the union, and how each gave the other the space to thrive in their own right. Kent was a very talented “natural” mechanic, beginning in the era when “fixing” something meant diagnosing and repairing the fault, not simply wholesale replacement of a module or component. As such, he was the “Go-To” guy for all and sundry who needed those skills brought to bear on a tool, tractor, car, truck or other mechanical device. No matter how busy he may have been in his day job, he never turned away anyone who sought out his help. He was proud of the nickname “Mr. Gadget” given him to describe his resourcefulness. Although Kent’s first two marriages ended in divorce, the relationships formed with the children never ended at all. All the children, no matter the maternal parentage, were treated exactly the same. He was, simply, “Pop” to all. He never introduced his children to others as anything other than “My son” or “My daughter.” The term “Step” never entered into it, often to the amusement of those on the other side of the introduction. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00pm at Walton’s Sierra Chapel, located at 875 W. Second Street, Reno, Nevada, 89503. The family invites you to leave a message of condolence on Kent’s Memory Wall at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com
Stephen Barry Rubin died from COVID and pneumonia at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, on November 26, 2023. He was born March 26, 1935, to Sidney Rubin and Hannah Michelson Rubin at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He moved with his parents to Highland Park, Illinois, where he attended Braeside Elementary School through eighth grade. He remained close to his Braeside classmates throughout his life. Stephen attended Highland Park High School where he was the valedictorian of his class. He attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude, and loved and supported the college throughout his life. He graduated from Harvard Law School as a member of the ‘Distinguished Class of 1960’. Stephen spent his long career in labor law in Chicago, working for the National Labor Relations Board and the law firm Asher, Gittler and D’Alba, from which he retired. After retirement, he was an Arbitrator in a variety of legal cases in the United States working until he was in his 80s. Stephen is survived by his children, Sarah Rubin of Chicago, Loren Rubin of Los Angeles, and their mother, Arlene Cohn Rubin, of Chicago. In addition, he is survived by his daughters-in-law, Patty Rubin (nee Kunz) of Los Angeles, and Barb Schmidt of Chicago, and his grandson, Maxwell Rubin, a student at the University of Michigan. Stephen is survived by his wife, Diane Stark, his stepson and family, Ryan and Natalia Stark, and their children, Desmond and Djuna, all of Reno, Nevada. Stephen was a man of many interests: law, politics, classical music, jazz, theatre, as well as his life-long love of all Chicago sports teams, the Chicago Bears, the Blackhawks and the Chicago Cubs. He loved books, good writing, and helping people in need. He loved and was proud of Judaism, its long history, ethics, strengths and celebrations. Above all, Stephen loved, believed in, and fought for justice, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue,” which he did throughout his life. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to HIAS act.hias.org, or the justice/peace charity of your choice. A Zoom shiva will be held on Sunday morning. Topic: Stephen Rubin Shiva Time: Dec 3, 2023 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85030334788?pwd=yUcx8Oxut6j16FuTefMAbksaWjpcgV.1 Meeting ID: 850 3033 4788 Passcode: 127502
Barbara Karels, 73, of Yerington, NV, passed away on November 24, 2023 after a battle with Cancer. Barbara was born on September 20, 1950 to William and Eileen Beamer, Colorado. After graduating from Bella Vista High School. She met John Kranich and they were married for 19 years, going on to have 2 children, Toria and Trish. When Barbara had Toria, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Barbara excelled at propping up friends and family and supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives, she made it her mission to improve the lives of others. Barbara went on to marry Gale Karels in 2007, they lived in Yerington Nevada together until Gail passed away in 2012. Barbara is survived by daughters Toria Kaufman and Trish Kranich, grandchildren Kathryn Kaufman and Demosthenes Kaufman, her brother William Beamer, nieces and nephews Dean Beamer (Wife Janette Beamer), Keith Beamer, Niko Hall, Kima Hall, Kali Carlson and Kobi Hall. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Gale Karels, her sister Becky Jackson and sister-in-law Shirly Beamer. Celebration of Barbara's life will be held in March of 2024.
It is with heavy heart we announce the passing of Marlene M Heuer-Graham (Mimi), born September 6, 1934, a lifelong resident of Reno/Sparks and very proud Native Nevadan. Mimi was born in a house on W 4th Street that still exists today. When Mimi was born it was hot outside, so the midwife told her Daddy to go turn the hose on and water down the brick home to cool the place down! Who knows if that worked but Mimi always remembered the story and loved sharing it. Her other favorite story was when she would go out front, and wave at the soldiers heading for the War that were hanging out of the train windows! One can only imagine how different it was for a little girl to live on what was known as Highway 40, “the road that went around America”, in the early 1930’s. And as irony would have it, she moved out of that house when she married Marshall Heuer, a proud Marine, they moved to San Fransisco during his time of duty, and their apartment was on the corner of Haight and Ashbury of all places! Mimi absolutely LOVED being a Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, and was Mimi to all that met her. Mimi embraced her role in life with unwavering love and joy, finding immense fulfillment in the warmth of family bonds. Mimi is survived by her son Larry and wife Starla. Granddaughters Ashleigh (Misael, Lennah, Truby and Tino) Jillian (Jaison, Markell and Devon), Alexis, Tiffany (Arod, Jenna, Brooks, and Chyles). Grandsons Adam (Kelsey, Marshall, and Graham), Dustin (Cindy and Alina), Austin (Maeble and Lillian). Mimi was preceded in death by her husbands, Marshall Heuer (USMC ret), and Earl Graham (USN ret), Sons John and Randy Heuer (Susie) and a boat load of fur babies. Mimi had several requests upon her passing. First was she wanted her body donated to the UNR School of Medicine, and secondly, she wanted to cross over Rainbow Bridge, the same Bridge that a million of our fur babies have crossed over. To Mimi, that was Heaven. Her 89th birthday was a Puppy Parade in her front yard…100’s of fur babies of all sizes and colors showed up…. you should have seen her smile! Services will be held at Waltons Funeral Home in Sparks, on Dec 8th at 10:30, with a reception following at Larry and Starla’s home. The family would like to especially thank Pat Goodman, her Senior Companion and loving friend, as well as Gentiva-Hospice and her two friends, Miss Shirley, and head Nurse Shawna. The family will never forget the love and care you provided. In lieu of flowers, she requested any donations go to the Nevada Humane Society 2825 Longley Lane, Reno Nevada.