All Obituaries

Sandra, 69, was born June 10th, 1951 in Delano CA to John and Agnes Cranford. Sandra was the second oldest of four children. She graduated from Delano High in 1969. Sandra met and married her spouse of 50 years, Richard Solf, in 1969. Sandra entered eternal life on January 17th, 2021 with her family by her side. Sandra enjoyed cooking, baking, and shopping. She had an eye for decorating and crafting, her plants were her passion. She had her own beautiful rainforest. She loved to go gambling...

Samuel David Clark Jr., 62, of Taft CA, passed away on December 29th, 2020. David was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel David Clark and Hazel May Young, nine of his sisters; Meridith (Peewee), Mary, Shirley, Sharon, Katheleen, Patsy, Brenda, Billie Jo (Tiny) and Lou.  He is survived by his son Samuel David Clark II, daughter Diana Rae Ballard, his sisters Rocky and Linda (Sissy), his companion Christie, her children Rodney, Jeff, Elisha and Kevin.  He also has four...

Wyatt James Rodart was released from his Earthly burden on his seventh birthday, November 12th, 2020, but lives on forever with Jesus Christ.   He was uncompromising in life, as if he knew his time was short, and so he lived it on his terms. He did whatever he wanted to do, and he did it with unrestrained joy and passion. “The Flash”, very appropriately, was his favorite superhero. They both blaze through life with speed and energy, and both used their natural gifts to be...

Norman Witt called Bally by family and friends, 91 years old, was born in Norman, Oklahoma to Samuel and Odella Grace Witt. The last surviving sibling of 13 children. Residing in Valley Acres for 60 plus years, Norman passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020 in Bakersfield CA. He is preceded in death by his wife Joan Witt. He is survived by his daughter Julie McKnight, Son-in-law Chester McKnight, Grandson Brian Dahna, Granddaughter Misty and her husband Dean. Great-grandsons Brian M. Dahna and...

Allen Lee Brookshire, age 92, passed away the morning of the 7th of November, 2020. He is survived by his wife, of 71 years, Juanita Verner Brookshire, his two sons Ralph Edwin Brookshire and Matthew Lee Brookshire, as well as his grandson Allen Larry Brookshire Jr. and his younger sister Martha Dodson.       Allen was a man of many talents. He was very successful in the real estate sector, as well as a very gifted architect. He designed, drafted, and built many of...

Tony Wolfe was born To Geraldine Margaret Ford and Carlos Mark Wolfe on 12/02/1962.  He lived in Taft almost all his life.  Being one of nine children, Tony never lacked for the rowdy shenanigans that boys seem to prefer.  However, an undisputed bright spot in his life was the birth of his daughter Katie with Cathy Couch in 1996. He had a humungous heart and brought laughter to many.  His joy and playfulness made him a beloved favorite among all his nieces and...

Galen (Swede) Leaf September 23, 1927 to October 1, 2020 Our dearest dad and grandpa, Galen (Swede) Leaf, was called to his heavenly home on October 1, 2020. Swede was born in Kingsburg, CA to Henning and Julia (Larson) Leaf. He attended school in Kingsburg and graduated from Kingsburg High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army and served 18 months which included a tour in the European Theater. In August of 1948, Swede went to work for Chevron and retired after 38 years. He was married...

Our beloved son, brother and life partner PRESTON JENNINGS (PJ) died unexpectedly at home on September 22. He was a caring and loving person and everyone he knew was a friend. PJ was born in Lexington Kentucky on June 28, 1964. After finishing school, he joined the National Guard and shortly afterward moved west to California settling in the Bay area where he worked in food service and volunteered helping the homeless. He met his life partner, James McCall nearly thirty years ago and moved...

Ernest Jackson Sontag, age 98, died peacefully in his Taft, CA home on September 22, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. Mr. Sontag was born July 1, 1922 in Taft, CA to Arno and Edna Sontag where remained a lifelong resident. In 1941 he joined the Coast Guard and was assigned to the California coastline. After Pearl Harbor, he was sent to Hawaii to serve on various ships in the Pacific Ocean to provide support for the US Navy. After WWII, Mr. Sontag became an oil worker for Standard Oil...

Joe Hiram Westbrook passed from this life on earth to the side of his LORD on September 15, 2020 at the age of 95. Was a peaceful transition the way he wanted it to be. Joe was born September 30, 1924 in Hugo, Oklahoma to Esther Loraine (Hyde) and Joseph Hardy. Joe came to Shafter with his parents in 1927 where they made a home to raise their family. He attended school and graduated from Shafter High School in 1943. He was inducted in the Navy June 1943 where he served in the South Pacific...