All Obituaries

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...

Wendy Dawn Moore was born in Taft, CA on June 6th 1975 to parents Donny Taylor and Sandra Hillygus. She was raised and attended school in Taft. Wendy was very outgoing, she was friends with everybody she met, lighting up the room with her beautiful smile and wonderful personality. As an adult, Wendy had 5 children and worked at local retail stores. In 2006 she met the love of her life, James Moore. They moved to Sparks, NV in 2012, where she worked in Day Care, Elder Care and then moved...

James (Jim/Jimmy) Brian Graupman was born in Taft. He was the youngest in a family of 9 children.  Jim originally worked as an oilfield roustabout and then went on to work as a power lineman for over 17 years.  He worked for a number of electrical contractors, but most of his time was with Braun Electric.  He was very good at what he did and was very well-liked by his employers and co-workers.  He built many long-lasting relationships in the industry.  He also...

Donovan Todd Couch, 29, was born December 31, 1990.  Donovan was a longtime resident of Taft, CA, passed away unexpectedly August 20, 2020.  Donovan (DT) was born in Bakersfield, Ca and raised in Taft, Ca.  DT is the son of Gina Couch (James Black) and the late Johnny Couch JR.  He is the grandson of Brenda Alldredge and the late James Alldredge, Judy Couch and the late John Couch Sr. He is also survived by his Aunt and Uncle Jody and Brian O’dell, Clay and the...

Charles was born in Taft, California on September 2, 1948 to Bob and Verlynne Wilson.  He graduated Taft Union High School in 1967 and served proudly in the Vietnam War as part of the 1st Calvary.  He also had a long career with PG & E for 35 years who became like a second family.  He is preceded in death by his cousin David Causey and son Anthony Beardon.  He is survived by wife Karen, Aunt Pat Causey, cousins Sam (Chrisi) Causey and Diana (Rusell) Emberson;...

Donna was born in La Habra, California on November 18, 1930 to Lloyd Preston Neff and Alta Mae Neff (Floyd).  She was their only child.  In 1941 her family moved to Fellows, California where she attended 7th and 8th grade at Midway School.  Then on to Taft Union High School.  On January 25th 1947 she married Earl James Vineyard.  They were married 61 years until his passing in January 18, 2008.  She missed him every day after.  Donna worked at Safety Drug...

Manda Louise Harlan October 30 1930 – July 24, 2020   Manda Harlan was born to James Richison and Maudie Richison in Texas County, Missouri.  She was married to her husband Elmer for 68 years.  In those years she had four children; Wanda, Donnie, Jeff, and Darrel. Mandy served faithfully at First Southern Baptist Church for many years.  Her greatest love and passion was her family.  She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, and collecting dolls.  Mandy...

Reba Gean Meek 1964-2020 Reba was born on February 17, 1964 in Hanford, Ca. to Anna Mae and Jerry Cloud and passed away June 22, 2020 at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital. Reba was not only a family member, but she was a friend to everyone she came into contact with. She had a very special talent for giving nicknames, she gave them to her kids, grandkids, nieces, great nephews and even her brothers. Reba had the ability to make you feel like the most special person in the world. She had a...

William Allen “Wild Bill” Cash, born August 17,1958 in Taft, California went home to our Lord and Savior June 04,2020 at his home in Taft. Bill attended Taft City schools. After graduating from TUHS, he began his welding career. He was self-employed and contracted to various oilfield companies. His reputation and expertise were widely known in oilfield construction. When he left the oilfields, he continued to work with his hands. He was very creative. He made hearts and crosses...