Joe Gambetta

By Luke Johnson

One of Antioch High School’s greatest and most accomplished legends died from natural causes on June 8. Joe Gambetta coached the golf team to 22 League Championships, a school record, and on top of that won the biggest prize of them all, a State Championship, in 1987.

Born on Nov. 28, 1920, Gambetta grew up on his grandfather’s farm with three siblings in Novatto during the Great Depression. He served in World War II as an Air Force pilot who transported supplies to France and brought wounded soldiers back to England. After the war, he retired with the rank of Major.

Gambetta came to Antioch in 1957 and taught U.S. History and Driver’s Education for 34 years. He coached numerous sports, but focused on golf and football. In 1970, he led the football team to its first victory against arch-rival Pittsburg in 20 years. When he retired from teaching and coaching in 1991, his successor Ron Remington named an annual golf tournament after him, The Joe Gambetta Invitational, which is still played today.

He coached PGA competitor Larry Silveira and Antioch Sports Legend Hall of Famer Scott Olds, who defeated future superstar Phil Mickelson in the 1987 State Tournament. One of the most impressive footnotes of Gambetta’s career is that he took a school from a blue collar town, and beat schools from upper scale cities such as San Ramon, Pleasanton and Danville in a country club sport.

Statistical information provided by Tom Lamothe via the Antioch Sports Legends Historical Museum.

Joni Luanne Spiegel

Resident of Antioch

April 27, 1965 – July 14, 2015

Joni Luanne Spiegel was born on April 27, 1965 in Whittier, California. She is the daughter of Sondra Thomson and the late Rev. Jacob Spiegel. Joni has two brothers Paul and Steve Spiegel. Joni received Christ in April of 1972 and was baptized at Fair Oaks Baptist Church at the age of 15.

Joni attended Ygnacio Valley Christian School and Northgate High School. After high school she attended Beauty College where she received her license and worked as a manicurist. Later in life, Joni attended Los Medanos College where she received her certificate in Child Development. Joni loved children so much as evidenced in her life long career path in childcare from the early age of 17 until her passing.

On February 1, 1986 Joni married Eric Johnson. Of this union three beautiful daughters Alysha Marie, Kayla Rose, and Erica Rachel were born. Together they lived in Concord, California for 11 years. During Joni’s second marriage she lived in Antioch, California where she also worked in retail. Her daughter Kayla gave birth to Jaxon Allen on June 4, 2014. She loved her grandson with all her heart. She was his “Bubby”.

Joni was a fun loving person. She had the biggest heart and accepted everyone she met. She loved arts and crafts, going to the beach, and listening to country music. Joni was so proud of daughter Alysha and her career as a professional make-up artist working for Sephora. Joni enjoyed watching her brothers play football and baseball in high school. She was an avid fan of her daughter Erica playing softball and winning regional state champs. She loved to cheer on her nephews Joseph and Jacob at their baseball games.

Joni passed away at her home in Oakley, California and entered heaven on July 14, 2015 at the age of 50 years old. She is survived by her children Alysha, Kayla, Erica, and her greatly loved grandson Jaxon, Her mother Sondra and step-father Alan Thomson, brother Paul Spiegel, nephew Trenton, her brother Steve Spiegel, sister-in-law Jeni Spiegel, nephews Joseph and Jacob, niece JayLynn, aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

A private family burial was held in July. A celebration of life for Joni was held on Saturday, August 1.

Jeremy David Sturgill

“The One, The Only Lumpy”

December 5, 1979 – June 16, 2015

Jeremy “Lumpy” Sturgill, 35, of Brentwood, CA passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2015. He was born in Concord, CA to parents Dave and Kathy Sturgill and a 1998 graduate of Clayton Valley High School. Lumpy owned and operated Lumpy’s Diner and Elle Dee’s Catering in Antioch, CA for the past seven years. This was his lifelong dream. Lumpy was a friend to everyone who walked through his doors and was an extremely generous man with a heart of gold.

Lumpy continuously gave back to his community by supporting events such as East County Little League, Tuberous Sclerosis Walks, Toys for Tots, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, several diner hosted car shows in conjunction with the Midnighter’s Car Club and his annual Burger Eating Contest that particularly benefited the Special Kids Foundation.

Lumpy was an avid Oakland A’s and San Francisco 49ers fan. While he favored sports he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, playing softball, pranking diner patrons, whipped cream fights and most of all loving his wife and two sons.

Lumpy is survived by his wife Marci, sons Jaxx David Lumpy and Maverick Anthony Van; mother Kathy Spangler Sturgill (Brentwood), father Dave “Digger” Sturgill and his wife Kim (Concord); grandparents Joe and Waneta Spangler (Pittsburg); numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Orville and Eula Sturgill; and his cousin Joel Knight.

A viewing will be held on June 23rd from 6pm-8pm at Moore’s Mission Funeral Home, 1390 Monument Blvd, Concord, CA and services will be held on June 24th at 11:00am at Calvary Temple Church, 4725 Evora Rd., Concord CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank to The Jeremy “Lumpy” Sturgill Memorial Fund.

In life, Lumpy was surrounded by his angels and he will now forever be ours.

Helen Martinez

Resident of Antioch
June 25, 1930 – April 13, 2015

Helen Martinez passed away peacefully at home with her family on April 13th, 2015. Helen was born in Ohio to John & Pauline Trombitas who were recent immigrants from Romania. Helen moved to Contra Costa County as a child settling in Concord with her parents. She graduated from Mt. Diablo High School, married the love of her life, Robert Rueben Martinez and had two sons, Gary and John. As an adult Helen, attended Stockton Community College where she received her certificate in mill work trafficking. Helen was a dedicated employee to United States Steel Mill for over 45 years and loved her job. After retiring from the mill, Helen became the sole owner and operator of Lou’s Place on A Street in Antioch for over 30 years.

In addition to her two sons she is survived by her daughter-In-law Debbie Martinez, her beloved Grandchildren, Angela, Mia, CJ, Quiller and Chason Martinez and four Great Grandchildren Savannah Beall, Johnny Rocha, Hailey Garcia and Summer Martinez. Helen was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She is known for her unconditional love, kindness and generosity. She will live forever in our hearts and be dearly missed. She was a blessing to all that knew her. Please join us for Helen’s Memorial Thursday, April 30, 2015, 12:00 at Higgins Funeral, Antioch. Luncheon & Celebration of Life to follow at the VFW Hall, Antioch.

Dylan Cody Rath

October 23, 1988 – April 12, 2015

Dylan C. Rath died tragically on April 12, 2015 while enjoying his passion of riding his Harley Davidson with family and friends. He was born in Pittsburg, Ca and was a lifelong resident of Antioch.

He graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2007, where he played baseball and was All-League pitcher and also pitched at Diablo Valley College for two years. He was employed for the last four years at Markstein Sales Co.

Dylan will be remembered for his trusting loyalty, his caring nature and his willingness to help others. Beloved son to Melanie and Dave Rath, brother to Jordan Rath, fiancee to Ashley Saylor, father to 3-month old Aria Rose Rath, and grandson to Alfred Jordan. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial in celebration of Dylan’s life on May 1, 2015 at noon at the Pittsburg Elks Lodge at 200 Marina Blvd.

Christopher Anthony Monico

April 16, 1993 – March 2, 2015

Christopher Anthony Monico (also known as Christopher Anthony Chiquillo) entered into brightness at approximately 11:30pm on Monday, March 2, 2015. Christopher’s parent, Central Americans Ninoska Monico and Walter Chiquillo were blessed with a beautiful son Friday, April 16, 1993, as well as his four older sisters on warm, sunny Friday in San Francisco. Born to a family of San Francisco Mission Natives, to Central American parents that found and built a home in this majestic community, his family, like so many other families, was recently displaced from the home they lived in their entire lives in the heart of the Mission, and forced to move out of the City. The last of five children, he was destined to be a warm, amiable, creative, and heavenly soul. He was always, and forever more, a person, a soul that felt and knew his body; he danced, hugged, consoled, and felt the cumulative and speckled spirits of those and everyone around him. Christopher never ceased to enchant and delight when he performed – a fact not left unnoticed, having been recruited at age 8 by the San Francisco Ballet. His smile, one that could never be forgotten, was in and of itself a bright and burning spot on this Earth meant to heal those in most distress. Christopher was a poet that felt, touched, and healed people in a manner that could never be known through this written format. A good and Godly man, he was fated to feel the depths of humanity from top to bottom, and though he died young, his purpose was ultimately realized.

This is a tremendous loss for Christopher’s family. He is survived by a 4-year-old son, Christopher Jr., loving partner, mother, father, four sisters, six nephews, four nieces, aunts, uncles, countless cousins, friends, and more and more and more. Hearts shattered, his family is seeking to bury Christopher with the love and dignity that he deserves. Many of you were touched by Christopher’s deep emotional sensitivity to what is humanity, and his family is thankful for the abundance of love that has been offered at this time.

Family welcomes donations at ‘Christopher Monico Funeral Funds’ www.gofundme.com/nvjpks.

With great sadness and unity,

The Chiquillo-Monico-Zapata Family

George F. Stamm

June 18, 1936 – Feb. 21, 2015

Lifelong Resident of Antioch

The demise of George F. Stamm came after a massive heart attack on February 21, 2015.

George was schooled in Antioch, CA. He attended Diablo Valley College and San Francisco State University. George Stamm was employed by Stamm Theatres, Inc., started by his grandfather, for over sixty years.

Since the time George was born he spent every summer at Lake Tahoe. He also enjoyed traveling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico because in his innate love of the ocean and the fish therein.

George is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; devoted two children, George Anders and Anne-Marie Stamm both of Antioch. He leaves one grandchild, Cash Christopher Stamm of Antioch. George is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Stamm Balocco, two nieces, Gina Harris of Brentwood, Jane Balocco of Antioch and one nephew, Jeffrey Balocco of Antioch. He also leaves three great nephews, Dean and Cal Harris of Brentwood and Gino Balocco of Antioch.

George’s quick wit and keen sense of humor will be forever remembered!

Inurnment will be private. A Celebration of Life event will be held at the Stamms’ home on Saturday, March 7.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Antioch Historical Society: 1500 West Fourth Street, Antioch, CA 94509.

Betsey Marie Theurer

Betsey Marie Theurer, age 85 of Cushing, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the Linwood Village Nursing Home, Cushing.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, OK.

Betsey was born on August 2, 1929 to Winfield Sherward and Ellen (Green) Upson in Oakland, CA. She grew up in Antioch, CA., graduating from Oakland CA. Betsey worked for seventeen and half years as a CNA. She previously worked at Oakland Army Base as a secretary. She was in Topps club, local 250 union. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Antioch, CA. She loved cats.

She is survived by her daughter Beth Hartshorn of Cushing, grandchildren Michael Braver, Christopher Hartshorn and Jeanette Hartshorn, great grandsons; Raiden Layne Hartshorn and Grayson Eston Allen Holba, and step-grandson Landry.

She was preceded in death by her sister June Upson; brother Alfred Upson; aunt Beryl Upson Surgenor.

Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.