Celebration of Life August 26

Ronald Joseph Molina

September 17, 1947-May 30, 2023

Resident of Antioch and Discovery Bay

It would be an understatement to say he was just a Music Man. He was also a charming coach, engaging educator, marvelous mentor, fabulous friend and loving husband.

Ron Molina, iconic director of Antioch High School’s Music Masters, passed away at home on May 30, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Raised by parents Joseph and Dorothy Molina, he started his life at the old hospital in downtown Antioch. The eldest of three (brother to Debi and Susan), he attended AUSD schools, graduating from AHS in 1965.

It was at that school where he formed deep and lifelong friendships, which would eventually pull him back to Panther Country as a much-admired teacher.

When the young Molina wasn’t singing or playing ball, he spent summers fishing, hunting and camping in the Redwoods with his parents and sisters. It was a team effort with Dorothy setting up camp for the summer, Joseph working during the week and all gathering during the weekends. The family also enjoyed visiting and exploring the rich history of California’s missions.

Alter graduating high school, Ron attended Diablo Valley College before transferring to San Jose State University to major in music – the subject he loved most. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, he worked in the private sector for several years.

Ron was a natural entertainer with a gift for singing and playing various instruments. He had the voice of an Italian tenor and would captivate audiences with his remarkable personality and melodic voice. He performed in a vast array of venues, including Carnegie Hall, and entertained passengers on many ocean cruises.

In 1986, after years in the spotlight, he returned to Antioch High initially splitting his time between running football plays and leading the music department – both with winning and long-lasting results. It’s nearly impossible to count the competitions, games, performances and student trips to Hawaii.

It’s even more impossible to measure or comprehend how many young people’s lives Mo – as he was affectionally called – helped shape, influence and guide. That was evident during the 2013 surprise concert featuring 150 of Mo’s Music Masters, who gathered to show their love when he retired. It was a mix of choir students from 1988 to 2013.

At the time, Jason Mullen (Class of 1996) said: “It needed to be larger than life because that is exactly what Mo is.”

Ron met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Darcy Lauck, while teaching at Folsom High School. Their 1993 wedding was in Hawaii – their peaceful place, for which they shared a love. Darcy adored the tranquility of swimming with dolphins and turtles while Ron would enjoy a delicious pina colada or an ice-cold beer.

“I’m deeply touched (by everyone’s) kind words and thoughtfulness,” she said. “I am eternally grateful to each of you.” She added that “Ron is now singing in heaven for the angels, his voice resonating with a harmonious refrain.”

He leaves behind his wife of 30-plus years, son Joe (Dyan), grandsons Mason and Logan, sisters Debi and Susan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darcy will host a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. Aug. 26 in Antioch High’s Beede Auditorium. In the meantime, those interested can donate to the Ron Molina Memorial Scholarship. Checks may be sent to Antioch High, 700 West 18th St., Antioch, CA 94509.

Nuhad Saba Levasseur, age 69, of Marietta, GA passed away on March 31, 2023. She was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1953 to Salih and Maggie Saba. She and her family moved to Castro Valley, CA when she was six years old. She studied music and became a professional singer, performing with bands and doing studio work for many years in the Bay Area. She met Michael Levasseur in 1984 and for 39 years they were married and built a beautiful life together with their four children. She opened her own voice studio and coached people of all ages how to sing. For 30 years she selflessly poured into her students’ lives and loved mentoring them in their passion for singing and pursuing careers in music. In her spare time, she enjoyed musical theater, singing on the church worship team and choir, spending time with her family and her 13 grandkids, entertaining people in her home, shopping and taking pictures. She had a passion for life, people, family, and her faith. She loved Jesus and loved telling people about her Savior. In 2018, she and her husband and two daughters along with their families moved to Marietta, GA. She loved living in the south and in during her four-and-a-half years there she built great friendships, continued vocal coaching, and made great memories with her husband and family.

Nuhad is preceded in death by her father Salih Saba, her mother Maggie Eaton, and her stepmother Cindy Saba. She is survived by her husband Michael Levasseur, her daughters Marissa Havens and Hillary Fowlie, her stepsons Jason Levasseur and Justin Levasseur, her son-in-laws Chad Havens and CJ Fowlie, her daughter-in-laws Stephanie Levasseur and Katie Levasseur. She is survived by her 13 precious grandchildren whom she adored: Faith, Lilly, Amelia, Cash, Ethan, Dawson, Kason, Stella, Quinn, Kylan, Andrew, Matthew, and Everly.

A celebration of life service was held in Atlanta, GA at Passion City Church Cumberland Campus, on April 29, 2023. There will also be a celebration of life service held at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, CA on June 16, 2023, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in Nuhad’s honor to Passion City Church (https://passioncitychurch.com/atlanta/), Golden Hills Community Church (https://goldenhills.org/), or The Hope Center in Woodstock, GA (https://supporthopecenter.com/).

To add your condolences on her online obituary visit Nuhad Levasseur Obituary – Marietta, GA (dignitymemorial.com).

Reverend Austin Miles passed peacefully on April 12th, 2023. His life was full of adventure, accomplishments, and callings to the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

He was a professional magician, a circus ringmaster and had a successful career in movies, TV shows, and commercials. He served his country in the military and founded a ministry that trains chaplains. 

He’s survived by his loving wife Shirley Miles, daughters, Lori (Bill) Jarema and Cathy Tabbi, stepsons, Michael Teeter and Shawn (Armida) Teeter.

A memorial service will be held Saturday June 3rd at 1:00 pm at Antioch Covenant Church 1919 Buchanan Road, Antioch, CA 94509 

George Walter Pack

August 12, 1928 – March 28, 2023

George Walter Pack, aged 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at his homme in Long Beach, California.

George was born on August 12, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Fred Pack and Elsie Pack (Lake). He had one sister, Beverly Wamsher, and two brothers, Jim Brennan and Patrick Brennan. His parents and all of his siblings preceded him in death.

On June 6, 1948, George married the love of his life, Edith Garcia, and they resided in various California cities until finally settling in Antioch, California, 31 years ago. They were married for 69 years when Edith passed away on April 8, 2017. They had seven children, Donald (Lillian), Robert, Janet Killian (Jim), Diana Ramirez (David), Vera McIntire (Ray), George Jr. and Donna Jordan (Mark). He also had 16 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

George worked at several different professions over the years, He was a tile setter, truck driver, modular furniture business owner and a roofer. He loved playing pool at the Antioch Senior Center, and he was the President of the San Francisco Golden Gate Archers in the 1980’s. He was an excellent archer, and he supported many of his club members in their quest to make the Olympic team.

Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a kind-hearted person. He will be loved and missed by his family always.

His funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 11:00 am, at Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery at 2500 E. 18th Street, Antioch, California 94509. The reception will immediately follow the funeral at his granddaughter’s house, Bobbi Green, at 2111 Portside Court, Discovery Bay, California 94514.

Loving reminder:

The Celebration of Life for Charles Smith will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, 301 East 13th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. Small luncheon refreshments will be provided after the service in the social hall. (See his obituary, here)

Our family would again like to thank everyone for the thoughtful cards, flowers, gifts, meals, and offers of help during this very difficult time. It is comforting to know that we are not alone in our grief.

“Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and forever dear.”

Shirley Lois “Dolly” Rheem

February 11, 1929 – November 11, 2022

Shirley Lois Rheem, known as Dolly, passed away peacefully in her sleep November 11, 2022, in Antioch, CA. She was 93 years old. Dolly was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Dolly leaves behind her four children: Son, Cindii, Jo and George; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her husband Charlie, her four brothers: Don, Eddie, Bobby and Richie; and her parents, Albert and Mary (Minerva) Barnes, preceded her in death.

Dolly was born on February 11, 1929, in Pennsylvania. She went to school in Burnham and met her husband, Charlie Rheem, during her high school years. Dolly and Charlie eloped to West Virginia and married on January 10, 1948.

She loved flipping burgers at a burger joint in Thornton, Colorado to the song “Alley-Oop”. She thought it was fun. She also worked at the original Orange Julius in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The owner sent her home with nearly a gallon of Orange Julius every night. She worked in several fashion stores and eventually at Sears, working in the cashier’s department and Ticketron, the computerized event ticketing company.

In the late 1970s, Dolly and Charlie bought a house in Antioch, California and settled into retirement. Dolly volunteered at the Brown Bag community organization, servicing individuals and families in need of clothing and food.

Dolly loved country music and had a beautiful voice. Many Saturday mornings, her kids would wake up to her singing along to her country favorites.

She loved to read and always had a book in her hand. She enjoyed bowling and watching sports with Charlie. Throughout her life, she enjoyed painting ceramics, quilting, needle point, sewing, crocheting, decoupaging, and decorating for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. She loved Easter so much that everyone had to have an Easter basket. She would sneak out of her house the night before Easter, set Easter baskets on her neighbors’ porches, and toss candy in their front yards.

She will be missed forever, and her memory will live on in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia https://alzfdn.org

 

Charles Edward Smith

July 18, 1949 – November 11, 2022

With humble acceptance of God’s will, we announce the passing of Charles Edward Smith on November 11th, 2022. Beloved husband of Betty Jean Waldrup Smith, and legendary father, grandfather, father-in-law, godfather, brother, uncle and friend will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Due to the upcoming holidays, and to allow proper travel time for out-of-town family members, the Celebration of Life for Charles Smith will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 11am at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, 301 East 13th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. Further updates will be sent in the weeks to come.

Our family would also like to thank everyone for the thoughtful flowers, gifts, meals and offers of help during this very difficult time. It is comforting to know that we are not alone in our grief.

“Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and forever dear.”

Publisher’s note: Charles was a photographer for the Antioch Press between 2001 and 2005.

A Facebook group entitled Justice for Antioch Woman Burned to Death has been created for Mikaeylla Elizabeth Sharlman who was the victim in a homicide in Antioch in which her body was found burning on the Mokelumne Trail. (See related articles here, here, here and here)

In a post on the page earlier this week Renee Myers wrote, “The family of Kayla shared a beautiful tribute of her that I am honored to share here with you all. As people of faith, I know it would mean the world to them to have your prayers this evening and in the long weeks and months ahead as they grieve this tremendous loss. We send our compassion, our love, and our sincerest condolences to them in this hour and in the painful days ahead.”