Winton honorees Rosalie Ann Heppner and Lorraine Richardson, with Lloyd Pareira.
Charles (Chuck) Fennessy, 93, with County Supervisor Lloyd Pareira.
Kim McAuley, Lloyd Pareira, honoree Pasquale (Pat) Palazo and Dan Clendenin.
Rosie Kiss-Barker, 101, of Livingston with Fonya Spielman.
Ezio and Elenor Sansoni, a 2023 honoree from Atwater, with Aldo Sansoni and wife.
Clarkson Robert (Bob) Maurer, a 2023 honoree from Atwater.
Benjamin & Guillermina (Willie) Elias, a 2023 honoree from Merced.
A 102-year-old Hilmar resident along with a teacher who taught 54 years at Tenaya Middle School, a 90-year-old accomplished artist/sculptor, and a pair of longtime Winton historians were among some 40 standout locals who were honored at this year’s 2023 Old Timers Luncheon inside the Italo American Lodge in Merced on April 20.
The Merced County Old Timers Association sponsors and organizes the annual event. A committee was formed in 1942 to honor individuals 85 years of age or older who have lived in Merced County for a combined total of 50 years or longer. The luncheon is a festive affair with food, photos and short bios of the various honorees read out loud. Members of the Merced County Board of Supervisors also attend to hand out honorary certificates.
In 2020, a list of honorees was produced, but the luncheon was canceled due to the pandemic. Old Timers volunteers honored those people in 2021 by delivering certificates and a special gift to their hoimes. This year, those past honorees were invited to attend the luncheon along with the latest to be recognized. Some were unable to attend the luncheon at the last minute due to health issues.
Among the many standout residents was 102-year-old Rosie Kiss-Barker of Hilmar. She is the pride of the American Legion Auxiliary George J. Hartfield Post 91 in Stevinson — having served the post for 75 years, including as president.
Another honoree, Gwyne Hansen, was a teacher for some 57 years after moving to Merced, mostly at Tenaya Middle School. She was also a volunteer at the local hospital for 25 years.
Honoree Lynn Morrison has been a longtime local artist who has taught students of all ages from local middle schools to Merced College. Her sculptures have been featured in exhibits around the region and beyond.
And honorees Rosalie Ann Heppner and Lorraine Richards — both of Winton and both county residents for decades (156 years combined) — are best known for co-writing the book, “Memories of Winton 1911-1950,” and helping to form the Winton Historical Society.
Kudos goes to Kim McAuley, Carolyn Chandler and all the volunteer members of the Merced County Old Timers Association for making this special event happen year after year.
2023 Honorees
Willie Mae Callahan
Miguel Canto E. Castro
Benjamin Elias
Guillermina “Willie” Elias
Buster Eppler Jr.
Balbina Fain
Doreen Fitzgerald
Ray Freitas
John Gramckow
Shirley Graves
Gwyne Hansen
Rosalie Ann Heppner
Wanda “Vicky” Knoepfel
Ray Mallonee
Clarkson “Bob” Maurer
Elsie Correia Moore
Lynn Morrison
Doug Newlyn
Pasquale “Pat” Palazzo
Constance Patterson
Lorraine Richards
Eleanor Sansoni
Ezio Anthony Sansoni
Richard “Rick” Shelton
David J. Silva
Rita Posey Silva
Patricia Snyder Snoke
Beverly Mevi Valadao
Eileen Weller
Linton Wollen
2020-2021 Honorees
Doris Arancibia
Sallie Bardini
Richard Bettencourt
Mark Bidkey
Rosie Kiss-Barker
Mark Bodley
Norma Jean DeSousa
Frank Dutra
Charles Fennessy
Marjorie Giannone
Rosalie Gilard
Bernice Gill
John Edwin Gurr
Charles Hise
Maria Beatriz Kramer
Annette Marques
Louie Mondo
Gleneda Muralt
Josephine Pereira
Donald Rogers
Robert Scheuerman
Gus Scoto
Ester Dougherty Smith
Vivian Stierwalt
Christiane Traub
Ruth Weaver
Carolyn Wiens
Vernon Wickstrom