Janis Keith Smith Miller, BHS '66 (1948-2026)

Janis Annelle Keith Smith Miller

February 10, 1948 - February 10, 2026

Sad news... I remember Janis from high school and we reconnected a bit on Facebook... such a fun, sweet gal. May God bless and comfort her family and loved ones I pray.

Janis Keith Smith Miller, BHS 66 – Born February 10, 1948 and passed away on February 10, 2026, following progressive heart and lung issues. 

Janis attended the former Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, John Muir Jr High, and Burbank High School. She had a smile that would light up a room, an infectious laugh, and a kind and generous personality. Janis broke glass ceilings in her career by becoming one of the construction industry’s first female concrete salesperson.. She retired in Stearns, KY to be close to relatives. 

She is survived by her son, Wayne Smith (& Kristen), grandsons Ryan and Luke, granddaughter Kelsey Shepler, and 2 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her daughter Connie and 3 siblings: Velta Keith – BHS 50, Norma Newell – BHS 53, and Curtis Keith – BHS 57.  Rest in peace my dear friend.     

Trudie Lombard Hentze – BHS 65

Glen Haws, BHS '53 (1935-2026)

Glen Walter Haws

September 24, 1935 - February 4, 2026

Bob Haws posted this touching tribute to honor his father on Facebook today...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Glen Walter Haws, who passed away on February 4, 2026, at the age of 90.

Glen was born on September 24, 1935, in Burbank, California, at the home of his grandparents, to parents Glen and Maxine (Odermatt) Haws. A lifelong resident of Burbank, he took great pride in the city that shaped him. One of his favorite childhood stories was serving as paperboy to heavyweight boxing champion Jeff Jeffries — a story he never tired of telling.

He attended Burbank High School, where he met the love of his life, Beverly (Danell) Haws. After graduating in 1953, Glen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following boot camp at Camp Pendleton, he returned home to elope with his 17-year-old sweetheart before being deployed to Japan and Korea. In 1956, they welcomed their first son, John, while living in a trailer at Camp Pendleton.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines in 1956, Glen worked as an apprentice machinist at Mitchell Cameras in Glendale before achieving what he considered his true calling. On September 1, 1957, he was hired as a firefighter for the City of Burbank — becoming a proud second-generation Burbank firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, who joined the department in 1943.

In those early years, when firefighter pay was modest, Glen worked multiple jobs to provide for his growing family. He drove his Model A Ford pickup to local dairies, loaded it with manure, and sold it door-to-door, spreading it on lawns throughout the neighborhood. He also worked as a plasterer and painter — doing whatever it took to build a stable life for his family.

In 1959, their second son, James, was born. The following year, Glen purchased a home on Kenneth Road in Burbank, where he would live for the rest of his life. Robert was born in 1962, and their daughter Linda (Wright) in 1968, completing their family of four children.

Over his 40-year career with the Burbank Fire Department, Glen rose through the ranks, promoting to Engineer and later to Captain in 1973. Being a firefighter was not just his profession — it was his dream. He loved the camaraderie, the service, and the stories that came with the job. Though he retired in 1998 due to a medical condition, it was a career he never truly wanted to leave.

Glen was a storyteller at heart. He cherished sharing memories of growing up in Burbank and recounting his years on the fire department. His life was rooted in family, hard work, and dedication to his community.

He is survived by his children: John and daughter-in-law Kathy; Robert and daughter-in-law Terrie; and Linda and son-in-law Mark Wright; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Donna Edwards. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverly, in 2009, and his son James in 2025.

Glen’s legacy lives on in the family he built, the city he loved, and the department he proudly served.

Rich Bison, BHS '66 (1947-2026)

Richard Allan Bison

October 15, 1947 - February 12, 2026

Sad news... we just learned that Rich Bison, BHS '66, passed away this week. His daughter, Heather Bison Lewis, posted on Facebook this touching note...

It is with the heaviest heart that we share that the world lost a true hero. My dad passed away on February 12th at 11:53pm.

He went in for surgery on Tuesday and fought so incredibly hard since September. If there’s one thing that defined him, it was that he was a fighter. Strong, determined, and never one to give up.

He was a proud veteran who loved his country deeply. His patriotism was part of who he was. He believed in service, loyalty, and standing up for what mattered.

He was the BEST husband, dad, Grampa, father-in-law, and friend anyone could ever ask for. Larger than life. The kind of man who filled a room with his presence, his strength, his humor, and his love. Our hearts are shattered and we are still trying to process this unimaginable loss.

Please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers as she navigates the days ahead. She will be staying with me for a while as we lean on each other and take this one day at a time.

We will be planning a celebration of life at a later date and will share details once they are arranged.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed, and supported our family. It truly means more than we can say.

We love you forever, Dad. ❤️

-------

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Joe Dahlia

I meet Rich my last year in High School. I had become a Burbank Police Explorer Cadet. I enlisted & spent 4 years in the Marines. As soon as I came home I was selected to be a reserve police officer at BPD and worked alongside of Rich. He had American Indian in family blood line & I referred to him as Chief Bison, he loved it. In 1976 i was hired as a police officer & for 15yrs I worked alongside of Rich. His love of his country, our community was unwavering, and was he a joker. The only thing he loved more was his wife Diana, his daughter, nick named "BING PONG" his mom & dad! You couldn't ask for a more genuine friend. Compassionate human being, outstanding cop.

His loss has left an empty place in our hearts. Diana, Heather & Bart, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers ♥️ ❤️ 🙏

Julie Guttridge

Sending love to Rich’s family at this time . Has to be so hard 😢

Mickey DePalo

Rest In Peace, my brother. 🙏🙏

Deb Helsley Bush

Rest in Peace 🪽

Jaydean Gordon Dyer

RIP dear patriot.

You will be deeply missed.

Blessings and condolences to the family and all who knew him.

Bruce Fossler

R.I.P. Bulldog

I do remember you..

Loanne Walker Ginchereaux

🙏

Patsy Raymundi

Rip Bulldog

Karra Blackburn Merritt

May he rest in Peace to Eternity 🌹

Brian Keiser

RIP Bulldog 🙏

Bill Oxley

Rich was a great guy. Knew him in high school. I'm sorry for your loss.

Vicki Herrin Fields

Rest in Peace ⚘️

Bob Burdette

Rest in Peace Rich.

Condolences and prayers for comfort to your family!

🙏🏻🙏🏻

Peggy Peters

RIP Rich. You were truly one of the best.

Martin Lillibridge

RIP Bulldog 🙏

Don Meredith

Damn, this caught me off guard. Rich was a great guy. I enjoyed his friendship and those occasional opportunities we worked together. God Bless Rich and family. 🙏

Fred Pastor

🙏💙🙏

Scott Moody

What a great man. Loved working with him. RIP Rich.

JD Dbert

Great guy to work with. Helped me as s young detective, with fishing, ran for the team i Co-Captained for Baker to Vegas, and i enjoyed being his Sgt in Training.

One of the great men in and out of work!  

RIP Chief

Diane Reeder Dellner, BHS '58 (1939-2026)

Diane Reeder Dellner

December 7, 1939 - February 13, 2026

Just received this sad note from Carol Prater Cox...

Diane Reeder class of 1958 passed away this morning. 😢 A truly beautiful amazing person! Her best friend was Barbara Prater Coffman, my cousin. I knew Diane all my life! Such a precious woman.

Arlet Zorlu Kurian, BHS '86 (1968-2026)

Arlet Zorlu Kurian
August 11, 1968 - 2026

Margarette Merced-Aranda posted on fb today this sad notice and great photos:

I hate this news!  RIP Arlet Kurian (Zorlu). She passed away recently and I’m asking the family if I may share the funeral announcement. I will remember her hearty laughter and fabulous fashion sense.

Bob Brinkworth, BHS '62 (1944-2026)

Bob Brinkworth

BHS 1952

Pam Rutyna posted this sad note with these great photos...

My dad, Bob Brinkworth, passed away suddenly a week and a half ago (1/26). He was from the class of 1962.  He played football and track and was student body president.  He always loved returning to California every year to see his high school/college friends and loved attending the reunions.  You all had a special place in his life!  

He is survived by his wife, Gail; his three children by his first wife, Jennifer, Chris, and Pam; his two stepchildren, Dan and Ashley; our spouses; and 10 grandchildren.

Ed James, BHS '63 (1945-2026)

Edwin Charles James

September 7, 1945 - February 1, 2026

Sincere condolences to JoAnn Knight James - BHS 65 who lost her husband of 57 years, Ed James - BHS 63, last Sunday, February 1st. Ed had been suffering from dementia the past few years., and on January 5th he fell and fractured his pelvis. He had surgery; but things just declined rapidly after that. Please keep JoAnn and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Trudie Lombard Hentze

Linda Pribble Eastman, BHS '66 (1948-2025)

Linda Sue Pribble Eastman

September 6, 1948 - July 24, 2025

Linda Sue Eastman, age 76, of Shallotte NC passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in the Autumn Care Nursing Center following a time of declining health.

Linda was born in Colorado Springs, CO on September 6, 1948, and was the daughter of the late Floyd Ralph and Rita Teresa Frank Pribble, in addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Earl Eastman.

Surviving family are a daughter, Tiffany Lemmonds and husband Mike; a son Nathan Thomas Woodward and wife Shannon; a brother, Tim Alexander and wife Kim; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A private gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date.

The family requests with gratitude that donations be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123, http://www.cancer.org/ .