Carole Sumner Erken, BHS '74 (1956-2026)

Carole Lynn Sumner Erken

August 1956 - August 23, 2026

We just received the following sad report... 

I just found out my sister Carole Lynn Sumner Erken passed away August 23, 2026, in Turkey and was buried there. 

Nancy Sumner 

Sister 

Class of 1976

Brian Sindle, BH '94 (1976-2026)

Brian Stewart Sindle

August 16, 1976 - August 15, 2026

Burbank, California

Sad news posted today on Facebook by Kris Wynne:

Brian Sindle BHS class of 1994 passed away on August 15th 2026, one day shy of his 50th birthday. A standout multiple time all foothill league baseball player and one of the best to ever don the Bulldog uniform. He later played at Glendale College before transferring to New Mexico Highlands. 

One of the most genuinely funny teammates I’ve ever played with and an all around good guy. 

Rest in peace “Dwindle” aka “Sizzle” aka “B Sizz”

A Few Facebook Comments...

Will Perryman

Most feared pitcher since little league! Never saw him without a smile.

Kris Wynne

Will Perryman and would quietly put up 2-3 hits a game on top of shutting you down!

JD Dbert

I went to the Police Academy and Served with Brian’s brother Shane for several years. We played competitive softball together and we could count on Brian showing up if we needed a player last minute.

I hear that voice and laughs in the dugout or on the field.

RIP Brian. Find the dugout above and play the great pick-up game you always wanted.

George Marciniw, BHS '74 (1956-2026)

George Stephen Marciniw

May 16, 1956 - September 15, 2026

Tragic news just learned... George Marciniw NBC helicopter pilot who died in a helicopter crash in Chatsworth graduated from Burbank High in 1974.

A Few Facebook Comments

Caryn Gold
This is the saddest news ever. George has been my friend for many years. Hard to process all this breaking info. I will miss the teamwork of George and Julia Deng (AM) and George and Eliana Moreno (PM). I will miss the blow by blow of the high speed chases through the streets of So. Cal. and the parting words of Eliana saying "I'll send it back to you in the studio"
Condolences to their families and loved ones. I will miss my friend George🙏❤️

April Wind
Such an awful tragedy today in Chatsworth. Chopper pilot and Burbank Bulldog.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends🙏🏼
Rest in Peace George🕊

Patsy Raymundi
Condolences. to George’s family I was a classmate of his 74’ -Just saw him at our Senior Luncheon lunch last month He was great. guy God Bless you George ,will be miss a lot✝️💙💙🌹

Pamela Anglin Howland
This is shocking news to hear. 😢 I have known George since we were children at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School in Burbank. He was always such a good friend. I will be praying for him and also for his family for strength during this extremely difficult time. I’m so very sorry…Rest in peace my friend. 🙏🏼

Bob Marak
So sad to hear of this. He was in my graduating class and we have kept in touch over the years. Godspeed George 🙏🙏🙏.

Kathleen Gaston Hitt
I was BHS class of 1973. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends and prayers for comfort.

Dereck Jordan
I just saw George Saturday night over at the Blueroom and we were just talking about life in general and to hear of his passing and really shocks me. God bless you, George. I’m gonna miss you Godspeed. Love you, brother. 🥲🥲🥲

David Griffin
2nd NBC helicopter to crash in the SF Valley. The first one was piloted by Francis Gary Powers and crashed in the '70s in the Sepulveda Basin after running out of fuel. They were covering the Santa Barbara fires and were on their way back to Burbank.

Debbie Burpee Wilander
My sincere condolences to wall who loved him! He was such a sweet man!! RIP George! 🙏

Jeri Morin Valencia
I just now saw this!!! 😮 🙁 George!!! 🙁 I saw there was a "beloved reporter and pilot killed in a helicopter crash in L.A." and I just knew it was our beloved George. 🙁 I can't believe it.

George Pacal
I’m heartbroken to hear of George’s tragic passing so suddenly…
He loved flying and working with Eliana especially, always talking about the news stories they were involved with… He was a positive person and made everyone feel relaxed around him. The “Blue Room” was his hangout often, and he must have had a lot of friends there and ones at the BHS alumni luncheons too… You will be sorely missed George— rest in peace my friend….

Rick Zekaria, BHS '68 (1949-2026)

November 29, 1949 - September 4, 2026
Richard "Rick" Zekaria

Very sad news posted on Facebook by Rick's children...

To all of our dad’s family and friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we share that our dad passed away today. We know he had so many friends and people in his life who cared about him, and we wanted to make sure everyone who knew and loved him was aware.

Our family is heartbroken, and we appreciate all of the love, support, and memories people have shared with him over the years.

We will share information regarding services and a celebration of his life once arrangements have been made.

Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts during this difficult time. 

9/14/2026 UPDATE

Jo Ann Knight James, BHS '65 (1946-2026)

Jo Ann "Jody" Knight James

December 5, 1946 - August 10, 2026

Email from Johneen Pofahl Eckardt (Orono, Maine)

With sadness I want to share the loss of our classmate Jo Ann (Knight) James, class of 1965. She died on August 10, 2026 in Auburn, CA.

We met in first grade at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School when she was 4 & I was 5. We nurtured our friendship for 75 years.  We attended the 50th Reunion of BHS class of 65. She was a wonderful friend to me & many others along the way. I will miss her profoundly particularly our annual birthday calls as our birthdays were only 3 days apart. 

I always called her Jody, her nickname growing up. I will remember her kindnesses & unconditional support of me, her friend. Actually I never remember her having an unkind word about anyone. That is a powerful legacy in today's world. Bless her. 

Jo Ann had lymphoma. Her husband was Ed James, BHS 63 who passed away in February of this year and she is survived by their two sons Erik and Dean, their wives and grandchildren.

Diane Davis Kelly, BHS '61 (1943-2026)

Diane Davis Kelly

December 22, 1943 - August 14, 2026

Lynne Spitza Michels posted on Facebook today...

Sadly, Diane Davis Kelly, graduate of BHS 1961, passed away August 14, 2026.

Bob Gebo, BHS '79 (1961-2026)

Robert Douglas Gebo

Sept 30 1961 - August 4, 2026

Dan Davis shared that Bob Gebo lost his fight with cancer on August 4, 2026.

No further details at this time.

Suzi Mann LaBonge, BHS '64 (1946-2026)

Suzanne "Suzi" Charlotte Mann LaBonge

October 20, 1946 – August 6, 2026

Suzanne Mann LaBonge was in BHS Class of '64. She passed on August 6, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born on October 20, 1946, and was a resident of Little River, South Carolina.

Suzi’s daughter Melissa posted the photos and wrote...

If you knew my mom, most likely she showed you kindness, made you smile and probably tried to give you a natural remedy. Suzanne C. LaBonge was a wonderful woman - a wife, mother (to SO many!) sister, healer, friend and woman of faith. She was funny and incredibly loving. She adored her family and friends and she helped so many people and changed people’s lives through her open heart and generous spirit. Our family would like to share that mom passed, peacefully and surrounded by love. She is amongst the angels and surely she will continue to be an angel to all who knew her. People always said to me “your mom is the sweetest! And is so kind” and I would say to them, “can you imagine if she was YOUR MOM!” She was the best mom. She is missed deeply but we know she is without pain and for that we are incredibly grateful.