Richard John Hoier
Richard John Hoier, 64, of Moorpark, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2001, in Thousand Oaks. Mr. Hoier was born May 21, 1936, in Sioux Falls, S.D., and had been a Ventura County resident for 24 years, coming from Sioux Falls, S.D., and Culver City. He was a plumbing contractor and consultant in west Los Angeles for 20 years. He put his whole life into his family and will be missed very much. He is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Jim Vigil; son, Rick Hoier; grandchildren, Jimmy Vigil Jr., Jennifer and Aram Khatchaturian; brothers, Roger Hoier of Florida, Bob Hoier of Paso Robles, Bill Hoier of Sioux Falls, Lonnie Hoefert of Sioux Falls, Ken Hoefert of Sioux Falls; and sisters, Donna Hoefert of Sioux Falls, S.D., Sharon Hicks of Westlake Village and Debbie Hoefert of Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Chapel, Westlake Village. A service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Moorpark. Burial will be at Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village.

Felix Jerome Viosca
Felix Jerome Viosca died of renal cell carcinoma on April 7, 2001, at his home in Simi Valley. He was 71. Mr. Viosca was a design engineer, retired from Hughes Aircraft Co. in California. He served his country in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV21) in the Korean War. Mr. Viosca was a native of New Orleans, having graduated from Warren Easton High School and Tulane University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Holliday Viosca; son, Justin Viosca; stepdaughter, Tara Mead; daughters from a previous marriage, Tammie Neudecker, Bonnie Buchanan and Kimberly Bridges. All were at his side. He is survived by seven grandchildren and is brother of Fay Viosca Martin and Raymond Viosca. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 12, at Reardon Simi Valley Mortuary, 2636 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley. Donations to the UCLA Kidney Cancer Program, Box 951738, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1739, (310) 206-5930; or VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 16030 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600, Encino, CA 91436, are appreciated.

John Ross Robertson III
John Robertson, 50, of Simi Valley passed away peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 18, 2001. John was born May 15, 1951. He resided in the San Fernando Valley his entire life prior to moving to Simi Valley 10 years ago. The place John loved to be the most was out on the ocean in his boat. He went out as often as he was able to find the time. Due to his illness the past few months, he had not been able to take his boat out and he missed it greatly. John was also an expert marksman. He loved to collect all types of firearms. John was involved in law enforcement in many areas. He graduated from the Pasadena Police Academy and owned and ran a private security business; he had been on the San Fernando Police Department and Campus Police for the community college district. He was also able to embrace another area he loved and that was teaching. He taught criminology courses at Los Angeles Valley College for 16 years. He was also a CPR/first aid trainer for the American Red Cross. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Louise Robertson. John is survived by his son, James Stuart Robertson of Northridge; stepchildren, Eric Knudsen of San Francisco, Brittney Knudsen of Kansas; sister and brother-in-law, Jenine and Bob Snoddy; nieces, Kristy, Kathryn, Sarah and Linda, all of Bakersfield; great-nephew, Brandon Brown, also of Bakersfield; and his favorite aunt and uncle, James and Beverly Waite of Sylmar. John will be greatly missed by his family and many friends who were dear to him. Since John loved the ocean so, his earthly remains will return to the sea to be forever there in peace. A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Captain Hooks Sport Fishing, Channel Islands Harbor. Call (805) 382-6233 for directions.

Boyd E. McKnight
Boyd E. McKnight passed away Oct. 24, 2001, in Thousand Oaks. Mr. McKnight was born March 1, 1913, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He had served as western vice-president of the Audio Engineering Society in its early days and had worked in audio sales and marketing prior to retirement. Mr. McKnight's main interests were music and art. He is survived by his wife, Lottie; children, Brooke, Gordon, Ian, Maura and Millicent; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Juli A. (Beneke) Ball
Juli A. (Beneke) Ball, 30, was born March 17, 1971, at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, and went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, at Hanford Community Hospital. She was a county resident for 22 years, graduated from Newbury Park High School in 1989, was a homemaker and a self-employed professional hairdresser with Fashion Statement Salon. She resided with her husband, Allan Ball, and her 3-year old son, Nolan, at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, Calif. Juli is survived by her husband, Allan Ball; son, Nolan; brother, Tom and wife Gloria; and parents, Annette and Bill Beneke. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Evangelical Free Church, 999 Rancho Conejo Blvd., Newbury Park, CA, (805) 498-6613, with Pastor Steve Larson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komer Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 605309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309; or the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, 930 Franklin Ave., Room 212, Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA 93246-5012.

The Hernandez Family
The Hernandez Family of Tempe, Ariz., Efrain, age 32; Teri, age 37; and Maya, age 23 months, died tragically in an automobile crash on Jan. 20, 2002. Efrain was born near Oaxaca, Mexico, on Feb. 7, 1969. Teri was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 9, 1964. Maya was born in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 31, 2000. They were a loving family who devoted their time and energy to humanitarian and environmental causes. They worked constantly for the betterment of mankind. Efrain is survived by grandmothers, Maria Flores and Francisca Colmenares; father, Victor Hernandez Flores; sisters, Estella Hernandez, Irma Hernandez, Araceli Hernandez and Yolanda Hernandez; and brother, Oscar Hernandez. Teri is survived by her grandmother, Paula Salomon; parents, Charles and Marilyn Salomon; sister, Alicia Williams; and brother, Cliff Salomon. Burial services will be held on Sunday, Jan. 27, at Shalom Mortuary in Sylmar, Calif. Donations may be made to: The Hernandez Memorial Fund, Bank of America, Phoenix, Ariz.

William Lakner
Mr. William Lakner was born Aug. 8, 1918, in Delhi, Colo., and died peacefully Jan. 22, 2002, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Lakner was a 27-year resident of Simi Valley. He was retired from Continental Airlines with 27 years of service. After 16 years of retirement, he joined his son, Steve, in the telecommunications industry. Bill loved his garden, John Wayne movies, cowboy books and was at church every Sunday morning. To all those who came in contact with him, Bill was always willing to lend a helping hand. His friends and family all enjoyed the many stories he had to tell and his keen sense of humor. Children were a joy to him and he loved to entertain them. There was no one who could do a dove call quite as good as Bill! He will be missed by all. There will be a deep void in the heart of his loving wife of 53 years, Emma; and children, Deborah and Steve. Bill was one of 12 children born to Mary and Louis Lakner, and he leaves his sister, Dorothy; and numerous nephews and nieces. He will join in heaven his parents, Louis and Mary; brothers, Louis, Frank, John, Tony and Joe; and sisters, Mary, Ann, Rose, Helen and Sophie. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at Reardon Simi Valley Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Inurnment will follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Reardon Simi Valley Mortuary, 2636 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley; (805) 526-6677.

Peter C. Lauer
Peter C. Lauer, 87, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 21, 2002. Peter was born March 22, 1914, in New Brunswick, N.J., moving from there to Thousand Oaks in 1978. He was a graduate of Northwestern University, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. He attended on a baseball scholarship and his love of baseball lasted throughout his life. While at Northwestern, Peter also played football and played the French horn in the band. Shortly after graduation, he started his career with Prudential Insurance Co., his only employer until retirement in 1977. Peter's greatest joy was his family. He was always there for them. Nothing made him happier than a family gathering, especially if everyone gathered around the piano to sing. He loved to sing! He was a kind and gentle man who really liked people and they liked him. Peter is survived by his wife of 65 years, Pauline; son, Peter; daughter-in-law, Barbara; daughter, Susan; son-in-law, Ed Holt, all of Thousand Oaks; son, David of Piedmont, Calif.; and grandchildren, Peter and Michael Lauer, Ed Holt and Kari Holt Endries. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Conscience, Thousand Oaks, or to the charity of your choice. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Joan B. Gilmore
Joan B. Gilmore, 83, of Ventura passed away quietly on Jan. 20, 2002, after a short illness. Mrs. Gilmore was born Oct. 28, 1918, in Spokane, Wash. Joan and her family settled in Altadena, Calif., in her early teens. Following graduation from high school, she entered Los Angeles Junior College, where she majored in music. She was an accomplished classical pianist who presented a number of recitals. She worked at Douglas Aircraft during World War II in the accounting department. On Oct. 28, 1955, she married Paul Gilmore, who was a longtime Douglas employee. After the end of World War II, she joined the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, where she was an executive assistant to the managing director, Mr. Edwin Lester. During her more than 30-year tenure with the LACLO, she acquired extensive experience in the staging of original musical productions. Mrs. Gilmore is survived by her cousins, Lowell L. Mayfield of Monrovia, Ann Taradel of Mullan, Idaho, and Nancy McKee of British Columbia, Canada. A remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Ventura Marina Mobile Home Park Clubhouse. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the John Tracy Clinic for Deaf Preschool Children, 806 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.

Barbara Dee Ingram
Longtime Ventura County resident Barbara Dee Ingram, 77, of Ventura, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002, at her home, after a battle with lung disease. Barbara was born on June 2, 1924, in San Diego, Calif., and moved to Ojai as a small child. She was a homemaker, who devoted her time to the love and care of her family. Barbara belonged to the Modernettes, a group of 12 girls who met in 1940 when they were in school and continued to meet annually for 60 years at the Ventura Mission. They all grew up together and now that Barbara is gone, there are nine surviving members. Barbara is survived by her husband, Glen Duane Ingram; daughter, Pamela Johns; son, Jeff Ingram and wife Susie and their daughters, Sara and Alicia; daughter-in-law, Marty Ingram, her daughter, Candice and sons, Cory and Mark; granddaughter, Amy Stanford Corbett and husband Steve and their children, Michael and Courtney; grandson, Jaime Stanford, his wife Michele and their son, Tyler, and daughter, Briana; grandson, Jason Stanford and wife Tymesha; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Millie Ingram; sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Langtry and their sons, David Langtry and Michael Mart and his wife Judy; sisters-in-law, Betty Ingram and Ruth Dee; nieces, Joyce Vogrig and Deby Dee; nephews, John Ingram and wife Andrea, Tony Ingram and wife Kathy, and Thomas Dee Jr.; and cousins, Norma Lagomarsino and husband Bob, Lavon Roberts and husband Robbie, Lynn Baker, and Loraine Eskew and husband Ormond. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, with the Rev. John Cherrie of the Ventura Missionary Church officiating. Entombment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. The family would like to extend an invitation to attend a reception at their home after the entombment. As an expression of love, memorial contributions may be made in Barbara's memory to Tender Loving Care Home Hospice, 5400 Atlantis Court, Moorpark, CA 93021. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.

Monika Melissa Hall
Monika Melissa Hall, 40, of Palm Desert went to be with the good Lord Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. She died at home, surrounded by the people who loved her most. Born June 11, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pa., Monika entered a career with Barnes & Noble Books in Washington, D.C., as a book manager. She leaves behind her ever-loving mother, Renate Ahrens; loving partner in life, Dan Healy; brothers, Clifford Ahrens Hall and Richard Carrington Hall; and several relatives in Germany. Monika was preceded in death by her father, Howard C. Hall; baby daughter, Sonja; and grandmother, Trude Ahrens. Monika was proud to be a member of the Hope Lutheran Church of Palm Desert, where she was also baptized. Her kind and loving spirit will be missed by many.
Manja, I love you!
Your Mom
Donations may be made to Pete Lapiccola Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 722545, San Diego, CA 92172, (619) 560-4727; or Vitas Hospice Care, (800) 394-6774. Please donate!

Mildred Bruce Rinaman
Mildred Bruce Rinaman passed away peacefully at her home in Thousand Oaks on Jan. 19, 2002. Mildred was born April 9, 1920, in Peru, Ind. She became a registered nurse in 1942 at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Ill. She entered the Army Air Corps in 1945, working as a surgical nurse. She attained the rank of captain before resigning her commission when she married. Mildred and Stan were married in 1954 and they just celebrated 47 years together. Mildred enjoyed the opportunity to travel and live in different countries as the wife of an Air Force officer. Mildred was always involved in leadership roles in the officers' wives clubs where they lived. Mildred and Stan moved to Thousand Oaks in 1971. Mildred became involved with the Thousand Oaks High School Band Booster Club, serving in various positions from 1972 to 1978. It was during this time that Mildred began an association with the Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra. She was an active member of the Symphony Guild, serving many years on the executive board and as president from 1981 to 1982. Mildred was also an avid supporter of the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra. In 1987 the City of Thousand Oaks named her as a Gold Circle honoree for her many years of service in this area. In 1995, Mildred became a charter member of the City Hall volunteers serving at the reception desk, allowing her to keep her finger on the pulse of the city. Since 1972, Mildred was an active member of the Christian Church of Thousand Oaks. She was involved in many aspects of the church, including serving several years as a deaconess. Mildred was preceded in death by three brothers. She is survived by her husband, Stan; sons, Bruce and Arthur; daughters-in-law, Cindy and Deanna; and grandchildren, Garret, Trevor and Johanna. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Christian Church of Thousand Oaks, 301 W. Avenida de Las Flores, Thousand Oaks. This will be followed by a graveside ceremony at 3 p.m. at Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, c/o Bill Benson (805) 523-3007.
Mildred is loved and will be missed by many.

Marlena Ann Beck
Marlena Ann Beck, 49, passed away in the loving embrace of her children, family and friends on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, after a long and valiant fight with cancer. Marlena was born Aug. 14, 1952, in Buffalo, N.Y. She graduated from St. Bernard's High School, Playa del Rey, in 1970 and continued her education at Bryman School and UCLA, finishing as a licensed vocational nurse. She grew up in West Los Angeles, then married and later moved to Thousand Oaks. She was an officer in the Navy Sea Cadets, active in Conejo Cowboys Athletic Association and was formerly the cheerleader advisor at Thousand Oaks High School. She worked as the office manager for Dr. Alan Rosenthal in Calabasas. Marlena's biggest passion and most treasured accomplishment was her own children and the many "extras" that she helped raise. She is still known as "Mama Beck" to scores of young people. Marlena is survived by her son and his fiancee, Dean Beck and Kelly Rossborough; daughter and her fiance, Gina Beck and Ryan Gradie; parents, Frank and Mary Grea; sister and brother-in-law, Julie and John Weick; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Yvonne Grea; grandson, Logan Beck; nieces, Julianne Weick, Francesca Grea; and many other relatives and friends. Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Holy Cross Mortuary Chapel in Culver City. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westwood. A reception and entombment will follow at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Holy Cross Mortuary, Culver City, (310) 670-7697.

Susanne M. Miller
Susanne M. Miller died Jan. 14, 2002, at her home in Chico. Susanne was born to Durward and Marie Koontz on Nov. 26, 1923, in Alliance, Ohio. She grew up in Alliance and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Manual Arts High School in Louisiana. Later she moved to Santa Barbara and was a pink lady at Cottage Hospital and volunteered at Hillside House, a home for children with cerebral palsy. She helped the children write stories. She assisted her husband at the Oxnard Rescue Mission, providing spiritual and physical need for the homeless. She and her husband won the 1979 Distinguished Citizen of the Year, receiving commendations from the City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme and the Board of Supervisors of Ventura County. In 1991, she received the Certificate of Appreciate from the Willows Senior Nutrition Program. She had a passion for gospel music, crafts, painting and helping people. She was a former member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Oxnard. She is survived by her husband John Miller; daughters, Pamela Caves and Deborah Eckelhoff, both of southern California; brother, Judge Robert E. Moore of Evansville, Ind.; stepdaughter, Marsha Cicel of Chico; stepson, Christopher Miller of Glenn, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, Chico. Donations are preferred to Enloe Hospice in care of Sorensen's Affordable Mortuary, 587 Country Drive, Chico, (530) 893-4292.

Bernard Firestone
Bernard Firestone passed away Jan. 12, 2002, in Santa Barbara. Mr. Firestone was born Aug. 21, 1916, in Montreal, Canada. He had been a resident of Leisure Village for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Ruth W. Firestone of Leisure Village, two sons, one brother and a grandson. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the residence of Elizabeth Wright Johnson in Santa Barbara. For more information, please call McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, 1 (800) 842-5241.

Gerald Spykerman
Gerald Spykerman, 87, former resident of Port Hueneme and Oxnard, was born June 28, 1914, in Martin, Mich., and passed away Jan. 3, 2002, in Roseville, Calif., as a result of an age-related illness. Gerald was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Seabees during the Korean War. After his discharge from the service in 1952, he moved his family from Michigan to Port Hueneme. He worked as a welder at the Navy base and later was self employed as a welder and owned two gas stations in the Malibu area. He later worked in Nevada at the Nuclear Test Site as a welder and with the International Union of Operating Engineers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, until injury forced his retirement. The family then moved to Northern California, where he enjoyed prospecting for gold and worked for a time at the last operating hydraulic gold mine. He was a longtime member of the Anacapa Lodge of Free Masons and was a prior member of the Lions Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Port Hueneme. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Wava; daughters, Nola Van Bruggen of Wayland, Mich., Lois Hernandez of Hacienda Heights, Calif., Patti Jackson of Lincoln, Calif., Betty Chancellor of Roseville, Calif., and Nancy Bassett of Auburn, Calif.; sons, James of Wayland, Mich., and Danny of Moorpark, Calif.; 25 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Military and Masonic graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo.

Jim Sears
Jim Sears, 70, 1952 USC football All-American, died Jan. 4, 2002, after a cerebral hemorrhage. He is survived by his sons, Rick and Gifford; five grandchildren; and his ex-wife, Diane. Mr. Sears will be cremated and a memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at United Methodist Church, 1049 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village, (805) 497-7884.

Maria Cruz Ramos De La Rosa
Maria Cruz Ramos De La Rosa, 64, of Fillmore passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, at her home in Fillmore. Maria was born on May 3, 1937, in Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico, to Pedro De La Rosa and Margarita Gonzalez. Mrs. Ramos was a physical therapy aide for 35 years, having had worked most recently with the Burnwall Clinic. Maria is survived by her loving husband, Antonio Ramos of Fillmore; sons, Tony and Jaime Ramos; sisters, Elisa Magallon and Rosario De La Rosa; and brothers, Martin, Juan, Agustin and Gamaliel De La Rosa. A rosary service will be recited at 7:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, also at St. Francis of Assisi Church. passed away Jan. 4, 2002, at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, Banning, Calif., of heart failure. She was born on July 15, 1929, and was a 30-year Riverside County resident. Graduated 1948 from Oxnard High School. She was the daughter-in-law of Ronald Wayne "Doc" Sexty, former publisher of the Camarillo News during the 1950s. She was former co-owner of Las Posas Press in Camarillo during the early 1960s, former co-owner of Stagecoach Press Printing in Banning for 20 years, and former executive director of Banning and Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. Member of Precious Blood Catholic Church in Banning, past president of the Precious Blood Ladies Guild, past president of Banning Soroptimist Club, former Playhouse Bowl Committee and Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. She was awarded the Soroptimist Woman of the Year in 1987-1988. She loved serving her Lord and loved spending time with her family and friends. She also loved to travel and loved helping people, especially children. She is survived by her husband, Robert L. McCluskey of Cherry Valley, Calif.; sons, Eric E. Sexty of Crescent City, Calif., Stephen Sexty of Crescent City, Calif., Millard W. Sexty of Agua Dulce, Calif., and Charles E. Sexty of Bermuda Dunes, Calif.; daughters, Lydia J. Lee of Washoe Valley, Nev., Cynthia A Madden of Somis, Calif., Loretta M. Myers of Banning, Calif., and Alana E. Connelly of Ventura; sons-in-law, Jim Lee, Marty Madden, Richard Myers and Jeff Connelly; daughters-in-law, Alma Sexty and Diane Sexty; brothers, Samuel Trujillo of Carmichael, Calif., and Abel Trujillo of Santa Ana, Calif.; sisters, Annie Little of Camarillo, Julia Valdez of San Luis, Colo., Ruth Graham of Oxnard, Elda Daily of Camarillo, Andrea Cleveland of Orange, Calif., Millie Hersch of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Cathi Duncan of Camarillo; 13 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abel Trujillo and Eloise DeHerrera Trujillo; sister, Columbia Valdez; husband, H.E. Sexty; and great-grandson, Marcus Conger. Vigil and rosary services were held Monday, Jan. 7, at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Banning. Mass of Christian Burial was officiated on Tuesday, Jan. 8, also at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Banning. The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Ladies Guild at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Banning, Calif.

Betty Lou Menees
Betty Lou Menees, 77, passed away Jan. 10, 2002, in Thousand Oaks. Mrs. Menees was born May 19, 1924, in Missouri and had been a Ventura County resident for 27 years. Formerly of Sherman Oaks, she was a retired school librarian for the Los Angeles Unified School District. A graduate of Washington University, she was involved in the Los Angeles Teachers Association, president of the State School Librarian Association and member of the Valley University Women. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Menees of Westlake Village; son, Richard Menees of Santa Ana; daughters, Kathryn Jane Menees of Albany, Calif.; and sister, Jane Eble of Indianapolis, Ind. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at Westminster presbyterian Church in Westlake Village with the Rev. Richard Thompson officiating. Private died Jan. 6, 2002, in Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. David was born Jan. 2, 1941, in Hitchin, England. He immigrated to California in 1962. After a short stay in San Francisco, Calif., he decided to try his luck in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Soon after arriving in Canada, he met Elizabeth. They married in December 1963. In October 1972, Elizabeth gave birth to Lisa, their only child. While living in Canada, David attended York University and received his B.A. in marketing. In 1978, after one winter too many, he decided to move his family back to sunny California. The family moved to Thousand Oaks and remained there for 16 years. During this time, David enjoyed a successful career as director of marketing with 20th Century Insurance. David had a true passion for marketing and spent most of his free time gaining further knowledge. He was a true master on the subject. He also enjoyed teaching his skills to others. In 1995, the family moved to Carpinteria, a place where he had always hoped to spend his retirement. Unfortunately, in October 2001, David was diagnosed with cancer. He will be most remembered for his quick wit and keen sense of humor, which remained with him to the end. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Gregory; daughter, Lisa Staal; son-in-law, Anthony Staal, all of Carpinteria; and brother, Derek Gregory of Lake San Marcos, Calif. It was his final wish to be buried in Carpinteria, a place that he had always considered "paradise."
He will be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, both at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 E. Sola St., Santa Barbara; (805) 965-5145. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday, in the chapel of Welch-Ryce-Haider in Santa Barbara. Memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, 300 W. Pueblo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

David T. Elis
David T. Elis, 48, of Oxnard passed away Jan. 11, 2002, from a sudden illness. Mr. Elis was born Nov. 4, 1953, in Oceanside, N.Y., and had been a Ventura County resident for more than 10 years, coming from San Fernando Valley. He was a wholesale account executive for North American Mortgage. Mr. Elis was a member of Havurah Beth Torah and Temple Beth Torah. He loved teaching, enjoyed magic, playing the guitar and Celtic music. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marlayne Bellenson; the apple of his eye, son Skylar; and a host of family and friends. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at Temple Beth Torah with Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller officiating.

Ann Lucille Mitchell
Ann Lucille Mitchell, 49, of Alamo, Calif., died Jan. 6, 2002, from heart failure. Ann was born July 5, 1952, in Torrance, Calif., to William B. and Lucille A. Mitchell. She was a former resident of Oxnard. Ann graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1978 with a degree in biochemistry. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is survived by her fiance, Bill Mathern of Alamo, Calif.; father, William B. Mitchell of Cottage Grove., Ore.; brother, the Rev. Jim Mitchell of Pullman, Wash.; sister, Mary Gilroy of Cottage Grove, Ore.; brothers, Bill Mitchell of Bellevue, Neb., Dan Mitchell of Chula Vista and David Mitchell of Camarillo; sisters, Jane Norland of Dunn, N.C., and Karen Piper of Eugene, Ore.; and 14 nieces and nephews. A service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Ore. Inurnment will be at Fir Grove Cemetery, Cottage Grove, Ore.

Patty Saito Alvarez
Patty Saito Alvarez of Moorpark was called home on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, after a long illness. Patty was born in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 20, 1927. Patty was a resident of Ventura County for 47 years and was preceded in death by her husband, Ysmael R. Alvarez. She left behind a son, Smile Alvarez of Houston, Texas; four daughters, Emoly Balades of Newark, N.J., Jae (Janie) Jennings of Honolulu, Hawaii, Patty Davis of Willis, Texas, and Lila Alvarez of Paso Robles, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, Anjenette, Jason, Thomas, Jennie, Ryan, Taylor, Desiree, Paul, Matthew and Lauren; and five great-grandchildren, Jayson, Joel, Roberto, Jaide and Jashua. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002, at Conrad-Carroll Mortuary Chapel, 401 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard.

Lloyd 'Buck' Jackson Childers
Lloyd "Buck" Jackson Childers, 62, lost his battle with cancer Dec. 27, 2001. Buck died peacefully at his home with his loving partner in life, Alice Hamilton, by his side. Buck was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather with a large heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was a mason and carpenter who worked for John Gerber Construction. Buck lived in Thousand Oaks since 1958. Buck was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Childers Sr., and a son, Lloyd Childers. Buck is survived by his mother, Allie Marie Childers of Newbury Park; sisters, Norma Phillips of Utah, Shirley Yanakeff of Michigan, Joanne Gabbert of Arizona and Kathy Bell of Thousand Oaks; children, Helen Childers of Hawaii, Kevin Childers of Michigan, Phillis Ann Barrett of Michigan, Jason Childers of Thousand Oaks, Michael Childers of Thousand Oaks and Chad Childers of Thousand Oaks; stepchildren, Linda Fields of Orofino, Idaho, and Rick Ayala of Simi Valley; and grandchildren, Billy Ann, Kyle and Travis Barrett, of Michigan. Buck will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Alice would like to thank all of Buck's doctors, nurses and all of the hospice caretakers who did their best to make his last days as comfortable as possible. Alice would also like to thank all of her employers and co-workers at CMP Display for their generosity and support in the family's time of need.

Edwin R. Withers
Edwin R. Withers passed away Jan. 8, 2002, at Eisenhower Memorial Hospital in Rancho Mirage. Mr. Withers was born in Los Angeles on Nov. 28, 1941. He was retired as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlene of Palm Springs; loving children, Michael Withers of Calabasas and Terri Withers Schroeder of Camarillo; father, Vernon E. Withers of Folsom; and brother, Jerry Withers (wife Marty) Withers of Elk Grove. A funeral service will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 12, at Wiefels and Son Mortuary Chapel, 690 Vella Road, Palm Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in honor of Edwin be made to the American Cancer Society, 74140 El Paseo, Suite 1, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiefels and Son Funeral Directors, Palm Springs, (760) 327-1257.

W. Chase Craig
W. Chase Craig, 91, animator, comic book creator and editor, died Dec. 2, 2001, at Los Robles Regional Medical Center of complications after surgery. He was a long-term resident of Westlake Village. Craig was born Aug. 28, 1910, in Ennis, Texas. After studying at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art in 1933-34, he accepted a position with the Christian Science Monitor in Boston, where he drew the newspaper's popular cartoon, "Little Chauncey." In 1935, Craig moved to Hollywood, where he worked as an animator for Walter Lantz's Animation Studio. The next year, he went to work at Warner Bros. as an animator and story man in Fred "Tex" Avery's famed unit, where he worked on dozens of Looney Tunes and other still-popular Warner Bros. cartoons. Craig drew a short-lived comic strip, "Hollywood Hams," for the Los Angeles Daily News. His talent was quickly recognized and he was hired to take over the Charlie McCarthy newspaper strip, based on Edgar Bergen's popular character. He also began doing free-lance work for Western Publishing Co., where he worked on various comic books in addition to supervising, writing and illustrating many Little Golden Books. After Charlie McCarthy folded in 1940, Craig worked on another daily strip, "Odd Bodkins," which was probably the first parody of Superman. He also continued free-lancing for Western, writing and drawing the first Porky Pig stories for the Looney Tunes comic book and many of the early Bugs Bunny one-shots. Also for Looney Tunes, Craig took a cartoon mouse (Sniffles) from the Warner Bros. films, added a heroine named after his wife, Mary Jane Green and thus launched the very popular Mary Jane and Snilffles. Craig also wrote and drew the first few "Bugs Bunny" Sunday pages. The strip was sold to a syndicate in 1942, about the time "Odd Bodkins" ended and Craig went to the Navy. Throughout World War II, Craig worked as a training manual illustrator at the Vine Street Pier in Hollywood. Craig married Mary Jane Green in 1943. In 1945, after being honorably discharged from the Navy, Craig returned to free-lance writing for Western. He also wrote thousands of scripts for various Western comics, including Looney Tunes, "Bugs Bunny," "Porky Pig" and the various Walt Disney comics. In 1950, he joined the firm as an editor, subsequently becoming managing editor and then executive editor. He supervised stories and artwork of many different comics, ranging from Tarzan to various television-based titles to the Disney books, such as "Mickey Mouse" and "Donald Duck." He also created many originals for the line such as "The Little Monsters," "Baby Snoots," "The Jungle Twins" and "Magnus and Robot Fighter." In each of these comics, he worked closely with his staff of writers and artists to maintain the highest possible standards of quality. In 1982, Craig received the Inkpot Award for outstanding achievements in comic art from the San Diego Comics Convention. Craig was also actively involved in local public service. For a number of years he served as president of the Northshore Property Owners Association in Westlake Village. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Jane Green Craig of Westlake Village; sons, Chase Craig Jr. of Woodland Hills, Steve Craig of Santa Barbara and Bruce Craig of Washington, D.C.; and three grandchildren. A private memorial service was held by his family in December 2001. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village.

Carmen Garibay Sanchez
Carmen Garibay Sanchez, 94, lived from April 23, 1907, until Jan. 6, 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlos Sanchez. Carmen is survived by her daughters, Margaret Burkey (husband Bob), Christina Rivera; and grandchildren, Mike Rivera Jr. (wife Rita), Joseph Rivera Sr., (wife Laurie) and Julie Quevedo (husband Alex Sr.). She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel, 15 E. Sola St. A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Carpinteria. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Carpinteria. passed away Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, at his resident after a brief illness. Mr. Berman was born Nov. 29, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., and had been a Ventura County resident for four years coming from Orange County. He worked in computer data entry for the City of Los Angeles for 10 years. Arrangements are in the care of Aabbey Memorial Services of Ventura County, Thousand Oaks, (805) 487-4200.

Beulah Emma Hume Brock
Beulah Emma Hume Brock, 94, died Dec. 22, 2001, in Denver, Colo. Mrs. Brock was born April 6, 1907, in Santa Paula. She grew up in Santa Paula, attended the one-room elementary Briggs School and then graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1925. After high school she entered nursing training, but the schooling ended when she contracted tuberculosis. After surviving tuberculosis, she worked as the society editor for the Santa Paula Chronicle. Mrs. Brock married the late Rev. Floyd J. Brock of Santa Paula on April 7, 1929. She helped her husband start and pastor many Foursquare churches in California and Ohio. They retired from the ministry in 1977. After retiring, they supervised the Women's Division of the Dayton, Ohio, City Mission for three and one-half years. Mrs. Brock also retired in 1977 from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where she worked 15 years for the Avionics Squadron. She and Rev. Brock returned to Santa Paula in 1984 after a 50-year absence. Mrs. Brock was mother of six children, Dr. Floyd J. Brock Jr. of Monterey, Calif., Mr. John Hume Brock of Creston, Ohio, the late David Joseph Brock, Mrs. Diane Brock Lewis of Denver, Colo., Mr. Charles Daniel Brock of Barrington, Ill. and Mr. Paul Nathan Brock of Elida, Ohio. At the time of her death, she had 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Friends may pay their respects from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Skillin-Carroll Chapel in Santa Paula. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Santa Paula Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to KIDS (Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc), c/o Emma Brock, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 729, New York, NY 10115; (800) 266-3314; fax, (212) 870-2657; web site, www.kidsdonations.org; e-mail, mgelber@kidsdonations.org.

Kathleen Jones
A long and full life came to a peaceful end Jan. 6, 2002, when Kathleen Jones passed away at the age of 95. She was born Kathleen McLaughlin on Dec. 28, 1906, in "Dickens Country," County Kent, England. At 13, she sailed to America with her grandmother to join her mother, who had married an American. Owing to a mix-up by immigration authorities, they were detained for two weeks at Ellis Island, N.Y., an experience that led to her lifelong skepticism about American bureaucratic efficiency. The family settled in Chicago, where in 1926, Kathleen married James Kozel, only to be widowed three years later when he died of a sudden illness. At age 22, with two small children, she went to work, holding several jobs in Chicago, including those of personal assistant to radio personality Tony Wons and dancer Irene Castle. Kathleen was very musical, performing semiprofessionally as a singer, pianist and accordionist. Kathleen moved to California in 1945 and, four years later, married Clyde Jones of Morro Bay, where the couple resided until Clyde's death in 1981. Kathleen worked for many years at the General Fireproofing Co. in San Luis Obispo and was organist and soloist at St. Peter's-By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Morro Bay. In 1982, Kathleen moved to Ventura. In retirement she enjoyed travel, returning twice to the United Kingdom to visit family she had left behind so long ago. Despite failing eyesight, she was a voracious reader who followed current events more closely than people half her age. She spent the holidays and her 95th birthday surrounded by four generations of the family she founded. On New Year's Eve, she played the piano at Heritage House in Camarillo, where she spent her last months, and later that night suffered a stroke from which she did not recover. Kathleen will be remembered as a kind, gentle and caring person, which explains perhaps why, in all those years, she never learned to drive a car. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, particularly her children, Barbara Linne of Ventura, James Kozel of Carson City, Nev., and Douglas Jones of Ojai; as well as five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Braille Institute.

Angelina 'Angie' Flores Nilo
On Jan. 3, 2002, Angelina "Angie" Flores Nilo went to be with her parents, Ramona and Ascencion; brothers, Raymond and David; and sister, Sister Mary, after a lengthy illness. She was born on Sept. 8, 1930, in El Rio, Calif., but spent most of her life in Santa Barbara. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She will be missed dearly by all whose lives she touched. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Dario; her seven children and their spouses, John and Olga Fragosa, Victor and Victoria Becerra, Michael and Jennifer Limon, Victoria "Vicky" Becerra, Lucy and Robert Ruiz-Walker, Rudy Pinedo, and Dennis and Gwen Patterson; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Anita and Mercy; brother, Jimmy; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. A viewing will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 E. Sola St., Santa Barbara. Services will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at St. Raphael Church in Goleta. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery on Hope Avenue. Flowers may be sent to Welch-Ryce-Haider or, in lieu of flowers, a donation in her name may be sent to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Welch-Ryce-Haider in Santa Barbara.

Sandra G. Anky
Sandra G. Anky, 48, of Santa Maria passed away Jan. 7, 2002, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. Sandra was born Nov. 1, 1953, in Oxnard to Oscar and Carmen Vasquez. She graduated from Hueneme High School in 1970. She is survived by her husband, Rudy Anky of San Jose; daughters, Rachelle M. Givans and Lorinda D. Anky, both of Santa Maria; parents, Oscar and Carmen Vasquez of Santa Maria; sisters, Barbara Walsh of Moorpark, Christina M. Amaro of Santa Maria; brother, Robert P. Vasquez of Santa Maria; several nieces and nephews; and her extended Vasquez and Herrera families in Oxnard. She was preceded in death by her sister, Terry A. Vasquez, and a brother, David R. Vasquez. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the time of rosary at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, in the chapel of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Santa Maria Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary.

John Scott Pritchard
John Scott Pritchard was taken from our lives suddenly on Jan. 4, 2002. John led a very unique life. He worked at Pepsi-Cola for 23 years, while raising four beautiful children, whom he loved more than anything humanly possible. John was the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back to a complete stranger. If you needed someone to talk to, he'd be the first one to lend a listening ear or a helping hand. John was loved by many and touched the lives of many more. He bragged about his kids to everyone and let them know every day how proud he was of them. He is survived by four very young and outgoing children, Jace "Bud" Pritchard, Jade "Boy" and Joy Pritchard, Tawny "Sweetheart" Pritchard and Nichole "Girl" Pritchard. He is also survived by his brother, Kurt Pritchard; sister, Judy; and his only precious grandchild, Kora Pritchard. He was dearly loved by Julia, Alexis and Natalie Sanchez, whom he accepted as his own. John was preceded in death by his sister, Sherice, and mom and dad, Grace and Carl Pritchard. John will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His laughter and sarcastic humor will never be forgotten. God has taken John for a reason, but he can always be seen in the gleam of his children's eyes.
Daddy
Words cannot express how I feel
You gave us all you had
And only asked for our love.
From diapers and bottles
To dances and car shopping.
You are all I see.
I pray every night
That God will bring you back to me.
Sadly, I know that's not his will
Even though your body
Won't be here
Your spirit will live on,
Through Jace's graduation,
And walking me down the aisle
To give your baby girl away.
I will always feel your familiar touch.
Whenever I need to talk
I can go into my "special place"
And my daddy will be there
Guiding me through the way.
Daddy, Worlds cannot express
How I feel.
You gave us all you had.
I love you daddy!
-- Tawny
Graveside services will be held for John at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. John has been entrusted into the care of the family-owned and -operated Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura.