Oct. 3, 2002

Patsy I. Moore
Irvine resident Patsy I. Moore died at home Sept. 19 of cancer. She was 76. A memorial service was held Sept. 24 at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Tustin. Mrs. Moore was born Aug. 26, 1926, in Colfax, Ind. She was raised on her uncle's farm in West Lafayette, Ind., and attended Purdue University in Lafayette. She earned a bachelor's degree in science in 1948. While at the university she met her husband, John K. Moore. After their marriage and his graduation in 1949, they moved to St. Louis, Mo. Starting in 1964 she worked there in the Ritenour School District as a science teacher for nine years. They moved to Southern California in 1973 where she began a long career as a department manager and buyer for Bullocks and Robinsons-May. Mr. Moore died in 1974. Her hobbies included cake-decorating, collecting antiques and making scrapbooks. She also enjoyed working in her rose garden. Mrs. Moore volunteered as a tutor at El Camino Real Elementary School in Irvine and loved attending school and sports activities with her grandsons. She was also a volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Volunteers in the CASA program are appointed by a judge to speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children. Mrs. Moore attended Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Tustin. In 1992 she traveled with a church group to build homes at a hospital for people with leprosy in India. She was also involved with the Stephen Ministry. She is survived by her three sons, Terry Moore of Irvine, Gary Moore of St. Louis, and David Moore of Ridgecrest; her brother, Richard Cochran of San Angelo, Texas; her four grandchildren, Christopher Moore, Trevor Moore, Cindy Thornburgh and Cathy Moore; and her two great-grandchildren, Megan and Jonathon Thornburgh. The family requested that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arlene M. Walsh
Irvine resident Arlene M. Walsh, 66, died Sept. 24 after a long battle with colon cancer. She died at home surrounded by her family. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Oct. 6, at 3:30 p.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar. She was born May 5, 1936, in Torrington, Conn. She was third from youngest of the 11 children of Paul and Mary Sokolik. She grew up in Torrington and graduated from high school there. The family was a close family who gathered to talk each Sunday afternoon on the front porch. She married "the boy next door," Thomas Walsh, who had grown up across the street from the busy Sokolik family. When he returned from the Air Force his father pointed out their pretty young neighbor and the two met officially in a coffee shop. They married 46 years ago in New Haven, Conn., and made their home in Torrington. They were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school. Mrs. Walsh spent full-time caring for their four children. In 1966, they relocated to West Covina in search of better weather. Mr. Walsh transferred to Orange County in 1984 and in 1987 he and Mrs. Walsh moved to Woodbridge in Irvine. Mrs. Walsh worked in West Covina and Irvine for Coldwell Banker Relocation Services. After her husband retired from his career with telephone companies to become a government consultant, she also retired. They traveled over much of the world and lived for brief periods in places that included Iran, Poland and Hungary. She also loved to shop, especially for clothes and things for her grandchildren. In addition to gardening, she also loved playing with her grandchildren, who both live in Irvine. She and her husband took special joy in baby-sitting for their grandchildren while their daughter-in-law was going to school. "That was just wonderful," he said. Mrs. Walsh is survived by her husband, Thomas Walsh of Irvine; her son, Keith Walsh of Collingwood, N.J. and son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Walsh III and Kim Walsh of Irvine; her daughter, Colleen Wash of Tustin and daughter and son-in-law, Lee Ann and Robert Prouty of Denver; her sisters, Ruth Phelps, Jane Pennington and Marilyn Killingbeck; her brothers, Edward Sokolik and Robert Sokolik of Torrington, John Sokolik of Sylvania, Ga., and Fred Sokolik of Ocala, Fla.; and her grandchildren, Thomas Walsh IV and Makenna Marie Walsh. She was preceded in death by her sister Ethel Scherwer and brothers, Paul and Andrew Sokolik. The family asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Visiting Nurses Association Hospice, 2500 Redhill Ave., Suite 105, Santa Ana 92705 or to the American Cancer Society.

Sept. 26, 2002

Anna Belle Hernon
Longtime Irvine resident Anna Belle Hernon was a vibrant 80-year-old when she died Sept. 14 in an auto accident on the I-5 Freeway near Lincoln in Anaheim. She died at the scene of the accident, said her son, Tom Hernon. Mrs. Hernon was born Feb. 20, 1922, in Milburn, Okla., the daughter of Leslie B. and Eugenia Moore. She grew up in Park City, Utah, and attended Park City High School, where she thrived on home economics projects and was on the debate team. She graduated in May 1940 and attended Brigham Young University for two years on an academic scholarship despite a lifelong membership in the Methodist church. She met fellow Park City resident Jack Hernon when he was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps. The two were married June 21, 1942. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. After World War II, he worked for TWA and they lived in Kansas City for two years. They moved to Gardena in the Los Angeles area, and lived there until moving to Irvine in 1971. They purchased a new home in Greentree and still lived in the same house. Always a consummate homemaker, according to her family, Mrs. Hernon was also a master of crafts and was active with a local rug-hooking group. Many of her handcrafted baby blankets, quilts and hooked rugs were displayed at fairs and exhibits. She spent time in her garden almost every day and was particularly proud of her roses. She was familiar to many in the neighborhood from the regular walks she took with her dog, a black and white Siberian husky. Mrs. Hernon was always busy, recalled her son, and still did almost everything around the house. She had many friends and was a friendly, outgoing person. Her son said someone remarked to him at the memorial service that Martha Stewart had nothing on Anna Belle Hernon, and he thought that described his mother and her resourcefulness well. She had been a member of University United Methodist Church in Irvine since 1971. She was involved there with the Crafts Fellowship group and the prayer chain, and was a frequent Sunday greeter. Memorial services were held at the church Sept. 18. She was buried in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside. Mrs. Hernon is survived by her husband, Jack Hernon, of Irvine; her daughters, Gloria Johnson of Monterey and Margaret Scasserra of Rialto; her sons, Tom Hernon of Las Vegas and Richard Hernon of Irvine; and six grandchildren, Chelsea Van Goey, Christina Scasserra, Cicely Scasserra. Greta Johnson, Camille Johnson and Hilary Johnson.

Margaret Anderson
Irvine resident Margaret Anderson died Sept. 18 at her home in Regents Point. She was 90. She was born Feb. 1, 1912 in LaCrosse, Va. After graduating from high school there, she enrolled in the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md. She returned to Virginia to get her bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg. She then taught school in Richmond, Va. In December 1943 she married Frank E. Anderson in Manchester, N.H. They lived in Manchester for a short time while he pursued a career in instrumental music and she worked in the library. They moved to California in 1945 and settled in Santa Monica. He continued with his musical career and became involved in television and movies. She returned to teaching. She was active in the PTA and Girl Scouts, despite the fact that the couple had no children. She was also an elder and a deacon in the Presbyterian church and worked with the Red Cross, PEO and the Woman's Club. Mr. Anderson died about 1970. After living in Santa Monica many years, Mrs. Anderson moved to Regents Point in Irvine in 1989. There she was friendly and active with other residents and always had a smile for everyone. She is survived by two cousins, Meredith Green of Virginia and Mary Bradstock of New Mexico.

Sept. 19, 2002

Jennifer Ann Fertig
Irvine resident Jennifer Ann Fertig died Sept. 10 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. She was 31 and suffered from a virus since March that took her vision and attacked her brain. Her immune system had been compromised since she came down with chronic Epstein Barr nine years ago shortly after graduating from college. Ms. Fertig was born Aug. 8, 1971, in Los Angeles. Her family lived in Glendale and then Oregon before settling in Irvine when she was 12. She attended Lakeside Middle School and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1989. Sports were her most passionate interest as a teen. Despite her 5-foot 4-inch height, she played basketball and ran track for the high school. She went on to University of Southern California and graduated in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. As a college student, she worked in fund-raising and recruiting for the school's athletic department. After graduating she started law school at Western State School of Law but had to leave when she became ill with Epstein Barr. But she returned to Irvine and received her paralegal certificate at UC Irvine. She worked locally for Discovision. She moved to Los Angeles and worked in fund-raising for a nonprofit organization that raises funds to fight cancer. She then started as a paralegal with Advisors LLP and eventually became the company's controller. She had returned to the UCLA Graduate School of Finance to further her education. Despite spending much of her non-work hours resting from the effects of her chronic illness, few knew she was so ill. She always felt people would see her differently if they thought of her as a sick person, said her mother, Nancy Fertig. She loved movies and the theater with friends and family and also enjoyed reading. She was always interested in furthering her education and was determined to move ahead. In March Ms. Fertig began losing her vision and she moved back to Irvine in June. Services were held Sept. 18 at Pacific View Mortuary in Newport Beach. Her family planned to scatter her ashes at sea. She is survived by her mother, Nancy Fertig of Irvine; her father, Craig Fertig of Newport Beach; her grandmothers, Virginia Fertig of Newport Beach and Lois Grover of Glendale; her brother and sister-in-law, Marc and Lisa Fertig of Irvine and their sons, Spencer and Conner. The family asked that memorial donations be made to the Blind Children's Center, 4120 Marathon, Los Angeles 90029.

Regula B. Melden
Regula B. Melden died Sept. 8 at home in the Sunridge section of Regents Point in Irvine. Mrs. Melden was born in 1910 in Oakland where she attended elementary school and an advanced high school program. She went to the University of California at Berkeley, where she met her husband Abe Melden. They married and moved to Seattle where they stayed for 25 years. They moved to Southern California when her husband was asked to establish the philosophy department at the new UC Irvine campus in the mid-1960s. They lived in Newport Beach. After her husband's death, Mrs. Melden moved to Regents Point in Irvine in 1995. Mrs. Melden enjoyed traveling with her husband, which included trips for lecturing and teaching in London, Paris, Japan and China. After his death she took an extensive trip to Russia. She was outgoing in a quiet way and enjoyed friends and entertaining, according to her longtime friend Mabry Steinhaus. She loved music and taught piano for many years. She was also a gifted oil painter and did both portraits and landscapes. She loved gardening and gourmet cooking and sang with a choral group. Mrs. Melden is survived by her daughter, Jean Stockett of Northern California. Her husband preceded her in death and one daughter died of cancer when in her 20s. Memorial donations can be made to the Southern California Presbyterian Homes Benevolence Fund, Regents Point, 19191 Harvard, Irvine 91612.

Virginia Adams Rinker
Longtime Irvine resident Virginia Adams Rinker died Sept. 5. She had been ill with a heart condition about four months and died on the way to the hospital, according to her daughter Saundra Hoover. She was 86. Mrs. Rinker was born Aug. 10, 1916, in the small town of Springfield. W. Va. Her family owned a farm. She was the eldest of seven children and her mother was often ill leaving her with the responsibility for care of her younger siblings. The depression years were difficult in small towns of West Virginia but Mrs. Rinker's family had their farm and neighbors pulled together to get through the most challenging times. These responsibilities forced her to leave school at an early age but she later received her high school diploma. She met Marvin W. Rinker as a teen through her family and they married in the late 1930s. They made their home in the nearby town of Romney, W. Va., where they raised their only daughter. Mrs. Rinker worked as a bank teller those years. Mrs. Rinker came with her daughter and family to live in Northwood in Irvine in the early 1970s. She always loved and had pride in their home and enjoyed housework and gardening. She also helped raise her two grandchildren in their multigenerational household. For about 10 years after she moved to Irvine she worked in the headquarters of Pacific Mutual Insurance Co. in Newport Beach. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was generally a quiet, private person, said her daughter. She usually would not take time to sit down and relax, but when she did she enjoyed reading and needlework. She maintained her membership in the Romney Presbyterian Church, despite having left the town many years ago. Services and burial were Sept. 12 at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest. Mrs. Rinker is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Saundra and Ronald Hoover of Irvine; her sisters, Charlotte Poland of Herndon, Va., and Mary Katherine McGuire of Redding; and her grandchildren, Scott Hoover of Irvine and Robin Maness of Long Beach. The family asked that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Romney Presbyterian Church, 100 Rosemary Lane, Romney, W. Va. 26757.

Sept. 12, 2002

Claire Marie Gilman
Irvine resident Claire Marie Gilman died Sept. 2. After two years of health challenges, she died unexpectedly of kidney failure, said a family spokesperson. She was 76. She was born March 5, 1926, in Englewood, N.J. She was the first in her Italian family to be born in America. She lived in Tustin and Irvine since 1958. At the outset of World War II, she married Marine 1st Lt. Charles D. Herald. She raised their son and daughter in California. In 1956 she married Marine Capt. George Gilman, an aviator. When George died in 1988, Mrs. Gilman actively involved herself in the Tustin Area Women's Club, Con Brio and St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine. At the church, she met Mar Menier who remained her devoted companion until her death. Mrs. Gilman is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David and Alice Herald; her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and David Jacobs; her brother, Peter Accorti; and her four grandchildren, Vanessa and Kirk Herald, and Alex and Colt Jacobs. The family asked that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church Building Fund.

Sept. 5, 2002

Frederick M. Grazer
Former UC Irvine faculty member Frederick M. Grazer, 74, died Aug. 21 surrounded by his family at Autumn Meadows Care in Mission Viejo. He had suffered a stroke and died of pneumonia. He was a resident of Laguna Woods. Dr. Grazer became an assistant clinical professor of plastic surgery at UCI in 1968, two years after starting his private practice in Newport Beach. He was known for his leadership in body contouring and liposuction procedures and had many publications, according to his wife, Betty Grazer. In addition to his UCI position he was a professor of plastic surgery for the Hershey School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, training young doctors in California for the program. He also designed medical instruments used in plastic surgery. He was past president of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Tord Skoog Society, in which he was also a charter member. His wife said he was an outgoing person known for his jokes and his creative solutions to patients' medical problems. In remembering him, she said, his friends and colleagues recalled his ethics and honesty. He loved teaching and work as a professor, but most of all found it rewarding to make life better for people, she added. Dr. Grazer was born Sept. 23, 1927, in Sacramento, where his grandfather was a physician. He grew up in Yuba City and graduated from high school there. He graduated from the University of San Francisco and also received a master's degree and high school teaching credential at California State University Chico. He graduated from medical school in 1959 from the University of California Los Angeles. He served in the medical corps during the Korean War, despite having had polio as a youth. He served at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz. He and his wife, Betty, were married Dec. 14, 1952, in Marysville. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of their engagement in August before Dr. Grazer died. They lived in Corona del Mar for 32 years and enjoyed entertaining and having houseguests. Dr. Grazer dearly loved his A36 Bonanza single-engine airplane, said his wife. He was an avid photographer and particularly liked to take pictures of landscape scenes. In his younger years he loved to ski, having defied doctors' predictions that he would never walk after having polio. Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach with the Rev. Sean Condon presiding. Burial with full military honors was at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. He is survived by his wife, Betty J. Grazer, of Laguna Woods; his son, Jon Grazer, of Newport Beach; his daughter and son-in-law, Jan G. and Jeff Turcotte, of Irvine; his mother, Marie Kingston, of Chico; his sisters, Marilyn Stone of Orland and Lois Ann Muck of Napa; and his granddaughter, Sydney Ann Turcotte, of Irvine.

Edwin A. Marks
Irvine resident Edwin A. Marks died Sept. 3 at his Westpark home. He was 62 and had battled lung cancer for about a year. Visitation with family will be Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the family home. The funeral will be private. Mr. Marks was born May 26, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pa. He grew up and graduated from high school there and then went to Pennsylvania State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in education. He taught high school special education in Pennsylvania, New York and California. Although he enjoyed his career in teaching while he was working in the schools, he decided to make a career change about 10 years ago. He became a bankruptcy specialist for the Internal Revenue Service. He was still working when he became ill and had offices in Laguna Niguel. Mr. Marks married his wife, Jennifer, in 1979 in New York City. They moved to California in 1980 and lived in Riverside and San Diego County before moving to Irvine about seven years ago. He was a gentle soul, according to his wife, quiet and yet open and friendly. He spent a lot of time with his children. His son, Gregory, is a student at University of California Davis but spent the past year in the reserves serving in Afghanistan. His daughter, Stephanie, graduated from Woodbridge High School this year. Mr. Marks was active as a fan and supporter of the track and girls basketball programs at the high school and knew many of the other parents. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Marks of Irvine; his son, Gregory Marks of Irvine; his daughter, Stephanie Marks of Irvine; and his brother, Murray Marks of Florida.

Aug. 29, 2002

Jon Michael McLaughlin
Jon Michael McLaughlin died Aug. 22, one day after his 55th birthday. He was flying home from a business trip when he suffered a heart arrhythmia and died. Memorial services are planned for Friday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m. at Irvine Presbyterian Church on Alton in Woodbridge. All are welcome. Mr. McLaughlin was born Aug. 21, 1947, in Altus, Okla. He graduated from Southwestern State College in Oklahoma and married the love of his life, Nicola, in 1970. They eventually headed "out West" and settled in California. They lived in Irvine 23 years, the past 20 in Woodbridge. He had a career as an independent shoe distributor. He was outgoing, enjoyed being with people and was a loyal friend. Going out to dinner with friends or family was one of "his things." He was also known for his squeaky clean cars and always made people laugh. His family was the center of his life, according to a friend. Mr. McLaughlin supported the Woodbridge High School baseball program when his son Nick played on the varsity team four years, graduating in 1996. He passionately followed the University of Oklahoma's football and basketball teams and thought of himself as one of OU's biggest fans. He is survived by his wife, Nicola McLaughlin of Irvine and his son, Nick McLaughlin of Irvine.

Aug. 22, 2002

June Galati
A 12-year resident of Turtle Rock, June Galati died Aug. 17 in her home after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. She was 64 years old. A celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. in her home. Information about the service is available by calling (949) 854-3661. Mrs. Galati was born on June 27, 1938, in New York City, the youngest of three daughters. Her father was a vaudeville performer who settled down to run a music shop in East Harlem. The three sisters escaped the summer heat in the city each year and spent their school break on their grandmother's farm in Vineland, N.J. These idyllic childhood summers close to nature helped instill in her a deep passion for gardening and animals, said her son R.J. Galati. After graduating from Julia Richman High School, she went on to work as an executive secretary for Metropolitan Life Insurance in Manhattan. In 1959, she met a dashing young Air Force officer, Vince Galati, on leave to visit his family on Long Island. A year later they were married and she began a 15-year career as a military wife that included living in North Dakota, Colorado, Hawaii and New Hampshire. Each time the family moved, Mrs. Galati pulled up roots and resettled, creating a nurturing home for three young boys. It was especially difficult during her husband's 18-month combat tour in Vietnam in 1968. When her husband retired from the military in 1975, Mrs. Galati gladly made the transition to civilian life, supporting his new job as a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch. She was proud to see her three sons graduate from college and go on to successful careers. In 1990, the Galatis moved to Irvine to be near their children. A cheerful and outgoing neighbor, she was often seen tending to her flowers or walking their beloved dog Ubu. June was also active in a bridge group. She is survived by her husband, Vincent Galati of Irvine; and three sons, Terence Galati of Woodland Hills, Randall "R.J." Galati of Newport Beach, and Rod Galati of Aliso Viejo.

Paul Francis Raftery Sr.
Irvine resident Paul Francis Raftery Sr. died Aug. 10 at his home at Woodbridge Manor. He was 93. Born May 17, 1909, in Taunton, Mass., Mr. Raftery was always a work-oriented person, said his daughter, Catherine Sharbaugh. Even as a youth he rode on a milk route to help the deliveryman, and recounted having to get out and turn the crank on the truck. "He enjoyed working and had a strong work ethic," she said. After graduating from high school in Massachusetts, he attended Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. However, he had to leave his studies before graduating to support his family during the Depression. He worked as an industrial engineer for a company that was later purchased and absorbed by Texas Instruments. He took a leave from his work to serve in the Navy during World War II. He stayed with the company for more than 40 years and retired when he was 65 in 1974. He and his wife, Ethel Corrigan Raftery, met at work and were married in September 1942 in Attleboro, Mass., at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They made their home in Attleboro and raised their two children. The family enjoyed a summer home on Cape Cod. Mrs. Raftery and the children would spend the whole summer and Mr. Raftery came up each Thursday night and stayed until Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Raftery were close and enjoyed doing things together, said their daughter. They long enjoyed playing bridge and golfing together. Even in recent years they attended the program at the Irvine Adult Day Health Center together. After his retirement the couple moved to Torrance to be nearer their daughter. Still loving to work, Mr. Raftery started a courier business and kept working until he was in his mid-80s. They moved to Irvine nine or 10 years ago and made their home at Woodbridge Manor. The past few years one of the highlights of his life was visiting the Adult Day Health Center. He particularly enjoyed singing at the center and at his residence. His daughter said he was an outgoing man who loved to be on the move. He liked to go places and do things. He enjoyed traveling around the United States with his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Raftery were members of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Burial was at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. Mr. Raftery is survived by his wife, Ethel Corrigan Raftery of Irvine; his daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and David Sharbaugh of Irvine; his son Paul Raftery Jr. of Woburn, Mass.; and five grandchildren, Liam Sharbaugh and Patrick, Brendan, Matthew and Kate Raftery. The family asked that memorial donations be made to the Irvine Adult Day Health Center, 20 Lake, Irvine 92604.

Aug. 15, 2002

Melville James Ellis
Former Irvine resident Melville James "Jim" Ellis collapsed at his office Aug. 13 and died later that day at UCI Medical Center in Orange. He was 59. Services are pending at a local golf course.
Information about the service is available by calling the Irvine Chamber of Commerce at (949) 660-9112, where his wife, Jacquie Ellis, is chief executive officer. Mr. Ellis was born May 29, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was raised in Merchantville and Cape May, N.J., and graduated from high school at Admiral Farragut Academy. He also graduated from the University of Connecticut. Growing up near the shore, Mr. Ellis developed a passion for sailing and garnered many awards for racing. Later he took up golf and pursued this hobby with passion as well. After graduating from the university, he joined his father in the insurance business. He loved his work, which gave him a chance to meet and talk to all kinds of people, said his friend Brien Manning. Mr. Ellis moved to California, stopping briefly in San Francisco and settling in Irvine in 1972. He lived in The Ranch. In 1979, he opened his own insurance firm in Orange County. In 1994, he merged his company with Advanced Insurance in Orange, where he collapsed Tuesday. His friend remembers Mr. Ellis as an outgoing person who loved life. He was a happy person who never met a stranger. There was no one he was reluctant to approach wherever he traveled, said Manning. He and his wife, Jacquie, were married in 1989 and they made their home in Newport Beach. In addition to his continuing passion for sailing and golf, he loved to travel with his wife and to spend time with his four daughters. "He was very family-oriented. I played golf with him every Thursday and we always talked about the girls. They were a focus for him," said Manning. Mr. Ellis was also a craftsman and loved working with wood. He made models of ships and boats. He was a former member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Irvine. He was a past president of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce and the Orange Empire CPCU Society. In addition, he was a member of the Sunrise Exchange Club of Irvine and served on the Irvine Transportation Authority. He was also a director of the United Way of Orange County. Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, Jacquie Ellis, of Newport Beach; his father, Melville Joseph Ellis, of Kennebunk, Maine; his daughters, Lauren Sipelis of Corona del Mar, Rebecca Ellis of Aspen, Colo., Leigh Ellis of San Francisco, and Jaimee Ellis of Irvine; his stepdaughters, Toni Bradley of Irvine and Tiffani Lewis of Lompoc; his former wife, Sharon Ellis, of Irvine; his sister, Marjorie Downes, of Kennebunk; and his two granddaughters, Katie and Emily Bradley, of Irvine. The family asked that memorial donations be made to the Jim Ellis Memorial Fund, c/o Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, 2540 North Santiago Blvd., Orange 92867.

Rose Chapin
Bessie Rose Chapin, 94, died peacefully July 29 at her home in Irvine, seven weeks to the day after the death of her beloved husband, Sherman Chapin. They had both lived with their daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tosh Toji, since February 1999. Mrs. Chapin was born June 30, 1908, in Anacortes, Wash., to Jesse and Julia Richards. Her mother had come to Anacortes as a child from Montana in a covered wagon. Her father's family came from Michigan to Stanfield, Ore., to farm in the newly created Irrigation District established in the sagebrush-covered land in Eastern Oregon along the Umatilla River. They lived in tents until they could build a farm house, and Mrs. Chapin was one of the first non-American Indian children to live in the area. A precocious child who began first grade at age 4 with her future stepmother, she graduated as valedictorian of her class at Stanfield High School at age 16. She went to the University of Oregon to major in drama, but family circumstances dictated that she change her major to education, and she got her two-year certificate from Monmouth Teachers College. Many years later, she completed her degree at the University of Oregon. As a young teacher in Myrtle Creek, Ore., she met and fell in love with Sherman Chapin, a local athletic star and the older brother of one of her students. They were married in 1931, which, in those times when married teachers were not allowed, ended her teaching career for the time being. It was the midst of the depression, and the Chapins owned and did all the cooking for a popular chicken dinner restaurant in Salem, Ore., called The Red Lantern. Her most famous contribution was baking powder biscuits. The Fisher Flour Co. came to her and offered to supply all the biscuit mix for the restaurant if she would advertise that she used the mix. The test batch of biscuits was not a family hit, however, and she turned down their offer. To this day, every child in the family learns to make Grandma Chapin's biscuits as the family "comfort food." After Myrtle Creek, Mrs. Chapin's only teaching experience was in her own private neighborhood kindergarten. However, at the onset of World War II, she was drafted into a teaching spot vacated by a man who went off to war. She continued to teach first grade until she moved to California at age 63. She taught in Stanfield, Echo and The Dalles, Ore., and was highly regarded for her creativity. She used her talent for acting every day, both to help her children put on plays, and also as a gifted storyteller who could hold as many as 45 wiggly children in rapt attention. She was a mentor teacher in the teaching of reading, who never followed fads, but always used a mixture of phonics, word recognition and literature to teach virtually every child in her class to read and write. Toward the end of her career, she was chosen for membership in a prestigious national honorary society for teachers. Mrs. Chapin was a pioneer as well as a modern career woman. As a child she milked cows, picked crops, tended bees and helped prepare three meals a day for as many as 20 farm hands. During the depression and war years, and after, she tended a cow and chickens, raised a garden, baked and preserved food, and sewed for her family. She even made soap and butter. Her impressive domestic skills made her a good 4-H leader, which she was for several years. In her retirement years in Rancho Capistrano, Lake Elsinore, she enjoyed welcoming people who came on weekends to work on the houses they were building and provided homemade dishes for them and for many social gatherings. She became an expert knitter and made sweaters and coats for everyone in the family. Her grandchildren remember many happy days spent with her, making up plays, doing craft projects, and baking special treats. Mrs. Chapin inherited a love of poetry from her father, and wrote poems for her daughters when they were small. Dishwashing sessions were brightened as she recited, from memory, favorite poems. In her 80s, she got her first Macintosh computer and published a book of poems she wrote during retirement, called "Poems from the Heart," illustrated by her daughter, Jennifer Becker. She also wrote five small books about her life to give to family members and friends. During her years in Irvine, she enjoyed the loving care of care givers who took her on walks around University Park with her little dog, Lucy, and drove her to Irvine shops to indulge one of her favorite hobbies, window shopping and bargain hunting. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Sharon and Tosh Toji of Irvine and Jennifer and Mark Becker of Moscow, Idaho; her sister, Patricia Lantz of Chambersburg, Pa.; her grandchildren, Billie, Alex, Stan, Pier, Anne-Marie and Chris Sircello and Joe Becker; and great-grandchildren, Michael and Thomas Mendoza, Andrew and Julian Mautz, and Jackson Spargur. Donations in her memory may be made to the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, 4330 Barranca Parkway, Suite 235, Irvine, 92604

July 25, 2002

Daniel H. Marcus
Irvine resident Daniel H. Marcus died in his Woodbridge home July 20 of Parkinson's disease. His wife Jean and daughter Joan were at his side. He was 74. An enthusiastic supporter of efforts to raise funds for Parkinson's disease research and support, he was featured in the Irvine World News during his participation in the Los Angeles Marathon in 2000 and 2001 to raise funds for the cause. Mr. Marcus was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Russian immigrant parents. He moved with his wife and three small children to Orange County in 1963. He worked at Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo for the next 18 years, bringing his engineering skills to the development of the U.S. space program. When his vision failed due to retinitis pigmentosa, he retired from his aerospace work and helped his wife Jean with an international education business. Holding hands, they flew around the world, climbed mountains, took cruises and "let nothing stand in the way of life," she said. Opera was another of his loves and he "collected' opera houses by attending performances in each one. The highlight of his collection was seeing the opera Nabucco at La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy, his wife said. An important part of his life was being involved in the lives of his three children as they grew up, attended university and settled in their chosen careers. Holding each new grandchild was a special event for "Papa Dan." Although his sight continued to decline, Mr. Marcus helped coordinate the Low Vision support group at Lakeview Senior Center in Irvine for four years. He and his wife also participated in the Adopt-a-Family program through their synagogue, Shir Ha-Ma'alot. They supplied food, clothing and other essentials for families in need. He thought it was important to lend a helping hand to others until they could become independent. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease brought a new challenge to Mr. Marcus' life but he chose to meet it head-on. In 2000, he signed up for the L.A. Marathon and started collecting money for research on Parkinson's disease. In a driving rainstorm, his wife pushed his wheel chair the last mile of the course. The following year, he had a team of six "beautiful women" push him the final six miles, raising $12,500. He had signed up for the 2002 race and lined up his team for the cause, but in December 2001 he suffered a heart attack while exercising at the gym, followed by a stroke. He started physical therapy still determined to be in the lineup for the 2002 marathon. He even started raising funds for the event and brought in more than $5,000 in donations. However, complications ensued and he went home in March with hospice care to help his wife care for him. "Right up to the end, he was determined to conquer the disease," said his wife. She added that someone will participate in the 2003 L.A. Marathon in honor of Mr. Marcus. Funeral services were July 23 at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot. Burial was at Pacific View Cemetery in Newport Beach. He is survived by his wife, Jean Marcus of Irvine; his son, Ronald Marcus of San Francisco; his daughters, Bonnie Marcus Rosenbaum of Jerusalem, Israel, and Joan Marcus-Colvin of Aliso Viejo; his sister, Gertrude Krasilovsky of Coconut Creek, Fla.; and six grandchildren, Yehudit, Meir, Sarah and Yaacov Rosenbaum and Natalie and Shayna Colvin. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that people do a good deed, a mitzvah, in Mr. Marcus' name or make a donation to one of his two favorite charities: the Education Fund, Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot, 3652 Michelson, Irvine 92612; or the National Parkinson Foundation of Orange County, 355 Placentia Ave., #302, Newport Beach 92663.

Frank J. Coughlin
Former Irvine resident Frank J. Coughlin died July 10 of a heart attack in Mission, Texas, where he moved about two years ago. He was 73. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine. He was active at the church when he lived in Irvine and knew many parish members. He was born Jan. 1, 1929, in Chicago, Ill. He attended St. Luke School, Fenwick High School and Loyola University there before serving in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. In 1963 he married Barbara Adcock of Decatur, Ill. They made their first home in Chicago and moved to Southern California in 1975. They settled in the Ranch in Irvine in 1976. Mr. Coughlin worked for many years as an aerospace consultant in Southern California and retired about five years ago. Mr. Coughlin was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He joined in Chicago in 1962 and remained an active member until he died. His son, Frank Coughlin Jr., described his father as a kind, nonjudgmental person who was friendly and social. He and his wife loved camping. He will also be remembered for his sense of humor and the joy he brought to other people's lives. Mr. Coughlin was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Coughlin Hennessy, and his daughter, Margaret Coughlin. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Coughlin of Mission, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law, Frank J. Coughlin Jr. and Katharina Coughlin of Temecula; his daughter and son-in-law, Mercedes and Thomas Broening of San Francisco; and seven grandchildren, Dylan, Oliver, Sarah, Chloe, Connor, Sophia and Katherine.

July 11, 2002

Christopher Todd Lawrence
Irvine resident Christopher Todd Lawrence died June 23 after a shooting in Anaheim. He was 21. His mother, Cathlynn Morse, said that her son was weaponless on the night he died and stepped in front of a bullet to protect a friend. "Chris' heart stopped the bullet," she said. Mr. Lawrence was born July 23, 1980, in Atlanta Georgia. When he was 11, his family moved from Richmond, Va., to Irvine. He attended Culverdale Elementary School and Rancho Middle School, where he was voted "Best Hugger." He graduated in 1998 from Albert Sitton High School in Orange. Young Lawrence started his career as an inventor and explorer at the age of 3, according to his mother. She recalled a day when their apartment was too quiet and she sped into the kitchen to find the refrigerator door open and half a dozen eggs broken on the floor. The 3-year-old looked puzzled with an egg in each hand, wondering why the balls would not bounce. At 8 he made his mother a paper cutter from an old eggbeater. For the past few years he worked on other inventions with volunteer mentors and was learning how to get a patent. He had a big heart, said his mother. When he was 12, he helped with a summer school program for children with disabilities and enjoyed working with the children. "He loved life, even when life did not love him back," she said. He often asked her to listen to songs that described how he felt and put his feelings in poems or drawings. He completed a book of poetry. His family and friends were all important to him, but Mr. Lawrence was closest to his brother, Andre Lawrence. People often asked if the boys were twins, though Andre was a year older. Many of the brothers' friends became like members of the family, recalled their mother. She said about 75 young men and women of different races, ages and walks of life attended memorial services held June 27. They told stories of practical jokes Mr. Lawrence had played. Tears flowed when someone told how Mr. Lawrence had encouraged a friend to stay in school, keep a job and stay out of trouble. "I did not hear of death or killing. I heard a story of life, love, loyalty and giving," said his mother. "Chris loved life. He would say, 'Come on, let's go to the beachlet's go to the movies. Come on, you need to get out of the house. Let's go see the sun rise.'" She added, "I hope everyone gets the message, stop the violence." Though his mother moved from Irvine earlier this year, Mr. Lawrence and his brother remained in the city. Chris worked in sales of prepaid legal services. He is survived by his mother, Cathlynn Morse of Loveland, Colo.; his father, Milton Lawrence of Richmond, Va.; his brother, Andre Lawrence of Irvine; his stepbrother, Milton Lawrence Jr. of Atlanta; his grandparents, Alan W. Morse of Florida and Elizabeth Morse of Canada; his aunt, Drew Ingram, and her family of Irvine. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Dale and Bob Naylor of Iowa, Kimberly Morse of Virginia, Todd and Lisa Morse of Pennsylvania; Brooks Morse of Oregan, and their families. Chris died while the Morse family reunion was taking place in Ohio with all his aunts and uncles attending. They held a memorial service at the reunion at the same time as the service in California.

Paul Robert Sarni
Irvine resident Paul Robert Sarni died suddenly June 27 of cardiovascular disease. He fell asleep in his chair at his home in Woodbridge and died there, according to his daughter, Shellyn Hazard. He was 67. Services were July 3 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin, where he attended with his daughter and her family. Arrangements were by Saddleback Chapel, Tustin and burial was at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside. Mr. Sarni was born April 1, 1935, in Stamford, Conn. His parents had immigrated from Naples, Italy, and he was the youngest of 10 children. He grew up in Stamford and Darien, Conn. He played football and baseball at Darien High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Bentley College in Wesley, Mass. He served in the Marines in 1955 through 1957 and was discharged as a sergeant. After the service he went to work for Stone and Webster Management in New York City. He met his wife, Jan, while he was on a job on the West Coast. They were married in the early 1960s. They had three children and were married 25 years when they divorced in 1989. They made their home in New York City but he traveled with his work. They lived in Pakistan for several years in the early 60s. Around 1980 the family moved from New York to Boise, Idaho, where he was vice president of administrative services for the Idaho Power Co. He retired about 1996. He moved to Irvine in 2000 to be nearer his three grandsons. In his free time he was a longtime lover of golf and tennis. After moving to California, he was active in many activities with is grandsons. He especially enjoyed watching them play ball. He was an active person most of his life, said his daughter, and coached a number of ball teams for his children. He was a quiet but friendly person, his daughter recalled and loved most of all to spend time with his grandsons. He is survived by his daughter, Shellyn Hazard of Tustin; his sons, Cris Sarni of Long Beach and Bob Sarni of Nampa, Idaho; three sisters, Josephine Smolley of Darien, Rose Furtak of Stamford and Annette Teplica of Darien; a brother, Mike Sarni of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and three grandsons, Drew Sarni, Justin Hazard and Jacob Hazard, all of Tustin.

Betty Chambers Lawson
Longtime Irvine resident Betty Chambers Lawson died June 30 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, of lung disease. She was 81 and had been laid up due to a broken back suffered in a fall about three years ago. Services were July 6 at Saddleback Chapel, Tustin. Burial was at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall. Mrs. Lawson was born Sept. 4, 1920, in Birmingham, Ala. She grew up there and took a job as an executive secretary after graduating from high school. She married Robert Jackson in Birmingham about 1942. He died about six years later leaving her with their 3-year-old son, Rick. She worked in Alabama as an executive secretary at several companies, including WBRC-TV. Her son Rick said she enjoyed her work very much. She married William Lawson Jr. in 1966. The two met when he was in the South at a convention. He worked for a company in Southern California that made windshields for jet aircraft. They made their home in the San Fernando Valley and then Claremont. They moved to Woodbridge in Irvine in 1983. Mr. Lawson died in 1984. Mrs. Lawson enjoyed playing bridge and played weekly with a group until her fall three years ago. She also liked to read, especially mysteries, said her son. He also remembered her as a social, outgoing person who enjoyed spending time with her friends. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Irvine.
She is survived by her three sons, Richard Jackson of Irvine, William H. Lawson III of Irvine, and Lawrence Lawson of Beijing, China; her daughter, Catherine L. Michel of New Hampshire; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

July 4, 2002

Mildred Anne "Dee" Russell
Longtime Irvine resident Mildred Anne "Dee" Russell died June 25 at Irvine Regional Hospital. She was 60 and diagnosed with lung cancer in May. She had lost her sister just six months earlier to the same disease. Services were June 28 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine, where she and her husband were members of the parish. Burial was at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest. Mrs. Russell was born Sept. 17, 1941, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She grew up and graduated from high school there. When she was 18 her family moved to North Hollywood, where her father was a regional manager for a retail shoe company. She worked as a real estate loan officer in a bank in Los Angeles for several years. She met James Russell in a church young adult group. The two had spoken on the phone in the course of their business but had never met. Mr. Russell worked for a title company. They Married May 15, 1965, in North Hollywood. Mrs. Russell retired after she married. They moved to the Colony in Irvine in January 1972 with their two children, ages 3 and 5. She was involved in her children's activities and supported their sports at Woodbridge High School. Her son, William Russell, played football and baseball and her daughter, Patricia Russell, played softball. Mrs. Russell was a member of the Woodbridge Booster Club. "She was always dependable," said her daughter. "She was always that mom you could call when you needed extra baked goods or someone to work the snack booth." She was like a second mother to a number of her children's friends. In her free time she loved to read and especially enjoyed going to Maui. Mrs. Russell is survived by her husband, James M. Russell of Irvine; her son, William John Russell of Westminster; her daughter, Patricia Ann Russell of Irvine; and her mother, Pauline E. Walther of Irvine.

Amy Diane Nordstrom
Former Irvine resident, Amy Diane Nordstrom, died June 24 in a car accident in Fresno. She was 17 and recently graduated from high school. She was born July 31, 1984, in Newport Beach and grew up in Irvine. She attended Culverdale Elementary School, Westpark Elementary School, Turtle Rock Elementary School, Rancho San Joaquin Middle School and University and Irvine high schools. During her junior year, she and her family moved to Delhi, where she attended and graduated June 2 from Modesto Adventist Academy. At graduation she received a scholarship for leadership and academics. She was secretary of her senior class and associated student social vice president. She enjoyed spending time with her family at Lake Mead where she loved to water ski. Because she attended so many schools, she was able to touch the hearts and lives of many people, said her family. She was recently in Irvine to attend graduations of her friends at University, Woodbridge and Irvine high schools. "She was a beautiful, happy ray of sunshine to everybody she knew. She was very close to her siblings and very involved in school activities," said Irvine resident Jody Forte, mother of one of Amy's friends. A memorial service was June 28 at Modesto Adventist Academy. A funeral service was June 29 at First Lutheran Church of Fullerton. Miss Nordstrom is survived by her mother, Jonie Mays of Delhi; her father, Tenny Craig Nordstrom of Fullerton; her two sisters, Alyssa and Anna Nordstrom of Delhi; her brother, Marc Nordstrom of Delhi; aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial donations may be made to the Ruth and Amy Nordstrom Memorial Scholarship of Buena Park High School, c/o Kurt E. Nordstrom, California State University, Chico, Department of Journalism, Chico 95929.

June 20, 2002

Wanda June Cullers
Longtime Irvine resident Wanda June Lorenzen Cullers died peacefully at her Turtle Rock home surrounded by her children on May 25. She was 73. Memorial services will be held in the park at the end of Biddle Drive in Turtle Rock Saturday, June 22, at 3 p.m. Her family will direct the services. A second memorial service will be held at El Reno Cemetery, El Reno, Okla., July 1, at 11 a.m. under the direction of Wilson's Funeral Home. Burial will be at the cemetery. Mrs. Cullers was born in El Reno, Okla., on Jan. 15, 1929. Her parents, Ina Susan Tye and Clarence Sank Lorenzen, were from Iowa. She was a clever and precocious child, according to her family. After graduating from El Reno High School in 1946, she attended Oklahoma College for Women. In 1948, she married George Kenneth Cullers, a physicist and engineer, and their first child, Kent, was born in July, 1949. Kent was born totally blind , so the Cullers moved to California in 1955, to facilitate his education with sighted children. They lived first in Arcadia and Temple City and moved to Irvine in 1969. Mrs. Cullers was a bold parent, said Kent Cullers, encouraging him to play piano, water ski, ride a bicycle, and fall out of trees in a completely supportive but unprotected environment. She insisted that he could do anything, never limiting him because of his blindness. As a result, Kent Cullers became the world's first totally blind physicist. He is now director of SETI Research and Development, at the SETI Institute in northern California. In 1957, the Cullers had a sighted second child, Susan Lynn Cullers, who also was encouraged to excellence. Susan holds a master's degree in teaching English as a second language and is an administrator at San Francisco State University. Mrs. Cullers also had a long and successful administrative career at UCI. She started around 1970 in the English Department. She was also special assistant to two chancellors, Dan Aldrich and Jack Peltason. She retired in 1991 to devote more time to her husband, children and philanthropic work. Her husband George died in 1998. Always courageous Mrs. Cullers carried on with her active social and charitable activities, said her son. A member of the Newport Beach chapter of PEO (TY), she also joined the Orange County Braille Institute Auxiliary and served as president of that organization. She developed a deep friendship with Joseph McGuire, a UCI professor. The two traveled the world together, and their parties were filled with good food and sparkling conversation, said her son. A devoutly Christian woman, Mrs. Cullers gave much time and love to the Mariners Church where she made many friends. Selfless always, her last concerns were of her loved ones, according to her son. Mrs. Cullers is survived by her two children, Susan and Kent Cullers; her brother, Lloyd Lorenzen, El Reno; and two grandchildren, Alan and Melissa Cullers. The family requested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made in the name of Wanda Cullers to the Braille Institute, Orange County Center, 527 N. Dale Ave, Anaheim, 92801 or SETI Institute, 2035 Landings Drive, Mountain View, 94043.

Sherman Leslie Chapin
Sherman Leslie Chapin died June 10 at his Irvine home. He was 94. He and his wife Bessie lived in University Park with their daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tosh Toji, for the past three and a half years. His daughter, then known as Sharon Sircello, was on the first Irvine school board. Mr. Chapin was born May 15, 1908, in Ellensburg, Wash. in 1908. His family eventually settled in Myrtle Creek, in Southern Oregon, where he graduated from high school. He was an athletic star in high school and planned to play minor league baseball until he injured his pitching arm, according to his daughter. He also danced, with his sister Margaret as a partner, between acts at the Mrytle Creek movie theatre. He continued to love dancing and was a "star" at his granddaughters' weddings. During the Depression, Mr. Chapin became the chef of his own chicken dinner restaurant, the Red Lantern in Salem, Ore. He was particularly proud that the governor and many other members of the state government ate there regularly. His fried chicken was so famous that he was asked to come to a famous night club in Hollywood to make it, but he turned down the offer. He often entertained his daughters with stories of the Red Lantern. A favorite was when Mr. Chapin helped catch some counterfeiters who were staying in the cabins attached to the restaurant. Another famous story was of Bessie and Sherman's wedding day on June 14, 1931. The ceremony was due to begin when he got word that a large group wanted to come in for chicken dinners. In Depression days they could not afford to lose the business, so he rushed in, killed, plucked and fried the chickens, then dashed back to be married. Bessie and Sherman would have been married 71 years this year a few days after his death. During World War II, Sherman worked as a fireman at a large ordnance depot in eastern Oregon. After the war, he opened his own automotive repair garage, Chapin Motors, in Stanfield, Ore. He later went to work helping to build dams in Oregon including the McNary Dam and The Dalles Dam. He continued to do that work, as a member of the Union of Operating Engineers, until he retired and moved to Southern California in 1968. He recently received his 50 year union pin. At Rancho Capistrano, on the South Main Divide above Lake Elsinore, he was the first ranch manager and one of the first residents. After he retired, he was a familiar sight, riding on his tractor or tending his large garden and orchard. In 1998, the entire ranch, along with many relatives, celebrated at a joint 90th birthday party for Bessie and Sherman, on their 67th wedding anniversary. Sherman was extremely proud of the place his family had in settling this country. On his father Frank Sherman Chapin's side, they were the descendants of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who co-founded Springfield, Mass., in the 1630s. He counted Native Americans as well as abolitionists, Civil War soldiers, and pioneers in the West among his ancestors. On his mother, Amanda Kay's side, he came from New Brunswick, Canada pioneers. He talked until his death of the strength of his mother, who was an independent businesswoman and suffragette when women usually worked only in their homes. He is remembered by his family as someone who had ideas that were often ahead of his time. He preached ecology, conservation and natural gardening many years before they became popular. He was a voracious reader and loved politics, history and any subject that dealt with the natural world. He is survived by his wife Bessie Richards Chapin; his daughters Sharon Toji of Irvine and Jennifer Becker of Moscow, Idaho; sons-in-law Tosh Toji and Mark Becker; grandchildren Billie, Alex, Stan, Pier, Anne-Marie and Chris Sircello and Joe Becker, and great-grandchildren Michael and Thomas Mendoza, Andrew and Julian Mautz, and Jackson Sircello-Spargur. He is also survived by his sisters, Lucia Wimer, Lucile Sellers and Margaret Berndt; and his brother, Frank Chapin. His sister Cordelia Rice died in May. The family requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Zoological Society of San Diego for CRES (Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species). They should be sent to the attention of the Development Department, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112.

June 13, 2002

Martha Jeanette Spencer
Longtime Irvine resident Martha Jeanette Spencer died peacefully May 27 at her home in the Groves surrounded by family members, according to a family spokesperson. Mrs. Spencer was born in Indiana. She spent her childhood on the family farm near Indianapolis and moved to California with her husband and two daughters after World War II when her husband accepted an engineering job with Hughes Aircraft. The family lived in Westchester, Tustin, Palos Verdes and Escondido before moving to Irvine in 1985. Mrs. Spencer enjoyed playing cards, playing golf, maintaining the family home, family get-togethers and cooking. She and her husband, Paul E. Spencer, were married for 49 years when he died in 1990. She was known in the Groves for her bridge playing, crocheting and ceramic crafts. She took pride in her appearance and loved shopping for and receiving new clothes, said her daughter, Paula Allen. A Mass was celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Spencer was predeceased by her sister Winifred Huffman and grandson Scott Quackenbush. She is survived by her daughters, Paula Allen of Irvine and Anita Spencer of Truckee; her brother, George Terry of Indiana; long-term care givers and friends, Concha and Mar Cortez of Irvine; grandchildren Christine Shipley of San Clemente, Cynthia Gilbreath of Irvine, Steven Quackenbush of Missouri, Christopher Quackenbush of northern California; and great-grandchildren Heather Lisk, Christopher Shipley and Bradley Shipley of San Clemente.

Elizabeth Jane Keene
Irvine resident Elizabeth Jane Keene died May 28 of cancer at Irvine Medical Center. She was 77. A memorial Mass was celebrated June 4 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine, where she was a member of the parish. A graveside service followed at Riverside National Cemetery where she was buried beside her husband, Joseph Patrick Keene, who died in 1991. She was born Dec. 6, 1924, in Fort Smith, Ark., the daughter of Mark and Rose McAndrew. She grew up in Mattoon, Ill., with three sisters. Her father was a fireman. Throughout her life she loved reading and literature. After graduating from high school near the beginning of World War II, she went to work to support the war effort, but continued to educate herself. In 1952, she married Joseph Patrick Keene, who had been a pilot in World War II. They had known each other since childhood in Mattoon, but did not start dating until after high school. Mr. Keene was in the Air Force during the Korean War and stayed in the service until 1970. During his career, the Keenes and their children lived on many military bases around the country and in England as well. After he retired, they moved to the Racquet Club in Irvine. Mrs. Keene was friendly and outgoing. She loved to talk and had many friends, according to her family. She had a lifelong love of animals and continued to love reading all her life. In recent years she particularly loved the TV quiz show, "Jeopardy." She was preceded in death by about a month by her sister, Ann Van Note of Irvine. She is survived by her four sons, Patrick Keene of Jackson, Timothy Keene of Irvine, Matthew Keene of Irvine, and Andrew Keene of Fox Lake, Ill.; her sisters, Hannah Robert of Austin, Texas, and Rosemary Moore of Jerseyville, Ill.; and five grandchildren, Sara Keene, Patrick Keene, Peter Keene, Trevor Keene and Matthew Hans.

June 6, 2002

Ellary L. Hearn
Longtime Irvine resident Ellary L. Hearn died May 16 at Manor Care in Encinitas. He was 88. He was best known in Irvine for his long tenure at the San Joaquin Golf Course. He was a longtime member of the Senior Men's Golf Team there and assisted at the golf range for 17 years. He loved golf since he started playing at 19, said his daughter, Sarah McCan. Mr. Hearn was born Feb. 17, 1914, in Nebraska. He spent part of his childhood in Texas but moved with his family to California as a child. He had a long career as a recording engineer in the music industry in Hollywood. He and his family lived in Newport Beach from 1959 until he and his wife moved to Irvine 23 years ago. He and his wife, Doris Marie Hearn, were married 53 years when she died in 1990. Mr. Hearn is survived by his daughters, Sarah McCan of Irvine and Vicki Rieger of San Jose; his sister, Marjorie Stenstrom of Sun City; and his grandchildren, Heather Hejmanowski of San Diego, Michael Miles of San Jose, and Douglas McCan of Irvine.