Los Angeles County, California Obituary and Death Notice Collection
(Obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in the Downey and surrounding towns.)
Many of these obituaries do not have the year of death included. Use the Social Security Death Index to determine this information.
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Downey, Los Angeles County, California Obituary Collection
GenealogyBuff.com - Downey, Los Angeles Co., California Obituary Collection - 28
Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com Date: Friday, 2 August 2024, at 5:32 a.m.
Mary Catherine Kruse
DOWNEY - Services were held Thursday, Oct. 2, at Forest Lawn in Cypress for Mary Catherine Kruse, a Downey resident for 36 years and a volunteer at Downey Community Hospital, who died Sept. 28 at DCH.
She was born in Downey, was 36, and a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.
Survivors include her father, Doland Kruse; her mother, Joyce Kruse; and a sister, Patricia Yasukuchi (and brother-in-law Glenn).
Father Steve Davoren officiated.
Burial was at Forest Lawn in Cypress.
Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
Dick Raabe
DOWNEY - Richard E. Raabe Jr., a former longtime resident and community leader in Downey, died at 88 following heart surgery.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 28, 1910 and died Dec. 9.
He was the owner of Emergency Engine Service on Phlox Street for many years where he manufactured quarter midget race cars and van style ambulances.
He was involved in many community activities including the designing and building of the frame and engine for several Downey rose floats.
He was a member of the Downey Elks Lodge 2020, the Downey Masonic Lodge, the Al Malaikah Shrine, the Downey Rose Float Association, past president of the Downey Optimists, and past president of the Downey Shrine Club.
His hobbies included the restoration of a 1920 Model T Ford touring car and the design and machining of his own steam engine.
He was a member of the Los Angeles Live Steamer Club at Travel Town in Griffith Park.
He moved to Lake Park La Mirada about 20 years ago.
His signature red custom Chevy pickup truck is now in Tulsa with his son, Chuck.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; his brother, Harry of Victorville; his son, Rick of Downey; daughter, Jan Youngquist of Yorba Linda; son, Chuck of Tulsa; daughter, Ginger Maron of Seattle; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.
There were no services.
Maria Allemant de Salinas
SOUTH GATE - A Funeral Mass was heard Wednesday, Dec. 30, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Maria Antonieta Allemant de Salinas, resident of South Gate for six years, who died Dec. 26 in Downey Community Hospital.
She was 97, born Jan. 22, 1901 in Lima, Peru.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar, in 1950.
Survivors include her sons, Oscar and Santiago Salinas of Peru; daughters Esperanza Rodriguez of Peru and Olga Salinas and Nelly Pino of South Gate; and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren.
David A. Berggren
DOWNEY - Funeral services for David A. Berggren, a Downey resident for 40 years, were held Dec. 18 at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
Born in Chicago, Illinois Feb. 22, 1932, he died at his home Dec. 14.
Survivors include his wife, Dianne Berggren; his daughter, Laura Bruce of Downey; stepsons, Christopher and Steven Coday; six grandchildren; and two sisters.
Raymond Wilbur Curtis
DOWNEY - Graveside services were held Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier for Raymond Wilbur "Ray" Curtis, a former 20-year employee of Sachs Lincoln-Mercury, who died Jan. 10 at his Downey home.
He was a Downey resident since 1929, and was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie, in 1996.
Prior to his years with Lincoln-Mercury he worked for Helms Bakery.
He was a member of the Downey Historical Society, the Downey Rose Float Association, and the Downey Seniors Billiards Club.
Survivors include his son, Robert of Downey; two granddaughters, Laura of West Covina, and Denise of Fullerton; grandsons, Jeff of Georgia and Brad of Joshua Tree; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lucille of Wisconsin.
Father John Moloney of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church officiated.
Arrangements were by Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
John Spolsky, age 79
DOWNEY - Friends and family may attend a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. this evening, Friday, Jan. 15, at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel for John Spolsky, a 50-year Downey resident and a former employee of Miller Brewing Co., who died Jan. 11 at Kaiser Hospital in Bellflower.
He was 79, born in Pennsylvania, and was baptized at the Russian Church Byzantine Rites, and was also a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Survivors include his wife; four children; two sisters; five grandchildren; two nephews and three nieces.
A rosary will be held at 7 this evening.
Services will be tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 16) at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Father John Moloney will officiate.
Private burial will follow.
Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
Giselle 'Gigi' Vlad
DOWNEY - A Memorial Mass will be heard at 7 p.m. this evening (Friday, Jan. 16) at St. Raymond's Church for Giselle "Gigi" Vlad, a student at West Middle School who died Jan. 7 in Norwalk.
She was 13, born in Torrance, and was a lifetime resident of Downey.
She was a member of St. Raymond's Church, and was a cheerleader, former Student of the Month, and participant in the Science Olympiad and Academic Olympics while at West Middle School.
She had attended Williams Elementary, where she took a second place in writing in a Reflections Contest, won a Good Citizens Award, was named to the Honor Roll, earned a Presidential Academic Fitness Award, and took a first place in a Library Bookmark Contest.
She was a member of the Girl Scouts, the Downey YMCA Gymnasts, and the Divine Talents.
She loved the library, reading and writing, algebra, friends, the phone, the mall, roller coasters, swimming, pizza, ice cream, candy and animals (especially cats).
Father Steve will officiate.
Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
Antonio Dicorato
DOWNEY - A Funeral Mass was heard Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Antonio (Tony) Dicorato, Downey resident for 35 years, who died at his home Jan. 9.
He was 64, born in San Fernando June 27, 1933, and was a cement contractor in Downey for 30 years.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Dicorato; sons, Michael, Patrick and David of Downey, Timothy of Hesperia; daughter, Karen Lora of Hesperia; twin-brother, Ralph of Colorado; sister Thersa Seymour of Buena Park; and nine grandchildren.
Pastor John Moloney officiated.
Private cremation followed.
Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.
