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 - 7
Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com Date: Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at 6:56 p.m.
Joseph Aaron Davis
DOWNEY - Joseph Aaron Davis, a former member of the Board of the Downey Unified School District and a Downey resident for more than 50 years, died Sept. 1, 1997 at his daughter's home.
He was born March 24, 1910 in Denison, Texas, to parents Maude Ruby Glover and Marion Phillips.
His mother later married Roy Grady Davis who raised Joe as his own son.
During a serious childhood illness, he was visited by members of a local Boy Scout troop who read to him.
He developed a love for reading and scouting that led him to achieve Eagle Scout rank.
During the hard times of the Depression he was forced to leave school to help support the family.
He left Texas and "rode the rails" to California, living in Los Angeles, at the YMCA and supporting himself wherever he could (frequently working as a movie extra).
He became involved in the aircraft industry, took a job with Aerojet, and settled in Downey.
During World War II, he grew an award-winning Victory Garden, and continued his interest in gardening for the rest of his life.
He was also an avid photographer, particularly fond of portrait work.
It was this that caused him to meet his wife, Aleta June Phillips.
They were wed April 16, 1954.
They raised three daughters in Downey, Lisa, Jill and Gina, each of whom attended Downey schools.
The family was very active in the Children's Theater.
He was committed to education all his life, attaining a GED, a Time and Motion Study certificate from Cal Tech, and an AA degree in business from Cerritos College.
He was also a physical fitness enthusiast, was interested in political issues, writing and music.
Survivors include his wife, Aleta Davis; daughters, Lisa Mothersbaugh, Jill Bisegger and Gina Davis-Wurzler; sons-in-law, Jim Mothersbaugh, David Bisegger and Charley Wurzler; grandchildren, Jacob and Rachel Mothersbaugh, David Bisegger and Davis Wurzler; brother-in-law, Frederick Phillips; and cousins, Hazel Brink Owens and William Brink.
The family suggests contributions to Zero Population Growth in his memory.
Edith Margaret Lombard
DOWNEY - A Memorial Mass will be heard Saturday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Edith Margaret Lombard, a resident of Downey for 28 years and a former price communication manager for the Fluor Corp., for 31 years.
She was born Sept. 29, 1912 in Covington, Kentucky, was 84, and died at her Downey home Aug. 15, 1997.
A former resident of Cudahy, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, in 1967.
Survivors include her son, Eugene Lombard of Mountain Center, California; sisters Ruth Jules and Dorothy Reese of Downey, Betty DeAtley of Scottsdale, Arizona; a brother, Bill Brodet of Porterville; and one grandson.
Monsignor Robert Gipson, will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Downey Zrelak family Mortuary.
Alice Hankins Priest
DOWNEY - A Funeral Mass will be heard today, Friday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Alice Hankins Priest, a resident of South Gate since 1973 and a former resident of Downey, who died at Specialty Hospital of Southern California Sept. 13, 1997.
She was born in Denton, Texas, Oct. 11, 1917 and was 79, the youngest of 11 children.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Joseph Priest in 1957.
Survivors include her husband, Vern A. Priest of South Gate; a son, Robert A. Priest of Mt. Baldy; a brother, Pierce Hankins of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and a sister, Ruby Betts of Wilton, California.
Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Arrangements are by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.
Donations in her memory are suggested to the Mother Teresa Missionary Sisters of Charity, 10950 California Ave., Lynwood, CA 90262.
William Carlyle Cole
DOWNEY - A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel for William Carlyle Cole, a longtime local resident and a retired employee of Livingston & Graham Cement Co.
Born in Missouri, he was 81 and died Sept. 12, 1997 in Long Beach.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Downey United 220 Scottish/Rite.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Cole.
The Masons will officiate. Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
George G. Pagaduan
DOWNEY - Private Memorial Services for George G. Pagaduan, are set for 1 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 20, at his daughter's home in Downey.
He lived with his daughter, Gloria Pasmant of Downey, was age 91, born in the Llocos Norte, the Philippines, on Dec. 12, 1905, and died at home Sept. 14, 1997.
He was a retired Rockwell employee, and a 13-year resident of Downey.
He came to America at the age of 18, arriving in Seattle, and traveled all over the U.S., finally settling in California.
He joined the Jehovah Witness ministry in 1950, and was a member of the Santa Fe Springs Congregation.
He was preceded in death by his son, David Pagaduan in 1981.
Survivors include daughter, Carmen P. Hemulgada of San Diego, her husband, Benjamin, and their children, Ben Jr., and Melinda; daughter, Gloria Pasmant of Downey, her husband, Andrew, and their six children, Andrew Jr., Leianna, David, Marie, Michael, and Angelina; a sister, Trifina Castellano of the Philippines; a niece, Thelma Llvares of San Diego; a nephew, Dave O. Pagaduan of Jacksonville, Florida, and many other nieces and nephews.
Steve Delgado will officiate.
Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
Burial will be in Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach.
Mary Ann Shull (nee Miller)
19 Oct 1919 - 11 Sep 1997
DOWNEY - A Funeral Mass was heard Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Mary Ann Shull, a resident of Downey for 45 years, and an employee of various medical institutions for 50 years.
She was 77, born in Oakland, and died Sept. 11, 1997 in the USC/Norris Cancer Hospital.
She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the National Registry of Medical Secretaries, and the Republican Women's Club of Downey.
Survivors include her husband, Robert W. Shull; sister-in-law, Ruth Rollins; brother-in-law, Bill Rollins; four nieces and nephews, and 14 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Father John Moloney officiated.
Burial followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.
Jess Hernandez, 79
PICO RIVERA - A Funeral Mass was heard Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Jess Hernandez, a 27-year resident of Pico Rivera and a former self-employed barber in La Habra for many years.
He was born in Ventura and died Sept. 10, 1997 at the Hospice of Inter-Health at the age of 79.
He served in the Marine Corps in World War II, and was a past Grand Knight of Norwalk Council 3678 Knights of Columbus, and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Maria Elena Hernandez; his children, Thomas J. Hernandez of Fullerton, Stephen J. Hernandez of Las Vegas, Maria Elena Maley and Lorrie Almanza of Whittier, and Rose Marie Esclenta of Santa Ana; brothers, Ruben Hernandez of Minnesota and Dan Hernandez of Tucson, Arizona; a sister, Rachael Torres of Santa Barbara; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pastor John Moloney officiated.
Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.
Arvin 'Mac' McCauley
17 Jan 1923 - 4 Aug 1998
DOWNEY - Arvin "Mac" McCauley, a longtime Downey resident and a noted air historian, died Aug. 4, 1998.
He was born Jan. 17, 1923 in Anaheim, graduated from Downey Senior High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942.
He completed both cadet pilot training and gunnery school.
His war experiences included five missions to the Ploisti Oil Fields, and the first Russian shuttle mission in June of 1944.
After the war, he became a member of the Millwright Local 1607, and was later employed as a sales and field engineer with Standard Conveyor Co.
Following a heart attack in 1976, he retired and became active in recounting the history of the air war.
He joined the B-17 Combat Crewmen & Wingmen organization and was editor of their monthly publication for 19 years, in addition to serving as chief officer for eight years.
He was an active board member with the 97th Bomb Group and recently served as Second Vice President.
As a member of the 97th Bomb Group, he was currently involved in the restoration of a B-17 and the 15th Air Force Memorial Wall at March Field Museum in Riverside.
His other affiliations include the Downey Elks Lodge; the Downey Historical Society; the Vultee Club; and the John Birch Society.
He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Douglas Scott McCauley.
Survivors include his son, Gerald McCauley of Arcadia; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Randy Wallis of Bellevue, Washington; grandsons, Scott and Doug Wallis; and a sister and brother-in-law, Nadine and Don Fishbeck of El Segundo.
Donations are suggested to the March Field Museum in Riverside.
