Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!John Lawler
Patent attorney
John Francis "Jack" Lawler of Atherton, a patent attorney for GTE, died March 14 at Sequoia Health Services. He was 82.
A native of Lakewood, Ohio, Mr. Lawler was an accomplished swimmer and Ohio state diving champion in 1936. He was a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II.
After practicing law in Cleveland, Mr. Lawler moved to Los Altos with his family in 1956 and was employed as a patent attorney for GTE. He was a longtime member of the Mountain View Rotary Club.
His first wife, Gene Frey Lawler, died in 1991. After marrying the former Helen Rossi, Mr. Lawler moved to her home in Atherton in 1991. The couple enjoyed traveling, visiting Europe and the Hawaiian Islands several times.
Mr. Lawler is survived by his wife, Helen, of Atherton; children, Jim Lawler of Los Altos, Peggy Shumate of New Jersey, Terry Greenwood of San Francisco, Michael Lawler of Fair Oaks, Kathy Helfrich of Menlo Park, Mark Lawler of San Jose, and John Lawler of Cottonwood; and 19 grandchildren. He was the stepfather of Kathryn Bandy of Texas and Ted Rossi of Menlo Park. His son Dan Lawler died in 1995.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held March 19 at St. Denis Catholic Church in Menlo Park, with Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos.
Aaron Galant
Civil Service director
Private services have been held for Aaron Galant, who died at home in Menlo Park on March 12.
A resident of Menlo Park since 1954, Mr. Galant was 83.
Mr. Galant was born in Ansonia, Connecticut, and moved to San Francisco with his family at age 9. He was a graduate of UC Berkeley, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Throughout his career, Mr. Galant worked for the U.S. Civil Service, retiring at 55 as western regional director. He was a member of SIRS and enjoyed playing golf. "His family meant a great deal to him," says his daughter, Gloria Symon.
Mr. Galant is survived by his wife, Vivian; daughter Gloria Galant Symon of Palo Alto; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His daughter, Paula Galant Sirof, preceded him in death.
Memorials may be made to Stanford Hospice, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5520.
Edward L. Farwell
Longtime Portola Valley resident
Edward L. Farwell, a construction supervisor and 30-year resident of Portola Valley, died March 8 in Murphys, California. He was 72 years old.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Farwell was a construction supervisor for "Buzz Haskins" Heavy Equipment Construction Co. and a member of the International Operating Engineers Union, Local 3.
Mr. Farwell helped build local landmarks, such as Interstate 280, Canada College, and Carlmont High School. As a gift to the community, he supervised the grading for the town playing field next to Alpine Inn.
A native of Wyoming, Mr. Farwell served in the Navy during the Korean War. He moved to California after the war, and lived in Portola Valley for 30 years. His wife, Jackie, was a familiar face at the Portola Valley Pharmacy, and their four sons attended Portola Valley schools and Woodside High School.
Mr. Farwell is survived by Mrs. Farwell, his wife of 46 years; sons, Steve of Burlingame, Danny of Walnut Creek, Craig of Tracy, Kevin of Murphys, and numerous grandchildren; his brother, Buzz Farwell of Paradise, California; and sisters, Swede McAllister and Wilma Kaul, both of Wyoming.
A private memorial service was held in Murphys. Donations in Mr. Farwell's memory may be sent to the American Heart Association. Cards may also be sent to the family at P.O. Box 2184, Murphys, CA 95247.
Ypie Vlaming
Native of Holland
Ypie Vlaming, a resident of Menlo Park for 33 years, died March 16. She was 81.
Mrs. Vlaming was born in the Netherlands, where she lived until her 20s. After World War II, she met her future husband, Frank, on a biking expedition. Two years after their marriage, they immigrated to the United States, where they settled in Modesto. They later moved to Tulare, where she owned and managed a motel.
In 1968 the family moved to Menlo Park. During the 1970s, in addition to raising her own three children, Mrs. Vlaming cared for three foster children. In the late 1970s she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite her illness, she was able to make several trips to the Netherlands.
Mrs. Vlaming loved to play games, especially bridge, and was a marvelous cook, according to her family. Her door was always open to family and friends.
Mrs. Vlaming is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Frank Vlaming; her children, Conrad Vlaming of Kent, Washington, Clare Vlaming of Menlo Park, and Jane Poulsen of San Jose; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service was held March 24 at the First Congregational Church, Palo Alto. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 150 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94612.
Kenneth Fisher McLaren
Forty-year Atherton resident
Kenneth Fisher McLaren, an Atherton resident for 40 years, died March 20. He was 85.
Born in International Falls, Minnesota, Mr. McLaren was a resident of San Mateo County for 70 years. He was a member of the Menlo Country Club for 56 years, and was an avid golfer, said family members, adding that he was a great Scotsman whose pride in his clan will be carried on for him by his family.
Mr. McLaren is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathryne Walton McLaren; his children, Kenneth, Marcia, Sherry and Joani; his sister, Marjorie McLaren Bolton; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Thomas Kearney Hill
Retired chemist
Thomas Kearney Hill, a resident of Menlo Park and Atherton since 1922, died February 14 of multiple illnesses. He was 89.
Mr. Hill was a graduate of the University of Santa Clara. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and later worked as a chemist at the Hunters Point Naval Yard in San Francisco.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park.
A funeral Mass was held at the Church of the Nativity, followed by Burial at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, with arrangements by John O'Connor's Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Marguerite Lyon
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Marguerite Fisher Lyon, an accomplished artist and ballerina in her youth, died March 15 in Coronado. She was 93.
The daughter of a Scottish engineer and his American wife, Mrs. Lyon was born in Jamaica, lived for several years in India as a child, and was educated in England. She immigrated to the United States at age 18.
While living with an aunt in New London, Connecticut, Mrs. Lyon met her future husband, Lt. Percy Lyon, who was in New London attending submarine school. The couple marriage in Panama and traveled extensively with the Navy.
When Captain Lyon retired in 1955, the couple moved to Menlo Park. After her husband's death in 1962, Mrs. Lyon remained in Menlo Park until 1997, when she moved to Coronado.
She was active in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling, dancing, drawing and painting, and studying Italian and French, says her family.
Mrs. Lyon is survived by her daughters, Penelope Nyquist of Coronado and Elisabeth Hart Lyon of Ithaca, New York; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her son, Captain Peter Lyon, died in 1996.
A memorial service and Burial will be held at Golden Gate Cemetery in San Bruno. Memorials may be made to Sharp Hospice Care Fund, Grossmont Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 158, La Mesa, CA 91944-9942.
Aniela Rollinger
Menlo Park resident
Aniela Rollinger, who lived in Menlo Park for the past 10 years, died March 7. She was 89.
Mrs. Rollinger, who was a native of Poland, is survived by her children: Joanna Rollinger of Menlo Park, Chris Rollinger of Newbury Park, California, Jan Rollinger of Los Altos, and Peter Rollinger of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Private family services were held.
Warren Dale Lazier
Dentist, Kiwanis charter member
A memorial celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Peninsula Bible Church, 3505 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, for Warren Dale Lazier, who died March 28. He was 80.
Dr. Lazier, who practiced dentistry in Menlo Park for 46 years, was honored in March for his 50 years of service as a charter member of the Menlo Park Kiwanis Club.
He grew up in Illinois, graduated from Eastern Illinois State University, and served in the Army Air Force in World War II.
In 1946, he graduated from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry.
During the Korean War, Dr. Lazier was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco as a captain in the Army Dental Corps.
Dr. Lazier played on golf and tennis teams in high school and on the varsity golf team in college. An avid athlete, he continued to enjoy golf and tennis and was a charter member of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.
A devout Christian, Dr. Lazier was an elder at Peninsula Bible Church. He was instrumental in starting men's Bible classes at the church.
His memberships included: the American Dental Society, Palo Alto Elks Club, Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity, Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity, and the University of California Alumni Association.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, June Brunel; daughters Francie Arcadi of Napa; Carol Stensrud of San Diego; and Beth Holtby of Colorado Springs; brother Murney Lazier of Western Falls, Illinois; sister Lois Shelley of Fort Worth, Texas; and six grandchildren.
Donations in Dr. Lazier's memory may be made to Stanford Hospice, 300 Pasteur Drive, Mail Call 5520, Stanford, CA 94305, or to a charity of choice.
Artemis Green
Charter member, Sharon Heights Country Club
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 6, at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church for Artemis Kurkjian Green, who died March 29 in Menlo Park. She was 84.
Mrs. Green was born in Philadelphia and raised in Princeton, N.J. She met her husband, Mike, while both were working at the RCA Research Laboratory in Princeton. They were marriage in 1953 and moved to Menlo Park in 1959 where Mr. Green accepted a position with Stanford Research Institute.
As a charter member of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, Mrs. Green, known as "Arti," made many friends and was active in the 18-hole golf group.
She was a volunteer at the Bechtel International Center at Stanford University, helping Japanese students learn English. The students, who later formed a club in Japan, invited Mrs. Green (Arti San) to Japan as their guest.
Mrs. Green is survived by her husband, Milton (Mike) Green; and sisters Rose Johnson, Alice Blanchard, Araxy Foster and Ann Sarajian.
Donations in Mrs. Green's name may be made to the Stanford Hospice, Mail Stop 5520, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford CA 94305.
Aniela Rollinger
Menlo Park resident
Aniela Rollinger, who lived in Menlo Park for the past 10 years, died March 7. She was 89.
Mrs. Rollinger, who was a native of Poland, is survived by her children: Joanna Rollinger of Menlo Park, Chris Rollinger of Newbury Park, California, Jan Rollinger of Los Altos, and Peter Rollinger of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Private family services were held.
Richard Kirby
Irrigation consultant
Richard H. Kirby of Portola Valley , a former president of the Los Trancos Community Association, died suddenly at home April 4. He was 65.
Mr. Kirby grew up in the Bay Area and attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two-and-a-half years during the Korean conflict. He returned to graduate from San Jose State University.
Mr. Kirby worked with Braman Pipe and Supply and Aqua Dial Irrigation Supplies before starting his own business as an irrigation design consultant. He co-founded the American Society of Irrigation Consultants and served as its president.
As well as being active in the Los Trancos Community, he was president of the Los Trancos Water Board for four years. He was a scout master for a local troop of Boy Scouts for two years and a member of Palo Alto Lodge #1471, BPOE.
Mr. Kirby is survived by his wife of almost 39 years, Jeanne; son John of Davis; daughters Susan Kirby of Aptos and Joan Whitman of Los Gatos; and sister Ruth Ann Hosken of San Rafael.
A memorial Mass was held April 7 at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Portola Valley.
Charles Newell Aldous
Electronic engineer
Charles Newell Aldous, a resident of Ladera since the 1950s, died at home April 1 of pneumonia after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was 78.
Mr. Aldous was born in Philadelphia and raised in Tooele, Utah. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed in Guam.
He graduated from the University of Utah in 1948 with a degree in electrical engineering, and received an MBA from the University of Santa Clara.
He was an electronic engineer, including 20 years with Lockheed.
Mr. Aldous was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and loved family activities, singing, dancing, woodworking, gardening, hiking and travel, says his family.
Mr. Aldous is survived by his wife Verna, whom he marriage in 1946; children Charles Aldous III of Davis, Karen Aldous of Mt. Shasta, and Susan Aldous Strachan of Mr. Shasta; sister Marjorie McBride of Alameda; brothers Melvin of Salt Lake City and Dean of Tooele, Utah; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held April 9 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Menlo Park. Burial was in Preston, Idaho. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Richard Buckley Jr.
40-year Atherton resident
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church, Menlo Park, for Richard Fitzgerald Buckley Jr. of Atherton who died March 29. He was 81.
A third-generation San Franciscan, Mr. Buckley attended Lowell High School and the University of San Francisco. As a youth, he was a Boy Scout with the Troop 14 in San Francisco.
During World War II, he served as a aviator with the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor.
A 20-year employee of Lockheed, Mr. Buckley was a member of the Serra Men's Club, the Pioneer Society and the Menlo Circus Club.
Mr. Buckley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth; sons Richard and Peter of Mill Valley; Robert of Novato; daughters Susan Buckley Kramer of Newport Beach and Mary Louis Wilhelmy of Diablo; sister Anne Buckley Jensen; and 14 grandchildren.
The family prefers donations to a favorite charity.
Lois Arscott
Retired teacher
Lois Coffin Arscott, widow of the late Dr. John R. Ascott of Princeton University, died March 23 at the home of her son, David Arscott, in Atherton. She was 87.
Mrs. Arscott was born in Albany, New York. She was a graduate of Cornell University and Katherine Gibbs secretarial school in New York City.
While working at Princeton University, she met her future husband whom she marriage in 1938. Dr. Arscott taught English at Princeton and was chairman of the English department until 1961. He preceded her in death.
Mrs. Arscott taught in elementary schools during the 1950s and 1960s. She was also a music lover and sang in her church choir.
She is survived by her sons John of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey; David of Atherton; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Donations in Mrs. Arscott's memory may be made to Cornell University, Information Services, 55 Brown Road, Ithaca, New York 14850.
