Lucy Marion Buell
Lucy Marion Buell, 91, died Saturday, June 30, 2001 at the Acacias Care Center in Ojai. Born July 26, 1909 in Montecito, Calif., the daughter of Percy O. and Esther Butler Buell, she is the descendant of the pioneering Buell families of Montecito, Santa Barbara and Buellton.
After attending schools in Montecito and Santa Barbara, she graduated from Occidental College and then earned a master's degree from Columbia University.
While serving with the American Red Cross in the South Pacific during World War II, she worked with brain-damaged soldiers, creating a lifelong interest in working with reading disabilities. She was a pioneer teacher of remedial-developmental reading and typing at Santa Ynez High School, The Westminster School in Connecticut, and for the last 25 years of her career at The Thacher School in Ojai.
Survivors include her sister-in-law Mrs. Edgar Buell Butler of Bloomfield, Conn.; niece Judith B. Shea of Lake Placid, N.Y.; nephews William N. Butler of Farmington, Conn., and Edgar B. Butler Jr. of West Hartford, Conn.; several grand and great nieces and nephews; and numerous Buell cousins.
A gathering in remembrance is being planned for the fall at The Thacher School. Donations in her memory may be sent to the American Red Cross or The Thacher School.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Berniece Carlisle
Berniece Carlisle, 85, of Ojai, died Saturday, July 7, 2001 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility. She was born Dec. 30, 1915 in Axtell, Neb.
Mrs. Carlisle had lived in Ojai for four years, coming from Burbank.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Chris Crossett of Ojai; and six grandchildren.
Private inurnment services will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Frederick E. Hunot
Frederick E. Hunot, 78, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at his home in Ojai after an extended illness. He was born June 7, 1923 in Athena, Ore., and lived in Ojai for 29 years, coming from Paso Robles, Calif.
Mr. Hunot was retired from the California Youth Authority, where he worked for 28 years. He was a member of the American Legion, Ventura Post, and the Elks in Paso Robles. He spent time reading and watching vintage films.
Mr. Hunot served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a flight engineer aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific from 1942 to 1946.
He is survived by his sons, Pete Hunot of Fresno, and Art Hunot of Santa Barbara; and four grandchildren.
His wife of 57 yeard, Louise L. Hunot, died last year. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Louise Chambers, in 1975.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Interment
will be private, at Nordhoff Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Hunot may be made to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association-Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Ste. 109, Ventura, CA 93003.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Jean Lorraine Whitlock
Jean Lorraine Whitlock, 17, of Ojai, died Thursday, July 12, 2001, as a result of an automobile accident. Born Dec. 29, 1983, she was born and raised in Ojai, and was looking forward to her senior year at Nordhoff High School.
In addition to her studies at Nordhoff, Miss Whitlock spent time playing volleyball, soccer, baseball, and was currently on a softball team. She attended the Church of the Living Christ in Ojai.
She is survived by her mother, Genell, stepfather Paul Andersen, brothers Ricky Kling, P.J. Andersen and Craig Andersen, all of Ojai; grandparents Dick and Phyllis Whitlock of Ventura; Jim and Jean Jones; great-grandmother Hazel Drunen of Bakersfield; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and boyfriend Daniel Peterson of Ojai.
Miss Whitlock was preceded in death by her father, Dalton Spencer Whitlock, who died in 1995.
In lieu of flowers, the family's wish is that you give each of your children or loved ones an extra hug and kiss in memory of Jean Lorraine Whitlock and remember that life is very, very precious.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Living Christ in Ojai, with Pastor Ron Triggs officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Margaret Anna Schneider
Margaret Anna Schneider, 82, of Ojai, died Thursday, July 12, 2001 in Newbury Park, Calif. She was born Sept. 21, 1918 in California, and was a Ventura County resident for 35 years.
Miss Schneider was a homemaker.
Burial will be private, at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
William Herbert Smith
William Herbert "Herb" Smith, 77, died Sunday, July 8, 2001 at Goleta Valley Community Hospital's skilled nursing facility. He was born Dec. 28, 1923 in Santa Maria, Calif., to Pearl Woodside Smith and William Joseph Smith.
In 1942, he graduated from Santa Maria High School, where he was active in student life and was a member of the varsity football team. He attended Santa Maria Junior College from 1942 to 1944, where he participated in the theater program directed by Ethel Pope. After that, Mr. Smith attended the University of Washington, where he met Betty Eileen Hix of Spokane. They were married in September of 1946 and graduated together from the University of Washington in June of 1948.
In the fall of 1949, the Smiths, along with their principal, were the entire teaching staff of the only school on the small island of Lopez off the Washington coast. In 1952, they moved to Santa Maria, where Mr. Smith taught at his alma mater, Santa Maria High School. In 1954, the family moved to the Ojai Valley, where Mr. Smith was employed by Nordhoff High School, teaching U.S. history, economics, government, world history and coaching varsity football.
In 1955, both Mr. Smith and his wife, Betty, were struck down by polio. As they battled to survive, their plight made headlines in newspapers across the nation. The Salk vaccine was first available for distribution in 1956, and the Smith family was active in the efforts of the March of Dimes.
In 1956, Mr. Smith returned to his teaching position at Nordhoff, where he remained as a full-time teacher, varsity football coach, student government advisor and yearbook advisor until 1978, when he transferred to teaching at the Chaparral Continuation School, where he remained until his retirement in 1980.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married 33 years. Despite the lasting effects both suffered after surviving polio, the couple remained active in Ojai community life. In 1967, they welcomed a third daughter into the family, becoming legal guardians of then-14-year-old Linda Joy Phillips.
Mr. Smith is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Frederick Pabst of Buckley, Wash., Linda and John Metz of Puyallup, Wash., and Jody and Peter Benecke of Santa Maria; six grandchildren; and longtime family friends Jeannie and John Light and their three children of Ojai.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 1977.
A memorial service is planned for early in September. Friends and family will be notified of the exact date and location.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, N.Y. 10605, or for information call 1-888-MODIMES (663-4637).
The family asks that stories and anecdotal memories be sent to Jody Smith Benecke at 741 E. Orange, Santa Maria, CA 93454. These will be compiled into an album for the memorial service. As did his late wife, Mr. Smith chose to be cremated. His ashes will be scattered along the Ventura County coastline.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Viola Mary Huckaba Voris
Viola Mary Huckaba Voris, 89, of Ventura, died Thursday, July 12, 2001 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital Skilled Nursing Center after a brief illness. She was born Nov. 12, 1911 in Centrahoma, Okla. She had lived in Ventura County for 80 years, and in the city of Ventura for 55 years.
Mrs. Voris, a homemaker, worked in her early years in a lemon packing plant on Ventura Avenue in Ventura.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Lester Lee and Betty Campbell Voris of Ojai; sisters Bertha Geneva Huckaba Payton of Citrus Heights, Calif., and Flora Irene Huckaba Silva of Mount Vernon, Ore.; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Perry Voris, in 1988, her parents, six sisters and two brothers.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3737-D Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
John David Orvis
John David Orvis, 64, Gospel, Blues, Jazz Artist & longtime resident of Ojai, CA "Went Home to Jesus Just the Other Day," suddenly & peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, July 1, 2001. John was born July 28, 1936 in Glendale, Calif., to John Francis & Kathryn Ida Orvis.
John David Orvis was a multifaceted man. A Versatile Character Actor; of Motion Pictures (Beverly Hillbillies, Hot Shots, Mobsters, et al), Television & Commercials. The rough & tumble demeanor that attracts Hollywood casting agents to John differs dramatically when he is among the children of Ojai, who have come to know John & P.K. as Santa & Mrs. Claus. He was also Ventura County Star's #1 Santa Claus. Composer; Lyrics, Music, Arranging & Musical Scores for Films. Musician; Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, Oud, Dulcimer, Banjo & Piano. Singer; Gospel, Blues, Jazz (Santa Paula Jazz Festival, Devonshire Downs, Ojai Blues Festival, Harvest Festival, Valhalla Jazz Festival-Lake Tahoe, Hanalei-HI) & more. Writer; Poetry, Children's Books, et al. Artist & Illustrator.
John has performed with, backed up & written music for some of the biggest names in the music business: Neil Diamond, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Eric Burden & the Animals, The Norman Brown Sextet with Tommy Thompson, Big J. McNealy, The Robins, Timmy Yuro, The Coasters, Ron Holden, Frankie Lane, The 5th Dimension, Jimmy Carl Black & Canned Heat. Not to mention some of his own bands: The Sessionaires, Smoke, J.O. Blues Band & LMOTM Blues Band.
A man with a heart after God, John was a missionary to Haiti on the island of La Gonave, where he helped to build a cement roof on a hospital. He played music for the people of La Gonave & taught a young man dying of throat cancer to play the blues. If you knew John Orvis, you knew his Jesus. It was written all over his face & in the life he sang about, in the music.
In 1996 John released his best CD, "Washed in the Blood," on his own Say Listen! label. The gospel & blues tinged selections on WITB include both new compositions & John's own arrangements of traditional gospel songs by Mahalia Jackson & Sister Rosetta Tharpe. In John's experience, the blues & gospel went hand & hand. He belonged to SAG, AFTRA, GMA & Musicians Union. He was a collector of Old Radios, an Entomologist & a Philatelist.
John came to Ojai in 1971, to escape the fast pace of Hollywood & to raise his family. He endeared himself to some of the oldest families in the valley. John worked at both Ojai Valley School & Thacher School, where the teachers & students loved him. He also was a rancher & had his own business for 10 years.
Most of Ojai, old & new, knows John. As he would ramble the streets of Ojai, with a pig-nose amplifier strapped to his back, while playing his custom left-handed Fender guitar, he became something of a tourist attraction in the quaint town, where he was dubbed "The Original Ojai Blues Man." Then you'd see him hiking on Shelf Road with his dog Clementine Rose (pig gone wild). Or profiling through town on his Harley-Davidson.
Those abiding until Jesus returns: His wife, best friend, lover & soul mate, P.K. Orvis; children Myles Malcolm Vandegrift, Kelly Kimberly Green, Jimmy Reed Orvis & Denise Rae Orvis; grandchildren Sean Malcolm Green, Dylan Lewis Green & Samuel Vandegrift who's on the way; sisters Anne Welsh & Shelia Orvis & a niece, Laurie Williams.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial donations be made in his name to Sure Foundation Worship Center, P.O. Box 903, Ventura, CA 93002.
There will be a memorial service & a celebration of John's life, "A Man Who Lived the Life He Sang About in His Song," on Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 11 a.m. at Matilija Jr. High School Auditorium in Ojai. Bring your memories & a brunch potluck dish.
The music & love of John Orvis has touched many lives & will continue to because he has left something behind in all of our hearts, to carry on.
Johnny, we love you, till we meet again on the banks of the Jordan.
Mildred G. Becker
Mildred G. Becker, 84, of Ojai, died Thursday, July 19, 2001 in Ventura. She was born Sept. 18, 1916 in Bethlehem, Pa., and had resided in Ojai for 17 years.
One of 12 children of Steve and Petronilla Kermes, who were both immigrants, she left home at the age of 14 to begin working as a live-in child care provider. She moved to New York City at the age of 19 and married Emil Becker in 1937.
The Beckers relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1952, where they operated a mom-and-pop grocery store from 1952 to 1962. Mrs. Becker then went to work for the Arizona Department of Health until 1969 when she received her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and became an elementary school teacher. She retired in 1979.
Mrs. Becker was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, as well as an eucharistic minister. She was also active as a volunteer at St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center in Ojai, and a member of the Catholic Daughters.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Diana Becker of Ojai; sisters Helen Haluska, Ann Parilak, Agnes Nicholas and Margaret Kushak, all of Pittsburg, Pa.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil Becker, sons Ronald E. Becker and Emil W. Becker, and daughter-in-law Allyn Becker.
Private family services will be held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Frances E. McCarthy
Frances E. McCarthy, 92, of Ojai, died Thursday, July 19, 2001 at St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center in Ojai. She was born April 6, 1909 in Oakland, Calif., and attended St. Elizabeth's parish and school.
She and her late husband Roland J. McCarthy lived in Berkeley from 1930 to 1951 before moving to the San Francisco peninsula. They were both employed by the Southern Pacific Company's main office in San Francisco. She worked as an accountant and purchasing agent there for more than 22 years before retiring in 1973 and then moving to Ventura. She moved to Ojai in 1987.
Mrs. McCarthy was a lifelong member of the Secular Franciscans and the Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura.
Mrs. McCarthy is survived by her brother, Frank George of Ojai; niece Marilyn Fletcher of Portland, Ore.; grandniece Bryn Fletcher; and grandnephew Robert Fletcher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland J. McCarthy in December of 1956, parents Peter and Mary George, sisters Cecelia George and Agnes Strum, and brother Charles George and his wife, Margaret.
Mass of the Ressurection was celebrated Monday, July 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, with recitation of the Rosary at 9:45 a.m. and visitation prior to the services.
Interment
will be in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, next to her husband.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to a favorite charity of choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.
Larry Wayne Wilson
Larry Wayne Wilson, 43, of Ojai, died Friday, July 20, 2001 at his home after a sudden illness. He was born April 14, 1958 in Ventura, and was a lifelong Ojai resident.
Mr. Wilson was a clerk at the Lake Casitas Park Store, and he had served in the U.S. Army as a medical specialist.
He is survived by a son, Larry Vincent Wilson, and his son's mother, Sharol Matheney, both of Mariposa, Calif.; brothers Tom Wilson of Roseville, Calif., and Dana Wilson of Carmichael, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law Chuck and Marilou Murphy of Napa, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law Linda and Marty Kucia of Ojai; mother Oleatha Murphy of Ojai; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry and Bruce Wilson, and father Jerry Wilson.
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 24, from noon to 8 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28, at 3 p.m. at Lake Casitas at the Coyote Ramp.
Memorial donations may be made to the Larry Vincent Wilson Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Robert Howells Berry
Robert Howells Berry, 73, died Sunday, July 22, 2001. He was born Nov. 28, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He resided with his daughter Alice and Rick and Ryan Fiore in Ojai.
Mr. Berry is survived by five children, two sisters and 19 grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Friday, July 27, at 4 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ojai. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nordhoff High School Ranger Football Department.
Arrangements are under the direction of Payton Mortuary in Oxnard.
Bette Jayne Carelli
Bette Jayne Carelli, 58, of Ojai, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001 after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1942.
She moved to California, married Richard Carelli, and started a family. In 1988, she went to work for the County of Ventura, where she became a supervising child support officer. She spent her free time reading, learning and implementing family support case law in Ventura County. Mrs. Carelli was recently retired.
She is survived by her husband Richard Carelli, children Tanya and Richard II, brother Reb, and nephew Mark.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
