Suzanne E. Brower
Suzanne E. Brower, 90, of Ojai, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2001. She was born June 20, 1911 in Vienna, Austria, to Dr. and Mrs. Karl Menzel.
She arrived in the United States just prior to World War II and married Frank E. Brower in 1942.
She attended Los Angeles City College of Art and was an accomplished artist and photographer. She was also a philanthropist.
Mrs. Brower moved to Ojai in 1980, coming from Beverly Hills, Calif.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Jeffrey Brower, Douglas Brower, Eric Behrs, Matthew Behrs, and Jennifer Schmidt; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank E. Brower, and her children, Ingrid Behrs and Hal Brower.
No services are planned.
Mary Kirk Rasch
Mary Kirk Rasch, 89, of Ojai, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 at Acacias Care Center following a lengthy illness. She was born July 24, 1912 in British Columbia, Canada, and had lived in Ojai since 1982, coming from San Pedro, Calif.
Mrs. Rasch was a homemaker.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Philip E. and Karen Rasch of Orange, Calif.; daughter Virginia Rasch of Ojai; brother John Kirk of Thousand Oaks; sister Florence Price of Vancouver, Canada; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Per her request, no services will be held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
John Keith
John Keith of Ojai, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001 at Lake Casitas doing what he loved best - sailing. He was 64 years old.
He considered himself a Californian even though he was born in Massachusetts. He enjoyed the weather and the informality.
While serving as a Seabee for 20 years, he was in Vietnam reconstructing roads and villages. He also wintered over in Anarctica, served at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, and at various embassies and consulates throughout Southeast Asia.
After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Keith chose tree care as a second career, one that would allow him to be outdoors. He was the owner of Top Notch Tree Service. He often bicycled in the hills of Ojai, but most of his spare time was spent on water in one of his 10 sailboats.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores Keith; daughters Gene Marie McDaniel and Sharon Thomas, both of Ojai; and sisters Beatrice Bickford and Charlotte Keith, both of Massachusetts.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Casitas Event Area. (Go through the main gate and mention that you're there for the memorial.) Bring a chair or blanket.
Willis Batchelor Haskell
Willis Batchelor Haskell, 87, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001. He was a resident of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where he had moved in 2000 to be close to his daughter. He was born Nov. 19, 1914 in Glendive, Mont., to Edwin and Mabel Haskell. His father was one of the early residents of Glendive, and one of the first automobile dealers in the state.
He met Mildred Holbert during his sophomore year at Montana State University in Missoula. They married in 1943, and were separated only during his military service in World War II.
Mr. and Mrs. Haskell owned and operated a successful insurance agency in Lewistown, Mont., and then, in 1964, began a second career as junior high school teachers at Matilija Junior High School in Ojai.
The Haskells were recognized as community leaders wherever they lived. They worked with youth, sponsoring dances and providing places for kids to meet and have fun. After moving to California in the '60s, they worked closely with prisoners and drug offenders. For many years, the couple hosted weekly Christian meetings in their home. Later they helped found a Christian drug rehabilitation center in Southern California.
Mr. Haskell is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Cedric Sampson, of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law Edwin and Motoko Haskell of Salt Lake City; sister Leone Dyer of Sacramento; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mildred Haskell, in 1999.
Arrangements were under the direction of Lesneski Family Mortuary in San Clemente.
Beatrice Johnson
Beatrice Johnson, 89, of Ojai, died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital, following a brief illness. She was born Jan. 11, 1912, in Mehoupany, Pa., and lived in Ojai for 53 years, coming from Manchester, Conn., in 1948.
Mrs. Johnson was a psychiatric technician at Camarillo State Hospital, retiring after 20 years. She then worked at The Manor of Ojai for an additional 10 years. Her interests included traveling, movies and soaps.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ture Ivan Johnson, of Ventura; daughter and son-in-law Janice L. and Duane Richey of Ventura; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a nephew in Texas.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home, with Duane and Janice Richey officiating. Private family inurnment will take place later at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Gladys Tremaine
Gladys Tremaine, 89, of Ojai, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital Skilled Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 3, 1911, in Nebraska, and had lived in Ojai for four and one-half years, coming from Palos Verdes, Calif.
Mrs. Tremaine had been a business owner in ladies' retail ready-to-wear. She was also a clothing designer and seamstress.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judi and Gary Stever, of Ojai; sister Opal Cox of Palos Verdes; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Clarence and Frank Cook, and sister Lillian Cook.
Services are being held today at 1 p.m. at the Green Hills Memorial Park Chapel in San Pedro, Calif.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Richard C. Lightner
Richard C. Lightner, 70, of Ojai, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center after a long illness. He was born Sept. 22, 1931 in San Mateo, Calif., and lived in Ojai for 16 years, coming from Woodland Hills, Calif.
Mr. Lightner, a clockmaker, was the owner of the Ojai Clock Shop and Ojai Valley Electronics. He was a longtime member of the Ventura Yacht Club and a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
He is survived by his wife, Dottie Lightner, of Ojai; mother Jeanne McCormick of Cupertino, Calif.; sister Joanne Rosenthal of Benicia, Calif.; son Marton Lightner of Kernville, Calif.; daughters Marci Seibel of Corona, Calif., and Karen Rosemeyer of Sutherlin, Ore.; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cliff Lightner, and daughter Kathi Morey.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home, with Pastor Mike Nesbit officiating. Mr. Lightner's ashes will be scattered at sea off the coat of Ventura County.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Father John Blethen
Father John Blethen, OSA, 78, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, after a battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born Dec. 14, 2911 in San Diego, Calif., to James and Frances (Healy) Blethen.
As a graduate of St. Augustine High School, he attended San Diego State University for one year before earning his bachelor of arts degree from Villanova University in Pennsylvania in 1945. He then attended St. Augustine Seminary College and earned a master's from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
On Feb. 2, 1949, he was ordained by Bishop Buddy and began his first assignment. For the next six years, the Rev. Blethen taught at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, as well as at his alma mater, St. Augustine High School.
Father Blethen then entered the U.S. Navy as a chaplain where he served in Japan for three years. Following his discharge from the Navy, he returned to St. Augustine High School as a teacher for a short time before being assigned as pastor to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ojai, where he ministered for the next six years.
In 1968, the vice-province of St. Augustine was recognized as a province and Father Blethen was elected as its first superior. Among his many achievements during the eight years of his leadership, was the task of building a housing development in San Ysidro that came to be known as Villanueva. He served as the first executive director for the development and in 1984 he took on the role of director of social services.
While serving as executive director at Villanueva, he also took charge of an orphanage in Tijuana. In 1975, the orphanage, Hogar Infantil la Gloria, originally had more than 100 children from infants to age 15. Today, Hogar Infantil serves as a model that is visited by many groups.
Father Blethan also raised funds to build houses for the poor in the colonias in Tijuana. He directly supervised the construction of the 14-foot by 20-foot frame houses. Although they were modest dwellings, they replaced the shacks that were composed of scavenged materials.
On Jan. 11, 1988, the mayor of San Diego, Maureen O'Connor, recognized Father Blethen's many contributions to the city of San Diego. In her State of the City Address, O'Connor said, "As director of social services at Villanueva Housing Complex, Father Blethen has touched almost every family in San Ysidro with his grace, compassion and unassuming generosity. When not ministering in San Ysidro, Father Blethen devotes his time to securing food, gifts and medical supplies for the Tijuana orphanage. He also bridges the two borders to find assistance in the United States for those Mexican children with rare medical problems. It was a vintage Father Blethen who, when told of his nomination for this award, said, 'I think it should go to someone more deserving.'"
In 1996, Father Blethen moved to Nazareth House where he lived out the remainder of his life.
Rosary was recited Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Colonial Benbough Mortuary in San Diego. A second rosary was said at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in San Ysidro. The funeral was held Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel with burial in the Augustinian plot at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The Province of St. Augustine requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hogar Infantil la Gloria, c/o Augustinian Provincialate at 1605 28th St., San Diego, CA 92102-1417.
Father John Blethen
A memorial Mass will be celebrated in memory of Father John Blethen, O.S.A., Saturday, Oct. 27, at 8 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai.
Father Blethen, 79, died Oct. 7, 2001 at Nazareth House in San Diego, Calif., after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He began his clerical career in the classroom, teaching at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai. He then served as a Navy chaplain for three years before being assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Ojai. While serving as pastor in Ojai from 1961 through 1968, Father Blethen took on the challenge of building the current St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, which was dedicated in March of 1963.
The Province of St. Augustine requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hogar Infantil la Gloria, Augustinian Provincilate, 1605 28th St., San Diego, CA 92102-1417.
Wayne Wingate
Wayne Wingate, 68, of Meiners Oaks, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born Nov. 27, 1932 in Pomona, Calif., and had lived in Ojai for 58 years, coming from Bakersfield.
Mr. Wingate was a heavy machinery mechanic. He had also served in the Air Force as a mechanic. He was a member of the Ventura County Comets, a model airplane club, the National Rifle Association, the Ojai Valley Gun Club, and the Ventura County Bass Club.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Wingate, of Meiners Oaks; daughter and son-in-law Cathleen and Mike Adams of Bakersfield; son and daughter-in-law Lynn and K.T. Wingate of Ojai; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Ronnie Fitzgerald of Ojai; brothers Joseph Fayette "Windy" Wingate of San Diego, and Joe Wingate of Ojai; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of the privately owned Clausen Funeral Home.
John B. Harvey
John B. Harvey, 70, formerly of Ojai, and recently of Ridgecrest, Calif., died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001 in Ridgecrest, following a short illnes. He was born Oct. 20, 1931 in Snyder, Texas, and lived in Ojai for 18 years.
Mr. Harvey was an innkeeper and a member of the Lions Club in Ridgecrest.
He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Conrad and Natacha Harvey of Ojai, and Marshall H. and Jenny Harvey of Gahanna, Ohio; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Private inurnment will be at Nordhoff Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
William G. Freeman
William G. Freeman, 87, of Oak View, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001. He was born June 1, 1914 in Attawa County, Okla., and had lived in the Ojai Valley for 45 years.
Mr. Freeman worked 30 years for Shell Oil Company.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Freeman, of Oak View; son Leon Freeman of Clear Lake, Calif.; daughters Omeda Adams of West Plains, Mo., and Linda Freeman; stepdaughter Babs Robinson of Red Bluff, Calif.; seveal grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and eight step-great-great-grandchildren.
No funeral services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Neptune Society, and his ashes will be scattered at sea.
Marvin Kenneth Wilson
Marvin Kenneth "Kenny" Wilson, 74, of Ojai, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility. He was born Jan. 2, 1927 in Little Rock, Ark. He had lived in Ojai for 11 years and in Ventura County for 45 years.
Mr. Wilson was a tool pusher on oil rigs for 40 years, retiring at the age of 62. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. His interests included racing pigeons, working in his yard, and camping and fishing with his family.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Carlene and Chuck Dunham of Eureka, Mont., Goldie and Russ Wiley of Ojai, and Marvine and Mike Dixon of Simi; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Alice Wilson of Shasta Lake; sister and brother-in-law Betty and Jean Poland of Moorpark; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his former wife of 21-1/2 years, Donna M. Sackett; parents Joseph W. and Alley Arizona Wilson; sisters Mary McKee and Wanda Gruwell; and brother Joseph Wilson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
