James Franklin McKnight
James Franklin McKnight, 86, of Ojai, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born May 18, 1913, in Santa Barbara. He lived in Ojai for 55 years and was a 63-year Ventura County resident, coming from Santa Barbara.
Mr. McKnight was a superintendent of construction for the McLeod Construction Company. He had been a member of the Carpenters Union Local #150 since 1936.
He is survived by his wife Ida N. McKnight of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Gilbert and Sue McKnight of Lake Almanor, Calif.; daughter Peg Willis of Caliente, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law Arvella and Gene Lanquist of Kalispell, Mont., and Joanne and Arlyn Wardle of Ventura; 19 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank and William, sister Myrtle, and grandsons James A. McKnight and Daniel J. Bamford.
A memorial Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Private inurnment will be at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Vaughn Root
Vaughn Root, 81, of Ojai, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at Royal Gardens in Ojai. He was born Feb. 20, 1918, in Grants Pass, Ore., and lived in Ojai for 10 years, coming from the Los Angeles area.
Mr. Root had been a building inspector for the Los Angeles Community College District. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ojai.
He is survived by his stepdaughter Beverly Bourne of Ojai, and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Root in 1995.
Graveside services were held Monday at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Beverly D. Romadka
Beverly D. Romadka, 66, of Cape Coral, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000.
The daughter of the late Elmer and Ruth Romadka of Cape Coral, she was born Oct. 7, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wis.
Ms. Romadka worked as a travel agent for more than 40 years. From 1978 to 1993, she was manager of Topa Topa Travel in Ojai. She then moved to Cape Coral where she worked for Port of Call Travel until her death.
A member of the Wisconsin Club, where she served as secretary, she was also a past president of the Southwest Travel Industry Association.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Marlene and Mickey Reid of New Berlin, Wis.; and a niece and a nephew.
A memorial service was held Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Metz Funeral Chapel in Cape Coral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Metz Funeral Home in Cape Coral.
Claude Franklin Decker Jr.
Claude Franklin Decker Jr., 53, of Meiners Oaks, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, following a long illness. He was born Jan. 20, 1947, in Ventura, and was a lifelong Meiners Oaks resident.
Mr. Decker worked as a concrete finisher and served in the U.S. Army, 173rd Airborne, during the Vietnam conflict. He was a member of the American Legion Post #482 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his daughter Kellie Mickelson of Anchorage, Alaska; sisters Barbara Clausen of Ojai, Mary Mushaney of Meiners Oaks, and Sally Bolton of San Diego; and six nieces and nephews.
Mr. Decker was preceded in death by his father Claude Decker Sr. in 1957, and his mother and stepfather Lena and Robert DeArmond in 1996.
Friends may call today from noon to 8 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home, with the Rev. Scott Harrell officiating. Interment
will follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Spencer Freeland Fine
Spencer Freeland Fine, 82, of Ojai, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a sudden illness. He was born Oct. 17, 1917, in Bassaic, Mo., and had lived in Ojai for 53 years.
Mr. Fine had been a petroleum geologist, retired from Arco Petroleum. He was a member of the Coast Geological Society and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Pacific Section.
Mr. Fine was also an active member of the Ojai Chapter of the American Red Cross and served as their communications director. He was a ham radio operator, operating under the call sign AA6AJ, and a member of the Soule Park Senior Men's Golf Club.
He is survived by his wife Virginia Fine of Ojai; daughter Evy Criswell of Oak View; and two granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ojai, with the Rev. Coryl Lassen-Willems officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Walter Clyde Sabin
Walter Clyde Sabin, 90, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital in Yreka. He was born Aug. 14, 1909, in Grand Rapids Mich., where he was raised.
Mr. Sabin served with the U.S. Army when they landed on the beach at Normandy during World War II.
In 1973, he moved to Ojai. He married Marian Holt at the Ojai United Methodist Church, where he was a member, on April 25, 1981. He was active at the church as the treasurer and as a trash engineer.
Mr. Sabin was active in volunteer work, including being the overseer of the Ojai and Oak View tax help for seniors. He joined HELP of Ojai in 1977 where he held many positions, including running the Bingo games for 15 years. He and Marian were elected Most Valuable Members (King and Queen) of Volunteers for 1984-1985. Mr. Sabin was also active in the Retired and Professional Businessmen's Club and the American Legion. He and his wife had moved to Fort Jones on Feb. 1.
Mr. Sabin is survived by his wife Marian Sabin of Fort Jones; daughters Dr. Susan Sabin of Philadelphia, Pa., and Nora Kay Sabin of Tacoma, Wash.; stepchildren Samuel Hazlett of Whittier, Mary Jean Schlief of Rohnert Park, Joyce Alvarnaz of Mariposa, Bill Holt of Yreka, Kathryn Lee of Oroville, Lowell Holt of South Boston, Mass., Steven Holt of Portland, Ore., and Susan Howard of Paso Robles; 33 grandchildren; and innumerable great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be scheduled in the near future, with inurnment to take place in the Ojai United Methodist Church Memorial Gardens in Ojai. Memorial contributions may be made to HELP of Ojai, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024.
Arrangements are under the direction of Girdner Funeral Chapel.
Jess 'Cad' Caldwell
The family of Jess "Cad" Caldwell will hold a celebration of life in his memory Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Little House, 111 W. Santa Ana St. in Ojai. All are welcome to attend.
Elizabeth "Lynn" Blough
Elizabeth "Lynn" Blough, 87, of Ojai, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000. She was born May 11, 1912, in Alabama.
Mrs. Blough had been a volunteer with HELP of Ojai and worked at the Second Helpings Thrift Store for 12 of the 13 years she resided in Ojai.
She is survived by her granddaughter Karen Dansker and husband David; her son-in-law Bron Hafner and wife Jane; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Blough was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth Joan Hafner.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial service Saturday at 1 p.m. in the chapel at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Memorial contributions may be made to HELP of Ojai and Second Helpings.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Della Kathryn Harper
Della Kathryn Harper, 99, of Ojai, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, following a sudden illness.
She was born May 15, 1900 in Vermillion, Kan., the eldest of 10 children. After her education, she taught elementary school in Scott City, Kan. for nine years.
Mrs. Harper was a 70-year Ventura County resident, coming from Kansas in 1929, and was married the same year to her husband of 43 years, Claude E. Harper, also of Kansas. They married in Ventura at the First Christian Church.
A longtime member of the Wednesday Afternoon Club of Mound, she was also active in both the Ventura First Christian Church and Ojai First Christian Church, serving as an elder and deaconess. She held several offices in Christian Women's Fellowship in both churches and taught Sunday School for more than 40 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Harper were citrus growers, owning ranches in Ventura and Ojai.
She is survived by her brother John C. Carney of Burlington, Kan.; sisters Geraldine F. Russell of North East, Md., Georgia O. Whitener of Scranton, Kan., and Alta M. Barton and Nellie C. Truelove, both of Burlington, Kan.; and a niece and nephew.
Graveside services are being held today at 11 a.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, with Pastor Donald Dewey of Ventura First Christian Church officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ventura First Christian Church, 38 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.
Warren K. "Pop" Bangs
Warren K. "Pop" Bangs, 71, of San Diego, Calif., died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, after a short illness. He was born Jan. 24, 1929, in Fillmore, Calif., the third of 10 children.
Mr. Bangs had lived in the Ojai Valley for more than 30 years. He had served in the Air Force as a jet mechanic, school bus driver for the Ojai Unified School District, and then joined the Ventura County Sheriff's Department as a deputy and retired after 26 years of service.
He is survived by his daughters Mari Bangs of Camarillo, Sheryl Yaeger of Simi Valley, and Kathy Laundy of Reseda; son Gary Bangs of San Diego; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Bangs in 1991.
Family and friends will gather at Mari Bangs' home in Camarillo Saturday at 2 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Lung Cancer Association or local hospices.
Ruth Hale Johnsen
Ruth Hale Johnsen, 88, of Ojai, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000.
She was born May 6, 1911, in Chicago, Ill., and had lived in Ojai since 1966, coming from Rosemead, Calif.
Mrs. Johnsen was a homemaker for 65 years. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a volunteer with Food Share.
She is survived by her sons James Johnsen Jr. of North Las Vegas, Nev., and Lawrence H. Johnsen of Ojai; daughter Donna Ruth Schmidt of Arcadia; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Johnsen in 1971.
Funeral services are being held today at 11 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Pastor Ron Triggs officiating. Interment
will follow at Nordhoff Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
John Randolph Wright-Hay
John Randolph Wright-Hay, 90, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a long illness.
He was born May 15, 1909, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He had lived in Ojai for 11 years, coming from Villa Park, Calif.
Mr. Wright-Hay retired in 1973 from Lockheed Aircraft where he was an aircraft mechanic.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Joan and Bill Gribble of Tustin; daughter-in-law Jerri Lee Wright-Hay of Ojai; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and longtime companion Ruth Clausen of Ojai.
He was preceded in death by his son John Stanley Wright-Hay in March 1999.
Funeral services were held yesterday at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, and interment
followed at Glen Haven Cemetery in Sylmar.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Louise Kelley
Louise Kelley, 91, of Ojai, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at Acacias Care Center in Ojai.
She was born July 17, 1908, in Fulton, Miss., to William and Nancy Ferguson, the youngest of five children.
She graduated from high school in May 1929 and was married to LeRoy Kelley June 8, 1931. They had met in the F.W. Woolworth store in Lubbock, Texas, where she worked behind the candy counter.
With her husband working toward a managerial position in the Woolworth Company, they were transferred from place to place, including Roswell, N.M.; Omaha, Neb.; Independence, Kan.; Logan, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Durango, Colo.; Pueblo, Colo.; and North Glen, Colo.
The Kelleys came to Ojai in 1990.
Mrs. Kelley is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Ron and Carolyn Kelley of Ojai; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy Kelley July 28, 1994.
Graveside services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Santa Paula Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ojai Valley Baptist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Gizelle Bouditch
Gizelle Bouditch, 100, of Ojai, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center in Ojai.
She was born Nov. 25, 1899, in Hungary, and had lived in Ojai for 20 years, coming from Los Angeles.
Ms. Bouditch had been an importer-exporter for the Firestone Company. She is survived by her longtime friend JoAnn LeClere of Ojai.
Private services have been held. Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home.
Joseph C. Dobler
Joseph C. Dobler, 50, of Ojai, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, in Ojai. He was born Dec. 25, 1949, in Evanston, Ill., and had lived in Ventura County for 12 years, coming from Chicago.
He received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's in business administration from Northwestern Kellogg.
Mr. Dobler was a commodities broker for Opportunities in Options.
He is survived by his mother Alyce Dobler; sister and brother-in-law Diane and Patrick Phelan; brother John F. Dobler; and sister Linda Donakowski.
He was preceded in death by his father Joseph L. Dobler and sister Lucia Hansen.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. March 25 at St. Joseph's Chapel in Wilmette, Ill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
