Toetie Hogenboom
Toetie Hogenboom, 85, of Ojai, died in her home Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002. She was born in Batavia, the Dutch East Indies, where she lived until the age of 12. During their family holiday in Holland, Toetie's father died.
During the Nazi occupation of Holland she was working with The Dutch Railroad. When the railroad went on strike against the German transport of guns and Jews, she joined the Dutch underground movement. She and her sister, Tonny, distributed forbidden papers, secret documents and money to the starving railroad men.
During the strong winter of 1944-45 most of the Dutch families suffered from starvation, as did Hogenboom's family. On occasion she and her sister traveled as much as 100 miles by bike to get food from the farmers to bring home to their family.
After the war she worked for the Dutch World Wide Radio Broadcasting Corporation. In the '50s she left for America and later went to Hawaiian where she cared for two teenagers of a Hawaii king. Later she worked for the French Embassy School in Thailand for six years.
Her interest in theosophy and the Krotona Institute brought her to Ojai, more than 20 years ago, and she became an active patron of the Krotona School and Theosophical Society in the Ojai Valley.
Hogenboom was also actively involved in the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and other environmental and beautification projects.
Her personal concerns for those in need led to her work with homeless shelters, hospice and correspondence with prisoners. She visited two men on "death row" at San Quentin.
Her nephew Jan Th. Veen from Holland was with her during her last weeks of life.
She is survived by a sister in Holland, Tonny Wagenaar-Hogenboom, a brother and sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews in Europe.
Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady and All Angels Liberal Catholic Church, 1502 E. Ojai Ave., Friday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m.
A celebration of Hogenboom's life, to which her friends are invited, will be held at her home, 29 Taormina Lane, on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDermott-Crockett Mortuary in Santa Barbara.
Florence Josephine Robinson
Florence Josephine Robinson, 78, of Ojai, died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002, at her home following a long illness. She was born May 2, 1923, in Kingman, Ariz., and graduated from Excelsior High School in 1941. She moved to Ojai in 1967, coming from Bellflower, Calif.
Mrs. Robinson's interests included walking in Matilija Canyon, watching sporting events and playing bingo. She also spent time as a volunteer for Help of Ojai.
She is survived by her daughter, Celia Ann Demers of Kentucky; sons Steven Robinson of Carmel Valley, Calif., and Casey Robinson of Ojai; sister Dorothy Lomeli of Long Beach, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton "Robbie" Robinson, in April of 2001.
Memorial contributions may be made to Help of Ojai, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.
Edward "Red" Daniel Gutierrez Sr.
Edward "Red" Daniel Gutierrez Sr., 76, a 75-year resident of Ojai, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born April 5, 1925, in Los Angeles, and moved to Ojai at the age of 2.
When he was 8 years old, his mother died of heart failure and his sister, Marion, continued to raise him. He went on to attend school in Ojai, but during his junior year at Nordhoff High School, he volunteered for the Navy and was sent to the South Pacific, where he served from 1943 to 1946. After serving his country, Mr. Gutierrez met and married Mary Jo Adams and they raised three children together.
In May of 1949, he became a Ventura County firefighter and was stationed at the Ventura Avenue Station No. 24 at Ventura Avenue and Vince Street. He moved up the ladder and in three years became the first captain of the Meiners Oaks Fire Station at La Luna and Lomita avenues in the Ojai Valley. In 1964, he was promoted to the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Arson. On Oct. 1, 1966, he was promoted to chief of the bureau stationed in Santa Paula at the VCFD Headquarters, and in February of 1973, he transferred to the position of battalion chief (B2) in charge of five stations in Ojai, Meiners Oaks, Oak View, Ventura Avenue and the Rincon. Mr. Gutierrez was also the first in his department to acquire an associate of arts degree and a degree in fire science.
He was active in his professional affiliations as president of the Ventura County Employees Association, and was president and vice president of the Ventura County Firefighters Association. He was co-founder and president of the Safety Members Association, and was secretary, vice president and president of the Ojai Optimist Club. He was a member of the Ventura County Retirement Board, the California State Firemen's Association Retirement Committee, and the Foot Printers Association of Ventura County. He also faithfully represented all the southern counties in the state of California as the director of the League of County Employees Association.
Mr. Gutierrez retired prematurely on May 18, 1976, after injuring himself on the job; he had spent more than 27 years in the VCFD.community. Shortly after retiring he became chairman of the Ventura County Red Cross where he worked for 15 years. On Sept. 1, 1976, he was honored with a commendation from the State of California for his years of service to the community.
Mr. Gutierrez was a lifetime member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ojai.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Gutierrez, of Ojai; daughter Catherine Gutierrez of Ventura; sons Edward Daniel Gutierrez Jr. and James Michael Gutierrez, both of Ojai; his 85-year-old sister, Mary Luis Hernandez, of Ojai; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held today from 1 to 4 p.m. at Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, followed by reciting of the Rosary. Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m., also at St. Thomas Aquinas, followed by burial at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. A reception will be held at the St. Thomas Aquinas Hall following burial.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.
Louise H. Gentry
Louise H. Gentry, 94, of Ventura, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, in an Oxnard residential health care facility following a lengthy illness. She was born Nov. 2, 1907, in Owens Mills, Md., to George and Augusta Chenowith. She was an Ojai and Ventura resident for more than 50 years, coming from Maryland.
Over the years, Mrs. Gentry was an active member of the Cloverleaf Rebekah Lodge #207 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Order of the Eastern Star, Ojai Chapter #528; and the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Mount Olive Shrine #45 of Ventura. She was also president of the Ojai Valley Woman's Club from 1973 to 1975.
She is survived by her sons, Donne Swank of Pinole, Calif., and Eugene West of Oxnard; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle "Bill" Gentry, of Ojai, and son Theodore West of Auburn, Calif.
Visitation is being held today at 1 p.m. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Services will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel, with the Rev. Dave Horning of College United Methodist Church of Ventura. A reception will follow at the West's residence in Oxnard. Private inurnment will take place at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.
Catherine "Golda" W. MacNamee
Catherine "Golda" W. MacNamee, 87, of Oak View, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a long illness. She was born July 31, 1914, in Newton County, Mo., and lived in Oak View for 30 years, coming from Georgia.
Mrs. MacNamee had worked as a hostess at many restaurants in Joplin, Mo., and also participated in manufacturing aircraft during World War II. Her interests included needlepoint.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Harold Haley, grandson and his wife, Kenneth and Lauretta Haley, and great-grandsons Kenneth and Taylor Haley, all of Oak View.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Howard W. MacNamee, in 1971, and sisters Edna Irelan and Mildred McMillen.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, at Carl Junction Cemetery in Carl Junction, Mo.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Mervin Dean Jansen
Mervin Dean Jansen, 81, resident of Ojai for 31 years, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2001 unexpectedly in Ridgecrest, California, where he had resided since 1973.
He was born September 7, 1920, in Stamford, Nebraska, the youngest child of Henrietta Katherine Poppert and Edward Henry Jansen both of Stamford, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his sister Marada Jansen, brother Melvin Jansen, mother and father.
Mervin was stationed in Camp Robinson, Arkansas in 1941 in the Army's 134th Infantry. He was next stationed at Camp Lah Weh Lah His in Ojai. He was a member of the band and played the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet and French horn. He was also the bandleader. This is when he met and married Eva Lee Williams of Ojai who came from a long line of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mervin laughed and said that he was married to Ojai.
Mervin was a member of the Ojai American Legion, Post 482 for 15 years where he served as the Commander, Past Commander,Vice Commander and Past Vice Commander. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Ojai. He was a member of the Ridgecrest American Legion for 28 years. Mervin was owner/operator of the Ojai City Taxi before leaving in 1973.
While residing in Ridgecrest, CA, Mervin worked for the sanitation company at China Lake Naval Weapons Center, then as a security guard for H.L. Yoh Company, and retired from the City of Ridgecrest Street Department as a heavy equipment operator.
Mervin is survived by:
Wife - Eva Lee Jansen of Ridgecrest, CA.
Daughters and son-in-laws - Katherine (Kathy) C. and William (Doc) Martin, of Carson City, NV, Diana M. and John E. Dodd of Midland, TX and Cynthia (Cindy) L. and William (Bill) Dyer, of Alameda, CA. Four grandchildren - Dean Hoffman, Stephanie Martin Mansfield, Carrie Martin, and Dawn Hoffman Sarna. Six great-grandchildren - Dylan Hoffman, Kelcey Hoffman, Colton Mansfield, Gavin Hoffman, Laityn Sarna and Katie Mansfield.
"Mervin was a very kind and special man. He was always there to lend a hand to those in need. He never asked for anything in return. He was easy to love and not easy to forget. He will be in the hearts of those who knew him forever. He is our hero. A smile and laugh never to be forgotten."
Mervin was cremated. His family and friends will gather for a memorial service at the family reunion in Ojai the weekend of June 15-16, 2002.
Kathy Sigafoos
Kathy Sigafoos, 58, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002, at her home in Ojai. She was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, where she attended local schools and the University of Washington. While living in the northwest, she participated in several amateur theater projects.
She moved to Ventura County in 1966 with her husband, Andy. She worked as an administrative assistant for different government agencies, most recently the Ventura County Fire Department.
Mrs. Sigafoos was involved in many volunteer activities, including Little League, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Poinsettia Elementary School PTA, and the Rancho Matilija Property Owners Association, serving as president of the last two organizations.
She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Andy Sigafoos, of Ojai; daughter and son-in-law Natalie and Doug Schleip of Napa; son Joe Sigafoos of Ojai; granddaughter Morgan Sigafoos of Salt Lake City; and her sister and brother-in-law Connie and Gary Cussac of Kirkland, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rexine Casey of Seattle, Wash., and her bother, William Casey, of North Carolina.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Ventura Women's Center, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Wilmer O. "Bill" King
Wilmer O. "Bill" King, 75, died Friday, Jan. 25, 2002, in Ventura, of complications due to surgery. He was born Nov. 10, 1926, in Hubbard, Texas.
He worked for many years as chief chemist for the Chem-O-Lene Corporation of Ventura and was vice president and co-owner from 1960 to 1983. He was the owner of Oilfield Chemicals, Inc., of Bakersfield, from 1985 to 1991.
Mr. King served in the U.S. Navy from March 18, 1944 to July 25, 1946, and was released with honorable discharge.
His education included a bachelor's in chemistry from the University of Texas and a master of science in chemistry from the University of Houston.
During the 1950s, he worked as a math teacher and a scholarship lab instructor at the University of Houston. He also worked for various chemical companies throughout the Houston area.
Mr. King was a member of the American Chemical Society, Texas Academy of Science and the Private Pilots Association. His interests included flying (he was instrument-rated), biking, cooking, tennis, football and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley King; daughters Micki King of Ventura, and Patti Sunder of Ojai; daughter and son-in-law Lauren and Larry Belshe of Oak View; two grandsons; two great-grandsons; and brothers William of Bellaire, Texas, and Ray of Ventura.
Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia Foundation or the Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Richard William Whiting
Former Ojai resident, Richard William Whiting, 86, of Medford, Ore,. died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002. He moved to the Medford area from Surprise, Ariz., in 1995. He was born Nov. 23, 1915, in Ericson, Neb., to William and Della (Draper) Whiting.
During World War II, he was an aircraft foreman for Rohr Aircraft. He married Inez O. Klipping Nov. 3, 1935, in Kodaka, S.D.
Mr. Whiting's occupations included bartending in Martin, S.D., and being a machinist for the Union and Southern Pacific Railroad for 10 years. From 1963 to 1969, he owned and operated the Bluebell Trailer Park in Phoenix, Ariz. During the years he lived in Ojai, he was owner-operator of the Ojai Pool Hall and worked as an auto mechanic at Ojai Automotive Service for 17 years.
He was a member of the Ojai Elks and Lions clubs, the Medford Senior Center and Silver Striders Walking Club.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Inez Whiting, of Medford; daughters and sons-in-law Beverly and Barry Hurd of Medford, and Carol and Chuck Zajic of Tulsa, Okla.; sisters Myrtle Helms of Emmett, Idaho, Margie Werber of Clovis, Calif., and Bertha Stuart of Hanford, Calif.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elvera Guggenmos.
No funeral service was held. The family gathered Jan. 26 to celebrate his life.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2860 State St., Medford, OR 97504.
Arrangements were under the direction of Central Valley Cremation and Funeral Care in Central Point, Ore.
Elly Marie Darling
Elly Marie Darling, 47, of Ojai, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002, at her home. She was born July 16, 1954, in Orange County, Calif., and had lived in Ojai for 12 years.
Ms. Darling was a homemaker and had also worked as a bank manager.
She is survived by her daughters, Natalie and Cassie Darling, both of Ventura; and her fiancé, Tom Nielsen, of Ojai.
Friends may call at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai Friday, Feb. 1, from noon to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating, also at Clausen's.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
