James B. "Brad" Beckett
James B. "Brad" Beckett, 59, of Grass Valley, Calif., died Friday, April 19, 2002, at his home after a battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 29, 1942, in Los Angeles, Calif., and grew up in Ojai. He graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1960.
In 1981, Mr. Beckett was employed by Mechanics Choice and he and his wife moved to Grass Valley. In 1983, he started his own business, Dicon Industrial Supply.
His interests included golf, gardening, camping and fishing. Mr. Beckett was also an artist, with the majority of his works honoring the Native American people.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Connie Beckett, of Grass Valley; daughter Jamie Young of Chico, Calif.; parents James B. and Hazel Beckett of Ojai; brothers and sisters-in-law Chris and Brenda Beckett, and Tom and April Beckett, and sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Dennis Jackson, all of Ojai; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Denny and Margo Stenson and mother-in-law Maxine Stenson, all of Aurora, Neb.; two granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of Hospice of the Foothills in Grass Valley, for their care.
A memorial service is being held today at 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Angels in Grass Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Cancer Aid Thrift, 317 S. Auburn, Grass Valley, CA 95945, or Hospice of the Foothills, 12399 Nevada City Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Angels, Grass Valley.
Bill W. Sisk
Bill W. Sisk, 77, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died Saturday, April 13, 2002 at Havasu Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 27, 1924 in Springer, Okla., and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
The Sisks were 18-year residents of Ojai. Mr. Sisk was was a maintenance supervisor for Shell Chemical in Ventura until 1972. He then transferred to Shell Chemical in Belpre, Ohio. After 40 years with Shell Chemical, he retired 19 years ago and moved from Belpre to Lake Havasu.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Sisk, of Lake Havasu; daughters Wanda Martin of Ojai, and Gail Mastright of Lawndale, Calif.; sons Larry Sisk of Lake Havasu, and Gary Sisk of Tucson, Ariz.; brother Higgins Sisk of Provo, Utah; and five grandchildren, Brian, Ryan and Miles Sisk and Wendy and Kyle Martin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu.
Vernal R. Lightfoot
Vernal R. Lightfoot, 69, of Ojai, died at his residence Tuesday, April 23, 2002. He was born Aug. 16, 1932 in Newton, Iowa, and was a 34-year Ventura County resident.
Mr. Lightfoot was retired, having been a lineman for 35 years with Southern California Edison Company. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lightfoot, and son David Lightfoot, both of Ojai; seven grandsons; one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Frank Kenneth Lightfoot and Daniel Lightfoot.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home.
Roy Bonnie Stallings
Roy Bonnie Stallings, 86, of Ojai, died Tuesday, April 23, 2002. He was born Dec. 24, 1915 in Atwood, Okla., and lived in Ojai for 65 years, coming from Oklahoma.
Mr. Stallings was a driller-foreman for Shell Oil Company for 34 years. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and his interests included traveling and fishing.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, James L. and Mardee Stallings, of Ojai, and Todd A. and Clela Stallings, of Tehachapi; daughters and sons-in-laws Jane and Earl Sandefur of Ojai, Charlene and Ray Miller of Henderson, Nev., and Linda and Chester Necochea of Oak View; brother and sister-in-law Jack and Evelyn Stallings of East Port, Idaho; sisters Leta Briggs of Grants Pass, Ore., and Euna Krein of Escondido, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Stallings, in 1999.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorials may be made to Little House of Ojai.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Elizabeth "Moxie" Roeske
Elizabeth "Moxie" Roeske, 102, of Ojai, died Sunday, April 21, 2002. She was born March 23, 1900 in St. Louis, Mo., and had lived in Ojai since 1995. This "glamour" photo of her was taken just prior to her 101st birthday.
Mrs. Roeske is survived by her great-niece, Barbara Gates, of Las Vegas, Nev., and great-nephew Thomas Konczal of Ojai, and their families, as well as the Buetow families.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Clarence Roeske, in 1994.
At her request, there will be no services. She will be buried next to her late husband at Moroni-Resurrection Lane Valley Memorial Park in Las Vegas.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ojai United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Directors in Ventura.
Roberta June Burchette
Roberta June (Franklin) Burchette, 66, died suddenly Friday, April 19, 2002, in Longview, Wash. She was born Jan. 16, 1936 in Ventura to Lonnie and Ruth Franklin.
She attended school in Ojai and graduated from Nordhoff High School. She then attended California State University at Sacramento, majoring in business finance.
She is survived by her husband, Rex Burchette, of Longview, Wash.; sons Perry Forhan of Longview, Wash., Terry Forhan of Tehachapi, Calif., and Jeffrey Forhan of Merrimack, N.H.; sisters Beverly Brown of Vancouver, Wash., Marge Parker of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Jeanie Franklin of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; brothers Les Franklin of Medford, Ore., and Dennis Franklin of Ojai; and four grandchildren.
Mrs. Burchette was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Harvey Franklin of Thousand Oaks, and Lonnie Franklin of Columbia, Miss.; and her foster parents, Allen and Ester Craig, known as "Mama and Papa Craig."
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Holland officiating. Private interment
will be at Nordhoff Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Isabelle L. Burgess
Isabelle L. Burgess, 82, of Ojai, died Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center in Ojai. She was born June 17, 1919, in Bingham, Utah, and had lived in Ojai for the past 30 years.
Mrs. Burgess volunteered for many years in Ojai at Little House, Ojai Valley Hospital and with the Sheriff's Department. She was a member of the Ojai Valley Woman's Club.
She is survived by her son, F.J. "Jim" Lowery II, and his wife, Janice, of Lomita, Calif.; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
No formal services were held.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Mary K. Isaacson
Mary K. Isaacson, 84, of Ojai died Monday, April 29, 2002, in Ventura. She was born April 22, 1917, in Ventura, to John and Ida (Borchard) Lagomarsino, and was a resident of Ventura County her entire life.
Mrs. Isaacson was a homemaker the majority of her life and a member of the Thunderbird Club and the 40 Leaguers. Her interests included golf.
She is survived by her husband, Vincent "Vince" Isaacson, of Ojai; daughter Barbara Drake of Washington; brother John Lagomarsino of Bend, Ore.; sisters Bernie Matheney of Ventura, Doris Bogardus of North Hollywood, and Betty Barrow of Ventura; two granddaughters; and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, John Carr.
Funeral services are being held today at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, with Father Michael McFadden of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai officiating. Interment
will follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.
Norman Brant Chandler
Norman Brant Chandler, 49, a former Los Angeles Times executive and the first member of the fifth generation of his family to establish a career with the Los Angeles Times, has died. Otis Chandler, publisher of the paper from 1960 to 1980, said his eldest son died Friday at his home in Ojai of complications from a brain tumor.
An avid sportsman, Norman Chandler was training for a triathlon in 1989 when he collapsed and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite failing health in the past decade, he pursued photography and painting and, until recently, kept up physical therapy that included swimming. Born in San Marino, Chandler attended Polytechnic School in Pasadena and the Cate School in Carpinteria. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist when he graduated in 1970. He went on to Yale University, later transferring to Stanford, where he earned a degree in communications.
He joined the Times in 1976, working in an executive training program that included reporter assignments at overseas Times bureaus. He said years later that his experiences abroad deepened his interest in journalism and led him to rule out other professions.
When he returned to Los Angeles, he sought more experience in the newspaper's technical operations. He was named composing superintendent in 1987 and managed many departments integral to final page production.
The Chandler family controlled the Times from 1884 to 2000, when the Times and its parent company, Times Mirror, were purchased by Tribune Co.
Norman Chandler was the great-great-grandson of Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, who bought part-ownership of the Times in 1882 and served as its publisher for 35 years.
His great-grandfather was Harry Chandler, the Times' second publisher; his grandfather, Norman Chandler, was the third publisher; and his father, Otis Chandler, was the paper's fourth and last family member to hold the title.
In 1976, Norman Chandler married Jane Emilie Yeager, and they had four children: Otis, Christopher, Dana and Jenna. They survive him, as do his father; his mother, Marilyn Brant DeYoung; brothers Harry and Michael Chandler; sisters Cathleen Eckhardt and Carolyn Chandler; grandmother Jane Mawn Brant Ward; stepmother Bettina Chandler; and stepfather Patrick DeYoung.
A memorial service was held May 5 at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ojai. The family requested that there be no flowers and that all donations be sent to the church.
Norma C. Zigler
Norma C. Zigler, 71, of Ojai, died Thursday, May 2, 2002, in Ojai. She was born June 30, 1930, in Arkansas City, Kan., and lived in Ojai for 42 years.
Mrs. Zigler was a homemaker. She was a bingo player and was an active member of the Ojai Valley Boat Club several years ago.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alecia and Rick Taylor, grandson Greg Taylor, and granddaughter Melinda Taylor, all of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Maura Zigler of South Lake Tahoe; and brother-in-law Robert Zigler and his wife, Bobbie, of Canyon Lake.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Zigler, brother Bill Thornton, and sister Myrtle Bartron.
A memorial Mass was held May 7 at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. A graveside service will be held today at noon at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Erma P. Rizzo
Erma P. Rizzo, 58, died Saturday, May 4, 2002 at Community Memorial Hospital following a long illness. She was born July 7, 1943 in Ventura to James and Rosalie Molina, and was a lifelong Ventura County resident.
Mrs. Rizzo was employed by the Ojai Valley School for 34 years as the housekeeping supervisor, retiring in 1994.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Aguilar and Mary Perez, of Ojai; cousin Robert Hernandez of Ojai; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.
Elmer Allen "Beck" Beckett
Elmer Allen "Beck" Beckett, 87, of Ojai, died Friday, May 10, 2002. He was born Sept. 27, 1914, in Coquille, Ore., and had been a resident of Ojai for 54 years.
His parents had traveled from Colorado with his mother driving a horse-led covered wagon. The family moved several times, and during his junior year in high school moved from Las Vegas to Ventura, where his parents owned and operated the Pierpont Inn and El Nido Hotel. He played football while attending Ventura College.
He spent much of World War II serving under General George S. Patton in the European campaign. He was a member of the famous 244th Field Artillery Battalion, which landed on Utah Beach in the D-day invasion of Normandy, fought and succeeded in the Battle of the Bulge, and under Patton, was part of the lead Army into the final drive into Germany.
Following World War II, Mr. Beckett returned to Ventura and spent the next 41 years working at the Shell Oil Refinery there. In 1948, he and his wife, Juanita, and daughter Bonnie moved to the Ojai Valley.
He was known by many in the valley as the "Johnny Appleseed" of the Matilija poppy, where every October he and friends would scatter seeds and pods to increase the stands of the flower. He was also known as the "Balloon Man," providing balloons for many years during the Ojai Band's summer performances.
His interests included the natural assets of the Ojai Valley and its creatures, storytelling and collecting gadgets.
Mr. Beckett is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Beckett Keeley and son-in-law Richard D. Keeley of Foster City, Calif.; sister Hellen Swanson of Temecula, Calif; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Beckett, older brother Ted Beckett and sister Alta Beckett.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
The family requests that any donations be made to Help of Ojai, Inc., P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
John "Jack" Ghormley
John "Jack" Ghormley, 65, of Arroyo Grande, died Saturday, May 4, 2002, at an Arroyo Grande hospital surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 11, 1936, in Greenfield, Iowa.
He lived on the Central Coast since 1978, moving from Ojai where he lived from 1970 to 1978. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1959 with a degree in civil engineering. Mr. Ghormley was the public works director for the city of Gardena from 1962 to 1966 when he became the city manager of Gardena. He held that position until forming the partnership of Benner & Ghormley Engineering from 1970 to 1975. He was president of Bonita Homes, Inc. from 1977 until his death.
Mr. Ghormley was a member of Sigma Phi Fraternity, a former member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pismo Beach, and for many years was a member of the Masonic Lodge. His hobbies included woodworking, flyfishing and playing the piano.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Anne Ghormley; daughters and sons-in-law Lynne and Paul Reed and Becky and Tony Crowe; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Karen Ghormley; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy LaNece and Clarence Emmett Ghormley.
A memorial service was held May 11 at 2 p.m. at Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach, with his family officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kiwanis Club of Greater Pismo Beach, P.O. Box 44, Pismo Beach, CA 93448, for youth projects.
Arrangements were under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Funeral Chapel, Grover Beach.
Loretta Murphy Bowman
Loretta Murphy Bowman, 84, of Ojai, died Friday, May 10, 2002, in Ventura. She was born July 30, 1917, in North Dakota, and lived in Ojai for nine years, coming from Milwaukee, Wis.
Mrs. Bowman was a teacher and a homemaker. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, where she taught CCD.
She is survived by her children William Jr. of Boston, Mass., James of Chicago, Ill., Thomas of Ojai, Susan of Clayton, Calif., John of Santa Monica, Calif., and Joe of Menlo Park, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bowman, who died seven weeks ago in Ojai.
Visitation was held Monday at 6 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, with the Rev. Patrick Keane, OSA, officiating. Interment
followed at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard.
Arrangements were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Vida V. Simonitz
Vida V. Simonitz, 89, of Ojai, died Sunday, May 12, 2002, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She was born April 12, 1913, in Kansas. She lived in Ojai for 28 years, coming from Chickasha, Okla.
Mrs. Simonitz was a homemaker. She is survived by her nephews, Jack Weedon, of Ojai, and Jimmy Weedon and Farrel Weedon, both of Bakersfield, and Joe Weedon, of Walnut, Calif.; and other nieces and nephews out of state.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura, with Pastor Lyn Thomas officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Beverly "Bev" Stevenson
Beverly "Bev" Stevenson, 72, of Ojai, died Thursday, May 9, 2002, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She was born Nov. 19, 1929, in Lafayette, Ind., and lived in Ojai for five years, coming from Scottsdale, Ariz.
Mrs. Stevenson was a secretary.
She is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob" Stevenson, of Ojai; daughter and son-in-law Cherie and John Kemp of Auburn, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law Jean and Wally Edgar of Scottsdale; and two grandchildren.
Private services were held in Ojai.
Arrangments were under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Maria Norbury
Maria Norbury was born in Fairview, Alberta, Canada, to Peter and Josephine Gans. Her parents were homesteaders and created a farm that is in its fourth generation of family operation. Maria attended UCLA and graduated with an MA in Art and English. She operated a kindergarten in L.A., and also taught high school for 28 years in Woodland Hills.
Maria met and married Burton J. Norbury in 1949. The couple moved to Camarillo and raised their children and a passel of animals. They were married for 22 years until Burton's death in 1971. Maria briefly returned to Canada after her retirement in the early '80s, but found that she missed California. She moved to Ojai and has been here since. Her passions were painting, roses and animals.
Maria Norbury passed away in her sleep during the early hours of May 10. Maria was 89 years old. Two brothers and three sisters survive Maria: Martin Gans, Leo Gans and Trudi Skinnarland, of Canada, Margaret Shinn and Helene Gans of Ventura. Maria is also survived by two sons, Edmund Norbury of Boise, Idaho, and Nelson Norbury of Ojai, Calif.; and four grandchildren, Carissa, Jason, Lori and Michael. Waldo, her German shepherd, will also miss Maria.
A memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, May 15, at 4:45 p.m. at St. Joseph's Chapel. Anyone interested in honoring Maria's memory may make a donation to the Ojai Humane Society or the Ojai Library.
Dennis Charles Wolfe
Dennis Charles Wolfe, 61, of Ojai, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2002, after a brief illness.
Dennis was born March 23, 1941, in Los Angeles. He grew up in Arcadia and Brea, California, and raised his children in Temple City, Covina and Ojai, California. He had been an Ojai resident for 20 years.
For the past 15 years, Dennis had been employed with Snap-On Tools as an Industrial Sales Manager. He enjoyed spending time with his family and fishing, traveling, and bicycling with his friends. He was known for his fine woodworking skills and the ability to throw a great barbecue.
Dennis will always be remembered as a man who never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He leaves us with an inspirational legacy of hard work, gentle words, and kind thoughts.
Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Louella Marie Wolfe, in 1968, and his father, Frank Edward Wolfe, in 1987.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Billie Wolfe, of Ojai; son Erik Wolfe and his wife Jeana of Trabuco Canyon, Calif.; son Ryan Wolfe of Corvallis, Oregon; sister Marilyn Goodwin and her husband John of Lebanon, Oregon; sister LeeAnn Garman and her husband John of Crestline, California; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Dennis' life will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2002, at the home of Jim and Mary Sanders, 2235 Los Encinos Drive, Ojai. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join his family in this celebration.
Contributions may be made in Dennis' memory to the Ojai Recreation Department at the Boyd Center in support of activities for the youth of Ojai. Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 1570, Ojai, California 93024.
Erma W. Bye
Erma W. Bye, 95, of Ojai, died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, of natural causes. She was born Oct. 3, 1906, in Council Bluff, Iowa, and lived in Ojai for four years, coming from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Mrs. Bye was a secretary for both the city of Pasadena and San Dimas Valley Community Drive-In Church. Her interests included studying and writing poetry and some of her poems were published.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Cudaback, of Shasta Lake, Calif., and Laura M. Bye, of Ojai; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Bruce Neil Bye, in 1968.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Coast Fellowshp Church on Market Street in Ventura, with Pastor Earl Kerssey officiating. Private interment
will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, Calif.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Kathryn Wyatt Sampson
Kathryn Wyatt Sampson, 55, of Henderson, Nev., died Monday, May 6, 2002.
She was born Oct. 16, 1946, in Bakersfield, Calif., to William and Juanita Wyatt.
She was raised and attended school in Bakersfield. She married Richard Sampson in 1977. They lived in Ojai from the late '70s to the '90s and moved to Henderson eight years ago.
Her interests included gardening, bird watching and craft projects.
Mrs. Sampson is survived by her husband, Richard; her daughter, Lisa Baldridge, of Bakersfield; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Ileen Baldridge of Bakersfield; mother-in-law Helen Dowd of Henderson; stepdaughter Jessica Sampson of Henderson; her father and stepmother, William and Katie Wyatt, of Fullerton; sisters Bobbie Wyatt and Laurie Mitchell of Bakersfield; two grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A day of remembrance will be held Saturday, May 18, in Henderson, Nev., at the Sampson home beginning at 4 p.m.
Flowers may be sent to the home or donations made in Mrs. Sampson's name to any charity that supports wildlife and birding, or the charity of your choice. For details on the service, call (702) 565-0053.
Jocelyn Sandberg
Jocelyn Sandberg, 41, died Friday, April 26, 2002, after an altercation with an unknown assailant in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was born Dec. 2, 1960, in Port Hueneme, Calif., to Evalyn M. and Harley T. Sandberg.
She attended school in Ojai, graduating from Nordhoff High School. She worked in Ventura and other California locations as a baker and as an organic produce buyer.
Ms. Sandberg moved to Colorado Springs in 1989, where she worked at Poor Richard's restaurant and volunteered as a program host at public radio station KRCC. Later, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she was a radio announcer-producer at station WCBE.
Returning to Colorado Springs two years ago, she became operations manager and announcer at KRCC, and resumed her relationship with the people at Little Richard's.
She is survived by her parents and her eight siblings, Tyler, Judith, Tracy, Janet, Timothy, Thane, Jill and Tod; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members.
A memorial service was held in the chapel at Colorado College, the sponsor of KRCC. Interment
will be in a family plot in the City Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.
