Luther G. 'Lu' Roland
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Luther G. "Lu" Roland, 76,died Saturday, June 22, 2002, near his home of 12 years in Roseburg, Ore., after a lengthy illness. He had been a longtime Ojai resident and business owner.
Born in Hummelstown, Pa., in 1925, he left the family farm for active duty as an aviation cadet for the U.S. Army a few months after his 18th birthday. Having served as an aerial gunner, bombardier, airborne radio operator and navigator, he was finally allowed to pursue his initial dream and entered pilot training in 1950. Serving as buck pilot, senior pilot and finally command pilot, Mr. Roland would go on to fly single- and multiple-engine propeller-driven planes as well as jet fighters and bombers, at one point holding more aeronautical rankings than any Air Force pilot.
In 1951, he inadvertently became the focal point of an international incident when malfunctioning on-board compasses and powerful Czechoslovakian radio transmitters caused he and a Norwegian trainee to land near Prague instead of British- and French-controlled West Germany. Held by the Czechs for four weeks, he was treated to a true Independence Day when he was released to his unit on July 4 after intervention by then-President Harry Truman and Secretary of State Dean Acheson. Coupled with the patrols he flew during the Allies' food drops over East Germany, this event would later leave him thankful that he lived long enough to see the Berlin Wall come down.
Upon completing a tour as a squadron commander at the Air Force's Columbus, Miss., Strategic Air Command base, Mr. Roland retired after 23 years of service and moved his family to Ojai in 1966. Acting on the advice of his two older sons, he went into business operating a downtown Ojai service station where a few years later he and his boys, as well as a host of Ojai Valley youths, would work until 1988.
An active Lions Club member and leader, Mr. Roland used his downtown business location as an "information center" for all matters pertaining to the Lions Club. He was Lion of the Year in 1975 and was instrumental in forming the Ojai Lioness Club in 1985.
In 1989, the morning after receiving Lionism's highest award, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, Mr. Roland and his wife, Ann, moved to Roseburg, where they both remained active in the Lions Club. While helping form Lions Clubs in Lemolo Lake in 1993, Cave Junction in 1996, and Medford in 1997, he was elected district governor in 1995, and was awarded the Helen Keller Benefactor Award in 2000. He helped shuttle donated corneal tissue to be used in transplants throughout the Pacific Northwest. He was a volunteer with the area RSVP, a van driver for the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Roseburg, and a volunteer gardener for Calvary Assembly of God Church. Mr. Roland also served as a docent at the local Wild Life Safari for 11 years, driving the park's miniature train, giving guided tours, and doing carpentry, landscaping or anything else he thought needed to be done, a dedication that would land his picture on postcards sold at the park.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Roland, of Roseburg; daughter and son-in-law Christine and Bob Lefebvre of Ventura; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Susan Roland of Ojai; son Bruce Roland of Ojai; sister Doris Winters of Hershey, Pa.; brothers Carlton and Charles of Lancaster, Pa., and North Carolina; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and the families of stepsons Steven and Gilbert Phelps in Chandler, Ariz., and Columbia, Calif.
Mr. Roland was preceded in death by his sisten, Ellen, and brothers Arthur and Basil of Pennsylvania, former wife "Penny" and their youngest son Jeff of Ojai.
Services will be held in Roseburg, and the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either Calvary Assembly of God, P.O. Box 457, Roseburg, OR 97470, or the Oregon Lions' Sight and Hearing Foundation, 1410 S.W. Morrison, Suite 760, Portland, OR 97205.
Walter 'Don' Rivers
Walter "Don" Rivers, 73, of Oak View, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002 with his family by his side. He was born March 28, 1929 in Anaconda, Mont.
Mr. Rivers was well-known in the oil field business where he spent most of his working years. He ended his career, retiring from Vetco Offshore of Ventura. He served in the Marines during the Korean War.
Mr. Rivers was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by his wife, Susie Rivers, of Oak View; sons Bill Rivers of Fresno, and Mark Rivers of Oak View; daughter and son-in-law Donna and Chris Kellner of Porterville; sister Rudy Holt of Salt Lake City; sister and brother-in-law Darlene and Fred Jacober of Bakersfield; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Mary Henson of Kirbyville, Mo.; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Gertrude and Walter Rivers, sister Elayne, and brother John.
There will be no services at his request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Hospice, 1996 Eastman, Ventura, CA 93003.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Katherine 'Kittie' Roguski
Katherine "Kittie" Roguski, 91, of Ojai, died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital's Continuing Care Center. She was born Aug. 2, 1910 in Polo, Ill., and had been a resident of Ojai for 37 years.
Mrs. Roguski was a volunteer for RSVP and Help of Ojai for 30 years. Earlier, she had worked as a secretary in Loves Park, Ill. Her interests included music, nature, outings with friends, and making birthday calls to volunteers.
She is survived by her daughters, Pat Aguirre of Ventura, and Connie Roguski (husband Kevin Sullivan) of Japan; brother Bob Riggs of St. Louis; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil John Roguski, in 1971, son Rick Roguski in 1995, brothers Forrest and Rich, and sister Wannie Biscontine.
The family expresses sincere thanks to the staff of the Continuing Care Center for their care and kindness the past six years.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation Thursday, June 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home, Matilija and Montgomery streets in Ojai. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 28, at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai. Interment
will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road, Santa Paula.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Jill Stittleburg, 2119 Glen Ellen Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30152.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Marion A. Westergaard
Marion A. Westergaard, 97, of Ojai, died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She was born March 8, 1905 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a resident of Ojai for 22 years.
She is survived by her stepdaughters, Rachel Bagan of Riverside, Calif., and Janice Cerra of Putnam, Conn., and grandchildren.
In accordance with her wishes, no services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDermott-Crockett Mortuary in Santa Barbara.
Steven Crosson
Steven Crosson, 54, was born June 8, 1948 in Santa Monica and passed away June 15, 2002 in Ojai from lung cancer.
He was a graduate of Nordhoff High School, Class of 1966, where he excelled in many activities, winning the Mike Mikos Award. He went on to attend UCLA and Humboldt State College. He married his high school sweetheart, Debra Clemore, in 1967. Steve entered the Army in 1969 and was a wounded Vietnam veteran.
Steve was employed by Delta Electric, and for the past 27 years, by Southern California Edison Co.
He was a passionate fisherman and hunter and took great joy in having friends join him on his boat for deep sea fishing. He was a man who knew the importance of family and friends and had a great love of life and the outdoors.
He is survived by his loving family, wife of 34 years, Debra; his daughter, Kelley Sharon, son-in-law Alan Sharon of Ojai; twin sons Justin and Travis of the family home; his mother Marylee Sockwell, sister Laura Crosson, brother Michael Crosson of Hesperia; grandchildren Connor and MacKenzie Sharon; and mother-in-law Nita Clemore. He also leaves many friends whose lives he has wonderfully touched.
Steve was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Stacy.
A family memorial will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jamie Lee Gutshall-Sterner
Jamie Lee Gutshall-Sterner, 48, died Monday, June 17, 2002 at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a long struggle with cancer. She was born Dec. 9, 1953 in California.
She last worked at the Ojai Valley Bank, and was a member of the Church of the Living Christ in Meiners Oaks.
She is survived by her parents, Norman and Roberta Gutshall; sister Nanette Gutshall of Utah; and her children, Max Sterner, Erin Urbanek, and Amy Moreland and husband Charlie.
The family thanks everyone for their help and caring, including Dr. Nelson and the staff at Ojai Valley Community Hospital, Pastor James and her nurse and friend, Penny Vogel.
Services will be held at a later date at Bates Beach, and a memorial service will be held Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m. at the Church of the Living Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Living Christ, 190 E. El Roblar Drive, Ojai, CA 93023, or to the Ojai Valley Community Hospital, 1306 Maricopa Highway, Ojai, CA 93023.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Alfred Drozdowski
Alfred Drozdoski, 85, of Ojai, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002 of natural causes. He was born Jan. 9, 1917 in Michigan, and had lived in Ojai for 10 years. His major interest was fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Drozdowski, of Ojai; son Robert Drozdowski of Hawaii; daughters Beverly Jardin of Ojai, and Barbara McPherson of Arizona; brothers Casmere Drozdowski of Florida, and Zigmund Drozdowski of Michigan; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Private family services were held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Josephine "Josie" Williams
Josephine "Josie" Williams, 75, died Friday, June 21, 2002 with her family by her side. She was born Aug. 20, 1926 in Clifton, Ariz., to Jose and Consuelo Gamboa.
Following Jose's death in 1929, Consuelo raised Josie and her three sisters until she, too, died. After the death of her mother, Josie moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from Belmont High School. In Los Angeles, she met, married and began a family with Harry Williams. They remained in Los Angeles until moving to Ojai in the summer of 1969.
Mrs. Williams was a homemaker and a volunteer at the Catholic Church and for many local events and schools. She gave 25 years of volunteer service as a nurse's assistant for St. Joseph's Convalescent Hospital and as a bilingual teacher's aide at Arnaz Elementary School.
She is survived by her husband, Harry Williams; sons and daughters-in-law Anthony and Linda of Canyon Country, and Mark and Carol of Boulder City, Nev., sons and fiancées Joe and Liz of Girdwood, Alaska, and Robin and Jennifer of Ojai; sisters Avelina, Cuca, Tanis and Dahlia; and four grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all the many friends and relatives for their love and support.
Rosary was recited Wednesday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center chapel in Ojai. A memorial Mass was celebrated Thursday, June 27, at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, with Father Patrick Keane officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Health and Retirement Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Emmett Gilroy "Gil" Schaller
Emmett Gilroy "Gil" Schaller, 84, of Ojai, died Friday, June 28, 2002, after a recent decline. He was born Christmas Day, 1917 in Baltimore, Md.
He spent his life in electronics sales, ultimately retiring from the Jack Berman Co. in 1982, to a life of travel, visiting friends and family and golfing with his wife, Lois.
Mr. Schaller is survived by his three sons, E. Gilroy Schaller Jr. and partner Michael Carlon of Seattle, Wash., Larry and Dona Schaller of Redding, Calif., and Dan and Jan Schaller of Ventura; Peg Schaller, mother of his three sons, of Eugene, Ore.; sister Jean of Baltimore, Md.; eight grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Lois May Schaller.
A celebration of his life and a lunch for all acquaintances and family will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Boccali's, 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Help of Ojai.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Neptune Society of Santa Barbara.
William 'Bill' Conley
William "Bill" Conley, 74, of Ojai, died Friday, July 5, 2002 at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 30, 1927 in Kaymore, W.Va., and lived in Ojai for the last 24 years. He was a 35-year Ventura County resident.
Mr. Conley was an auto mechanic in the family-owned Oxnard business, Conley & Sons Automotive. He was a retired Air Force master sargeant, having served in Korea and Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Conley, of Ojai; sons and daughters-in-law Stephen and Rene Conley, and David and Susan Conley, all of Oxnard; daughters and sons-in-law Lisa and Alberto Luna and Sarah and Jim Davis, all of Ojai, and Patricia and Julian Jakes of England; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, David Utter.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 11, at 1 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Brother Otis Fox officiating. Interment
will follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura.
Memorial contributions may be made to a homeless shelter.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Peter John Bowman
Peter John Bowman, 62, of Ojai, died Saturday, July 6, 2002 from complications of a heart attack on the Fourth of July. He was born Jan. 9, 1940 in Mangatapu, New Zealand, and made Ventura County his home after sailing to Ventura in 1982.
His interests included the ocean, nature, stone carving and people.
He is survived by his son, David Hardley of New Zealand; son and daughter-in-law Kent and Trish Hardley of Ventura; and four grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 13, at 4 p.m. at 31 Peking St., Ventura. Aloha shirts are welcome.
Memorial donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, Attention: Memorials, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 885, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.
Edith 'Edie' Thacher Dane
Edith "Edie" Thacher Dane, 89, died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at the home of her daughter in San Jose, Calif. She was born May 4, 1913 in Ojai on the campus of The Thacher Preparatory Boys School, where her father, William Larned Thacher, was associate head master and her uncle, Sherman Day Thacher, was head master.
She attended Vassar College in New York, and married and settled in Sierra Madre, Calif., where her mother, Hilda Blumer Thacher, was born. Her maturnal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John George Blumer, were of the original group of residents of Sierra Madre when they arrived in 1886.
Mrs. Dane lived in Sierra Madre for more than 60 years and was an active and dedicated volunteer in her community throughout her adult life. She received numerous honors and awards for her service in the areas of early childhood developpment, the "War on Poverty," and a variety of human rights and social justice initiatives. She was active in the Democratic Party and, in her later years, was active in efforts to preserve the hillside of her hometown. As a social activist, she was committed to the health and well-being of all members of society and to her local communities of Sierra Madre, and surrounding Pasadena-area cities.
She is survived by her children, Bill Dane of Albany, Calif., Frank Dane of Forestville, Calif., and Nancy Dane Peña of San Jose, Calif.; daughters-in-law Nancy Dulberg Dane and Diana Dane; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several cousins and in-laws.
Memorial services will be held Aug. 16, 2002 in Sierra Madre.
Arrangements are under the direction of San Jose Funeral Services, 1275 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, CA 95125.
Andrew W. Brown
Andrew W. Brown, 19, died in his sleep early Sunday morning, July 14, 2002. He was born April 1, 1983 in Ojai, and attended elementary, junior high and high school in Ojai.
He is survived by his parents, William Brown of Ventura, and Debbie Brown of Ojai; brother Eric; sister Angie; maternal grandmother Beverly of Missouri; nephew Anthony; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins.
A celebration of Andrew's life will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, July 19, at Clausen Funeral Home, located at the corner of Matilija and Montgomery streets in Ojai.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Dalton Warren Vivian
Dalton Warren Vivian, 76, of Ojai, died Friday, July 26, 2002 in Camarillo Convalescent Hospital of pneumonia. He was born Jan. 19, 1926 in Bishop, Texas. He attended San Antonio schools and got his degree in Texas.
He had lived in Ojai for the past year and a half, coming from San Diego County where he was a resident for 43 years, living in San Diego and Encinitas.
Mr. Vivian had been an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired from the San Diego Community College District where he had taught for 30 years.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Colleen Vivian, of Ojai; daughter Deidre Ann Vivian of Golden, Colo.; son and daughter-in-law Russ and Joyce Vivian of Ojai; and granddaughter Chelsea Ann Vivian of Ojai.
A memorial service will be held in San Diego, Calif.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Payton Mortuary in Oxnard.
F. Pearl Higginbotham
F. Pearl Higginbotham. 93, of Ojai, died Saturday, July 27, 2002 of natural causes.
She was born Feb. 23, 1909 in Vernon, Alabama, and lived in Ojai since 1946, coming from Texas.
Mrs. Higginbotham was a cook's assistant for Ojai Valley School for 18 years. Her hobbies included sewing.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Katherin and Elgin McLaurin, of Lavern, Okla., and Virginia and Lonie Black of Turlock, Calif.; son Donald Appleton of Fort Worth, Texas; son and daughter-in-law Eugene and Barbara Higginbotham of Ojai; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, C.J. Higginbotham.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Pastor Lyn Thomas of the Wesleyan Church officating. Interment
will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
