Frederic "Rick" Vanderhurst
Frederic "Rick" Vanderhurst, 77, of Oak View, died Tuesday, April 29, 2003 in Ojai. He was born Aug. 2, 1925, and was raised in the San Francisco Bay area by parents Byers G. Vanderhurst and Bertille Belasco Vanderhurst. He was a fourth generation Californian, both sides of his family having settled in California in the 1840s and 1850s in San Francisco and Monterey counties.
He attended Van Nuys and Hollywood high schools and the University of Southern California. He was a volunteer worker at the U.S.O. Hollywood Canteen. Mr. Vanderhurst saw active Navy service in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, followed by U.N. relief work in China, prior to his first Navy separation.
After active Navy service in Korea, Mr. Vanderhurst joined the Smith and Ganz advertising agency in Hollywood as an account executive, later operating his own agency for 10 years in Hollywood. He was employed by Radio Station KLAC as a production assistant, KGIL in San Fernando, KSBW in Salinas, and as an account executive for KAFY in Bakersfield. In the 1960s and '70s, he was employed by Cap Cities Broadcasting handling programming and public affairs for the stations in Los Angeles. Following that, he was owner, developer and operator of the Sherman Oaks Athletic Club, selling the club and retiring to Oak View in 1990. He played tennis and helped youngsters learn the game.
Mr. Vanderhurst and his wife, Judy, took many trips in their motorhome to the East Coast and the Pacific Northwest.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judy; his children and their spouses, Richard Vanderhurst, Gayle and Rich Pierce, Leslie Fitgerald, and Cynthia and Tracy Neumann; and five grandchildren.
A graveside service is being held today at 10 a.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, with Pastor David Burgeson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Help of Ojai.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
John Melville
John Melville didn't have time for athletics when he was young. Growing up in New York City in the 1930s, he worked his way through college and became an engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory in Hawaii during World War II. He earned a master's degree in electrical engineering at Columbia University, then worked as an aerospace engineer in Los Angeles.
It wasn't until retirement, at age 63, that he participated in his first Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, the first of 11 annual swimming, biking and running endurance events that he took part in from 1983 to 1994.
"As a kid growing up during the Depression, I always thought of sports as a luxury," he said. "In my neighborhood, we were too busy trying to get by to waste our time with those kinds of things." Melville, 83, died at his Ojai home on April 26 from colon cancer. No public memorials are planned.
He set age group world records in the 1990s for the 50-mile run and 1,000-meter relay swim. He twice completed the Tevis Trail Ride, a 100-mile horseback event in the Sierras. Melville was an avid surfer in the 1940s and 1950s and a mountaineer in the 1960s and 1970s. He built a futuristic Burt Rutan-designed airplane in 1977 and, with wife Wilma at the controls, flew it across the country.
He helped found the National Search Dog Foundation, an Ojai-based group that trains rescue dogs and handlers from around the world. He also started the "Irongents," a group of over-60 triathletes who meet annually before each Ironman triathlon.
"A golden moment for me was during my first Ironman," Melville said in a published history of the Irongents. "One of the volunteers was watching me with pity in his eyes. But I was thinking, 'Hot dog. Six hours and 45 minutes left and only a marathon to do!' "
Other lifelong interests included movies, music and history.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Melville of Ojai, sons John Melville of Los Angeles, George Melville of Maui, and Philip Melville of Cerritos, and daughter Vicki Palisi of New Orleans; stepsons Jason Hirschman of Los Angeles, David Hirschman of Atlanta, Harry Hirschman and Micah Hirschman of Palo Alto, and six grandchildren.
Near the end of a two-year terminal illness, Melville told his wife he was amazed at how well life had turned out.
"He used to say, 'Not bad for some jerk from New York,'" she said.
Lucile N. Wood
When we come to the end of our lives, what really matters is the love and the lessons you leave to others. My grandmother, Lucile N. Wood, was the best teacher I ever had. Every day with her was a lesson in how to live.
She was born to parents John and Lucile Nicholson from Topeka, Kansas, in 1901, while her father was working in Mexico City, Mexico. They came back to live near family when little Lucile was 4 months old. She lived through her parents' divorce, which was then front-page news. She lived with her grandfather, who was a Civil War veteran, endured family deaths, lived through the influenza epidemic, a case of smallpox, and a less-than-stable home life. In 1918, she and her mother moved to Long Beach, California. She met her husband, Frank C. Wood, a dental student, at a St. Patrick's Day party and they soon married. They had one son, Frank C. Wood Jr., in 1924; he was the joy of their lives. They lived through the Great Depression, through seeing their son off to war and, thankfully, his coming home.
Throughout her life, Lucile was involved with many charitable endeavors. She helped at the USO, knit sweaters for the soldiers in World War II, and drove great distances to give talks to raise funds for missions for the Philippines through the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles. She was also a member of the Assistance League and the Friday Morning Club. Her husband, a talented dentist and avid golfer, passed away in 1951, and then her son, a successful lawyer, in 1973. Through it all, she was strong. She carried on with what God gave her. She had a special spot in her heart for a ministry through her church called the Children's Baptist Home. I remember her always mentioning how the children needed some more blankets or clothing. She was the head of the project for some time, and I know she made a difference in many children's lives.
Lucile lived in Los Angeles, in the Larchmont Village area, in the same house for 62 years. She was smart in business and in real estate. She took good care of herself and looked after those she loved. As her granddaughter, I was one of those fortunate ones. When I was young, I thought she was bossy. Now, I thank God for every word she gave to me. She was showing me how to live, not only by her words, but by her life and by her positive attitude. The time I spent as a child with her, which was plenty, was the best time of my childhood.
Lucile moved up to Ojai, first to The Gables of Ojai in 1998, and then soon after, in with me. Again, lessons that I have learned from taking care of her have enriched my life and have given me an appreciation and such rich blessings that words cannot do justice. A couple of years ago, her hip broke and she moved into the Skilled Nursing Facility at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She continued to live there with a positive attitude until her death.
Let me thank the staff at the Ojai Skilled Nursing Facility for taking such good care of my grandmother. Let me thank God for giving me the privilege of being the granddaughter of Lucile N. Wood. I will continue to pass along the love and life lessons she taught me whenever I can. Her memory will continue through me and through my children. Her love will never be lost or forgotten.
Arrangements by Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai; private ceremony with Stephanie Wood-Hartmann and her children.
Keith W. Barnard
Longtime Ventura County resident, Keith W. Barnard, 76, died Mondy, May 26, 2003 in Ventura, following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 30, 1926 in Ventura, to Morris and Ruth Barnard. He was educated in Ventura schools and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He married Ruth "Mousie" Virden Shutt in 1950.
Mr. Barnard was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of the Los Rancheros Visitadores, Ventura County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, American Legion and Ventura Farm Bureau. He was chairman of the Ventura County General Hospital Advisory Committee, vice chairman of the Ventura County Agricultural Stabilization Committee, chairman of the Republican Central Committee, vice chairman of two mutual water companies, president of the Taxpayers' Association, and president of the Fillmore-Piru Protective District. Mr. Barnard was on the board of directors of Sunkist, Ojai Tapo, Brigg's Lemon, Santa Paula Orange, Fruit Growers' Supply and Ventura Pacific. He was also a member of the Fillmore Club, Fillmore Junior Chamber, Fillmore Dance Club and was a Fillmore volunteer firefighter. His interests included hunting, fishing and traveling.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, "Mousie"; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Shelly Barnard; sister Carolyn Van Bokkelen of San Mateo; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Margaret Barnard of Los Angeles; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
The family would like to thank the staff at Treacy Villa Residential Care Facility in Ventura and also to Hospice for their care.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 9, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1339 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, CA 93010.
Arrangements were under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura
Marcia Oakes Sanborn
Marcia Oakes Sanborn, 92, of Ojai, died peacefully at home on May 30, 2003. She was born July 10, 1910 in New York City, N.Y.
Upon her father's retirement from his New York medical practice in 1925, the family returned to the Oakes family home in South Berwick, Maine. She graduated from Berwick Academy in 1929 and lives in South Berwick until moving to Ventura County in 1949, when she married Willis Sanborn, a supervisor at the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu.
Mrs. Sanborn is survived by her nephew, Abner Oakes, and family of Hamden, Conn.; and many cousins, among them, Bobbi Dufau and family of Ojai, Dr. Charles Berletti of Martinez, Calif., and Marion Inchaustegui of Downingtown, Pa.; and all the members of the Sheil and Sanborn families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Sanborn; her parents, Dr. Charles and Marcella Sheil Oakes; and her brother, Dr. Abner Oakes.
Private interment
will be at Ivy Lawn Cementery in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Timothy Seltzer
Timothy Seltzer, 33, of Los Angeles, died suddenly Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at his home. He was born Dec. 13, 1969 in Los Angeles, and was raised in Ojai. He attended Summit School, Matilija Junior High School and Nordhoff High School.
He is survived by his son, Dylan Seltzer, age 5; mother Alice Borgeson of Ojai; father David Seltzer of New York; stepfather Mick Borgeson; and brothers and sisters, Mary Borgeson, and Emily, Phuong and Trung Seltzer.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 14, at 4 p.m. at the home of his family, 1708 Ladera Ranch Road.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Kids and Families, 586 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers-Westwood Village Mortuary.
Mildred Potts Marshal Foote
Mildred Potts Marshal Foote, 101, of Ojai, died Friday, June 6, 2003 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital's Continuing Care Center, following a short illness. She was born Aug. 17, 1901 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Georgia Ann Tolbman and John Henry Marshal. The family moved to Duarte, Calif., in the early 1900s.
She studied music and worked for the Steinway Company in Los Angeles. She also played music in theaters for silent movies. Later, she was an organist for the Christian Science Church, where she was a member.
She married Eugene Foote in the fall of 1940. They had no children. They owned and operated Swank Dry Cleaners in Los Angeles, until their retirement in 1967, when they moved to Ojai, where their interests included golf, fishing and music.
Mrs. Foote belonged to an organ music group, and was a member of the Ojai Valley Woman's Club.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Isabell Marshal, of Eagle Rock, Calif., and Margaret Needham of Fort Scott, Kan.; brother-in-law Kenneth Foote of Hame, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
She is the last of her family, her father, mother, sister Amanda, and brother Edwin having preceded her in death. Mrs. Foote was also preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Eugene Foote, on March 8, 1992.
Services were held Tuesday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with the Rev. Dr. W. Norman Cooper officiating. Private burial will be at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ojai Valley Woman's Club.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Ivan Neil Rude
Ivan Neil Rude, 80, of Ojai, died Saturday, June 7, 2003. He was born Nov. 16, 1922, the son of a farmer in Turlock, Calif.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1942, and trained to be a platoon leader. He also entertained the troops by doing some boxing and earning the Camp Championship.
His interest in music led him to Pepperdine College, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in music and a second bachelor's in speech and drama in 1953.
Mr. Rude went on to do missionary work in Brazil, and held many teaching positions over the years. He created a program called Turning Point Ministries for those in need of assistance with addictions.
He is survived by his wife, Lee Rude, of Ojai; seven children; 22 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is being held today at 2 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made through OVCC to help out with expenses.
James R. "Jim" Meagher
James R. "Jim" Meagher, 77, of Ojai, died Thursday, June 5, 2003 at Acacias Care Center in Ojai. He was born Feb. 14, 1926 in Bozeman, Mont., and lived in Ojai for 34 years, coming from Van Nuys. He was originally from Great Falls, Mont.
Mr. Meagher was the owner and operator of Meagher Auto Parts in Ventura since 1968. He spent many hours volunteering to help high school students learn auto mechanics and machining.
Mr. Meagher served in the U.S. Navy as chief engineer and in the U.S. Air Force as chief master sergeant during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the 146th Fighter Squadron Alumni Association, the American Legion Post 339 in Ventura, and the IGO Association.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Della M. Meagher, of Ojai; sisters and brothers-in-law Elizabeth and Ed Keys, of Sun City, Ariz., and Mary and Bob Stayton of Big Fork, Mont.; sisters Donna Booth of Sun City, and Patricia Dwyer of New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of memorial services, there will be a cremation, followed by private scattering of ashes at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Livingston Memorial VNA Hospice, or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
Mary Myrrhl Cochran
Mary Myrrhl Cochran, 79, died Sunday, June 8, 2003 in Ojai. She was born April 9, 1924 in San Bernardino, Calif.
She spent her youth in the Fillmore area, where as a young woman she met Isaac "Bud" Cochran; they married in 1944. While Bud served in World War II as a soldier, she fought on the home front, building war planes in a Burbank factory.
Following the war, the Cochrans settled in the San Fernando Valley, where they raised their three sons, Kenneth, Dean and Stanley. Mrs. Cochran worked for 20 years as a cafeteria cook for the Los Angeles School District.
In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Cochran retired and moved to Ojai, where they resided together until his death in 2001. Confined to a wheelchair after a debilitating stroke in 1994, Mrs. Cochran's health began a slow decline following the loss of her husband. Despite her disability, she continued to live alone in the house she had shared with her husband of 58 years. She was a Lakers fan.
She is survived by her sons, Kenneth, Dean and Stanley Cochran; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Due to her wishes, no services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
