Thomas "Tom" Hugh Stallings
Thomas "Tom" Hugh Stallings, 80, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003. He was born May 27, 1923 in Santa Barbara, Calif.
He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Army, where he served three years active duty during World War II. He earned a European African Eastern Campaign Medal and a World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Stallings interests included cooking, hunting, fishing, and card playing.
In 1983, he married Goldena Isbell, and they spent time traveling, taking boat rides and playing cards.
He is survived by his wife, Goldena Stallings; brothers Phil and Bob Stallings; sister Claire Kirkendall; stepchildren Gary Isbell and Sonja Barrett; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass will be announced, to be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. Contact Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai, for details.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Charles Austin Shott
Charles Austin Shott, 85, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2003 in Camarillo, Calif. He was born Nov. 3, 1918 in Butte, Mon. He was a resident of Ojai for 15 years, beginning in 1970.1985.
Mr. Shott was a 1st lieutenant in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was shot down by the Japanese in his B29 aircraft and was a prisoner of war from Aug. 20, 1944 until Aug. 29, 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1947, and discharged from the Air Force Reserve in 1955. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
He retired from Pacific Bell Telephone in 1970. His longtime career as a fisherman and boat captain spanned nearly 30 years.
Mr. Shott is survived by his wife, Betty Hebert Shott, of Camarillo; sister Elizabeth Clark of Woodland Hills; sons Steven Shott of Camarillo, and Craig Shott of Santa Barbara; daughters Teri McFarland of Encinitas, Donna Shott of Colorado, and Teryl Miller of Minnesota; and Betty's children, daughter Jeanne Faxon of Camarillo, and sons Gary Goss of Lake Elsinore, and Tim Goss of Wildomar.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Shott, his mother, Hazel Shott, and late wives, Betty Shott and Chloe Shott.
Services will be held Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lobster Trap Restaurant, 3605 Peninsula Road, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Glenda Kaye Quinn
Glenda Kaye Quinn, 47, of Oak View, died from natural causes, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003 in Kingman, Ariz. She was born Nov. 19, 1955 in Logan, W.V., and had been a resident of Ventura County for 42 years before moving to Kingman to live with her son, who is a flight instructor.
She is survived by her son, Michael Quinn of Oak View and Kingman; mother Beulah Thompson of Oak View; sister and brother-in-law Sue and David Wilson of Oxnard; sister Mary Thompson of Auberry, Calif.; nephews Tim Wilson of New Haven, Conn., Jon Wilson of North Fork, Seth Quinn of Ventura, and Christopher DeMoore of Ojai; and niece Rebecca DeMoore of Ojai.
Visitation was held Sunday, Nov. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. A service was held Monday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Pastor David White of the Oxnard Bible Church and Dwight Clements of Oak View Church of Christ officiating. Burial followed at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
Robert Wooten Lannom
Robert Wooten Lannom, 85, of Casa Grande, Calif. died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 at home. He was born Jan. 25, 1918 in Oakland, Calif., and had been a resident of Ojai since 1969, moving to Casa Grande about four months ago.
Mr. Lannom was a Navy veteran and a salesman for Canada Dry Bottling Company before retirement. His interests included working with wood and electronics.
He is survived by his daughters, D.E. Timm and Jeannie Brinlee, of Casa Grande, and Linda Jaimes and Nancy Soto, of Carpinteria; sons Tom Lannom of Santa Barbara, Dean Lannom of Kansas, and Billie Brocamonte of Ventura; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Darwin and Michael Lannom.
Private services were held.
Arrangements were under the direction of J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Casa Grande Chapel.
Gerda Elfriede Williams
Gerda Elfriede Williams, 77, of Ventura, died Tuesday, Nov.18, 2003 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura after a short battle with cancer.
She was born May 18, 1926 in Furstenwalde, Germany, to Max and Anna Balewski, the youngest of five children.
Shortly after World War II, she escaped from East Germany and traveled to Quebec, Canada. While visiting her older sister, Barbara Furman, in Anchorage, Alaska in 1953, she decided to stay for awhile. In 1954, she came to Southern California as a manager for Lerner's clothing store. When she moved to Ventura, she met Gerald Milton Williams. In 1956 they married, worked, and started a family in Ventura. The family's interests included traveling, camping and fishing. Her favorite camping spot was Twin Lakes in the high Sierras.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her son, Michael, daughter in-law Sharon and grandson Brian Michael Williams. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Monte Williams of Bishop; sisters-in-law Cora Williams of Bishop, and Katie Williams of Ventura; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; her parents, Max and Anna Balewski; her brothers and sisters; parents-in-law, H. Howard and Beulah Williams; and brothers- in-law Herbert and Ronald Williams.
Graveside service at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangments are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Charles Rex Stephens
Charles Rex Stephens, 76, of Ojai, died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, from complica-tions of diabetes, at the Shoreline Care Center in Oxnard, where he had been a resident for the past six years. He was born Sept. 16, 1927 in Mount Pleasant, Texas. He had lived in Ojai for 36 years and in Ventura County for 50 years, coming from Texas.
Mr. Stephens was a reinforcement ironworker and a member of the Ironworkers Union 416. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in November 1952. He was also a member of the Citizen's Band Radio Club in Ojai.
Mr. Stephens and his son, Ray, built the family's home in Ojai.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Ray and Yvonne Stephens and Carl and Linda Gowan; son Charles Stephens; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Betty Stephens, and his sister, Berna D. Walker.
Friends may call Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home, 316 E. Matilija St., Ojai. No services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Evelyn June Horne
Evelyn June Horne, 70, of Ojai, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, after a six-year battle with cancer. She was born June 6, 1933 in Flint, Mich., to Earl Gray Craig and Sylvia Lavina Whitney Craig.
She graduated from Beecher High School in Flint, and moved to Arizona in the early '50s. In the 1970s, she moved to Thousand Oaks. Mrs. Horne owned a general store, ManaKai, in Maui, Hawaii, from 1978 to 1985.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Horne, of Ojai; mother Sylvia Cox of North Fort Meyers, Fla.; sons and daughters-in-law Bob and Nancy White of Bakersfield, and Stephen and Tammy Wells of Prescott, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Jim Goyet of Smithfield, Va.; sisters Delores Nelson and OraJean Craig, both of North Fort Meyers, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association (Hospice), 1996 Eastman Ave. #101, Ventura, CA 93003.
Graveside services will be held Monday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Tom Sims
Tom Sims, 61, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 13, 2003 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Tom Sims was born on New Year's Eve, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Morro Bay and Ventura, graduating from Ventura High School. He was a man of many skills and worked in banking, real estate, as a Ventura County firefighter, and owned a local construction business.
He was married to his devoted wife, Edie, for 32 years; their loving relationship has been an inspiration to many. In their mutual commitment to each other, they created a loving home and family. His adoring daughters, Kelsie and Kari, son-in-law Brandon, and grandson Kyle Thomas, will always have strength from the love Tom showed to them in both actions and words. Tom will also be missed greatly by his mother, Ruth E. Sims, and his sister, Virginia Hill, of Fresno, California. Tom has countless relatives and friends who will miss his great sense of humor and zest for life.
Tom's 13-year battle with cancer began in the spring of 1992, and he showed everyone the true meaning of courage, bravery and love. His family would like to acknowledge the wonderful health care professionals who made our journey one of hope and compassion: Dr. Ann Kelley, Betsy, Dr. Rodnick, the City of Hope Cancer Research Center, and Hospice were invaluable in Tom's fight.
As an expression of love and sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the City of Hope Cancer Research Center in Duarte, California.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 21, at the Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, California.
Arrangements are under the direction of the locally owned and operated Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Shirley Sue Jacobs
Shirley Sue Jacobs, 68, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at her home of congestive heart failure. She was born July 26, 1935 in Holdenville, Okla., and lived in Ojai for 30 years coming from Porterville, Calif.
Mrs. Jacobs was a homemaker, stenographer and rehabilitated hummingbirds. She was affiliated with the Ojai Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation and also with the Dudes-n-Darlings Square Dance Club.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joe Jacobs of Ojai; son Jeff A. Jacobs of Helena, Mont.; daughter and son-in-law Terri L. and Tim Holder of Bakersfield, Calif.; brothers and sisters-in-law Ronnie and Darlene Dilday of California Hot Springs, and Russell and Carolyn Dilday of Wynnewood, Okla.; sister and brother-in-law Brenda and Roy Phillips of Lebanon, Ore.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends may call at Clausen Funeral Home today from 2 to 7 p.m.
Graveside Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Nordhoff Cemetery, Ojai, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ojai Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, (805) 649-6884.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Ethel Elizabeth Henry
Ethel Elizabeth Henry, 96, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at Royal Gardens due to an extended illness. She was born Nov. 30, 1906 in Annville, Pa.
She is survived by daughter Nancy S. Salamandra of Potomac, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C.; brother Luther A. Saylor of Philadelphia, Pa.; three grandchildren, Bob and Kevin Salamandra and Karen Natelli; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Clausen Funeral Home, Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1212 Maricopa Highway, Ojai, on Monday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. Interment
will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Help of Ojai, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024, or Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Bernice Small
Bernice Small, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family and friends, on Thursday, November 20, 2003 in Vacaville, Calif. She was born on April 11, 1914 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Dr. Herbert T. and Olive Barnes. She graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., and then traveled to Denver, Colo., where she met her husband, John Small. They moved to New York where they raised three daughters. In 1970 the Smalls retired to Ojai, Calif., where Bernice devoted her time both to the community and to her husband until his death in 1980. She moved from Ojai in 1999 to be closer to her daughters.
Mrs. Small was a homemaker, a teacher, an avid reader and writer as well as an active community volunteer. She was editor of her college newspaper. She worked in advertising in Denver. While her children were growing up in New York she was a leader in many non-profit organizations, including the PTA, the American Cancer Society and the North Shore Child Guidance Clinic. She also taught High School English and Latin, Swimming and Special Education.
After her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Mrs. Small focused her energy on the care and comfort of her husband and on community issues related to caring for the chronically ill. She was director and promoter of Hospice of Ojai, during its inception between 1977 and 1979. She was an assistant facilitator for an Alzheimer's disease support group in Ojai between 1984 and 1986. She was involved in local senior theatrical productions, was a frequent contributor of letters and promotional articles to the Ojai Valley News, and was a member of Ojai United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Small loved to travel back to her Adirondack camp each summer in her camper with her companion dog, Toasty. She also enjoyed entertaining, sometimes creating theme dinners with her Ojai friends. She enjoyed a good philosophical discussion and never stopped searching for meaning within her life's journey. In the end she found that meaning in the 42nd Chapter of the Book of Job, and in the unconditional love given to her by her family, friends at Valley Church in Vacaville, and devoted staff at the Good Neighbor Care Home where she resided at her death. Despite the sad fact that she had lost her easy use of language after a stroke, she knew contentment and peace. She died with dignity.
Bernice Small is survived by daughters Elaine and Genora; grand daughter, Colleen; son-in-law, Bob; siblings, Herbert and Mary Ann; many nieces, nephews and loyal friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her daughter, Carolyn; and her son-in-law, Ronald.
Arrangements are by Vaca Hills Chapel in Vacaville. No formal services are planned. As an expression of love and sympathy and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Laura Ford
Laura Ford, 85, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 after a brief illness. She was born July 7, 1918 in Retrope, Okla., to John and Anna Rodgers.
She graduated from high school in Sentinel, Okla., and in 1936, moved to Ojai to live with her sister, Audean Combs. She attended Ventura College at that time. In 1942, she married Ernie Ford.
Mrs. Fords' interests included cooking, sewing and stitchwork, traveling, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. She was a longtime active member of Phi Alpha Kappa, a philanthropic sorority in Ojai, that for many years was dedicated to raising money for multiple sclerosis.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ernie Ford, of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Ernie and Carly Ford of Ojai; daughter and son-in-law Becky and Doug Elkins of Oak View; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation is being held today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Graveside services will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Irene M. Noble
Irene M. Noble, 88, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 at Ojai Valley Communbity Hospital. She was born May 23, 1915 and lived in Ventura County all her life, and in the same house in Ojai since 1919.
Miss Noble worked as an account clerk for the County of Ventura for many years. Her interests included folk dancing and playing the violin with a string orchestra, both at the Ojai Art Center. She also cared for many cats.
She is survived by her niece, Kathleen Quiring, of Oregon; nephew Jim Noble of Utah; great-niece Sherry Bentley of Oregon; and many neighbors and friends. A memorial service is being held today at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating. Private interment
will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Naomi K. Giesler
Naomi K. Giesler, 86, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 of natural causes. She was born March 2, 1917 in Alexandria, La., and lived in Ojai for three years, coming from Singer Island, Fla., but was raised in Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Giesler was a homemaker. She was raised Catholic, was active in the church all her life, and a staunch member of the PTA while raising her four children. After age 50, she went back to school and obtained her bachelor of arts in sociology at Mundelein University. She was also an active member of various art societies and education groups, attending art seminars, concerts, ballets and museums.
She is survived by her children, Suzanne Fuller of Ojai, Daniel Giesler of Santa Barbara, Michael Giesler of St. Louis, Mo., Patric Giesler of St. Peter, Minn., brother, Harold Kimball of Winnetka, Ill., sister, Ruth Kimball of Chicago, Ill., and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent J. Giesler, in1987 and infant child Mary Ann.
Funeral services will be held Skokie, Ill., with interment
following at Memorial Park Cemetery, also in Skokie.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
John Gresham Bee, DVM
Dr. John Bee, 77, of Ojai, died at his home on Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 after a brief illness. He was born Feb 17, 1926 in Niles, Ohio, and fought as an infantryman in the Rhineland Campaign of World War II.
Using the GI Bill, he worked his way through college, graduating from Youngstown College and receiving his doctorate from the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1955. In 1956, Dr. Bee moved to the Ojai Valley and founded Matilija Veterinary Hospital, where he practiced until retiring in 1991.
Dr. Bee was an avid horseman, breeding and exhibiting champion Morgan and Clydesdale show horses. Dr. Bee's Matilija Morgans ranch brought horse enthusiasts from across the nation to the Ojai Valley. In the 1970s Dr. Bee helped establish the state's program to test show and race horses for prohibited drugs. Over his many years in the Ojai Valley, Dr. Bee served on the Ojai School Board and was a member of the Lions Club, the East Ojai Valley Association and the American and California Veterinary Medical Associations, and regularly drove his carriage pair in the annual Ojai Fourth of July parade.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Susan Bee, of Ojai; son Daniel Bee of Oak View; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Jill Bee of Annapolis, Md.; stepson Craig Baxter of Livermore and grandsons John and Kenny; and ex-wife Polly Bee of Ojai.
A life celebration and remembrance will be held for friends and family at the family residence, 10065 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Upper Ojai Valley, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Ventura County, P.O. Box 297, Ojai, CA 93024, (805) 646-6505.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
Michael S. Dwight
Michael S. Dwight, 62, of Camarillo, son of Patricia Weinberger of Ojai, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003. He was born Aug. 4, 1941 in Akron, Ohio, and had been a resident of Ventura County for 35 years.
Mr. Dwight was educated at Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio; Buchtel High School, Akron, Ohio; and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Dwight, of Camarillo; his mother, Patricia Dwight Weinberger, of Ojai; his son, Derrick, of Salinas; and his daughter, Erin Murray, of Visalia.
Mr. Dwight was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Vail Dwight; his sister, Rosalind Reed Dwight; and his stepfather, Dr. Laurence M. Weinberger.
Private interment
will be in the Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Memorial remembrances may be made to the Dwight Memorial Redwood Grove, Prairie Creek State Park, in care of: Save the Redwoods League, 114 Sansome St., Room 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104-3823, Attn: Katherine Anderton, Executive Director.
