Obituaries

 
 

Funeral Mass Monday for Elmer Sanchez, 91

DOWNEY-A Funeral Mass will be heard at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Elmer Sanchez, a retired employee of Norris Thermador Co., and a 49-year resident of Downey.

He was 91, born in Bernalio, New Mexico, and died in Downey Community Hospital Dec. 1.

Survivors include his wife, Catalina Sanchez; a niece, Cathy Bates; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a Rosary at 3 p.m. at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel.

Father Steve Devoran will officiate.

Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.


Friends, family remember Leo Joseph Stemler

DOWNEY-A vigil service was held Tuesday, Nov. 30, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Leo Joseph Stemler, a former employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1936 to 1942.

He was born in Edmonton, Canada on Christmas Day, 1916, and graduated from Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles.

He entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 14, 1942 and was discharged Dec. 27, 1945 as a non-commissioned officer.

Survivors include his loving wife of more than 50 years, Anne; his sons, Dave, Leo Jr., and Russell; a sister, Eleanore; five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were at St. Raymond's Wednesday, Dec. 1. Burial followed at Inglewood Park Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.


Services held Thursday for Hilda F. Englehart

DOWNEY-Services were held Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Downey Free Methodist Church for Hilda F. Englehart, a resident of Downey for 49 years an active force in the PTA here.

She was 78, born in Akron, Ohio, and died Nov. 27 at Downey Community Hospital.

She started the first PTA school library and was a PTA life member. She was an active member of the Downey Woman's Club, Downey Assistance League, PEO, Downey Community Hospital for 15 years, Meals on Wheels, Together for Hope and other civic support groups. She received many awards for her volunteer service including a Rotary Club tribute.

Survivors include her husband, Cas; a daughter, Coreen (Jack) Fuller; a son, Roy (Kathy); seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.


Former Mayor William L. Greene is mourned

DOWNEY-Services were held Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Oakwood Memorial Chapel in Santa Cruz for former Downey Mayor William L. Greene.

He was 76, a former 37-year Downey resident, and died Nov. 28 in Palo Alto after a brief illness.

Greene and his wife, Marian, moved to Downey in 1953 and were actively involved in numerous civic organizations until they retired in 1990 and moved to Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz.

He was appointed to the Downey Planning Commission in 1973, and was appointed to the City Council in 1975 to fill the unexpired term of Councilman Walter Temple, who had moved to Texas.

Greene was subsequently elected to a four-year term on the Council in 1976, and served as Mayor in 1978-79, guiding the city through difficult budget times after the passage of the Prop. 13 ballot initiative in 1978.

He also presented Keys to the City to first lady Betty Ford in 1976, and to former President Gerald Ford in 1978 during Republican campaign rallies.

After completing his term in 1980, he was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1980 to 1984. In 1978 he ran for a seat in the U.S. House, finishing second out of a field on seven candidates in the Republican primary.

He was a baseball coach and manager in the Northwest Downey Little League, and was a coach and volunteer with the Downey Family YMCA from 1971 to 1975. He also served in the Huntington Park Kiwanis Club in the 1950s and 1960s, and was a member of Toastmasters.

Always active in the community, he was currently serving his second term as chairman of the board of the Spring Lakes Management Committee, a mobile park ownership association with 212 homes in Scotts Valley.

Greene excelled in basketball and baseball at Glendale High School and Occidental College and signed a contract with the New York Yankees in 1943 before deciding to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following service as a chief petty officer in the Navy, he graduated from USC with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He spent more than 40 years as a general sales manager for several prominent medical supply companies before his retirement.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marian; his children, daughters Sharon Greene of Downey, Lauren Greene of Aptos, son Brian Greene of Long Beach; and grandsons Scott, Kyle and Dustin of Aptos, and Ronald of Downey.


Friends, family honor Fred Joseph Palardy, 90

DOWNEY-A Mass was heard Nov. 23 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Fred Joseph Palardy, a 31 year resident of Downey and the former owner of Palardy and Miller Automotive Parts and Paint.

He was 90, born on Sept. 18, 1909 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Frank Palardy and Anna Stanchfield, and died at his Downey home Nov. 21.

He was a veteran of World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He was a longtime member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church and more recently attended Our Lady Of Perpetual Help when he came to reside with his son, Rick.

He was a past Grand Knight of the Compton Knights of Columbus, and was a wonderful square dancer and danced with several local square dance groups. He was an avid reader, loved military history, and enjoyed gardening.

He was widowed twice. His first wife, Edna Palardy, was the mother of his children. His second wife, Mattie Palady, preceded him in death earlier this year.

Survivors include his children, Rick (Sally) Palardy of Downey, Mike (Lana) Palardy of Reseda, Ann Godfrey of Downey, Susan (Richard) Egan of Redondo Beach, Julia (Larry) Byl of Santa Cruz; 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Burial followed at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.
 
 




End Obituaries