MISCELLANEOUS OBITUARIES
(These obits are in no particular order or category. This page is
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Obituaries from the Downey Eagle, Downey, CA

Mary Ann Kretschmer remembered by many
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel in Downey for Mary Ann Kretschmer, who died peacefully at her home Sept. 17. She was age 69, born Aug. 6, 1930 in Harlan, Iowa.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Edward; her children, Gayle (Mike), Terry (Bill), Edward Jr. (Joann), Laurie (Carl); and nine grandchildren.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, with a positive attitude that inspired everyone who knew her.

Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Friends, family mourn Joseph Aaron Davis
DOWNEY-Joseph Aaron Davis, a former member of the Board of the Downey Unified School District and a Downey resident for more than 50 years, died Sept. 1 at his daughter's home.
He was born March 24, 1910 in Denison, Texas, to parents Maude Ruby Glover and Marion Phillips. His mother later married Roy Grady Davis who raised Joe as his own son.

During a serious childhood illness, he was visited by members of a local Boy Scout troop who read to him. He developed a love for reading and scouting that led him to achieve Eagle Scout rank.

During the hard times of the Depression he was forced to leave school to help support the family. He left Texas and "rode the rails" to California, living in Los Angeles at the YMCA and supporting himself wherever he could (frequently working as a movie extra). He became involved in the aircraft industry, took a job with Aerojet, and settled in Downey.

During World War II he grew an award-winning Victory Garden, and continued his interest in gardening for the rest of his life.

He was also an avid photographer, particularly fond of portrait work. It was this that caused him to meet his wife, Aleta June Phillips. They were wed April 16, 1954. They raised three daughters in Downey, Lisa, Jill and Gina, each of whom attended Downey schools. The family was very active in the Children's Theater.

He was committed to education all his life, attaining a GED, a Time and Motion Study certificate from Cal Tech, and an AA degree in business from Cerritos College.

He was also a physical fitness enthusiast, was interested in political issues, writing and music.

Survivors include his wife, Aleta Davis; daughters Lisa Mothersbaugh, Jill Bisegger and Gina Davis-Wurzler; sons-in-law Jim Mothersbaugh, David Bisegger and Charley Wurzler; grandchildren Jacob and Rachel Mothers-baugh, David Bisegger and Davis Wurzler; brother-in-law Frederick Phillips; and cousins Hazel Brink Owens and William Brink.

The family suggests contributions to Zero Population Growth in his memory.

Lucinda Elnora Smith Van Slyke remembered
DOWNEY-Memorials are suggested to the Atherton Baptist Homes, 214 South Atlantic, Alhambra, CA 91801 for Lucinda Elnora Smith Van Slyke who died of pumonary fibrosis which became acute the last two weeks of her life.
She died Aug. 21 at the hospital in Alhambra, just 22 days after her husband, Milton, passed away.

They had been married two months short of 63 years.

She was the daughter of Leslie and Emma Jane Smith, and was born March 10, 1919 in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She grew up in the farming community of Wayland, and graduated from Meadville High School in 1935, marrying Milton E. Van Slyke, an American Baptist minister, in 1936. Together they served in churches in Pennsylvania, Arizona and California.

Survivors include her four children, Marilyn Showers of Arizona, Jeanne Johnson, Mary Lou Walling, and John Van Slyke of California; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Viola Maines of Wayland, Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law Wilma Smith of Wayland, Pennsylvania, Bettye Jane Van Slyke Craven of Jamestown, N.Y., and Ann Van Slyke of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Friends, family mourn Robert Joseph Ryan
DOWNEY-Services were held Sept. 8 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Robert Joseph Ryan.
He was 79, burn in Wilmedean, Pennsylvania, and died in Norwalk.

Survivors include his son, Bill Ryan; brother, Tom Ryan; sisters Dorothy King, Catherine Larayere, Alvena Ryan, Dolores Davis, and Rosie Martindale; and granddaughters Heather and Taryn.

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

Memorial services held for Virginia Emerick, 77
DOWNEY-Memorial services were held Aug. 26 at Forest Lawn in Cypress for Virginia Melissa Emerick, a resident of Downey since 1955.
She was born May 7, 1920 and died Aug. 24 at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years; three sons; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Friends, family mourn Edna Cornell Cavette
LYNWOOD-Graveside services were held Aug. 30 at Olive Lawn Memorial Park for Edna Cornell Cavette, a resident of Lynwood and a former employee for 13 years of the Downey Unified School District.
She was 65, born in California Sept. 21, 1933, and died at her home Aug. 25.

Survivors include her beloved cat, "Betsy Ann,"; her son, Greg; a daughter-in-law, Lillian; grandson Scott; and many loving friends.

Pastor Harold Pierce officiated. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

June K. Blakeney, longtime Hoag employee
DOWNEY-June K. Blakeney, a longtime employee of the Hoag Company, died Aug. 10.
She joined the Hoag Company in 1978 and since that time had been a company bookkeeper dealing with property owners, clients, and managers on a daily basis.

She was respected by all those who knew and worked with her over the years. Her pride in a job well done, her attention to detail and her own special brand of humor will be greatly missed, said spokesmen for the management and employees of the Hoag Property Management, Inc.

Robert Bob Hartman remembered at age of 83
DOWNEY-Funeral services for Robert Bob Hartman, a retired former employee of Jack Stephan Plumbing and a three year resident of Aliso Viejo, were held Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel in Downey.
He was 83, born in New York, and died Aug. 29 in Norwalk.

He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for 49 years.

Survivors include many family members and friends.

Masonic Lodge 220 officiated. Burial followed at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Patti Jean Adamson mourned at age of 72
DOWNEY-Funeral services for Patti Jean Adamson, a Downey resident and former employee of Mobile Media Cable Co., were held Aug. 13 at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel.
She was 72, born in Santa Paula, and died Aug. 10 in Downey.

Survivors include her son, Brian Farmer.

Burial followed in Santa Paula Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Friends, family remember Robert Edward Kirby
DOWNEY-Ashes will be scattered at sea for Robert Edward Kirby, a 50 year resident of Downey, who died Aug. 23 at Downey Community Hospital.
He was 83, born in Billings, Montana, and was retired.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine M. Kirby; a daughter and son-in-law Maurine and Bill Steward; a son Donn C. Kirby; a granddaughter Ann M. Goni; and a grandson Sean C. Steward.

Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Services to be Saturday for Lola Elwood at age 77
DOWNEY-Services will be held Saturday in Palm Desert for Lola Elwood of Palm Desert, the former owner of The Tropicana in Downey and the operator for many years of Lola's House of Beauty in South Gate, who died Aug. 24 after a brave bout with cancer.
She was 77, born in Alva, Oklahoma Jan. 22, 1922, the daughter of Alvin "Johnny" and Helen Walker. The family moved to Los Angeles when she was seven, her father working as a Los Angeles police officer and her mother as a seamstress.

Following graduation from Huntington Park High School, she was employed by McDonald Aircraft in World War II. She attended and graduated from beauty school, and married Jack Elwood. They lived in South Gate. After Lola's House of Beauty in South Gate, she opened Lola Elwood's Hairstyling in Huntington Park. She was active in the Huntington Park Soroptimist Club and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Her husband, Jack, had several businesses including Jack's Car Wash and Jack's Restaurant. The couple traveled and entertained extensively both during their careers and after their retirement to Palm Desert.

Survivors include her husband, Jack of Palm Desert; her son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Elwood of Orange County; two granddaughters, Mrs. Bernie (Suzy) Martin and Sherry Elwood, also of Orange County, and a sister, Jenilee Walker, of Purcell, Oklahoma.

John Carl Ziler, 50 year resident, is remembered
DOWNEY-Services for John Carl Ziler, a resident of Downey for 50 years and a partner in the home building firm of S.T. Ziler & Sons, were held Aug. 10 at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
He was born Feb. 8, 1912 in Alba, Missouri, and died Aug. 5.

He attended Huntington Park High School, was a 1933 graduate of UCLA, a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, and was a record setting glider pilot and sailing enthusiast. He was a member of the Downey United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Helen; his children, Lorna Poley, John S. Ziler, and Fred Ziler; his brother S.T. Ziler; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Milton E. Van Slyke, pastor, is mourned
ALHAMBRA-Dr. Milton E. Van Slyke, former associate minister of the Downey First Baptist Church, died July 30 in Alhambra.
He was born Jan. 13, 1909 in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and received his early education in Meadville. He attended Wheaton College in Illinois and Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, receiving a B.A. degree from Allegheny in 1943. He graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1947 with a B.D. degree and received his honorary D.D. degree from Eastern Baptist College in 1964.

Having pastored churches in Pennsylvania and Arizona, Dr. Van Slyke moved to Downey in 1965. During his 32 years here he was associate minister at the Downey First Baptist Church, pastor of the Lynwood First Baptist Church, and minister of visitation at the Anaheim First Baptist Church. The Van Slykes moved to Atherton Baptist Homes in Alhambra in August of 1997.

Survivors include his wife, Lucinda; a sister, Bettye Jane Craven of Jamestown, N.Y.; four children, Marilyn Showers (Arizona), Jeanne Johnson (Santa Ana), Mary Lou Walling (Downey), and John Van Slyke (Piedmont); eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial gifts are suggested to the Atherton Baptist Homes, 214 S. Atlantic, Alhambra.

Memorial services held for Marjorie Jean McCoy
DOWNEY-Memorial services were held Aug. 11 at the Miller-Mies Chapel for Marjorie Jean McCoy, a Downey resident.
She was 69, born in California, and died Aug. 8 in Downey.

Survivors include her daughters, Kimberly and Kathy McCoy, Karen Orr; and her son, Kenneth McCoy.

Pastor Joe Jenkins officiated. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Services held for Raymond A. Garibay
DOWNEY-Services were held July 28 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Raymond A. Garibay, a resident of Downey for 29 years, who died here July 24.
He was 88, born in Mexico, and was retired, and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Survivors include his wife, Maria Esther Garibay of Downey; five children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Father John Moloney officiated. Burial followed in Riverside National Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Gloria Rodiguez DeWitt is mourned in Downey
DOWNEY-No services will be held for Gloria Rodriguez DeWitt, a Downey resident, who died July 14.
She was a former foreman of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury, and was a former president of the Los Angeles County Medical Southern Auxiliary.

Friends, family grieve for Jack Marsy
SOUTH GATE-Funeral services were held July 26 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Jack Marsy, a resident of South Gate and the owner of Marsy's Maple Manor Furniture Store, who died July 16 in Lynwood.
He was 78, born in Michigan, and was a member of St. Raymond's Church.

Survivors include his wife, Inez, and many family members.

Father Steve Davoren officiated.

Burial followed at All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Services tomorrow for Earl Crouch
DOWNEY-Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, July 24) at the Downey Zrelak Mortuary Chapel for Earl Crouch, a retired branch manager for Aero Jet Credit Union, and a 35 year resident of Downey.
He was 91, born March 23, 1908 in Kentucky, and died July 19 in Downey Community Hospital.

He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army, and was a member of the Downey United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Shriners Club and worked many hours as a volunteer at the Shriners Children's Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Thelma Mae Crouch in April of 1993.

Survivors include his daughter, Gloria Mae Ogle Crouch of El Paso, Texas; his brothers, Clay Crouch of Owingsville, Kentucky, John Robert Crouch of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Thomas B. Crouch of Independence, Missouri; sisters Opal Whisman of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, Anna Laura Barber of Sharpsburg, Kentucky, Virginia Crouch of Owingsville, Kentucky, Lillie Heady of Shelbyville, Kentucky, Neva Hiatt of Springfield, Ohio, Ivetta Reid of Orange City, Florida; grandchildren Christine Palmier of Los Angeles, Paul Frank Palmier of Enid, Oklahoma, Shana Laursen of San Mateo, Wendy Ryan of La Mesa; great-grandchildren Chris, David and Brett Ryan, and Conner Laursen.

Burial will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier. Arrangements are by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.

Friends, family mourn Eugene F. McCurdy
DOWNEY-Visitation services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel in Downey for Eugene F. McCurdy, a resident of Downey for 80 years who was retired.
He was 80, born in Downey in June of 1919, and died at his home here July 21.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Downey Sister Cities.

His family and friends will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier. Arrangements are by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Funeral Mass today for Mary Rose Lupo
DOWNEY-A Funeral Mass will be heard today (Friday, July 23) at 10 a.m. at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Mary Rose Lupo, a Downey resident.
She was born Sept. 21, 1912 in Illinois, and died July 20 in Downey.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Margaret Drobeck, Charlene Drobeck; son-in-law Steve Drobeck; and granddaughters Gina and Michelle Drobeck.

Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Morrow's Pico Rivera Mortuary.

Former Vultee worker Mary Carpenter mourned
DOWNEY-Memorial services and burial were July 15 at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier for Mary S. Carpenter, a Downey resident since 1945 and a former worker at Vultee Aviation in Downey as well as at North Junior High.
She died July 9 in La Mirada. She was 91, born Oct. 7, 1907 near Draper, South Dakota, the second of six children of Ray and Bernice Smith.

She later lived in Mississippi and Ohio before coming west with her husband, William. They were married 60 years. He was a longtime employee of Baker Oil Tools in Commerce, and preceded her in death.

Survivors include her son, William Jr., and daughter-in-law Rosalie of Downey; grandsons Mark of Anaheim and Roger (and his wife Darla) of Fresno; great-grandsons David and Daniel of Fresno; sister Ruth Sellers of Polk, Ohio; nephews Dale Smith and Perry Smith of Ashland, Ohio, and Don Smith of Mansfield, Ohio; and nieces Joylee Watson of Polk, Ohio, and JoAnn Joseph of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.

Friends, family grieve for Josephine Fanelli
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 14, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church for Josephine Finelli, a homemaker and Downey resident for many years.
She was 86, born in California, and died July 9 at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

She was a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.

Survivors include her daughters, Diane Oberstein and Irene Allert; her son, Al Fanelli; two sisters; a brother; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Father Steve Davoren officiated. Burial followed at All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Graveside services for Marion F. Lehman
DOWNEY-Graveside services will be held Monday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Fairhaven Memorial Park for Marion F. Lehman, a resident of Downey for 66 years.
She was born in Long Beach July 30, 1916, and came to Downey in 1933 with her parents.

She lived the last eight years at the County Villa in Downey.

Survivors include her brother, Bill and his wife, Ruthie; a nephew, Jeff Lehman; and nieces Christie LoMonaco and Lisa Kelley.

Arrangements are by Morrow's Mortuary of Pico Rivera.

Vilma Ishak remembered in Downey at age of 39
DOWNEY-Funeral services were heard July 12 at St. Raymond's Church for Vilma Ishak, an 11 year resident of Downey and an employee of St. Francis Medical Center.
She was 39, born in the Philippines, and died July 7 at St. Francis.

She was a member of St. Raymond's Church and the San Joaquin Association of Southern California.

Survivors include her husband, Barsoum Ishak; her mother, Julia Sevilleno; her daughter, Samantha Ishak; sisters Decima Sarabia, Ladina DeLapaz, Edna Sevilleno, Linda Poliquit and Guia Abalos; a brother Joaquin Sevilleno; and a niece, Julia Maria DeLapaz.

Father Steve Davoren officiated. Burial followed at Forest Lawn in Cypress. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Lena Cicero mourned at age of 83 in Downey
DOWNEY-Lena Cicero, a Downey resident since 1953, died Friday, June 25 in Downey.
She was 83, born in Hammond, Indiana, and spent her early days in Warren, Ohio.

She married Rosario Cicero in 1946.

She was active in many community groups, was the founding president of the Together for Hope Auxiliary, was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Women's Guild, and volunteered more than 5,000 hours at Downey Community Hospital. She was a member of the Soroptimists, Downey Woman's Club, Catholic Daughters, the Downey Library and the Downey PTA.

Survivors include her sister, Virginia of North Hollywood; brothers Fred and Earl of Warren, Ohio, Sam of Dayton, Florida,; her son, Carmen of La Mirada; her daughter, Angela of La Verne; four grandchildren, Donne, Frank, Anthony and Toby; and one great-grandchild, Drake.

In lieu of flowers the family requests Masses, donations to organizations she supported, or donations to diabetes research.

Housewife and mother Sara Kellstrom mourned
DOWNEY-Sara C. Kellstrom, a housewife, mother and a 38 year resident of Maywood, died June 16 in Bellflower.
She was 88, born in San Angelo, Texas.

Survivors include her children, Jan Kellstrom, Carole Ferguson, Alan Kellstrom, and Diana Kellstrom; a daughter-in-law, Betty Kellstrom; grandchildren Mary Dutra, Lisa Ferguson, Wendy Negus and Robert and Christopher Kellstrom; and great-grandchildren Sara, Megan and Eric Dutra; and Colton, Mason and Allison Negus.

Mass will be heard for Doris Mary Jones
DOWNEY-A Memorial Mass will be heard at 11 a.m. Monday, July 12, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Doris Mary Jones, a former teacher for the Downey Unified School District.
She was born in San Francisco March 11, 1919, the daughter of Joseph Dwyer and Aida Angela Banchero Dwyer, and died at the Downey Care Center July 4.

She came to Downey in 1952 after a short stay in Paramount, and taught history and social studies, retiring from Warren High School after 22 years in education.

She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Catholic Women's Guild.

Survivors include her husband, Carl E. Jones of Downey; her sons, Stephen C. Jones (Kymm) of Los Osos, Thomas E. Jones (Denise) of Carlsbad, Kenneth A. Jones (Patrice) of Avon, Colorado, and Brian J. Jones (Lisa) of Vista; and 13 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the CARE Foundation, 2082 Michelson Drive, Suite 301, Irvine, CA 92672 to help further heart research.

Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.

Opal (Lil) Blanchard remembered by many
DOWNEY-Opal (Lil) Blanchard, a former 20 year resident of Downey, died July 1 at the UCLA Medical Center.
She was born in Blytheville, Arkansas Oct. 31, 1923, and moved from Downey to Lancaster 14 years ago.

She was an avid bowler, and participated in many tournaments, particularly the Elks.

Survivors include her husband, Jack of Lancaster; a daughter, Donna Moss of Bellflower; a brother, Harley Garrett of Downey; a stepson, Tom Blanchard; and 17 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Easter Seal Society.

Leslie Wilson Brockson services held today
BELL GARDENS-Services will be held today (Friday, July 9) at 11 a.m. at the Allen-English & Estrada Mortuary Chapel in Bell Gardens for Leslie Wilson Brockson, the former owner/operator of the Hub Bar and a longtime resident of Bell Gardens.
He was 76, born June 4, 1923 in Norfolk, Virginia and died July 3, in Downey.

He was a member and former secretary for the Maywood Moose Lodge, a veteran of World War II in which he was a Captain in the Air Force.

Survivors include his wife Audrey V. Brockson of Bell Gardens; sons Michael R. Carter of Covina and John R. Brockson of Bell Gardens; a daughter, Edith Leonard of Arkansas; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Burial will follow at Park Lawn Memorial Park.

Burial today for Anna Mae Ensman
DOWNEY-Services will be today, Friday, July 2, at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, for Anna Mae Ensman, a resident of Downey who died June 27.
She was born in Indiana Oct. 16, 1919.

Survivors include her husband, Edmund; daughters Ellen A. (Ed) Woodiwiss and Diane Smith; sons Joe (Nita) Ensman and Dan (Gloria) Ensman; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Ginny Tozzi and Ellen (Charles) McGregor.

Arrangements are by the Green Hills Mortuary.

Services held today for Patricia M. Wagner
DOWNEY-Services will be held at 9 a.m. today (Friday, July 2) at St. Dominic Savio Church for Patricia M. Wagner, a 13 year resident of Downey and a member of St. Dominic Savio Church.
She was 62, born in Buffalo, N.Y. and died June 27. She was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation.

Survivors include her husband, Peter Wagner; and her brothers, James, John and Peter Bradley.

Fr. Gael Sullivan will officiate. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Lena Cicero mourned at age of 83 in Downey
DOWNEY-Lena Cicero, a Downey resident since 1953, died Friday, June 25 in Downey.
She was 83, born in Hammond, Indiana, and spent her early days in Warren, Ohio.

She married Rosario Cicero in 1946.

She was active in many community groups, was the founding president of the Together for Hope Auxiliary, was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Women's Guild, and volunteered more than 5,000 hours at Downey Community Hospital. She was a member of the Soroptimists, Downey Woman's Club, Catholic Daughters, the Downey Library and the Downey PTA.

Survivors include her sister, Virginia of North Hollywood; brothers Fred and Earl of Warren, Ohio, Sam of Dayton, Florida,; her son, Carmen of La Mirada; her daughter, Angela of La Verne; four grandchildren, Donne, Frank, Anthony and Toby; and one great-grandchild, Drake.

In lieu of flowers the family requests Masses, donations to organizations she supported, or donations to diabetes research.

Friends, family grieve for Margaret M. Duggan
DOWNEY-Graveside services were held June 28 at the Holy Cross Cemetery for Margaret M. Duggan, a 34-year Downey resident and an employee of Drapers & Damon for 17 years.
She was 88, born in Rhode Island, and died June 24 in Norwalk.

Survivors include her nieces, Gertrude "Bunny" Hazell of Torrance, Florence Duggan Bayne of Orange, Virginia Wiedmann of Inglewood, Jean Rennie of Bakersfield; and a nephew, Larry Davies of Durango, Colorado.

Father Peter Coffey, a visitor from Ireland who was a friend of Margaret, officiated.

Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.

Dema Marguerite Spencer laid to rest at age 97
DOWNEY-Burial for Dema Marguerite Spencer, a Downey resident and a member of the Eastern Star for over 60 years, was June 17 at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier.
She was 97, born Oct. 8, 1901 in Fairfield County, Ohio, the daughter of George Franklin Shride and Florence Butts.

She died June 13.

Lawrence and Dema Spencer moved to California in 1957. They had five children.

She was preceded in death by husband Lawrence Spencer, and three children, John Franklin Spencer, Kathryn Joyce Blackorby and Lawrence Richard Spencer.

Survivors include her daughters, Jean Shride Hewitt and Martha Sandstrom; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Patsy Lou Payne, 63 remembered by many
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held June 15 for Patsy Lou Payne, a Downey resident since 1967, who died June 11 at Downey Community Hospital.
She was 63, born July 4, 1935 in Lake City, Arkansas, and was a member of the Gospel Assembly of God Church of Bell Gardens.

Survivors include her mother, Mamie Osborn of Downey; her husband, Carl R. Payne of Downey; daughters Joan Sordia of Downey, Carla Solis of Paramount; a sister, Brenda Biehn of Downey; three grandchildren, Carl Chavis of Bell Gardens, Robert Bishop and Brandon Sordia of Downey; and two great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Colman McDuff officiated. Burial followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park.

Friends, family grieve for Mario Giurini here
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held June 23 at the Downey Zrelak Mortuary Chapel for Mario Giurini, a mechanic in the trucking industry for more than 45 years, and a 12 year resident of Downey.
He was born in Yugoslavia, and died June 20 at the Norwalk Meadows Nursing Center at the age of 73.

He was formerly employed by International Harvester, and was a member of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gisella Giurini of Downey; sons Giancarlo "John" Giurini of Downey, Gianfranco "John" Giurini (Kathleen) of Boston, Massachusetts; a daughter, Annamaria Giurini of Downey; brothers Rudy Giurini of Chicago, Illinois, Miro Iuricich of Yugoslavia; sisters Anna Gregori of Yugoslavia, Maria Sterpin of Yugoslavia; and a grandson Daniel John Giurini.

A Mass of Christian Burial was heard June 24 at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Father Peter Coffey officiating.

Burial followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to Catholic Charities specifically for children's organizations. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.

Housewife and mother Sara Kellstrom mourned
DOWNEY-Sara C. Kellstrom, a housewife, mother and a 38 year resident of Maywood, died June 16 in Bellflower.
She was 88, born in San Angelo, Texas.

Survivors include her children, Jan Kellstrom, Carole Ferguson, Alan Kellstrom, and Diana Kellstrom; a daughter-in-law, Betty Kellstrom; grandchildren Mary Dutra, Lisa Ferguson, Wendy Negus and Robert and Christopher Kellstrom; and great-grandchildren Sara, Megan and Eric Dutra; and Colton, Mason and Allison Negus.

Funeral services held for James Lawrence Stopher
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held June 21 at the Saint Raymond's Catholic Church for James Lawrence Stopher, a Downey resident for nine years and a former aircraft machinist for 41 years.
He was 80, born in Hardin County, Kentucky, and died in Downey.

He served in the U.S. Navy, where he was awarded many medals.

Survivors include his stepdaughter, Patricia Tersi; his brother, Garland Stopher; his sisters Mary Merritt, Mildred Beckley; his step grandchildren Christ Kallas and Trisa Nelson; numerous grandnieces and nephews and more than 60 great-grandnieces and nephews.

Private burial was at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside.

Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.

Ralph William Thies mourned at age of 92
DOWNEY-Funeral services were held June 22 at St. Raymond's Church for Ralph William Thies, a 33 year resident of South Gate and a former employee of Thor Power & Tool Co.
He was 92, born in Effingham, Illinois, and died June 19 in Downey.

He was a member of St. Raymond's.

Survivors include his sons, Ralph, Gerald and Charles Thies; his daughters, Rosemary Thies and Lorita Ortega; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Father Tom officiated.

Burial followed at All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary of Downey.


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