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
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
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
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
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
Survivors include her husband of 63 years; three sons; eight grandchildren
and six great-grandchildren.
Friends, family mourn Edna Cornell Cavette
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Friends, family grieve for Jack Marsy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. |