Alvin John Merkord (1918-2014)

Alvin John Merkord, age 95, passed away on July 20th, 2014 in Fillmore, California. He was born August 11, 1918 in Robstown, Texas to Karl and Ida Merkord. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy Mae; daughter Linda Kay; seven sisters, Clara Merkord (Fritz), Frieda Ahrens (Edwin) Emily Shepherd, Annie Urban (Albert), Alma Yeager (Dewey), Amanda Jones (Virgil), Adele Novosad (Henry); and three brothers, Ernest, Herbert and Edwin.
He is survived by two sons, Randall Lynn and Ronald Lee; daughter-in-law Lisa; two granddaughters, Rachel Saint-Cyr and Rebekah Le Gall; two grandsons, Philip Merkord and Jacob Merkord; two great-grandchildren, Ella and Julien Saint-Cyr; and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
He served in the infantry in Europe in World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, three battle stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and a commendation as a company commander in charge of troops being sent overseas in combat. After five years in the military he received his discharge with the rank of infantry captain.
After his military service he worked as a chemist for ASARCO, retiring in 1983 as an assistant chief chemist.
In 1948 he joined First Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi and was a member for 50 years until the church was closed. He served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent and a council member for 40 years, many as chairman.
In 1953 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Mae Blaschke, a piano and organ teacher until her death in 1989, during which one daughter and two sons were born. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
In 2000 he moved to Fillmore, California to be with his sons, Randy and Ron, daughter-in-law Lisa and grandson Jacob.
Burial will be in Seaside Memorial Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Jennie L. McKnight

Jennie L. McKnight’s painting have been the work of a long and wonderful road to finding her style, always focusing on the emotion her paintings evoke in the viewer. Her studies of art began at Compton College receiving her Associate of Arts degree in a double major which were Fine Arts and Engineering. Further studies took her to the Otis Art Institute, of Los Angeles, California.
Jennie’s formal work began at McDonald Douglas, Long beach, Cal. She worked in the design engineering, as an Electro-Mechanical Draftsperson. The artist has exhibited in many places and has won various awards.
Jennie was a true example of a loving, compassionate, respectful person.
She is survived by her siblings Patrick McKnight and Wanda McKnight, her Friend of 44 years Rachel Lopez and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Saturday June 28, 2014 at 11:00am, at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 600 Central Ave, Fillmore, CA 93015.

Kathryn Maxine Dodson McConnell Mowrey (1925-2014)

Kathryn Maxine Dodson McConnell Mowrey passed away peacefully on November 15th after a long illness. Several of her closest family members were able to be with her at the time.
She was born to Henry and Ethel (Germer) Dodson on October 18, 1925 in La Puente California. The family moved to Ventura California, where she grew up and attended high school.
In 1945 Kathryn met and married Frank (Mac) McConnell. They had three children: Rodney, Gregory, and Susan. During their marriage Frank worked as a Ventura County Deputy Sheriff, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. Frank passed away after a short illness in 1969.
Kathryn married James Robert Mowrey, Jr. on March 18, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They eventually settled in Yerington, Nevada. James served 20 years in the Navy. During World War II he served on the Destroyer USS Dunlap in the Pacific Campaign. After his Navy career he served on the support team for several flights of the Space Program.
Kathryn was a member of South Lyons Medical Auxiliary, the Rebekah Assembly, the Red Hat Society, the Yerington Toastmasters and of the Yerington Women’s Club. Kathryn was passionate about scrapbooking, painting, traveling and being with her family.
In 2007 Kathryn and Jim moved to Hilltop Commons in Grass Valley to be close to family. Unfortunately, Jim passed away from cancer within several weeks of arriving in Grass Valley.
Kathryn was also preceded in death by by her son, Gregory Gene McConnell , 60, in 2009.
She is survived by her son, Rod McConnell and wife, Marjorie, of Nevada City; daughter Susan McConnell Moreno and her husband, Al, of Big Oak Valley; grandsons Mica Moreno of Pasadena, Casey Moreno and wife, Amanda, of Chico, and P. Alexander Brown of Eugene, OR; granddaughter, Gretchen Demko and husband, Andrew of Ranier, OR; great-granddaughters Isabelle of Chico, Kaitlynn and Paighton of Eugene, OR., and Lilia of Ranier, OR; and great-grandsons Hayden of Eugene, OR.,Logan of Chico, CA and Erickson and Caleb of Ranier, OR.
Kathryn said many times that the years spent at Hilltop were some of the happiest of her life. A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at Hilltop Common, 131 Eureka St., Grass Valley, on Sunday, November 24th at 1:30 PM.
Interment will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at Dixon, CA.

Jean Joan Haase (1934-2014)

Jean Joan Haase was 80. She was Fillmore residence. Passed away on June 4, 2014 in Ventura, CA. She was born on April 18, 1934 Houston, Texas. Residence of Ventura County for 62 years. Teacher s Aide, Wife and a Mother for 39 years. Her hobbies, being with her children, family and animals.She is preceded in death by her daughter Linda Ellis and two sisters Allene Turk and Mary Stray. Donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 800 W. 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90017. She is survived by her husband Harvard, daughter Kathy, son in law Mike Ellis, numerous nieces and nephews. Grandchildren, Jacob, Sarah and Bryan. Great grandchildren and precious her beloved dog.
A small memorial service will be held at the family Ranch.
Under Skillin Carroll Mortuary Filllmore

Louise Henderson (1927-2014)

January 17, 1927-May 30, 2014
Louise was born on January 17, 1927, in Biggers Arkansas to Arthur and Flora Johnson. Louise married Clarence Henderson Jr. on August 21, 1946 and shortly after moved to Fillmore. Louise and Clarence had five children. She worked for Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association for over 45 years, retiring in 1986. After retirement Louise worked as a Care Giver for the elderly for several years. She was an active member of the Fillmore and Santa Paula Church of Christ. Louise loved spending time with her family. Her favorite family time was making large dinners or as she called them “suppers”, and having everyone over to visit especially after Sunday church. Her meals were always made with love. Her family’s favorites were her biscuits and gravy and homemade lemon meringue, coconut and chocolate cream pies. Louise also loved spending time with her best friend Maudie Perkins as well as attending annual family reunions in Maynard, Arkansas. She always had a desire to move back to her home state as she loved living in the country. She also enjoyed traveling across the East visiting many places. She loved listening and singing to church hymns and country music, enjoyed gardening, collecting spoons and writing letters to her friends near and far. If you stopped by for a quick moment you needed to plan on having a glass of ice tea and sitting down for visit with her.
Louise left us on May 30, 2014 with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Flora Johnson, brothers Jess and Jack Johnson, Sisters Joanne Garner and Mary Brockus, husband Clarence Henderson, beloved son Larry Henderson, daughter Linda Henderson and grandson Michael Henderson. Louise is survived by her daughters, Pamela Preciado, Donna Mackey and Regina Barragan, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews.
Viewing is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 4:00-8:00pm and Services on Friday 11:00am at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary in Fillmore. Graveside service will immediately follow at Bardsdale Cemetery. Reception will be held at Fillmore Church of Christ following Graveside Services.

Myra Harrison, co-founder of Harrison Industries, dies at age 99
Myra Harrison, co-founder of Harrison Industries, one of the nation’s oldest family-operated trash hauling firms and one of Ventura County's most generous benefactors, died Sunday at age 99.
Myra, was born Marina Velarde on Feb. 17, 1915 in Ventura, California one of 12 children of Francisca Moraga Velarde and Elias Velarde. Myra was proud of her Spanish heritage and so is her family. She was a direct descendent of Lt. Jose Joaquin Moraga, a member of the DeAnza party, which founded the San Buenaventura Mission.
Myra married E.J. Harrison and became a 15-year-old bride and two years later she became a mother and started a trash company with her husband in 1932. That year, E.J. fashioned a truck from several car bodies that he called “Chop Suey” and began making a modest living by hauling his neighbors’ trash to the Ventura dumps for 75 cents a load. In its first year of business, Harrison Transfer Company had 150 customers. Today, Harrison Industries services about 90,000 customers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Myra worked beside her husband to build the fledgling company, keeping the books and enrolling in classes at Ventura College to hone her business skills while raising her young family and being active in the community. Myra was a leader of the women’s movement decades before there was one.
When E.J. died in 1991, Myra became president and worked with four generations of Harrison family members that are involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. When Myra’s oldest son Ralph became president she remained as founder, while her other sons Jim and Myron continued to serve as vice presidents. Lynn and George Harrison, both grandsons, are also members of the board of directors, while other siblings have various important jobs in the comp.
Myra is survived by her daughter Janet Seamands and husband Al of Lander, Wyoming; sons all of Ventura County, Ralph Harrison and wife Jenny, Jim Harrison and wife Mary, Myron Harrison and wife Sharon; grandchildren and their spouses, Katherine Seamands, Mary Ann and Tony Hoyt,, Janet and Steve Iverson, Julia and Jeff Patrick, Lynn and Pattie Harrison, John and Letha Harrison, Richard and Lynn Harrison, Myra and SchlomoRackliff, Edward Harrison, Margaret and Sean Mattern, Kelly and Charles O’Dell, Kimberly and Alex Carriega, Kevin Curtis, Karin Guadagno, Kristin and Bill Millikin, Karisa and Larry Melendez, Sheryl and Donald Abeloe, Michael and Heather Harrison, Caren and Gary Carlsen, Daniel and Victoria Harrison, Donald Harrison, George and Danielle Harrison, Tom Harrison, Darren and Lisa Harrison, Judy and Willie Castillo. In addition, Myra is survived by 71 great grandchildren and 47 great-great grandchildren.
Myra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, E.J. Harrison, an infant daughter Myra Jane, grandson Tim Harrison, her parents, and all of her siblings.
While much as changed since 1932, Myra oversaw a company that kept up with the times and thrived over the years by offering superior customer service at reasonable rates, and by being on the forefront of the recycling movement in the state. All Harrison Industries customers are provided the opportunity to recycle over 20 different materials, which are taken to Gold Coast Recycling & Transfer Station where they are sorted, baled and recycled for use.
Harrison Industries also collects green waste materials and takes them to Agromin Premium Soil Products where they are processed and sold for reuse in agricultural products, fuel and landscape materials. And the future hold promise of making energy from the combination of green waste & commercial food waste. As a result of all of these programs Harrison franchise clients have surpassed recycling mandates of Assembly Bill 939, the 1989 state law that requires cities and counties to cut trash sent to landfills in half and are ready to meet all of the future mandates dealing with recycling and air emissions.
In addition, Harrison Industries has taken several steps toward reducing air pollution by opening the first liquefied natural gas fueling station in western Ventura County and gradually transforming its fleet of trucks to run on the cleaner burning compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
For its environmental efforts, Harrison Industries has won a number of environmental awards, including the 2011 Climate Change Action Award by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and the 2010 Environmentally Conscious Business of the Year Award by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce.
And In 2007 Harrison was honored for having the state’s Outstanding Recycling Program by the California Resource Recovery Association. The award goes annually to the business, government agency, community-based organization or school in the state that has excelled in implementing and carrying out a recycling and/or diversion program.
And in the same year Former Assemblyman Pedro Nava honored Harrison as the California 35th Assembly District’s 2007 Small Business of Year. Also in 2007, the Pacific Coast Business Times selected Harrison Industries for its “Family Business Titans” category based on the high number of family members involved in the company as well as the company’s accomplishments, reputation and community involvement and in 2011 awarded Harrison Industries with its Legacy Award.
While building Harrison Industries over the years, Myra, E.J. and their sons remained committed to giving back to the communities the company served, providing longtime financial support of local non-profit organizations and community cultural events like the Ventura and Ojai Music Festival and the Camarillo Art and Jazz Festival, the Grant Park Conservancy, and the Rubicon Theatre. The company has been particularly generous to organizations that help children such as Casa Pacifica, the Boys Scouts of America and the Boys and Girls Clubs in several cities. And in 2013, the doors opened at the Harrison Family Youth Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura’s new clubhouse in Saticoy, where the company is headquartered.
Myra served as President of the American Business Women’s Association, was active in Native Daughter of the Golden West, the Ventura County Historical Society, Emblem Club, Los Californians, the Garden Club and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce.
In 2000 Myra was one of the only two people named as 75 Reasons We Love Ventura County by the Ventura Star. And in the article in her interview this is what she said. “My mother always said you never lose anything by helping other people. We believe in giving back to the community, with both our time and our money.” Myra also said, “Seven generations of my family have been a part of Ventura’s history, and I have had a wonderful life. Lots of hard times, but good. I am grateful for what I’ve been able to do.”
Myra, herself, won numerous awards through the years, and in 2003, she was named “Philanthropist of the Year for Ventura County” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In 2004, she was honored as “Trailblazer of the Year” by the Women’s Economic Ventures organization and was again honored in 2012 as a Titan for the group.
Also in 2004, Myra was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross and was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by El Concilio del Condado de Ventura. The bilingual and bicultural non-profit agency cited her for the company’s long history of hiring Latino workers. She was the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year in 2007.
Visitation will take place at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Please call for information 805-643-9977.
Rosary will be recited Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, May 31, at 9 a.m. the San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main Street, Ventura. A reception will follow in the Church Hall (O’Brien Hall). Interment will take place at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura, following the reception.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.

Manuel A. “Sleepy” Martinez (1920-2014)

Manuel A. Martinez, 94 died peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2014 in Oxnard, California. He was born in Piru, California on June 3, 1920 to Merced and Julia Martinez. He married Eleanor Lozano on June 16, 1945 at St. Francis Church in Fillmore. Manuel worked for General Motors in Van Nuys for 35 years. He attended Piru School. He proudly served in the 505th QM Battalion in the United States Army and attained the rank of Sergeant from 1941 to 1945. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was very proud of his military service and made many lasting friendship and his old Army buddies in the Battalion called themselves the “The Squirrels” and they met for reunions from time to time after his discharged. He was the last living member of the group.
He lived in Piru for most of his life, he was known as Sleepy by all, and when he was younger was active in Little League base ball as a coach and then served as an umpire when he no longer coached. He served as a proud godfather to many young people now adults in the Piru area. He had a great love for sports and football and baseball were his favorite, of course the Los Angeles Dodgers was at the top of his must see list. He enjoyed fishing in Lake Piru upon his retirement. Most recently he was an avid Dominoes and poker player with those he lived with at Maywood Acres Health Center and with his family. He was known in Piru for his fun and friendly football and baseball pools. Everyone seemed to like to jump into Sleepy’s football and baseball pools for a chance to win! He also had a great love for billiards and won a number of tournaments. He was active a member of Family Circle Adult Care Center in Oxnard.
Manuel and Eleanor were married for 63 years, he was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor and his brothers Edward Martinez, Jesus Martinez, a sister Lucy Martinez he is survived by his brother, Salvador Martinez of Piru, his sister Carmen Miranda of Santa Barbara, his daughters, Viola Balbinot of Santa Barbara, Rosalinda Preciado of Henderson, NV, sons Deacon Manuel J. Martinez, fsp of Los Angeles and Steven Martinez of Fillmore. Also by four grandchildren, Steven Liebsh Martinez, Shawn Preciado, Christopher Preciado and Adrianna Preciado and two great grandchildren, Mariah Preciado and Shawn Jr. , also by numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 W. Ventura St. Fillmore, CA 93015, on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Bardsdale Cemetery.

Maria Del Refugio Contreras Negrete (1921-2014)

Maria Del Refugio Contreras was born January 12th 1921 in San Juan Palmira in the providence of Chavinda in the state of Michoacan in Mexico. Her parents were Jesus Contreras and Maria Francisca Canela.
She married Francisco Negrete on May 11, 1939.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband Francisco and her siblings Maria Elena Contreras, Ventura Contreras, Maria de Jesus Contreras, Rafael Contreras, Ruben Contreras, and Miguel Contreras.
She is survived by their her 7 children; Jose Negrete, Angelina Negrete Garibay, Enrique Negrete, Edelmira Negrete Vaca, Roselia Negrete Granados, Silvia Negrete Felix, & Estela Negrete Viveros, sister Margarita Contreras, 47 grandchildren, 133 great-grand children, and 24 great-great grand children.
She will be remembered for her many wonderful attributes but especially for the kindness and generosity she showed by always opening her home to anyone who needed it whether they were family or not and no matter where she lived. Her family will also miss her warmth, strength, and wonderful sense of humor. She will be deeply missed for all who ever knew her loved her.
Visitation will be held from 3:30pm - 6:00pm, Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Faith Community Church, 355 D Street, Fillmore with a rosary to follow at 7:00pm at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1048 West Ventura Street, Fillmore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am, Friday, May 30, 2014 also at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Committal and Interment will follow at Bardsdale Cemetery.
For map and directions to ceremony locations and to sign the family's online guestbook, share stories, and post pictures please visit our website: www.santapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Maria's name located below "Recent Obituaries".
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned and Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Services, Santa Paula 805.229.7054

Glen Edward Roberts (1934-2014)

Glen Edward Roberts of Ventura, CA passed away on May 16th, 2014, surrounded by loving family. He was born in Grady, Oklahoma on Nov. 3, 1934. He came to California by train in 1944. His father Daniel Webster Roberts and mother Libbie Roberts settled in Fillmore, CA.
Glen worked for Union Oil Company for 38 yrs. He had multiple position within that company untill he retired in the 90's.
He had a love for the outdoors. Fishing at Crowley Lake, hunting, camping - especially at Bass Lake, and trap and skeet shooting. He was a master wood working craftsman.
Glen is preceded in death by his mother Libbie Roberts, father Daniel Webster Roberts, and ex-wife Linda Roberts. Glen is survived by his two brothers, Don Roberts and Dale Roberts, three children Deborah Roberts, Ed Roberts, and Cindy Roberts, wife Betty Roberts, four stepchildren, 8 grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Skillen-Carroll Mortuary in Fillmore, CA on Thursday, May 22nd at noon.

Deborah Ann Stewart Martinson (1946-2014)

5-20-46 - 4-26-14
Deborah Ann Stewart Martinson passed away at home in Burbank surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, April 26. She was raised in Fillmore and attended Fillmore schools starting with Kindergarten and graduating with the Class of 1964. Debby was very involved in school activities including Editor of the high school newspaper, the News Flashes where her writing career began to flourish. After graduation from High School Debby attended Chico State and earned her Masters at Northridge. She taught High School at Crescenta Valley High. She earned her PHD in English Literature at USC. Since 1991 she was a member of the faculty of Occidental College as a teacher of Creative Non-fiction until her untimely death. She was also an author of several books.
Preceded in death by her parents Sid & Martha Stewart Deborah is survived by her loving husband, Barry, her daughter Hope (Mike) Mendez, her son Jay (Ann) Martinson, her granddaughters, Iris, Delilah & Luna, her grandson Luke and her loyal German Shepherd Tina Fey. She is also survived by her sister Sandy (Ken) Sebesta and her family in addition to countless friends and colleagues.
Her intelligence, wit and love of life affected all who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held at the Faith Community Church on Central Avenue at 11AM, Friday, May 2nd. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Leonard ‘Lenny’ Luna (1958-2014)

Leonard Luna, affectionately referred to as ‘Lenny’, passed away April 29, 2014 at the age of 55 in Oxnard, California following a short illness. He was a longtime resident of Fillmore.
Leonard was born May 12, 1958 in Victoria, Texas. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to California and settled in Fillmore where he graduated from Fillmore High School in 1977. He was staunchly patriotic; willingly and proudly serving his country in the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Wainwright in Alaska.
Leonard was a wonderful and caring father; an amazing and thoughtful brother; a loyal friend. He always had a smile and a joke for anyone he met, and was the type of man that would give you his last dollar or the shirt off of his own back if you needed it. He cared more for others than he cared for himself. His loyalty and optimism in life were only surpassed by his courage. He will be sorely and dearly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him and being in his life.
He is survived by his three children – Leonard Luna of Fillmore, Alyssa Luna and Ronette Luna of Oxnard; his brother Richard Hinojosa and his wife Debbie of Fillmore; sisters Yvonne Wollerman and her husband Jeff of Camarillo, Anna Zuniga and her husband Alex of Sierra Madre, and Sylvia Carrillo of Sierra Madre. He was the proud grandfather of newborn Dereck Julian Luna. He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Carrillo of Fillmore and his brother, John Luna of Dinuba.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 9, 2014 at 11am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, followed by a graveside internment at 2:15pm at Bardsdale Cemetery in Fillmore.
Arrangements are under the direction of Perez Family Mortuary.

Dolores Marquez Sibaja (1928-2014)

On April 27, 2014, the Lord called to Heaven Dolores Marquez Sibaja. Although we are terribly saddened, we rest now knowing that she lived a loved life surrounded with her family and friends. For her daughters it was a gift to know how much she was loved.
Dolores was born October 8, 1928 in her family's ranch El Ocote in San Juan De Los Lagos, Jalisco Mexico. Affectionately known as Lola, she was the youngest child of Refugio and Candida Marquez. She has two surviving siblings Salome and Guadalupe. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters Felipa, Felipe, Cira, and Salvador.
Dolores married Enrique Sibaja in May 1964 in San Juan de Los Lagos, Mexico. The newlyweds celebrated their nuptials in Veracruz and Mexico City and then headed west to Santa Paula, CA , where they lived the rest of their lives.
Lola was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula. She also assisted in the funding of the renovation of Guadalupe Church. Lola and Enrique were responsible for the donation of the Holy Thursday bread, a tradition that she carried on to the present day.
Lola's love was to attending gatherings with her family and friends. She traveled many times back to Mexico to see her family that she kept close to her heart.
Lola’s great joy was being a mother, and grandmother. She dedicated her life to her two daughters Natalia Sibaja Pacheco (Rafael) and Veronica Sibaja Morris (Sean). Which she jokingly called her pair of earrings. She loved spending time with the apples of her eyes, her grandchildren: Steven, Scott, Enrique, Sofia, Ian, Jackson, and great granddaughter Samantha. She will be greatly missed by Magdalena Sibaja her loyal sister in law who never left her side, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Lola was true to her family, friends and her faith. She was an example to many to continue to follow the course.
The family would like to express our deepest thanks to the Drs. and staff of Santa Paula Hospital, Dr. Michael Tushla and staff, and family and friends for the love and support.
A rosary will be held to celebrate the life of Dolores Marquez Sibaja on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm followed immediately by a memorial mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 427 North Oak Street, Santa Paula, CA.

Mary Jane Mendez (1928-2014)

Mary Jane Mendez passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday April 8, 2014 in Oxnard, California. She was born May 10, 1928 in La Verne, California. She is preceded in death by her husband Delfino Mendez and her daughter Silvia who died as an infant.
Mary Jane spent the last two years of her life living with her grandson Michael and his wife Crystal in Oxnard California, but spent most of her years living in Fillmore. Her true love was spending time with her children and grandchildren as well as her great grandchildren. She enjoyed big gatherings and will always be remembered for her cooking, especially her salsa, tamales, and tortillas. She was always ready to give to people in need. She was incredibly funny, and as her family knows well, stubborn. She will always be remembered and loved dearly.
She is survived by her two sons, Alex and his wife Theresa, and Ronnie, his wife Gloria, both of Fillmore; her grandchildren Michael, wife Crystal Mendez, Joshua, wife Kellie Mendez, Jessica Mendez, Daniel Mendez, Jenna Mendez, and Anthony Mendez; her great-grandchildren Danielle, Rachel, Isabelle, and Izaak Mendez.
The viewing will be held on Thursday April 24th from 4pm to 8 pm with the Rosary occurring at 6pm at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 600 N. Central Ave. Fillmore Ca 93015. Graveside services will be held the following day at 11 am on Friday April 25, 2014 at Bardsdale Cemetery 1698 S. Sespe Street Fillmore Ca 93015.
Funeral arrangement entrusted to the care of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary.

Ruby Jean Prince (1938-2014)

Ruby went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 1st, 2014 after a long battle with lung disease. Ruby was born in Bakersfield , CA to Ben and Ruby Kretzinger and was a graduate of East Bakersfield High School . After marriage and starting a family she moved to Ventura County where she remained until her death. She is survived by her son James David Prince, her daughters Cindy Denise Prince and Deborah Ann Samples, Grandchildren James Paul Prince, Tina Marie Prince and Travis James Prince and two great grandchildren. Ruby was caring and loving, she loved the Lord and she loved sharing the Gospel with everyone. We loved her and she will be greatly missed. Graveside services will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield on Thursday April 17th at 10 am, visitation prior 8-9 am. Celebration of Life service will be at Heritage Valley Bible Church 461 Central Avenue Fillmore, CA on Friday April 18th at 10 am.

Frank William Dunst (1917-2014)

Frank William Dunst
7/20/1917 - 2/13/2014
Frank William Dunst was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1917. Frank's family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, and that is where he met the love of his life Elaine. Frank and Elaine were married October 23, 1940. They were blessed with two children, Larry and Karen. Frank was a WWII Hero. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the 351st Squadron of the 8th Army Corps, a precursor to the Air Force; he was a B-17 Deputy Lead Bombardier from the Bloody 100th. He flew 32 missions mostly with the Herman Streich crew on the Fever Beaver. After the war Frank and Elaine moved their family to California, where Frank began his Pharmacy career. In 1948 Frank and Elaine bought Clough's Pharmacy, in Fillmore, California. It was a family owned and operated business until 1994. Frank was the President of the Ventura Pharmaceutical Association 1960-1961. He was a long time member of the Lion's Club. He earned a Life Long Membership award in 1999 for his many years of service as a Lion. He was also a member of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, and the Fillmore Club. Frank and Elaine loved to dance. They were members of the Valley Star Dancers, square dance club. Frank and Elaine also enjoyed traveling the world. Later in life Maui, Hawaii held a very special place in Frank's heart. He loved nothing better than to have a glass of champagne and look out at the ocean and say ALOHA! Frank was a devout Catholic. He rarely missed a Saturday evening Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, in Fillmore. Frank's greatest joy was being surrounded by his family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him so much happiness.
Frank is preceded in death by his brother Robert Dunst, sister Rosemary Howard, and grand-daughter Nancy Dunst.
Frank is survived by his wife of 74 years Elaine Dunst, his children Frank Lawrence (Judy) Dunst and Karen Dunst- Hawkins, his grandchildren Kari (Gordon) Hawkins-Wilson, Kristen Dunst, Scott (Kelly) Dunst, and Ashley (William) Foster, his great-grandchildren Dylan and Emma Dunst and Jeremiah and Malakai Foster. Frank is also survived by his brother Urban Dunst. It was Frank's request not to have a funeral service. Please donate to your favorite charity in his name.

Patricia “ Sally “ Ebell (1938-2014)

Patricia “ Sally “ Ebell passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. She was born on May 17, 1938 in Rancho Sespe and was a resident of Ventura County for 75 years. Patricia was a Medical Receptionist for 27 years.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, John and Alice Castorena and sister Carmen Barrios.
Patricia is survived by her Husband of 50 years Donald Ebell, their daughter Maria Vasseur and her husband Chris Vasseur of Valencia and son Mark Ebell and his wife Ines Ebell of Fillmore Brother John Castorena Jr. of Oxnard sisters Sylvia Ramirez of Santa Paula, Laura Escobar of Fillmore. Niece Marisa Marinez of Fillmore and 6 grandchildren.
Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Monday, April 7, 2014 at 10:30am.Rosary will be held at 10:00am before Funeral Mass. Follow by the Burial at Bardsdale Cemetery 1698 S. Sespe St. Fillmore, CA 93015
Funeral arrangement entrusted to the care of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 600 N. Central Ave. Fillmore, CA 93015 (805) 524-0744

Letitia Leonard "Tisha" Harz (1908-2014)

Of Santa Barbara died February 25, 2014, "young at heart," one month shy of her 106th birthday. Tisha was born March 23, 1908, in Oxnard, California. She was the daughter of James Leonard and Sarah Ellen McGrath, both of pioneer Ventura County families.
Tisha, grew up on an early California ranch. She went to school in a horse and buggy. She rode horse back along the Santa Clara and Ventura rivers and on the beach. She was famous for shooting three rabbits with one bullet. She remembered driving to Los Angeles to her orthodontist appoint- ments on a dirt road over the Conejo grade and waiting for the tides in order to travel the Rincon to Santa Barbara events at the Potter Hotel. She enjoyed camping in the Sespe and cooking her meals in the hot springs. She had vivid memories of the St. Francis Dam disaster and the Santa Barbara earthquake of 1925.
She was an adventurer. She was the first in her family to fly, at a Ventura County fair on her 12th birthday. Later, she would go for a glider ride in Santa Ynez at the age of 90. In the 1930's, she travelled by herself to South America, on Thomas Cook's first guided tour. While on an excursion of the the Chilean Lakes to Argentina, she and guide, Herbert J. Harz, became close. He proposed to her on Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
Tisha was known by one of her cousins as "the fun one!" She loved climbing trees, skinny dipping, and teaching herself to drive a Model T. Her children remember her as always looking on the bright side of life and never complaining. She cherished Huell Houser's Califonia Gold TV program, Irish coffees, and her many friends and relatives. She had a strong faith in God and the afterlife and died with a radiant smile on her face.
She is survived by her children, Hermine (Gary) Gallup, Greta Howorth, and William (Joan) Harz, 6 grand children and 2 step grand children, and 10 great grand children.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Bordofsky and his staff, the staff at Brandell Hall, Samarkand, and the Hospice nurses from SB VNA.
A Memorial Mass will be at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, at 11 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care, and the Samarkand Benevolent Care Fund in Tisha's memory.
Arrangements Entrusted to Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.

Fidel G. Viveros (1944-2014)

Fidel Viveros was born in Michoacán, Mexico on July 23rd, 1944 and went to be with the Lord on March 10th, 2014 at 69 years of age. He lived in Piru, CA and was a resident of Ventura County for 45 years. He loved landscaping and taking care of his chickens and roosters. Fidel is survived by his wife, Manuela Viveros, his children, Leticia, Marcial, Gabriel, Fidel Jr., Rosaura, and Daisy. He also leaves with us 18 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Rosary will be held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 7:30pm at San Salvador Church in Piru. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 9:30am also at San Salvador Church.

Raquel Adame Casas (1938-2014)

Raquel Adame Casas was born on July 17, 1938 in Puruándiro, Michoacán in Mexico to Jose Adame and Maria Calderon, both parents deceased. As a child her and her brothers were left orphaned. At 9 years old her mother passed away from an illness. Years passed and her father moved them to Ensenada, Baja California and tragically her father died in a car accident when she was 13 yrs old. Raquel and her brothers were left alone to struggle and survive in a city they did not know anyone. Raquel cared for her brothers as months went by, she came across a letter from an uncle she never met and wrote to him explaining what happened. Raquel was fortunate that her father’s brother helped them financially and immigrated the family to the United States. By the time she was 18 yrs old, her uncle had the family settle in Rancho Sespe, outside of Fillmore. There Raquel spent her time learning to crochet, listening to music, dance, talk to friends and falling in love with the neighbor across the road. Ismael was her first and only love, as Ismael finished high school and went to the Army; Raquel waited for him to return and marry in 1964. Soon they started a family and had 3 children. Later on in life being married for 31 years, she gave all her time to her husband that had cancer and passed away in 1995. Raquel was a wonderful caring person full of love, she was a devoted wife, mother and sister. She leaves behind her brothers Salomon (deseased) and Mario Adame. She is survived by her children Sergio, Ruben and Monica Casas along with their spouses, as well as her grandchildren Serina, Eric, Andy Casas, Luis and Jackie Rosales.
Services are as follows: Viewing, Thursday February 20 at from 5 to 8pm w/ Rosary @ 7pm at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 600 N. Central Ave., Fillmore. Mass, Friday February 21th at 9:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church with interment immediately following at Bardsdale Cemetery. Reception following for Raquel to be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church reception hall.

William Edward Rife (1926-2014)

Born Jan 29, 1926 the son of Irvin and Garnet Rife. Now both deceased Also deceased my sister Vera Thompson. Also, my wonderful wife Maxine Rife. We had 61 wonderful years together. Also deceased my mother-in-law Nancy Schmidt.
Bill was raised on a farm in Blencoe and Onawa, Iowa Bill always liked sports, He played basketball, an baseball in high school, and worked on the farm milking cows, and other chores.
I met my wonderful wife in 1945 and we married on May 20th 1946. Bill always said that Maxine was the best thing that ever happened to him.
After a few year in the army, Sargent Rife and Maxine started College at the University of Omaha. Bill and Max, that’s what Bill called her. Got their BA degrees together, and both were teachers in Omaha, Nebraska. They then started working on Master’s Degrees. After 3 years teaching in Omaha, They moved to Simi Valley, CA. where they both taught for 20 years. In the mean time they had bought a small orange ranch at Fillmore, California. They both worked the ranch, and grew oranges for Sunkist, That lasted for more than 20 years. When that got to be too much for them they sold the ranch, and moved into Rancho Ventura, in Ventura.
Bill and Maxine enjoyed life, did lot of traveling, both in the U.S. as well many overseas countries.
Bill and Maxine have many surviving, relatives, sister, Bonnie Krauth, and brother-in-law Wilbur Krauth at Lompoc, California, and my nephews, and my nephew Jimmy Krauth at Nipomo, California. Cousins Betty Gee at Mondanin, Iowa. Jonie and Don Neese at Missouri Valley, Iowa, Brother-in-law Don Schmidt and Ann Schmidt at Duluth, Georgia. Niece Elaine and Greham Lefton, at Duluth, Georgia. And Taylor and Parker. David and Debby Schmidt at Sarasota, Florida. And Tonya, Brian, Alexa and Alana. And Ann Miehe and Gary, and Son Jeff, Shannon, Colon and Andrew. Cousin John Spencer and Linda. Norma Bauer and Connie. Bob Thompson. Ohio. Cousin, Ann Miehe and Gary at Poolville, Maryland in Summer and at Mesa, Arizona in the Winter Months. And Jeff and Shannon Miehe at Corona Del Mar California. With Sons, Colon and Andrew. Bill had many good friends, Steve and Trudy Garner, Tom and Marie Powell these were really close friends, and a host of others.
Bill and Max built their own home in Simi Valley. Bill loved flying; he and Gale Fiscus owned a plane togethjer. We did lots of flying together. Bill also was a tennis buff, and loved to snow ski.
It was said that Bill never met a stranger, He will be Missed.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 23, 2014 from 4 to 8pm at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, Graveside Service will be Monday February 24, 2014 at 1pm, at Bardsdale Cemetery. Arrangements under the care of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 805-524-0744.