Eva H. Noel completed her journey on earth moving to her heavenly home on January 27, 2010. Eva Kate Hoffmann was born February 22, 1912 in Los Angeles, CA. She was the youngest of her siblings consisting of 2 brothers and 1 sister.
After completing High School, Eva's course through life led her to join the Army WAAC in 1942 where she served honorably until her discharge in 1943. It was at that time she moved to Fillmore. On August 16, 1946 she married Orpheus Isaiah Noel in Fillmore. To that union three children were born - Nancy, Wesley and Lowell. She selflessly devoted and dedicated her life to her family.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy L. Noel of Fillmore, CA, sons Wesley O. Noel ofBozeman, MT and Lowell V. Noel of Denver, CO. Mom has now joined all her family that predeceased her - including her mother who gave her life in child birth with Eva.
The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to those who provided untold assistance to Mom in her last days: Dr. Bundy and staff, attending physicians and health care professionals of Santa Paula Hospital, volunteers and public servants of the community of Fillmore, the Bob Thompson family and most of all to Marietta and Larry Spencer for the years of faithful care, compassion and unending love for Eva.
A family memorial service will be held at the Bardsdale Cemetery on Tuesday February 2, 2010.
Jay Carnine of Kingman died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in Las Vegas of a massive brain bleed. His wife, Gay, daughters, granddaughters and son-in-law were with him.
Jay was born Jan. 27, 1940, and raised in Ventura, Calif. It was there that his love of street rods was born. That love grew throughout his life and he had many rods come and go until about 1986, when he started building his dream care, a 1932 Ford roadster. He drove that car anywhere and everywhere loving every minute. We had many good times in it and made many new and wonderful friends along the way.
He retired at age 55, after 35 years with Southern California Edison. We kept in touch with many good friends we made during those years. He was a kind, loving, compassionate, intelligent man. He reveled in sharing his vast knowledge with anyone who asked.
Jay wrote and published two great books, Pinkie and California Hot Rodder. He mentored many people on the Web site that he was a member of. He shared dozens of great stories, talked with so many friends there about rods and freely gave of his awesome intelligence.
Jay leaves behind his beloved wife, Gay; their daughters, Cheri (Pat) of Las Vegas and Deb of Kingman; his sister, Shari (Phil) of Texas; his brother, Louie (Marci) of Ojai, Calif.; grandchildren, Cory (Tika) of Tennessee, Kristie (Wil) of Georgia (who have Kyla Ann, two years old, the most beautiful, funny and wonderful great-granddaughter!); and Melissa Carnine of Kingman. Jay also has two great-grandsons on the way, one in November and one in February. He is also survived by three nephews and one niece and their children.
He was predeceased by his parents, Chet and Clytie, paternal and maternal grandparents, three uncles and one aunt.
No services planned at this time. Godspeed Jay! You are now driving your roadster on heaven's endless highways.
April 12, 1930 – January 1, 2010
John Chapman Morris, “Chappy,” of Fillmore passed away from cancer on January 1, 2010 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his immediate family.
Chappy was born in Fillmore, California on April 12, 1930 to parents William L. Morris and Verna Bertine Hansen. He was the youngest of three with an older brother, William L. Morris, Jr. and a sister, Virginia. He attended Fillmore Elementary School and graduated from Fillmore High School in 1948. From there he did a stint at the University of Southern California (USC), where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and remained until he was drafted to the Army in 1954. He later returned to USC where he majored in business and liberal arts. After college he made the decision to make his permanent home in Fillmore, joined the family automobile business, William L. Morris Chevrolet, and has resided there ever since.
In 1958, Chappy married Geraldine Doud, “Jeri,” of Oxnard, California. They were married for almost 50 years. He was a true entrepreneur and diversified from the automobile business to farming, real estate and, in 1973, started Fillmore Area Transit Corporation. It quickly grew from hauling 1,300 passengers per month to 22,000. He loved his community and was an active member and former president of Rotary, Jr. and Sr. Chamber of Commerce, Fillmore High School Alumnae and the May Festival. Chappy was also an active member of Rancheros Vistadores, Campo Adolfo, and Rancheros Adolfo, a Ventura County men’s horseback riding club. He enjoyed riding with his father, father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons, sons-in-law, and numerous relatives.
Giving back to the community was very important to Chappy, and he generously supported many local groups and charities including St. Augustine Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Adopt-A-Family, Feed the Children,
St. Francis of Assisi, and San Salvador Mission, to name a few.
He is survived by his four children: Laurie Morris Smith of San Clemente, John Chapman Morris, Jr. of Ventura, Tina Morris Thomson of Pasadena and William L. Morris, III of Fillmore; sons in law David B. Smith and John E. Thomson; daughters in law Lori Morris and Shelly Morris. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jeri.
“Pappy” as he was known by his grandchildren Chasen, Brennan and Lauren Smith, Sydney and Maggie Morris, Katie and Charlie Thomson and Hunter, Grant and Griffin Morris will forever be remembered as the family patriarch. They will especially cherish the special times they spent with their grandpa picking avocados and watercress on the family ranch, riding horses, family trips to the Alisal Guest Ranch and his special recipe for homemade beef jerky. He also leaves behind his beloved and loyal Australian Shepherd, LeRoy.
The Rosary will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fillmore on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm. A service celebrating Chappy’s life will be held on Friday, January 8, 2010 at 11:00 am at Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 South E. Street in Oxnard.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers charitable donations be made to St. Augustine Academy, reference
J. Chapman Morris Scholarship Fund/Foundation, 130 South Wells Road, Ventura, CA 93004 (805) 672-0411.
Beloved Herb Baehr of Fillmore peacefully passed from this life into the next on Wed December 23, 2009 at home. He was 92 years old. He was a resident of Ventura county for 60 years, moving here from Chicago, Illinois.
Herb, a retired teacher, was a devoted Lyons Club member. He enjoyed playing tennis, bingo and card games. He loved to sing and dance and was a Chicago radio singer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Edna Martine Baehr from Kansas and Jacob Peter Baehr of Germany. Brothers: Paul and Karl, Sister Ruth and former wife Vivian Baehr.
He is survived by his spouse Jean, son John, daughter Melody, grandson Jacob, brother Rufus and sister in law Elsa. Stepdaughters Jan and Michelle and four grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to the Faith Community Church in Fillmore.
A memorial service will be held from 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, Janurary 7, 2010 at Faith Community Church on Central Ave., Fillmore, CA. Arrangements under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 805/ 524-0744.
Robert Wesley Nichols, former Fillmore City Manager who was known to many as “Mr. Fillmore,” passed away November 24, 2009 at the age of 88. Mr. Nichols was a third generation Fillmore native. He was an unforgettable personality to all who knew him, and was known for his proud spirit, dedication to Country, and his love of life and Fillmore.
Born in Fillmore on October 19, 1921, Nichols was a lifelong resident of the City. He attended Fillmore schools, graduating from Fillmore Union High School in 1940, where he excelled in football and other sports.
After two years of college, Nichols served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1952, holding positions with the Naval Air Corps as Navigator and Aviation Chief. Shortly after enlisting in the Navy, he married Juanita Mauck, his high school sweetheart. They were married for over 60 years and had three daughters, all of whom were raised in Fillmore, attended Fillmore schools, and married local men with families in Fillmore and Ventura. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were both active in community affairs throughout their lives, and were longtime members of the Fillmore Methodist Church.
Immediately after leaving the Navy, Mr. Nichols returned to Fillmore and engaged in ranching, managing citrus properties in Bardsdale. In 1955 he began service with the City of Fillmore, where he was Superintendent of Public Works from 1959 to 1968 and City Manager from 1968 to October of 1981.
During his tenure as City Manager, Nichols presided over a period of unprecedented growth, as the City’s population grew from 6,000 to 10,000. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the land for Sespe Park, upgrading of the City’s water systems, directing preparations for the Fillmore Industrial Park, and creation of the Fillmore Community Redevelopment Agency. In 1969, he was a principal actor in recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of one of the worst rainstorms and floods in Fillmore history, during which all roads and highways to the City were washed out and Fillmore was completely isolated for several days. Mr. Nichols was also active in regional organizations representing Ventura County and its cities, and served as Chairman of the Managers’ Group of the Ventura County Association of Governments.
During their retirement years, Wesley and Juanita Nichols lived in Fillmore, traveled the United States, and spent time with their daughters and their families. Juanita Nichols passed away in 2005. In his last years, Mr. Nichols enjoyed drives around Fillmore and Ventura County, identifying familiar places and public works, and observing annual City events such as the July 4th fireworks celebrations.
Mr. Nichols is survived by his three daughters, Constance Main of La Canada, Diana Cox of Westlake Village, and Sally Joller of Los Osos, California; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at Bardsdale Cemetery in Fillmore on December 10, 2009.
Gil Kohler passed away Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Gil was 97 years old. Gil suffered a heart attack on Monday and was taken to Community Memorial Hospital where he fought hard until his passing, Wednesday at 8:15. He leaves his lovely wife Rosella Kohler behind.
A religious service will be held on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 2PM at Skillin Carroll Mortuary in Santa Paula, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, Ca. 93015, 805-525-3391. Gil's 97 year old body was donated to science and was taken by a university shortly after his death. They are very interested in studying his longevity and health.
In place of flowers Gil and his family have requested donation be made in his name to Wayfarer Chapel Lutheran Church, 461 3rd. St., Fillmore CA. 93015
June 12, 1957 To November 27, 2009
Pamela Sue Beall, age 52, resident of Chalfant Valley in Bishop, CA for three years, born in Dewitt, Arkansas on June 12, 1957, passed away on November 27, 2009 in Reno, NV.
She served as cafeteria manager for the Fillmore School District for twenty years and lived in the Fillmore area for forty years.
Survivors include husband Richard L. Beall of Chalfant Valley in Bishop, CA; son Ricky Beall of Bishop, CA; daughter Lacie Cordova of Mt. Vernon, MO; mother Ruby Bennett of Piru, CA; brothers Joe LaCotts of Wright City, MO, Leslie LaCotts of Blytheville, AR, Jay LaCotts of Piru, CA, and Henry Bennett of Avenal, CA; sisters Donna Elam of Spokane, WA, Sabina Real of Baldwin Park, CA, Shirley Bennett of Atlanta, GA, and Kim Galarza of Ventura, CA; two grandchildren Hunter & Noah Beall. Also thirty nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by father Dwane Bennett.
Visitation will be at Brune Mortuary Thursday, December 3, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be at Brune Mortuary Friday, December 4, 2009, 2:00 PM. Pastor Chris Costello will officiate. Interment will be at the East Line Street Cemetery, Bishop, CA.
