Steve E. Wren (1949-2013)

Steve E. Wren quietly passed away at home in Fillmore May 25, 2013 after a long illness at age 64. He was born in Santa Paula, California May 11, 1949 and was the only son of Gene and Marie Wren.
After Steve graduated from Fillmore High School he joined the Army and served a year in Vietnam where he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He also had the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters with the usual campaign medals for his service with both the 39th and 60th Infantry.
Steve worked at Kenney Grove Park near Fillmore for over 15 years before moving to ranch work for the next ten years. When his health failed, he returned to Fillmore to be near his mother who provided care and transportation for him until his death.
Steve was honored with Life Membership in the Fillmore VFW and was a member of the Fillmore Presbyterian Church as a teen and local Boy Scout Troop 406. He loved the out-of-doors and nature everywhere. His favorite past time was writing poetry and Indian and science fiction stories. Steve will be remembered as a very kind, caring and generous friend to everyone.
Steve is survived by his mother, Marie Wren of Fillmore, sisters Kathryn Wren Gavlak (Ray) of Vacaville and Jessica Vincent (Greg) of Ridgecrest, nephews Andrew Beekman (Sara), Patrick Beekman and Jon Beekman with great niece Siena Beekman, and aunt, Geraldine Furr of Oxnard. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Wren of Fillmore.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday June 14th at Bardsdale Cemetery at 11 a.m. Retired Col. John Gritz will be in charge of the service with Greg Vincent leading the Patriot Guard Riders as escorts.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fillmore Alumni Scholarship Fund, Box 385, Fillmore, Ca 93016. Skillin-Carroll Mortuary will be in charge.

Donna Rene U Reeder (1933–2013)

Donna Rene U Reeder November 14, 1933 – April 23, 2013
Wife of Fred Reeder and sister Sharon, passed away in San Marcos, Tx. She worked for the US Post Office. Mother of 4, 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Donna will be interred with grave side Memorial Service on Saturday, June 8th 10:00 am. Bardsdale Cemetery 1698 South Sespe, Fillmore Ca. 93015.

William F. Reeder (1917–2013)

William F. Reeder April 3, 1917 – April 28, 2013
William was born in Fillmore and worked at People Lumber Co. in Santa Paula. Was a World War II Captain, was a father of 5 boys: Fred, John, Wayne, Sam, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. William will be interred with grave side Memorial Service on Saturday, June 8th 10:00 am. Bardsdale Cemetery 1698 South Sespe, Fillmore Ca. 93015.

Robert Grazier Peterson (1922-2013)

Robert Grazier Peterson-10/24/1922 to 5/1/2013
Grandpa Bob slipped the bounds of earth and got his angels wings after a long and happy life. He was a man of quiet nature who carefully considered his words when speaking. He graduated Penn State with his first Bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry. Then Bob served in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War as a Lieutenant Commander aboard an LST Landing Craft. He continued serving the US Navy as a reserve officer and later honorably retired from service. While working and supporting a family, Bob completed his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and then a Master’s degree in Accounting. Bob worked for General Electric, Rocketdyne, and eventually retired from Lockheed. After retiring, Bob received his CPA license and worked in Post Falls, Idaho and Fillmore, California for many years providing financial advice and preparing tax forms. He also volunteered many hours with his church and as a member of the Fillmore Lions Club. Bob has lived and worked in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Idaho, and California in Glendora, Simi Valley, Glendale, Fillmore, and Port Hueneme. He is predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Gill Peterson, and second wife, Gladys Densmore Peterson. Bob is survived by his loving wife Margaret Barber Peterson, brother Warren Peterson; sons David, Ronald, Robert Jr. and Jerome, step-children Margaret Hoffman, Raymond Bond, Brian Barber, Robert Barber, Ann Barber, and David Barber; grandchildren Kelsey Peterson-Bannan, Brian, Austin and Alex Peterson and great-grandchild Olive Peterson. Arrangements are by the Neptune Society. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Bardsdale United Methodist Church in Fillmore on June 8th at 11:00.

Myrtle (“Myrt”) Martha (Minneman) Brothers (1929-2013)

Myrtle (“Myrt”) Martha (Minneman) Brothers, educator, musician, lover of people and of the outdoors, died in Davis, California on April 23 at the age of 83.
Myrt was born August 8, 1929, in Dayton, Ohio, where she was raised. She attended Ball State Teacher’s College (now Ball State University) in Muncie, Indiana, where she met John Brothers, whom she married on June 11, 1949. Upon completing their education at Ball State, Myrt and John migrated west, living for two years in Alto, Texas before settling in Calipatria, California in1953. In Calipatria Myrt gave birth to the last of four sons and began her long career as a teacher.
In the summer of 1958 the family moved to Fillmore, California, settling in a home on the corner of Chambersburg Road (Highway 23) and Riverside Avenue, in Bardsdale. Soon after arriving in Bardsdale, Myrt became a member of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, where both she and John remained deeply committed throughout their time in Fillmore. She also became a member of the Fillmore Chapter GY of the PEO, in which she served for many years.
Within a short time of her arrival in Fillmore, Myrt began teaching kindergarten at Sespe Elementary School, a position she held for 29 years. In this capacity, she influenced a host of children. Myrt was a dynamic educator: energetic, creative, and always open to innovation. Her students remember her as an energetic, enthusiastic, graceful, and loving presence in the classroom. Particularly sensitive to the needs of Fillmore’s large Hispanic community, she learned Spanish in order to communicate affectively with her Spanish-speaking students and their parents.
Myrt was an excellent musician and pianist; she accompanied Fillmore singer Angela Young in numerous concerts and performed many duo piano recitals with John. She also sang in a female a cappella trio and was involved as a singer and pianist in the music program at her church. In retirement from teaching, she sang with John in the Ventura Master Chorale.
Myrt enjoyed physical activity and the outdoors. She loved the Sierras of California, where she camped and backpacked many summers with John and her sons. She also enjoyed day sailing in the Ventura Harbor. Myrt thrived on physical exercise and for several years rode her bike before sunup to her work. She liked to travel and enjoyed trips within the U.S. and to Europe, Latin America, and New Zealand with John.
Myrt was a giving person. She enjoyed opening her home to others and making them feel welcome; her well-attended Thanksgiving dinners were legendary. She delighted in delivering baked treats to coworkers and friends at Christmastime. She loved her family and enjoyed nothing more than having her home full of sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends.
Myrt was beloved by many and will be fondly remembered for her vivacious personality, her boundless energy, and her generous hospitality. She is survived by her husband John, her sister Millie, and her four sons and their families, including nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for June 22 at 4:00 p.m. at Dixon United Methodist Church, 209 North Jefferson Street, Dixon, California. John Brothers may be contacted at 1111 Alvarado Ave. #238, Davis, CA 95616. Gifts in Myrt’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Esther Ramirez Robles (1927-2013)

Esther Ramirez Robles, 86 years young, of Fillmore passed away on May 16, 2013. She was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of Pablo and Guadalupe Ramirez, and was a resident of Ventura County for 84 years. Esther was raised on the Rancho Sespe in Ventura County and lived there until she relocated to Fillmore with her husband, Nicolas, in 1980.
A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she will be remembered with much love for her bawdy sense of humor, her outstanding ability to cook, and her artistic talent for drawing and crocheting. Esther loved to laugh and she loved to dance and listen to all types of music. She found great pleasure in her work as a teacher’s aide for the Fillmore School District and those she knew through that effort will remember her fondly.
Esther is joining those members of her family who preceded her, her parents Pablo and Guadalupe, her brothers Raul and Raymond, her sister Carman Davis and her granddaughter, Tracilyn Robles Arteaga.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Nicolas (Nick), her children Hortencia, her husband Jeffrey Parker and their children Bryan, Jessica and Amanda, her son Nicolas Jr, and his children Jennifer Robles Polanco, Veronica and David, her daughter Suzanne and her husband Russell Butler and their son, Samuel. Esther was the proud great grandmother of twelve. She is also survived by her eight brothers and sisters, Rachel Calzada, Henry Ramirez, Paul Ramirez, Jr, Art Ramirez, Tommy Ramirez, Linda Venegas, Gilbert Ramirez, Anita Limon.
Visitation will be held at the Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 600 Central Ave., Fillmore, on Monday, June 3, 2013, between 2 pm and 9 pm, with a Rosary at 7 pm. A mass will be conducted at St. Francis of Assisi Parish at 1048 W. Ventura St., Fillmore on Tuesday, June 4, at 10:15 am, with burial immediately following at the Pierce Bros Cemetery in Santa Paula.

Reuel Moegagogo Tamasese (1967-2013)

Reuel Moegagogo Tamasese, 46, of Fillmore, Ca. went to his heavenly home on April 29, 2013.
He was born on April 12, 1967 in Utulei, American Samoa, to the late Diana Ramsey-Kuaea and Nofoaseafa Tamasese.
Moe graduated from Banning High school in Wilmington, CA, in 1985.
He worked at Saticoy Lemon Asscociation in Santa Paula, Ca. and was recently employed at CD Lyon Construction in Ventura, Ca. He was known for working hard and always making people laugh.
Moe was also preceded in death by his step father Morrow Kuaea better known to him as "Pops".
Moe is survived by his only son Philip Tamasese of Fillmore, CA, that he loved with all his heart, his brother Philip and wife Marty Tamasese of Broken Arrow , OK; his sisters Diana Tamasese and husband Keni Rimoni of Berrien Springs, MI; and Jennifer Rose Tusalava Kuaea of Del Rio, TX.
Moe had four nephews: Morrow Alexander Tamasese; Kenric and Kristian Rimoni; and
Kai Smith. He also had two nieces: Anacristina Tamasese and Keiana Smith.
Moe was blessed to have many friends that he loved dearly and he considered them family. They knew him as having a generous heart and would always greet you with "Hey, man!" or "Hi, Sis!" and a contagious smile. He would always remind his son Philip every night before Philip went to bed that "Jesus loves you son."
Moe's celebration of life services were held at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary at 600 Central Ave on May 4, 2013 at 8:30 am. Services were officiated by his uncles: Rev. Andy Leavasa of Lakewood, CA, and Rev. Moegagogo Tamasese of San Francisco, CA. Words of comfort were given by Julian Chaveste of Santa Paula,CA.
Moe was laid to rest at Bardsdale Cemetary in Fillmore, CA.

Heber Kent Jones (1930-2013)

Our dear husband, father and grandfather, Kent Jones, returned to the high country May 13. Kent was born in Heber City, Utah, Feb. 25, 1930, to Elisha Warren Jones and Hannah Cecelia Crook Jones, who taught him the goodness of life. As a young farm boy he loved herding sheep with his dad.
He attended Heber City schools, graduating from Wasatch High before serving in the L.D.S. Southern States mission from 1950-1952. Immediately after, he served his country for two years during the Korean Conflict. Kent graduated from Brigham Young University in 1960, married Carol Diane Wheldon (later divorced), and taught school for 27 years at Fillmore Jr. High School in Fillmore California, serving as president of the Fillmore Teachers Association. He married Marlene Easterwood in 1973. They were sealed in the Los Angeles temple in 1978. He returned to Heber City in 1987 to begin a 21-year career as a utilities system manager on the Uinta National Forest. This he truly enjoyed, believing that being in the forest is the best therapy a man can have.
Kent served in several L.D.S bishoprics, on the high council and in other stake and ward positions. He was a Dutch oven chef and member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers.
Kent is survived by Marlene, his wife of 40 wonderful years, children Chad (Debbie) Jones; Kenna Jones; Steve (Camilla) Conaway; Cathe (Allan) Cook; Kristi Vandenham; Josh (Steve Finau) Jones. His greatest joy was being with his wife, children, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, especially in the mountains.
Kent’s funeral will be at the L.D.S. Valley Hills 1st Ward building, at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 16. There will be a viewing beginning at 9 a.m.

Dorothy F. Spangler (1935-2013)

Dorothy F. Spangler, 78, of Fillmore passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Saturday, May 4, 2013.
Dorothy will be missed by all her family and many friends.
Dorothy was born in Piru, Calif., on January 18, 1935, to Jesse and Myrtle Baker. Dorothy attended Piru school and later graduated from Fillmore High School in 1952. Most people would remember Dorothy from her 20-plus years working as a checker at Vons in Fillmore. She loved her family and would spend most of her time with them. She enjoyed traveling with her late husband, Spike. She also spent a lot of her time reading, taking pictures, working on her computer, and researching her family history. After her husband passed away, she would spend Friday nights with her girlfriends going to dinner and watching movies. Dorothy loved listening to music and had a very eclectic taste, from Oldies to Opera. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Theodore Baker and Bessie Myrtle Baker (Petro); sister, Nadine; brother, Raymond; husband, Delbert "Spike" Spangler; and grandson, Daniel Legan.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Pete (wife Nita) Legan of Lancaster, Calif., Kenny (wife Kathy) Legan of Montague, Calif., Nadra (husband Jim) Carricaburu of Fillmore, Calif., Karen (husband Chris) McDermott of Fillmore, Calif., and Nicky (wife Vicky) Legan of Oak Run, Calif.; brother, Bud Baker; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many honorary children. She will be truly missed by her favorite children, cats Charlie and Maggie.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, at Skillin Carroll Mortuary in Fillmore. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, at Bardsdale Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 600 Central Ave., Fillmore, phone 524-0744.

Ernest Herman Hurd, a long time Fillmore, California resident, known to many as Ernie or Paka, died at home in Denver, Colorado on April 26, 2013. He was born on February 9, 1919 in Cosmospolis, Washington to Theodore Truman Hurd and Edith Atkinson Hurd. Ernie’s father died at an early age, leaving his wife with their two young sons to care for. Ernie eventually went to live with Helen Doty, a kind hearted widow lady that needed help on her small farm outside of Eugene, Oregon while his older brother, Theodore Sheldon remained with his mother at her parent’s home in Eugene. Mrs. Doty became “Aunt Helen” to Ernie and her only son Max helped influence him to further his education at a university.
Ernie was in junior high school when he and another student, Nelson Treadway were challenged to build a telescope as a class project and before graduating from high school in Eugene, Oregon, their telescope was the only one completed. While in high school, Ernie also learned code and earned a radio operators license, which benefited him later in his career. He also learned to play the harmonica and he and his pal Nelson, both became quite accomplished playing duets together. They played on the radio at the college station in Corvallis, Oregon, winning accolades with their harmonicas.
Ernie was a second year engineering student at the Oregon State University in Corvallis when he had to drop out due to lack of funds. He then learned radio electronics at a vocational school in Eugene and from there started teaching code to men at the United States Naval station in Seattle, Washington to become qualified radio operators. When this teaching program closed, Ernie was offered a Chief Petty Officers commission but instead went into working for the Civil Aeronautics Association, beginning a series of civilian assignments with the CAA. He worked in Butte, Montana, Minchumina, Alaska, and Palmyra Island in the South Pacific and with assignments on all the islands of Hawaii after World War II ended.
Ernie met his future wife, Marvis Jean Robinson on board the steamship USS Matsonia, when he was coming home on furlough. Marvis had been vacationing in Hawaii and was returning to her home in Fillmore, California. They married July 27, 1946, in Fillmore, a marriage which lasted fifty-one years, until her death in 1997. Ernie and Marvis made their first home in Honolulu, Hawaii, while Ernie continued his work in civil aeronautics. Shortly afterwards, Marvis’s father, in declining health, asked if he would return to California to learn and take over the Robertson family citrus farming business. So Ernie resigned and they moved to Bardsdale, near Fillmore. While farming was always a challenge, he loved the work and was always available in helping others. Marvis and Ernie became the parents to two sons, Mark and Chris. A son, Barry, died in infancy.
While Ernie had no architectural or building experience, he was instrumental in the drafting and construction of the beach house in 1976. In addition to operating the family citrus farming business, he was active in his church. He joined the Bardsdale United Methodist church shortly after he and Marvis moved to Fillmore from Hawaii, remaining faithful to its teachings during his entire lifetime. He served in various capacities within the church and was a member of the board of trustees for many years.
Ernie was a member of and served as Master of the Fillmore Masonic Lodge. He served as chairman of the Bardsdale school board as well as chairman of the Farm Bureau Citrus committee. He was a member of SPEBSQSA, a barbershop harmony singing group, in both the Ventura and Oxnard chapters, serving as their president for many years. For thirty-five years, Ernie was a science judge for schools at the city, county and state levels. He was instrumental in the operation and maintenance of several water boards for the Bardsdale community, until leaving the area a few years ago.
In 1978, they held a meeting with the remaining family members within the Robertson ranch, and it was decided to sell the property and retire. Ernie and Marvis then travelled extensively to various countries around the world, including a visit to Vienna, Austria to see the exchange student who had lived with them, when their own boys were still at home.
After the death of Marvis, he met Bonnie Nijenhuis on an airline flight, and they married in 2000. Until Ernie’s health prevented it, they both continued to travel. For a time, they divided their time between her homes Florida and Colorado, as well as his home in Bardsdale.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie of Denver, Colorado, his sons Mark Evan and his wife Sharon of Fillmore and Christopher Thomas and his wife Anne of Firebaugh, California, step-daughter Diana Hawkins of Show Low, Arizona, step-son Brent Mickey of Oldsmar, Florida, grandsons Chad (Jennifer), Neal (Carrie Ann), Kevin (Allison) and Dusty (Sarah) Hurd. Also surviving are step-grandchildren Jamie, Trevor and Hannah Hawkins, Austin and Devon Mickey and great-grandchildren Kylie, Justin, Gannon, Yetta, Moriah, Griffin, and Duncan Hurd. Step-great-grandchildren are Emily and Ethan Burroughs.
His Memorial service is to be held at the Bardsdale United Methodist church, 1498 Bardsdale Avenue, Fillmore, California on the 6th of May at 11:00 o’clock. A luncheon reception follows. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the above church or to any community food bank in his memory.

Kerry Weber Balden (1958-2012)

Kerry Weber Balden (May 11, 1958 - May 9, 2012), 53, died May 9, 2012 in his home in Seabrook, TX. Mr. Balden was born in Santa Paula, CA to James and Patricia Wilson Balden. He was a graduate of Filmore High School, class of 1976. He and his siblings spent many happy weekend and summer visits at their grandparents’ beach house in Mussel Shoals, CA.

As a young adult, Kerry worked in the maritime industry. Eventually he moved to Hawaii and worked as chief engineer for a firm in the Honolulu Harbor. While in Hawaii he met his wife Maureen Smith Balden. After marrying in Hawaii, the couple relocated and has lived in Seabrook, TX since 1992.
Kerry was an active member and volunteer at the Bay Area Club in League City and the Wheel House in Deer Park. He owned and operated Balden Construction during all of his Texas years.

Kerry was an exceptional athelete. During his youth, he played baseball, basketball, football, and ran track on the local teams in Fillmore where he grew up. He often won awards, and appeared in the area newspapers for his atheletic achievements. During his years at Fillmore High, he was a star on his high school football, basketball, and track teams. He received the honor being his football team’s MVP. But those who knew him will not be surprised that he was also given the distinction of earning the “Most Ejections from High School Basketball Games” award, as well as being voted “The Boy the Girls Most Wanted to be Stranded on a Deserted Island With!” As a father, he continued his passion for sports as he watched his sons play local team sports as both a coach and a spectator.
Kerry was an avid fisherman, and when the flounder were running, fishing often became a distraction from everything else. Until recently, Kerry found great pleasure in trying to get a tiny white ball into a small cup on the greens of beautiful golf courses from Hawaii to Texas and beyond. His newest passion was Nascar, and he could be found most every Saturday and Sunday watching one race or another. He even got to attend Nascar in person at Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway.
Kerry was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents. He is survived by his wife Maureen, and two sons, Kerry James, 20, and Shea Evans, 17; his father James Evans Balden and stepmother Elaine Balden of Altadena, CA; his siblings Patrick, Laura Balden Clauson, Michael, Justine Blanton, Alana Balden and Skyla Balden; his numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and too many friends to name.

For those who prefer making a donation to sending flowers, the family has established the Kerry Weber Balden Memorial “Fix-It” Fund to benefit ongoing building maintenance and lawn care at the Bay Area Club, as this was Kerry’s weekly service project and his great passion. Donations to this fund may be sent directly by check to the Bay Area Club, 2111 Webster St. League City, TX 77573, specifying Kerry’s name in the memo. Donations are fully tax deductible.
 Condolences may be sent to the Balden Family, PO Box 813, Seabrook, TX 77586.

Although full funeral services were held at the time of Kerry’s death at his hometown in Texas, the family felt that a service local to Fillmore at this one year anniversary would be fitting as well.
On May 11, 2013, one year after his death, and on Kerry’s 55th birthday, there will be a brief memorial service held at 11:00 am at the Bardsdale Cemetery. Immediately following the service there will be a BBQ at John and Debbie Perkins home. All are invited

Felipe Luis Quezada (1941-2013)

Felipe Luis Quezada, 72, of Tujunga, CA, was called to the Lord on April 18, 2013. Many of his friends called him, Phil. He was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, on February 6, 1941, to loving parents Luis B Quezada (deceased) and Luz V Quezada. Phil graduated from Fillmore High School in 1960 and attended Ventura College and CSUN, and received his Masters from UCLA. He proudly served his country in the US Army Reserves.
Phil married the love of his life, Rosa Maria Aguirre in 1968, and had three beautiful and successful daughters, Rosa Maria, Rebeca Leticia, and Veronica Ruth.
Phil worked for Price Waterhouse & Co. before starting his own CPA firm, from which he retired.
Felipe is survived by his mother, Luz Quezada, his loving wife Rosa Maria, his daughters, Rosie, Becky, and Veronica, his son-in-laws, Donald, Brian, Michael, his two grandsons Jacoby and Easton, his sister Lucy and her husband Ricardo, his nephews Richie and David, his nieces Andrea, Amber, and Isabella, as well as many cousins, God-children, and friends.
The Quezada Family would like to publicly acknowledge the staff at Cedars-Sinai for their care. We would particularly like to thank and express our gratitude to Dr. Keith Klein, Felipe's primary physician, for all the loving, compassionate care he provided throughout Felipe's stay in the hospital.
Services will be
Rosary: Thursday April 25, 2013 at 7:00pm
Funeral: Friday April 26, 2013 at 11:30am
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
7315 Apperson St.
Tujunga, CA 91042
818-352-3218

W.L “Dub” Vossler (1922-2013)

Dub passed away peacefully, at the age of 90, after a short struggle with kidney disease. Family and friends gave him encouragement and love during his illness, hoping he would stay with us, but he had other plans.
He was born in Duke, Okla., to Lon and Bertha Vossler, and his family later moved to Texas. He would laugh at the times in his teen years when he and friends would hop on a freight train and ride the rails to any destination the train was going, knowing what lay in store for him when he got home days later!
Dub was always a hard worker, starting when he was still a boy, and worked on his uncle’s farm, planting and picking cotton or crop of the season, but still finding time to sneak off and take a dip in the reservoir on hot summer days. He worked at the Armor Meat Packing Plant in Ft. Worth, Texas, and then in 1939 he moved to Fillmore, where he worked at the M.O.D. Packing Plant, receiving and packing oranges. He would also go out into the groves and tent the trees when it was time to fumigate them for citrus pests, a job that he called dirty and backbreaking.
It was also in 1939 that he met Joyce Patterson, and it became a wartime romance that led into a union of 70 years. They were married in Las Vegas in 1941, and soon moved to Long Beach to help the WWII effort at the shipyards and Douglas Aircraft. Dub was inducted into the U.S Army in 1943, where he served in the South Pacific Islands of New Caldonia, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and New Guinea as an aviation engineer, maintaining fuel storage facilities for aviation fuel, diesel for ships, and regular gasoline for vehicles (total storage facility, 5 million gals). At the end of his military service in 1946, he held the rank of Tech. Sergeant 4.
Returning to Fillmore after WWII, he went to work for Texaco as a meter man. He and Joyce build their first home, raised a son and 2 daughters there, and then he decided to take early retirement in 1979, after 33 years with Texaco. They moved to Sheridan, Montana, where they build their second home. He had a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and loved to hunt, fish, camp in Montana, he was able to go on cattle drives riding his one-man horse, Babe. He liked to read the old West stories by Louis L’amour, sometimes more than one or twice. Having lived a full life, he always had a funny story to tell on himself or one of his hunting buddies. They made many lifelong friends during their 23 years in Montana, and after moving to Fillmore once again, they continued to travel back to Big Sky country.
Dub was preceded in death a year ago by his wife of 70 years, Joyce; his parents, five brothers and three sisters; grandson, Michael Vossler; Great-grandson, Joshua Chaves; and great-great granddaughter Jordan Willeford.
Survivors include daughter and sons-in-laws, Linda and Jerry Crockett, and Nancy and Raymond Cervantez, all from Fillmore; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sherry Vossler of Lowell, Ore; Brother, Calvin Vossler of Leakey, Texas; Granddaughters, Jennifer Crockett of Oklahoma City, Ok., and Teresa Blankenship of Sonora, Ca.; grandsons Kelly Brown of Ojai, and Casey (Anne) Brown of Tulare, Ca.; Great-grandchildren Rachel Chavez, Brittany, Taylor and Kelsie Brown, and Julian and Brennan Brown; great-great grandson Devin Willeford and many niece and nephews.
Another of America’s “Greatest Generation” is gone.
Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 600 Central Ave, Fillmore. Graveside will be held on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 10 a.m., at Bardsdale Cemetery.

Virginia Real Ortiz (1931-2013)

Virginia Real Ortiz, a Piru native and long-time Fillmore resident, went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2013. Virginia left us peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
The mother of 11 children, grandmother of 28 and great-grandmother of 32 and great-great-grandmother of 1, will always be remembered for her full, loving heart.
Born in Camarillo on June 25, 1931 to Joe and Lillie Real, Virginia was the seventh of eleven Real children. She attended school, and then fell head over heels in love with Fred Ortiz, her husband of 60 years, father of her children and lifelong dance partner.
In addition to raising a large family, Virginia worked for the Piru Citrus Association for many, many years until she retired.
Virginia was happiest when dancing, spending time with her family, toasting a good meal with the Thursday night dinner crew and spending quality time with all of her many family and friends.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Fred, son baby Larry, mother and father, Lillie and Joe Real, stepfather Pete Torres, brothers Joe, Alex, Billy, Fred and Dickie, sister Irene and sister in law, Mary, who will now rejoice with her in Heaven.
Virginia is survived by her sisters, Emily and Pete Cervantes, Lucille and Larry Ford, Alma and Raymond Ponce and brother George Real. Children, Patricia Ortiz, Linda and Robert Mackey, Fred and Irma Ortiz, David and Colleen Ortiz, Julia and Don Winters, Richard and Robyn Ortiz, Fernando Ortiz, Francis and John Aitken, Robert and Melissa Ortiz and Ramona and Harrell Moore. Grandchildren Michael, Josh, Leanne, Rene, Brandi, Freddy, Richard, Martina, Sandra, Jaymee, DJ, Samantha, Darlene, David, Tony, Nick, Tiffany, Caitlin, Fernando, Luke, Taylor, Robyn, Ashlee, Cat, Brittany, Zachary, Destiney and Joseph; 32 Great grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, Nathan.
Known as "Mom", "Nana", "Honey", "Tia" and "Huera", she'll forever be in our hearts.
A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 17, at San Salvador Mission Parish, 4045 Center Street in Piru. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 Ventura Street in Fillmore. Committal & Interment will follow at Bardsdale Cemetery.
Special thanks to Assisted Living Hospice staff, (and Nurse Sherry), and to all that was here in our time of need.
For map and directions to all ceremony locations and to sign the family's online guestbook, share stories and post pictures please visit www.mysantapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Virginia’s name located below “Recent Obituaries”.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned & Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Svcs., Santa Paula; 229-7054

Phillip Lee Morales (1945-2013)

Phillip Lee Morales of Fillmore, passed away on Monday April 8,2013 in the presence of his family. He was 67 years old. At the time of his passing he was living in the Antelope Valley with his only daughter, Natasha Morales Westbrook, son-in-law Scott Westbrook IV, and granddaughters Dajza, Suzanne, and Sarah. Phillip was hospitalized since November 2012 after suffering a major heart attack and never gave up a fight. He was a character and utilized humor to mask his pain.
He was born on August 31, 1945 to Raymond Salazar Morales and Mary Videgain Morales of Fillmore. Both preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter Natasha Morales Westbrook, son-in-law Scott, granddaughters Dajza, Sarah, Suzanne, two sisters Dorothy Sandoval and Linda Alba, nephews, nieces, and numerous of cousins.
To the numerous friends and family that were with him in his final journey. Words cannot express how thankful we are for your love, patience, and support.
As my father would say in his singing voice “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”. Till we meet again dad, grandpa, cousin, uncle, and friend.
For those who plan on attending services, please wear colorful clothing. Preferably no black. Funeral information is as follows:
Sunday 4/21/13
Skillen Carroll Mortuary, 600 W. Central Avenue Fillmore, Ca
Viewing 4-7pm, Rosary 7pm
Monday 4/22/13
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1048 Ventura St Fillmore, Ca
10 am Mass, followed by burial at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Leonard William Boynton (1942-2013)

Leonard William Boynton of Fillmore, California passed away at home in the evening of March 24th at the age of 71. Leonard was born in Oxnard, California on March 6th 1942 to the late Fred and Nathalie Boynton. He has three brothers Kenny, Lowell, and Wes. He graduated Fillmore High School in 1961 and received an Associate’s Degree at Ventura College. He started working at Western Auto during high school where he met his wife Linda Cole. They were married August 24th 1968 and had two children David and Cynthia. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, exploring caves, and walking along the beach looking at tide pools. One of his greatest joys in life was to play with, and help raise his three grandchildren Katie, Julie and Dakota. He retired in June 2008 from the Bardsdale Cemetery District.
A viewing will be held at Charles Carroll Funeral Home (15 Teloma Drive, Ventura) on March 29th from 11am – 12:30pm with services to follow at 1pm.

Mary Laurine Gaither (1932-2013)

Services for Mary Laurine Gaither, 80 of Eucha, OK formally of Healdton will be 2:00 PM Tuesday March 26, 2013 at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Healdton, with Bro. Chad Barron officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home.

Mary was born October 5, 1932 in Anson, Texas to Sam and Clemme “Blackerby” Garvin. She passed from this life Friday March 22, 2013 in Tulsa OK.

Mary was raised and attended school in Anson, she was a cheerleader while in school, graduating from Anson High School. She married Cecil D. Gaither in 1962. Mary lived in several different places including Texas, Japan, Germany, Oklahoma, New Mexico and California. She was a civil service worker, bookkeeper, wife, mother and homemaker. She like quilting, sewing, painting and she collected Barbies and spoons.

Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother and will be remembered with respect and great love. We were all lucky to have had her in our lives, to have known her and to have been loved by her. She loved us, supported us, took care of us, played with us and taught us to laugh.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, grandchildren Amanda Miller and Danny Cox; sisters Aileen Baxter and Jane Hodnet, one brother Sammy Garvin.

She is survived by her children Carol and Sonny Fennel, Kingston; Doyle Gaither, Kingston; Dianne and Jess Ary, Eucha; Donna and Butch Miller, Tuttle; Patti and Arlen Kirchoff, Victoria, MN; Shane and Kim Morgan, Henderson, KY and Carl and Tracy Gaither, Fillmore, CA; 22 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren and 2 brothers Joe Garvin and Ron Garvin.

Pallbearers are David Miller, Michael Miller, Roger Mohan, Jessie Ary, Samuel J. Ary, Brandon Morgan, Colby Morgan, Andrew Timms, Cole Asher, Justin Estep and Ryan Estep.

Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.robertsfuneralhomes.us

Roy Benjamin Molina (1943-2013)

Born July 22, 1943 to Ben and Mary Molina passed away peacefully on Saturday March 9, 2013 in Fillmore after a courageous battle with cancer.

A life long resident of Piru, ca he attended Piru and Fillmore schools. A family grocer/butcher, artist and sign painter.

He was preceded in death by his father Ben. He is survived by his mother Mary, son Richard, granddaughter Abreyana, brother Danny (Sandy) nephews Ryan Cory, Saeuray niece Raeven and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Roy enjoyed shooting pool and spending time with his friends talking politics in his spacious backyard (Piru canyon) all the way to blue point.

Appreciation and thanks to all the wonderful caregivers, we received compassionate care from Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital, Fillmore Convalescent Center and Hospice Care.

A memorial service will be held Friday 10:00am March 22, 2013 at San Salvador Church, 4051 Center St., Piru, Ca.

Maria Perez (1931-2013)

Surrounded by her devoted family, longtime Fillmore resident María Pérez passed away peacefully on March 8, 2013 at Santa Paula Hospital, following a lengthy illness.
She was born María Francisca Morales Márquez on October 4, 1931 in San Juan de Dios, Michoacán, México, the second of 11 children born to the late Adolfo Morales and the late Eulalia Márquez de Morales.
Growing up, poverty did not allow for any formal education so she spent her early years learning a strong work ethic that would serve her the rest of her life. She married the late Enrique Pérez and immigrated to Brownsville, Texas in the late 1950’s where she found work as a domestic and in a local restaurant. Soon after the birth of their first child, Enrique Pérez Jr., the family relocated to California where daughters Norma and Sylvia were born.
María Pérez was an admirable and honorable woman, described by her son as “tough as nails.” She would do anything for her children. From cleaning houses and offices to picking oranges and strawberries, or even picking up cans for recycling to earn a couple of dollars, she did the hard work necessary to keep her children fed, clothed and safe.
Despite her lack of formal education she had an architect’s eye and an engineer’s mind. She put many a macho male contractor to shame by calling them out when they tried to take short-cuts on her various building projects.
She loved the ocean and on weekends would often pack up her children and her fishing gear and head to the beaches and jetties of Ventura or Oxnard. She was skilled with a fishing pole and a crab net and would sell some of her catch to her neighbors or prepare delicious dishes such as empanadas de jaiba to sell and to enjoy with her children. She was also very artistic and, in her later years, took great pleasure in drawing and painting at her adult daycare program.
María will be missed in so many ways by her three children: Enrique Pérez Jr., Norma Pérez-Sandford (husband Art) and Sylvia Pérez. She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Nicolás, Arthur and Carina Sandford and Caitlin Clark. She also leaves behind her brothers José and Juan and sisters Amparo, Otilia, María, Juana and Elena along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in California and México. She was predeceased by her brother Gonzalo and sisters Ana and Santos.
María had been in poor health for the last few years and, while the grief of losing her is so real and occasionally so overwhelming, there is also great comfort in knowing that her physical pains and emotional suffering have finally ended.
Funeral Services were held for María on Tuesday, March 12 & Wednesday, March 13 at San Salvador Parish Church in Piru.
To sign the family's online guest book, share stories and post pictures please visit our website: www.mysantpaulafuneralhome.com and click on Maria's name located below "Recent Obituaries".
Gracias por todo, Madrecita. Que la bendición de la Santísima Virgen siempre la acompañe, dondequiera que ande.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned & Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr Funeral Svcs., Santa Paula. 805.229.7054.

Raymond Dale Pennington (1942~2013)

In Loving Memory of Raymond Dale Pennington
Raymond Dale Pennington passed away peacefully on January 14, 2013 in his home in San Diego CA, at the age of 70. Raymond Dale was born March 17, 1942, in Charleston, AR to Elmo and Violet (Henderson) Pennington. The family moved to Piru, CA in 1951, where he attended grade school and Fillmore High School. He resided in Ventura County for most of his years then moved to San Diego, CA in 2002. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Violet (Henderson) Pennington; brother Dwain Pennington, and sisters Alberta (Robin) Marks and Linda Roberts. He is survived by his brother Norris Pennington of Fillmore, CA; daughters Rebecca Ann deSilva (husband Bryan) of Cave Creek, AZ; Judi Lyn Kemery (husband William) of San Diego, CA and son Brian Dale Pennington (wife Bernadette) of Bakersfield, CA. He was also “Papa” to his 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was a son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend with a big heart who lived life large and loved his family very much. His life has brought many cherished memories to us all and he will be forever in our hearts. The memorial service will be held Saturday, March 23 at 11:00. Location: Faith Community Church, 461 Central Ave, Fillmore, CA 93015; phone 805-524-3344. A potluck luncheon for family and friends will be held immediately following the memorial service at 16812 South Mountain RD. Santa Paula CA 93060