Charles Eugene Harris

Charles Eugene Harris answered the ultimate call to worship and went home to be with His Lord and Savior on July 1, 2009. Charlie was born on February 14, 1958 in Phoenix, AZ and was a long-time resident of Ventura County. Foremost a disciple of Christ, he was thus a man of purpose, devoted to his family and to his church, where he was an associate pastor for nearly twenty years. A faithful man, he gave liberally of his time and energy in instructing people in the Word of God and in helping his friends with computers and all things technical.
Charlie was also known for his love of soccer, heart of worship, family trips in California, and invariable straight-faced teasing with a chuckle at the end. He was well-loved by the Lord, his family, and his friends; his "most favorite" verse was Romans 8:38-39 — "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Charlie will be greatly missed by all who knew him, most significantly his wife, Karen, and two daughters, Michelle and Erin. He is also survived by his mother, Eve Stone, and siblings: Trevor Harris and family, Brenda Segal and family, and Lisa Harris. A celebration service will be held Sunday, July 19 at 4 p.m. at the Fillmore Foursquare Church, 324 Sespe Ave. Bright, cheerful attire is requested. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the family can be bestowed through the Fillmore Foursquare Church.

Joan A. Kennedy McKeown

1933-2009

Joan Kennedy McKeown born Jan 4th in Ontario Canada, residing in Fillmore passed away Tuesday June 30th at 7:26p.m. in Santa Paula Hospital surrounded by all three of her children. She passed after a brief battle with cancer.
She is survived by son Stephen McKeown of Fillmore California, Jennifer McKeown of Floyd Co. Virginia, and Shawna (McKeown) Sturm of Wausau Wisconsin, 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Virginia Sanchez Alcoser

Virginia Sanchez Alcoser, 97, of Fillmore died of old age at her home surrounded by loving family on Monday, June 29, 2009, at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Virginia was born on May 22, 1912, in Zacatecas, Mexico. She was orphaned at the age of 5, and then she, her brother and sister were sent to Fillmore, CA, to be raised by their aunt. At the age of 15 she was given in an arranged marriage to Jesus Alcoser, 20 years her senior. During their 62 years of marriage, they produced 14 children: daughter Mary Torrez (husband Chris Torrez, now deceased), residing in Fillmore, CA; daughter Vera and husband Benjamin Banuelos, residing in San Benito, TX; daughter Victoria Alcoser, residing in Lakeview Terrace, CA; Mike Alcozar and wife, Sarah, residing in Camarillo, CA; daughter Lucy and husband, Albert Villa, residing in Santa Paula, CA; son Guillermo Alcoser(stillborn); son Ralph Alcoser and wife, Amelia, residing in Fillmore, CA; daughter Irene and husband, Robert Maciel, residing in Santa Maria, CA (Irene’s first husband, Louis Rodriguez, now deceased); son William Alcoser residing in Norwalk, CA; daughter Teresa and husband, Armando Marquez, residing in San Ramon, CA; son Joe Alcoser, residing in Lomita, CA; daughter, Josephine, married to Joe Alcocer, residing in Piru, CA; daughter Jenny, married to Luis Diaz, residing in Fillmore, CA; and son Johnny Alcoser, also residing in Fillmore, CA. Through her children, Virginia was blessed with 38 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren and 40 great-great-grandchildren, the joys of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus Alcoser; brother Angel Sanchez, sister Consuelo Bueno, son Guillermo Alcoser, son-in-law Louis Rodriguez, son-in-law Chris Torrez, grandchild Julie Villa and great-grandchild Ricky Torrez.
Although Virginia herself never experienced the joy of her parents and brother and sister as a family growing up, she provided a loving and secure home for her children, finding ways to help provide for her family. Along with all that was entailed in keeping house for her family, she washed and ironed clothes for other families, watched their children, cleaned homes, baked bread and, her favorite, held garage sales. Garage sales were not only a means to earn money but a means to socialize with members of the community. Her financial and budgeting skills made it possible for the family to purchase their first home.
Virginia was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi’s community. Her strong faith and constant prayer protected her four sons while in the military and brought them home safely. She loved participating with members of her church, making tamales to raise money for the new church.
She valued our country more than most, knowing the opportunities and blessings that this country offered her and her family. She proudly displayed the American flag and was a faithful supporter of the Disabled American Veterans.
Virginia’s life was all about God, family, country and friends. Her priorities have brought value to us all and we will miss her greatly.

Virginia Sanchez Alcoser

1912 - 2009
Virginia Sanchez Alcoser, age 97, residing in Fillmore, California, passed away peacefully of old age on Monday, June 29, 2009, at approximately 9:15 p.m. in her bed, surrounded by loving family. She is survived by her thirteen children, 38 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren and 40 great-great grandchildren. A full obituary will be forthcoming. Virginia has been a long time resident and contributor to the community and church. The family welcomes all who wish to attend the funeral arrangements and reception as a way to honor and commemorate her life. Arrangements have been made as follows: Rosary Service will be held on Monday, July 7, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. at St. Frances of Assisi, 1048 West Ventura Street, Fillmore. Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Frances of Assisi. Burial will take place immediately thereafter at Bardsdale Cemetery, 1698 South Sespe, Fillmore. A reception to be held at St. Frances of Assisi hall on Tuesday, July 8, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is Perez Family Funeral Home, (805) 484-6365.

Eleanor Martinez

Eleanor Martinez passed away peacefully on June 16, 2002 in Oxnard, CA, after a long illness. Born October 22, 1924 in Piru, CA to Francisco and Andrea Lozano. Eleanor was a homemaker all her adult life. She worked for Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association for a short time in her youth.
Her sisters, Mary Nunez Gloria Ruiz, Evangeline Barron. And her brothers, Frank Lozano, Daniel Lozano and a young brother Camillo Lozano predeceased her. Eleanor married Manuel Arellanez Martinez on June 16, 1946. The day she passed away, June 16, was their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Eleanor is survived by her husband, Manuel A. Martinez, her daughters Viola Balbinot and her husband Tony of Santa Barbara, Rosalinda Preciado of Henderson, Nevada, Manuel J. Martinez, fsp, of Los Angeles, Steven Martinez of Fillmore. Also, by four grandchildren; Shawn Preciado, Christopher Preciado, of Henderson, NV and Adriana Preciado of Fillmore, also Steven Martinez, Jr. of Colorado. Also by a great- granddaughter, Mariah Holmes, of Las Vegas. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Romo of Hendersaon,NV and Raul Lozano of Pico Rivera and by several nieces, nephews.
Eleanor was a very simple no non-sense woman who, along with her husband, lovingly cared raised her family with strength and wisdom. She was a devout Catholic and was dedicated to the Holy Rosary
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, June 22, 2009 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore, CA with Most. Rev. Thomas J. Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles officiating. Burial was at Bardsdale Cemetery. Arrangements are made by Santa Clara Catholic Mortuary, Oxnard.

Toni Lea Nelson

Santa Paula
Toni Lea Nelson, 44, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Monday, June 15, 2009 with her loving husband at her side after an eight year battle with cancer. Toni was born February 24, 1965 in Carson City, Michigan to Larry Lee Meyers and Karen Kaye Beltinck.
More than anything in her life Toni was a devoted wife, daughter, sister and friend. Toni was so full of life she had inherited a unique sense of humor. She left this world greatly comforted by the belief that everyone would remember her as the witty, fun-loving, caring and affectionate woman they knew her to be. Her husband Jeff is grateful to have shared the adventurous and thrilling experience that was life with Toni.
Toni was an avid animal lover, especially cats and horse. Growing up in Michigan she was very active in 4-H. One of her favorite things at age nine was to tow her friends through the snow on toboggans using her horse. At thirteen she was barrel racing and eventually went on to win a world championship on her buckskin American Quarter Horse “Dun Deluxe” (Dundee) in 1995. Years later it was her wish to donate her horse to “Heart of a Horse” foundation that promotes the well-being of horses and teaches children the value of animals and responsibility of caring for them. Through her life Toni always had at least one cat, but usually several, since she had a real soft spot for recues. She loved to camp at the beach and Ride Mountain bikes with her Husband Jeff.
Toni is preceded in death by her, brother, Todd Meyers in, 1980. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Scott Nelson, Mother, Karen Torres and half brothers, Brent Meyers and David Meyers.
A graveside service will be held Monday, June 22, 2009 at 10:00am at Bardsdale Cemetery 1698 S. Sespe St. Fillmore, Ca 93015 with Father Tom Dome officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, CA (805) 525-3391

Marilyn Godfrey

Marilyn Godfrey passed away June 19, 2009 at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, NV. Her family was beside her. She was born Marilyn Kay Bell at Community Hospital in Ventura, CA March 26, 1949. Except for a year in Cairo, Egypt, she attended Ventura schools and graduated from Ventura High School in 1966. She immediately went to work for Bell Telephone Company and was moved up the ranks right away. She met her future husband there, married and moved to Fillmore in the late sixties.

Marilyn became a stay-at-home Mom when her son Greg was born in 1970 and didn't work until he started school. Marilyn and Loren Godfrey were very involved in the Fillmore community and volunteered for the pageant, festival and other various activities. When Marilyn became the head of the Chamber of Commerce, she worked closely with the businesses in town and worked very hard promoting Fillmore with the film industry. When Loren retired from Pacific Bell in 1991, they moved to Las Vegas and stayed there. Marilyn became very involved with women’s golf and won several tournament championships until her health prevented her from playing; she then switched to bass fishing and had a great time trolling Lake Mead. The last few years she had been working hard with the non-profit organization, Springer Spaniel Rescue. Her own rescued boy, Bandit, is missing her greatly.

She leaves behind her son Greg, his wife Tricia, and her adored grandchildren Emma and Raymond. She also leaves her sister Norma and brother-in-law Gordon, and her dear friend Mary. Following cremation, there are no services planned in Fillmore at this time.