"We sincerely appreciate your help in pre-planning the funeral arrangements. This made the funeral easier for all of us. I especially appreciate your professional and straight forward approach to a difficult transition for us. The funeral was a comfort and we thank you for ensuring every detail was covered."
Sincerely,
Jan Howard
Virginia was born in Athens Louisiana on Sept 19th, 1923 to the parents of Drew and Jeanette Blackstock. She had a brother, Henry and a sister, Geraldine. She moved to Orange County California with her family in 1928. Virginia married Eugene Baskins in 1939. She had three children, Larry, Audrey and Marrietta,11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. Virginia worked in the Aerospace industry for >40 years. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and loved to bowl. Virginia lived in Hawthorne, California from 1950 until 2006. When she was no longer able to live alone, Virginia moved to Huntington Beach, CA to live with her son Larry and his wife Pat. Virginia lived a very blessed life and went to be with our Lord in Heaven on Thursday May 9th 2013 at 1:17 pm. She was surrounded by her loving family during her last days and passed away peacefully with her granddaughter and great granddaughter at her side. She was preceded in death by her grandson, David Baskins, her husband Eugene Baskins, her sister Geraldine Randazzio and her brother Henry Blackstock. Rest in peace Virginia. You will live in our hearts forever. Viewing and service will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, CA. read more...
Anita Kathryn Bennyhoff Maiden Name: Robertson DOB: 09/21/30 Birthplace: Kuttawa, Kentucky Age: 82 Resided in Orange Park Acres, Ca. Date of Death: 05/13/13 Place of Death: Home Anita was passionate about Orange Park Acres, where she had resided since 1968, and all of Orange County's rural areas. She was a leader in efforts to minimize developer impact on the country environment and equestrian character. She used her monthly newspaper “The Foothills Sentry,” which she co-founded in 1969, to keep residents informed and politicians on their toes for 44 years. Decades before ultra-local news sites and bloggers began proliferating online, she, her husband Bob Bennyhoff and the staff provided a unique mixture of peppery editorials, local restaurant reviews and society news, as well as detailed reports on school district, fire authority, city and county business. They were particularly concerned about unabated proposals to develop their beloved foothills and nearby canyon communities. Both attended hundreds of zoning and planning meetings, and sometimes published detailed blueprints of projects on the front page. "I think people move here because they're tired of constant change and being uptight," Anita said in a 1998 interview. "They like the slow, live-and-let-live pace of life we have here." Anita was surrounded by wonderful people in her life, including the great team that helped her produce the Foothills Sentry and friends, associates and cohorts who often dropped by to discuss local issues and shenanigans and ended up staying for coffee or happy hour. You always knew just where you stood and just what you got with Anita, and she was loved for that cheerful honesty. Anita was also very loved by her family: daughters Lesley Gregory of Temecula; Gretchen (Jeff) Cox of Fullerton; Allison (Steven) Dietz of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Chelsey Gregory, Taylor Cox, Ruby and Abraham Dietz; sister Marion (Bill) Heiden of Anaheim: three nephews and their families; and of course, donkey Sweet Pea, the Sentry’s mascot. Anita was preceded in death by her husband Bob and daughter Amanda Joyner. Services will be held Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Orange Park Acres. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support the Foothills Sentry's contribution to the community by taking out an annual subscription to the paper. This will allow the dedicated Sentry team to continue their important work. http://www.foothillssentry.com/ for more info. read more...
Ella Meissinger Cochran, January 22, 1919 – May 2, 2013. Ella passed away peacefully May 2, 2013 with her daughter by her side. Ella was born in Greeley, CO. She was the fourth of six children born to German parents who emigrated from Russia in 1913. When Ella was 4 years old, the entire Meissinger family moved from Greeley to Flint, Michigan. Ella learned to play the organ at 13 yrs. of age and was the first in her family to graduate from high school. In 1945 she married Walter Cochran and moved to Santa Ana, CA. In 1948 they moved to Tustin where they made their home and raised their daughter for the last 65 years. Working right alongside Walter, in 1961 they began building the largest independent Auto Service Center in Orange County at that time. Ella was Walter’s No.1 supporter, secretary, bookkeeper, wife and most importantly a mother to Cheryl. Ella’s proudest accomplishment in life was her daughter Cheryl, “her hatzia”. Ella is survived by her daughter Cheryl King and son-in-law, Wayne King of Tustin, CA, many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Walter, four brothers; Fred Meissinger, Flint, MI.; Peter Meissinger, Big Bear City, CA.; Henry Meissinger, Santa Ana, CA, Edward Meissinger, Flint, MI., and one sister, Lydia Lytle, Anaheim, CA. Ella and Walter were active members of the Orange County Vintage Chevrolet Club of America (OCVCCA). For many years, they enjoyed friends and activities in the OCVCCA. Ella was the first to organize a women’s luncheon for the National Convention of the VCCA in Downingtown, PA. In retirement she and Walter traveled throughout the United States in their “Chevrolet”, making friends wherever they were. Ella’s favorite vacation though, was on a cruise ship. She often said, she would like to get a job on a cruise ship. Ella volunteered for 20 years at Western Medical Center in the gift shop, made thousands of quilts and crocheted baby blankets for the neonatal unit. Ella received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008. She enjoyed life, shopping, eating out, but most of all she enjoyed her swing on the porch and laughing with her daughter and friends, telling stories and jokes. She was a member of Red Hill Lutheran Church most of her life. Ella’s family and friends have been very blessed with lots of memories, but most of all she has always tried to make us laugh. Even if she was the one we were laughing at – that was ok! She always said she had a good time somewhere, because there were lots of laughs. Keep ‘em laughing Ella. read more...
June 2, 1922-April 24, 2013 Neal Ellis Jameson, age 90, of Orange, died Wednesday at Quaker Gardens in Stanton, Calif., from complications of lung disease. He leaves his wife of 62 years, two children, and two grandchildren. A fourth generation Californian, Mr. Jameson was born on June 2, 1922, to Nelly Stockton Jameson and Roy George Jameson. He was the fifth of nine children. Mr. Jameson grew up in Los Angeles, where he graduated from Polytechnic High School. He joined the marines out of high school, and served as a fighter pilot during World War II. He met his wife, Agnes (Nancy) Smith McCormack, on the island of Okinawa, Japan, where she was serving as an army nurse. The couple married in Scranton, Penn., in 1948, and made their home in Hollywood. Mr. Jameson was called for a second tour of duty, and served in the Korean War as a helicopter evacuation pilot. He rescued soldiers who were shot down in enemy territory, and carried a sense of gratefulness afterward . “Men are alive because of me.” He earned a distinguished flying medal and was honorably discharged as a major. Afterward, in 1954, he started working as a machinist for FMC, then called Chicksan, in Brea. He was quickly promoted and eventually worked as a senior design engineer. In the early 1960s, his company transferred him to Sens, France, where he moved his wife and young family and lived for three years. He returned to the United States, settling in Orange, in 1964 where he and his wife lived until they moved into assisted living in Stanton last May. As a mechanical engineer, he designed ship-to-shore equipment that delivered fuel and other fluids to ships at sea. His designs resulted in more than two dozen patents during his 32 years at the company. A quiet, gentle man, known for saying few words that were always worth hearing, Mr. Jameson enjoyed camping and fishing. He is remembered not only for his service to his country, and his contributions to the field of engineering, but also for his service to his community, his church, and his family. Mr. Jameson is survived by his wife, Nancy; his two children Craig Allen Jameson, and Nancy Marnell (Marni) Jameson; two grandchildren, Paige Elizabeth Roth and Marissa Campbell Roth; daughter-in- law, Chiqeeta Verban Jameson; son-in-law, Daniel John Roth and loving friends. Services will be held 2:30, Monday, April 29, at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, in Santa Ana, where he will be buried. Donations in his memory may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church of Orange. read more...
Robert K. Lowry, 85, of Santa Ana, Ca. passed away on April 30 , 2013 peacefully in his sleep. The funeral service will be held on May 10, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Waverly Chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, Ca. 92705. Bob was born in Patterson, Louisiana on April 14, 1928 and spent most of his formative years in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He graduated from Leigh University and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1952. Bob was married to his beloved wife Dawn E. Lowry on July 20, 1961. They were married 47 years before Dawn passed away in 2008. Bob's son Jim passed away in 1994. Bob worked as an engineer and entrepreneur for more than 40 years and was part of a group of businessmen that were at the forefront of the development of the computer industry in Orange County. He was the founder and key executive of Technology Marketing Inc. (TMI) which provided computer design expertise to various businesses as well as manufactured test equipment for large main frame computers. In addition Bob, along with a group of local businessmen, founded Eldorado Bank of Tustin, Ca. Bob was a true bon vivant. He enjoyed a voracious appetite for learning his entire life. He enjoyed reading in addition to researching on and tinkering with computers. He loved to travel all over the world as well as exploring his ever expanding and diverse interests. His presence will be sorely missed by his family and devoted friends. Bob is survived by his two grandchildren, Monique Dawn De La Riva; Rachel Lowry; his 5 great grandchildren; a sister Ann Newland from Minnesota; two nephews Brock and Craig Thorson; and a number of other beloved family members and friends. On Bob's behalf we would like to thank Dalisay (Dolly) Bagnes; Cecilia Bautista and Rosa Mendez for several years of loving care they provided him. The family also wishes to thank the Companion Hospice and Palliative Care Center for their compassionate care. read more...
Jose Diaz Vargas passed away on April 26, 2013 as a result of a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jose was born on January 25, 1936 in San Martin Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico. Jose was the eldest of six siblings. His father died when he was eleven years old leaving him the man of the house. At the age of 15 Jose left home in order to help support his family. He entered the United States and worked in the fields eventually he ended up driving a trash truck in Anaheim, California. He married and started a family. He entered school at the age of 25 years and earned his high school diploma at 30 years old. Jose then attended Fullerton College for the next three years. Seeking a new challenge Jose went to work for the Stanton Police Department in 1969. In 1975 he transferred to the Santa Ana Police Department where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Jose had a stellar career being recognized in 1978 as one of the outstanding police officers of the year by the International Association of Chief’s of Police. He was the first Hispanic Affairs Officer in the United States and pioneered law enforcement relations with the Hispanic community. Jose was a legend in the Spanish speaking community in Orange County and always had his door open to help anyone no matter what the problem. From 2001 to 2003 Jose served as the host of “Que Pasa con Jose” a weekly talk show focusing on Hispanic issues on Adelphia television until he could no longer communicate due to Parkinson’s. Jose is survived by 8 sons and 1 daughter. Joe and Jennifer Vargas of Corona, Ca., Richard Vargas of Azusa, Ca., Ken Vargas of San Diego, Ca., Chuck and Lisa Vargas of Long Beach, Ca., Jim and Rachel Vargas of Oceano, Ca., Phil and Frances Vargas of Corona, Ca., Jeremy and Julie Vargas of Silver Springs, Md., Danny and Jeanette Vargas-Zook of Garden Grove, Ca. and David and Erika Vargas of Kittery, Me. Jose had 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. read more...
Billy Lee Wolfe May 7, 1925 – April 25, 2013 After a brief illness and hospitalization, Bill peacefully passed away on April 25, 2013 with his family by his side. Bill was born in Cushing, Oklahoma, to Katherine (Newcome) and Charles Wolfe on May 7, 1925. Bill spent his early years in Oklahoma, Kansas, and parts of Texas. In the fall of 1943 he joined the Army Air Corp, where he was trained to be a bombardier. Through the Army he ended up in Clarion, Pennsylvania, where he met his wife, Patricia Ann (Manson) Wolfe. They were married in Long Beach, California on October 8, 1948. Pat preceded Bill in death in January, 2009. Bill finished college at UCLA in 1955 and began working as an industrial engineer throughout the Los Angeles/Long Beach areas. One of the highlights was working on the Apollo 9, Saturn V mission in 1969. In 1975, at the age of 50, he retired from the aerospace industry, and devoted his time to various real estate and business ventures. Bill was a board member at Lakewood Village Community Church and a director of their Mission board as well. He spent decades with the Vintage MG Club of Southern California and put many miles on his beloved MGs with the club. Bill leaves behind two daughters, Carol Lynn Clark (Ron) and Jenny Wolfe Schwing (Lou). He also leaves three grandsons, Matthew Lee Miller (Amy), William Louis Schwing, and Patrick Glenn Schwing as well as four great-grandsons: Dustyn, Hayden, Kamdyn and Brayden. Tina Rabe joined the family as his only granddaughter, born in our heart. We will be celebrating Bill’s life in a memorial service on May 11, 2013, at Lakewood Village Community Church at 11am. 4515 Sunfield Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90808. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Bill’s family foundation, Wolfe Foundation, for Music and Education, 4934 Lowell Avenue, La Crescenta, CA 91214. read more...
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