04-19-02obituaries

Margaret Leslie Mercer Randall, 89, of Ojai, died Sunday, April 14, 2002, at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She was born Oct. 23, 1912, in Ventura, and had lived in Ojai for the last 52 years. She was a lifelong Ventura County resident.
Mrs. Randall was a deacon at the Ojai Presbyterian Church and was involved with the women's group. Her interests included gardening, baking and designing and making her clothes.
She is survived by her husband, George A. Randall, sons George H. "Randy," Joe and Robb Randall, daughter Marcena Brook, and brothers Herbert Mercer and Ben Mercer, all of Ojai; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside gathering is being held today at 11 a.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the former home of Alex and Rita Mercer, 197 E. Villanova Road, Ojai.
In lieu of flowers, send your love.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.

Helena B. Ekroth

Helena B. Ekroth, 96, died Sunday, April 14, 2002. She was born Jan. 18, 1906, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had lived in Oak View for almost three years, coming from Glendale, Calif.
She is survived by her daughters, Joan Anderson of Lompoc, Calif., and Barbara Kuperman of Woodland Hills, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, William J. Ekroth, M.D., in 1996.
Friends may call Thursday, April 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.
A graveside service will be held Monday, April 22, at noon at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, and a memorial service will be held Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at the Ojai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor David Smith officiating at both services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ojai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 291 E. El Roblar Drive, Ojai, CA 93023.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.

Dennis Shannon Ford

Dennis Shannon Ford passed away peacefully on April 11, 2002, with family and friends by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Linda (Yogi); parents Boyd and Maxine; brother Martin; sister-in-law Marcia and nephew Travis of Ventura; brother Brian, sister-in-law Tina, nephew Kevin and nieces Shelley and Cara of Mission Viejo; and many other loving family members and friends.
Dennis was born in Ventura, California, on June 18, 1953. He grew up in Ojai and graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1972. Later he attended Ventura and Cuesta Colleges and graduated from California State University at Northridge. Dennis had a wide variety of interests. He enjoyed the outdoors, mountain biking, road cycling, hiking and hunting. He served on the Ojai Parks and Recreation Commission and was active in the Ojai Art Center, both working on the sets and acting in several productions. He worked for five years with his father in the insurance business and as a wine steward at The Ranch House Restaurant in Ojai for over 20 years. Dennis especially liked working with young people. He coached basketball at the Boyd Club in Ojai and refereed throughout Ventura County. After earning his teaching degree he coached and taught physical education at Hawthorne High School and at Robert Frank Intermediate School in Oxnard for the last four years.
His love of travel took him to Europe, Central America, Africa, and many destinations in the United States. His optimism and dedication to family and friends will be a source of strength to all who knew him.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2002 at the Ojai Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all the doctors and nurses who cared for Dennis.
In lieu of flowers, and in consideration of Dennis's lifelong passion for athletics and youth, the family requests that donations be made to the Dennis Ford Memorial Scholarship, care of: Ojai Valley Bank, 1207 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai, CA 93023, and/or the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation, 1306 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai, CA 93023.

Loraine Howard

Loraine Howard, 89, of Oxnard, died Monday, April 15, 2002. She was born Nov. 1, 1912, in Friend, Neb. She lived in the Ojai Valley for five years and was a 72-year Ventura County resident, coming from San Bernardino County.
Mrs. Howard had been a nurse's aide.
She was a member of the Santa Clara Catholic Church in Oxnard, and a member of the Gem and Mineral Society, the Orchid Society, and the Young Ladies Institute of the Santa Clara Church.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Darlene Howard, of Idaho; daughter and son-in-law Aldine and Paul Hennigan of Oak View; sister Margaret Allen of Oxnard; sisters and brothers-in-law Lena and Robert Ware of Auburn, Anne and Buzz DeBord of Washington, and Nell and Chet Miles of Oregon; brother and sister-in-law Arthur and Viola Crowley of Riverside; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Howard, in 1995.
Visitation was held Thursday, April 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with the rosary recited at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, with Father Gary Sanders, OSA, officiating. Interment will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic church of choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Nell D. Wojnas

Nell D. Wojnas, 94, of Ojai, died Sunday, April 14, 2002, in Ojai after a brief illness. She was born Oct. 25, 1907, in Poland, and had lived in Ojai for 33 years.
Ms. Wojnas worked as a payroll agent for the New York State School System in Rome, N.Y., and moved to Ojai when she retired in 1969.
Her interests included reading, tennis and playing bridge.
She was the oldest of four sisters and a brother. All her siblings predeceased her.
She is survived by four nieces and one nephew.
Visitation was held Thursday, April 18, at noon, followed by a service at 1 p.m., at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Father Michael McFadden, OSA, officiated. Interment followed at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.