05-10-02obituaries

Norman Brant Chandler, 49, a former Los Angeles Times executive and the first member of the fifth generation of his family to establish a career with the Los Angeles Times, has died. Otis Chandler, publisher of the paper from 1960 to 1980, said his eldest son died Friday at his home in Ojai of complications from a brain tumor.
An avid sportsman, Norman Chandler was training for a triathlon in 1989 when he collapsed and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite failing health in the past decade, he pursued photography and painting and, until recently, kept up physical therapy that included swimming. Born in San Marino, Chandler attended Polytechnic School in Pasadena and the Cate School in Carpinteria. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist when he graduated in 1970. He went on to Yale University, later transferring to Stanford, where he earned a degree in communications.
He joined the Times in 1976, working in an executive training program that included reporter assignments at overseas Times bureaus. He said years later that his experiences abroad deepened his interest in journalism and led him to rule out other professions.
When he returned to Los Angeles, he sought more experience in the newspaper's technical operations. He was named composing superintendent in 1987 and managed many departments integral to final page production.
The Chandler family controlled the Times from 1884 to 2000, when the Times and its parent company, Times Mirror, were purchased by Tribune Co.
Norman Chandler was the great-great-grandson of Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, who bought part-ownership of the Times in 1882 and served as its publisher for 35 years.
His great-grandfather was Harry Chandler, the Times' second publisher; his grandfather, Norman Chandler, was the third publisher; and his father, Otis Chandler, was the paper's fourth and last family member to hold the title.
In 1976, Norman Chandler married Jane Emilie Yeager, and they had four children: Otis, Christopher, Dana and Jenna. They survive him, as do his father; his mother, Marilyn Brant DeYoung; brothers Harry and Michael Chandler; sisters Cathleen Eckhardt and Carolyn Chandler; grandmother Jane Mawn Brant Ward; stepmother Bettina Chandler; and stepfather Patrick DeYoung.
A memorial service was held May 5 at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ojai. The family requested that there be no flowers and that all donations be sent to the church.

Norma C. Zigler

Norma C. Zigler, 71, of Ojai, died Thursday, May 2, 2002, in Ojai. She was born June 30, 1930, in Arkansas City, Kan., and lived in Ojai for 42 years.
Mrs. Zigler was a homemaker. She was a bingo player and was an active member of the Ojai Valley Boat Club several years ago.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alecia and Rick Taylor, grandson Greg Taylor, and granddaughter Melinda Taylor, all of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Maura Zigler of South Lake Tahoe; and brother-in-law Robert Zigler and his wife, Bobbie, of Canyon Lake.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Zigler, brother Bill Thornton, and sister Myrtle Bartron.
A memorial Mass was held May 7 at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai. A graveside service will be held today at noon at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.

Erma P. Rizzo

Erma P. Rizzo, 58, died Saturday, May 4, 2002 at Community Memorial Hospital following a long illness. She was born July 7, 1943 in Ventura to James and Rosalie Molina, and was a lifelong Ventura County resident.
Mrs. Rizzo was employed by the Ojai Valley School for 34 years as the housekeeping supervisor, retiring in 1994.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Aguilar and Mary Perez, of Ojai; cousin Robert Hernandez of Ojai; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.