10-11-02obituaries

Joyce E. Gustafson, 76, of Ojai, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 from cancer at home. She was born Aug. 18, 1926 in La Porte, Ind., and lived in Ojai for 47 years, coming from Granada Hills, Calif.
She graduated from high school in Grants Pass, Ore., in 1944. She married her husband, John, in August of 1943 in Logan, Utah. Mrs. Gustafson was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, John "Jack" Gustafson, of Ojai; daughter Jacque Gustafson of Orem, Utah; sons and daughters-in-law John Scott and Arcelia Gustafson of Chula Vista, Calif., and Jerry Lee and Susan Gustafson of Ojai; brother Jim Bunton of New Mexico; and 12 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Craig Gustafson.
The family sends special thanks to Dr. Michael Gilmore and staff for their support and consideration during her illness.
Private family services were held. Interment was at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Alexander L. Jantz

Alexander L. Jantz, 90, of Ojai, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002 at his home. He was born in 1912 in Texas, where he was raised.
Mr. Jantz joined the Air Force in 1932 and was subsequently stationed in Northern California, where he met his wife, Mabel. They eventually settled in Inglewood, Calif., where he had a 31-year aircraft career at Northrup-Gruman. They retired to Ojai in 1972 and spent time growing vegetables and flowers. They were married for 65 years. Mabel died just seven weeks prior to his death.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen Jantz, of Los Angeles; and son and daughter-in-law Roger and JoAnne Jantz of Oxnard.
Graveside services are being held today at 11 a.m. at Inglewood Park Cemetery, with Pastor David Burgeson officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

William Philip Brigham

William Philip Brigham died on August 22, 2002 in Los Angeles. Phil was born on February 7, 1934 in Los Angeles to Eugene Foster Brigham and Margaret Elizabeth McLennan. Phil graduated from Longs Professional School in Hollywood. In 1951 he was sent to Lockborne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio for Special Operations training. From there he was sent to North Korea where he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from service in the Air Force in 1952.
At age 25, he married and started a family with Dolly Ana Cross. Phil had resided in Ojai at the Theodore Woolsey House for the past 15 years. He was deeply loved by his family and friends. Phil is survived by Dolly Ana; his brother, John; his daughters, Phylis "Kristy" Laszlo and Cheryl Simms; his son, Philip "Papi"; and six grandchildren.
A memorial with honors will be held at 1484 E. Ojai Ave. on October 20 at 2 p.m.

James B. Gallio

James B. Gallio, 93, of Ojai, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002 at The Manor of Ojai, where he resided. He was born April 21, 1909 in Culver City, Calif., and lived in Ojai for 91 years.
Mr. Gallio was a citrus rancher in the East End of the Ojai Valley. He also worked for The Thacher School and the Thacher family. He was a member of the Elks, volunteered at Little House, and attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Charlyn Gallio, of Bend, Ore.; and granddaughter Tahnya Gallio of Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Rosary being recited at 3 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial is being celebrated today at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Ojai, with William V. Olivas, O.S.A., officiating. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorial contributions may be made to Little House of Ojai.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

O.B. Roderick

O.B. Roderick, 92, of Oak View, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002 at his home. He was born July 3, 1910 in Ladonia, Texas, and lived in Ojai for 51 years, coming from Bakersfield, Calif.
Mr. Rocerick worked in maintenance for the Ojai Unified School District.
He is survived by his sons Richard Roderick of Oak View, William Roderick of Ventura, and Curtis Roderick of Lexington, Ky.; daughter Linda Devlin of Nampa, Idaho; brother Carl Roderick of Isabel, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Services are being held today at 11 a.m. at Bible Baptist Church in Oak View, with Pastor Gregory Sanders officiating. Private interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Deno G. Lepas

Deno G. Lepas, 58, of Ventura, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002 at the UCLA Medical Center. He was a 35-year Ventura County resident, coming from Cheyenne, Wyo., in 1968. He was born Jan. 20, 1944 in Cheyenne, to George and Nikie Lepas.
He graduated from the University of Wyoming, and later completed his master's in education. Mr. Lepas was employed by the Ojai Unified School District for the past 35 years, teaching at Nordhoff High School.
He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Post 1430, the Ventura Chapter of the Order of Ahepa District 20, and was a founding member of St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in Camarillo.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and children Stephanie, George and Emily, of Ventura; mother Nikie Lepas of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and sisters and brothers-in-law Anna and David Barker of Cheyenne, and Elaine and Gus Jimas of Littleton, Colo.
Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., with Trisagion service at 7 p.m., at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.
Funeral services are being held at 1 p.m. today at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church, 400 Skyway, Camarillo, with the Very Rev. Cyril Loeb officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Demetrios Orthodox Church Building Fund or the Transplant Recipient International Organization, 2181 Green Park Court, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.

Mary Elizabeth Cox

Mary Elizabeth Cox, 79, of Ojai, died at home with her family at her side Oct. 8, 2002. She was born in 1923 in Peabody, Kan., to Alice and John Hobbs.
She and Seabon Cox, her future husband, met in Kansas at a church youth group. They were married in 1940 in Wichita, Kan. Following World War II, they moved to California, settling in Ojai in 1952.
Mrs. Cox was a secretary for the Ojai Presbyterian Church for many years. Later she worked as secretary to the headmaster and director of development at The Thacher School.
Her interests included reading and she was a founding member of a large Ojai Book Club. She also belonged to a philanthropic organization, PEO, and The Friday Group.
During the 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Cox led the Presbyterian Youth Group and were very involved in supporting valley youth. They often opened their home to troubled youth and were foster parents to five teens.
Mrs. Cox is survived by her husband of 62 years, Seabon Cox; daughters and sons-in-law Carol and Richard Holly, and Sue and Glenn Todd; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, Monday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Benjamin "Benny" Tumamait Duarte

Benjamin "Benny" Tumamait Duarte, 58, of Ventura, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. He was born of Chumash descent on Dec. 20, 1943 in Ventura, where he lived his entire life.
His interests included the yo-yo and listening to all types of music.
His family would like to thank all who have helped in their time of need.
Mr. Duarte is survived by his mother, Margaret Cecelia Duarte, who is a Chumash tribal elder, of Ventura; brothers Anthony Arturo Chavez of Rialto, Calif., Augustine Raymond Duarte of Neotsu, Ore., and Jerome Boniface Duarte of Ventura; sister Olivia Margarita Garcia-McMullen of Ventura; nieces Angelina Luna and Raquel Garcia, both of Ventura; Raylene Garcia of Santa Barbara, and Olivia "E-ya" of Oxnard; nephew Richard Garcia Jr.; and great-nieces and great-nephews whom he helped raise; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Licon Duarte; grandmother Mary Barrios-Tumamait; grandfather Cecelio Tumamait; aunts Bertha Blanco and Isabelle Arellanes; uncles Vincent Tumamait (a Chumash tribal elder), and Vernon Tumamait; and cousins Nellie Molina and Cecelia Tumamait-Carrillo.
Rosary was recited Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, where visitation began at 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is being celebrated today at 8:45 a.m. in the San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.