11-22-02obituaries

Lucy Y. "Skip" Komura, 68, of Ojai, widow of Robert Komura, D.D.S., M.S., died suddenly Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. She was born Nov. 30, 1933 in Lomita, Calif., the third daughter of Frank T. Tanaka and Mary Okamoto Tanaka. She grew up on family farms in Southern California and Arizona. She graduated from Excelsior High School in Norwalk, and continued her education at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in zoology. She remained a lifelong fan of Trojan football, and was a member of Sigma Phi Omega sorority.
Mrs. Komura taught kindergarten in public schools in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Oxnard and Ventura. In 1966, she and her husband, Bob, moved permanently from Oxnard to Ojai, and two years later, she left kindergarten teaching to raise her own children. She want on to serve as a public member of the Gifted and Talented Education board, as a trustee for the Monica Ros School and as a Girl Scout leader. She was a deacon and a session member at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, and also taught Bible Study Fellowship and Life Design courses in Ventura.
Active in the civic sphere as well, Mrs. Komura served for two years on the Ventura County Grand Jury and, later, as a public member of the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). She volunteered with the Children's Home Society, chaired the Ojai Tennis Tournament Tea Tent, and was a member of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary.
She belonged to local tennis clubs and traveled to other clubs to play doubles. In addition, she played bridge, read mystery and suspense novels, skied, and traveled widely with her family. After her husband, Bob, died in December 2000, she continued to take sewing and Japanese cooking classes, participated in the fellowship and activities at the Ojai Little House Senior Center, and recently joined the Ojai Valley Woman's Club.
Mrs. Komura is survived by two daughters, Jill, a teacher in Seattle, and Jan, a dentist in Ojai; sisters Betty Shibuya, Lily Bryant, and Peggy Tanaka; brothers Tom, Terry and Frank Tanaka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road in Ojai. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her memory to Little House Senior Center, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024, or Monica Ros School, 783 McNell Road, Ojai, CA 93023.
Arrangements were under the direction of Fukui Mortuary of Los Angeles.

Walter H. Kister

Walter H. Kister, age 80, of Ojai died in his sleep Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002. He was born March 11, 1922 in Merrill, Neb., and lived in Ojai for a year, coming from New Cuyama, where he had lived for 19 years.
Mr. Kister was a truck driver for most of his life and had many interests, including the outdoors and working with horses. He was a scout master and served in the Navy during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and the First Baptist Church of Ojai.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Eulalia Kister, of Ojai; sons Walter Ray Kister, of Germany, and David Jay Kister of Joliet, Mont.; daughters Rebecca Starr, Molly Michelle Kister, and Patricia Jean Kister of Billings, Mont.; stepsons Chuck Martinez of Santa Maria, Calif., Vladimir Martinez of Ventura, and Herb Martinez of Stockton; stepdaughter Juliet Flannigan of Oxnard; 24 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Harry Kister of Grants Pass, Ore.,Warren Kister of Tucson, Ariz., Rollan Kister of Douglas, Wyo., and Talfred Kister of Tucson, Ariz; sisters Gladys Dietz of Ventura, and Norvella Hogan of Gardnerville, Nev.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Pearl Kister; brothers Robert and Harley Kister; sister Ruth Kister; and granddaughter Sarah Starr.
Visitation is being held today at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ojai.
Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. today with the Rev. Herb Martinez and Dr. Wilbur Skeels officiating. Interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Delleen R. Enge

Delleen R. Enge, 82, of Ojai, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002 at her home surrounded by loved ones after a struggle against cancer. She was born Jan. 24, 1920 in Redlands, Calif., and had been an Ojai resident since 1960.
She received a master's of science degree from the University of Oregon in 1956, and continued her studies in other fields, including psychology and special education.
Mrs. Enge taught children of all ages, and many became lifelong friends. She taught at Nordhoff High School for 17 years.
After retiring, she became owner of Grandma's Cottage, an antique shop on Ojai Avenue, and then became owner of Franciscan Dinner Ware Matching Service. She became an internationally known researcher and lecturer on California pottery and wrote three books on the subject of Franciscan pottery.
Mrs. Enge is survived by her daughters, C. Kathleen Tacchini of Central Point, Ore., and Merrianne Metzger-Baby of Boulder City, Nev.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carlleen Spencer, and her husband, Glen A. Enge.
Friends are invited to a memorial celebration of her life and a potluck, planned at Camp Comfort on Dec. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. Bring three things: your favorite potluck dish, a "Delleen story" and $3 for parking. A no-host bar and a main course will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to A Worthy Student Memorial Scholarship. Funds to be deposited at Los Padres Bank, 110 S. Ventura St., Ojai, CA 93023.

Maxine Rinaldi

Maxine Rinaldi, 86, an 11-year resident of Ojai, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 at the Ojai Continuing Care Center. She was born Feb. 3, 1916 in Rush County, Ind., and came to California in 1967, at which time she married Disney animator and writer, Joe Rinaldi.
During her lifetime, she was a medical receptionist, both in California and Ohio. Her interests included golf, oil painting, bowling, pool, bingo and cooking.
Mrs. Rinaldi is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Steve Olsen and granddaughter Anna, of Ojai; daughter-in-law Jenny Wantz of Indiana; sister Thelma Swain, and brothers Eugene, George and Fred Gardner, all of Indiana; grandson John McLean and wife Sarah of Castaic; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Philip Wantz, husband Joe Rinaldi, and brother Morris Gardner.
Internment will be in Arlington, Ind., with family services. Arrangements are under the direction of McDermott-Crockett Mortuary in Santa Barbara.

Larry David Heitz

Larry David Heitz, 63, of Ojai, died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 31, 1939 in Glendive, Mont., and grew up in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was a longtime resident of Ojai.
He attended the University of California at Los Angeles, and then worked as an electrical engineer supporting the Apollo space program.
Mr. Heitz moved his family to Ojai in 1969, and began a new career as a teacher and artist, first at the Ojai Valley School, then at The Thacher School and, most recently, at Monica Ros School. He was an active member of the Ojai community.
His wife, Lily You Heitz, and children, David, Eric and Rebecca Heitz, will hold a memorial gathering Saturday, Nov. 23, at noon at Larry's property in Ojai. For more information, call Joe Zorsky at 646-3285.