05-30-03obituaries

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THE OVN
408A Bryant Circle
Ojai, CA 93023
805.646.1476

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Obituaries for the week ending September 19, 2003

Steven Tremaine Knapp

Steven Tremaine Knapp, 55, passed away in his sleep, the morning of September 13, 2003, the result of a heart attack. He was a Southern California native who moved to Ojai with his wife and their son in 1994.
Steve was Transportation Manager for Pictsweet Mushroom Farm in Ventura the last five years, but was in transportation management over 30 years, holding positions that included personnel and safety director, as well as hazardous materials specialist. He was very active in the California Trucking Association, and currently chaired the Tri-County Unit.
Steve, was an outgoing and very humorous "problem solver" whose advice was sought by co-workers, relatives, colleagues and friends. He was a dynamo whose cell phone never stopped ringing. He even received calls from strangers who had been referred to him. And, Knapp's BBQ Catering, his part-time business, was famous for feeding thousands of trucking company employees at various company picnics over the years.
In addition to his full-time position, his part-time BBQ business, and his involvement with CTA, he was President of the Homeowners' Association where he lived, and an active advocate and fundraiser for two very special charities.
Steve and Cathie's son, Daniel, died five years ago from complications of Cystic Fibrosis at 16 years of age. In Dan's memory, Steve founded "Dan's Room", (www.dansroom.org) an organization dedicated to providing computers to critically ill children. He was also responsible for bringing the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's "Great Strides" fundraiser to the Ojai Valley. Great Strides Ojai not only benefited from Steve's organizing and fund raising, but Steve donated and cooked BBQ for all participants.
This loving, caring man, who was so full of life, will be sorely missed by all who knew him, most especially by: His loving wife, Cathie; daughter, Angie; oldest son, Mike and his wife, Michelle; grandchildren, Hannah and Danny; sister, Charlene; brothers, David and Larry, and their families;
along with his in-laws, Dante and Faye Carnessale.
A memorial service for Steven will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 27, at the Mira Valle Community Clubhouse, 1202 Loma Drive, Ojai, CA 93023. Following the service, guests are invited to join the family in a BBQ lunch, cooked by Mike Knapp and friends, in his father's honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Steven's memory, to Great Strides Ojai or to Dan's Room, c/o 1975 Maricopa Hwy #46, Ojai, CA 93023.

Martha E. Foy Chamness

Martha E. Foy Chamness, 85, of Ojai, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003 of natural causes. She was born May 14, 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and had lived in Ojai for six years, coming from San Diego, Calif., where she had lived for many years.
She graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in upstate New York, and Greenville College in Illinois. She was invited back and given the honor of Woman of the Year for her interest in the School of Sociology. She was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Institute of Technology. She also taught in Northern California in her early years. She served in the Navy for seven years. She established a halfway house for women ex-offenders, called the New Entra Casa, in San Diego, and had also written a book, "The House on Front Street," about her experiences. Mrs. Chamness actively participated in San Diego city politics and public service.
She is survived by her sister, Ruth Foy Carlson, of Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood, Wash.; brother Clarence Arthur Foy of Monterey, Calif.; and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Chamness.
Private family services were held in Ojai, and a memorial service will be held in San Diego at a later date. Contact Kathy and Craig Orange for details. Private interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.

Wilburn Paul Akins

Wilburn Paul Akins, 82, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003 at Washoe Medical Center in Reno, Nev. He was born Feb. 14, 1921 in Oklahoma to Thomas and Beulah Mann Akins, and had lived in Fallon, Nev. for two months, coming from Mesa, Ariz. He had also lived in Ojai for many years.
Mr. Akins was a horse trainer and ferrier. He was also a veteran, having served in the Navy during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Alene, and daughter Cheryl Shoenfeldt, both of Fallon; son Ron Reed of Los Angeles; and daughter Paula Lankau of Durango, Colo.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Saturdy, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, 505 Rio Vista Dr., Fallon. Burial will follow at the Fallon Cemetery.

Memorial Service

A memorial service for Jack Lucas Robertson will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. at Little House, 111 W. Santa Ana St., Ojai. He died peacefully in his home on Aug. 14, 2003.
He was a longtime Ojai resident, builder and cabinetmaker. All are welcome to come share memories and celebrate Mr. Robertson's life with his family and friends.