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 December 5, 2003

Laura Ford

Laura Ford, 85, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 after a brief illness. She was born July 7, 1918 in Retrope, Okla., to John and Anna Rodgers.
She graduated from high school in Sentinel, Okla., and in 1936, moved to Ojai to live with her sister, Audean Combs. She attended Ventura College at that time. In 1942, she married Ernie Ford.
Mrs. Fords' interests included cooking, sewing and stitchwork, traveling, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. She was a longtime active member of Phi Alpha Kappa, a philanthropic sorority in Ojai, that for many years was dedicated to raising money for multiple sclerosis.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ernie Ford, of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Ernie and Carly Ford of Ojai; daughter and son-in-law Becky and Doug Elkins of Oak View; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation is being held today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Graveside services will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at Nordhoff Cemetery in Ojai. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Irene M. Noble

Irene M. Noble, 88, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 at Ojai Valley Communbity Hospital. She was born May 23, 1915 and lived in Ventura County all her life, and in the same house in Ojai since 1919.
Miss Noble worked as an account clerk for the County of Ventura for many years. Her interests included folk dancing and playing the violin with a string orchestra, both at the Ojai Art Center. She also cared for many cats.
She is survived by her niece, Kathleen Quiring, of Oregon; nephew Jim Noble of Utah; great-niece Sherry Bentley of Oregon; and many neighbors and friends. A memorial service is being held today at 10 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating. Private interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Naomi K. Giesler

Naomi K. Giesler, 86, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 of natural causes. She was born March 2, 1917 in Alexandria, La., and lived in Ojai for three years, coming from Singer Island, Fla., but was raised in Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Giesler was a homemaker. She was raised Catholic, was active in the church all her life, and a staunch member of the PTA while raising her four children. After age 50, she went back to school and obtained her bachelor of arts in sociology at Mundelein University. She was also an active member of various art societies and education groups, attending art seminars, concerts, ballets and museums.
She is survived by her children, Suzanne Fuller of Ojai, Daniel Giesler of Santa Barbara, Michael Giesler of St. Louis, Mo., Patric Giesler of St. Peter, Minn., brother, Harold Kimball of Winnetka, Ill., sister, Ruth Kimball of Chicago, Ill., and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent J. Giesler, in1987 and infant child Mary Ann.
Funeral services will be held Skokie, Ill., with interment following at Memorial Park Cemetery, also in Skokie.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

John Gresham Bee, DVM

Dr. John Bee, 77, of Ojai, died at his home on Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 after a brief illness. He was born Feb 17, 1926 in Niles, Ohio, and fought as an infantryman in the Rhineland Campaign of World War II.
Using the GI Bill, he worked his way through college, graduating from Youngstown College and receiving his doctorate from the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1955. In 1956, Dr. Bee moved to the Ojai Valley and founded Matilija Veterinary Hospital, where he practiced until retiring in 1991.
Dr. Bee was an avid horseman, breeding and exhibiting champion Morgan and Clydesdale show horses. Dr. Bee's Matilija Morgans ranch brought horse enthusiasts from across the nation to the Ojai Valley. In the 1970s Dr. Bee helped establish the state's program to test show and race horses for prohibited drugs. Over his many years in the Ojai Valley, Dr. Bee served on the Ojai School Board and was a member of the Lions Club, the East Ojai Valley Association and the American and California Veterinary Medical Associations, and regularly drove his carriage pair in the annual Ojai Fourth of July parade.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Susan Bee, of Ojai; son Daniel Bee of Oak View; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Jill Bee of Annapolis, Md.; stepson Craig Baxter of Livermore and grandsons John and Kenny; and ex-wife Polly Bee of Ojai.
A life celebration and remembrance will be held for friends and family at the family residence, 10065 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Upper Ojai Valley, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Ventura County, P.O. Box 297, Ojai, CA 93024, (805) 646-6505.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Michael S. Dwight

Michael S. Dwight, 62, of Camarillo, son of Patricia Weinberger of Ojai, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003. He was born Aug. 4, 1941 in Akron, Ohio, and had been a resident of Ventura County for 35 years.
Mr. Dwight was educated at Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio; Buchtel High School, Akron, Ohio; and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Dwight, of Camarillo; his mother, Patricia Dwight Weinberger, of Ojai; his son, Derrick, of Salinas; and his daughter, Erin Murray, of Visalia.
Mr. Dwight was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Vail Dwight; his sister, Rosalind Reed Dwight; and his stepfather, Dr. Laurence M. Weinberger.
Private interment will be in the Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Memorial remembrances may be made to the Dwight Memorial Redwood Grove, Prairie Creek State Park, in care of: Save the Redwoods League, 114 Sansome St., Room 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104-3823, Attn: Katherine Anderton, Executive Director.