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HOMEPAGE | HEADLINES | OPINIONS | POLICE BLOTTER | OBITUARIES | SPORTS   Obituaries for the week ending December 12, 2003     Ronald Rex Marks Ronald Rex Marks, 68, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003 unexpectedly at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. He was born June 1, 1935 in Denver, Colo., to Joseph and Helen Marks. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Ventura Junior High School (now Cabrillo), and graduated from Ventura High School in 1953. He also attended Ventura College. Mr. Marks had varied occupations throughout his lifetime, including sales of automotive products, insurance and yachts. He was the owner of M.H. Loe Construction Company and Rormark Video, production and computer-aided design and drafting. He was a member of the Ojai Valley Gun Club and was a pilot. His interests included car racing, airplanes, electronics, computers, boats, shooting, Internet surfing, planning high school reunions, and spending time with his granddaughters. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Marks, of Ojai; son and daughter-in-law Gregory and Nancy Marks of El Cajon; daughter and son-in-law Maureen and Ned Dickson of Fair Oaks; brother and sister-in-law Edmund and Jackie Marks of Oak View; sister and brother-in-law Betty and Jackson McPherson; sister-in-law Hehir Christofferson; three granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ojai. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, Los Angeles Chapter, 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway, Suite 400, Pasadena, CA 91105, or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 409 Topa Topa Drive, Ojai, CA 93023. Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.   James Groves James Groves passed from this life Saturday, December 6, 2003 at his home in Ojai where he and his wife had resided for over 28 years. He was a graduate of University of Toledo in 1940. He was a minister for 73 years with 28 years of local service for the Oak View Church of Christ. "They who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the Stars in Heaven." Jim was a lover of people with many friends in the Ojai Valley. He was concerned with both the "little" and the "big", and like a "good shepherd" knew each of their names. He was dedicated to God, ever-concerned about the Gospel, a giver of Bibles, encouraging to the right and condemning to the wrong, protective of his family, delighting in a clean laugh, an active radio amateur "ham" radio operator for 72 years, loyal to local merchants, and scrupulous in his business dealings. He leaves a memory of being a great father. He is survived by his wife Irene, three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. also at Clausen Funeral Home, with Minister Dwight Clements officiating. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at El Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest, California, near his children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Orange County. The many kindnesses of this community to him are genuinely appreciated by his family. Arrangements are under the direction of the privately owned and operated Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.     Johanna Porter Johanna Porter, 56, of Ojai went home to be with the Lord December 4, 2003. She died from complications after suffering a brain aneurysm while on vacation in the Virgin Islands. Johanna was born July 10, 1947 in Palisades Park, New Jersey to Bianca and Joseph A. Iorio and was a resident of Ventura County for many years. She was a nurse at Community Memorial Hospital since 1989 where she helped to deliver and care for thousands of newborn babies. Johanna loved her work and the people she worked with. Many of her coworkers were counted among her dearest friends. Johanna will be remembered as a woman of strong faith who had a heart for helping others. In 2001, she traveled to India where she spent two weeks working in an orphanage. She always had a kind word for the people she met and she was a good friend. In fact, she considered close friends and neighbors her family. She was a member of the Church of the Living Christ in Meiners Oaks for several years and she more recently attended services at the Sure Foundation Worship Center in Ventura. Johanna loved nature and the outdoors. Some of her favorite moments were spent hiking California trails and walking throughout the Ojai Valley. She enjoyed music and had recently started playing the guitar. Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughter, Camara and her husband, Mark Porter. She is survived by her beloved companion, Rick McGrath, brother, Joseph A. Iorio (wife Carol and children, Carolina, Joseph A. and Sean P.), sister-in-law, Ruth Miller (husband, Howard) niece, Adonda Brennan (husband, Rob and their children, Tess and Liam, whom she helped to deliver). She also leaves her four adored cats, Nikki, Goldie, Lilly and Charlie. There will be a celebration of life in Johanna's honor at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home at 757 E. Main Street in Ventura, Wednesday December 10 at 7:30 p.m. Friends and loved ones are invited to come and please wear red. It was Johanna's favorite color.   Douglas J. Theriault Douglas J. Theriault, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed on to his next life on Dec. 2, 2003. Born in Grande Anse, New Brunswick, Canada on May 3, 1913 to Thomas and Gertrude Theriault, he moved to Portland, Maine as a young boy. In WWII he served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry. He saw 371 combat days in French Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, England, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany, and was awarded two purple heart medals. Germans called the paratroopers "Devils in Baggy Pants." Doug completed his education at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a Speech & Hearing Pathologist. He taught at the University of Wyoming before coming to California in 1954, serving as Speech Therapist in Ojai and Ventura schools for 30 years in addition to his private practice. Doug was an avid hiker and could often be seen exploring the trails north of Ojai with a dog and a child or two. He was Past Master of: Ojai Masonic Lodge #663, Council of Cryptic Masons, Ventura Masonic Council #15, Ventura Royal Arch #50; served on the Public Schools Committee for California Grand Lodge for many years, and was Associate Guardian of Jobs Daughters for many years. He was a member of Ojai Eastern Star #528, Ojai Retired Professional & Business Men's Club, DAV, 82nd Airborne, 504th Parachute Infantry. He is survived by his wife LaVonne (Rounsevell), daughter April Theriault, son-in-law Kenneth Eros, former son-in-law Chris Danch, grandchildren Eric, Aimee and Sage Danch of Ojai, sister Hazel LaPierre of Maine, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 at Clausen Funeral Home, with a gathering following at 814 Mercer Ave. Memorial donations may go to HELP of Ojai, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024 or Hospice Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman #101, Ventura, CA 93003. Poppy lived his life as he left it - with strength, courage, loyalty, laughter, and LOVE.