Obituaries - 6/8/05

By: North County Times and The Californian - | Tuesday, June 7, 2005 10:51 PM PDT ∞

Kristalia Stavropoulos, 80

TEMECULA ---- Kristalia Stavropoulos, 80, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at her home of natural causes.

Born April 14, 1925, in Greece, she lived in Temecula for eight years. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Stavropoulos is survived by her daughters, Christina Mary Slater and Catherine Tenen; sons Jason Stavros and Nicholas Stavropoulos; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at Stout Family Funeral Home.

Stout Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Eugene Boyle Jr., 82

SUN CITY ---- Eugene Victor Boyle Jr., 82, died Monday, June 6, 2005, at his home.

He was born Oct. 4, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was in systems management at Unisys Co. for 44 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Sun City, where he was an usher and a bingo volunteer for 12 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 7746. He was a Padre PIO Assembly 4th Degree in Temecula.

Mr. Boyle was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Sr. and Catherine Boyle; daughter, Kathleen Boyle; and brother, Donald Boyle. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Estelle Elizabeth MacAskill Boyle; daughter, Elizabeth Anne Banks of Las Vegas; son, Dennis Boyle of San Diego; sisters Bernice Spita of Indiana and Joan Wright of New Jersey; brother, Robert Boyle of New Jersey; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. and rosary recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory in Sun City. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church with the Rev. Anthony das Neves officiating. Interment will be private.

Miller-Jones is handling arrangements.

Deborah Wilson, 45

MENIFEE ---- Deborah Kay Wilson, 45, died Saturday, June 4, 2005, in Riverside.

Born July 14, 1959, in Long Beach, she was a homemaker. She was a member of Calvary Chapel in Menifee. She enjoyed animals.

Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her father, Duane R. Uscola. She is survived by her mother, Jo Ann Gehart Uscola of Menifee; daughter, Stephanie Wilson of San Dimas; son, Mathew Wilson of Rialto; brothers Robert Houghton Jr. and Daniel T. Houghton; and pet Odie.

Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. to the start of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory in Sun City with the Rev. Peter Van Dyke officiating.

Miller-Jones is handling arrangements.

Lillian Russell, 89

ESCONDIDO - Lillian Frances Russell, 89, died Monday, June 6, 2005.

Born Oct. 1, 1915, in Wilmar, she lived in Escondido for 35 years. She was a homemaker. She was a seamstress. She enjoyed playing golf and cards. She enjoyed gardening and entertaining.

Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John Russell, in December 2003. She is survived by her nephew, Gary Gonnerman of San Juan Capistrano; and niece Carol Peterson of Corona del Mar.

Private burial at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier is planned.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Stephanie Chamberlain

CARLSBAD - Stephanie Lane Chamberlain, died Monday, May 30, 2005, of ovarian cancer.

She was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., and lived in Carlsbad for 10 years. She had a career in marketing and sales. She attended Michigan State University.

Ms. Chamberlain is survived by her nephew, John Onyskin; and nieces Victoria and Adrianna Onyskin, all of Sacramento.

A memorial was held Saturday, June 4, at her home.

Ellen McPhail, 69

ENCINITAS - Ellen Osowetski McPhail, 69, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005, of multiple myeloma.

Born July 27, 1935, in Brownvale, Alberta, Canada, she was a homemaker. She was active in civic and church organizations. She volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels, hospice, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where she attended for 29 years. She worked at Rancho Park Pharmacy.

Mrs. McPhail was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Alex Osowetski; brother John; and sister Lena. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Tom Trott of Scripps Ranch, Roxinne McPhail of Carlsbad and Karen and Mark McKeller of Atlanta; brother and sister-in-law Vic and Gail Osowetski; sisters and brother-in-law Kathryn Rogers and Vicky and Ken Campbell, all of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada; sister and brother-in-law Mary and John Wald of Grimshaw, Alberta; grandchildren Lauren and Sarah; and former husband Bob McPhail of Carmel Valley.

A funeral service was held Saturday, June 4, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

The family suggests donations to the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Building Fund, 890 Balour Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Encinitas Mortuary handled arrangements.

Robert Scherner, 81

CARLSBAD - Robert Jordan Scherner, 81, died Friday, June 3, 2005.

Born April 27, 1924, in Manette, Wash., he was raised in Lake Elsinore. He graduated from Elsinore Valley High School in 1940. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track and field. He received a degree in business from the University of Southern California. He served aboard the submarine "Batfish" during World War II. He was vice president of Kal Kan Pet Foods and retired from Oceans Gardens Products in San Diego in 1992. He was a 50-year member of the Shriners. He was a volunteer for the Carlsbad Police Department and was "Volunteer of the Year" in 1997.

Mr. Scherner is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Scherner; daughter Gayle Grosch; sons and daughters-in-law Robert Jr. and Sharon Scherner, Donald and Erin Scherner and Alan and Teresa Scherner; sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and George Davis; and grandchildren Melissa, Justin, Ryan, Jordan, Kimberly, Taylor, Madison, Christian, Maxwell, Hannah and Noah.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at Elsinore Valley Cemetery, 18170 Collier Ave. in Lake Elsinore.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the San Diego Hospice and Palliative Center, 4311 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92103-1407.

William Lund, 93

CARLSBAD - William D. Lund, 93, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at Las Villas de Carlsbad.

Born Sept. 12, 1911, in Milwaukee, he lived in Carlsbad for three years. He served in the U.S. Navy as a gunnery officer during World War II. He had a career in sales and retired as the sales manager of Wesbar Corp. He served as the president of the Altamira Homeowners Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, and of the North Coast Calvary Church. He was skipper of the Corsair Mariners Group.

Mr. Lund was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Lund. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Faith Lund of Wilbraham, Mass., Carlton and Sandy Lund of Carlsbad; and seven grandsons.

A memorial service was held Sunday, June 5, at the North Coast Calvary Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Building Fund of North Coast Calvary Church, 7188 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA.

John McNamara, 80

ESCONDIDO - John N. McNamara, 80, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005.

Born Sept. 12, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo., he lived in Escondido for 32 years. He retired after 49 years as a professional cake decorator. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a lifetime member of the International Cake Exploration Societe. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was an author and teacher.

Mr. McNamara is survived by his wife of 57 years, Collette McNamara of Escondido; daughter Erin McNamara of New Jersey; and brother Robert McNamara of Virginia.

His cremains will be scattered off the coast of San Diego County by the U.S. Navy.

The family suggests donations to the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027.

California Funeral Alternatives is handling arrangements.

Jin Lin, 53

ESCONDIDO - Jin Feng Lin, 53, died Sunday, June 5, 2005.

Born Nov. 26, 1951, in Hsin Shuang, Taiwan, she lived in Escondido for two years. She was a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. She enjoyed hiking, photography and traveling.

Mrs. Lin is survived by her husband of 23 years, Hsin Shuang Lin of Escondido; parents Chen Chiu and Chang Yui Lin of Taiwan; daughter Neda Lin of Escondido; son Jeffrey Lin of Escondido; sisters Chen Jing Yi of Los Angeles, Chen Su Huai and Chen Li Lu, both of Taiwan; and brother Chen Huan Wen of Taiwan.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 10, at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, 225 S. Broadway in Escondido. Inurnment at Oak Hill Memorial Park is planned.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Marjorie Covington, 71

RANCHO BERNARDO - Marjorie A. Covington, 71, died Saturday, June 4, 2005, in La Jolla.

Born Jan. 20, 1934, in Holtville, she lived in Rancho Bernardo for six years. She was a policewoman in the Imperial Valley. She then worked for the U.S. Border Patrol. She was a member of the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the El Centro Retired Police Officers Association.

Mrs. Covington was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Covington, in 1997; mother Grace Agnew; and father Ira Huffman. She is survived by her son, Steve Covington of San Diego; daughters and sons-in-law Janice and Michael Edgar of Yuma, Ariz., and Julie and Jeff Stone of Poway; grandchildren Julie, John, Jamie, Genevieve and Nicholas; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Road in San Diego.

North County Cremation Service in San Marcos is handling arrangements.

Lila Dreisbach, 84

OCEANSIDE -- Lila Marie Dreisbach, 84, died Friday, June 3, 2005, at Aegis at Shadowridge of complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Born June 18, 1920, in Three Rivers, Mich., she lived in Oceanside for 23 years. She was an executive secretary. She enjoyed gardening, reading, knitting and walking her dog.

Mrs. Dreisbach was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Harold L. Dreisbach, on March 6, 2005.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Elizabeth Dreisbach of San Diego and David and Lynda Dreisbach of Kemah, Texas; daughter Bonnie Dreisbach of Kalamazoo, Mich.; sisters and brother-in-law Jean Stevenson of Mendon, Mich., and Alan and Avis Baldwin of three Rivers; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Redmond Mortuary in Kalamazoo with burial at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park.

The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 4950 Murphy Canyon St., San Diego, CA 92123.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.

John Buffone, 58

SAN MARCOS - John Michael Buffone, 58, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, of respiratory failure.

Born Aug. 23, 1946, in Worcester, Mass., he graduated from Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham, Wash. and El Camino College in Manhattan Beach.

Mr. Buffone is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jeanne Buffone of San Marcos; daughter Jennifer Buffone; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Maureen Buffone of Jefferson, Mass.; sister and brother-in-law Janice and Frans Weits of Oceanside; and parents Angelo and Serena Norris Buffone of Westminster, Mass.

A memorial service was held in Oceanside. Interment will be Saturday, June 11, in Worcester.

Arthur Nelson, 85

ESCONDIDO - Arthur W. Nelson, 85, died Monday, May 30, 2005, at Palomar Medical Center of Alzheimer's disease.

Born Aug. 14, 1919, in New York City, he lived in Escondido for 25 years. He retired in 1980 from Harris Corp. in New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enjoyed traveling, tennis, golf, bridge, swimming and bike riding.

Mr. Nelson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eileen Nelson of Escondido; daughter and son-in-law Janice and Tom McCarrick of Ithaca, N.Y.; sons Kenneth Nelson and Graig Scott Nelson, both of Long Island, N.Y., and Douglas Nelson of Escondido.

Telophase Society is handling arrangements.

Una Lambert, 87

LAKE SAN MARCOS - Una Margaret Lambert, 87, died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at her home.

Born Dec. 6, 1917, in Newton Center, Mass., she lived in Lake San Marcos for 20 years. She served in the U.S. Army as a nurse during World War II. She was a member of Emmanuel Faith Church in Escondido for 20 years.

Mrs. Lambert is survived by her husband of 63 years, Euel W. Lambert of Lake San Marcos; daughters Carol Hulin of Vista and Joy Paul of Temecula; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Riverside National Cemetery.

North County Cremation Service in San Marcos is handling arrangements.

Matthew Fisher, 22

SOLANA BEACH - Matthew William Fisher, 22, died Thursday, May 19, 2005.

He was born Sept. 17, 1982. He graduated magna cum laude from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He enjoyed classical music and old-time baseball.

Mr. Fisher is survived by his parents, Ray and Sally Fisher; brother Brian; and sister Amy.

The family suggests donations to the Matthew William Fisher Memorial Scholarship at UC Berkeley Foundation, Matthew Fisher Fund in Music, Betsy Hill, Dept. of Music #1200, 104 Morrison Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Mary Christensen, 76

ENCINITAS - Mary A. Christensen, 76, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at an Encinitas hospital.

Born Feb. 9, 1929, in San Antonio, she lived in Encinitas for 12 years.

Mrs. Christensen is survived by her husband of 44 years, Ray Christensen of Encinitas; son Glenn Christensen of San Pedro; brothers Alfred Castillo and Edward Castillo, both of Detroit, and Ray Castillo of San Antonio; and sister Yolanda Sanchez of San Antonio.

Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at El Camino Memorial Encinitas Chapel.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, at Encinitas Chapel. Burial will follow at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego.

El Camino Memorial, Encinitas Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Kathleen Knight, 70

ESCONDIDO - Kathleen M. Knight, 70, died Saturday, June 4, 2005.

Born Oct. 15, 1934, in Minneapolis, she lived in Escondido for 15 years.

She was a psychiatric technician for 20 years. She received an associate's degree from Fullerton College.

Ms. Knight was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Viola Knight.

She is survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Marlys Knight of Owatonna, Minn., and Richard and Janet Knight of Hudson, Wis.; and twin sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Donald Portis of Escondido; and sister and brother-in-law Judith and Gary Hubley of Randolph, Maine.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at House of Prayer Church in Escondido. Private inurnment is planned.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Memorials

Robert Jordan Scherner

Robert Jordan Scherner, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away June 3, 2005, in Carlsbad, California. He was born in Manette, Washington, on April 27, 1924, to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Scherner and was raised in Lake Elsinore, California, along with his sisters, Jean, Dorothy and Hazel.

Robert "Bob" excelled in school and athletics while attending Elsinore Valley High school and graduated in 1940, at the age of 16. He lettered in five sports: football, basketball, baseball, tennis, as well as track and field. He was selected to attend Boy's State model government camp in 1939, followed by Occidental College, then Riverside Junior College (where he was voted "Dream Date 1946"), and finally the University of Southern California, where he received his degree in business. A veteran of World War II, he served aboard the submarine, "Batfish."

He began his career at Proctor and Gamble, became a vice-president of Kal Kan Pet Foods at age 32, and retired from Ocean Gardens Products in San Diego in 1992. Bob was a member of the Shriners and received his 50-year pin from the Lake Elsinore Masons in 2003. He was a volunteer for the Carlsbad Police Department until shortly before his death and was honored with "Volunteer of the Year" in 1997.

Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 55 years; their daughter and three sons, Gayle Grosch (grandchildren Melissa, Justin and Ryan), Robert Jr. and Sharon Scherner (grandchildren Jordan and Kimberly), Donald and Erin Scherner (grandchildren Taylor and Madison), and Alan and Teresa Scherner (grandchildren Christian, Maxwell, Hannah and Noah), along with his sister Dorothy and George Davis and her family.

He was devoted to his family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. It's always 5 o'clock somewhere...!

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at Elsinore Valley Cemetery, 18170 Collier Ave., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, (951) 674-2418.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the San Diego Hospice and Palliative Center located at 4311 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103-1407.

Peg Mulholland

Peg Mulholland passed away on June 6, 2005, at Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, Calif. Peg was born on August 28, 1923, in Columbia, Alabama, and had resided at the "Colony" in Murrieta for the past five years. Peg was a loving housewife who raised two great children.

Peg is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, George Mulholland of Murrieta, Calif.; her daughter, Donna Mulholland of El Cajon, Calif.; and her grandchild Megan L. Peti of New York. She is predeceased by her son, Robert Alton Mulholland.

Private family services are going to be held.

Edmund Raymond Molinar

Edmund Raymond Molinar, of Carlsbad, was born in Bakersfield on June 9, 1925, and died peacefully at his home on June 4, 2005. He lived in Carlsbad and Oceanside for over 45 years. He was a teacher in Long Beach and at John Muir High School in Pasadena before coming to Oceanside High School from 1960 to 1988. During his career he taught numerous subjects ranging from woodshop, drafting, oceanography, science, automotive and math. His education level was beyond a masters and he was always seeking something new to learn and share with his students. He traveled extensively with his family going to Germany for two years, 1967/68, teaching at the American Dependence School, taking a year sabbatical leave in 1976, taking the entire family traveling up the West Coast, through Canada, down the East Coast into Mexico and Guatemala, and finally returning to California, to resume his teaching position. His love of travel and adventure continued long after retiring, where he and his family took a year trip to Australia.

One of Edmund's former students relayed a story that they had, as many of his students can attest to. The student was not doing well in class and Mr. Molinar called his home like a telemarketer does today, and spoke to the parents getting them involved and changing his life. Although he still received a grade that he earned, a "D," it was a life changing moment that the student never forgot and thanks him for today.

Ed always had a passion to fly, even as a child. He once climbed onto the roof of the barn in a homemade airplane, but was smart enough not to jump. This carried over into his military career in the Navy, where he trained to be a pilot but would end up an electronic technician working in the field of RADAR at Banana River (Cape Kennedy) in Florida. Once he left the military he continued to enjoy making model airplanes and often gave them as gifts to his children and grandchildren.

He was a lifetime member of St. Patrick's Parish, and the Retired Teachers Association and a veteran of World War II.

Ed was a "jack-of-all-trades" and master of a few. If he didn't have a part he would make do with things on hand classic bailing wire technology.

Edmund is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marian Lavern of Carlsbad; children Jim and his wife, Sabrina of Fallbrook, Mary of Carlsbad, Christopher and his wife, Laura of Carlsbad, Mark and his wife, Lisa of Dublin, Karl and his wife, Stephanie of Oceanside, and his grandchildren, Nicholas, Sophia and Anina, Luke, Ethan, Connor and Tess, Sarah, Gabriel and Julia; brother Henry of Bakersfield, brothers-in-law Gerald Greer of Bakersfield, Pat Salvadori of Riverside, Clifford "Bud" Wehmeier of Portland, Oregon, sister-in-law Jeanne and Paul Willey of Siletz, Oregon, and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 9, 2005, at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2005, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad. Interment will follow at Riverside Veteran's Cemetery.

Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Capt. Laurence A. White USN (Ret.)

Capt. Laurence A. White USN (Ret.), 95, of Vista, Calif., died June 6, 2005, after a brief illness. He was born December 6, 1909, in Los Angeles, Calif., and grew up in Riverside, Calif. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933, he served on active duty for 30 years in a variety of sea-going and shore based assignments. Upon retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1963, he began a second career as treasurer and then comptroller of Pascal & Ludwig Engineering, an international construction company.

After his second retirement, he and his wife moved to Oceana in 1971 and joined the Mission San Luis Rey Parish, where he was a choir member for 10 years. He remained active in Oceana community affairs and in the mission choir and San Luis Rey Chorale until losing his sight. His demeanor of quiet acceptance and good humor in spite of blindness were an inspirational example of courage to all who knew him. Through the use of various programs for the vision impaired, he remained knowledgeable and conversant in history and current events until his death. He was a patient and loving father and husband.

Capt. White was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Helen Hennessy White, in October of 1997. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry Cumings White, Arthur Burr White III and Robert Wilson White and a grandson Michael D. White.

He is survived by his second wife, Darlene A. Parker of Vista, Calif.; his stepchildren, Wayne Parker of Carlsbad, Calif., Carolyn Lint of Vista, Calif., David and Lori Parker of Carlsbad, Calif., and Dale Parker of Oceanside; 10 step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren; son and daughter-in-law Larry and Earlene White of Covington, Va.; son James S. White of Upland, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law David and Charlene White of Chico, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law Jane and Don Clark of Claremont, Calif.; grandson Laurence A. White III and his wife, Sarah of Thomasville, Pa.; grandson David C. White and his wife, Jeanne of Delmar, Md.; grandson Daniel A. White of Ruckersville, Va.; grandson Stephen M. White and his wife, Jacki of Annandale, Va.; grandson Brian T. White and his wife, Linda of Clifton Forge, Va.; 12 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Mission San Luis Rey Chapel in Oceanside, Calif., on Friday, June 10, 2005, at 10 a.m. followed by interment of his ashes in the Mission columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Blind San Diego Center, 1385 Bonair Road, Vista, CA 92084.

Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Arlon Puckett

Arlon James "A.J." Puckett, 84, passed away quietly on Thursday, June 2, 2005, in Carlsbad, of complications of lung disease. Born on Jan. 11, 1921, in Pelican Rapids, Minn., he lived in North County for 40 years. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Army, Troop A, 89th Cavalry Recon. Squadron.

The recipient of a Purple Heart, he was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge and held captive for four months. He openly shared his POW experiences with local schools and the Rancho Santa Fe WWII Historical Society. He participated in San Diego VA POW activities while faithfully attending army reunions and staying in touch with army buddies nationwide.

He worked in retail merchandising for 30 years, establishing Arlon's Fashion Apparel in Vista. He served as president of the Vista Downtown Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Believing education never ends, he later became a certified gemologist and jewelry appraiser, traveling internationally as the manager of Precision Gems.

He loved music, played saxophone, was a former Barbershop Quartet member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., and appeared in several local musical theatre productions. He enjoyed fishing, carpentry, reading current affairs, Costco runs, and Saturday night card games.

He will be missed by many who loved him: his devoted wife, June, of Carlsbad; sons and daughters-in-law Gary and Lorrie Puckett of Clearwater, Florida, David and Susan Puckett of Vista, and Brian and Judy Puckett of Vista; daughters and sons-in-law Kathy and Moe Marlin of Carlsbad and Kristen and Rob Gilchrist of Rancho Santa Fe; step-daughter Susan Stames Hall of Carlsbad; step-son Greg Stames of Bangkok, Thailand; sister Gloria Votapka of Pelican Rapids, Minn.; Leona Puckett, the mother of his children; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Thursday, June 9, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life to follow with family and friends.

The family suggests donations for COPD research in memory of A.J. Puckett to the American Lung Association San Diego Chapter, 2750 4th Ave., San Diego, CA. 92103.

In Memoriam

Crespin Gonzales

1929 -- 2004

One year ago June 4, 2004, God took you because he needed you. You were my husband and best friend for 53 years and I will always love you.

When I cry Momita hugs me and says "Don't cry Nana, Tata is ok, he's in heaven."