Obituaries - 7/20/2006

By: North County Times and The Californian | Wednesday, July 19, 2006 7:29 PM PDT ∞

Hilda Johnson, 82


ESCONDIDO -- Hilda Scallan Johnson, 82, died of natural causes, Friday, July 14, 2006.

Born Jan. 19, 1924, in Houston, she lived in Escondido for 20 years. She was a bridal consultant for Ernie Cowan Photography, Hidden Images Photography and Busco Nestor Photography. She was an accomplished quilter and seamstress. She won numerous ribbons at the San Diego County Fair. She was a gourmet cook.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her son, James Dean Johnson, in 2003. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Andrew Ross and Donna Jean Johnson of Fallbrook; daughter Donna Ellen Johnson of Escondido; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. A private cremation is planned.

The family suggests donations to Elizabeth Hospice, 150 W. Crest St., Escondido, CA 92025.

Margaret Blackstock, 79


ESCONDIDO -- Margaret L. Larson Blackstock, 79, died of natural causes, Sunday, July 16, 2006.

Born Sept. 27, 1926, in Saginaw, Mich., she lived in Escondido for 37 years. She retired in 1975 from Escondido Union High School District. She was a member of the Community of Christ in Escondido.

Mrs. Blackstock was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Blackstock, in 1993; and daughter Lynda in 1981. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Jeanne Blackstock of Placerville and Doug and Linda Blackstock of Escondido; brother and sister-in-law David and Doris Larson of Lansing, Mich.; sister and brother-in-law Beatrice and George Whitmore of Lansing; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, at McLeod Mortuary, 1919 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido with Tom Slack and Tom Rastle officiating.

The family suggests donations to Elizabeth Hospice, 150 W. Crest St., Escondido, CA 92025.

McLeod Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Hugh Montgomery, 83


SANTA YSABEL - Hugh Nesbitt Montgomery, 83, died of natural causes, Thursday, July 13, 2006, at his home.

He was born Oct. 29, 1922, in Scotland. He was a self-employed carpenter. He served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman under Gen. George Patton. He received the American Campaign Medal, the European African Medal, the Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star and the Victory Medal. He enjoyed fishing.

Mr. Montgomery was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Montgomery, in 2001. He is survived by his daughter and companion, Kathleen Montgomery Tucker and Yogi Barra of Lake Henshaw; brother Hamilton Montgomery of Lakewood; sister Margarate Travis of Southgate; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A private cremation is planned.

Bonham Bros. & Stewart Mortuary in Ramona is handling arrangements.

Robert Benson, 89


ESCONDIDO - Robert Lincoln Benson, 89, died Thursday, July 13, 2006.

He was born July 6, 1917, in St. Paul, Minn. He was a draftsman for 40 years in the steel industry. He was a member of the First Covenant Church in Sacramento.

Mr. Benson is survived by his sons, William E. Benson of Escondido, Richard L. Benson of Scotts Valley and Robert D. Benson of Carmichael; and six grandchildren.

Memorial services and inurnment are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, July 21, at South East Lawn Memorial Park, 9189 E. Stockton Blvd., in Elk Grove.

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Juanita Hendricks, 85


COSTA MESA - Juanita E. Hendricks, 85, died of lymphoma, Sunday, July 16, 2006, in Huntington Beach.

Born Feb. 24, 1921, in Rockford, Ill., she lived in Costa Mesa for five years. She was head inspector for Goodyear/Litchfield plant during World War II. She graduated in 1951 from Southwestern Bible College in Wachsahatachie, Texas, and was a licensed Assemblies of God Minister. She was appointed Home Missionary to Wrangell, Alaska. She was a prayer partner/phone counselor for TBN for seven years.

Mrs. Hendricks was preceded in death by Ludwig H. Strid, in 1927, and Delia Myrtle Lower Strid Anderson in 1982. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Richard A. Hendricks of Covina; sons and daughters-in-law John and Aline Hendricks of Escondido, Rich and Brenda Hendricks of Buena Park; brothers Floyd Anderson of Beloit, Wis., and Robert Stiefel of Casa Grande, Ariz.; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 21, in Costa Mesa. Private interment and cremation are planned.

Virginia Wood, 90


ESCONDIDO - Virginia Alene Wood, 90, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006.

Born March 29, 1916, in Halstead, Kan., she lived in Escondido for five years and in San Marcos for 11 years previously. She retired from Long Beach Unified School District, where she taught high school for 25 years. She was a member of the United Church of Lake San Marcos and PEO of Escondido. She graduated from Kansas University, where she was president of her sorority house, Alpha Chi Omega.

Mrs. Wood was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Edwin Wood, in 2003. She is survived by her sons, Steven Wood of Tampa Bay, Fla., Quentin Wood of Lakewood and Stuart Wood of Carlsbad; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Allen Bros. Mortuary, Vista Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Cleo Smith, 83


OCEANSIDE -- Cleo C. Smith, 83, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Vista.

Born March 8, 1923, in Manchester, N.H., she lived in Oceanside for 18 years. She served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a nurse. She retired after 45 years as a registered nurse. She was a member of Mission San Luis Rey Parish.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton "Smitty" Smith, in 1995. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Lauri Smith of Stafford, Va.; daughter and son-in-law Jodi and Dick Coppens of Oceanside; sister Norma Gilman of Manchester, N.H.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. today, July 20, at Oceanside Mortuary, 602 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside. A Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Mission San Luis Rey Parish Chapel, 4070 Mission Ave. in Oceanside. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery.

The family suggests donations to Alzheimer's Association, 4950 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92123.

Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Memorials

Charles 'Chuck' de Bedts


Aerospace Executive,

Civic Volunteer

He was an English major who rose to the top ranks of a huge aerospace company dominated by engineers and accountants. Chuck de Bedts joined the Lockheed Corporation in 1949, in Keflavik, Iceland, as a clerk-typist and retired in 1988 as Corporate Vice President Sales and Marketing.

De Bedts left the University of Miami after WWII to go to New York, write the great American novel, and to become rich and famous. He told friends that he realized that it could take weeks, but that he was prepared to stick it out. "But missing meals and dodging landladies in New York caused me to answer a newspaper ad for overseas jobs where food and shelter were part of the deal," he said later.

The one he got was with a small subsidiary of Lockheed which had a contract to operate the international airport at Keflavik for the U.S. government, the Icelandic Government, and NATO. Almost 40 years later he and his wife chose to retire in San Diego's North County, near Escondido.

He never wrote the novel, but he did create the lion's share of this obituary (being a Leo) and even had some of his poetry published in national magazines.

For two years he consulted as a member of the board of an American subsidiary of a British property development firm. After confessing to friends and officials at the just-beginning California Center for the Arts, Escondido, that he had really nothing more taxing to do than chair the board of the private Bernardo Heights Country Club, he was asked to join the Art Center's marketing committee, and eventually its Board of Trustees.

While he was serving the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, the Elizabeth Hospice invited him to come onto its board to help with fund-raising. That led to a 6 year stay at the not-for-profit hospice, the last 3 years as the board chairman.

In 1958, de Bedts met Jacque Phillips, a fashion director, model, and personal development teacher. They were married the next year and for the following 47 enjoyed mutual interests in music, theater, travel and each other.

When the terminal bone cancer prognosis was given them, Jacque immediately decided on a "celebration of life" for Chuck while he was still living it. Accordingly she organized a party, a "Wide Awake Wake" and Chuck-roast.

Last November 3, friends, family, and former business colleagues came from around the country to participate, and to return the warmth they felt they had received from being part of Chuck's life over the years. As he had never taken life, or, at least, his, too seriously, de Bedts took a light view of death. His reaction: "Bone cancer? How about a skeleton transplant? Or are they all spoken for for Halloween?"

He and Jacque moved to La Costa Glen, a retirement community in Carlsbad, in 2003. As seemed natural, he was elected to serve on the community's Resident Advisory Council, and did so until his illness interfered with his duties.

During his working career and afterward he was in demand as a master of ceremonies, speaker, and roast-master at significant business and private occasions. Just months before his death he emceed a La Costa Glen musical production, and more recently, emceed the annual Memorial Day event.

He died last week at 81, at home with his wife, daughter Lise and son Charles at his side, and with the full support of a legion of friends at La Costa Glen and elsewhere around the county, and the Elizabeth Hospice.

He is survived by his wife, Jacque, daughter Lise, of Taos, New Mexico, son Charles III, of Los Angeles, son Anthony, of Vienna, Austria, niece Carolyn Hecker, of Melbourne, Florida, and two grandchildren, Gabrielle and Asa Stannard.

Services were last November 3rd. Contributions to the Elizabeth Hospice at 150 W. Crest Street, Escondido, CA 92025, would be appreciated.

Amelia S. Calac


Aug. 11, 1919 -- July 16, 2006

Amelia S. Calac, age 86, New Town, N.D., formerly of the Rincon Indian Reservation located in California, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 16, 2006, in her residence on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

Amelia Sara Calac was born August 11, 1919, in Pechanga, Calif., the daughter of Alfred and Carmelita Molino.

From the age of three, she was raised by her relatives, Louisa and Charles Payne. She attended school and graduated from the Sherman Indian boarding school in Riverside, Calif. She married Matthew Calac, former councilman of the Rincon Indian Reservation. They made their home in Rincon and Palm Springs, Calif., where they raised their family. After their last child married, they returned home to Rincon, where they lived for the next 34 years.

Throughout her life, Amelia was involved in tribal affairs, received an Associate of Arts degree from Palomar Junior College and was a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Frances of Assisi, where she served as a lay person. She loved the Catholic Church and its teachings. Amelia loved to share her knowledge with people in many walks of life. Matthew preceded her in death in January of 2001. In 2004 she moved to New Town, N.D., to live with her daughter, Arlene Hagen.

She is survived by her children, Matthew L. Calac Jr. (Victoria) of Groveland, Fla., Glenn M. Calac of Palm Springs, Calif., Arlene Calac Hagen (Jack) of New Town, N.D., and Diane Calac-Andreas-Whipple (Douglas) of Rincon Indian Reservation, Calif.; grandchildren, Lawrence, Margaret and Ethel Baker, all of New Town, N.D., Michelle LeBeau, Iowa City, Iowa; Kyle Calac, St. Louis, Mo.; Lance and Dawn Calac, both of California, Ann Andreas Arviso and Patricia Andreas, both of Palm Springs, Calif., and Johnny Andreas Jr., White River, Ariz.; 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Simon Arenas; and grandchildren, James and Michael Andreas, and Phillip Baker.

Funeral: Wednesday, July 19, 2006, at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church, New Town.

Visitation: Tuesday July 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Langhans Funeral Home, New Town.

Rosary: Tuesday, July 18, at 7 p.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church, New Town.

Interment: New Town Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent at www.langhansfuneral

homes.com.

Lori Renee Chestnut


Lori Renee Chestnut, 49, passed away in her home after a short battle with cancer. A native Californian, Lori would spend her years in both the northern and southern parts of her home state, making lifelong friends along the way.

She was born in Los Angeles on March 26, 1957, and lived much of her youth in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Lori graduated from La Canada High School in 1974. She attended junior college in Santa Rosa and remained in that area for 20 years working in the banking industry.

In 1998, Lori was diagnosed with a genetic form of emphysema known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, which forced her to give up her work. She then moved to Escondido to be near her family, a move we all treasured.

Her deteriorating health though, forced her increasingly to depend on the use of an oxygen tank.

She was put on the list for those awaiting a double lung transplant and in July of 2002, a donor became available. Successful surgery was preformed at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego.

Forever grateful for this donations, and to the people who made it possible, Lori made the most of her second chance. It gave her four years that she wouldn't otherwise have had, and she embraced all that came with this opportunity.

Lori loved gardening and decorating her home and her dogs. It was her wish that her ashes be scattered off the California coast and those arrangements are pending.

She is survived by her parents, Darlene and Ben Fauber of Escondido; her brother, Jim Chestnut and his wife, Nelly; and nephews Christopher and Andrew of Escondido; and by her older brother, Wayne Fauber of Montrose, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association, 2750 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103, or the Alpha-1 National Association, 1829 Portland, Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Margarete 'Margie' Lopez Duquenne


Margie Duquenne died July 8, 2006, at the age of 62, after a courageous battle with cancer in Eagan, Minnesota. She was born and raised in Carlsbad.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Francisca and Pedro Lopez and sister Julia Schaff. She is survived by her loving husband, Ray of 42 years; daughter Kim (Tom) Terry; grandson Alex; brothers and sister-in-law Robert Lopez of New Mexico, Thomas Lopez of Oceanside, Andres and Elizabeth Lopez of Oklahoma, and Peter and Claire Lopez of Vista; sisters Francis Valdez of Carlsbad, Mary Torrez of Fallbrook, Lupe Lopez of Oceanside and Carmen Talbot of Nevada; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A mass of Christian burial was held Thursday, July 13, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Eagan, Minnesota. Interment followed at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.