Billy Cross, 79

VISTA - Billy Ray Cross, 79, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at Buena Vista Knolls.

Born May 16, 1924, in Sioux Falls, S.D., he lived in Vista for 29 years. He was the owner of Cross Enterprises. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the North County Catholic Widows and Widowers Club.

Mr. Cross was preceded in death by his wife, Madelyn A. Cross, on Jan. 7, 1997. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, William and Susan Cross of Index, Wash., Daniel and Jeanne Cross of Oceanside, Patrick and Marilyn Cross of Rouge River, Ore., Timothy and Cherly Cross of Vista and Scott and Nancy Cross of Carlsbad; daughters and sons-in-law Kristi and Terry Stedman of Oceanside and Barbara and Paul Guida of Vista; brother James Cross of Arlington, Texas, sister Donna Miles of Fort Worth, Texas, several stepsisters; 22 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Allen Bros. Mortuary Vista Chapel. A will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church. Interment will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

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

Allen Bros. Mortuary, Vista Chapel is handling arrangements.

Edward Bycroft, 71

SAN MARCOS - Edward N. Bycroft, 71, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, in Poway.

He was born Jan. 10, 1932, in Roseville, Ill. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He was president of the Lake View Mobilehome Park Homeowners Association for three years. He enjoyed gem cutting, reading history and gardening.

Mr. Bycroft is survived by his wife of 43 years, Grace Bycroft of San Marcos; and sister Eileen Hamilton of Illinois.

A private cremation is planned.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Jonathan Morton, 23

VISTA - Jonathan Morton, 23, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, in San Marcos.

Born Feb. 22, 1980, in Fullerton, he lived in Vista for 11 years. He was an electrician and enjoyed off-roading, motorcycles and the outdoors.

Mr. Morton is survived by his mother and stepfather, Krista and Paul Cox of Banning; father and stepmother Paul and Gail Morton of Riverside; sister and brother-in-law Monique and Jonathan Fabry of Valley Center; stepsisters Kristy, Karen and Cybil, all of Riverside; and stepbrothers Jerid and Brett, both of Vista.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Eternal Hills Mortuary.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Maxine Boyer, 94

SAN MARCOS - Maxine Dorothy Boyer, 94, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at her home.

Born Aug. 19, 1909, in Tacoma, Wash., she lived in San Marcos for 32 years. She was a secretary and human resource administrator in the aerospace industry for more than 25 years.

Mrs. Boyer was preceded in death by her husband, George Boyer, in 1992. She is survived by her grandson, Russell Heise of Springtown, Texas.

No services will be held at the request of the deceased. A private cremation is planned.

The family suggests donations to the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027 or the North County Animal Shelter, 2481 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, CA 92009.

Allen Bros. Mortuary, Vista Chapel is handling arrangements.

Cindy Berneathy, 50

VALLEY CENTER - Cindy Lee Berneathy, 50, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, in Escondido.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Lynwood, she lived in Valley Center for two years. She lived in San Diego since 1979. She was vice president of Dr. Jerry Berneathy Chiropractic Inc.

Mrs. Berneathy was preceded in death by her father, Clinton H. Callaway, in 2000. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Jerry Lee Berneathy of Valley Center; mother Luana Lee Callaway of Sun City; daughters Kara Berneathy of Tustin and Kelly Berneathy of West Hollywood; and brothers Chester Callaway of Canyon Lake and twin brother Edmund Callaway of Downey.

Viewing is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside with the Rev. Carter officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park with the Rev. Carter officiating.

The family suggests donations in memory of Cindy Lee Berneathy 109N, c/o Scripps Foundation for Medicine and Science Allergy and Asthma Research, 10666 N. Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Rose Soper, 84

ESCONDIDO - Rose A. Soper, 84, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003.

Born June 11, 1919, in Medford, Mass., she lived in Escondido for 15 years. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Soper was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. Soper, in March 1998. She is survived by her son, Edward Soper of Escondido; daughters and son-in-law Rose White of Hyannis, Mass., and Joyce and Frank Alessio of Escondido; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at McLeod Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Alicia Riedy officiating. Private inurnment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of choice.

McLeod Mortuary is handling arrangements.

John Rettig, 80

SAN DIEGO - John Franklin Rettig, 80, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at his home.

Born Jan. 22, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa, he lived in San Diego for 52 years. He was the owner and operator of Modern TV Service in the North Park area for 25 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the St. Columba Catholic Church in San Diego.

Mr. Rettig was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn Ann Rettig. He is survived by his daughters, Christine Lemke of Muskegon, Mich., Sally Rettig of San Diego and Jeannette Reed of San Diego; sons and daughters-in-law John and Laura Rettig Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeffrey and Christine Rettig of West Lynn, Ore., and James and Christina Rettig of Escondido; sisters Dorothy Beyler of Madison, Wis., and Sally Scarpino of Des Moines; brothers Thomas Rettig of Portland, Ore., and Paul Rettig of Brookings, Ore.; and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at St. Columba Catholic Church, 3327 Glencolumn Drive in San Diego. Inurnment will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

California Funeral Alternatives in Escondido is handling arrangements.

Margaret Malvern, 74

ESCONDIDO - Margaret Ann Malvern, 74, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003.

Born April 7, 1929, in Cincinnati, she lived in Escondido for four years. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed arts and crafts, drawing, writing music and poetry.

Mrs. Malvern is survived by her husband of 50 years, David Malvern of Escondido; daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Leonard Green of Escondido; sons and daughter-in-law, David Jr. and Beverly Malvern of Tucson, Ariz., and Daryl Malvern of Corvallis, Ore.; and grandchildren Tracy and Stacy Malvern.

Private family services are planned. Her cremains will be scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego.

California Funeral Alternatives in Escondido is handling arrangements.

William Kole, 82

RIVERSIDE - William Martin Kole, 82, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at Angel of My Heart Gentle Care in Winchester.

Born Sept. 3, 1921, in Goshen, Ind., he lived in Riverside County for 17 years. He was a carpenter for Carpenters Local 1815 in Santa ana for more than 33 years. He was a real estate agent for Century 21 and Tarbell Realtors in Riverside for 10 years. He owned and managed an apartment in Garden Grove since 1961. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a staff sergeant during World War II and received the EAME Theater w/6 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the American Theater during World War II Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Henry Walters Post 2144 in Holland, Mich. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Club 20 in Santa Ana and the YMCA Twinges and Hinges Swimmers. He was past president of the Single Stars Square Dancing Club in Stanton. He enjoyed model ship building, collecting rocks, making jewelry, fishing, and going to the gun range.

Mr. Kole was preceded in death by his brothers, Bernard J. Kole and Robert L. Kole. He is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Petro of Murrieta, Jacqueline Gillespie of King City and Rosemary Kole of Carlsbad; brother Martin W. Kole of Holland, Mich.; and six grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. and funeral service at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Free Methodist Church, 8431 Diana Ave. in Riverside with Daniel Bishop and Ben Anibal officiating. Interment will be at Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, Mich. with full military honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2144.

Miller-Jones Mortuary in Sun City is handling the arrangements.

Josephine Collins, 84

VALLEY CENTER - Josephine Clara Collins, 84, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, in Escondido.

Born Oct. 10, 1919, in Pittsburg, Kan., she lived in Valley Center for 20 years. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Collins is survived by her husband, Jack B. Collins of Valley Center; daughter Mary Scrimiger of Martinez; son and daughter-in-law John and Nancy Collins of New York City; and grandchildren Aaron and Adam Scrimiger.

No memorial services are planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a local children's charity of choice.

California Funeral Alternatives in Escondido is handling arrangements.

Louis Lane, 83

CARLSBAD - Louis "Lou" R. Lane, 83, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, of natural causes.

Born May 31, 1920, in Arkansas, he lived in Carlsbad for 50 years. He worked for the Oceanside Unified School District for 17 years. He retired as a sergeant major in 1965 from the U.S. Marine Corps after 24 years. He served in the Pacific during World War II and with the U.N. forces during the Korean War. He was a member of the Unity Way Church in Vista. He was a member of the Toastmasters and the Oceanside Elks Lodge. He was president of the board of the Men of Unity at the Unity Way Church.

Mr. Lane is survived by his wife of 62 years, Glenda Ray Lane of Carlsbad; sons and daughters-in-law Barry and Sally Lane of La Crescenta, Doug and Claudia Lane of Cardiff and Jeff and Patricia Lane of San Mateo; sister Virginia Phillips of Harrison, Ark.; grandchildren Jennifer, Joe, Caryn, Andrew and Lara; step-grandsons Clinton, Brandon and Ryon; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at United Way Church with the Rev. Charles Keepler officiating. Private inurnment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is planned.

Simple Tribute in San Marcos is handling arrangements.

Laura Herber, 75

MUSTANG, Okla. - Laura Lee Herber, 75, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Born March 8, 1928, in Arney, Castro County, Texas, she lived in Mustang for five months. She lived in Escondido for 18 years and in San Marcos for two years previously. She went to Happy High School, West Texas State High, West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas, and North Texas State for Women in Denton, Texas. She was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She introduced and taught Bible knowledge to many people for 47 years.

Mrs. Herber was preceded in death by her father, Marion Davis; mother Leota Davis; and brother Francis Davis. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Iris and Travis Smith of Mustang and Rebecca and Robert Cavazos of San Marcos; brothers and sisters-in-law Donald and Betty Davis of Amarillo, Texas, Wayne and Joan Davis of Pocatello, Ind., and Gwen and Janice Davis of Bullhead City, Nev.; grandchildren Crystal, Bret, Wendy, Dave, Jimmy, Amanda and Jessica; step-grandchildren Caleb, Josh, Bobbi, Courtney, Kenny, David and Bobby; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2080 Encino Drive in Escondido. A private cremation is planned.

John Koon, 81

CARLSBAD - John William Koon, 81, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at his home of heart failure.

Born June 12, 1922, in Chicago, he lived in Carlsbad for eight years. He retired in 1989 from Ticor Title Insurance. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Northwestern University of Chicago and graduated from Southern Methodist University of Dallas, Texas. He was president of the Exchange Club of Phoenix. He was a member of the Carlsbad Community Church, the Arizona Real Estate Board, Mortgage Bankers Association, Arizona Homebuilders Association and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

Mr. Koon was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred Koon. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Twila Koon of Carlsbad; son and daughter-in-law John William Jr. and Stacey Koon of Phoenix; daughter and son-in-law Laura and Phil Frans of Phoenix; and grandchildren Ashley, Chase, Jeremy, Brittany and Brandon.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in Phoenix.

Accu-Care Cremation Center is handling arrangements.

Roma Harlan, 91

POWAY - Roma Christine Harlan, 91, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, in San Diego of natural causes.

Born June 23, 1912, in Warsaw, Ind., she lived in Poway for 11 years.

She was a portrait painter for the federal government. She was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution and The Forum of Washington, D.C. She enjoyed genealogy.

Ms. Harlan is survived by her brother, Dane Harlan of San Antonio, Texas; and sisters Joan Pollard of Poway and Janice Wade of Pittsburgh.

Memorial service will be held at a later date in Ohio, with interment at Huntsville Cemetery in Huntsville, Ohio.

The family suggests donations to the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.

Poway Bernardo Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Ruth Ladd, 77

VISTA - Ruth Jean Ladd, 77, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, in Oceanside of a heart attack.

Born Sept. 20, 1926, in Schenectady, N.Y., she lived in Vista for four years. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Ladd is survived by her husband of 55 years, Marvin C. Ladd of Vista; son and daughter-in-law Randy and Patti Ladd of La Mesa; daughter and son-in-law Robin and Jim Kavanagh of Imperial Beach; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Roselyn Lohner of Schenectady; and grandson Chad.

No services will be held at the request of the deceased.

A private cremation is planned.

The family suggests donations to the American Red Cross, 311 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025 or the Alzheimer's Association, 8514 Commerce Ave., San Diego, CA 92121.

Accu-Care Cremation Center is handling arrangements.

memorials

Donald Patterson, 62

With family close, Donald Patrick Patterson died November 6, 2003.

Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, November 24, 1940, Don was the youngest of 10 children born to Samuel and Uldena Patterson.

At the age of 17, Don moved west to meet the love of his life, Bernadette. They started a family in Southern California, where they'd eventually settle, but he and his family called many places home in between.

Don was a dreamer all his 62 years. His adventurous spirt and playfulness kept him young at heart for this three children and seven grandchildren. Don believed family to be his greatest achievement.

He was an original, an eccentric, a man who loved a good joke. He had a great love for sports, but his passion for golf was endless.

He could recount every hole on every golf course he ever played.

His paintings of the southern California coast and the great Northwest leave a lasting impression of his many western travels.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Bernadette; his son, Gregory and daughter-in-law Karen of Rancho Santa Margarita; his daughter Julie and son-in-law Dan of Portland, Oregon; his son, Patrick and daughter-in-law Valerie of Orlando, Florida; and his seven grandchildren, Jason, Dana, Brandon, Chelsea, Rachel, Lucy and Morgan.

The family held a private memorial.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Feed the Children of Oklahoma.

Accu-Care is arranging cremation.

Stacey Marie Welch Dykes

Stacey Marie Welch Dykes, a graduate from U.C. Davis and San Pasqual High School, passed away at her residence Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Stacey was 37 and had moved to South Carolina, 11 years ago. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dana Marie Welch.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Dykes; her father, William Lloyd Welch; her stepmother, Mary Anne Welch; and her sister, Erin Dana Welch.

Lynnette (Erler) Berge, 45

ESCONDIDO - Lynnette (Erler) Berge, 45, died Saturday, November 8, 2003, after her courageous seven year battle with breast cancer.

Born January 31, 1958, in San Diego, Lynnette was a longtime Escondido resident. She is a graduate of Escondido High School and Palomar College and has been in the automobile industry for 30 years. Throughout her years of never-ending determination and research, she has been a source of inspiration and a beacon of hope to so many afflicted with cancer and to their families. Though Lynnette's journey is now complete, she lives on in our hearts forever.

Lynnette was preceded in death by her father, Joe Erler, of Escondido.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 21 years, Dan Berge of Escondido; her loving son and daughter, Justen and Sarah Berge of Escondido; her mother, Nan Erler of Escondido; her brother and sister-in-law, Hank and Jennifer Erler of Escondido; sisters and brothers-in-law Marlene and Gary Bates of Valley Center, Darian and Matthew Shicks of Coronado; parents-in-law Joe and Myra Berge of Minnesota; sister-in-law Candice Berge of Mentone; nieces and nephews Kari, Jordanna, Laurel, Libby, Erica, Alexis, Hannah, Raven, Ethan and Evan.

A memorial service will be held in honor of Lynnette on Friday, November 14, at 3 p.m. at the Community Reformed Church located at 777 W. Felicita Ave. in Escondido.

in memoriam

Helen Ralston

Helen Ralston was born Jan. 4, 1929, in South Dakota, and died in San Marcos Nov. 12, 2002.

She set up stores for K-Mart and retired after 30 years. She was a member of the royal Order Moose Lodge #1874 in Escondido.

She entertained as a Moose Clown. She was very active in the "Grandmother's Club," and was president from 1996 to 1998.

We all have very fond memories of her.