Ernest Cuff, 52

OCEANSIDE - Ernest William Cuff, 52, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2007.

Born April 25, 1954, in Washington, he lived in Oceanside for one year.

Mr. Cuff was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Verska, in 2004.

He is survived by his father Ernest N. Cuff; sisters Debi Smith and Lori Phillips, both of Oceanside, and Danielle Shubin of Red Bluff.

Burial at Eternal Hills Memorial Park is planned.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Elizabeth Shepard, 86

CLINTON, Iowa - Elizabeth Shepard, 86, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at the Bluff Terrace Nursing Facility in Clinton.

She was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to Escondido in 1971. She retired in 1989 after 15 years in the Escondido Union School District.

She studied music at Dominion College in Montreal, Canada, and the Sherwood Music Academy in Chicago. She was a director of music at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beaumont for 13 years and seven years at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido.

She was the director-accompanist for the Classified Classics at the Escondido Union School District. She was a choir director and organist at St. Ambrose of Milan Anglican Church in Escondido.

Mrs. Shepard was preceded in death by her parents; and son-in-law Jonathan Friberg.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Shepard of Clinton; son and daughter-in-law David B. and Connie Shepard; daughter Laurie Beth Friberg; and two grandsons.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, April 20, at the St. Ambrose of Milan Anglican Church in Escondido. Inurnment will be at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido.

Lucia Michel, 83

ESCONDIDO - Lucia Vargas Michel, 83, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at her home.

She was born Jan. 14, 1924, in Mexico and was a homemaker. She was a member of Sociedad Progresista No. 57 in San Diego.

Mrs. Michel was preceded in death by her husband, Sotero Michel, in 1979.

She is survived by her sons, Luis, Donato, Sotero and Hiram; daughters Antonia Michel, Patton, and Lucy Michel; and nine grandchildren.

A graveside service was held Tuesday, March 6, at Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego.

McLeod Mortuary handled arrangements.

Margaret Kiefer-Rogers, 65

ESCONDIDO - Margaret Ann Kiefer-Rogers, 65, died Saturday, March 3, 2007.

Born Dec. 28, 1941, in Plainview, Ark., she lived in Escondido for 63 years. She was a caregiver at private residences. She enjoyed arts and crafts and being with her family.

Mrs. Kiefer-Rogers was preceded in death by her sisters, Shirley Elzroth, in 2000, and Fada Nickel in 2001.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Karla and Bill Burke of Marion, Mass., and Cynthia and Sam Galan of Escondido; son Rick Rogers of Valley Center; brothers Norman Rogers of San Marcos, Melvin Rogers of Arkansas, and Ray Rogers of Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Redwood Terrace, Dittus Hall, 710 W. Thirteenth Ave. in Escondido.

Inurnment at Oak Hill Memorial Park is planned.

California Funeral Alternatives is handling arrangements.

Yvonne Gonzalez, 53

ESCONDIDO - Yvonne Rachel Gonzalez, 53, died Saturday, March 3, 2007.

Born Feb. 21, 1954, in San Diego, she lived in Escondido for 13 years. She lived in Vista previously. She was a bilingual aide at Vista Unified Elementary School District.

Mrs. Gonzalez is survived by her husband of 32 years, John Gonzalez of Escondido; sons and daughters-in-law Jesse and Monica Gonzalez of Santa Monica, Michael and Christine Gonzalez, Frank Gonzalez and Joseph Gonzalez, all of Escondido; mother Lupe Guerra of Lubbock, Texas; father Arthur Medina of Oceanside; brothers Steven Medina of Lubbock and Arthur Medina II of Temecula; sisters Patricia Paz of Lubbock, Michele Boesenberg of Murrieta and Cindy Dugas of Lake Charles, La.; and two grandsons.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 13. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 525 W. Vista Way in Vista. Interment at Oak Hill Memorial Park is planned.

California Funeral Alternatives is handling arrangements.

Lawrence Yetz, 73

VISTA - Lawrence William Yetz, 73, died Tuesday, March 6, 2007.

Born March 31, 1933, in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, he lived in Fallbrook for more than 20 years previously.

He served in the U.S. Navy. He worked for General Electric for 15 years. He was a member of Living Waters Christian Fellowship in Fallbrook. He also ran the sound system there for many years.

Mr. Yetz is survived by his wife of 47 years, Wilma J. Yetz of Vista; son and daughter-in-law Jason and Lila Yetz of Reno, Texas; brother and sister-in-law David and Kathy Yetz of Alpine; sisters and brothers-in-law Lillian Ganskie of Grass Valley, Dorothy and Jerry Bollier of Hesperia, Gladys Sutphin of Garden Grove, and Annette and Joel Fruenan of Long Beach; and two grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Living Waters Christian Fellowship in Fallbrook.

Private burial at Riverside National Cemetery is planned for a later date.

Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Thomas McGehee, 79

OCEANSIDE - Thomas Owen McGehee, 79, died Saturday, March 3, 2007.

He was born March 9, 1927, in Grass Valley. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a master gunnery sergeant.

He was in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Mr. McGehee is survived by his daughter, Linda Youngs of Long Island, N.Y.; sons Danny McGehee of Ramona, Raymond Marrero of Walla Walla, Wash., and Timothy McGehee of Tecate; brother Elton McGehee of Santa Maria; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 9, at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real in Oceanside.

Thresholds Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Michael Rutherford, 63

OCEANSIDE - Michael Lee Rutherford, 63, died Sunday, March 4, 2007, in San Diego.

Born Oct. 1, 1943, in Brawley, he lived in Oceanside for 10 years. He retired in 2005 as a driver for Cloud 9 Shuttle. He was a farmer in Brawley.

He was a school board member at Magnolia Elementary School in Brawley for more than 20 years. He was a member of Elks Lodge #1420 in Brawley.

He was past president of the Stockman's Club in Brawley.

Mr. Rutherford is survived by his wife of 37 years, Leslie Rutherford of Oceanside; daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Matt Rathbun of Estacada, Ore.; son and daughter-in-law Eric and Erin Rutherford of Temecula; sisters Vicki Hull of Eugene, Ore., and Kris McWilliams of Brawley; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Calvary Chapel, 4095 Oceanside Blvd. in Oceanside. Private cremation is planned.

The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 2655 Camino del Rio North, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108.

California Funeral Alternatives in Escondido is handling arrangements.

Ezequiel Ventura, 65

VISTA - Ezequiel Ventura, 65, died Sunday, March 4, 2007.

Born April 4, 1941, in Mexico, he lived in Vista for two years and in San Diego County for 22 years. He was working at Harrah's Casino in the EVS department.

He enjoyed watching sports, the animal channel and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Ventura is survived by his wife of 30 years, Teresa Ventura of Vista; son and daughter-in-law Ignacio and Jennifer Ventura of Vista; daughters and sons-in-law Laura and Esteban Macias and Matilda and Anuar Cortez, all of Escondido, and Marianela Ventura and Bernice Ventura, both of Cancun, Mexico; brother and sister-in-law Carmelo and Guara Ventura of Guerrero, Mexico; sisters Sara Ventura of Mexico City and Amelia Ventura of Acapulco, Mexico; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Viewing is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. today, March 8, at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, 225 S. Broadway in Escondido.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 9, at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary.

Interment will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido.

Carla Castillo, 16

OCEANSIDE - Carla Megan Castillo, 16, died Monday, March 5, 2007, at Tri-City Medical Center.

Born May 3, 1990, in Oceanside, she lived there all her life.

She was a junior at Oceanside High School. She was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Church in Oceanside and the Oceanside High School Drama Club.

Carla is survived by her mother, Sonia L. Loucks of Grand Junction, Colo.; father Carlos M. Castillo of Oceanside; brother Miguel Castillo-Bailey of Oceanside; and sisters Sara L. Hesse of Grand Junction and Tricia L. Loucks of Brainerd, Minn.

Viewing is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 9, at 710 Eucalyptus St. in Oceanside.

Private inurnment is planned.

Dorothea Bellisime, 90

POWAY - Dorothea Bellisime, 90, died Tuesday, March 6, 2007.

Born May 6, 1916, in Hutchinson, Kan., she lived in Poway for four years. She was a retired columnist for the Orange County Register newspaper.

Mrs. Bellisime was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Bellisime.

She is survived by her son, Charles Bellisime of Carpinteria; daughter Kris Acquarelli of Poway; brother Soren Jensen of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Private services and cremation are planned.

Minnie Sanders, 85

LAKE ELSINORE - Minnie D. Sanders, 85, died of natural causes Monday, March 12, 2007, at her home.

Born July 3, 1921, in Hesperia, she lived in Lake Elsinore for 55 years. She worked at the Elsinore Union School District for 25 years.

Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husband, Inar Sanders, in 1984. She is survived by her son, Albert Buenrostro of Lake Elsinore; daughter and son-in-law, Chris and John Rainey of Lemoore; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the rosary recited is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Evans-Brown Mortuary, 176 E. Graham Ave. in Lake Elsinore. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, March 16, at St. Frances of Rome with the Rev. Walter Downes officiating. A graveside service will follow at Lake Elsinore Mortuary.

Evans-Brown Mortuary in Lake Elsinore is handling arrangements.

Marilyn Jones, 80

TEMECULA - Marilyn Jones, 80, died Friday, March 9, 2007, in Redlands.

Born Dec. 10, 1926, in Salem, Ore., she lived in Temecula for 12 years. She was a member of the Salvation Army Church in Murrieta. She enjoyed animals, especially cats. She enjoyed gardening, and cooking and was a winner in the Pillsbury cook-off in 1963.

Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Jones, in 2004. She is survived by her daughters, Diane Holmes of San Bernardino and Deborah Gibbons of Crestline; sister, Margaret Driscoll of Salem, Ore.; and four grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory in Sun City. Private interment at Riverside National Cemetery is planned.

The family suggests donations to the Actors and Others for Animals, 11523 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91344.

Miller-Jones is handling arrangements.

J.D. King, 76

MENIFEE - J.D. King, 76, died Saturday, March 10, 2007, in Hemet.

Born July 22, 1930, in Baron, Okla., he lived in Menifee for 13 years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1957. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Lake Elsinore for 38 years. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the U.S. Navy Memorial. He enjoyed fishing, camping and RVing.

Mr. King is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary P. King of Menifee; son, Roger King of Auburn, Wash.; daughters Carol King and Mary Grennan, both of Seattle; brothers J.O. King of Fillmore and Joe and Albert King of Arkansas; sisters Fran Moy of Idaho, and Bonnie Carroll of Arizona; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge in Wildomar. Private interment at Riverside National Cemetery is planned.

The family suggests donations to the Braille Institute, 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029-9988, or the Elks ENF.

Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory in Sun City is handling arrangements.

In Memoriam

Anthony James Davis

April 2, 1981 - March 8, 2006

Dear Sweet Tony,

It has been one year since we lost you. The pain is no different than the day you were taken from us.

You are loved and cherished by so many for the profound way you touched each of our lives with your loving spirit. I hope you know how much you are loved.

Everyone who knew you, family, friends, Tommy, Kristi, your Dad and I all miss you more than you could ever imagine. We miss your loving, giving nature, your beautiful music and art, but most of all, we miss you opening your arms for one of your hugs and hearing you say "I love you."

We love you Tony and miss you so much!

Mom, Dad, Tommy and Kristi

Memorials

John Armitage Hankey

John A. Hankey passed away in his home Saturday, March 3, 2007. He was born June 12, 1925, in Long Beach, Calif., to Carl and Adele Hankey. He grew up in San Juan Capistrano with his parents and four sisters. He attended San Juan Capistrano High School, graduating in 1943 in the middle of his senior year to enter the V-6 and V-12 naval officers training programs at Northwestern University and Occidental College.

After serving as a lieutenant J.G. in the Pacific Theater in World War II aboard the USS Quincy, he graduated from Pomona College, where his childhood sweetheart, Martha Evans, was enrolled. They were married on June 21, 1947, in what became a wonderful 60-year love affair.

After graduate school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where Kathleen Susan was born, John and Martha moved to Pauma Valley to raise their family, their sons, John and Jim, were born, and pursue a career in agriculture. After a brief experience in raising hogs, he turned to grove management, then to grower/owner of citrus and avocados. John was active in his community, Pauma Valley, first as a 4-H leader and an energetic participant in Lions Club, serving as president. He was an ardent supporter of public school education serving as director and chairman on the boards of Pauma School and Fallbrook Union High School spanning a period of over 20 years and was active in St. Francis Episcopal Church serving as junior and senior warden. He also served as an alternate on the board of directors of Sunkist Growers Association, as director for Villa Park Orchards Association and on various water boards. His hobbies included fishing, golfing and traveling with his cherished wife and life companion.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Elise Rogers. He is survived by his wife, Martha; daughter Kathleen and son-in-law David Shoffner of Redding; son John and daughter-in-law Mary of Houston; and son James of San Francisco; three granddaughters, Julie Shoffner Rogers, Evans Hankey and Hillary Hankey Gagliano; and four grandsons, Scott, Steven and Jeff Shoffner and Chip Hankey; three great-grandchildren, Luke and Thea Shoffner and Max Rogers; sisters Eleanor Widolf and her husband, Philip, Lorna Ross and her husband, Robert and Cecile Weed and her husband, Bruce; and his brother-in-law, Thierry Rogers.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, Pauma Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego, 8555 Aero Drive, Suite 308, San Diego, CA 92123, or to St. Francis Episcopal Church Memorial Fund of Pauma Valley.

Elizabeth Shepard

Elizabeth Shepard, 86, of Clinton, Iowa, died Friday, February 23, 2007, at the Bluff Terrace Nursing Facility, Clinton. A memorial service has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, April 20, at the St. Ambrose of Milan Anglican Church in Escondido, Calif. Inurnment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Escondido. Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory are assisting with arrangements.

Elizabeth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to the United States at the age of seven. She grew up and attended schools in Chicago. Elizabeth came to California in 1957, and to Escondido in 1971.

Her business career included 10 years as Family News Editor at the Daily Record Newspaper in Banning, Calif. She retired after 15 years with the Escondido Union School District in 1989.

Music was her avocation and she studied at Dominion College in Montreal, Canada, and the Sherwood Music Academy in Chicago. She was engaged in professional church music for over 35 years, including 13 years as Director of Music at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beaumont, Calif., and seven years in a similar position at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido.

She was the director-accompanist for the Classified Classics, a choral group from the Escondido Union School District. Since 1993 she was a choir director/organist at St. Ambrose of Milan Anglican Church in Escondido.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Donald Shepard, of Clinton; her son, David B. (Connie) Shepard; her daughter, Laurie Beth Friberg; and two grandsons, Scott Shepard and David Weil. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law, Jonathan Friberg.

Clarence P. Wilson Jr. Cdr. USN Ret.

Clarence P. Wilson Jr. Cdr. USN Ret., was born Dec. 26, 1916, and died March 3, 2007.

He served with pride this community in many ways, including being an Oceanside Planning Commissioner, County of San Diego Planning Commissioner, Board Member for Mission Resource Conservation District, Housing Rehab Commissioner City of Oceanside, and a Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary volunteer.

Clarence was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, Africa.

As an aeronautical engineer his career brought him to Seaplane Squadron VP-1 in World War II, Com Air Pac Operation Crossroads and Pacific Missile Test Range Point Mugu.

He was project engineer for NASA for many unmanned space exploration programs at Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Clarence loved his family, friends, peace, music, farming, public service and the wonders of nature and the universe.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Shy Wilson; his son, Robert Wilson and wife Beth of Ellicott City, Md.; his daughter, Margaret Wilson of Springville, Calif.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Berry-Bell & Hall of Fallbrook is handling cremation. The U.S. Navy will scatter the ashes at sea. No services are planned. There will be a family memorial later.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Hospice of the North Coast would be much appreciated.