FRANK ACKER
Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4490 Mountain Vista in Las Vegas, for Frank Acker, 78, of Las Vegas, a former Brawley resident who died Friday in Las Vegas.
Graveside services will be at noon Saturday in Palm Valley View Cemetery in Las Vegas.
Mr. Acker was born June 7, 1923, in Miami, Ariz.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served during World War II.
Mr. Acker was a teacher and then served as principal at Miguel Hidalgo Elementary School in Brawley. He resided in Las Vegas for the past 10 years.
Survivors include his son, Paul Acker of Las Vegas; sisters, Herminia Acuña of Bell Gardens and Beatrice Hernandez of Phoenix and two grandchildren.  Published Nov. 20, 2001

ANDREW ALVAREZ
A Mass was celebrated Nov. 12 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Barstow for Andrew Alvarez, 53, of Barstow, a former Imperial resident who died of liver complications Nov. 6 in Barstow Community Hospital.
Burial was in Riverside National Cemetery.
Mr. Alvarez was born on June 3, 1948, in Heber.
After he graduated from Imperial High School in 1966, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam War. He retired as a master sergeant. 
Upon his retirement, Mr. Alvarez began his education in the field of school psychology. He graduated from Imperial Valley College in 1989 and then earned bachelor's and master's degrees from San Diego State University.
In 1996, he began his employment as a school psychologist at Silver Valley Union School District.
He married Donna Kay on July 31, 1999. 
At the time of his death he was working on his doctorate and had fulfilled substantial requirements toward certification in pediatric neuropsychology.
Survivors include his parents, John and Delfina Alvarez of Imperial; wife, Donna Kay-Alvarez of Barstow; stepsons, Austin Ian Farrar and Tyler Lee Farrar; son, Andres Miguel Alvarez of Kentucky and Tomas Juan Alvarez of Virginia; daughter, Alisandra Meri and Yolanda Michelle Alvarez, both of San Antonio; granddaughters, Andrea Alvarez and Sidney Ann Farrar; sister, Lydia Salazar of Sam Bernardino; brother John Alvarez Jr. of Morgan Hill; and many other relatives and friends.
The family suggests donations be sent to the Andrew Alvarez Scholarship Memorial Fund at Silver Valley High School in Yermo.  Published Nov. 20, 2001

TWYLA DAWN PHILLIPS
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Salton Sea Beach Fire Department for Twyla Dawn Phillips, 67, of Olathe, Kan., a former Salton City resident who died Nov. 13 in Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Phillips was born Oct. 12, 1934, in Osceola, Iowa.
Mrs. Phillips lived in the Salton City area for 32 years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Fellowship Baptist Church of Olathe.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter D. Phillips, and son, George Phillips.
Survivors include her daughters, Karen Berns of Olathe and Salley Samra of Imperial; sisters, Janice Clark and Frances Kalebaugh, both of Gravois Mills. Mo; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.   Published Nov. 20, 2001

JESUS "CHUY" CASTRO
Mass was celebrated at 9 this morning in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville for Jesus "Chuy" Castro, 49, of Holtville, who died in an auto accident Jan. 26. 
The Rev. Cecilio Moraga officiated.
Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
Mr. Castro was born June 11, 1951, in Mexico. He worked for Maggio packing shed for 16 years. He was an independent trucker who enjoyed working on his cars and trucks. 
Mr. Castro enjoyed being around his friends and was always willing to help others when needed, according to family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sabina Castro, in 1991.
Survivors include his sisters, Maria Castro Garcia of Holtville and Teresa Castro Jauregui of Bakersfield; brother, Joseph Castro Castro of Holtville; father, Donato Castro Muro of Holtville; companion, Raquel Jimenez of Holtville; and sons, Jesse, Fernando, Denny, David and Anthony Castro, all of Holtville.  Published Saturday, February 03, 2001

JAMES ROBERT GREEN
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Frye Chapel & Mortuary in Brawley for James Robert Green, 73, of Brawley, who died Jan. 25 in Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley.
Jeff Green and Jack Wright will officiate the services.
Burial will be in Imperial Valley Memorial Park in Imperial.
Mr. Green was born Dec. 23, 1927, in Merkel, Texas. He was raised in Texas, the Imperial Valley, Simi Valley and Coalinga. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. He later returned to Brawley and married Carthell Graves on June 11, 1954.
He attended college in Coalinga, studying agriculture. He was a carpenter by trade and worked for local farmers for many years.
He was a member of Brawley Church of Christ. He was active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, first with his children, then with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Green; and sister, Sarah Jo Brownell.
Survivors include his wife, Carthell Green of Brawley; daughters, Roberta Johnson and Terry Green, both of Brawley; daughter and son-in-law, Doris Sue and Harry Haley of Washington state; brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat and Clydean Green of Brawley and Jerry and Delores Green of Texas; sister, Diana Goff of Oregon; grandchildren, Melissa Green of El Centro, Julie Anderson of Janesville and Dusti and Michael Johnson, both of Brawley; great-grandchildren, Shane Johnson of Brawley and Hayley and Colby Anderson, both of Janesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Published Saturday, February 03, 2001

OPAL VERA SWEARINGEN
Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday in Custer-Christianson Mortuary at 124 S. Citrus Ave. in Covina for Opal Vera Swearingen, 84, of Covina, a former Westmorland resident who died Thursday in Covina.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Covina Assembly of God at 250 E. San Bernardino Road in Covina.
Burial will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Eternal Hills Memorial Park at 1999 El Camino Real in Oceanside.
Mrs. Swearingen was born Dec. 20, 1916, in Tipton, Okla. She married Boyd Swearingen and moved to California in January 1939. She resided in Westmorland for more than 45 years before retiring to Vista. Mrs. Swearingen resided in Covina after suffering a stroke in Yucaipa.
Survivors include her twin sister and brother-in-law, Oma and Derward Brown of Bakersfield; sister, Arlis Stagg of Erick, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Carl Ford of Covina; sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Shirley Swearingen of San Diego and Kerwin and Carol Swearingen of Anaheim; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  Published Saturday, February 03, 2001

FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ-TEJEDA
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Hems Bros. Mortuary chapel in El Centro for Francisco Hernandez-Tejeda, 78, of Holtville, who died Jan. 7 in his home. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville with the Rev. Cecilio Moraga officiating.
Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery in Calexico.
Mr. Tejeda was born Oct. 4, 1922, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. He worked in agriculture in the Valley for more than 60 years. He was a farm irrigator for various agriculture companies. 
He loved his family and friends, according to family. His grandsons called him "Tata Pancho" and remembered that he would play and joke with them. 
Survivors include his wife, Amalia Hernandez-Tejeda of Holtville; stepdaughter, Lina Lopez of Calexico; stepson, Oscar Lopez of Santa Ana; brother, Lucio Tejeda of Mexico; sister, Maria Elena Tejeda of Los Angeles; and nieces, Maria Elena Tejeda and Adela Alvarado, both of Los Angeles.  Published Saturday, February 03, 2001
 
REFUGIO G. BARRERAS
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Hems Bros. Mortuary chapel in El Centro for Refugio G. Barreras, 92, of El Centro, who died Wednesday at El Centro Regional Medical Center. Rosary will be said Monday at Hems Bros. chapel.
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in El Centro with the Rev. Jaime Escobedo officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
Mrs. Barreras was born Feb. 6, 1909, in Bacoachi, Sonora, Mexico. She was raised in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. She was a homemaker and lived in the Imperial Valley for the past 33 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus Barreras, in 1960; and daughters Maria De La Luz Molina in 1981 and Elidia Barreras in 1991.
Survivors include her children, Carmen B. John and Julieta Singh, both of El Centro, Guadalupe Boykin of Phoenix and Jesus Barreras of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico; and 22 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.  Published Monday, April 09, 2001

VIOLA A. GREEN
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Hems Bros. Mortuary chapel in El Centro for Viola A. Green, 95, of El Centro, who died Thursday in Valley Convalescent Hospital in El Centro.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in First Christian Church in El Centro with the Rev. Jeff Hudelson of First Christian Church and the Revs. Joe Finnell and John Jones officiating. 
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego.
Mrs. Green was born Jan. 3, 1906, in Villisca, Iowa. She married John Green on June 9, 1935, in San Diego.
Mrs. Green attended schools and college in Iowa before moving to California, where she attended San Diego State University to obtain her teaching credentials. She taught for more than 38 years, first in Niland, teaching the pea pickers' children. She then taught at Jasper and Heber schools and last taught at McKinley Elementary School in El Centro. 
She was a member of First Christian Church for more than 69 years. She was also a life member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma and Women's 10,000 Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Green, on July 8, 1995.
Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Dorothy Green of El Centro; sisters-in-law, Bertie Preece of El Centro and Rose Glaze of Encinitas; cousins, Mary Graham of Irvine, Ruth Creswell of San Diego and Jim and Betsy Creswell of La Habra.  Published Monday, April 09, 2001

J. CONSUELO "CONNIE" SINGH
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Brawley for J. Consuelo "Connie" Singh, 83, of Brawley, who died Thursday in her home.
The Rev. Roque Vano will officiate.
Burial will be private in Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
Mrs. Singh was born July 9, 1917, in Morenci, Ariz. She married Mota Singh.
Mrs. Singh was raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved to the Imperial Valley in 1930. She was a homemaker, raising four children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mota Singh, in 1947, and five brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Emma and Conrad Jimenez of Alpine, Lilia and Sam Santillan and Norma Saikhon and Richard Fragale, all of Brawley; son and daughter-in-law, Sal and Reina Arias of Colton; sister, Maria Sandoval of Fresno; 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials be sent to St. Madeleine Sophie's Center or the American Heart Association.  Published Monday, April 09, 2001

DAN BYERLY
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary at 3838 Bonita Road in Bonita for Dan Byerly, 82, of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, who died June 11 in his home.
Mr. Byerly was born March 12, 1919. He served with honors as a pilot and landing signal officer for the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married his first wife, Merle Oliver, in 1942. She died in 1987. They had lived in the Imperial Valley until 1983, when they moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Mr. Byerly married his second wife, Janice Gumbs, in 1993. He relocated to British Columbia in December 2000.
Mr. Byerly was a vice president for Bank of America, managing both the El Centro and Brawley branches. After his retirement from the bank, he was a partner of the Sandhill Cattle Co. in the Imperial Valley.
Mr. Byerly served as board treasurer for the California Mid-Winter Fair for more than 20 years and was active in youth activities and community affairs.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Byerly; sons and daughters-in-law, D. Wayne Jr. and Sandy Byerly, Oliver Eugene "Gene" and Cressie Byerly and John Griffin "Griff" and Norma Byerly; stepchildren and spouses, Lawrence and Gabrielle Gumbs and Catherine and Gareth Orchard; granddaughter and spouse, Christine and Stuart Smith; grandchildren, Nathan Dallas, Lauren Amanda, Lucy Rebecca, John II and Ashlee Joe Byerly; great-grandson, Daniel Wayne Byerly III; step-grandchildren, Noah Willi Gumbs and Christopher Denis, Alexander Emile and Elizabeth Ann Orchard.  Published Monday, April 09, 2001

BEATRICE DOMINGUEZ
Visitation will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday in Frye Chapel & Mortuary in Brawley for Beatrice Dominguez, 61, of Brawley, who died Thursday in Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Riverview Cemetery in Brawley with the Rev. Ronnie Valenzuela officiating.
Mrs. Dominguez was born Jan. 14, 1940, in Brawley, and was raised there. She married Juan Dominguez in Brawley on Feb. 27, 1959. 
She worked in local agriculture fields for many years. She began working at a Jack-In-the-Box restaurant in 1978, becoming manager in 1980 and managing the business from 1980 to 1994. She retired in 1994.
After retirement, she took care of her several grandchildren at her home for the past seven years.
She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Louie Dagnino.
Survivors include her husband, Juan Dominguez of Brawley; daughters, Gracie Dominguez of Brawley and Esmeralda Dagnino of Westmorland; daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Raul Valdez of Ocotillo; son, Juan J. Dominguez Jr. of King City; numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Published June 18, 2001

JOSE JESUS ORTEGA
A Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Calexico for Jose Jesus Ortega, 52, of Calexico, who died Thursday in Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. The Rev. Edmundo Zarate will officiate.
Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery in Calexico.
Mr. Ortega was born Feb. 11, 1949, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where he was raised. He came to the United States in 1974, settling in Calexico. He worked as a tractor driver for various local agriculture firms for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Maria Dolores Ortega of Calexico; children, Miguel E. Ortega of Calexico and Dora Hardin and Jose Ortega, both of San Diego; brother, Miguel Ortega of Calexico; sisters, Raquel Castellanos of Westmorland and Paz Ortega of Mexico City; and grandchildren, Emily and Karen Hardin, both of San Diego.  Published June 18, 2001

ELSIE R. WACASER
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Catholic Church in El Centro for Elsie R. Wacaser, 84, of El Centro, who died Saturday in her home. 
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Wednesday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with Monsignor Thomas Vidra officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
Mrs. Wacaser was born Feb. 6, 1917, in South Dartmouth, Mass. She graduated from high school in Fairhaven, Mass., and spent three years in the Women's Army Corps during World War II, where she was stationed at Minter Air Base near Bakersfield.
She married Frank Wacaser at the base chapel on Sept. 12, 1945. After raising three daughters in Massachusetts, the Wacasers moved to Arizona and then to El Centro in 1977. She worked for Imperial Stores in its main office for 16 years, retiring in 1985. 
She and her husband enjoyed traveling to 49 U.S. states and six Canadian provinces. Since 1989, the Wacasers were campground hosts at campgrounds in California and Arizona during the summers. 
Mrs. Wacaser was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church & Sodality in El Centro and the Desert Quilters Guild. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, according to family.
She was preceded in death by a sister, a brother and grandson, David Ray.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Wacaser of El Centro; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and Jack Ray and Susan and Kirby Viestenz, all of El Centro; daughter, Karen Wacaser of El Centro; brothers, Manuel and John Rapoza, both of Massachusetts; sister, Irene Moniz of Massachusetts; and grandchildren, Roger Ray, Cameo Proo, and Kelsey, Kyle and Klancy Viestenz.
The family suggests memorials to the David Michael Ray scholarship fund at Valley Independent Bank or the American Cancer Society.   Published June 18, 2001

JUANA H. SANCHEZ
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville for Juana H. Sanchez, 51, of Holtville, who died of cancer Tuesday in her home. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville with the Rev. Cecilio Moraga officiating.
Burial will be in Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville.
Mrs. Sanchez was born Dec. 18, 1949, in Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit, Mexico. She was raised in Mexico and moved to the Imperial Valley in 1973, settling in Holtville, where she raised her family for the past 28 years.
She was preceded in death by her brother Marcelino Hernandez in 1998.
Survivors include her sons, Richard and Italo Sanchez, both of Holtville; daughters, Mariana, America, Juliana and Juanita Sanchez, all of Holtville; mother, Domitila Hernandez-Garcia of Mexico; sisters, Amelia Hernandez-Barajas and Rosario and Quirina Hernandez-Ceseña, all of Mexico; brothers, Alfredo, Richie and Cesar Hernandez, all of Mexico and Francisco Hernandez of Modesto; and 13 grandchildren.   Published Aug. 3, 2001

M.V. INGLET
Funeral arrangements are pending for M.V. Inglet, 86, a former Holtville resident who died Saturday in his home in Modesto.
Born in Texas, Mr. Inglet grew up on a farm south of Holtville. He was a member of Holtville Nazarene Church and attended Holtville Grammar School and Holtville High School.
The Inglet family operated a farm equipment and land-leveling business and leveled much of the land around Holtville. The five Inglet children worked in the business and often rode horses to school. 
Survivors include his wife, Georgia, a brother, Lonnie, and a daughter, Nancy Witham, all of Modesto, and a sister, Laura Mae White of Dunsmuir.   Published Nov. 29, 2001

RUTH LOCKARD
Private services were Nov. 24 in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina Hills for Ruth Lockard, 96, of Tucson, a former Imperial Valley resident who died Nov. 19 in Tucson.
Mrs. Lockard was born Sept. 19, 1905, in Lee, Mont.
She earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Los Angeles and a master's degree in education from San Diego State University.
Her teaching career spanned 40-plus years, most of which were in the Westmorland and Niland elementary schools.
She married Carl Lockard. The Lockards resided in Calipatria for 30 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1972.
Survivors include her sons, James Lockard of Eugene, Ore., and Jerry Lockard of Tucson; sister, Marjorie Scheib of La Mesa; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.   Published Nov. 29, 2001

DOROTHY E. SKILES
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church in Brawley for Dorothy E. Skiles, 79, of Brawley, who died Friday in her home.The Rev. Jeff Bowman of First Baptist will officiate. Burial will be private in Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.Mrs. Skiles was born Sept. 20, 1922, in Benton, Maine.Because of her military upbringing, Mrs. Skiles lived in many areas of the United States. She graduated from high school in Rhode Island. She then moved with her family to Panama, and then, because of World War II, her family moved to San Diego.Mrs. Skiles met Denton A. Skiles in San Diego and they were married on Feb. 21, 1942, in San Diego and in 1945 moved to Brawley. Mrs. Skiles was a housewife and, according to her family, devoted herself to the care of her family throughout her married life. She loved to play golf and was a volunteer for Los Niños for several years.Mrs. Skiles was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Frances Benson.Survivors include her husband, Denton A. Skiles of Brawley; daughter, Patricia Hodges of Rancho Bernardo; brother, George Clarke of Florida; grandchildren, Michael Benson of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Laura Boswell of Whittier, Catherine Boswell of Sumner, Wash., Cindy Hodges of Rancho Bernardo, and Allison Duran of San Diego; and two great- grandchildren.   Published May 27, 2001