Merrill Pilcher, 80
CARSLBAD - Merrill "Ed" Pilcher, 80, died Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at Brighton Garden Skilled Nursing of cancer.
Born May 25, 1920, in Ohio, he lived in Carlsbad for 24 years. He was retired from General Dynamics Convair Division. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force and was a member of Oceanside Anglers and Carlsbad Senior Center.
Mr. Pilcher was preceded in death by his sister Eunice and brother Herb. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Thelma Pilcher of Carlsbad; sons and daughter-in-law Richard of Denver and Brian and Sandra of San Carlos; brother Al of Ohio; and sister Thelma Scott of Richmond, Ind.
No immediate service will be held. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date with Neil Longo from Hospice officiating. A private cremation is planned.
The family suggests memorial donations to Cancer Federation, PO Box 1298, Banning, CA 92220.
Accu-Care Cremation Center is handling arrangements.
William Camp, 65
VISTA - William M. Camp, 65, died Tuesday, March 6, 2001, in Oceanside.
Born July 28, 1935, in Inglewood, he lived in Vista for 21 years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
Mr. Camp is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie Camp of Vista; and brothers Dewey Camp of Yucca Valley and Garry Camp of Vista.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, March 12, at Eternal Hills Mortuary Chapel. A private cremation is planned.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Carl Niensteadt, 83
SAN MARCOS - Carl David Niensteadt, 83, died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at a local convalescent home.
Born Dec. 29, 1917, in Zwingle, Iowa, he lived in San Marcos for 21 years. He had been the manager of procurement for Lockheed Aircraft and retired after 27 years. He was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church, the Escondido Elk's Lodge and AARP.
Mr. Niensteadt was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda M. Niensteadt in July 1976. He is survived by his daughter Carol A. Alley of Rancho Penesquitos; brother and sister-in-law Justin and Bernice Niensteadt of Dubuque, Iowa; sisters and brothers-in-law Marjorie and Eugene Schmidt of Dubuque, Iowa and Marie and Eugene Hos of Seattle; and grandchildren Allison, Blair and Anthony Alley, all of San Diego.
Visitation is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. and funeral service at 1 p.m. Monday, March 12, at Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel. A reception will follow at Casitas Del Amigos Mobile Home Park clubhouse. Another service will take place in Dubuque, Iowa, with burial at Mount Olivet cemetery in Dubuque. Hoffman-Schneider Funeral Home in Dubuque will handle the arrangements.
Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos is handling the local arrangements.
Victoria Monte, 46
VISTA - Victoria Jean Monte, 46, died Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at Sunbridge Vista Knoll.
Born Dec. 4, 1954, in Cincinnati, she lived in Vista for 20 years. She was a clerk at Von's grocery store for 13 years.
Ms. Monte is survived by her mother, Deidre Matthias of Vista; daughters Christine Gilbert of Carlsbad and Katherine Freeman of Aguanga; sister Leslie S. Albert of Anza; and paternal grandmother Myrtle DeCastro of Santa Rosa.
No formal services are planned. A private cremation is planned with burial at Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery.
Allen Bros. Mortuary Vista is handling arrangements.
Linda Agee, 43
BLACKFOOT, Idaho - Linda Kaye Agee, 43, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001, at the Latter-day Saints Hospital in Salt Lake City from complications from heart surgery.
Born May, 3, 1957, at the Carswel Air Force Base in Forth Worth, Texas, she lived in Blackfoot, Idaho for five years. She worked at Basic American Foods for five years.
Ms. Agee is survived by sons Matthew Kicks of Oceanside, Brent Andrew Hicks of Escondido and Stephen Michael Agee of Blackfoot; mother Janice and husband Wayne Bistodeau of Vista; father Martin L. and wife Jean Agee Jr. of Forth Worth; sons Matthew Allen Hicks of Oceanside, Brent Andrew Hicks of Escondido and Stephen Micheal Agee of Blackfoot, Idaho; neices and nephews Timothy, Brian Lockhart of San Marcos, Chanel Lynn Bistodeau and Emily Dawn Porter, both of Blackfoot, Idaho; brother and sister-in-law Martin and Judy Agee III of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sisters Janice M. Weaver of Vista; twin sister Brenda Porter and Carol Bistodeau both of Blackfoot, Idaho; and brothers-in-law Frank Weaver of Oceanside and Charlie Porter of Blackfoot, Idaho.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Hawker Hill Funeral Home with Bishop Lloyd Rockwood officiating. Visitation was scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Funeral Home. There was a private cremation.
Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, Idaho handled arrangements.
Joe Whitley, 81
OCEANSIDE - Joe C. Whitley, 81, died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at Palomar Hospital in Escondido of congestive heart failure.
Born March 25, 1919, in St. John, Kan., he lived in Oceanside for 19 years and San Marcos for one year. He retired from San Diego State University in 1979. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was wounded in Belgium, and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Whitley was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Whitley, on Oct. 18, 1998. He is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law Bill and Toni Whitley of Poway and Joseph Whitley of Fresno; daughters and sons-in-law Susan and Richard Miller of Simi Valley and Patricia and Gregg Reinhold of Fresno; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Jackie Young of Oceanside; grandchildren William, Erin, Daniel, Cassandra and Katie Whitley, Michael and Andrew Miller and Lucas, Joseph and Elizabeth Reinhold; and great-grandson Gregory Reinhold.
A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea. Inurnment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Charles Ward, 79
ESCONDIDO - Charles K. Ward, 79, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, at his home.
Born March 24, 1921, in Maud, Okla., he lived in Escondido. He was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. He owned a dry cleaners for 10 years and worked as a mortgage banker for six years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific and European theaters. He was a master mason from AF&AM, Tecumseh, Oklahoma Lodge 69.
Mr. Ward is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eileen Ward of Escondido; sons Charles (Skip) Ward of Escondido and Larry Ward of Vancouver, Wash.; brothers John C. Ward of Tecumseh, Okla., and William H. Ward of Cedar Ridge; sister Edith Bodner of Cassville Mo.; grandchildren Carrie Wycoff, Jessica Ward and Kristi Clifton; great-grandchildren Nicholas Turner, Ashley Turner, Savanna Turner, Summer Ward and Kayla Wycoff.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Emmanuel Faith Community Church, building 6 with the Rev. Richard Williams officiating. Inurnment will take place Thursday, March 15, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
California Funeral Alternatives Escondido is handling arrangements.
Edward Johnson, 82
SAN MARCOS - "Roy" Edward Johnson, 82, died Friday, March 9, 2001, in Escondido.
Born Sept. 30, 1918, in Paden, Okla., he lived in San Marcos for 25 years. He retired as an inspector/supervisor for General Electric. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara A. Johnson of San Marcos; sons and daughters-in-law Chuck and Linda Sherman of Trabuco Canyon and Jim and Kathy Ward of Escondido; daughter Beverly Hillis of San Marcos; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. and memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Reuel officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside.
The family suggests memorial donations to The American Heart and Lung Association, 3640 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
California Funeral Alternatives, Escondido is handling arrangements.
Marcelina Velarde, 78
OCEANSIDE - Marcelina Velarde, 78, died Friday, March 9, 2001, of an aneurysm.
Born April 26, 1922, in Pueblo, Colo., she lived in Oceanside for 50 years. She was a homemaker and president of Our Ladies of Guadaloupe Guild of St. Mary's Church.
Mrs. Velarde was preceded in death by her husband, Domingo Velarde on Dec. 11, 1996, and son Daniel Velarde, on Jan. 10, 2001. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Ralph and Peggy Velarde of Ventura; daughters and sons-in-law Dalia and George Fonseca of Oceanside, Rose and Joel Papale of Oceanside and Carol Velarde of Oceanside; grandchildren Greg Fonseca, Gene Doney, Blanca Fonseca, Michelle Velarde, Kyle Velarde, Ryan Papale and Amanda Carruthers; and great-grandchildren Gabriel, Jessie and Christopher Fonseca.
Visitation is scheduled from 4:30 to 8 p.m. with rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Eternal Hills Chapel with the Rev. John officiating. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, March 16, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church with the Rev. John officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park with the Rev. John officiating.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Rozelle Skarra, 85
ESCONDIDO - Rozelle Dolly Skarra, 85, died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at Silverado Senior Living.
Born Nov. 5, 1915, in Greeley, Colo., she lived in Escondido for 29 years. She was a teacher for 25 years. She was active at St. Francis Catholic Church, Women's Club, Garden Club, and various charity groups. She received a bachelor's degree from Colorado State College of Education (now UNC). She enjoyed music, dancing and poetry.
Ms. Skarra was preceded in death by her son John Perry Eino Skarra in 2000 and husband, Perry E. Skarra, in 1982. She is survived by sons David Fredrick Skarra of Beaverton, Ore., Paul Clinton Skarra of Clatskanie, Ore., Mike Patrick Skarra of Vista and Stuart William Davis Skarra of Vista; daughters and sons-in-law Suzanne Glynn Skarra of Santa Cruz, Mary Jean Skarra and Charles Pergler of Los Alamos, N.M., and Terese Rozelle Skarra and Kevin Corson of Temecula; grandchildren Dustin Skarra, Bridget Skarra, Crystal Tupoula, Jason Skarra, Kyle Skarra, Aurora Skarra-Gallagher, Ryan Skarra-Gallagher, Amber Skarra, Brendan Skarra-Corson and Isis Skarra-Pergler; and great-grandchildren Steven Tupoula and Tiaalea Tupoula.
A Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 16, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Vista. Inurnment will take place at Riverside National cemetery in Riverside.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Silverado Senior Living Foundation for Employees, 1500 Borden Road, Escondido, CA 92026.
California Funeral Alternatives Escondido is handling arrangements.
Ann Gentry, 75
VISTA - Marion Ellen Gentry, 75, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.
Born Sept. 3, 1925, in Chicago, she lived in Vista for 24 years. She was a homemaker for 59 years and enjoyed horsemanship.
Mrs. Gentry is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Larry and Dana Gipson of Escondido; daughters and son-in-law Linda Gentry of San Diego and Patricia and Bruce Gentry-Tait of San Marcos; brother Hank Yesia of Torrance; sister Judy Sakazaki of Chicago; grandchildren Jon Gipson, Tom Winter and Jamie Willis; and great-granddaughter Trinity Willis.
Private family services will be held.
The family suggests memorial donations to Helen Woodward Animal Center, PO Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, attention: Development Dept.
California Funeral Alternatives Escondido is handling arrangements.
Ernest Gobbi, 81
OCEANSIDE - Ernest Cordero Gobbi, 81, died Saturday, March 10, 2001.
Born Oct. 11, 1919, in Perris, he lived in Oceanside for 81 years.
He was the owner/operator of El Charrito and retired in May 2000.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church and Encinitas Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Gobbi was preceded in death by his son Edward Gobbi in 1980. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lupe Jimenez of Oceanside; sons and daughter-in-law Ernest Jr. and Maria A. Gobbi of Oceanside and Robert Gobbi of Oceanside; daughter and son-in-law Genevieve and Lupe Magana of San Diego; brother and sister-in-law Joe and Lousia Gobbi of Hemet; sisters Virginia Ybarra of San Diego and Cristina Ramirez of Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited at 7:15 p.m. today, March 13, at Oceanside Mortuary. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Burial will take place on a later date at Riverside National Cemetery.
Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Gene Brock, 75
OCEANSIDE - Gene Brock, 75, died Friday, March 9, 2001, of heart failure.
Born Jan. 14, 1926, in Wiergate, Texas, he recently retired from Heritage Security and was formally retired in 1984 from United Airlines.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a first gunners mate. He received the Purple Heart medal for injuries sustained by a kamikaze attack in the South Pacific.
He received commendation for saving a sinking ship in the Gulf by pumping water out by hand nonstop for two days and nights, and saving all aboard.
Mr. Brock is survived by his wife of 17 years, Nancy Brock of Oceanside; mother Ada and father George; sons and daughters-in-law Dave and Nora Brock of Huntington Beach; Robert and Kathrine Brock of Huntington Beach; stepsons and wives Scott and Karen Baurs of San Jose, David and Amy Burs of San Jose and Greg and Mari Baurs of San Jose; daughter Marilyn Pollman of Huntington Beach; brother Jack Brock of Keller, Texas; and six grandchildren.
A private memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11. A private inurnment took place.
Cremation Services Inc. Vista handled the arrangements.
Rowena Cortes, 41
OCEANSIDE - Rowena A. Cortes, 41, died Thursday, March 8, 2001.
Born March 11, 1959, in Laoag, Philippines, she lived in Oceanside for four years. She was employed by San Onofre Commissary. She was an avid gardener.
Mrs. Cortes is survived by her husband of 17 years, Carlos L. Cortes of Oceanside; mother Maxima Cortes of Laoag City, Philippines; sons Edward J. Cortes and Christopher L. Cortes, both of Oceanside; daughter Vanessa M. Cortes of Oceanside; brothers and sister-in-law Romeo and Norma Alejandro of Honolulu, and Antonio Alejandro of Laoag City, Philippines; and sister Ruth Francisco.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Eternal Hills Mortuary. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Oceanside 2nd Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Mildred Bricker, 86
EL CAJON - Mildred Smith Bricker, 86, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, in La Mesa of natural causes.
Born Feb. 2, 1915, in Richmond, Ohio, she lived in El Cajon for 33 years and had lived in Oceanside for many years. She was active in the First Presbyterian churches in both Oceanside and El Cajon.
Mrs. Bricker was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim Smith, and her second husband, Annold Bricker, in November, 1991. She is survived by stepson and daughter-in-law Garth and Janice Bricker of Fallbrook; stepdaughter Joan Nesbit of Oakland; step-grandchildren Bruce Carlson, Dennis Carlson, Dr. Margrit Carlson, Berit Carlson, Eric Carlson, Michele Murphy, Kent Bricker and David Bricker; and step-great-grandchildren Cameron Murphy, Heather Murphy, Holly Bricker, Erica Bricker, Kaili Carlson, Kailin Carlson and Brayton Carlson.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dick Adams officiating.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Velma Moss, 88
ESCONDIDO - Velma Gladys Moss, 88, died Sunday, March 4, 2001, at Palomar Hospital of a stroke.
Born Aug. 22, 1912, in Marlette, Mich., she lived in Escondido for three years. She was active as one of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1942.
Mrs. Moss was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond L. Moss, on Dec. 12, 2000. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law Charles and Jane Moss of Rochester Hills, Mich.; daughters and sons-in-law Reatha J. Hemstreet of Escondido; Carol and Merle Wilson of Tucson, Ariz., Carmen and Roger DiMora of Marietta, Ga., and Sharon and George Roberts of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sisters Geraldine Mayes of Waterford, Mich., and Maxine Kuenzer of St. Cloud, Fla.; 24 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Imperial Drive with Nathaniel Narcisse officiating. A private cremation and scattering at sea is planned.
Cremation Services Inc. is handling arrangements.
