Leon Coffman, 83
SUN CITY - Leon M. Coffman, 83, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Born in Norman, Okla., he lived in Sun City for 10 years and had lived in Lake Elsinore for 14 years. He was a heavy equipment operator for G.L. Patterson Inc. for 25 years before retiring in 1976. He served in the U.S. Navy as a motor machinist's mate second class and enjoyed woodworking. He was a member of the Romoland Assembly of God Church and volunteered his time building and renovating four churches.
Mr. Coffman is survived by his wife, Mildred Coffman of Sun City; daughters Linda Bunch of Temecula and Sheila Bridge of La Habra; sons Leon M. Coffman Jr. of Chico and Leonard Coffman of Rosemont; father Kevin King of Hawaii; brother Raymond Coffman of Cool; sister Alice Wolfe of Big River; eight grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Evans-Brown Mortuary in Sun City. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the mortuary. A private burial will take place at Riverside National Cemetery.
Evans Brown Sun City Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Colleen Davies, 74
FALLBROOK - Colleen Shea Davies, 74, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, in Fallbrook.
Born Oct. 14, 1926, in Kosciusko, Miss., she lived in Fallbrook for two years. She was a member of the Fallbrook Newcomers Club in Fallbrook.
Mrs. Davies is survived by her husband of 53 years, Capt. Henry E. Davies, USN Ret., of Fallbrook; son Hank Davies of Seattle; and brother James P. "Pat" Shea of Fallbrook.
A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Riverside National Cemetery. Burial will follow.
The family suggests memorial donations to the American Heart Association, 3640 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101; or the American Diabetes Association, 225 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101.
Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Herman Ettman, 82
OCEANSIDE - Herman L. Ettman, 82, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, in Oceanside.
Born Sept. 9, 1918, in New York City, he lived in Oceanside for 26 years. He worked for the New York City Police Department and served in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as lieutenant colonel. He was a member of the Elks Club.
Mr. Ettman was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Ann Ettman, in 1968. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Omagh Ettman of Oceanside; daughter and son-in-law Peggy and Gene Rantanen of Santa Barbara; sister Edith Green of Lincoln City, Ore.; and granddaughter Rebecca.
A private ceremony will be held at the family's request.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Keith Rhea, 34
NUEVO - Keith Rhea, 34, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
Born Aug. 16, 1966, in Zeeland, Mich., he lived in Nuevo for 23 years. He was a mechanic in California for 20 years. He graduated from Perris High School. He enjoyed riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, as well as building and rebuilding motors for motorcycles and cars and fishing.
Mr. Rhea is survived by his mother and father, Anna and Edwin Rhea of Sun City; daughter Breanna Rhea of Nuevo; son Keith Rhea Jr. of Nuevo; sisters Dina Kendrick and Shirley Phillips, both of Sun City, Leslie Snyder of North Carolina and Debbie Wyatt of Nuevo; aunt Ruby Jones of Michigan; uncle Vernon Carroll of Michigan; and brothers Dennis Rhea and Edwin Rhea, both of Palmdale.
Visitation will beheld from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Miller-Jones Mortuary. A funeral service is scheduled for noon Monday, Nov. 13, at the mortuary. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Montecito Memorial Park.
Miller-Jones Mortuary Inc. is handling arrangements.
Carl Tyra, 93
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Carl Houston Tyra, 93, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, in Bullhead City.
Born June 3, 1907, in Wells, Texas, he lived in Carlsbad for 28 years before moving to Bullhead City. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 12 in Southern California for 52 years and a member of the Church of Christ in Fort Mohave. He enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and reading the Bible.
Mr. Tyra was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jewel E. Tyra; and infant daughter, Geneva Tyra. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jean H. and Patricia Tyra of Bullhead City; grandchildren Jean Jr., Midge, Carl and Troy Tyra, all of Lawrence, Ind., Will and Tory Tyra of Pleasant Hills, Don, Elana, Jeff, Tina and Cindy Tyra of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jim and Christi Torres of Lake Elsinore, and Craig Hellmer of Jackson, Tenn.; great-grandchildren Angel, Farretta, Harley, Chris, Codly, Rachel, Nick and Sean Tyra and Nichole Knoppe; and great-great-grandson David Tyra.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 11, at Eternal Hills Mortuary, with the Rev. David Plank officiating. Interment will take place at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Desert Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens is handling arrangements.
Don Gibson, 67
MURRIETA - Don E. Gibson, 67, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, of lung cancer, at Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar.
Born April 6, 1933, in Mount Holly, N.J., he lived in Murrieta for one and a half years and had lived in Anaheim for 25 years. He worked for Golden-West Homes-Oakwood Inc. before retiring in April. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.
Mr. Gibson was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Gibson. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Shirley B. Gibson of Murrieta; mother Lida Gibson of New Jersey; daughter Sheila Gibson-Junker of Anaheim; and granddaughters Danielle and Ashley.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jim Hardy officiating. A private interment is planned.
Hilgenfeld Mortuary is handling arrangements.
George Bryant, 78
LA QUINTA - George Leland "Buddy" Bryant, 78, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at his home.
Born Jan. 15, 1922, on the family farm in Grier, N.M., he lived in La Quinta and had lived in San Marcos for almost 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and founded Bryant Equipment Rental and co-founded Southern Contracting before retiring in 1976. He also did farming in Cibola, Ariz. from 1976 until recently when he moved to La Quinta.
Mr. Bryant is survived by his wife of 27 years, Betty Jane Bryant; sister Sylvia Colonello of Escondido; aunt and uncle Myrtle and Roy Coats of Escondido; and many other family members and friends.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at The Barn in Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos.
FitzHenry Mortuary in Palm Desert is handling arrangements.
George Bryant, 78
LA QUINTA - George Leland "Buddy" Bryant, 78, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at his home.
Born Jan. 15, 1922, on the family farm in Grier, N.M., he lived in La Quinta and had lived in San Marcos for almost 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, founded Bryant Equipment Rental and co-founded Southern Contracting before retiring in 1976. He did some farming in Cibola, Ariz., until recently when he moved to La Quinta.
Mr. Bryant is survived by his wife of 27 years, Betty Jane Bryant; sister Sylvia Colonello of Escondido; aunt and uncle Myrtle and Roy Coats of Escondido; and many other family members and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at The Barn in Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos.
FitzHenry Mortuary in Palm Desert is handling arrangements.
Karen-Suzette Robey, 43
SAN DIEGO - Karen-Suzette Robey, 43, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, in San Diego.
Born Aug. 31, 1957, in Escondido, she lived in San Diego for 16 years. She was a homemaker for 20 years.
Mrs. Robey was preceded in death by her mother, June Rothlis, in 1984. She is survived by her father, Jack Rothlis of San Diego; sons Jonathan Robey-Martin and Donovan Robey-Martin, both of San Diego; daughters Karinne Robey-Martin, Elizabeth Robey-Martin and Krysta Robey-Martin, all of San Diego, and Jessica Ruedan of Coronado; brother Christopher Rothlis of Austin, Texas; and sisters Barbara Decker of Borrego Springs and Kathleen Kramer of San Diego.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
John Harvey, 29
ENCINITAS - John L. Harvey, 29, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at Irvine Medical Center.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he lived in La Verne for 22 years. He was a 1989 graduate of Bonita High School and attended the University of California, Irvine. He served in the Brethren Volunteer Service for three years and was the director for the Washington, D.C. office for the Church of the Brethren. He was a student in the master of divinity program at Bethany Theological Seminary and completed a residency program in hospital chaplaincy at Sharpe Memorial Hospital in San Diego. He was a member of the La Vern Church of the Brethren and a licensed minister.
Mr. Harvey is survived by his parents, Thomas Harvey and Bonnie Drolet of La Verne and Encinitas and Ann Harvey-Melleby and Michael Melleby of San Dimas; his fiance, Carla Kilgore of Oceanside; brother Scott Harvey of Pomona; sister Robyn Harvey of Pomona; stepbrothers Andy Bergdahl of Huntington Beach and Kris Melleby of San Francisco; stepsisters Stacylee Adams of Citrus Heights and Karen Wilburn of Redwood, N.Y.; and grandparents Harold and La Verne Bealer of Lancaster, Pa.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at La Verne Church of the Brethren. A private interment will take place at La Verne Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations to Bethany Theological Seminary, c/o John L. Harvey BVS Scholarship Fund, 615 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374.
Todd Memorial Chapel in Pomona is handling arrangements.
Carl Tyra, 93
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Carl Houston Tyra, 93, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, in Bullhead City.
Born June 3, 1907, in Wells, Texas, he lived in Carlsbad for 28 years before moving to Bullhead City. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 12 in Southern California for 52 years and a member of the Church of Christ in Fort Mohave. He enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and reading the Bible.
Mr. Tyra was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jewel E. Tyra; and infant daughter Geneva Tyra. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jean H. and Patricia Tyra of Bullhead City; grandchildren Jean Jr., Midge, Carl and Troy Tyra, all of Lawrence, Ind., Will and Tory Tyra of Pleasant Hills, Don, Elana, Jeff, Tina and Cindy Tyra of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jim and Christi Torres of Lake Elsinore, and Craig Hellmer of Jackson, Tenn.; great-grandchildren Angel, Farretta, Harley, Chris, Codly, Rachel, Nick and Sean Tyra and Nichole Knoppe; and great-great-grandson David Tyra.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 11, at Eternal Hills Mortuary, with the Rev. David Plank officiating. Interment will take place at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Desert Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens is handling arrangements.
Joyce Martin, 62
FALLBROOK - Joyce Wagner Martin, 62, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, in Fallbrook.
Born Aug. 17, 1938, in San Fernando, she lived in Fallbrook for 12 years. She was a homemaker for more than 40 years and a member of the Quilters Guild in Fallbrook and Friends of the Fallbrook Library.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her husband of 43 years, Donald J. Martin of Fallbrook; son Daniel C. Martin of Thousand Oaks; daughters Carrie M. Garcia of San Diego and Nancy M. Guzman of Castaic; sister Rita Woodmansee of Mission Hills; and three grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, with the Rev. David Plank officiating. Burial will follow.
The family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 12405 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92128; or Elizabeth Hospice, 150 W. Crest St., Escondido, CA 92025.
Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is handling arrangements.
William Willits, 81
OCEANSIDE - William H. Willits, 81, died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000, in Oceanside.
Born July 7, 1919, in Simms, Mont., he lived in Oceanside for 15 year. He worked for Housing and Urban Development before retiring in 1980. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Washington. He was a member of the North County Rose Society and president of the California Coastal Rose Society.
Mr. Willits was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Willits of Oceanside; son James S. Willits of Oceanside; daughter and son-in-law Catherine E. and Joseph Cross of Billings, Mont.; brother and sister-in-law Clair and Dorothy Willits of Great Falls, Mont.; sister Patricia Holland of Great Falls; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Eternal Hills Mortuary. Burial will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Louis Gurdine, 76
VISTA - Louis Gurdine, 76, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at Vista Knoll Convalescent facility.
Born Jan. 12, 1924, in Sloatsburg, N.Y., he lived in Vista for 12 years. He was a regional sales manager for Durkee Foods before retiring and served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War.
Mr. Gurdine is survived by his wife of 52 years, Aileen Gurdine of Vista; sons James Gurdine of Sherman Oaks and Steven Gurdine of Oceanside; daughter Lynda Gurdine of Oceanside; sisters Jean LaDuca and Antoinette Greenwald, both of New Jersey, Sue Quersfeld of Idaho and Rose Germano of New York; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Meadowlake Community Church in San Marcos, with the Rev. Jake Duran officiating. A private cremation is planned.
The family suggests memorial donations to the National Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-1676.
Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Ralph Nixon, 77
FALLBROOK - Ralph Eugene Nixon, 77, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000, of cancer, at his home.
Born Jan. 3, 1923, in Alhambra, he lived in Fallbrook for 28 years. He worked for the Department of the Navy Civil Service before retiring in 1995. She served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Mr. Nixon is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ynema Nixon of Fallbrook; sons and daughters-in-law Jon Nixon and David and Tamara Nixon, all of Fallbrook; daughter Wynne Nixon of Fallbrook; brother and sister-in-law Dwight and Lavina Nixon of Fallbrook; sister Lois Steffey of Laguna Beach; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at his home, with the Rev. Robert Cunningham officiating. A private burial will take place at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.
Accu-Care Cremation Center is handling arrangements.
Joan Stone, 65
ESCONDIDO - Emma "Joan" Stone, 65, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at a local hospital.
Born Sept. 19, 1935, in New Orleans, she lived in Hidden Meadows for three years and had lived in Vista for five years. She was a teacher at Horace Mann School in San Jose for nine years, a vice principal at Adams and Jackson elementarty schools and principal at Jefferson, Santiago and Remington elementary schools in Orange County for 11 years and the math coordinator for the Santa Ana School District in 9172. She earned a master's degree from Cal State Fullerton in 1973 and was director of the Santa Ana Title One program for two years. She retired in 1991. She was a member of the Hidden Meadows Newcomers Club, American Association of Retired Persons and the California Teachers Association.
Mrs. Stone is survived by her husband of 25 years, Clarke Stone of Hidden Meadows; stepdaughters Susan Greathouse of Los Altos and Carol Lyons of Seattle; brother Herbert "Bert" Willis of Santa Clara; nephews Eddy, Michael and David Rogers, all of Baton Rouge, La.; twin sister Doris Jean Rogers of Baton Rouge; nieces Joan Exing of Slidell, La., and Karen Reynolds and Kristin Willie, both of Santa Clara; four stepgrandchildren; and 11 grandnieces and nephews in Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel, with the Rev. Sam Brumit officiating. A private cremation with interment is planned.
The family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 12405 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92128.
Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel, is handling arrangements.
James Boyd, 40
SAN MARCOS - James W. Boyd, 40, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, in Escondido.
Born Jan. 25, 1960, in Castro Valley, he lived in San Marcos for three years. He was a Cad designer for Cymer Inc. for 12 years.
Mr. Boyd was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Boyd and David Boyd. He is survived by his mother and father, Violet and George Lessa of San Marcos; and brother Ron Boyd of Florida.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 13, at Discovery Valley Church in San Marcos, with the Rev. Bob Jepson officiating.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
