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Elizabeth (Betty) Ritchie Wall
84, passed March 31, 2006. Born March 30, 1022, in Scotland, Betty grew up in San Pedro. She graduated from San Pedro High School in 1941, worked for TRW and retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District. She resided in Big Bear Lake for over 14 years before returning to San Pedro over two years ago. Betty was devout in her faith and love for God and truly had a servant's heart. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Howes; grandson Jeffrey Olsen (Rena); brother Robert Ritchie and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom will miss her sweetness, joyful generosity and tender spirit.
Services will be held Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 3 p.m. at Green Hills Memorial Chapel with graveside service to follow.
Dwayne Lloyd Schwecke
48, passed at his home in Big Bear, April 13, 2006. Born June 18, 1957, in Santa Ana, Calif., and lived with his family in Orange until they moved to Norco in 1962 where he and his brothers worked on the family's egg ranch during their youth. He graduated from Norco High School in 1975 where he played baseball and trumpet. He worked as a baker at Kick's Bakery in Arlington, Minn. and then for Albertson's Market. Using his gift as a natural salesman, he became a sales rep for PYA Monarch Foods in 1979 and continued working in that profession as his life time career for 25 years. Currently, Dwayne was employed with SYSCO Food Service of Los Angeles as a marketing associate and truly loved working for this wonderful company.
In 1983, Dwayne moved to Big Bear where he met the love of his life, Erin McRaven. They were married in 1984 and were blessed with four beautiful children. He loved being involved as a youth sports coach for all his kids. Some of his favorite hobbies were cooking, golf, travel and he was a very competitive card player. He always saw the best in everyone and lived every day to the fullest with loads of energy, enthusiasm and love.
He is survived by his wife, Erin; four children, Curtis, Tara, Taylor and Nicole; his parents Norbert and Noreen of Norco; two brothers, Craig (Doris) of Riverside and Bryan (Debbie) of Flagstaff, Ariz.; sister Connie (Darami) of Riverside; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; plus many friends and customers he knew and worked with over the many years in the profession he loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to benefit pancreatic cancer research at pancan.org or call 877-272-6226, or mail to Pan Can, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.
Services were held on April 19, 2006, in Big Bear, followed by interment on April 20, 2006, at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn, Riverside, Calif.
Richard Dean Luft
79, passed March 29, 2006, at his son's home in Davenport, Iowa. Born May 8, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa, Richard spent many years vacationing here in Big Bear with his sister Carol.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Barbara in August 2002 and his granddaughter Brianna. He is survived by his children: Barbara A. (Rick) Carroll, Ann Arbor, MI; David (Zandra) Luft, Davenport, IA; Michael E. (Michelle) Luft, Roseville, MI; Betty (Brian) Kavanaugh, Independence, MO; Susan (Tim) Parker, Carmel, IN; 18 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren; sister Carol (Clint) Diller, Big Bear City;
Online condolences may be expressed to Richard's family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Esterdahl Mortuary, directors
Joseph R. Castillo (Mercer Tire & Automotive) Remembered
Joseph R. Castillo passed away peacefully on April 12, 2006, at his Big Bear home surrounded by family and friends. His battle with pancreatic cancer was remarkable and Joe fought to the very end. He was born October 1, 1939, in Guadalajara, Mexico, and graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1958. During Joe's 66 years of life, he lived in many places and had many homes but his heart was always in Hawaii. He was often lovingly referred to as a native Hawaiian born in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Those who knew Joe were captured by his wonderful smile and warm generous heart. He loved helping people and often put others before himself. When Joe wasn't working, he was caring for his animals and keeping his home in immaculate condition even during his illness. Friends and family would often say to Joe "how about cleaning my home" and he would just smile.
Joe was a loving father, grandfather and husband and he will be very missed. He is survived by his wife, Karen Castillo; his three children Stephen Castillo, Dana Rizzo and Mia McCowan, two step-daughters Megan and Erin McFeely, his brother Bob Castillo, his sons-in-law Mark Rizzo and Matt McCowan, daughter-in-law Christy, five grandchildren Matthew, Michael, Jordan, Dylan and Josie, the mother of his three children, Sharon Castillo, along with many longtime friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at First Mountain Bank to assist the family in this time of need. Any correspondence can made through Mercer Tire & Automotive or mailed directly to P.O. Box 3296, BBC, CA 92314. Joe's wife Karen Castillo, has plans to develop a cancer support ministry and help families in the near future.
Joe's "CELEBRATION OF LIFE" service will be held on Friday April 21, 2006 at 4 p.m. at Community Church by the Lake in Big Bear Lake near the Village and his burial service will be held in Santa Monica on April 24. Everyone in the community is invited.
BIG BEAR MORTUARY, DIRECTORS
Janice Lee Clinton
56, passed March 22, 2006, in Anaheim, Calif. Born July 28, 1949, in Long Beach, Janice was a five-year resident of Bear Valley and a music leader in the Big Bear Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Janice attended Brigham Young University, and enjoyed her job overseeing many buildings/facilities for her church. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Dennis of Big Bear City; children, Christopher of Corona, Clifford of Anaheim Hills, Charlene Bennet of So. Weber, Utah, Caryn Nielsen of Saratoga Spring, Utah; parents Helen and Lawrence McEldowney and six grandchildren.
She loved her husband, children and grandchildren, feeling that grandchildren were the greatest blessing of life. Janice knew she will be with her family again in the next life and will watch over them always. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her.
Services are March 29, 2006 at the Rose Hills Memorial Chapel in Whittier. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Children's Tumor Foundation, 95 Pine St., 16th floor, NY, NY 10005 in Janice's name.
James Edward Ensminger, II
66, passed March 21, 2006, in Big Bear Lake, Calif. He was born in Luling, Texas, in 1939, the eldest of seven children. James was a general contractor, owner of Encon Construction, who came to Big Bear from Corpus Christi in 1979 to build the Sizzler Restaurant. He developed a special fondness for Big Bear Lake and made it his home. He built the airport building, the Big Bear Inn, now the Best Western, contributed to the city building and the PAC, and several additional commercial and residential buildings in the region. He served his country in the United States Army, and was a member of the Rotary for 15 years, Elks, American Legion and the Moose Club.
He is survived by his wife, Pat of 25 years, who he met and married after coming to Big Bear; daughter Brenda Mitchell and grandson Christopher, son James E. Ensminger, III and their half brothers and sister, Gelvase J. Anselmi, Acton J. Anselmi, and Janelle M. Shur, and stepchildren Michele Flinn, Sandee Cardinal, and Richard Reif, II. He was the eldest of seven children and is survived by those siblings, Jerry D., Ben R., and George S. Ensminger, sisters Carol J. Parks, Kathy Fritcher, and Eva Nell Dwyer, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate his life will be held on April 22 at the Elks Club in Big Bear Lake at 1 p.m.
John J. Joyner
76, beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed on Monday, March 20, 2006 in Palm Springs, Calif.
John was born August 2, 1929 in Andover, New Jersey to John Trinca and Charlotte Joyner. A graduate of UCLA, John married Gay Merrill in 1962, and moved to Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, where he was a full-time resident for the past 43 years.
John was a well-known and respected business man, community leader, and volunteer in Big Bear Lake. John and his wife were the owner/operators of the Snow Summit Ski Resort Restaurant from 1965-1971. John played a vital leadership role in Big Bear Lake becoming a city in 1980, and served as a City Councilman on the city's first council from 1980-1982. John voluntarily left the Big Bear Lake City Council to become the 1st District Supervisor for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors from 1982 to 1988, serving as chairman from 1987-1988. Among other notable accomplishments, John was responsible for the development of the Big Bear Lake Senior Center.
Much has been written about the service and commitment John has given to the community, county, state and nation. John exemplified the qualities of a true statesman and human being. John carried himself with respect and dignity; he was a man of utmost integrity and honor; he was courageous and compassionate; and most importantly, he was a friend to all those who knew him.
John was preceded in death by his daughter Michelle Labye Foco.
John is survived by his beloved wife Gay, his grandson Charles Robinson and his wife Carren, six great-grandchildren: Logan, Zackary, Dylan, Brett, Lauren and Marlee; three brothers and their families: Richard and Judy Trinca, Joseph and Nancy Trinca, and Bill Trinca; Nancy and Ellis Salyer, Kathy Harmon, Sundae Harmon, Melissa Aiken, Dennis Merrill, Gary and Sara Merrill, George Covello and Grace and Barry Barnett.
Memorial services for friends and family are pending in the Big Bear Lake area.
Anne R. Takenada
49, passed June 20, 2009. Born July 16, 1962, Anne was a 20-year resident of Big Bear Valley.
She liked nursing and being helpful, as a LVN for 25 years.
She was a great mother to her sons and a wonderful wife to her husband.
Anne is survived by her husband, Harry; sons, Anthony Allen Cook, Harry Reyoichi "Little Harry" and Mitchell Heijiro; brothers, Ross Rehart and Daniel Rehart; sisters, Margaret Rehart and Debbra Forrester.
Memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church of Big Bear City.
Big Bear Mortuary, directors.
Peter Michael Parks
62, passed away in an auto accident in Lucerne Valley, Calif., on Thursday, July 28, 2011.
He was born in New Jersey on March 7, 1949, to Claude and Billie Parks, both deceased.
The family later moved to Washington, D.C.
David Wallace
former 20-year resident of Big Bear City, passed away on Aug. 2, 2011, in Harbor City, Calif., after a three-year battle with cancer. Born in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 17, 1949, he moved to Southern California at the age of 3. He grew up in San Pedro and was a retired journeyman lineman, employed by Bear Valley Electric Co. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cheryl of Harbor City; daughter Janelle and two grandchildren, Kyle and Shannen, of Big Bear City, Calif.; a brother Michael of Gilbert, Ariz., and a sister, Nancy of Lone Pine, Calif. Services were held Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Russell D. McCoy
42, passed July 26, 2011. Born Nov. 23, 1967, Russell was a beloved son, father, brother and uncle.
A longtime resident of Big Bear Lake, he is survived by his mother Barbara McCoy, son Zachary McCoy, sisters Cheryl Fish and Sandra Bowles and brother Guy McCoy.
We will miss you so very much.
Memorial services to say goodbye will be held at the Believer's Chapel, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.
May the Lord be with you.
Merle W. Berg
73, passed July 22, 2011.
Born May 6, 1938, in Alaska, Merle moved to Big Bear in 1963 and was a general contractor.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, June, and 3 sons: Robert and his partner Rick, Gregory and his wife Callie, Erik and daughter Elisha.
Mildred Irene Hopkins
a resident of Big Bear Lake and Fawnskin since 2000, passed away June 21, 2011.
She was 95 years young.
