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Brown, Joanne W., 65, died unexpectedly on March 4th, 2010, in Huntington Beach. She spent 20 years as an Eligibility Technician for the Orange County Social Services Agency, loved cats and horses, and was deeply attached to her family. Joanne is survived by her daughter, Dianne Didio; son, David Hoxie; son-in-law, Oliver; and grandson, Jakob. She will be dearly missed. Services will be held at Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, CA, on Thursday, March 11th, 2010, at 2:30 pm.
Oliver, James Lester "Les", 97, (1912 - 2010). Les was born in Alliance, Nebraska, but considered Huntington Beach his home, living here from 1922 until his passing on January 25, 2010. Les loved sports and loved people. In his career at Huntington High School, he lettered in baseball, football, track and field, and basketball in multiple years as well as serving as Student Body President in his senior year (1930). He worked in Huntington Beach as an entrepreneur until serving in the Navy aboard the USS New Orleans during WW II. Upon his return, he continued building businesses and his family, finally having 3 children with his wife, Dorothy. Just as many men would be thinking of retirement, he changed careers and began work for the United States Postal Service, where he worked until age 80. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy and son, James Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Elaine of Arizona, Cecylle of Orange County; his son, Gregg of San Diego; their spouses; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The world is less than it was for those of us that knew and loved him. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Newland Barn Historical Site, 19822 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, CA from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm on March 21, 2010. Please RSVP at 858-245-9802 so we can prepare a place for you.
Purpero, Carlo Phillip, 95, February 17, 1915 - March 1, 2010 The ninety-five year old patriarch, restaurateur of a large Italian family, peacefully passed through the gates of Heaven into the Arms of God on March 1, 2010 surrounded by his wife, Margueritte and seven children. Carl was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin with his brothers Tony and Pepe and sister Caroline. In 1940 Carl married his beautiful wife Margueritte beginning a great story of devotion and love. In 1950 Carl and Margueritte moved to California and opened Breakfast at Carls Restaurant in Pomoma, California. Carl is survived by his wife, Margueritte; three sons, Dennis and his wife Ruth, Anthony and his wife Sharon, Rocky and his wife Toni, four daughters Renee, Serifina and her husband Marshall, Maria and her husband Jim and Caroline and her husband Steve. He was blessed with thirteen grandchildren, Deana, Jennifer, Thomas, Joanne, Justin, Ryan, Mathew, Danny, Bradley, Christopher, Caroline, Carlo and Pat and four great grand children, Ava, Doran, Devin and Jaden. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's By the Sea Catholic Church on March 13th at 9:30 a.m. located at 321 10th Street, Huntington Beach, 92648 followed by private internment services at Good Shepard Cemetery in Huntington Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to St. Mary's By the Sea Catholic Church in memory of Carl Purpero.
Solomon, Rosalee G., 91, born May 7, 1918, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. She is survived by her sister Loretta Farley (Bill) of Osage Beach, MO. Children: Barbara Clarkson, Alice Masters (Don Phillips), Pete Solomon (Carol), Mary Catherine Tallman (Don), John Robert Solomon (Jeanette), Alma Vogel-Curran; 28 grandchildren, 38 great- grandchildren, 4 great-great- grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and countless dear friends. Rosalee is predeceased by her husband, Vincent D. Solomon Sr., son, Vincent D. Solomon Jr., son-in-law, Scott Curran and David McConaha. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach, CA. Mom, you will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all of us.
Van Wyk, Dorothy Louise Beerman Steger, 86, born May 25, 1923 in Rochester, NY, lost her life to cancer on February 24, 2010. Dorothy, daughter, of Thomas J Beerman and Doris Kelly Beerman Scott, spent her early years in Central New York graduating from Homer High School in 1941. She later attended Syracuse University studying Journalism and Music.
She has one sister, Bette Lou (Mrs G.Richard) Henry, of Cortland, NY, and two brothers, Andrew (Tony) Beerman, of East Homer, NY and Thomas Beerman who preceded her in death. She married Lewis (Bud) Steger in 1942 and they lived in Preble, NY raising 3 daughters, Tommie Lew Mikels, Jacqueline Irene Lungulow and LuAnne Kelly. In 1959 they moved to Palm Springs, California for Bud's health. In California she opened Steger Studios of Palm Springs and continued teaching ceramics. In the 1970 and 80s, Dorothy continued her catering business as well as worked in the food business in the capacity of dining manager for the Desert Island and Marrakesh Country Clubs in Palm Desert, CA. Dorothy loved traveling and was able to travel throughout Europe many times. In 1984 she married Ray Van Wyk, of Huntington Beach, CA, who preceded her in death in 1991. They continued her love of traveling, often cruising to the Mexican Riviera and Alaska, and spending a month in Hawaii annually. Dorothy spent the last years of her life as a tour guide. She organized and accompanied tours to Nova Scotia, California Tours, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, WY, Branson, MO, numerous Las Vegas and Laughlin NV tours. For the last 10 years and as late as October 2009 she organized a monthly San Diego Casino bus tour for Huntington Beach Seniors. In addition to playing cards with girl friends, and tending a friend's garden weekly, Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her daughters in Poway, CA, Reed Springs, MO, and Bodega Bay, CA, with 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Two of her grandchildren, Billy Mikels, and Sky Earwood, preceded her in death. Dorothy was an artist with her words and her multi talented works of art. She loved to dance and played the piano by ear. She was a very vibrant independent woman and she lived an exceptional life. Her candid jokes, joyful remarks and loving heart will be missed by all who knew her. "Rest in Peace Dear Dorothy, until we meet again."
A celebration of Dorothy's life is planned for Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 12811 Francine Ter., Poway, California after private interment of her ashes on Friday, June 18, at Dearborn Memorial Park, Poway CA. Memorial contributions may be made to Lightbridge Hospice, 5280 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92121, online at www.lightbridgehospice.com or the American Cancer Society . www.cancer.org
Wickstrom, Lt Col Thomas Lawrence, 80, May 8, 1929 - March 1, 2010. Surviving family, wife, Jane; son, Thomas B; daughters, Catherine, Debra, Susan; 15 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was buried with full military honors at Good Shepherd Cemetery. The family requests donations to the American Cancer Society for lung cancer research. www.dildaybrothers.com
