Czernek, William "Bill", 86, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2015 at his home in Huntington Beach, CA. He was 86 years "young". Bill was born on October 21, 1928 in Ellwood, PA to parents Andrew and Vanda Czernek. His younger years were spent in rural farm life in Erie, PA with his older brother Ed. At the age of 22 Bill joined the Air Force where he spent the next four years. Shortly after, he headed to California where he initially worked for McDonald Douglas and the phone company before joining the Los Angeles Fire Department. Bill worked for the Fire Department for 32 years before he retired in 1992. First as a fire fighter and then as an Engineer. He made many lifelong friends and often commented on how he missed the comradery of his fellow fire fighters. He was passionately committed to the department, his community and supporting his family. Soon after arriving in California he married Maureen McAdams and had his first four children: David, Joseph, Mary and Annette. Maureen passed at an early age. Bill then met and married Janet Winkel and together they had daughter Connie. Bill's most enthusiastic hobby was golf. Whether a good or bad day it was a passion that brought him great joy. Bill also loved to shoot pool, play horseshoes and bowl. He had a competitive spirit that kept him forever young. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Janet; his brother, Ed; 5 children, David, Joseph, Mary, Annette, Connie; sons-in-law, Ray, Steve and Bunker; daughter-in-law, Shannon; 9 grandchildren, Eric, Preston, Abby, Tyler, Nichole, Caitlin, Marlee, Drew and Sam. Bill had a great heart filled with optimism. He had an infectious smile that would light up a room. His gracious and easy going nature made him a natural for people to talk to and his jokes always made people laugh. He made the most out of every day and lived his life with great dignity and passion. A genuine "nice guy", Bill truly made a friend in everyone. He was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He will be forever missed but never forgotten. A memorial service to honor Bill's life will take place Friday, February 27th at 10am, Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church. A reception will take place immediately following at the Seacliff Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Fireman's Fund, P.O. Box 41903, Los Angeles, CA 90041.
Heffin, Michael Lynn, 68, of Huntington Beach, died February 19, 2015
McClellan, John Lester "Jack", 80, born April 3, 1934, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Huntington Beach, California on Tuesday, February the 10th, 2015. Survived by his beloved wife, Molli, children, grandchildren, a brother and other extended family. Services are planned for February 28, 2015 with time and details pending - see www.heritage-dildaymemorialservices.com/ for service details and full obituary. Please post memories, stories and photos on website.
Ozeki, Ted S., 74, of Huntington Beach, died February 15, 2015
Phalen, James "Jim" Albert, 93, passed away Feb. 14, 2015 from complications of pneumonia. Jim was born April 29, 1921, in Saginaw, Michigan, one of five children of James and Sophia Phalen. His family moved to Texas when he was young, and settled in the Houston area. Jim was a college graduate and had multiple careers, including sales, at which he excelled. His last employment was with the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles, from which he retired in the early 80's. Jim met and married Lois York in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1960, and became step-dad to Kathie, who was 13, and Sue and Terry York, who were both grown and gone. Jim and Lois and Kathie relocated to San Diego, California in 1962 to escape the Minnesota winters. Jim loved the San Diego area, and the climate allowed him to ride his bicycle all year round. He was also a loyal San Diego Padres fan and made annual trips to their spring training camp in Arizona. After he and Lois retired, they enjoyed a nice lifestyle until 1994, when Lois had a stroke and became disabled. Jim became her caregiver and nursed her with utter devotion until her death in 2000. After Lois passed, Jim moved to Huntington Beach to be closer to Kathie and Sue in Orange County. He lived in his own condo, continued to ride his bicycle daily, and was a loyal parishioner at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. In 2011, due to failing health, he relocated to Sunrise Assisted Living in Huntington Beach, where he passed under the care of Hospice and Sunrise nursing staff. He was beloved by Sunrise staff who knew him as a kind, caring, amazingly independent resident who will be missed. Jim was a man of God whose faith sustained him through all the days of his life. He is survived by his step-children, Kathie Zager (Dennis) of Fountain Valley, CA, Sue Martinez of Garden Grove, CA and Terry York of Green Valley, AZ. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen McBride of Winnie, Texas; brother, Bill Phalen (Lucy) of San Antonio, Texas; sister-in-law, Jo Phalen of Houston, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Services will be held at Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, Huntington Beach, CA on March 10, 2015 at 10 a.m.
