Claremont Obituaries
Son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, soldier, police officer, and beloved friend to many, Louie R. Hernandez Jr. died on January 1.
Grandfather, proud Marine, entrepreneur George Charles Ash Jr., of Upland, died peacefully on October 22. He was 81. George was born December 23, 1943, in Tampa, Florida, the son of a Texaco executive. His family relocated often during his childhood, giving him the opportunity to attend many schools in the southern United States. At 17, […]
Jean Watkins Beckner, longtime Claremont resident, beloved librarian of rare books and amateur naturalist, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, surrounded by family. She was 98. Born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Jean was an accomplished sailor, often taking out her small sloop by herself. Her father, Richard Howells Watkins, was a journalist for […]
The family of Janis Lou Johnston Papineau is deeply saddened to announce her peaceful passing at the age of 82. Born and raised in Alpena, Michigan, Janis was the beloved daughter of Betty (Douville) and Frederick “Fred” T. Johnston. The eldest of six children, she was a precocious, whip-smart child and a protective big sister. She grew […]
Ross Turner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and founder of Guided Discoveries, passed away unexpectedly on October 9, 2025 from a cardiac arrest in Dana Point, California. He was 79. His passing was sudden and peaceful — just as he would have wanted — leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations […]
Minister, teacher, counselor, author Ken Dale, long-time missionary, teacher, counselor, writer, and beloved friend, died September 8 at the age of 99. By some markings, Ken had entered into his 100th year, and for that he was quite proud. Born in the farmland of Nebraska, “Ken’s life was marked by a quiet strength and a […]
Mother, homemaker, was married 72 years Beverly June Bicker died on July 12 at the age of 90. She was born the youngest of four children to Harold and Bertha Wessel on June 8, 1935 in Los Angeles. The family moved to Pasadena when she was 10. The Wessel family and the Bickers had attended […]
Great-grandmother, social justice warrior, writer, lifelong learner “Bands were playing in the streets of New York City on the day Barbara was born. It was an Election Day — November 6, 1922,” her family shared. On September 25, Barbara died peacefully at her home in Claremont. She was just six weeks shy of her 103rd […]
Beloved mother, grandmother, CUSD teacher Judith Carol Roberts, affectionately known as Judi, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 23, 2024, at the age of 78. Her children said she faced a courageous battle with uterine cancer, which spread to her lungs, yet her fierce determination and strength remained unwavering. […]
Grandfather, 40 year CMC professor, athlete, wood carver, volunteer James Pinter-Lucke died September 17 at the age of 81 after a brief illness. To family and friends, Jim is remembered as kind, patient, and steadfast, a role model and a mentor. Jim was born in Portland, Oregon to Talbot Bennett and Elma Juntunen. After the […]
Parent, grandmother, community volunteer and advocate for the arts Peggy Ann Carlson died August 27 at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland at the age of 72 after a four-year fight against cancer. “Well known in the community for her volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy for the arts, Peggy will be remembered by all for her […]
Long-time Claremont resident and volunteer Marilyn Jones Dale, a 67-year resident of Claremont who volunteered with many local and state organizations, died on August 21 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. A proud member of Claremont’s self-described “pushy broads,” she played many roles in making her community and the organizations she cared about what they are […]
A memorial gathering for longtime Claremont resident and community advocate Marilyn Dale, who died August 21, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 17 in the Bridge Room at Mt. San Antonio Gardens, 900 E. Harrison Ave., Pomona 91767. A full account of her life will appear in a future edition of […]
Grandfather, longtime CGU professor, author Jack Herman Schuster died August 27 at age 88. “Jack was known for his collegiality, integrity, and loyalty to family and friends; for his sense of social justice and dedication to the advancement of those who are underrepresented; for his erudition, thorough editing, and wordsmithing; his commitment to Jewish values […]
Mother, grandmother, teacher, artist, art patron Colleen Joyce Farley, beloved mother, grandmother, and long-time Claremont educator, died peacefully in her sleep on August 8 at the age of 92. Born December 3, 1932 in Fresno, California to Nora and Joseph Long, whose journey from Blueberry, Arkansas to central California began by covered wagon, Colleen was […]
Grandfather, esteemed Harvey Mudd College engineering professor John Richard (Rich) Phillips, born on January 30, 1934, in Albany California, died July 25 in Claremont. On the day Rich was born, because it was also the birthday of then President Franklin Roosevelt, his picture was in the local paper. “Rich joked that he never again attained […]
Father, TV and film writer, teacher Paul Gronseth died on Sunday, July 27, in San Dimas. He was 77 years old. Paul was a pillar of the Claremont community for more than 40 years as a writer, teacher, and coach, as well as a beloved father, husband, and friend. He was born to Oscar and […]