Claremont Obituaries
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 […]
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many Donald Merrill Shupe died at home on July 19, at the age of 85. Merrill, as he was known to all, was born in Boise, and grew up on a farm in Gooding, Idaho. He worked hard, as all farmers do. He earned his bachelor’s degree […]
Homemaker, educator, reader Judith Dell (Jones) Ritchie died at home in downtown Claremont on July 15, her beloved husband Tom at her side. She had lived with insulin-dependent diabetes for over four decades, and fought bravely in later years as scleroderma attacked her lungs. She was so thankful to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and be […]
Treasured friend, artist, mentor Susan Dinkle Lindley, 76, died at home in Claremont’s Russian Village on June 20. Mary Susan Dinkle was born March 1, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into a family centered in the arts and service to community. Her mother, Mary Virginia “Ginny,” was an accomplished actress, gardener and a supervisor of […]
A lifetime together Larue Priscilla “Percy” Speirs Barnes followed her husband of 77 years, Stanley Raymond Barnes, when she died June 1. The couple were together at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Pomona until Stanley died May 4. Percy was 98 years old and Stanley 99. Both Pomona College graduates, they were married February 1, […]
Grandfather, patent attorney, teacher Longtime Claremont resident Edward Orin Ansell died Wednesday, June 30 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. Born to Hyman and Mollie Ansell on March 29, 1926 in Superior, Wisconsin, he received all his schooling there, including his first two years at the University of Wisconsin, Superior (then Superior State Teachers College). Ed then transferred […]
Minister, professor, columnist, author “As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod, Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God.” Sidney Lanier, “The Marshes of Glynn” Rev. Charles H. Bayer, a longtime minister, professor, newspaper columnist and author, died June 26 at Pilgrim Place Health Center in Claremont after a […]
Beloved husband, papa, golfer Richard Lee “Dick” Snelson died at San Antonio Regional Hospital at the age of 81 on Thursday, June 10. He was born in San Diego, California on February 16, 1940. He spent his childhood in San Diego and in Claremont—graduating from Claremont High School in 1959. He married his high school […]
Beloved daughter, sister, aunt Dana Bortscheller Dawkins, after having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early May, came to her sister’s home in Los Altos for treatment at Stanford Hospital and died peacefully on May 26. She was 52 years old. Born November 4, 1968, Dana joined the Bortscheller family at the age of three […]
Beloved mother, longtime Claremonter, loved music and art Diana Denise Manny died May 10 at the age of 47. Diana was born in San Gabriel on February 3, 1974. She was a lively and bright child who loved to sing, dance and had a beautiful imagination. A longtime Claremont resident, she attended Vista Del Valle […]
James (Jim) Ralph Laird died peacefully at home in Claremont at the age of 88 on Sunday, June 6. Everyone who knew Jim knew to take a moment … or a few … out of his or her day to listen to one of his stories or jokes. Jim’s story started in Jesup, Iowa on […]
Longtime Claremont resident, volunteer, was 106 years old Ruth Elizabeth Pitt, a resident of Claremont since 1967, died peacefully at home on June 5 at the age of 106. Ruth is survived by her dear godson Bernie (Tim) Weeder of Port Sanilac, Michigan; her devoted niece Gayle (Tony) Papa, of Claremont; loving relatives Mrs. Muriel […]
Beloved grandmother, prolific artist, adventurous, creative ‘yes’ girl Margaret “Margy” Gates, the only child of Ruth and Bill Crawford, died May 30 at the age of 89. Born two months premature on May 6, 1932 in Huntington Park, California, Margy’s early months were a challenge, but from the very beginning she showed stoic strength and […]
Beloved grandmother, devoted friend, traveler, ebullient, enthusiastic entertainer Longtime Claremont Resident Judith Ann (Judy) Carrington, 79, died peacefully, with her family by her side, on February 8 at Claremont Manor. Judy moved to California from Kalamazoo, Michigan during her senior year of high school. She was a member of the Claremont High class of 1957, […]
Grandmother, former Scripps College dean of faculty, professor, lover of literature Anne Fuller died in the morning hours of May 22 at the age of 89. She is survived by her brother, Thomas Havens; daughter, Kate Niles; son, Peter Fuller; and grandchildren, Sarah Fuller, Nicholas Fuller and Christopher Niles. Anne was born in 1932 in […]
Husband, father, grandfather, minister and community leader Rev. Barrie Gray died peacefully with members of his family and hospice support present in Claremont on May 17, after a lengthy health issue compounded by the emotional and physical impacts of pandemic isolation over the past year. He was born in Schenectady, New York on July 19, […]
Loving husband, father, son, friend, doctor and teacher David Shofler, 40, died suddenly during May. A polymath with a quick wit and dry sense of humor, Dave will be sorely missed by his family, friends, coworkers and students. He was born in Pasadena. After earning a degree in mathematics from UC Berkeley, he earned his […]