Claremont Obituaries
“On July 12, after 90 years full of adventures, purpose, service, joys, sorrows, faith, and meaning, Dr. Carol Helen Bekendam was reunited with Pete, her late husband of 64 years. She died peacefully, surrounded by her children,” her family shared.
Kind, optimistic and wise Longtime Claremont resident Helen-Jeanne Munter died peacefully in her sleep on December 20, 2019, in the loving arms and hands of all of her children and most of her grandchildren. She was 92 years old. Mrs. Munter was much beloved by her family and many friends—who repeatedly noted that she was […]
Celebrated, award-winning sportswriter and columnist, helped popularize the NBA Phil Elderkin, for many years a nationally syndicated columnist for the Christian Science Monitor and The Sporting News, died December 21 at the age of 93. Mr. Elderkin, who consistently took readers where their tickets would never admit them, began his writing career with the Monitor […]
LA’s BEST board member, hiker, pilot David Lytle Paulson, 82, of Boise, Idaho, died unexpectedly from heart related complications on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, while visiting family and friends in Claremont. Born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 7, 1937, David grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating from Washington High School in 1956. Following […]
by Kelly Perez Thirty years ago Claremont lost a friend that many would consider the city’s biggest cheerleader, Alexander (Alex) Hughes. In memory of Alex, who many Claremonters remember but some may not know, I would like to share who he was, what he did and why there is a building with his name on […]
David Lytle Paulson, 82, of Boise ID, died unexpectedly from heart related complications on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, while visiting family and friends in Claremont, CA. Born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 7, 1937, David grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, graduating from Washington High School there in 1956. Following four years of service in […]
Celebrated advocate of and expert in kabuki, beloved professor, author, opera singer “I can’t imagine a world without Leonard” was the most common sentiment expressed by legions of Leonard’s former students and admirers when told of his unexpected death. Leonard C. Pronko, Pomona College’s beloved professor emeritus of theatre and dance (and formerly of French/Romance […]
Member of the Manhattan Project, pianist, folk dancer, hiker Robert J. S. Brown died peacefully, his five children having gathered to his bedside, on November 19. He was 95. He was born Robert James Brown on September 7, 1924 and grew up in Lawndale, California. He graduated from Leuzinger High School before entering the California […]
Creative educator, writer, trekker, animal lover, comedienne Donna Jean Blackstock died peacefully November 11 at Pilgrim Place Health Services Center. Her family and friends had been with her throughout the week while she was under the tender care of VNA Hospice and Palliative Care. Donna was born in 1942, the eldest of three children, in […]
Daughter of the American Revolution, educator, businesswoman Claremont resident Jacqueline “Jackie” Stickels died November 16 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana of complications from a fall. Jackie was born in Chino in 1935 to Elsie and Jack Elrod. She graduated from Chino High School, where she was active in athletics and was the president of […]
Special education instructor, married 68 years Carol Vetterli, 89, died peacefully at home in Claremont on November 30, in her own bed as per her wishes, with family at her side. Her life was full of love. Carol’s career was spent working with children with special needs. She began volunteering at the Crippled Children’s Society (now […]
Father, grandfather, husband Claremont resident Jay Frame, 82, died Monday, November 18 after a courageous battle against cancer. Jay was an independent sales rep before retiring more than 25 years ago. He married his wife, Debbie, in 1967. They had two children, Brandi and Jason, that they raised in Claremont. He had a passion […]
Legacy Claremonter, active volunteer, loving mother and wife “Mary Pauline Naftel Wheeler, called by the voice of Jesus, ascended peacefully to heaven on November 21, 2019, surrounded by her loving family,” the family shared. Born to Paul and Ida Mae Naftel on July 26, 1927, in Pomona California; her husband and life partner of almost […]
Longtime Claremont political activist, great-grandmother, educator Longtime Claremont resident and fixture in local civic and political life Sally Spiegel Seven died November 8 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center following a heart attack. She was 89. Sally was born April 10, 1930 and grew up in Kewanee, a small city in northwest Illinois. Early on […]
Reverend, champion for peace Reverend Ken Mitchell, age 89, a longtime resident of Claremont’s Pilgrim Place, died November 14. He served churches in Michigan, Montana, Washington state and California. He took a special interest in counseling, and worked for justice and peace. Rev. Mitchell was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; and son, Tom. […]
Professor, collage artist, painter, COURIER cartoonist Artist and professor Paul Darrow died November 11 at his Laguna Beach home. He was 98. Born October 31, 1921 in Pasadena, California to Frank and Ruth Darrow, his artistic talent shone through at an early age. By the time he was two, he scribbled rainbow colors from his […]
Longtime Claremonter, WWII veteran, bicyclist, weightlifter Robert Wendel “Bob” Poling has died at the age of 94. He had been a resident of Claremont since 1953, was an avid Claremont Wilderness Park bicyclist and an accomplished woodcraftsman. He was also a lifelong weightlifter and body builder, and was late Claremont High School football coach Esper […]