Claremont Obituaries
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 […]
Wife, mother, friend, mentor, artist Vivian Bornemann died peacefully in her sleep early in the morning of July 14 at the Claremont Manor Skilled Nursing Center, concluding a long life of many accomplishments and adventures just shy of her 93rd birthday. “We are inspired by her example,” her family shared. She was born Vivian Dorothy Brown […]
Beloved husband, father and grandfather Richard D. Anthony died July 5, 2020 at Claremont Place Assisted Living Residence. He was the stepfather of Kathryn Nasiali and the stepfather-in-law of Opanyi Nasiali. Richard was born in Stockton, California to Wilfred and Ruth Anthony. During his youth, his father taught him how to hunt and fish—recreational pursuits […]
Great-grandfather, longtime DPSS director, US Army veteran, tennis enthusiast Donald Eugene Brown died peacefully on July 10, with his wife by his side. He was 92 years old. Donald was born in Harlem Hospital in New York City on June 6, 1928, the fourth child of Robert W. Brown, Jr. and Edna Marie (Crawford) Brown. […]
Author, storyteller, pilot, sailor, trucker, therapist, priest, chaplain Christopher S. Rubel died peacefully on March 7 in his Claremont home surrounded by his family. He was 87 years old. Those who knew Chris knew his greatest joy in life was being able to stay connected to family and friends near and far. After serving in […]
Longtime Claremonter, innovative Glendora schoolteacher, grandmother Eleanor Rose Records Henry, a 38-year Claremont resident who taught at Washington School in Glendora for nearly as long, peacefully breathed her last in Los Angeles at the age of 92. “She was beautiful. She was smart. She was funny. But more than anything she was kind,” her family […]
College dean, professor, sports car enthusiast, traveler Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Jerome “Jerry” Garris died peacefully at home on June 27 with his wife and two sons by his side. He was 81 years old. Jerry was born in San Francisco on January 13, 1939, to Irene Adams and Basil Garris. He grew […]
Surgical nurse, grandmother, traveler After many years of declining health due to chronic lung disease, Ilene Bonilla died June 15 at the age of 78. She died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Ilene was born July 19, 1941 in Youngstown, Ohio to Lewis and Katherine (Nestor) Pusch. After graduating from Chaney High School, […]
Longtime CUSD superintendent, educational innovator, volunteer, traveler Former superintendent of Claremont Unified School District Richard S. Kirkendall died June 26 at the age of 93. He was born December 14, 1926 in Los Angeles, the oldest of six children. He grew up mostly in the Compton-Lynwood area during the Great Depression. As a young adolescent, […]
Beloved son, father, grandfather and friend Louis Wichhart, 83 years young, died June 30 in Claremont. Beloved son of Alverda Wichhart, Louis grew up in Fairfield, Iowa. After moving to Pasadena, California, “Lou” worked in civil engineering for the major firms Jacobs, Braun, Parsons and Fluor Daniels. In retirement he was an active volunteer and […]
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother Susan Martin, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died June 10 at her home in Claremont after a year-long battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 73. Susan was born July 2, 1946 in Stockton, California, the only child of Ralph and Rosalind Watson. They lived in several places throughout California […]
Pioneering Catholic theologian in Christian-Jewish relations and Holocaust studies Eva Fleischner, beloved sister, aunt, great aunt and friend, died peacefully at the Pilgrim Place Health Services Center on July 6 after a long illness. Born in 1925 in Vienna, Austria to Felix and Gabriele Schoenfeld Fleischner, Eva spent her first 12 years with her brother, […]
Longtime Claremont Colleges professor, author, family man Claremont resident Joseph Anthony Maciariello died peacefully on July 1st with his family by his side. He was 78 years old. Joseph was born December 1, 1941 in Troy, New York, just six days prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor and our nation’s entrance into World War […]
Beloved husband, father and grandfather Stephen Edward Schneider died June 16 at San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland at the age of 73, with his wife Sheila by his side. He will be remembered most for his loving heart and unending dedication to his wife and family, neighbors and friends. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, […]
Founder of Gourmet Gourmet, Freemason, Rotarian Former Claremont and current Upland resident Sven Olof Lingstrom died June 16, with his family by his side, of complications related to Lewy Body Dementia. He was 80. He was born in Sweden on February 1, 1940, to Sven and Ruth Lingstrom. The family moved from Sweden to Turlock, […]
Elder healthcare advocate, lawyer, educator, two-time Fulbright grant recipient Donna Myers Ambrogi, beloved aunt, great aunt and friend, died peacefully at her Pilgrim Place apartment in Claremont on the evening of June 8, after an illness of several months. Born in 1929 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Donna moved with her family to Huntington Park, California […]
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother Kristen Jane Hagstrom, beloved wife of Stephen W. Hagstrom, mother of Erik Rand Hagstrom and Britta H. Numair (George), and grandmother of Olivia Numair, died March 5. She was 68. Born February 16, 1952 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, Kristen was the daughter of John A. Gersbach and Carol M. Gersbach of Swarthmore, […]