Claremont Obituaries
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. […]
Beloved husband, father, psychoanalyst, sportsman James Odel Laughrun, ThD, died peacefully at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. Jim met his wife Deanie in college. The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary days before his death. He was a self-proclaimed “Arizona farm boy,” who became a Christian minister. As […]
Decorated WWII vet, 57-year Claremont resident, married for 71 years Fifty-seven year Claremont resident Justus J. Castleberry, a warm and outgoing person whose kindness towards others made everyone around him feel special, his family shared, died peacefully on July 12 with his daughters and longtime caregiver by his side. He was just one month shy of […]
US Navy veteran, woodworker, warrior for peace William “Bill” Elhai, a longtime Claremont resident, died in the wee hours of June 30 following a period of declining health. He was 90 years old. Mr. Elhai lived at Mt. San Antonio Gardens for 10 years, and proudly served in the US Navy. He had a long […]
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend With profound sadness we share that Maureen Elizabeth Mills, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died peacefully at home in Sacramento on June 25. She fought courageously until the end after being diagnosed with stage four inoperable lung cancer last December. She was born September 3, 1941 […]
Devoted nana, nurse, athlete and avid sports fan Beverlee Lou McPherson, a Claremont resident since 1987, died March 9 while in the care of Seasons Hospice after a two year struggle with an incurable respiratory illness. Friends and family gathered for a celebration of her life at the family home April 20. Beverlee was born […]
Family doctor, US Navy vet, outdoorsman, volunteer Dr. Eugene (Gene) A. St. Clair was born in the Philippines on February 28, 1924, to Florence Case St. Clair and Dr. Roy St. Clair, both of La Verne, California. He died on his 95th birthday. In 1942, after graduating from Bonita High School, Gene attended Pomona College. […]
Bird watcher, biologist, founding Pitzer professor, environmentalist Dan Guthrie was a devoted bird watcher, professor and environmentalist. He lived in Claremont for 55 years, where he worked as a biology professor at Joint Science Department (now W.M. Keck Science Department) at the Claremont Colleges. He died on July 1, surrounded by his family. “Dan instilled […]
Armstrong Nurseries innovator, psychiatrist, traveler, Navy veteran California native David Ligon Armstrong died July 4 at Oak Tree Lodge in Pomona. “Full of intelligence and humor, he was a testament that our hopes and dreams are achievable when we believe and commit ourselves to action,” his family shared. Born at home May 5, 1927 in […]
Grandmother, longtime Condit Elementary librarian, volunteer Former Claremont resident Mrs. Doris Jean “Jill” Finegan died Saturday, June 29 at the age of 90. Mrs. Finegan was born August 10, 1928 in Rochester, New York. She moved to Claremont in 1976 where she lived for 32 years before moving to Hendersonville, Tennessee to live with her […]
Concert pipe organist, first music master’s graduate of Claremont Graduate University Lucille Sarafian Keeler, concert pipe organist, church musician, music teacher, first music master’s graduate of Claremont Graduate University, music organization leader, and mother and grandmother died at home under the care of her loved ones on May 27, 2019. Ms. Keeler held great love […]
Activist, stylish lover of literature, couture and culture, world traveler The “utterly amazing, and fantastically stylish” Barbara Elisabeth Heavin, 79, died in her home on June 8, surrounded by many who loved her dearly, her family shared. Her last words were “I’m so happy!” She was born in Oklahoma City, the daughter of Charlotte and […]
Community volunteer, athlete, outdoorsman A resident of Claremont for 66 years, Ellis Reid Shannon died from a hemorrhagic stroke at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center on June 20. He was 84. He was born August 24, 1934 in Shanghai, while his father was serving as air attaché to Chiang Kai-shek, who led the Republic of […]
Film buff, swordsman, traveler, longtime Cal Poly, Pomona English professor Robert Eustis Morsberger, film buff, swordsman, traveler, and longtime English professor at Cal Poly Pomona, died peacefully at home with his loved ones by his side on June 18. Born September 10, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, Bob was the son of Eustis Espey Morsberger, a […]
Great-grandmother, matriarch, longtime construction company executive, volunteer Roxanne “Roxie” Douglas, dear mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, started a “new adventure” on June 8, after a struggle with cancer. She was 65. Roxanne was born September 20, 1953 in Hawthorne, California to Robert and Marianne (nee Spaw) Rawlings. She grew up in Diamond Bar and […]
CHS grad, Eagle Scout, grocery industry veteran Craig Alan Toothaker was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 15, 1955 and died peacefully at home on June 6. He leaves behind his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth-Ann Toothaker of Beaumont; his parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Lawrence Toothaker of Claremont; his brothers, Steven and Roger of Claremont and […]
Educator, school principal, musician, great-grandfather John Tate was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 19, 1932 to John D. and Lora (Parker) Tate, and died in Claremont, on May 24, 2019. He and his family first migrated from Alabama to Texas before settling in Southern California, primarily in Claremont. He was a devoted husband to […]