Claremont Obituaries
“Dennis J. Smith was a man whose life was deeply rooted in love — for his family, his neighbors, and the community he tirelessly served,” his family shared. “Known for his keen sense of service, steadfast leadership, and deeply rooted faith, Dennis left a legacy of compassion, integrity, and purpose.”
Innovative educator, outdoor enthusiast, ‘project ninja’ Duane Kyler Jackman was happiest when he could serve as the catalyst for another person’s success and, as a lifelong educator, he seized these opportunities. A 60-year resident of Claremont, he died at 92 on July 2, at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. Duane was born February 17, 1932, in […]
Public servant, educator, volunteer, sports fan, gardener Shirley Lola Andrews died peacefully July 9 in her home in Claremont, surrounded by her children. She was 94. The only daughter of Joseph Gordon Saunders and Lola Collette Saunders of Taber, Alberta, Canada, she was predeceased by her older brother Gordon and younger brother Reg. Shirley married […]
Loving mother, grandmother, CUSD teacher’s aide Irene Magdziarz died July 1 of complications from a stroke. She was 91. Born in Chicago in 1932 to parents George and Florence, Irene married Ray Magdziarz in 1961 and they started a family in the Chicago suburbs. In 1978, Ray’s career change brought them to Claremont, where she […]
Teacher, missionary, community health educator, public health administrator, volunteer, advocate for justice Fern Jo Kaukonen died April 5 at age 81. She was born October 1, 1942 at the family home in California Borough on the Monongahela River in Washington County, Coal Center, Washington, Pennsylvania. She was named after her two grandmothers, Fernand Carly Delbarre […]
Marlene Lucille Keith, age 86, of Claremont, died June 28. Marlene was born on September 7, 1937 at home near Primrose, Iowa, the daughter of Martin L. Hohl and Ruth Anna (Schock) Hohl. She grew up on the family farm, attending Primrose Grade School and the Primrose Evangelical and Reformed Church.
Nora Amalia Vignoli died at the age of 91, her hand firmly held by Peter, her husband of 68 years. Nora’s life encompassed the era of the nuclear family and transitioned to forging a new career after her children graduated from high school.
William M. “Bill” Wilson died July 30, 2023 of complications from a fall.
Respected restaurateur, brother, U.S. Army veteran Local businessman and restaurateur John Rillo of Claremont died at the age of 90 on June 12. John was born to parents Mary (Guido) and Celestrino Rillo in Windber, Pennsylvania on April 17, 1934. He attended Windber High School and went on to Cornell University, graduating from the School […]
May 21, 1933 – May 15, 2024 Ronald W. Pusey died peacefully, from complications related to pneumonia, surrounded by family on May 15. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Carole J. Pusey; parents, Ralph and Genevieve Pusey; grandson, Justin Becerra; son-in-law, David Kuzminski. His youngest daughter, Sandy Kuzminski, also died shortly after […]
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher Phyllis Eschleman, a longtime Claremont resident, died June 10 at the age of 77. She is survived by her husband, Mike; children Tom, Karen, David, Kristen, and Kevin; and grandchildren Brayden, Morgan, Evie, Micah, and Kaden. She was born in Chicago on August 31, 1946, and moved to Columbus, […]
Mother, athlete, lifelong fitness enthusiast “Lisa Bertrand, our very own energizer bunny, passed away June 9 at her home in Oceanside, California after 68 action packed trips around the sun,” her family shared. Born October 16, 1955 in Pomona, and raised in Claremont, Lisa was a 1973 graduate of Claremont High School. She earned a […]
Mother, grandmother, teacher, chemist, volunteer, church worker Ruth Allin died May 24. She was in hospice care at Pilgrim Place Health Services Center following a brief illness. She was born September 13,1938 in Bakersfield, California to William Bert and Marie Anderson. She was the youngest of three children. Ruth attended George Washington High School in […]
Great-grandmother, longtime CGU, Casa Colina employee, artist, volunteer Judith Coyle (Jewart) Piette died peacefully at age 90 on April 27 in Sebastopol, California with her children at her side. Judy was born in Syracuse, New York on May 31, 1933 and raised in Hartford, West Virginia, Oklahoma City, and Covina. After raising her family of […]
One day in the early 1960s, armed soldiers at the gate of a top secret Lockheed aircraft complex were surprised to observe the arrival of a young man in a very odd looking car.
Minor Collinsworth died in his sleep from advanced Alzheimer’s disease at home under hospice care on April 29 at age 78.
Marilyn Ellen Lubarsky was born June 9, 1952, at Queen of the Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, the first child of Ruth and Robert Lubarsky.