Claremont Obituaries

Jack Dwayne Blair, age 88, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on August 5 in Claremont. He was born March 21, 1936, in Astoria, Oregon, to parents Ralph and Anna Blair. He later moved to California where he married Pamela Blair, “his one true love, and together they raised their family,” his family shared.

Beloved matriarch, teacher, musician, was married 76 years Longtime Claremont resident Eileen Deem Jaeger died August 3 at the age of 99. She was predeceased in January 2022 by her husband of 76 years, Chester E. Jaeger, and her sister, Eva Trembly. She is survived by her children, Barbara (Michael) Cash, of Modesto, California, Jeri Jaeger, […]

Educator, mentor, inspiration to generations Don F. Fruechte, a cherished Claremont High School theater teacher for 31 years, died August 4, on his 91st birthday, in his Upland home. He was surrounded by dear friends and Brandi, the last of a long line of surviving Chihuahuas. “His dedication to his students and his craft shaped […]

Lifelong Arbol Verde resident, farmworker, nurse, devout Catholic matriarch Nellie Villanueva, a lifelong Arbol Verde east barrio resident, farmworker, nurse, devout Catholic matriarch, Padua Hills Theatre Mexican folklorico dancer, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, has died. Once described by renowned Latina actress Alma Martinez as “the first lady of Claremont,” Villanueva […]

“There is a photo of Tom as a young boy, perhaps 11, sitting astride a large Arabian horse,” said his wife, Joyce. “He is brimming with confidence as he sits on the horse and gazes into the camera. When I met him, he already had a whole shelf full of ribbons and trophies that they had won in dressage. He was a remarkable rider.”

“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.

Helen Jean Buckelew died July 10. Born June 13, 1932, Jean was raised in Oklahoma, where she met her future husband, Clyde Truman Buckelew when she was 15 years old. They married when she was 18 and he had just turned 19. For the next six years she lived with him in Virginia, Florida, and finally Memphis, Tennessee, where their son and daughter were born while he completed his U.S. Navy service. 

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 […]