Claremont Obituaries

Elvira Leticia Cuevas-Fisch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, died on June 2 at age 70. She was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to Jose and Dolores Cuevas. As a child, Elvira and her family moved to Los Angeles. Together with her three sisters and two brothers, she grew up in Boyle Heights, a wonderfully diverse community that helped her forge a proud identity that was fully American and Mexican.

Phyllis Case Bennett, who would have been 90 this Sunday, June 18, died after a very brief illness during Covid on February 15, 2021. “We miss her very much,” her family shared. Phyllis was born June 18, 1933, and lived her entire life in Claremont and Pomona. Her Case family grandparents came to Claremont from Ohio in the 1890s and early 1900s. They were shopkeepers and home builders. Her father Harvey rose to captain in the Claremont Police Department before becoming chief in San Dimas.

Shannon Scott died March 23 from complications of pneumonia following a brief hospitalization. She was 53 years old.

Brennan Bodhaine, born in Upland on April 24, 1991, brought joy and adventure to everyone who crossed his path. “On April 26, Brennan’s time on earth came to an end at age 32, but his memory will live on through the hearts of those who he touched,” his family shared.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris Mae Chambers, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, who departed from this world on April 28,” her family shared. “Doris lived a life of love, grace, and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Lawson Spicer died June 2 at the age of 70. The youngest of three, he was born July 11, 1952, in Tucson, Arizona to Rosamond and Edward H. Spicer. He graduated from Catalina High School in Tucson in 1971 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Arizona in 1975.

John Albert, loving father, brother, friend, and celebrated chronicler of Southern California culture, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on May 3 in Los Angeles. John was born on October 10, 1964, and moved shortly thereafter with his parents and older brother Jesse to Claremont. His parents, Robert S. Albert, a former professor of child psychology at Pitzer College and Julie M. Albert, who was a social worker at Loma Linda University, preceded him in death. 

Ann Garrison Lillich, resident of both Lake Hughes, California, and Arrowhead Ranch in Colorado, died March 25 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 91.

John David Nichols, husband, and lifelong sweetheart to Lynn Nichols, died peacefully in Claremont on May 22.

Longtime Claremont resident Anne Perry Ford was laid to rest April 29 when her ashes were spread at the gravesite of her late granddaughter, Anna, at Winchester Center Cemetery, Winchester, Connecticut. Anne died January 3, 2021 at the Gardens of El Monte Nursing Home in El Monte, California after a short illness.  

Joy Diann Haroldson Jackson died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 16 at the age of 86. Joy will be remembered as a trailblazer — she was the first in her family to earn a college degree and was a leader in public education.

Grandfather, esteemed professor, minister The Reverend Joseph C. Hough Jr., or Joe as he was known to everyone, died May 15, a few months shy of his 90thbirthday, after a […]

Gloria Olivas Garcia died peacefully at her Claremont home surrounded by her children, family, and beloved friends on April 2 at the age of 85.

Earl Ranney died May 12 at the age of 97. The second oldest of five boys, he was born October 8, 1925 in San Bernardino, California, to Lester and Edna Ranney.

Harold (Hal) Wolverton, aged 73, died peacefully on April 11.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the recent passing of beloved Barbara Marie Benson Myers, on April 20th, 2023,” her family shared.