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Obituaries

April 16, 2008
Obituaries
Joseph Lyou Joseph Lyou passed away on March 20, 2008 in Santa Paula, California. Born on November 28, 1919 in Los Angeles to Helen Pang and Sung Sook Lyou, he was among the first Korean-Americans born in the United States.Joe graduated from the USC School of Journalism in 1949, after serving in the U.S. Army during WWII. He worked as a sports reporter and columnist for the Los Angeles Mirror, managing editor of the California Bowling News, and publisher of the Pacific Bowler. Joe wrote about bowlers and bowling for more than 50 years, often in his column “Tenpin Slants.” He received the Bowling Writers Association of America’s highest honor, the Mort Luby Sr. Memorial Award, and is a member of the Southern California Bowling Hall of Fame.He is survived by his sister Anna, daughter Tracy, son Joseph Keith, and five grandchildren. Memorial donations may be sent to Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th St., Santa Paula, CA 93060, (805) 525-3615, where Joe enjoyed tutoring for the adult literacy program.At his request, no funeral services will be conducted. His ashes will be scattered at sea.Fred KeefeOur family is sad to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Fred Keefe, on April 3, 2008 of complications due to Parkinson’s and pneumonia.Fred was a native Ventura County resident, having been born in Fillmore on November 2, 1929 to John H. (Jack) and Vera (Merry) Keefe. He was raised on the family ranch on Grand Avenue for most of his youth. He graduated with the Class of 1947 in Fillmore, and attended the annual alumni events until his illness prevented his participation.Fred was very proud of his service in the Navy Air Force, always drawing his version of an Airdale. He moved his family to Santa Paula, where he lived the balance of his life.His career with General Telephone was 37 years long. He was proud to have installed most of the phone systems in town, with the biggest being the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital on the hill. He also worked at Point Mugu, working on their phone systems.He was a member of the IOOF, Odd Fellows Lodge #314 of Santa Paula, as well as the Masonic Lodge #291 and the Santa Paula Shrine.He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother George. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty, son David, and daughters Joyce (Bob) Keefe-Holifield of Santa Paula, and Kathy Keefe of Wentworth, New Hampshire. He also leaves behind his youngest brother, John A. (Joy) of Issaquah, Washington; sister-in-law Dorothy Crosby of Santa Maria; brother-in-law Ron (Loretta) Lombard of Newbury Park; and grandchildren Tiffany (John) Orr, Tuesday (Arthur) Bouvet of Santa Paula, Troy (Kristina) Keefe of Canby, Oregon, KaraDawn (Ryan) McGillicuddy of Rumney, New Hampshire, Kristopher Mauchly and Nathaniel Kelb of Wentworth, New Hampshire. He will be deeply missed by his great-grandchildren, Ashlee Orr, Abby Keefe, Sunday and Kate Bouvet, Katie White, Dustin (D.J.) Farrell and Brayen McGillicuddy.Fred was entrusted to the Neptune Society of Santa Barbara. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at the I.O.O.F. Lodge, 869 E. Main St., Santa Paula.Jane Skelley WigleyJane Skelley Wigley, 89, of Santa Paula, died peacefully Thursday, April 10, 2008, surrounded by three generations of family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, David, who died in 1979.Jane was born in 1918 in Santa Cruz and grew up in Riverside, where her father and grandfather were pioneers of the Southern California citrus industry. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and master’s degree at Columbia University in New York.
During World War II, Jane served in the American Red Cross both in India and China. Jane and husband David settled in Santa Paula in 1957, where they raised five children on a citrus ranch.She was an avid community volunteer, tennis player, gardener, reader, world traveler, and loyal Dodger fan. Jane was a longstanding board member of many community groups, including the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, and the Blanchard Community Library. She also worked for many years as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America. She loved gathering with friends and family at the Skelley oceanfront home in Laguna Beach throughout the years.Most importantly, Jane was the cornerstone of a large extended family including her five children, Ann Draper of Boulder Creek, CA, Kathleen Wigley of San Lorenzo, NM, Clark Wigley of Portola Valley, CA, and Robin Smith and Susan Powers of Santa Paula. Jane had 10 grandchildren, Kyela Love, Hakim Draper, Mathew, Betty and Marguerite Smith, Katy, Claire and Janie Powers, and Douglas and Ryan Wigley. Her six great-grandchildren brought her much joy in recent years: Madison and Nicolas Love, Elaisha, Destiny and Shadya Draper, and Wyatt Millspaugh.The family will be celebrating Jane’s life Sunday afternoon at her home in Santa Paula. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Blanchard Community Library in Santa Paula.Arrangements under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, 525-3391.Opal B. LanceOpal B. Lance, 89, passed away on April 8, 2008 from a lengthy illness. Opal was born on September 16, 1918 in Manning, Oklahoma, and was a Ventura County resident for 65 years.Opal was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 57 years. She was a homemaker for many years, with hobbies that included quilting, cake decorating, crocheting and embroidering.She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Hughie C. Lance, and her son, Harold S. Lance.She is survived by her daughter, Opal Sue Lance-Burleigh; four grandchildren, Deborah Sue Burleigh-Killion, Kathryn Jean Lance-Sampson, Gary Sheridan Lance, and Tamara Denise Lance-Stamport; and six great-grandchildren, Tru Aurora Killion, Bradley Lance Sampson, Brian Lewis Sampson, Kellie Lynn Sampson, Decea Maria Lance, and Will Sheridan Lance.Visitation will be on Thursday, April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Skillin Carroll Mortuary. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m. at Community of Christ, 1848 Poli St., Ventura, with Pastor Tony Austin officiating. Burial will follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, 525-3391.