Melba’s father, Herman, was well known for the hunting of wild animals, a trapper, and as a lecturer, with many displays in the Ventura County museum. Her mother Vesta Fransler Keene was the first woman telegraph operator in Ventura County, and a gifted pianist.Melba is survived by her daughter-in-law, Evelyn Ragsdale; sisters-in-law, Daisy Storts and Hazel Keene Outland; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.Graveside services were held January 17 at Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.Tommy FogataTommy Fogata, age 45 of Soulsbyville, California, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2000 at home after a short illness. Tommy was a former Santa Paula resident living in Soulsbyville for the past 11 years.He was born on December 13, 1954 in Oxnard, and had lived in Ventura County for 34 years. He graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1972, and was a Battalion Chief with the U.S. Forest Service at the Summit Ranger Station.He is survived by his wife, Laurie Fogata of Soulsbyville; son Adam Fogata and daughter Megan Fogata, both of Soulsbyville; sister Yvonne Vasquez of Manteca; and brothers, David Fogata of Oxnard, James Fogata of Santa Paula, and Frank Fogata of Ventura. He was preceded in death by his father Robert in 1989, and his mother Julie in 1999.A rosary will be held on Thursday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary Chapel in Santa Paula. Funeral mass will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 21 at St. Sebastian Church with Father James Rothe officiating. Burial will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mortuary on Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m.Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.
Obituaries
January 19, 2000
Obituaries
Dolores G. Calzada
Dolores G. Calzada went to be with God on January 13, 2000.Dolores was born on June 12, 1919 in Santa Paula. She lived all of her life in Santa Paula, and worked for Mupu Citrus Association for 40 years.She met her devoted husband, Felix, after World War II “en La Calle Doce.” They were married for 52 years, and enjoyed several activities including sightseeing, dining out, playing bingo, and attending Saturday evening mass.Dolores is survived by her loving husband, Felix; daughter Irene and husband Ignacio Cota of Camarillo; son Richard and wife Laura Elena Calzada of Ventura; grandchildren, Ricardo, Daniel and Alicia Cota, and Diana Calzada; sisters, Lupe Robles, and Connie and her husband Abundio Carrillo; brother Natividad and wife Lucy Garcia; and numerous nephews and nieces.She is preceded in death by her parents, Vicente and Petra Garcia, and a brother, Bill Garcia.Lolie prayed daily for the health and well being of all her loved ones. Thank you for all you gave.Funeral mass was scheduled for Tuesday, January 18 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula, with burial following at Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.Melba B. RagsdaleMelba B. Ragsdale, age 83, of Santa Paula, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2000 in Santa Paula, after a long illness.She was born in Santa Paula, December 20, 1916, and was a life-long resident. She owned her own beauty shop for many years before her marriage to Claud Ragsdale. She is preceded in death by her husband, Claud Ragsdale, her father Herman Keene, mother Vesta Keene, and her brother Harlyn “Gary” Keene.
