- Psalm 91:1She is survived by her husband, Raymond Herrera; sons, Joel Contreras (fiancee Gladys Luna) and Gerard Martin; daughter Nicole Martin; stepdaughter Marissa Herrera; parents, Jess and Angie Solis; grandparents, Pete and Rose Sanchez; sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia (Daniel) Medrano, Sandra (Ruben) Vela of Soledad, Gina Bautista, and Annette (Sam) Arellano; brother Alex Galvan, Jr.; and many other extended family members and friends.Visitation will be on Friday, May 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, 128 S. 8th St. in Santa Paula, and rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at St. Sebastian Church in Santa Paula. Holy Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 12 at St. Sebastian Church. Burial will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.Alejandro GalvanAlejandro (Alex) Galvan, 61, life long resident of Santa Paula, died in a tragic auto accident on May 8, 2001. He also lost his daughter Carmen Galvan Herrera in the same accident.Alex was born in Limoneira Ranch on August 22, 1939 to Juan and Guadalupe Galvan. He attended local schools, graduating from Santa Paula High School in 1958. Alex worked shortly at Limoneira, several years at Santa Paula Water Works, and ended his career as manager of Solo Cup in Santa Paula. He was well known in the community, being a volunteer on the Santa Paula Fire Department for many years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Alex was often found tending bar at many functions that took place at the Knights of Columbus. He was an usher at St. Sebastian Church, and volunteered in many ways helping the community. Alex was also part owner and worked many long hours at Galvan Food Products for many years. In later years Alex became an avid bowler, belonging to many local bowling leagues. His family and many, many friends will dearly miss him for his wit and generosity. His laughter was always welcome.Alex is survived by his ex-wife and mother of his children, Evangeline “Angie” Solis. Out of their union they had five children, Carmen Herrera (deceased) and husband Raymond Herrara, Patricia Medrano (husband Daniel), Gina Bautista and Alex Galvan, Jr., all of Santa Paula, and Sandra Vela (husband Ruben) of Soledad; 14 grandchildren, Joel, Nicole, Jerry, Daniel Jr., Vanessa, Tisa, AnnaMarie, Bernadette, Louie Jr., Anita, Augie, Ruben, Angela, and Manuel; and four great grandchildren, Elena, Anthony Jr., Joseph and Matthew. He also had one stepdaughter, Bernice, and one step grandson, Michael.His life revolved around his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were consistently in his presence. Alex spent most of his time taking them to school, movies, ball games and vacations. Plans always involved spending time with his kids, who were very special to him.Alex was also preceded in death by his father, Juan and mother, Guadalupe; sister Juanita (Jenny) Castro; sister-in-law Francis Galvan; brothers-in-law Mike Martinez and Rigoberto Rodriguez.His surviving brothers and sisters: brother-in-law Piedad Castro, brothers Paul, Sixtos, Johnny (wife Esther), Henry (wife Cheryl), all of Santa Paula; sisters, Mary Martinez of Merced, Felicitas Rodriguez, Stella Valdez (husband David), Susie Noriega (husband Florencio “Chencho”), all of Santa Paula, Irene Cardona (husband Max) of Fillmore, and Gloria Jones (husband Bryan) of San Diego; and several nephews and nieces.Viewing will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 11th at Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, 128 S. 8th St., Santa Paula. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11th at St. Sebastian Church, 235 9th St., Santa Paula. Mass will be held at St. Sebastian Church on Saturday, May 12th at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Santa Paula Cemetery.
Obituaries
May 11, 2001
Obituaries
Lillie M. Nakagawa
Lillie M. Nakagawa passed away May 6, 2001 at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital following a stroke.Lillie was born in Alviso, California on October 26, 1917 to Sakuji and Tama Kimura. Her family moved to Santa Paula in 1926 where they started a strawberry farm and roadside market. She attended Isbell School, Santa Paula High School, and Woodbury College in Los Angeles.During World War II her family was sent to an internment camp in Gila, Arizona. After the war she lived in New York and Wisconsin, where she met her husband Henry. In 1950 they moved back to Santa Paula, where she worked for many years at the Garden Market with Mich and her sister, Helen Yamamoto. She was active in the Presbyterian Church, loved gardening and was known for her chrysanthemum arrangements.She will be greatly missed by her husband, Henry; son, David; grandchildren Mari and Akira; brother, Albert; sisters, Helen, Alice and Irene and their spouses and children.Graveside services will be Friday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.Carmen Galvan HerreraCarmen Galvan Herrera, 41, died in a tragic auto accident. She went home to be with her Lord Jesus on May 8, 2001. She lost her father Alex Galvan in the same accident.She was born in Ventura on February 8, 1960, and had been a life long resident of Santa Paula. She attended Thille and McKevett elementary schools and Santa Paula High School.As the oldest child of six Carmen was known for her motherly compassion not only to her siblings and children, but also to her nieces and nephews. She was known to many of her family members as “Mama Carmen.” Carmen found joy and comfort in praising our Lord. She was a member of the Santa Paula Christian Outreach.He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the Shadow of the Almighty.
