Obituaries

April 21, 2000
Obituaries
Claude Lee Claude Lee died on April 15 in an unfortunate car accident on Highway 126. He was 78.Born in Union County, Illinois, Mr. Lee grew up in fertile agricultural southern Illinois with his parents, Claude and Emma Lee. He attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale before joining the Marines during World War II. Mr. Lee married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ruth Sitter. Together they moved to San Diego, and returned to Illinois after the war. Mr. Lee was active in the local Elks Club.The Lees came back to California in the mid-1950s, where Ventura County became their second home. Mr. Lee served on the Mupu School Board in Santa Paula. He also served as controller for Rancho Sespe in Fillmore from 1962 until it closed in 1979. An active member of Rotary Club, St. Francis Church and the Fillmore Club, Mr. Lee participated in many community events.After Rancho Sespe closed, Mr. Lee went on to serve as financial officer for large corporate offices in Houston, Texas and in Los Angeles. The Lees moved to Porterville in 1989. Not taking easily to retirement, although enjoying traveling, Mr. Lee got his real estate license and for several years served as an active broker. He was also active in Catholic Bible study groups.After the death of the love of his life, his wife Mary Ruth, in 1994, Mr. Lee moved back to Fillmore. While still enjoying traveling, he found satisfaction and stimulation from working with young people at Magic Mountain. To him, love of family was one of the most important things in life.Mary Ruth and Claude Lee are survived by their five children and spouses: Claudia Cunningham of Fillmore, Scott and Jan Lee of Fillmore, Christopher Lee of Fillmore, Jay Lee of Providence, Rhode Island, and Mark and Theresia Lee of San Antonio, Texas. He enjoyed his nine grandchildren: Kelly Valin; Amy Silfvast; Nate, Katie and Ryan Lee; Steven and Jennifer Lee; and Brigette and Kevin Lee; as well as two great-grandchildren, Cooper and Riley Valin.Mr. Lee was known to say, “I can’t believe how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family; I wish my parents could see them all.”Services were held April 19 at St. Francis Church in Fillmore.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fillmore Optimist Club (c/o Jan Lee, 1005 Foothill Dr., Fillmore, CA 93015).
Arrangements under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, Fillmore.Lino Rodriguez PerezLino Rodriguez Perez, age 64, of Santa Paula, died suddenly on Saturday, April 15, 2000 at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital.Mr. Perez was born May 30, 1935 in San Juan, Texas. He was a 40 year Ventura County resident, coming from Corcoran, California in 1960.He was a very active member of New Harvest Christian Fellowship Church, Santa Paula. Lino loved to fish, and enjoyed watching boxing.He will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him: his wife of 18 years, Maria of Santa Paula; daughter Nancy Perez of Washington; daughter and son-in-law Mary and Trini Renteria of Corcoran; daughter Anna Guajardo of Palm Springs; daughter Sandra Carrillo of Santa Paula; daughter and son-in-law Cynthia and Frank Sigala of Santa Paula; son and daughter-in-law Santos and Tima Quintero of Corcoran; son and daughter-in-law Lupe and Liz Quintero of Corcoran; son Henry Guajardo of Arizona; five brothers and two sisters; 35 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.Funeral services were held April 19 at New Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Ventura. Burial was April 20 at Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.



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