He landed a job with the California Department of Transportation as an engineer. For over 35 years he oversaw the design and the construction of large stretches of the highway system in Southern California.He met Ruth Engledow and after a long courtship (in those days anyway) they were married in January of 1957. Early on in their courtship, Ruth affectionately referred to her partner as Jerry, largely because of his resemblance to Jerry Lewis. Ruth however, contended he was much funnier than Jerry Lewis! His beloved wife, Ruth, passed away in November of 1982.Jerry is survived by two daughters- Jennifer Polich, of Maui, and Lisa Triesch, of Seattle, four grandchildren- John Hall of Maui, Erin Resich, Justin Triesch and Alana Triesch all of Seattle, one great-grandson, Marcus Jerzy Resich, two sisters- Isabelle Wauthier of McDonald, PA, Esther Patterson, of Oakdale, PA,one brother, Richard Couderc of San Jose, and many nieces and nephews.Jerry loved hats and funny t-shirts, swap meets, Las Vegas and the Pittsburgh Steelers- even after 57 years in Southern California.He will be interred at Santa Paula Cemetery. Skillin Funeral Home of Santa Paula, Ca. will be handling the arrangements.Cleo Belle McKitchensCleo Belle McKitchens, of Santa Paula, went to sleep on Wednesday, February 27, 2008.Born on June 24, 1916 in Lawrence, Kansas, she married Mack McKitchens on her 21st birthday. Cleo was the proud mother of 10 children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years and three of her sons, Leo, Jerry and Larry. She was a county resident for many years, living in Fillmore, Ojai and Santa Paula.She is survived by her daughters, Ellie (Jack) Turner, Gloria (Steve) Hanson, Nancy (Marv) Voss and Charlene Hayes; her sons, Darryl (Rita), Harry (Vickie), and Lenny; grandsons Terry (Theresa) Turner, Robert (Sudha), Donald and Charles Treadwell, Neil Hayes and Michael (Debbie) Voss; granddaughters Laurie Voss and Dee Dee Ward; great-granddaughters Nikki and Frankie Treadwell, Sara Voss, Shae-Lin and Jia-Li Turner; great-grandsons Bo and Tucker Ward, and Dakota, Kyle and Michael Voss; and dear, special friends Al and Mary Treadwell, Richard and Mary Mah, Charline Rich, Carol Howell, Ruth Rope, Maria and Adilene Hernandez, and all the loved ones at Mound Guest Home in Ventura.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.Bishop LePointe, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be officiating the celebration of her life services at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 660 Central Ave. in Fillmore on Wednesday, March 5 at 11:30 a.m.Thank you to all who knew her.
Obituaries
March 05, 2008
Obituaries
Edwin Leroy Holladay
Edwin Leroy Holladay, 78, of Camarillo passed away on Wednesday, February 27 at Saint Johns Regional Medical Center.Leroy was born in Erick, OK to Oscar Lee Holladay and Hazel Pauline Garland Holladay on October 7, 1929. He was their only child and came to Ventura County in 1945.He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Louise Burris Reed.He joined the Navy in the fall of 1948 and was honorably discharged at the rank of seaman 1st class in October of 1952. During his four-year hitch he served on the USS Jason (ARH 1), the USS Cacapon (AO 52), the USS Uvalde (AKA 88), the USS Breckinridge (AP 176) and the USS Manatee (AO 58). After his discharge he became the bartender at the Santa Paula VFW hall.He married Louise in September of 1958, and worked several years for local oil companies before becoming a rigger on the Port Hueneme docks. In 1969 he changed careers and found his life’s calling working in the field of agriculture, first for E. Holiday Mitchell in Fillmore, then Krutz-Agnew Ranch in Ojai. He began perfecting his “craft” of irrigation at Topa Topa Ranch. His many years with Brokaw Nursery in the “Blue Casita” were filled with good friends, great inventions and interesting conversations. In 1992, after just two weeks of retirement, he began consulting for Baron Brothers Nursery Camarillo in the capacity of “Irrigationist Extraordinaire” where the friends, inventions and conversations continued in the “Green Casita” until his passing.Everyone will remember Leroy’s special sense of humor and ability to discuss practically any subject with ease and flair. He was unselfish with his time and knowledge and took great pride in the success of those he worked with and for. His strength and determination to prevail were evident in his triumphant battles over laryngeal cancer in 2000 and lung cancer in 2007. Leroy will be missed by all who knew him.He is survived by his stepson, Jon Burris Reed of Oxnard; daughter, Angela Lee Holladay of Camarillo; grandchildren Jon Michael Reed of Ventura and Michele Rene Spiers of Alaska; great grandchildren, Mitchell, Andrew, Sean and Luke Spiers also of Alaska; cousins and friends.His daughter wishes to thank Hank, Ellen and Will Brokaw, and James and Richard Baron for their generosity. And the many friends for their thoughts and support.Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 5 from noon until 8 p.m. at Funeraria del ángel Stetler Mortuary, 525-5595, 128 S. 8th St., Santa Paula. Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at Santa Paula Cemetery.Robert Morris CoudercPassed on February 23, 2008 in Seattle, WashingtonRobert “Jerry” Couderc was born October 4, 1925. He was one of 11 children, that grew up in Western Pennsylvania, in the coal-mining town of McDonald, PA. His father was a coal miner and his mother raised 11 children, with the help of the older children.During World War II Jerry was in the Army Air Corp, and flew on B-24 Liberators as a tail gunner. He received several medals and fought in the European Theater- mostly in Italy and North Africa. He was present when Rome was liberated.After the war he went to college on a basketball scholarship.After college he and two friends hitchhiked along Route 66 and ended up in West Hollywood, CA.
