Joseph Oliver Wassell, 66, of Idyllwild, died of a heart attack at Hemet Valley Medical Center on Tuesday, March 30, 2004.

He was born May 7, 1937 in Santa Monica.

Mr. Wassell was a self-employed landscape designer for 40 years in Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.

His wife said he was a proud Democrat.

Various members of the Wassell family were early pioneers in the Idyllwild area.

Mr. Wassell and his wife, Annette, had their honeymoon in Idyllwild 40 years ago and have been permanent Idyllwild residents for the past three years.

Among his many artistic interests were jewelry making and ceramics. Mr. Wassell was an avid student of history and was especially fond of the articles the late Dr. William Lumsden wrote for the Town Crier.

Along with his wife, he is survived by a brother, Desmond Wassell of Alexandria, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Idyllwild HELP Center, P.O. Box 660, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

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