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….

Charles Evans, 82, of Idyllwild and Banning, died Friday, March 12, 2004 at Hemet Valley Medical Center of lung surgery complications. He was born Feb. 10, 1922 in Brownfield, Ill. Mr. Evans was a linen truck driver and belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He resided with his sister, Grace Moore of Idyllwild, for…

Jack L. Kissell, 90, of Hemet, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at Hemet Valley Medical Center. He was born June 6, 1913 in Columbus, Neb. Mr. Kissell was employed at Showcase Homes of Anaheim as a construction superintendent and built homes throughout Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. He lived in Anaheim before moving to…

January 21, 1952 – February 28, 2004. She has welcomed us, nurtured us, and held our babies. She has lit our birthday candles, cried in our sorrows, and laughed in our joys. She was our friend. Services will be held Friday, March 5, 2004 at 12 p.m. at McWane Funeral Home, 350 N. San Jacinto,…

Tracy Claus died Sunday evening, Feb. 22, 2004, at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He was surrounded by his wife of 25 years, Jane, his son, Stephen, his future daughter-in-law, Melinda, and a loving family. His passing was peaceful after a painful fight with lung cancer. Most of his family was able to spend time…

Michael B. Scheffer, 67, of Norco, died at his home Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. Mr. Scheffer was born June 11, 1936, in Hollywood and lived his entire life in Southern California. He attended elementary and high school in Idyllwild. He was an avid pilot from a young age and enjoyed flying until recent years. Mr….

Ralph “Jim”E. Todd, 93, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, in Riverside. Mr. Todd graduated in 1930 from Elwood High School in Elwood, Kans. Mr. Todd lived in Riverside County for 47 years. For 35 years, he was a carpenter in Idyllwild. He also built several homes for himself. Services were held Monday, Jan. 12 at…

David “Dave” E. Burgess, 69, of Idyllwild, died from complications of leukemia on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 at Hemet Valley Medical Center. Mr. Burgess was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minn. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Texas and had been an engineer for 45 years, retiring in 2003 from Remtec Systems in Gardenia….

A.D. “Slim” Moneysmith, 80, of Idyllwid, died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004. He was born in 1924 in Knoxville, Iowa. Mr. Moneysmith had been an electrician and was a 15-year resident of Idyllwild. He belonged to the Idyllwild Lions Club, the American Legion Post 800 Honor Guard, the San Diego Asebring Drivers (founding members), the Sports…

Stephen “Steve” Don Ambrose, 39, of Hemet died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 at the University of California Irvine Hospital from complications after surgery. He was born Sept. 4, 1964, in Banning. Mr. Ambrose was the activity coordinator for recreation and sports at Morning Sky School in Mountain Center. He was a behavior intervention counselor, dorm…