“Magic is the hearth where the welcome-fire burns — where joy lifts a beacon in the gathering night,” wrote Stephanie “Stefi” Marianne Chase, a published and prolific poet who fell deeply in love with Idyllwild, writing fondly about the mountains throughout the half-century she lived here. Stefi died about 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005,…

Clarence Howard Black, 80, of Banning, died peacefully at home Monday night, Feb. 28, 2005, ending a long life of duty and honor. Grandson of pioneer citrus rancher and Redlands City Councilmember M.L. Black, he was born Dec. 7, 1924 in Redlands and grew up on a 20-acre citrus grove on Prospect Street in Loma…

Richard “Dick” P. O’Connell, 74, of Idyllwild, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He was born March 14, 1930 in Wilmington, Mass. Mr. O’Connell was a general contractor and a member of the Idyllwild Lions Club. He attended the First Church of Christ Scientist and was active in the Boy…

Katherine Estella Alexander, 81, of Idyllwild, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 at home. She was born May 24, 1923 in Nodaway County, Mo. Mrs. Alexander was a homemaker for 45 years. She enjoyed cooking and her family. She lived in Los Angeles for 45 years and in Idyllwild for the past three years. No services…

Richard “Dick” P. O’Connell, 74, of Idyllwild, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He was born March 14, 1930 in Wilmington, Mass. Mr. O’Connell was a general contractor and a member of the Idyllwild Lions Club. He attended the First Church of Christ Scientist and was active in the Boy…

Bruce Adams, 78, of Hemet, died of a stroke at 1 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 at home. He was born Feb. 17, 1926 in Long Beach. Mr. Adams moved to Idyllwild in 1955 but had started coming to Camp Tahquitz with a Long Beach Boy Scout troop in 1938. He built his first cabin…

Deserei Sky Ackley, 18, of Idyllwild, took her own life at home Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. She was born Dec. 16, 1986 in San Dimas and was a student. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 at Town Hall with the Dr. Rev. Betty Jandl officiating. She is survived by…

William Robert Harley, 80, of Idyllwild, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004. He was born to William Perry and Theresa Struck Harley on Sept. 23, 1924 in Fairmont, Minn. Mr. Harley worked for Alpha Beta in Hemet and Pomona for 17 years and was also a janitor. He lived in Idyllwild for 16 years. A memorial…

Patricia Louise Richards, 63, of Idyllwild, died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at home surrounded by family, following an eight-year fight against breast cancer. She was born Sept. 21, 1941 in Pomona and had lived in Southern California all her life. She retired with her husband, Norman, to Idyllwild about five years ago. Mrs. Richards loved…

Shirley Carey Edwards, 77, of Tennessee, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004 in Gallatin, Tenn. She was born March 29, 1927 in Joliet, Ill. Mrs. Edwards and her husband, Ernie, were active community members in Idyllwild for 30 years. They were real estate brokers who owned Edwards Village Realty on North Circle Drive. Mrs. Edwards was…