Idyllwild Town Crier

Marilyn Jo-an Kramer, 72, of Pine Cove, went to be with her loving father, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, March 11, 2006 in Moreno Valley. She was born to Wilburn and Mae Brewer on June 22, 1933 in Pasadena. After being an accomplished musician at a very young age, she met and married the love of her life, Richard Kramer, and they...

Annie Elizabeth Murray, 77, of Acworth, Ga., formerly of San Diego and Idyllwild, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. Mrs. Murray had lived in San Diego since 1964 before moving to Acworth, Ga. a few months ago. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 17 at the Reece Memorial Chapel at Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855...

James Randall “Stoney” Burke, 61, of Idyllwild, died Sunday, March 5, 2006 at home. He was born Jan. 29, 1945 in Memphis, Tenn., and moved to Idyllwild 35 years ago after serving in both the U.S. Navy and the National Guard. After moving to Idyllwild, he worked as an equipment operator for Riverside County. He had a lifelong passion for photography...

Zelvin “Zel” Don Lowman, 84, passed away during the night of Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. Mr. Lowman was a full-time Idyllwild resident from May 2002 to July 2004. He was born in McCune, Kan., on Sept. 8, 1921. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., and went off to midshipman’s school during World War II, commissioned as a lieutenant....

Dorothy L. Townsend, 90, of Idyllwild, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2006 at home of natural causes. She was born June 1, 1915 in Great Falls, Mont. Mrs. Townsend grew up in Montana and met her future husband, Bruce, while they were attending college in Colorado. He was studying to be a teacher and she was a physical education major. They were...

Frank Aloysius Vrabel, 71, of Idyllwild, went to be with his Lord on Monday, Jan. 30, 2006. He was born July 25, 1934 in Johnstown, Pa. Mr. Vrabel was an artist, a sculptor, a gemologist, a poet and an author. A Christian Mass of Burial was held Feb. 6 at St. Louise de Mirallac in Covina. Visitation was held on Feb....

Scott Stephen Allen, 49, of Idyllwild, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 at Eisenhower Medical Center of a blood clot. He was born Dec. 16, 1956 in Riverside to Donald E. and Lillian Nacco Allen. Mr. Allen was a construction supervisor for 16 years. He also was a member of the National Rifle Association and Safari International. He was involved as a...

Dale Spickler, for many years not just a representation of Santa Claus, but just as in “Miracle on 34th Street,” the embodiment of the spirit, if not the actual Kris Kringle, passed away on Wednesday evening, June 21, 2006, at his home in Idyllwild. His kind eyes, gentle voice and twinkling ready smile, whether in full Claus regalia or...

Faye B. Smart, 88, formerly of Garner Valley, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 in Pasadena. She was born April 28, 1917 in Littleport, Iowa. Mrs. Smart was retired from Security Pacific bank in Hemet. From 1984 to 1987, she wrote a Garner Valley news column, “GV news notes,” for the Town Crier. The Neptune Society is handling arrangements. Services are pending. She is...

Nita Finney, former executive secretary during the early days of ISOMATA (now Idyllwild Arts), died Jan. 30 of a chronic heart condition, according to her son, Brian Finney. Finney was 95 and living in Gig Harbor, Wash., when she died. Mrs. Finney worked with Max Krone, ISOMATA founder, until he retired in 1967. When she retired shortly later, she was...