Idyllwild Town Crier

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 the past four years. Burial was at Riverside...

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 Idyllwild in 1973 and then to Hemet...

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, Hemet. Please come celebrate her life. Bring your favorite...

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 with him during...

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. Scheffer worked at Laura Scudder’s and Mother’s Cookies...

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 Pierce Brothers Crestlawn in Riverside....

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. He also had served in the...

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 Car Club of...

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 counselor, physical education teacher and friend. He...

Leland M. Swanson, 82, of Hemet, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, in Hemet. He was born the fourth of seven children to Rueben and Bernice Swanson on April 12, 1921, in Walla Walla, Wash. He graduated from WaHi in 1939. Mr. Swanson worked for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin as a paper carrier in his early teens, then on the phone in...