Bennett Abrams, renowned eco-artist and co-founder of Carlsbad-based NatureMaker Inc., died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004 at his San Marcos home. He was 72. An artist, sculptor, ecologist, inventor, metaphysician and entrepreneur, Mr. Abrams was mentor to many, and was known as a gentle and restless spirit who manifested his limitless creativity into a successful 40-year…

Margaret Frances DePalma, 83, affectionately known as Margo, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004. She was born March 13, 1920, to John Vincent Nelson and Emma Dove Nothnagle in Commerce, Okla. Her first husband, Jake Bouranian of Los Angeles, and her second husband, Frank DePalma Sr. of Idyllwild, preceded her in death. Mrs. DePalma lived in…

Anna Jorgenson, 99, of Idyllwild died at home in her sleep Tuesday, May 25, 2004. She was born April 29, 1905 in Drummon, Wisc. She and her late husband, Arnold Jorgenson, moved to Idyllwild in 1947. Mr. Jorgenson collected iron and created the Iron Garden outside of their Idyllwild home which the public enjoyed visiting…

Richard Eggleston, 81, died Monday, May 10, 2004 at Brighton Gardens of Carmel, a San Diego assisted-living facility. He was born Sept. 14, 1922 in Nebraska but spent his entire life in California. Mr. Eggleston graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and was an engineer at Rockwell International for years. He lived in Idyllwild…

Vilmos “Bill” Bayer, 83, a long-time Idyllwild resident, died Sunday, March 7, 2004. He was born Feb. 8, 1921 in Hungary where he acquired his baking skills for his famous European-style pastries. Mr. Bayer and his family immigrated to the United States in 1957. He moved to Idyllwild in 1977 and opened The Bread Basket…

LeRoy A. Rubidoux, 71, of Lakeside, died Thursday, April 8, 2004 at his home from complications associated with a stroke. He was born May 10, 1933 in El Cajon. Mr. Rubidoux was a Korean War veteran. He was retired after 40 years with Sparkletts Water Company. Mr. Rubidoux was a lifetime member of the National…

Misty Morning Owens, 26, of Idyllwild died Sunday, March 28, 2004 in a traffic collision near Mountain Center. She was born Oct. 11, 1977 in Austin, Texas. She was a homemaker whom her family said was fun-loving, a terrific mom and who enjoyed spending time with her two children, Anna and Joey. She loved fashion,…

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…