Sunday, December 31, 2023

Neal Edwin Nakagiri, BHS 1972

Neal Edwin Nakagiri, BHS 1972

MAY 1, 1954 – FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Neal Edwin Nakagiri, age 67, of Lake Balboa, California passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Neal was born May 1, 1954.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/sherman-oaks-cremation for the Nakagiri family.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Anita Rose Hamamey Westman, BHS 1958

Anita Rose Hamamey Westman, BHS 1958

The Signal, Santa Clarita, California, Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Anita Rose Westman, Retired Escrow Officier

Anita Rose Westman, 64, died June 26 in Mission Hills. She was born May 12, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio. Westman was a retired escrow officer and she was a resident of Sylmar.

Westmanis survived by her husband John Westman of Sylmar; daughters Darcy Westman of Valencia, Kim Anderson of Canyon Country, and Tina Westman of Huntington Beach; son Ryan Westman of Sylmar; sister Renee Camasso of North Hollywood; and three grandchildren.

A service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

LeRoy Allen Lingensjo, BHS 1941

LeRoy Allen Lingensjo, BHS 1941

The Valley Times, Van Nuys, California, November 20, 1962

2 MEN TAKE OWN LIVES

Two Encino men killed themselves Monday in separate incidents, police said. One apparently was driven by financial problems and the other by mental problems.

LeRoy Allen Lingensjo, a 39-year-old electrical design engineer of 17349 Tiara Street, shot himself in the head with a rifle in his garage shortly after 9:30 p.m. His wife Rosemary, told police her husband had been under treatment for a mental disorder.

The second man, Art M. Gilbert, 49, unemployed, of 4224 Havenhurst Dr., took an overdose of sleeping pills Monday afternoon, according to police.

Obituary 

Valley Times, Wednesday, November 21, 1962

Leroy A. Lingensjo, age 39, of Encino, passed away November 19, 1962. Survived by wife Rose Mary; two daughters, Carolyn and Lori; two sisters, Mrs. Doris Grottstrom and Mrs. Florence Chandler. Graveside services will be Friday, 10 a.m., San Fernando Mission Cemetery. J.T. Oswald Reseda Mortuary.


Monday, December 18, 2023

Fredrick Ephraim Bjorklund, BHS 1967

Fredrick Ephraim Bjorklund, BHS 1967

Fredrick Ephraim Bjorklund, age 73, passed away on April 21, 2022, in St. George. Fred was born in Salt Lake City on Dec. 2, 1948, to Bryant Elwyn and Gladys Brooker Bjorklund. He was married to Kathleen Nara on March 21, 1970.

Fred was raised in Southern California. He earned his degree in Anthropology from Cal State Northridge, which led to his love for all things about nature. In 1976, Fred and Kathy moved to Salt Lake City, where they raised their family until 1996, and then they settled in St. George.

Fred always worked hard to support his family. He had a long career at Sara Lee Baking Company. Fred had a special love for astronomy, and he loved studying the universe. Fred loved being outdoors and exploring with his family and grandkids. He loved having thought-provoking conversations and encouraging his loved ones to consider different perspectives.

Fred is survived by Kathy, his wife of 52 years, brother David (Lori), sister Leslie (Tony); four children Stephanie (Mike), David (Michelle), Amanda (Aaron) and Kaylene (Curt), and 18 grandchildren; Michael (Brylee), Tristen, Noah, Kaitlyn, Jaxon, Ashton, Mason, Ayden, Blake, Andrew, Hunter, Tyler, Lincoln, Luke, Krew, Taylor, Farrah and Remington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Patrick.

Fred was a passionate warrior for humanity. He believed that all of God's children are created equal, and that all people deserve the right to live well and to provide for their families.

Fred also loved to be athletic. Running was important to him, and he ran the St. George Marathon at 34 years old.

Some of our favorite memories of him include watching him take care of the snakes he caught while out in nature (his wife didn't love that as much), going to get malts and donuts, listening to him sing "Unchained Melody" and "What a Wonderful World," and watching "Rustler's Rhapsody," the "Three Stooge" and "The Simpsons" with him.

The family would like to thank the wonderful employees at Seasons Health and Rehab and Dixie Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation. Alzheimer's Disease slowly stole Fred from us starting 13 years ago. He fought valiantly against it and did not go gently into his last good night.

A private service and interment will be held at Tonaquint Cremation Garden in St. George.



Monday, December 11, 2023

David James Whitney, BHS 1967

David James Whitney, BHS 1967

June 7, 1949 – June 17, 1993

Published in Thousand Oaks Star, Thousand Oaks, California 

Tuesday, June 22, 1993

David James Whitney, age 44, of Thousand Oaks, beloved husband of Nancy Whitney and son of Amelia and James Hogan has died (June 17, 1993). He is also survived by mother-in-law, Tiny Wesenberg; sister-in-law, Mariann Fontaine; brother-in-law, Andy Fontaine and nieces, Andrea and Renee Fontaine.

Sergeant, 101st Division, Airborne, Veteran of Vietnam War, he received National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and Expert Rifle Medal.

Mr. Whitney, born in Meriden, Connecticut, had resided in Thousand Oaks for the past 15 years. Mr. Whitney was a service technician in communications for Pacific Telephone for 21 years.

Services will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church, 10828 Moorpark Street, North Hollywood. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Forest Lawn Mortuary.



Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Victoria Voigt Claussen, BHS 1960

Victoria Voigt Claussen, BHS 1960

July 3, 1942 - December 1, 2023 Victoria (Vicky) Claussen of Burbank passed away on December 1, 2023. She died peacefully, with her family by her side, after a courageous fight with cancer. She was 81.

Vicky was born in Portland Oregon, moved to Burbank at the age of 13. Vicky attended Burbank schools, graduating from Burbank High School in 1960. She attended Glendale Community College receiving her degree in Office Technology, later earning her teaching credential. Vicky worked at KCBS, Channel 2 where she met her husband of 57 years, Gary. They were married in 1966 and welcomed daughter Kymm in 1967, followed by their son Damon in 1970.  Vicky served as PTA President, received Burbank's distinguished Honorary Service Award, and a member of the Women's Guild for Burbank Community Hospital. She also was honored with a special Bicentennial Award for the development and construction of a gigantic map of America, painted on the playground at former Horace Mann Elementary School. 

Vicky has been a licensed REALTOR® since 1990. During that time, devoting endless hours to support groups; BTAC (Burbank Temporary Aid Center), Burbank Educational Foundation, Burbank Beautification Committee, Anti-graffiti Committee, Disaster Preparedness Committee and was a member of the Burbank Association of Realtors.

Vicky was actively involved in the Presbyterian Church, and loved singing in the choir. She was eternally positive, had a beautiful outlook on life, could be depended on to lend a helping hand, and always thought of others. In addition to spending time with family, she enjoyed keeping in touch with friends by sending humorous, and motivational emails. She loved animals, especially watching the live cam of Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear Valley.

Vicky is survived by her loving husband Gary, daughter Kymm Warner of San Luis Obispo, son Damon and daughter-in-law Melanie of Costa Mesa, and 6 grandchildren (Camden, Caity, Kennedy, Kylee, Logan and Laurel.)

There will be a Celebration of Life at a future date. If you would like to be notified, contact: celebratevicky@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations be made in Vicky's honor to: Friends of Big Bear Valley, or the American Cancer Society.

She will be missed by those fortunate enough to know her.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Dec. 5, 2023.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Wayne David Werth, BHS 1962

 Wayne David Werth, BHS 1962

Wayne D. Werth, 56, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at his home in Bozeman after a battle with cancer. He was born on March 27, 1943 in Burbank, California, where he was raised.

Wayne served as part of the Seabees division in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He later studied meteorology at St. Louis University. He then turned his passion for airplanes into a career when he became employed by Delta Airlines as a pilot in 1972. He completed this successful career as a captain on the international routes between New York City and Europe. He served in this position dutifully and enthusiastically for more than 27 years.

Wayne's many hobbies included fly-fishing, hunting, horseback riding, sailing, scuba diving, motorcycling, snowmobiling and traveling the world with his family. He was a man that made absolutely certain to live every day to its fullest.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda (Malchow); two children, Matthew, 28 and Shauna, 20; his parents, William and Evangeline Werth; and one sister, Marsha.

Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000, with a prayer service scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home in Bozeman. A final visitation will held from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at Holy Rosary Parish. A funeral mass will follow at 2 p.m.

Bozeman Chronicle, Bozeman, Montana, Saturday, October 7, 2023

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Alberta Diane Van Winkle Mccall, BHS 1971

Diane Van Winkle Mccall, BHS 1971

In Loving Memory of Diane Van Winkle Mccall

March 8, 2014 · 

Alberta Diane Van Winkle, daughter of Ardona Keith Van Winkle and Beatrice Ruth Binkerd, was born on January 9, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Diane, as she had been called all her life, was the oldest of her siblings. She was a devoted daughter and second mother to her brothers and sisters. Her youth was spent in Burbank, California where she graduated from Burbank Senior High School in 1971. Diane was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young adult, she served as a missionary in Billings, Montana. Over the years, Diane held many callings in the Church. She worked in the Primary, Relief Society, Young Women's, and Activities Committee. Many people were blessed by her dedicated service.

In 1979, Diane married the love of her life, Don Robert McCall, in the Los Angeles, California Temple. Their union was sealed for time and all eternity. Don and Diane were truly a special couple. They made it a goal to never quarrel and their children can attest to the fact that they never once exchanged harsh words. Their relationship is an example of true love and dedication. Together they raised two children, Heather Orellana and Jonathan McCall. Never was a mother more devoted to her children than Diane. Her love for her family was unconditional and shown daily by her tireless, unselfish service. Her joy as a mother was made full as she became a Grandma to five beautiful grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Diane held a few different jobs, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. But the job she enjoyed the most was being a Teacher's Aide at Hort Elementary School in Bakersfield, CA. She worked in Third grade and also in Kindergarten. She loved helping the children, and the children loved her back. Diane was always a loyal friend. Her bright smile, easy laughter, and sweet disposition won her the friendship of many. If anyone needed help, Diane was the person they called.

In 2000, Diane suffered a stroke which would leave her paralyzed on one side of her body and unable to speak. Despite the long years of disability, Diane kept her beautiful smile, cheerful attitude, and sense of humor. Her endurance and patience in the face of such extreme hardship is a testament to the strength of her spirit. She showed us how to live with faith, hope, and love. Diane will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Diane was predeceased by her parents, Doanie and Bea Van Winkle, her sister, Debbie, and her husband, Don McCall. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Heather McCall Orellana and Jose A. Orellana, and her son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan McCall and Christina Cabrera McCall; by her siblings Ardona Van Winkle, Robyn Levy, Randy van Winkle, and Lorrie Rockney; and by her beloved grandchildren: Paul, Benjamin, and Kate Orellana and Sophia and Payton McCall.