Lea Ann Clark Prestia, BHS 1977

Lea Ann Clark Prestia, BHS 1977

October 31, 1959 - January 15, 2022

Lea Ann Prestia passed away at home on Jan. 15, 2022, after a long illness.

Born in Athens, Ohio, on Oct. 31 1959, Lea Ann lived with her parents and sister Shelley in Ohio.  She visited her grandparents often and enjoyed the seasons, which included walking in corn fields, building igloos in the winter and catching fireflies in the summer.

However, a job offer in California got the young family moving to Southern California in the early 60’s.

She attended Thomas Edison Elementary, Luther Burbank Junior High and Burbank High School, where she was the starting catcher on the BHS Girls Varsity Softball team.  Upon graduation, she went on to get her college degree at Cal State Northridge.

Lea Ann saw her future husband, Russ, while attending a church “singles” event.  They sat close to one another, but never met.  Luckily, an after-event gathering at a nearby restaurant gave them a second chance to meet. They were together ever since.

The couple wed in 1994 and enjoyed being each other’s best friend until the time of her death in Prescott, Arizona.

Their backyard gazebo was a favorite spot for Lea, who enjoyed gardening and taking in the view of her beautiful flower garden.

Lea Ann is survived by her husband, Russell, mother, Vera, sisters, Shelley and Cindy, and brother, Randy.   She was a beloved aunt to Matt, Krysta, Rachael and Olivia.

A memorial service has already been held in Prescott, Arizona.

Published in Burbank Leader/Outlook Newspaper, January 2022

Ernest B. Johnson, Jr., BHS 1974

Ernest B. Johnson, Jr., BHS 1974

Ernest B. Johnson, Jr was born November 1, 1955 in Whittier, California, and passed away on October 16, 2006, surrounded by all of his family and close friends.

Ernest, also known to his family as “Butch”, left us way too soon. Butch lived here in Burbank most of his life. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and watching wrestling.

All who knew Butch knew what a great man he was. He loved his friends, adored his family, and was great with his nieces and nephews. Not having any kids of his own, he took all of his nieces and nephews under his wing. He had a huge heart. He did whatever he could to help the people in his life, even as his health declined he was there for us, Our Rock. We know he is in a better place.

He has joined our dad, and will be watching over us from the Heavens. We love him deeply and will miss him more than words can express. 

Ernest is survived by his mother, June Johnson; sisters, Rita Hisel and Sharon Castle; brother, Kenny Johnson; also by his four nephews, three nieces, two great nephews, and five great nieces.

Posted on his Find A Grave Memorial by - So We Always Remember

Edward Joseph Howitt, BHS 1975

Edward Joseph Howitt, BHS 1975

Published in the Simi Valley Star, Sunday, June 18, 1978

Viral infection was death cause

A Burbank man, Edward Howitt, 21, was found dead in a Simi Valley residence on Ralston Avenue, Friday afternoon, according to Simi Valley police. 

Howitt apparently was visiting friends. He was found in bed by a friend after he had been dead several hours. A coroner’s investigation determined that Howitt died from a viral infection.

Douglas Arthur Garbers, BHS 1972

Douglas Arthur Garbers, BHS 1972

Santa Ynez Valley News, Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Morning blaze burns mobile home, leaves one dead

Firefighters found body of Douglas Arthur Garders

When Lynne Morian awoke to the smell of smoke in her trailer early Thursday morning, her first move was to open her curtains to see what was happening. Outside, she saw flames had engulfed a nearby trailer. “I thought, “It can catch on to other trailers.” Morian said. “Some people have propane. That could’ve blown this place apart.” 

The early morning blaze fully involved a mobile home at 815 N. O Street in Lompoc, the location of Continental Mobile Home Park. The Lompoc Fire Department, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Vandenberg Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at a single-wide mobile home at 1:55 a.m., according to Lompoc Fire Chief Kurt Laipow. The fire threatened several nearby mobile homes.

Inside, firefighters found the body of a man, identified as Douglas Arthur Garbers who was 60 years old. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to verify the cause of death. The Lompoc Fire Department ruled that the blaze was accidental, Laipow said. The fire was likely related to smoking, he said. 

The home did not have smoke alarms and had an excessive accumulation of personal belongings, all of which contributed to the fire, Laripow said. “All those factors made for a very fast-moving, hot fire,” He said. “Most likely, by the time the occupant realized it. It was too late. When our first engine got there, the trailer was well-involved to a point that surviving it would not been possible.” 

In light of the fire, the Community Action Commissions (CAC) of Santa Barbara County announced that it is currently offering services to make low-income households safer. The CAC provides free smoke alarms, gas appliance safety testing and carbon monoxide detectors, according to Central Administrative Services Distractor Holly Carmody.

Mobile home park resident Fernando Tabin said his dog, Nemo, alerted him and Marian to the fire. The pair could not get back to sleep four about an hour and a half because of the excessive smoke, he said.

Other neighbors in the surrounding mobile homes said Garbers was a hermit who moved to Continental Mobile Home Park in 2009. He mainly kept to himself, they said. Tony Martinez, who lives next door to the home involved in the blaze, said another neighbor beat on his door at 2 a.m. to tell him his home was on fire. But after seeing the Fire Department’s work, Martinez said he did not worry about his safety.

Martinez said Garbors stayed in his home most of the time. “The guy didn’t come out much.” He said. “He had a bad hip. He couldn’t really move around.”

Dennis Woolley Patterson, BHS 1968

Dennis Woolley Patterson, BHS 1968

November 16, 1949 – December 15, 1991

Los Angeles Times, Saturday, December 28, 1991

Dennis Woolley Patterson, age 42; survived by sons; James B. and Joseph D.; daughter, Elizabeth Ann, mother, Minerva; sister, Joan Holmstrom, four nephews and two nieces.

Services 10 a.m. Monday, at Lakewood Third Ward Latter Day Saints Church, 17660 Carpentero, Bellflower. Spongberg Mortuary, Long Beach.

Michael J. Costello, BHS 1961

Michael J. Costello, BHS 1961

September 16, 1943, IL - February 27, 1965, CA

Valley Times, North Hollywood, California, Wednesday, March 3, 1965

M. Costello Services Set Friday

Services for Michael J. Costello, 21, 1800 North Evergreen Drive, Burbank, victim of an airplane crash near Arroyo Grande Saturday, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the American Lutheran Church, 755 N. Whitnall Highway, Burbank.

Costello was killed on his last solo flight before receiving his pilot's license. He left Van Nuys airport and crashed in the mountains on his way to San Jose.

A member of the Los Alamitos Naval Reserve, adviser to the Boy Scouts of America and a graduate of Burbank High School. Costello is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Costello and a brother, Patrick J., 17, all of the same address.

Services will be conducted by the Rev. C.G. Shira. Burial will follow at Glenhaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are in charge of Eckermans Funeral Service, 333 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Find A Grave Memorial

Russell Woodrow Coplin, BHS 1971

Russell Woodrow Coplin, BHS 1971

Published in the Ventura County Star, Ventura, California, Saturday, July 14, 2007

SIMI VALLEY - MOTORCYCLIST IS KILLED IN CRASH WITH SUV

A Simi Valley man was killed Friday when his motorcycle collided with a sports utility vehicle, authorities said. Russell Woodrow Coplin, 54, was pronounced dead at Simi Valley Hospital, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. 

Coplin was driving his motorcycle west on Mayfair Street about 7:30 a.m. when he hit an SUV making a left turn from eastbound Mayfair onto Winthrop Court, police said. The SUV driver, a 56-year-old Simi Valley woman, was not injured.

Patricia Lynn (Pattie) Dumler Haupert, BHS 1967

Patricia Lynn (Pattie) Dumler Haupert, BHS 1967

Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Kailua, Hawaii, Wednesday, April 10, 1996

Pattie Haupert, 46, of Kailua died April 5, 1996 at home. Born in California, she was an infection control coordinator at Kona Community Hospital and a member of Hawaii Chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. 

Friends may call 5 p.m. Friday at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Clubhouse at Honokohau Harbor for a memorial service. Scattering of ashes at sea to follow. Loose flowers, leis welcome. Donations may be made to Kona Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 69, Kealakekua, HI 96750.

Survived by husband, Charles Edward Haupert of Kailua; two sons, Jaren Sturdy, Wayne (Keala Beyer) Sturdy, both of Kailua; stepson, Christopher Haupert of New York; parents Clarence and Dorothy Dumler of Oregon; brother, David (Angela) Dumler of California; sister, Judi (Tom) Brooks of California; parents-in-law, Bud and Alice Haupert of California; niece, three nephews, numerous cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary’s Kona Branch.

**************************************************************************

The Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, April 10, 1996

 Pattie Haupert, 46, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died April 5, 1996. Born in California, An infection control coordinator at Kona Community Hospital. Survived by husband, Charles E.; sons, Jaren Sturdy and Wayne Sturdy; stepson, Christopher; parents Clarence and Dorothy Dumler; brother, David Dumler; sister, Judi Brooks. 

Service 5 p.m. Friday at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Clubhouse at Honokohau Harbor. Scattering of ashes at sea. Loose flowers, leis. Memorial donations to Kona Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 69, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Dodo Mortuary’s Kona Branch.

 

Steven Cleo Marcus, BHS 1966

Steven Cleo Marcus, BHS 1966

Published in Valley Times, Monday, September 12, 1966

Youth, 18, Collapses, Dies at Beach

REDONDO BEACH – An 18 – year – old Burbank youth who was to begin college Tuesday died Sunday while at the beach here with family and friends.

Steven Marcus, 222 Skyline Drive, collapsed at Ave. I and Catalina Ave., according to police, who attributed death to an apparent heart attack. Exact cause of death awaits a coroner’s autopsy.

Marcus had planned to start classes Tuesday at the University of California, Berkeley.