William Lee Davidson Chetney, a longtime area resident, died at home in Claremont on November 26, 2014. He was 76. Born July 1, 1938 in Wichita Falls, Texas, Mr. Chetney came to Ontario, California in 1946 following the death of his father.
As a boy, Bill attended St. George’s Catholic School, playing football and receiving most valuable player honors as their left-handed star quarterback.
Longtime Claremont resident Mary Elizabeth Briggs Blanchard died peacefully in her sleep on November 18, 2014 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont. She was 105.
She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on October 5, 1909. She graduated from DePauw University in 1931 and later received an advanced degree in library science from the University of Michigan in 1950. She married William G. “Doc” Blanchard in 1932 and in 1936 they moved to Claremont when Doc accepted a position as professor of music at Pomona College. They had three children, William, Mildred and Margaret.
Longtime Claremont resident Jack Newton Pocock died peacefully at home on October 6, 2014. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 343 W. 12th St. in Claremont.
Longtime Claremonter and arts leader Ellen Knight Phillips Litney died on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the age of 67.
Mrs. Litney and her husband Dale were on their annual summer sojourn to Hamlin Lake, Michigan when she unexpectedly became ill. During a brief hospitalization beginning July 25, her doctors determined she had a viciously aggressive, incurable form of cancer, so she chose not to endure futile treatments and entered Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods in Grand Rapids. In her final days, she was comforted by her husband, children, grandchildren, sister and nephew.
John Fassbinder, a Claremont resident and noted ceramic artist, died on Sunday, October 19, 2014. He was 83.
Mr. Fassbinder was born on August 6, 1931 in Washington State to Mark and Martha Fassbinder. He earned his bachelor’s degree in art at the University of Washington in Seattle where he studied with Robert Sperry and Paul Bonifas, pioneers in the American Studio Craft movement.
Elliott Chung, a longtime Claremont resident, died on August 29, 2014 in Claremont. He was 81.
Elliott Chung was born on July 2, 1933 in Seoul, Korea, the first child of Reverend Robert Chung and Kyong Sook Chung. He spent his childhood in Seoul with his brother Paul, sister Ruth and youngest brother Larry.
Growing up, Elliott always had a big heart and was surrounded by lots of friends. “Elliott was my big, strong brother,” Larry shared in a tribute.
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