Claremont Obituaries
Great-grandfather, Air Force veteran, traveler, dancer, comedian Arthur E. Lyman, a long-time resident of Claremont, died June 13 at the age of 96. Arthur was born May 14, 1929 in Chicago, and spent much of his childhood moving about Canada before entering the United States Air Force. He proudly served five years as an airman […]
Beloved stepmother, longtime Claremont Colleges employee Phyllis Jean Huss, 96, of Boise, Idaho, died peacefully on May 27. Phyllis was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Leland and Ruth (Clayton) Blythe on August 28, 1928. She married Robert Kehoe in 1951. That marriage ended in divorce. She married again, to Richard Huss, in 1978. “Phil,” as […]
Family man, artist, preservationist, contractor “Surrounded by family and love, Brian passed peacefully on Monday, May 26,” his family shared. “A gifted, creative, and passionate artist, Brian was also devoted to his family who remember him as also a Renaissance man, and a kind, loving, and gentle soul.” Robert Brian Worley was born on October […]
Grandmother, pastor, traveler, artist Virginia Kennedy Bergfalk died peacefully on April 17 due to complications from diverticulitis and pneumonia infections. In the five weeks preceding her death, she was blessed to have been visited by all three of her daughters and one granddaughter, who all assisted in her care during this challenging time. She is […]
Husband, entrepreneur, world traveler “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of James Thurman’s peaceful passing on September 22, 2024,” his family shared. “Jim was predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Marjorie Parker, M.D., and his devoted parents, Bert and Frances Thurman, Jr. He is survived by his […]
Mother, minister, volunteer, accountant “With great sadness we announce the passing of the Rev. Miriam Mercado, who died of natural causes, peacefully, in her home on Easter Sunday, April 20, at the age of 101 years,” her family shared. She is pictured below her 101st birthday party. Miriam was born in Puerto Rico on July […]
Beloved grandmother, daycare business owner Sandy Deon Hoy, age 78, of Cerritos, California, died peacefully on May 4. Born on April 18, 1947, in Compton, California, to Zelma and Emerson Dolan, Sandy grew up with a deep love for family, learning, and laughter. She married Jack William Hoy and together they shared 25 years. She […]
Husband, father, grandfather, musician, craftsman Lief David Frederick died peacefully on April 25 at the age of 73. Born on August 16, 1951 in Pomona, Lief was the second of four children born to Dr. Paul and Emmy Frederick. In 1960, they settled in Claremont, where he would remain a lifelong resident. He carried a […]
Grandmother, minister, activist, dancer After a lifetime of service and self-expression, Penelope Dawn Clark Mann, United Church of Christ minister, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, died April 27 at the Pilgrim Place Health Center in Claremont. Penny was born March 6, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa. Raised in Columbus, Ohio, she attended University High School, […]
Mother, nurse, traveler Sally Kohnman died April 27. “For three days she was surrounded in the hospital by loved ones from all the various roles she had played in life: wife, mother, nurse, and world traveler,” her family shared. Sally was born in Bath, Pennsylvania on May 5, 1954 and lived a good portion for […]
Grandfather, 40 year Cal Poly Pomona biology professor, traveler Lenard R. Troncale, 81, of Claremont, died peacefully on April 24 surrounded by his family. He was born May 14, 1943 in Chicago, and raised in Southern California from a young age. He was in the first graduating class of Bishop Amat Memorial High School in […]
Great-grandfather, competitive skier, traveler, volunteer Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lynn Joseph (Joe) Rhodes died April 21 in Claremont after a four-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 89 and resided in Claremont for 44 years with his wife, Marilyn Rhodes. A native Californian, he was born on November 21, 1935 in Alhambra to […]
Grandmother, longtime Cal Poly Pomona professor, poet Nancy Carolyn Ware, 82, died March 28 at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California. Born in Montana and raised primarily in Tucson, Arizona, Nancy eventually married fellow Claremont Colleges student James Ware, and together they made their home in Southern California. She was a passionate scholar, poet, naturalist, […]
Beloved grandmother, exuberant and devoted St. Louis sports fan “If this world has seemed a bit cheerless lately, one reason is that Bonnie Louise Ferrell departed it on the evening of March 26, 2025,” her family shared. “Known for her ready smile, her sense of humor and of style, and her endless delight in bragging […]
Louise Kestenbaum died peacefully in her home on April 26. She was with her beloved husband and daughters and surrounded by the love and care of her family and many friends. She lived with stage four cancer for the last three years of her life. She embraced every treatment possible to extend her life so […]
Grandfather, engineer, competitive swimmer, coach Surrounded by family, Stephen Scott Wilder died peacefully the morning of March 12. Steve was born in the neighborhood of Zenith, near Seattle, Washington, to Barbara and Leo Wilder. One of four boys, he grew up in Manhattan Beach and spent his teenage years living in Miami, Florida. […]
It is with profound sadness that we are announcing the passing of Kenny Brage. Kenny was born in Huntington Park, California to Oscar Kennth and Eva Lillie Brage. He died peacefully at his home in Lake Arrowhead surrounded by his family.