Obituaries

    A longtime supporter of Idyllwild Arts Academy, Eric Bettelheim, 66, died of respiratory distress Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, while on a visit in Borrego Springs.
    Mr. Bettelheim was born April 4, 1932, in Asyut, Egypt. He worked as an engineer for Ralph M. Parsons Co. in Pasadena until his retirement in 1987, at which time he and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Idyllwild.
    The couple lived here for eight years and moved to Temecula three years ago where they lived at the time of Mr. Bettelheim's death.
    While in Idyllwild, the Bettelheims were very active with the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Academy. Mr. Bettelheim was an accomplished woodworker. He selflessly donated his skills to many projects. For instance, the bookcases at the Idyllwild Arts library were his creation.
    One of the special projects he performed was a joint effort with former International Chamber Orchestra Conductor Jung Ho Pak to improve the acoustics in the IAF (or Bowman) Theatre. When you're sitting in the theatre, take a look at the ceiling and note the curved slats of wood. Mr. Bettelheim cut each piece of wood, he and his wife sanded them and Mr. Pak attached the pieces himself, ascending by scaffolding.
    Headmaster Bill Lowman and his wife, Carolyn, are donating a plaque to Mr. Bettelheim to be attached to one of the seats in the theatre.
    Mr. Bettelheim, in his little woodworking shop in Idyllwild, also built the furniture for his son's optometry office. As well as woodworking, he enjoyed classical music, traveling and cooking.
    After moving, he and his wife became members of the Presidents Associates of the Zoological Society of San Diego.
    Mr. Bettelheim's remains were to be cremated with a private scattering at sea. The family will hold a private celebration of life gathering in his name on Dec. 5. Stout Family Funeral Home of Temecula is handling funeral arrangements.
    Along with his wife, he is survived by a son, Eric A. Bettelheim, of La Canada.

Marguerite Bettis
November 2, 1998

    Marguerite Bettis, a 9-year resident of Idyllwild, died at her home Nov. 2. A private family service was held at Forest Lawn in Glendale on Nov. 7.
    Her daughter, Trish Wimbrow, was very appreciative of community members who assisted in caring for her mother and who were supportive of Mrs. Wimbrow, a former Idyllwild resident. No further information was released by the family.

Nancy Ann Brown
January 15, 1998

    Nancy Ann Brown of Idyllwild, passed away Thursday, Jan. 15, at Manor Care in Hemet from cancer. She was 71.
    Private family services were held recently with Miller-Jones Mortuary in Hemet handling cremation arrangements.
    Ms. Brown was born Feb. 2, 1926, in Blytheville, Ark. She was a homemaker and had lived in Idyllwild with her daughter, Debbie Rizor, for the past year. Prior to that, she lived in Hemet for 10 years. Mrs. Rizor said her mother really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
    Along with Mrs. Rizor, she is survived by another daughter, Cynthia Hartstein of Orange; a son, Donald Brown of Moreno Valley; a brother, William Singery of Hemet; eight grandchildren, Jim, Dawn Marie and Tim-othy Rizor of Idyllwild, Kelly, Hannah and Dylan Brown of Moreno Valley and Robert and Philip Hartstein of Orange; and a great-grandchild, Alden Rizor of Idyllwild.  

Valarie Elizabeth Canfil
March 1, 1999

    Valarie Elizabeth Canfil died at her home in Pine Cove on March 1, 1999, following a brief illness. Family, friends and Hemet Hospice were at her side. Valarie was born Aug. 26, 1918, on a farm outside Chicago, Ill. She came to California in 1947 and settled in the San Diego area where she was active in the Rock 'n Ride Equestrian Drill Team which performed in parades and at fairs. Their trainer was the famous Western painter "Weighorst." She also enjoyed bowling and square dancing.
    Mrs. Canfil worked for 21 years for Bank of America in various capacities developing her expertise in home loans and escrow actions. After retiring from BofA, she and husband Art moved to Pine Cove and became full-time residents in the mid-70s, building a home on Deerpath Road. She then opened an escrow office here on the Hill.
    She was an artist in her own right with a particular fondness for Native American and wildlife themes. In 1985, she and Art, along with Nancy Appell, founded the ARF Fund (Animal Rescue Fund of Idyllwild) and raised money for spaying and neutering, as well as for rescuing abandoned animals.
    Mrs. Canfil is survived by her husband Arthur Canfil, son Michael Robbins and brother Bill Keller of Northern California.
    In lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be made to the ARF Fund, P.O. Box 1965, Idyllwild, CA 92549; to the Ramona Animal Haven, 690 Humane Way, Hemet, CA 92582; or to Living Free, P.O. Box 5, Mountain Center, CA 92561.
    A memorial will be held on Tuesday, March 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Silver Pines Lodge. Friends are urged to come and share their memories of Valarie. Burial will be private.

Aurelia "Pat" Harlowe
January 27 1998

    Memorial services for Aurelia (Pat) Browning Harlowe were held Sunday, Feb. 1, in Los Angeles at Faith United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Harlowe passed away Jan. 27 at her daughter's home in Rose-mead of congestive heart failure. She was 92.
    Mrs. Harlowe lived in Idyllwild full- or part-time for 50 years and loved her times spent here. From 1966 to 1974, she was active in the community and the Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church.
    She is survived by her son, H. Herbert Harlowe, of Idyllwild; her daughter, Anna Harlowe of Rosemead; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Phyllis Hord
February 28, 1998

    Memorial services for Phyllis Hord, longtime librarian at Desert Sun School, were held March 2 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arcadia. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. She was in her 70s.
    Mrs. Hord passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21. From 1979 until the school's close, she served as dorm parent, as well as head librarian, and was widely loved by many of her students.
    Mrs. Hord was born in Salt Lake City and was a direct descendant of one of the original pioneer families of Utah. She was a graduate of the University of Utah and the UCLA School of Library Science. Most recently, she was employed as head librarian at Gunnison State Prison in Gunnison, Utah, where she served as Utah's oldest active corrections officer.
    She is survived by her two sons, Pete and Nick Hord, both graduates of Desert Sun School; a brother, Claron Jorgensen of Corte Madera; and a large extended family in both California and Utah.
    Friends of Mrs. Hord are welcome to contact Charlotte Anthony at 659-5392.

Rosalie John
December 7, 1998

    Rosalie John, a caring mother and grandmother, who also loved Idyllwild and blue skies, died in Idyllwild at 5:06 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, of a heart attack. Born Dec. 13, 1910, in Alabama, she would have been 88-years-old this Sunday.
    Mrs. John lived for 51 years in El Monte before moving to Idyllwild six years ago. She belonged to Arbutus Rebekah Lodge for 50 years, Order of Eastern Star for 70 years, the Rotary Anns, the Emblem Club, the Idyllwild Lioness Club, the American Legion and her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
    She is survived by her daughter, Norma Crutchley of Idyllwild, and her son, Thomas John of Thomas Mountain; six grandchildren, Christina Rosalie Patterson, Mark Robert Kempton, Laura Leigh Cumberland, Ronald John, Timothy John and Vicky Coyer; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Robert D. Johnson, who died 16 years ago. Also, two grandsons, Donald and Robert John.  

Rhoda Karubian
January 4, 1999

    Idyllwild has lost a true friend and supporter of the arts. Rhoda Karubian died Monday, Jan. 4, 1999, with her extended family beside her at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Los Angeles.
    Ms. Karubian built the Tree House in 1979, and for many years, this hand weaver's home and studio have provided a gracious setting for poetry readings and art appreciation. A notable garden added to the studio's peace and serenity where Karubian's Open Studio gave local artists a venue for their work.
    Residents and Idyllwild visitors who frequented these events will miss these artistic treats.
    Rhoda Karubian, born in 1938, is survived by her sons, Charles and Laurence and his wife, Masha; friends and former husband, Ralph; her sisters, Linda, Davida and Martha; and nieces Katherine and Sarah and nephew, Zeke.
    Services and burial took place at Mt. Sinai on Jan. 7, 1999.
    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Idyllwild Arts Foundation Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 38, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Charles Marquiss
March 22, 1998

    Charles Marquiss, a voice familiar to thousands of Riverside County residents, is now silent. Mr. Marquiss, 50, news director of KATY-FM, died quietly in his sleep of natural causes on Sunday morning, March 22, according to a news release from the radio station.
    Although he had been suffering from a cold and bronchitis, Mr. Marquiss' death came as a complete surprise to family and co-workers at the station.
    "Chuck," as he was familiarly known, had worked at major stations including KGGI, KNX, KFI and KFWB for many years before joining KATY-FM in March 1991. He commuted daily from Highland to Hemet for five years and later to the new Temecula studios. Because of popularity with news personnel of stations throughout the region, he was able to trade news clips, bringing a variety of voices that enhanced the professional "big station" sound of his newscasts.
    Katy Gill, president and general manager of KATY-FM, said, "Chuck was a truly loyal, as well as professional, journalist." Last week, knowing that his back-up was on jury duty, he came to work so sick that he could hardly talk. He truly believed in the motto 'the show must go on.'"
    David Carson, station manager said, "It won't be the same around here without Chuck. He was a key man in our operation."
    Mr. Marquiss is survived by his wife of 22 years, Angie, four sons, two daughters, three daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, a brother, a sister and his father.
    Rosary and viewing will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. in Riverside.

Eleanor Samenfeld
January 10, 1998

    A memorial service for Eleanor Elizabeth Samenfeld, of Idyllwild, was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. She was 79.
    Mrs. Samenfeld was born Oct. 9, 1918 in Los Angeles. A homemaker, she was married to Walter Samen-feld for 56 years. Their wedding anniversary was Saturday, Jan. 10, the day she passed away at home, according to her daughter, Emily Pearson.
    Mrs. Samenfeld lived in Hemet for 20 years, moving to Idyllwild with her husband nearly two years ago. She was one of Idyllwild Institute-Fiesta founder Ann Lay's caregivers before Mrs. Lay passed away last July.
    The memorial service for Mrs. Samenfeld was to be held at the institute with the Rev. Bruce Morlan officiating. Weaver Mortuary of Beaumont handled cremation arrangements.
    She is survived by her husband; daughters Mrs. Pearson of Idyllwild and Waldene Lacey of Fallbrook; two stepdaughters, Katherine Dhillon of Vista and Jean Collins of Cathedral City; four grandchildren, Steven Pearson of Forestville, Bonny Pearson of Hemet, Brian Pearson of Coronado and Martha Pear-son of Idyllwild; and four great-grandchildren, Mallory, Amanda, Jacob and Benjamin Pearson of Forestville.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Idyllwild Institute-Fiesta, P.O. Box 245, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Helen May Valeur
May 2, 1998

    Memorial services for Helen May Valeur, of Morongo Valley, will be private at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the family's residence in that city. She was 60.
    Mrs. Valeur was born Aug. 7, 1937, in Los Angeles to Fred and Mary Grable Scott. Mrs. Valeur married George M. Valeur on Aug. 2, 1978, in Las Vegas. They lived in Idyllwild, where their two children were raised and attended Idyllwild School. While here, she was a member of the Idyllwild Board of Realtors, a board member on the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce and served as Town Hall Recreation Program Director, resurrecting the summer camp program there.
    The Valeurs started Mountain Greenery in 1979 and moved to Morongo Valley in 1990 after selling the business. She was a real estate broker in Idyllwild and in the desert communities. She was also a member of Chapel in the Pines church. Mrs. Valeur died of cancer on May 2 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.
    Wiefels and Son Funeral Directors of Palm Springs are handling arrangements and interment will be private.
    She is survived by her husband; sons Charles Beagle of Idyllwild, Chris Beagle of Pine Cove and Scott Valeur of Morongo Valley; daughters Bonnie Morris of Palm Springs and Claudia Valeur of Morongo Valley; and a sister, Brenda Scott, of Palm Springs.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Desert Hospital Foundation/Hospice, P.O. Box 1508, Palm Springs, CA 92263, or to the Church of Morongo, P.O. Box 1508, Palm Springs, CA 92256.

Mary Angelita Wahl
January 19, 1998

    Memorial services for Mary Angelita Wahl, of Idyllwild, were still pending at press time. Mrs. Wahl passed away Monday, Jan. 19, of complications from the flu. She was 53.
    Mrs. Wahl was born March 4, 1944, in Houston, Texas. She moved to Idyllwild in 1975 where she served as a cook and all around helper with many organizations on the Hill.
    In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mrs. Wahl was the nutrition director at Mt. San Jacinto Senior Center, now called the Idyllwild-Pine Cove Community Center. She was also a supervisor for Marriott Food Services at ISOMATA.
    Mrs. Wahl was very involved in the American Legion and had just signed up as a volunteer for the Hemet Unified School District before she became ill. She is survived by her husband, Jerald Wahl; four sons, Joseph, Eddie, Michael and Danny Aguilar, all of Los Angeles; a daughter, Theresa Aguilar of Los Angeles; five brothers, Joseph, Terry, John, Richard and Willie Rodriguez; two sisters, Dorothy and Patsey Rodriguez; and a grandson, Anthony Aguilar of Los Angeles, formerly of Idyllwild.

John D. Watson
January 25,1999

    John D. Watson, 72, a resident of Hemet employed at Lake Hemet Campground for about six years, died Monday, Jan. 25, 1999, at Reche Canyon Rehabilitation Center in Colton.
    Mr. Watson was born in Indiana Harbor, Ind., in 1926, and graduated from Ham-mond High School there. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946. When he got out, he worked for Douglas Aircraft, then was employed as a salesman for Coors. He was a member of the American Legion Post 800 in Idyll-wild and the Elks Lodge in Hemet and lived in Thomas Mountain Village from 1986 to 1994 before moving to Hemet.
    A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at the Elks Lodge, 1305 W. Florida Ave., Hemet. Burial is private.
    Mr. Watson is survived by a daughter, Wendy McCahan of Rancho Cucamonga; a brother, Norman Watson of Porter, Ind.; and two sisters, Martha Strauser of Georgia and Mary Esther Stahl of Sun City.   

Erma L. Wilson
April 4, 1999

    Erma L. (Sally) Wilson, 72, who loved all creatures great and small, died Sunday, April 4, 1999, at Hospice of the Desert in Palm Springs.
    Mrs. Wilson, a resident of Mountain Center, was born July 12, 1927, to Henry and Elsies Brewer in St. James, Mo. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law and friend.
    She is survived by her husband, John Wilson Sr. of Mountain Center; two daughters, Catherine Blatz of Cahokia, Ill. and Linda Jay of Palm Desert; two sons, John Wilson Jr. of St. Louis and Leonard Wilson of Hemet; two brothers, Delmar Brewer of St. Louis and William Brewer of Redding; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a dear, special friend, Patricia Sanders. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline Wilson.
    Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to Hospice of the Desert Community, 1150 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262.

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