obituaries
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Betty Jean Nelson 09/14/24-03/06/17
Betty Jean Nelson, 92, died Monday March 6, 2017 of natural causes. She was born 9/14/24 in Salinas, KS. The daughter of William Perry & Belva Brown. Her family consisted of 9 sisters and 2 brothers. She has one surviving sister, Charlotte Daly. Betty was married to her childhood sweetheart and moved to Santa Barbara in early forty's. They had two children, Ronald Dean Nelson Deceased, and surviving daughter Patricia A. Nelson. She was known as " Grandma Go-Go", with 6 grad children, 3 great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter and many-many nieces and nephews. Her friends deeply loved her for her warm, caring nature, great sense of humor and love for animals. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Nevada in Reno. He loved Lake Tahoe, where he lived for many years, commuting over Mt. Rose to Reno where he worked as a portfolio manager with many good friends at Navellier & Associates. When Phillip’s father’s health declined, Phillip often came to Santa Barbara to care for him. During this period, his 28-year friendship with Tonya Lynn Roberts deepened and they married in 2012. Tonya’s devotion to Phillip was extraordinary. Her endless attention to detail and advocacy for Phillip’s comfort was awe-inspiring. Phillip is survived by his wife Tonya Lynn Roberts, his sister Carol Mitteldorf of Bochum, Germany, and his cousins Barry Sherman of Scottsdale, AZ, and Ellen Sherman of Las Vegas, NV. The Memorial service will be held at their home on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 3:00pm. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Tonya invites you to plant a tribute tree in Phillip’s name, in Israel. Visit www.shiva.com.
of his son. Clifford was preceded in death by his twin sister Merlin Sorensen, older sisters Beverly Hague and Elaine Barnes, and brother-in-law Rudolph Winter Sorensen. Along with son Clifford and his partner Marge, survivors are: daughter Monica Hague; wife Mary Ortiz; brothers Claude and Floyd Hague; and five nieces and nine nephews. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Lompoc Comprehensive Care, Sarah House, The Californian, Cottage Hospital and the Lompoc Valley Medical Center – and to Clifford’s longtime cardiologist Dr. Thomas D. Watson, and primary care physician Dr. Shaun Ehsani. A graveside service will be held on Friday April 14, 2017 at 10:30 am at the Goleta Cemetery, 44 South San Antonio Rd. Santa Barbara, CA. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary
Clifford “Chopo” F. Hague 1927-2017
Phillip Lee Mitteldorf
Michael Oettinger
11/28/59-04/02/17
10/22/45-03/18/17
details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Michael’s name to the City of Carpinteria Parks & Recreation department.
Else Schilling Bard 01/09/29-02/12/17
Oscar R. Ball
11/11/44-04/02/17
Fondly known as “Leinie”, Else Schilling Bard died on February 12th 2017. She was 88 years old. Born in San Francisco, Leinie was a photographer, writer, poet, artist, intrepid world explorer, humanitarian, philanthropist and contemplative spiritual seeker who created connections with people and the natural world wherever she happened to find herself. She will be remembered for her tremendous generosity, sense of humor, sincerity and kindness towards others and her beautiful, radiant smile. A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, April 23rd 2017 from 2-5PM at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Hank Kinsell 1927-2017
Phillip Lee Mitteldorf, 57, of Santa Barbara and Incline Village, died peacefully in his Santa Barbara home on April 2, 2017. The cause of death was cancer, which for over three years, he met with courageous, highly focused, well-informed determination and grace. How could mere words ever suffice in describing the amazing being of Phillip Mitteldorf? He was a lover. He loved books, and history, and maps, and people, and his dog Barkley, and conversation, and ideas, and learning, and being kind, and being generous, and fishing, and Alaska, and his old friends, and his new friends, and his family, and most of all, he loved his wife Tonya. His good nature made an impression; Phillip was unique. He was a brilliant man of knowledge and warmth, a gentleman to the core. Any question as to why and how one man’s good nature could have made such a heartfelt impression on so many, would be put to rest quickly by the experience of Phillip’s companionship. His generosity of spirit was evidenced by his presence as well as by his deeds. Phillip was an insatiably curious person, diving into books to broaden his already considerable knowledge of innumerable topics. He was accomplished in many fields. He studied and worked in medicine, exploring the possibility of continuing in the steps of his MD father and RN mother. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiological Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.B.A. from the University of 18
THE iNDEpENDENT
Clifford “Chopo” F. Hague, 83, who moved to Santa Barbara County with his family in 1947, passed away on April 7, 2017 at the skilled nursing facility, The Californian, following a lengthy illness. One of six children born to Claude P. and Louzetta Zahn Hague, his birthplace was the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts. It was there that he acquired his nickname, “Chopo.” He was in the seventh grade when his family relocated from L.A. County to Santa Barbara. He subsequently attended Santa Barbara Junior High, where he excelled in baseball, and Santa Barbara High, graduating from the latter in 1952. Joining the U.S. Navy in 1953, he went on to serve as a boatswain’s mate third class during the Korean War. After his service ended in 1956 he became a U.S. Post Office letter carrier in Santa Barbara and Goleta. A devoted sports fan who closely followed the stats of college football and basketball, and pro-baseball, the athletically-built Clifford spent a number of years working with kids on local sports teams – including those at Harding School. Known for his infectious laugh and quick wit, he was an avid fan of old movies (especially the comedies of Bob Hope) as well as a collector of comic books, wind-up toys, movie posters, and other pop culture ephemera. Though Clifford left the area in 1992 – to move to Merced – he returned in 2000. In his latter years he enjoyed sitting in on criminal trials at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. And, he was a regular at the downtown McDonald’s. It was as a result of mobility issues – following a March 2016 fall that led to health complications – that he reluctantly became homebound. For awhile, he resided at Lompoc Comprehensive Care Facility, and The Californian – after making his home for many years with his son Clifford F. Hague, II, and Clifford II’s longtime companion, Marge. “He was a great dad. He loved life and laughter,” said Clifford II. “No matter how bad things would get, my father would find the humor in it.” An animal lover (a family trait), Clifford owned a three-legged cat named Ziggy, who is now in the care
april 13, 2017
independent.com
Michael Oettinger passed away peacefully with his children at his side on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Born October 22, 1945 in Cleveland to Jack and Rosalie “Tess” Oettinger, Michael was raised in Shaker Heights and moved to New York City after graduating from Kent State and London School of Economics. In 1970 he honeymooned with his wife in Sausalito, and they moved to Marin shortly after. Michael was a real estate developer in San Francisco and Northern California throughout the 70's and 80's, followed by building a private-label clothing business in Carmel Valley. He moved to Carpinteria in the early 2000’s and could always be found helping small local businesses or hanging out and sharing stories with his fellow pilot friends. Michael had an entertaining personality and often had those around him laughing and enjoying his company. He dearly loved his family, friends, dogs, airplanes and the beach. Michael is survived by his daughter Christina Clark Bloodgood of San Francisco, her husband Matthew and their two children Madelyn and Benjamin, as well as his son Matthew Sherman of Santa Barbara and his wife Anna. He also leaves his sisters Joan and Carole, and longtime companion Alice. He is missed dearly and will always be remembered. A sincere thank you to the team at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Ridley-Tree Pavilion for their care and compassion. A memorial service will be held this summer at Carpinteria State Beach,
his wife of 66 years Sally, daughters and sons-in-law Eliza and Dave Kropp of Moorpark, Sara and Peter Hadley of Moorpark, and Annie and Steve Ellberg of Ventura, grandchildren Sara (Kropp) Jacobsen and her husband John, Garner Kropp, Ben and Annie Hadley, Grace, Charlotte, and Sally Ellberg, great grandchildren Helen and Frederick Jacobsen, brother Sey Kinsell of Santa Barbara, and many nieces and nephews.
Body surfer, world traveler, dedicated stockbroker, and beloved Papa, (Henry S.) Hank Kinsell passed away in Thousand Oaks on April 1, 2017. Born in San Francisco in 1927, Hank spent most of his life in Santa Barbara. Proud to be a graduate of Roosevelt Elementary and La Cumbre Junior High, he was a Don from the Santa Barbara High School Class of 1944. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he graduated from the University of Oregon and Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He and his wife Sally met at the University of Oregon where Hank was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. Hank and Sally’s family finally settled in Montecito in 1966. Hank loved the challenges of his career as a stockbroker and retired in 1992. Active in his community, he served as the president of the Montecito YMCA and was once a member of Montecito Rotary. His favorite volunteer activities were managing the YMCA Christmas tree lot and delivering meals and serving on the board of Meals on Wheels. Sally and Hank traveled the world. Hank enjoyed soaking up the local culture in public places abroad. He also felt he could get to know a place best if he was off the beaten track. However, his favorite spot was sitting on Miramar beach while reading The Wall Street Journal. He competed in bodysurfing championships and shared his love of the ocean with his daughters and grandchildren. Hank is survived by a loving family;
Oscar R. Ball 72 passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2017. Oscar was born in Mexico City on November 11, 1944 and his father Robert Ball and Elvira Gonzales-Meza Ball raised him in a beautiful part of Mexico City. He came to Santa Barbara at age 19 to join his childhood friend Rene and work at Cottage Hospital and to chase the American Dream. It was at Cottage that Oscar met Marci, the beautiful mother of his two adult children. Oscar had an incredible work ethic inspired by the desire to provide a comfortable life for his family. In addition to working at MTD as a bus driver for over 20 years, he pursued his love for residential real estate, sports and luxury cars, motorcycles and his beautiful garden. Oscar had the gift of making people feel special with his bright, smiley face and a friendly hello to friends and strangers alike. This gift of the human connection brought a little peace and joy to many people around Santa Barbara and the places he traveled. Oscar is survived by mother Elvira Gonzales-Meza Ball, sister Yolanda Mazzacano, daughter Michele Vedder (husband Jason), son James Ball (wife Tatum), son Oscar Ball Jr. and daughter Tiffany Ball. Grandchildren Kasey, Tatum, James, Travis, Larry and Alyssa.
Timothy Ferris McMahon
April 21, 1927-December 30, 2016
A LIFE WELL LIVED Friends are invited to celebrate the life of Timothy Ferris McMahon at Montanaro Farm, 2531 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, California on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 11:30 - 2:30 pm. Link to complete obit: independent.com/obits/2017/apr/03/ timothy-mcmahon
Death Notices Julian Navarro Reynoso, DOD 03/16/17 (77) Carpinteria, CA