Julia Holbrook 1925-2021 Julia “Julie” C. Holbrook was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Samuel and Mazie Chestnut. Julie passed away peacefully at home Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Julie was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert “Bob” Holbrook. Julie is survived by daughter Joan (Steve) and son Ron (Susan); four grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. While attending Central Michigan University (CMU), Julie was recognized by the National Honor Society and was a member of the Phi Delta Eta Sorority. Before graduating during World War II, she joined the U.S. Navy (WAVES) and served stateside for two years at Chavez Ravine, now Dodger Stadium. After returning to CMU, Julie met and married Bob. She received a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1950, they moved to California. She always spoke about how they would make $10 more a month teaching in California than if she stayed to teach in Michigan. Julie spent 34 years as a substitute teacher for the Whittier Union High School District. She attended East Whittier Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, elder and trustee. She was also a lifetime member of P.E.O. Julie served as commissioner for the City of Whittier from 1976-1982. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Stephen Ministries, for which she and Bob traveled the U.S. and Europe. In 1996, they moved to Leisure World, where she served as head of the volunteers at the newly renovated Medical Center. Julie attended Community Church, loved going to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm; and playing golf, and going on long drives. She was active in the LW Woman’s Club, serving on the board and other committees. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9. Interment will be May 16 at 3 p.m. at Rose Hills in Whittier. Donations may be sent to LW Woman’s Club in honor of Julie’s memory.

In Memoriam Richard Steven Berryman Richard Steven Berryman, 71, of Seal Beach died of heart failure March 29 at an area hospital. Richard was the youngest of five Berryman children, who all grew up in their family’s funeral home in Cozad, Nebraska, and helped in various ways. Richard joined his mother, Geraldene Berryman, in the business in 1972, after graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. His father, Virgil, had died a year earlier. The Berrymans sold their business, which included three funeral homes, in 1983. In the mid-1980s, Richard moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for funeral homes, then with sales with Service Corporation International. Years later, he worked with older adults when he purchased a Comfort Keeper franchise with his cousin and business partner, Mary Granger. They sold the business in 2017, and Richard retired to Leisure World Seal Beach. Richard was a people-oriented person who prided himself on providing support to grieving families through his work in funeral homes and on providing help to the elderly through Comfort Keepers. He also prided himself on his sales ability, including selling Southern California to his friends in Nebraska. Richard had been known to call snowed-in Nebraska friends to say he was on his patio having brunch. Richard lived in Long Beach for many years before moving to Leisure World with his companion, Ivan Whatley. Ivan died in 2020. Richard’s retirement activities included daily walks with his small dog, Charlie, who, like Richard, was large in personality. Richard also closely followed the national news, freely sharing his opinions on news events and other subjects. Over the years, Richard helped and encouraged many friends, as well as family members. In retirement, he often said he was fortunate to have family, friends and neighbors who looked after him. Richard’s memorial service will be April 30 at 1 p.m. at Leisure World Community Church. Guests should enter through the main gate on Seal Beach Boulevard.

Peggy Lou Airhart 1923-2022 Actor, artist, wife, mother, volunteer police officer, world traveler, Red Hat Lady and woman of faith, Peggy Lou Airhart died March 23 at age 99. She was a 15-year resi- dent of Leisure World. Born Peggy Lou Morrow in Portland, Oregon, she was not fond of rain and moved at the age of 18 to Los Angeles, where she met her future husband, Lonnie, at a dance. During their 45-year marriage in their Long Beach home, they raised two sons and two daughters. In 1972, to earn extra Christmas cash, Peggy took a part-time job at May Company that turned into a 20-year career. With the children grown, though still busy as a wife and worker, she found time to become a world traveler with her brother as her traveling companion and later, with LW friends. After her husband’s death, her children urged her to move to Leisure World, where her latent talents blossomed. Peggy discovered she could draw and joined an art class, then the ceramics group Claycrafters. A neighbor took her to Enter Laughing, the improv group, and she was a star. From there, it was on to the Theater Club and the Producers Club, for which she was a mainstay in their yearly productions. She also joined the Seal Beach Police Department as a volunteer officer and became a Red Hat Lady. Peggy is survived by sons Gregory (Lori) and Darrel (Beverly); daughters Nancy Conrad (Tim) and Mitzi Brady (Chris); 12 grandchildren; 17 greatthe grandchildren; and brother Jim. -paid obituary

Betty Hobbs 1921-2022 Betty M. Hobbs passed away peacefully at the end of February at home with her children by her side. Just a few months shy of turning 101, Betty lived a great life. She was a world traveler since childhood, journalist and volunteer for many diverse organizations such as scouts, PTA, Meals on Wheels, the Episcopal Church, symphonies and museums. A beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, godmother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Betty is survived by her three children, Jeffrey, Howard and Delrie; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Widowed in 1976, Betty later moved from Palm Beach, Florida, to Seal Beach to be closer to her mother and brother. She lived in Mutual 2 for 42 years. Her ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband, Frank C. Hobbs. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church (located at Redeemer Lutheran Church). Her vibrant wit, wisdom and intelligence are greatly missed.

Jessie E. Sparks 1923-2022 Jessie E. Sparks, 98, passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of Feb. 15. Jessie was born on July 15, 1923, in the town of Bryantsville, Kentucky. She was the daughter of the late Harry Park and Elizabeth Swope Edwards. She was the youngest of four children and had special memories of her parents after her siblings were all grown. Mrs. Sparks attended Western Kentucky University, where she studied accounting. She met love of her life, Marvin L. Sparks, there while both were attending school together. They were married Jan. 4, 1945, and moved to Long Beach after WWII. She was able to practice accounting in both Dayton, Ohio, and Long Beach before she and Dr. Sparks welcomed two children into their lives. Dr. and Mrs. Sparks spent 66 wonderful years together before he passed in 2011. Mrs. Sparks attended the Seal Beach Leisure World Baptist Church, where she had a lot of friends. She was a dedicated Christian. She was also a devoted Rams and Lakers fan, and lived long enough to enjoy watching the Rams win the Super Bowl this year. Mrs. Sparks is survived by her daughter, Janice Konkler (Jon) of Anchorage, Alaska; son, Dr. David L. Sparks (Lusheia) of Long Beach; and four grandchildren, Shannon, Stacey and Stephen Konkler and Finnian Sparks. A graveside service is planned for Friday, July 15, at 9:30 a.m. It would have been Mrs. Sparks’ 99th birthday. The service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial grounds, located at 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are suggested to Leisure World Baptist Church for missionary support at P.O. Box 4057, Seal Beach, CA, 90740.

Lavona B. Moore 1929-2022 Lavona B. Moore was born on March 28, 1929, in Concordia, Missouri, to Alvin and Nora (Wehmeier) Bokelman. She died on March 15, while a patient in Memory Care Gardens of Rountree Gardens in Stanton, California. She was a Leisure World resident of Mutual 9 for 34 years. She was the oldest of five children. Her early years were on a farm in a rural community near Alma, Missouri, where she attended a one-room elementary school and was taught by her grandfather, who was also the pastor of the neighboring Lutheran Church. When she was high school aged, the family moved into their own home in Concordia. She worked as a waitress while in high school, and after graduation, she was employed by the community bank. At the age of 21, she moved to St. Louis and continued working in a bank. While attending church functions, she met Gilbert Moore, a student at the local Lutheran seminary who was assisting at the church. They were married on June 8, 1952. In addition to living in Missouri, Lavona lived with her family in Idaho, Washington, Hawaii and California; traveled to all 50 states. When all her children were in school, she was employed by numerous jobs including bank accountant and office manager, and in her later years, she managed the offices for Solheim Lutheran Home in Eagle Rock and Southland Lutheran Home in Norwalk. She was very active in volunteer services, and in addition to being the pastor’s wife, her most prominent role was her years of service for the hospitality center at Lutheran conventions. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert; children Mahlon, Dorothy and Lisa (Delbert Nunley); grandsons Aaron, Peter (Ashley) and Geoffrey; and her siblings, Melba, Alice and Norma; plus numerous relatives. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Christine, and brother Raymond. Lavona often quoted her confirmation verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). A graveside burial attended by the family will be held on Saturday, April 30, at Forest Lawn, Cypress; at her request, a memorial moment for everyone will be held on Sunday, May 1, 10:30 a.m. during the regular worship service of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Leisure World. The family requests no flowers, but you may donate to a charity of your choice, the Alzheimer’s Association or Redeemer Lutheran Church in Leisure World.

Scott Boeger 1946-2022 Scott Boeger, born April 6, 1946, died on Feb. 28. He was born in Bellwood, Illinois, the son of Gilbert and Marie Boeger. He is sur- vived by his fiancé, Potsy Frank; daughters Sally (Doug) and Sandy (John); grandsons Donny and Cooper; and greatgrandson Jesse. After moving to California, Scott explored a variety of jobs, including being a meter reader in Laguna Beach, a bus driver and an accountant. He bought King Arthur’s Pub in Westminster and developed a loyal clientele by sponsoring darts, cribbage games and tournaments. Scott moved to Leisure World in 2003 and was a member of the RV Club and the Cribbage Club. Upon retirement, he devoted his time to his real passion: magic. Scott was a member of several area magic clubs and won many awards and trophies in magic competitions. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his corny one-liners, and his generosity in teaching and supporting other magicians. His mentoring of many magicians resulted in their going on to win major awards themselves.