Rev. Gilbert “Gil” Moore 1927-2024 Rev. Gilbert C. Moore, 96, joined the Church Triumphant on Aug. 19, 2024. He was surrounded by his children, son-inlaw, grandchildren, and two close pastor friends. Gil was born at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, California, and was the eldest of three sons of Mahlon and Dorothy (Kincaid) Moore. He was raised near 91st and Wall Streets in Los Angeles, where his grandfather operated a truck farm. After graduating from Fremont High School in 1945, he joined the Army Air Corps and soon achieved the rank of corporal. One evening while he was on the top bunk overlooking his buddies playing poker on the floor, he heard—clear as a bell—the message, “You are going to be a pastor.” In his later years, Gil would tell this story and remind us to be quiet and listen because “you never quite know when God will come calling.” Gil attended Concordia College in Oakland and completed his seminary education at St. Louis Concordia Seminary in 1953. At a Walther League gathering while in seminary, Gil met his wife, Lavona Bokelman. They were married in 1952 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, Missouri (Lavona’s hometown). He liked to joke that their eldest daughter, Chris, was born in time to attend his own graduation from seminary. Soon after, Mahlon, Dorothy and Lisa joined the family. Gil’s first call to southern Idaho was as a vocational pastor to Calvary Lutheran Church in Gooding, Idaho, and Christ Lutheran Church in Wendell, Idaho. After three years he was called to be the founding pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Des Moines (Seattle), Washington. Nine years later, in 1965, he took a call to Messiah Lutheran Church in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. In 1966, he was then called to Eagle Rock Lutheran Church in northeast Los Angeles, a location that allowed him to be closer to his widowed mother. In the early 1970s, and while serving Eagle Rock Lutheran Church, Gil volunteered as the chaplain at Solheim Lutheran Home in Eagle Rock, California. His vocational journey took a new direction as he obtained his masters degree and a skilled nursing home administrator’s license and later joined Solheim as its full-time administrator. From there, he joined California Lutheran Homes and served Southland Lutheran Home in Norwalk and later The Alhambra Home in Alhambra. After retiring from California Lutheran Homes, he put on his independent subcontractor hat and filled the interim administrator positions at 15 church-related retirement communities throughout the state of California. Gil and Lavona moved to Leisure World in 1988, and Gil became “interim” pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Leisure World in 2003. He formally retired from Redeemer at the age of 91 in April 2019. When Lavona passed away in 2022, Gil continued to live independently in Leisure World until early this year he began enjoying the assisted living community of Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, California. He especially loved watching Dodgers and Angels games, eating out at local restaurants and visits from family and friends. Gil was highly admired and deeply loved by the churches and communities he served and was their caring and devoted pastor and administrator. His family will always remember him as someone who was kind, patient, and rarely without a smile on his face. Gil is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Lavona; eldest daughter, Chris; parents, Mahlon and Dorothy; brothers Brian and Michael and their wives Helen and Betty. He is survived by his children Mahlon (Nongyow), Dorothy, and Lisa (Delbert); grandsons Aaron, Peter (Ashley), and Geoffrey; granddaughter Jennifer (Mike) and great granddaughters Mallory and Alyssa; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor Gil is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Leisure World. In keeping with the Moore tradition of celebration, please feel free to wear your favorite Aloha shirts and Hawaiian garb. A light luncheon reception follows the service. A private interment will be held later in the day at Forest Lawn Cypress. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Redeemer Lutheran Church Leisure World or to a charity you hold close to your heart.

In Memoriam Phyllis L. Poper Phyllis Levonne Lawton Poper, 102, of Long Beach, California, peacefully passed away on Aug.24, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard L. Poper, and is survived by her children Roy (Laura), Penny, Jim (Mary), three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and sister Martha Walker (Bill). Born in Emporia, Kansas, she was the third of four children born to Henry and Edna Lawton. After high school, she moved to Long Beach, where she met her future husband Richard on a blind date. They married, and raised three children in Long Beach. Phyllis was active in service organizations and clubs; Virginia Country Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, California Council of Women’s Architectural League; St. Mary’s Guild; Rancho Los Alamitos; LBCC Fine Arts Foundation; Naples Island Garden Club; Los Altos Methodist Church, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Her many interests and hobbies included golf, poetry, oral history, bridge, jewelry making, crocheting, knitting, and creative writing. She had self-published two poetry books, wrote short stories, and penned a novella. Phyllis and Richard moved from Los Altos, to Naples, and then to Leisure World, where she was active in the Leisure World Community Church, Lapidary Club and the Creative Writers Club. She said that her service organization experiences enriched her life. Memorial donations may be made to the Long Beach City College Foundation; Richard and Phyllis Poper Scholarship Fund, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808; 562-938-4267 or 562-938-4139.

Homer LaGene “Gene” Hutchings 1925-2024 Homer LaGene “Gene” Hutchings, 98, passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2024, in Seal Beach, California. Born on Aug. 14, 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gene lived a life marked by dedication to his family, his country and his passions. Gene served with distinction in the military, first joining the Army Air Force at the tender age of 18. His commitment to his country was exemplified by earning two honorable discharges: one from the Army Air Force and later from the U.S. Air Force. He cherished his service memories and could recite his dog tag numbers by heart until his final days. Following his military service, Gene embarked on a successful career as a chiropractor, establishing the largest practice in Southern California with three offices. After selling his practice, he transitioned to a second career in the brokerage business with Crowell-Weedon in Long Beach, where he worked for 42 years, retiring at the impressive age of 90. Gene’s personal life was filled with love and joy. He met his beloved wife, Carol, at a dance at the Senior Citizens Hall in Eldorado Park, Long Beach. They married two years later and enjoyed 17 wonderful years together. Gene was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Mike Hutchings (Shannon) of Yorktown, Virginia, and Jon Hutchings (Mauri) of Milton, Georgia; stepson, David Lynn (Tami) of Buena Park, California; and stepdaughter, Evelyn Green of Placentia, California. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, D’Arcy Hutchings, Brett Lynn, Jackson Hutchings, and Ava Hutchings, and greatgrandchildren, Odin Heath and Vaida Larkin. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Homer and Maida (Adams) Hutchings, and his sisters, Joan (Hutchings) Lovitt and Joyce (Hutchings) Prestesater. An avid aviator, Gene loved flying his Piper Comanche. His flights to Joplin, Missouri, and monthly trips to Big Bear for a sandwich were cherished adventures. He continued flying until age of 96, demonstrating his endurance for aviation. Gene and Carol also cherished many cruises and road trips. Services to honor Gene’s remarkable life will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, California. Viewing will take place on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., followed by the funeral service from 3-4 p.m. Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, California is assisting the family during this time. Gene’s life was a testament to his strength love and perseverance. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Erna Lina Durando 1935-2024 Erna Lina Durando, 88, passed away at her home in Leisure World on Aug. 11, 2024. She was born in the Rheinland-Pfalz of Pirmasens, Germany, in 1935. She came to America in 1957 to marry her husband and became a proud citizen in 1972. She resided in New Jersey for 54 years, having owned her own business for over 10 of those years before moving to Leisure World in 2011. She was an active member of her Leisure World community and belonged to multiple clubs including Wa-Rite, The Red Hats, the Garden Club and the Italian American Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Dominick J. Durando; her parents Friedrich and Lina Sommer; and her brother Fritz Sommer. Erna is survived by her children: Debra Pedersen and her husband, Kaj; and Dominick F. Durando and his wife, Diane,her grandchildren: Sarah Cullinane and her husband, Ryan; Kristina Law and her husband, Eric; Dominick J. Durando; Emma Durando; Dana Pedersen; and her great-grandchildren: Hailey Cullinane; and Sevryn Law. Erna will be returning to New Jersey, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband and surrounded by her loved ones.

Marguerite Marie Pizzuto May 6,1934-August 3,2024 Marguerite Pizzuto, Margie to her friends and family, passed away Aug. 3, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born May 6, 1934, to Harold and Marguerite Tate in Brooklyn, New York. Marguerite came from a big family of four brothers and three sisters, and a lot of good memories of family and friends were made in New York. In 1951 she married Joseph Pizzuto, the love of her life, who preceded her in death May 11, 2024. They were married 73 years. The couple enjoyed playing bingo once or twice a week and took many trips to casinos. They came to California in 1963 and lived in Leisure World Seal Beach for 30 happy years. She has many friends and really enjoyed living in LW. Margie was a generous and caring person, who always thought of other people before herself. She was a devoted wife, a great mom and a special grandma and great grandma, plus friend to everyone. Margie is survived by son Joseph (Arlene) of Laguna Woods, California, and daughter Marguerite Bailey (Randy) of Gig Harbor, Washington; grandchildren Eric Bailey and Stephanie Thelen (Mitch) and great grandchildren Levi Bailey, Owen and Reese Thelen, also from Gig Harbor. She is also survived by her sister; Grace Bottari of Montauk, New York, and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed, and now she can be with her beloved husband, Joe, forever. There will be a memorial service and reception Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. at Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary, 14801 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683. In lieu of flowers, people can make a donations to the Alzheimers. org or a dementia-related foundation of their choice.

In Memoriam Gerald R. “Jerry” Brady Gerald R. “Jerry” Brady, longtime Leisure World resident with his partner, Patricia James, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024. A devoted member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Jerry served on the church board, and as congregational President for 10 years. A career newspaperman, he spent 60 years in display advertising sales, working for local newspapers in Huntington Park, Downey and Norwalk, as well as the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Also active in community activities, Jerry coached youth teams with Downey Junior Athletic Association for many years, and served one term as president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Jerry loved community theatre; he acted in or directed countless productions over the years. A sports fan “extraordinaire,” he supported baseball, football, basketball, hockey... but, especially, arena football! He is survived by a son, daughter and grandson, as well Patricia’s son, daughter and grandchildren A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran and Saint Theodore’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, Aug.10, at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow.

In Memoriam Elaine Larson Condon Elaine Larson Condon of Mutual 1, passed peacefully on June 29 after a brief illness. Beloved mother, devoted sister, and true-blue LA Dodgers’ fan, Elaine enjoyed a life filled with international travel, great friendships and plenty of chilled rosé. Born in Whittier, Elaine attended Whittier High School and Stanford University, enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a runway model, and lived in France with the loves of her life, her husband André and her cherished dogs, Boo Boo and Magic. Elaine is survived by her daughters, Debbie Levine and Loren Halleran and son-inlaw John Halleran; sister and brother-in-law Pat and Bob Kalayjian; grandchildren Taylor Petty and Bo Halleran; and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children, along with countless admirers. We will all miss her quick wit, keen intelligence, kind heart, and elegant style. Donations would be welcome at any animal-related charities.