Valley, California, in June 2020, where she passed away from a short illness on Jan. 21. ••• Laura P. Lewis 1949-2021 Laura P. Lewis, born Laura P. Armstrong on Jan. 24, 1949, to Bill and Corrine Armstrong in Long Beach, California. She graduated from Long Beach City College with a bachelor’s in education. She married Terry Lewis on June 8, 1968, and they had three children, Jeffery, Amber and Joelle, along with seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. The two lived in LW from 2013-2020 and were active in the Rolling Thunder and the RV clubs. They moved to Apple

Bert Robert Sellers Jr. passed away Dec. 30, 2020. Bert was born Sept. 20, 1936 in Hickory, North Carolina, to Bert and Mable Sellers. Bert joined the Navy after high school from 1955-1959. He did his basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, and was on the heavy Cruiser USS Columbus CA74 untill 1958. His home port was in Long Beach, California, which is where he meet his first wife, Vicki, and they were married in June 1958 for 20 years.

 Rudolph (Rudy) Von Burg, 81, was born in Biel, Switzerland, on Feb. 26, 1939, and passed away in Santa Ana, California, on Jan.18.He was a retired scientist, professor and toxicological consultant. Having travelled as a youngster with his mother and two brothers during the war years, he arrived in the U.S. in May 1942 and settled in Manhasset, New York. He played basketball for Boston College, and after earning a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, he received a Ph.D. from Fordham University. He is remembered for living his life actively and hard. He travelled across the United States by motorcycle and bicycled across the Canadian Rockies. He sailed in Long Island Sound, the San Francisco Bay and the Caribbean, and he skied throughout North America and Europe. He contributed his scientific knowledge to the poison-control line in the U.S. and helped find the source of methylmercury poisoning in Iraq to save lives there. In his spare time as artist, carpenter and wood worker, he produced sculptures and furniture. He was caring and welcomed family members, relatives and friends under his roof, ever ready to lend a helping hand. In the end, his huge heart gave way.

bituaries ••• Charles “Chuck” Burnett 1930 – 2021 Chuck Burnett joined his beloved wife, Diane, on Feb. 2, in his home. Born Sept. 14, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, Chuck spent his youth on the streets of the Windy City. Fishing, wandering and causing minor mischief were his favorite pastimes until he met Diane, who straightened him out considerably. They moved to Houston, Texas, in 1956, where they raised four remarkably brilliant and attractive children. (!) Active in his church, community and the Boy Scouts organization, Chuck was always busy educating, entertaining and enjoying life to its fullest. Chuck and Diane moved to Leisure World in 1997 to retire in luxury. They immediately got busy with all the clubs and fun stuff this community has to offer and found performing to their liking. The Theater Club was filled with talented and interesting characters and they fit right in. Who knew they would be able to sing and dance and act? Well, the jury is still out on some of that, but they won their audiences over with their charisma and enthusiasm. They also jumped into the Sunday Night Ballroom Club, Ad Hoc Singing Club, The Writer’s Club (Chuck), The Slavic Club (Diane) and the Poker Club, where Chuck contributed his Social Security check regularly. Chuck leaves behind wonderful LW friends, notably Bill and Ann Frambach, Bob Slater, Melinda Nicolet, Marge Archibald, Jose and ralia suna, and of course, the Poker Gang. Chuck’s lucky family includes four children, Mary LaSala (Fran); Mike Burnett (Diana); Jane Clancy (Kevin) and last but not least, the most wonderful daughter of all time, Amy Carlson (Chris). Chuck and Diane also left behind 11 above-average beautiful grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren who are too young to know yet how they are going to turn out. Chuck loved life. He saw only the good in people and was able to bring out the best in all he knew. He loved a great party, so a Celebration of Life is planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers or cards, Chuck would like for you to enjoy a shot of Royal Crown and sing a song out loud–don’t worry, your neighbors are probably hard-of- hearing. —paid obituary ••• In Memoriam: Santiago Rivera 76 Lory Villegas 91 Juanita Salazar 77 Andres Pulido 57 Ana Mejia 84 Charles Crockett 57 Randy Mikes 59 Jesus ntiveros-Santos 94 Alvin Shinn 94 Sheldon Young 60 Guillermo Garcia 87 Guadalupe Soriano-Nava 66 Remedious DeGarcia 87 Dolores Estrada 85 Merrill Crump 57 Fidelina Samayoa Maria Rodriguez 58 Gertel Flemons 85 Mary Nauroth 82 Jorgre Sandoval Sr. 74 Families assisted by McKenzie Mortuary, 961-9301 —Paid obituary ••• Card of Thanks Just saying thank you doesn’t begin to express my feelings to my church family, neighbors and friends. Food, support, flowers and most of all prayers were all greatly appreciated after Frank’s home-going last month. Love you all. Joan Shramek, Mutual 12

Helyn Ruth Edwards received her heavenly homecoming on Nov. 25, 2020. Helyn was born in Detroit, Michi-gan, to Leonard and Ruth John-son on May 15, 1927.She and Robert Edwards met in high school, and following graduation, they were married July 9, 1945.Robert was in the U.S. Navy, so the two lived in various places around the world, including the Philippines, before settling in Long Beach, California. Helyn and Robert loved traveling in their motor home across the states, including Alaska. They also visited Australia and New Zealand. Helyn was an accomplished seamstress, made greeting cards for many years, and enjoyed cribbage and table games. She and Robert lived in Leisure World for 25 years before moving to Auburn, California, in 2018 to be near family.Helyn was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law, Brent Bailey.

••• Theresa Griep 1929–2021 Theresa Griep, 91, of Leisure World, passed away on Jan. 6, 2021. Theresa was born to parents Joseph and Mary (Coady) Halligan on April 24, 1929, in Moorland, Iowa. Theresa’s father died when she was 7, leaving her mother to raise seven children alone. Theresa married Darrel Griep on Sept. 11, 1948. They built their first home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1958, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where their family grew to eight children. Leisure World became their home in 2000. Theresa’s cornerstones in life were her Irish heritage, Catholic faith, dedication to her home and love of family and friends. A devout Catholic, Theresa served in the Altar Society and was president of St. Joseph Academy Women’s Association in Des Moines. Theresa was a cosmetologist with her own beauty salon. She worked as a vendor countless years at the Minnesota and other state fairs. She will be remembered for her entertaining stories, love of cards, holiday baking, humor and laughter. Theresa and Darrel enjoyed welcoming visitors to wherever they called home. Memorable trips included Rome and Ireland. Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel; son John; grandson Adam Vaux; granddaughter Angela (Haggas) Kruszynski; her parents; as well as brothers Paul, John Charles and Raphael Halligan and sister Mary Cecilia Smith. Theresa is survived by her children Sheila (Paul) Haggas, Sharon (Robert) King, Mary (Steve) Bailey, Patricia Littrell, Thomas (Victoria) Griep, Martha (Doug) Reuter and LeAnne (Michael) Vaux; 26 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and brothers Richard and Coady Halligan.

IN MEMORIAM Thomas “Tommy” Lee Williams, 60, a dynamic entertainer well known throughout LW for mesmerizing Leisure World residents on the Amphitheater stage and at dances, picnics and Toys for Tots Christmas shows, has died. He passed away unexpectedly of heartrelated issues on Jan. 19, 2021, in his Mutual 2 home, according to his family. Tommy was born on May 28, 1960, in Bellflower, California. His lifelong passion was entertaining others with his phenomenal singing voice. For more than a decade, he has been a mainstay of the Leisure World entertainment circuit, most recently as president of the Cabaret Entertainers Club. In addition to the Cabaret Entertainers, he was associated with the Velvetones big band group and the Vinyl Rock Classic Rock & Pop Band, among many others. He will be best remembered onstage, wearing a sparkly costume with a microphone in his hand and a signet ring on his finger. He was known for his elaborate sets and costumes, not to mention over-the-top Halloween and Christmas decorations at the home on El Dorado Road that he shared with his mother, Helen Schultz. She never missed the chance to cheer him on at LW shows and events. Tommy put in countless hours coordinating, decorating, emceeing and performing for the grateful residents