Tuesday Obituaries

12/6/05

GOLDMUNTZ, Ruth

73, a resident of New York, died peacefully in Santa Barbara while visiting her family, after a courageous battle with emphysema. Her sons, David and Michael were with her. Born in 1932 in Frankfurt Germany to Arthur and Gerda Loewengart, she came to the United States in 1937 with her family and grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. Following her father's commitment to Zionism, she was a tireless worker for the state of Israel. She worked closely with and was a cherished friend to Itzhak and Leah Rabin, the Moshe Dayan family and Jerusalem's longest serving mayor, Teddy Kollek with whom she had a lifelong friendship. She is survived by her son, David Goldmuntz, her daughter-in-law, Leesa Wilson-Goldmuntz, and grandchildren James, Gail, Sarah and Boo in Santa Barbara, her son Michael, grandchildren Jennifer and Jeffrey and her sister, Mimi Schwartz in New Jersey. Her daughter Susan preceded her in death. The family would like to thank the staff of Cottage Hospital for their excellent care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Campaign For Cottage Health System.

KLAFT, Janice

A memorial service for Janice L. Klaft of Santa Ynez will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 10 a.m. at Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang. Janice passed on peacefully at home on November 30, 2005 after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born on July 24, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Stanley and Lucille Dunaj. The oldest of three children, she graduated from Danby High School and began her secretarial career with the Chrysler Corporation. She married Eugene Klaft in 1956 and they settled in St. Clair Shores, Michigan and started their family. Together they raised four children: daughter Teri and sons Gene, Jeffrey, and Joel. Janice was a loving wife and dedicated mother whose greatest joy in life was raising her kids.

In 1973, the family moved to the Santa Ynez Valley and the five-acre piece Janice called home until her passing. She loved living in a rural setting and wouldn't have lived anywhere else. During the past several years, she worked part-time as a receptionist at the Valley Medical Clinic in Solvang where she made countless good friends. Those friends, along with her family, helped her keep her courage in her fight with cancer.

Janice is survived by her children Teri and her husband Randy Smith of Escondido, Gene and wife Vaughnie Klaft of Los Alamos, Jeff and wife Kerre Klaft of Los Alamos, and Joel and wife Margaret of Ione; her grandchildren Lindsay and Kelsey Smith, Jesse, Kaelie and Levi Klaft; her father Stanley, brother Robert, and sister Joan; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband and mother.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Janice Klaft with a charitable donation may contribute to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life or to Old Mission Santa Ines in her memory.

Arrangements are under the care of Loper Funeral Chapel.

PALATO, Anthony "Tony" Escoto

went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Nov. 28, 2005, he was born on April 23, 1938, in Santa Barbara, CA. He attended local schools and worked at various jobs. He retired after working 35 years with the City of Santa Barbara as a heavy equipment operator, driving his big 18 wheel rig.

He was a devoted and beloved husband, father, uncle and friend. We'll miss his smile, bear hugs and unique personality. He was a great husband and counselor for all, young and old. His hobbies were collecting old western movies, and recording them. He enjoyed very much being with family gatherings even when there was not a special occasion. He loved going to the movies and drives to the beach and watching the big waves roll into the shore.

He was a devoted "Raider" fan which he proudly displayed along with his display of "Cindy-Lou" on his truck. He looked forward to riding in his "Paloma Blanca" (his pearl white Caddy). He enjoyed watching college and professional football, even tennis. He played on the Santa Barbara Dons football team as a running back. He enjoyed attending his nephews' and grandchildren's activities, graduations, marriages, football, baseball, basketball and soccer games. He was known to all of his grandchildren and friends as "Papa Tony" -"The Godfather."

He will be truly missed and the memory of his ready smile and love of family will be cherished always.

"Tony" is preceded in death by his mother, Guadalupe E. Palato; his father, Antonio G. Palato; his sister, Juanita Escobar; niece, Rita-Linda Escobar; and nephew, Eddie Thorp.

"Tony" is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Cindy Palato of Stockton, CA; sons, Jimmy Palato of Long Beach, CA and Michael Palato Sr. (wife Yvonne) of Santa Maria, CA; daughter, Ana Gamez (husband Arturo) of Prescott Valley, AZ; stepdaughters, Rachel Torres (husband Danny Yeager), Mary Louise Torres (husband Ronnie Escoto) and Arlene Taylor (fiancŽ John Windle), all from Redding, CA; grandchildren; Ashley Munoz, Nicolas Munoz, Michael Palato Jr., Roman Palato, Frankie Popoca, Alicia Gamez, AJ Gamez, Rhiannon Mckiney, Cheyenne Perez, Alexander Perez, Phillip Gonzales, Raymond Escoto, Steven Escoto, Latasha Taylor, Lorenzo Taylor, Jennifer Galindo, Martin Jr. Galindo, Louis Galindo and one great-grandson, Aiden Munoz; mother-in-law, Mary E. Mejia; sister-in-law, Rosalie (Michael) Hammonds; brother-in-law, Michael (wife Aida) Mejia; sisters, Rita (husband Jim) Blaylock and Linda (husband Manuel) Angures; nephews, John Hammonds, Jack (wife Jennie) Thorp, Bobby (wife Lucy) Thorp, Richard (wife Irene) Escobar, Paul (wife Pepper) Escobar; nieces, Michelle (baby Anthony Soto) Hammonds, Lisa (husband Kelly) Arrendondo, Serena (husband Steve) Bonneck, Tina Escobar, Dina Blaylock and Sheryl Blaylock.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2005 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, December 9, 2005 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, corner of Sola St. and Anacapa, in front of the Church Rectory located at 21 East Sola St., Santa Barbara, CA. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 199 North Hope Ave., Santa Barbara, CA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary, 511 North A St., Oxnard, CA; (805) 483-2233.

VARGAS, Alfonso V.

76, of Ventura, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2005, surrounded by his family.

Alfonso was the eldest of ten children born to Salvador and Mary Vargas on Rancho Sespe in Fillmore, California.

Our father proudly served his country during the Korean War in the United States Army 40th Division National Guard. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1952 he met and married Guadalupe Zapata on November 24, 1956.

Alfonso went to work for various restaurants and hotels throughout Santa Barbara as a chef. He was self employed and ran the San Marcos Lanes Coffee Shop from 1970 to 1978 where he made many friends. He then owned Ricardo's Restaurant from 1981 to 1984. In 1985 Alfonso and Lupe moved to the Sacramento area, where they lived for 19 years in the small town of Rocklin, Calif. He developed many friendships through the Roseville Spanish Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses. He enjoyed tending to his garden and flower pots.

Alfonso and Lupe moved to Ventura, Calif. in 2004.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Guadalupe Vargas; sons Alfonso Vargas II of Oakview and Herbert Vargas of Santa Maria; daughters Rosa Flores of Lincoln and Leticia Vargas of Ventura; grandchildren, whom he adored, Herbert Jeremy Vargas, Ryan Vargas, Christopher Enriquez, Heather Vargas, Jake Vargas, Kellie Flores and Megan Flores; brothers Carlos Vargas of Santa Barbara and Salvador Vargas of Ventura; sisters Connie Vargas and Patricia Romero of Ventura; and many nieces, nephews and friends who loved him.

Alfonso was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador and Mary Vargas.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. In lieu of flowers donations in Alfonso's memory may be made to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman Ave. #101, Ventura, CA 93003.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.

VELLEKAMP, Henry (Hank), Jr.

Born May 22, 1936 in Passaic, New Jersey-Lost his battle with cancer November 27, 2005, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife Kim Vellekamp. Sons Michael and Mark Vellekamp. Granddaughters Hannah and Heather Vellekamp.

Hank started his life-long dedication to coaching water polo and swimming at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, California. He also coached at UC Irvine, Santa Ana College, Long Beach City College and Rosary High School.

Hank Enjoyed being a water polo referee for his entire adult life and eventually attained international status. He helped launch women's water polo at the high school and college levels and coached thousands of young swimmers throughout his career, in the Orange County area.

Hank loved the beach, skiing at Mammoth Mountain and in Colorado, golf anywhere anytime, travel, biking to breakfast with his wife and running & swimming every day.

A pool-side service, open to all who's lives he touched will be held at Servite High School in Anaheim, California on December 10, 2005 at 10:00 am.

Coach, "A job well done."

VILAS, Edilia Pichardo

Edilia passed away peacefully on Friday, December 2nd, 2005 at her Convalescent Home, at the age of 101 years. She is survived by her two children, her son Manuel and wife Thelma Vilas and her daughter Theresa Hamilton. She has five grandchildren: Kattya Vilas-Manning with husband David Manning, Charles Hamilton, Cipriano, Ruy and wife Sandy and Alfredo Vilas and 8 great grandchildren.

Edilia was born on February 20th, 1904 in Montecristo, Dominic Republic. She came to the United States in May of 1937 to New York and lived there until she moved to California in 1961.

Edilia was a devoted Jehovah's Witness and had been in the organization for the past 55 years. She enjoyed her time preaching about Jehovah's New Order.

Edilia was a wonderful and caring mother. She was very friendly, loved to cook and invite people over for dinner, making her favorite dessert, Flan (custard).

Her viewing will be on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Welch-Ryce-Haider. On Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 9:00 am there will be a memorial at Welch-Ryce-Haider followed by a burial service at Forest Lawn in Glendale.