Funeral mass will be on Wednesday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore, with burial following at Bardsdale Cemetery in Fillmore.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and to the Alzheimer’s Association of Ventura County.Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.Philip R. HomerPhilip R. Homer died peacefully in his sleep on February 25, 2000, from complications of kidney failure and diabetes. He was 39 years old. An avid fisherman, musician and poet, he enjoyed the companionship of a great number of friends in the Ventura County area.He is survived by his mother, Gwen Baker of Ojai; daughter Corrin Homer of Placerville; and brother Greg Homer, also of Placerville. His father, Don Homer, was a long time employee of the Star Free Press before his death.Memorial services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 117 N. 7th St. in Santa Paula on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m.In lieu of flowers, a donation to either Hospice or the American Diabetes Association is requested.Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Stetler Mortuary, Santa Paula.
Obituaries
March 03, 2000
Obituaries
Franklin Frederick Hess
Franklin Frederick Hess passed away Thursday, February 24, 2000 at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, following a brief illness. He was born June 12, 1916 in Manitowak, Wisconsin.Franklin served his country during World War II in the Army infantry and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in France following the Normandy Beach invasion.He moved to Fillmore in 1952, and later retired from the Fillmore Unified School District where he served as custodian for Sespe School. Franklin was also the custodian for Ramona Savings & Loan in Fillmore.He served the community as a Cub Scoutmaster, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered time at the Fillmore Convalescent Center and for the Braille Institute, helping to print Bibles in various languages. Franklin helped build Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Paula, where he taught Sunday School and served as deacon for many years.He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Laura Amelia Hess; sister Marvis Wilhelm of Georgia; son Donald; daughter-in-law Donna; grandson Justin; granddaughter Candace; and various nieces and nephews.Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Paula.Raymond B. MartinezRaymond B. Martinez, age 94, of Fillmore, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2000 in Santa Paula, after a brief illness. He was born in Mexico on June 15, 1905, and had lived in Fillmore for 93 years.Mr. Martinez worked for many years at the Sespe Land and Water, as well as the F. S. Warring Ranch for 40 years. He was a man of many hobbies; he enjoyed chip carving, horticulture, growing his orchids and camellias. He was a gemologist, collecting many minerals and gems; enjoyed stamp collecting and coin collecting; and was an avid photographer. He even played his saxophone in a band for many years. He was a member and an usher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for many years.He is survived by three sons, David M. Martinez, Richard and his wife Margaret Martinez, and Joseph L. Martinez; two daughters, Frances O. Martinez, and Therese and her husband Tom Touchette; brother Cecilio Escobar; and 11 grandchildren, Michael, Clarissa, Emiliano, Sierra, Gabriel, Joaquin, Carlos and Elizabeth Martinez, and Jason, Jennifer and Benjamin Touchette. He was preceded in death by his wife, Belen Martinez, in February 1991.
