COLWELL, FLOYD
The infant son of Joseph Colwell died near Nordhoff March 15^th. The remains were interred in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery on the 16^th. Ventura Free Press, 3/20/1896. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

DAVENPORT, AUGUSTA SISSON
Rites Today For County Pioneer
Final rites for Mrs. Augusta S. Davenport, 70, Ventura County pioneer who passed away at her home in Hollywood Monday, were conducted today at 2 PM in the George B. Remington Funeral Chapel, Los Angeles. Rev. John Snape, pastor of the Temple Baptist Church of that city, officiated at the services. Burial was to follow in the Vale of Memory at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.Mrs. Davenport migrated to California from Iowa with her parents in a covered wagon when she was but one year old. They settled at Camarillo, where her father was the first minister of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Mrs. Davenport was the widow of Francis K. Davenport and resided at 4510 Kingswell Avenue in Hollywood. Surviving her are two brothers, H. O. Sisson, retired Burbank rancher, and E. W. Sisson of Tulare; and a sister, Mrs. Emma Mahan of Santa Paula. Ventura County Star, 2/18/1931. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

DAVIES, BESSIE SISSON
Mrs. Davies Passes Away
Mrs. Bessie S. Davies, wife of D. P. Davies, died yesterday at the family home in the eastern part of town. The deceased was the daughter of Mrs. Isaac B. George of Camarillo, her father having passed away about a month ago. Mrs. Davies, who was only 30 years of age, was the victim of consumption. She leaves a husband and four children. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o’clock at Camarillo. Ventura Daily Democrat, 12/6/1904. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

FERNANDES, LEO
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Fernandes of Montalvo died at Matillja last Friday morning and was buried Saturday noon at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Ventura Free Press, 7/21/1899. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

FITZGERALD, MARY ELIZABETH
FORMER CAMARILLO PIONEER VICTIM OF SUNDAY TRAFFIC
Last Sunday, December 14, 1930, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald was run down and instantly killed near her home at 563 Scott Drive, Los Angeles, the death car being driven by E. W. Robinson. Prior to her removal to Los Angeles 30 years ago, she was a Camarillo pioneer and known to many in Pleasant Valley and other places throughout the county. Her father was Jeremiah Sisson, whose burial was the first in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Deceased was the wife of Joseph Fitzgerald, long since departed, and was an aunt of Mrs. Urban D. Underwood and Ralph Mahan of the Somis-Moorpark district. She was the eldest sister of Mrs. Emma Mahan of Santa Paula, Mrs. Davenport of Los Angeles, R. O. Sisson of Burbank, E. W. Sisson of Tulare.Most of her life and years in Los Angeles were given to kindly acts of charity as a missionary nurse, administering to the sick and ailing and comforting the unfortunate. To many, she will long be remembered as an angel of mercy. Funeral services were from Brown’s Undertaking Parlor, Los Angeles, Wednesday morning, and in the afternoon Rev. Sanders held impressive services at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Camarillo, and interment in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Deceased was aged 74 years, three months. Camarillo News, 12/19/1930. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

GARRISON, CECIL E.
Cecil E. Garrison, 56, Dies; Ex-Oxnard, Camarillo Leader
Building contractor Cecil E. Garrison, 56, former Oxnard and Camarillo civic leader, died yesterday in his trailer at a construction job site in Oxnard. Mr. Garrison, who had residences in Canoga Park and Ventura County, was a past president of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, past commander of Camarillo American Legion Post 714, and past exalted ruler of Oxnard Elks Lodge 1443. He served as a Ventura County auxiliary deputy sheriff for 20 years.Born Nov. 28, 1909, in San Fernando, he was a World War II veteran who served with the 16^th battalion USNR Seabees and saw action in the South Pacific.Mr. Garrison is survived by his wife, Mildred, and daughters, Shellie and Beverly, all of Canoga Park; mother, Mrs. Georgia Garrison of Ventura; brother, E. Keith Garrison, Veterans Administration service officer for Ventura County; and sister, Mrs. Mary Jane McLean of San Fernando.The Oxnard Elks Lodge will conduct services at 11 AM Wednesday in the James A. Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard. Past exalted rulers of the lodge will serve as pallbearers. Cremation will be at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Ventura County Star Free-Press, 5/29/1966. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

GEORGE, ISAAC BENTON
DEATH OF OLD PIONEER
I. B. George, a resident of the valley near what is now called Camarillo for many years, died Monday, October 10^th, aged 78 years. Mr. George was not only old in years, but in the settlement of this county as he came almost with the first settlement of American people. He was well liked and will be universally missed by his strong following of friends. A wife an two children constitute the family left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. Ventura Daily Democrat, 10/16/1904. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marinyk.

HOUSLEY, FRANK ORLAN
Frank Housley , husband, father and grandfather passed away in Ventura, California  Oct 11, 2008 at the age of 96, after a short illness.  He was born in Fredonia, Kansas in August 1912, He spent the war years taking supply trains in and out of Point Hueneme, After the war years he worked 30 years for Sears.  Frank traveled to Oxnard from Kansas in 1935. In 1939 he settled in Nyeland Acres and El Rio where he raised 5 children.  He was a founding member of the Nyeland Community Church and a Rio School district board member.
He is survived by 5 children,  8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and his sister. He was preceded in death by Thelma his wife of 70 years.
Services will be held in the Chapel of the Hills, Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 with Viewing from 12:30 to 1 pm,and the service at 1:30.  The burial will follow at the Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo, Ca Ventura County Star, submitted by BJH

HOUSLEY,THELMA NANCY (ELLIS)
Thelma Nancy (Ellis) Housley, beloved wife, mother grandmother great-grandmother and friend, passed away at home Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at the age 92 after a lengthy illness.
    Thelma was born to Clark and Mattie Ellis on April 27, 1914, in Dilly, Oregon.  She was the sixth of  7 children. After a covered wagon trip to Kansas at age 2,  She spent her growing up years in Morehead, Kansas, on the family farm.  She graduated from the Morehead School in 1932.  Thelma married Frank O. Housley in 1936 in Fredonia, Kansas.  She traveled to California in 1936 and settled in the San Fernando Valley for three years. The next move was to Nyeland Acres where they raised their  5   children over the next 30 years. While in Nyeland Acres, she was a founding member of the Nyeland Community Church and active in the community.  In 1969 she with her husband  moved to El Rio, where she lived with her husband until she passed away    .
     Thelma became a devoted Christia when she was 18.  Through the years she was a strength and inspiration to many.  She had a wonderful wit that held her in good stead throughout her life.  She had touched so any lives and she will be missed by many friends and family.
     She is survived by her husband of 70 years Frank Housley ,sisters Ival Kirk, Wichita, Ks.   Dorothy Todd Lakeview, OR.   Children Wilma Jane Sturm, Sunnyvale, CA ,  Ellis Housley New Pine Creek, CA  Beverly (Timothy) Harper, Cherryvale, Kansas.   Pauline (Rodger) Bendinelli, Mission Vievjo, Ca,   William "BILL" (Gretchen) Housley Parker, Colorado.
grandchildren   Nicole, Shana, Trent, Jennifer, Christopher, Corrie, Rebekah and Erin and great children Hazel, Kylee, Sima, Eli, Matea and Chase.  She will hold a warm place in all our hearts.
Visitation will be held at 9 am Saturday, Sept 23 with the funeral service at 10:30 am at James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary 511 North A st. Oxnard, Burial will follow at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo. Ventura County Star, submitted by BJH

MAHAN, BERNICE ETTA
MAHAN, Bernice Etta Gertrude LeRoy, age 84, passed away at home on Friday, January 8, 1999. Bernice LeRoy Mahan was born in Moorpark on September 24, 1914, the second child of Austin Bernard and Florence LeRoy, and was a lifelong resident of Ventura County. On February 4^th, 1935, Bernice LeRoy married Wm. Arthur Mahan, a Moorpark rancher and a member of a Ventura County pioneer family.Bernice was a member of both the Native Daughters of California and a Moorpark bridge club for over 50 years. She enjoyed creating dolls and handmade items which were passed onto children, grandchildren, and friends. She also cherished items of personal historical interest with virtually every piece of furniture in her home having a unique story. Family and friends were her life’s priority. Bernice is survived by her three children, Gwyn Goodman, Ralph Mahan, Keith Mahan; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.Services will e held at 11 AM, Wednesday, January 13, 1999 at the Moorpark United Methodist Church, 261 Flory Ave., Moorpark. Private burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Hospice Program, c/o Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. Los Angeles Times, 1/12/1999. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, EMMALINE SISSON
MRS. MAHAN, PIONEER, DIES AFTER ILLNESS – Local Woman Came Across Plains In Covered Wagon As Baby; Lived Here 35 Years
Death this afternoon took another from the fast thinning ranks of county pioneers when Mrs. Emma Mahan succumbed after a year’s illness at her home at 415 N. 10^th Street. Mrs. Mahan, who was 77 years old, came to California from Iowa in a covered wagon across the plains when she was 3 years old. She had lived in Santa Paula for 35 years and was the widow of W. S. Mahan.While hundreds of friends and relatives in the county mourned her passing, members of the family started gathering at her home here. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gussie Underwood, Somis, and Mrs. Jessie Couch, Pasadena; by four sons, Ralph of Somis, George of Wheeler’s Canyon, and Guy and Frank of Hollister. She also leaves two brothers, H. O. Sisson, Santa Paula, and E. W. Sisson, Tulare.Funeral arrangements in charge of Copeland Memorial home have not yet been completed, but it was stated the services will be here at 2 o’clock Wednesday, and burial will be at Camarillo.  Santa Paula Chronicle, 5/27/1935. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, ORIS G.
MANY PAY RESPECT TO LAD’S MEMORY
The funeral Tuesday of Oris Mahan, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Mahan of Las Posas, was one of the largest ever held in this section of the county. Seventy-five automobiles were counted in the procession. The floral offerings were many and very beautiful. The grave was heaped high with those tokens of respect. The parents received 60 cards which were taken from the flowers, and many of the bouquets were without cards. The sermon by the Rev. Thomas in the Camarillo Baptist Church was comforting to the parents.Oris, who was only 14 years old, was a freshman in the Santa Paula High School. The pall bearers were from his schoolmates and were Merle McGinnis, Mark Yarbrough, Oscar Jiminez, Howard Witted, Raymond Ransdale, and Johnny Leavens. In connection with his school work, Oris was learning to play the violin and was a member of the school orchestra. As he had practiced at Santa Paula and kept his violin there, his parents had not heard him play. He was killed last Sunday when the auto he was driving skidded and overturned, catching him underneath it.A contributed article in the Santa Paula Chronicle says in part: “Oris Mahan entered the Santa Paula Union High School last August and although he entered as a total stranger, yet during the months he was a pupil, he won the warm friendship and high esteem of all. Being extremely modest in his manner, it was an effort for him to take part in the various class activities, or even to express himself readily in class work. However, there are very few pupils who have made greater progress during the year than he did. With a courage and fortitude that would be a credit to a much older person, he strove to overcome the difficulties with which he was confronted during the earlier weeks of school, and it is a satisfaction to know that his persistence was rewarded with splendid results, as was shown by his development of the last few months. In a large measure he had mastered his timidity, had learned the lesson of order to accomplish the desired results, and above all, he was meeting his problems with a determination that would have insured success had he been permitted to live to enjoy the fruit of his efforts. Although his life was short and his attendance at the Santa Paula High School that of only a few months, yet he has left a splendid legacy in his example of patience and a desire to do the best he could. The memory of his life will long be cherished as one of the pleasant recollections, and his death, which seems so untimely, will be mourned by all. Teachers and pupils alike feel that a personal loss has been sustained.” Oxnard Courier, June 1916. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, ORIS G.
FOURTEEN YEAR OLD BOY MEETS DEATH – Automobile Skids and Overturns, Pinning Him Beneath WreckWhen the Ford machine which he was driving skidded and overturned on the Dusch Canyon Road, Oris Mahan, the fourteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Mahan of Las Posas, was instantly killed Sunday about eleven o’clock. The boy’s head was caught underneath the back of the seat, and the base of the skull was crushed. There was no witness to the accident, as far as known, but it is believed that the unfortunate lad had started to speed up to climb a hill when the machine skidded in the sand and became uncontrollable.The A. F. Dusch house is near at hand, and Mrs. Dusch heard the noise of the engine, which was running at bull blast after the car was overturned. She sent her little son to see what the noise was, and he found the overturned car. He called his mother and father, who went to the scene, but at first did not see the boy caught beneath it. The called R. L. Mahan, an uncle of the boy, to help raise the machine, and the boy’s father was notified. Oris was the eldest son and leaves, besides his parents, two sisters and a little brother to mourn his loss. He was a fine boy, giving promise of a notable future, and his loss is keenly felt by all who knew him. The funeral will be held this afternoon at two o’clock from the Baptist Church in Camarillo.  Ventura Daily Post, 6/5/1916. Submitted Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, RALPH OREN
RALPH MAHAN FUNERAL HELD ON THURSDAY – Prominent Somis Rancher Struck Down By Autoist Monday Night
Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon for Ralph O. Mahan, 63, prominent Somis rancher, who met death in a traffic mishap on Monday night near his home. Rev. Clarence Miller of the Moorpark Community Church officiated at the services. Interment took place in Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Judge David Flynn of Camarillo, Fred Aggen, Bert Culbert, James Kirby, Webb Bradley, and Roy Hoffelt, all close friends of the deceased.Mr. Mahan died from injuries he received when he was struck down Monday night by an automobile driven by Alvin Taylor of Moorpark. The accident occurred on Balcom Canyon Road near the Mahan home. He died before an ambulance reached the scene. Mr. Mahan had been to the Moorpark Theater during the evening and after returning home, had gone to get his evening paper from the mail box. In the darkness on the winding road, Mahan was struck. He apparently had not reached his mail box. The driver was not held.Mahan’s tragic death came as a shock to residents of this area. Mr. Mahan was born in Camarillo in 1878. He was a rancher in the Oxnard district while a young man, later moving to the Balcom Canyon district where the family now lives. He was one of the district’s leading bean growers. Mr. Mahan was a very popular man and had taken an active interest in community affairs. He was affiliated with the Oxnard Elks Lodge, the Woodmen’s Lodge, and the Odd Fellows.He is survived by three children, Harry, Lila and Arthur; three brothers, Guy W. Mahan of Hollister, George S. Mahan of Wheeler Canyon, Frank E. Mahan of Honolulu; two sisters, Mrs. Urban Underwood of Somis and Mrs. Jessie Couch of Pasadena. Camarillo News, 10/3/1941. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, WILLIAM ARTHUR
Art Mahan, age 85, of Moorpark, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 1995 at home of pneumonia. Art Mahan was born in Santa Paula on Jan. 18, 1910, the third child of Ralph and Amelia Mahan. His great-grandparents John and Rebecca Mahan came to Camarillo in 1867 and built their ranch on what is now called the Koll-Leonard Business Park. His great-grandparents Jeremiah Sisson and John Mahan created the Pleasant Valley School District in 1868. Art was an outstanding high school athlete and as football captain, guided Moorpark High School to the 1928 County Championships in both football and basketball. Art married his best friend’s sister Bernice (Sis) LeRoy in Ventura Feb. 24, 1935. They were married for 60 years. He is survived by his wife Bernice Mahan; children Gwyn Goodman of Somis, Ralph Mahan of Somis, Keith Mahan of Modesto; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Lila Stephens of Ventura; sister-in-law Marjorie Mahan of Camarillo.Visitation will be 6-8 PM today at Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary. The service will be at 1 PM on Wednesday, March 1, 1995 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Pastor James Harmeling officiating. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Asso. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary. Ventura County Star, 2/28/1995. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MAHAN, WILLIAM SAMUEL
PASSES AWAY ON CHRISTMAS MORNING
Sam Mahan died at his home in Santa Paula on Christmas morning after an illness of paralysis of nearly three years’ duration. He would have been 65 years of age this coming March. Mr. Mahan was raised in the Camarillo section, and he has many friends in this section of the county. He has been a resident of Santa Paula for the past 18 years.He is survived by his wife and six children, Guy, Ralph and Frank Mahan of Las Posas, George Mahan of Wheeler Canyon; Mrs. Urban Underwood and Miss Jessie Mahan of Santa Paula. The funeral services will be held at the Camarillo Baptist Church Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Oxnard Daily Courier, 10/26/1919. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MEPHAM, ALBERT ERWIN
Mepham, Local Plumber, Is Dead
Albert Mepham, 26, died yesterday from heart trouble. He was a well-known plumber and was associated with Albert J. Mepham, his father, in that business here. Deceased was a native son, being born in Los Angeles. He has lived in Ventura for several years. He is survived by his brother and father; by his wife, Mrs. DeSoto Barrios Mepham; two small children; and a brother, Charles Mepham.Funeral services are to be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Reardon Undertaking Parlors, with Rev. H. Stickland in charge. Cremation at Santa Barbara is to follow. Ventura County Star, 7/1/1929. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

MEPHAM, FLORA
Flora C. Mepham Dies; Rites Pending
Funeral services were being arranged today by the Mayr funeral home for Mrs. Flora C. Mepham, 63, a resident of Ventura for 14 years, who died here early today. Mrs. Mepham leaves a son, Charles Mepham of Los Angeles; one brother, George Marine of Los Angeles; and three sisters, Mrs. Erma Hamilton of Santa Barbara, Mrs. Nora Mundell of Oxnard, and Mrs. Myrtle Moore of Ventura. Ventura County Star, 11/12/1940. Submitted by Kathy Kloss Marynik.

SISSON, HUMPHREY ORIS
HUMPHREY SISSON DIES AT HOME HERE
Humphrey O. Sisson, 402 Ojai Road, died last night at his home at the age of 77. Born in Sacramento, Mr. Sisson had lived in Santa Paula for the past eight years. He was retired, being the former owner of a business college. He was a member of Woodmen of the World. Surviving are his wife, Lavonia, and a brother, Emerson of Tulare.Funeral services have tentatively been set for 2 PM tomorrow at Copeland Memorial Home, with burial in Santa Paula Cemetery. William M. Nickerson, pastor of the Foursquare Church in Burbank, will officiate at the services. A quartet composed of Don McPherson, Robert Bridge, Joe Thompson, and Rochelle Scott will sing. Pallbearers will be members of the quartet and Ralph Beagles and David Nichols. Santa Paula Chronicle, 10/30/1939. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

SISSON, JEREMIAH
DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN - Jeremiah Sisson, a Resident of Pleasant Valley Dead
The death of Jeremiah Sisson at his home in Pleasant Valley last week removes an old and highly honored citizen of this county. The following brief sketch will prove interesting.Jeremiah Sisson was born in New Brunswick September 15th, 1824, coming to California in 1852 where he worked in the mines. Returned to Iowa in 1853 where he married Mrs. P. S. Colwell, coming again to California in 1861 to Sacramento, and in 1869 came to Pleasant Valley in Ventura County. Died June 30th at 4 AM, was buried same day at 4 PM, in the new Baptist cemetery, being the first body to be laid there. His disease was paralysis, having received the first stroke last November, this being the second stroke. His surviving relations are Mrs. P. S. Sisson, his wife; Mrs. Libbie Fitzgerald; Mrs. W. S. Mahan; Mrs. F. D. Davenport; and Emerson Sisson, Ventura County; and H. O. Sisson, Anaconda, Montana; Mrs. I. B. George and Jas. W. Colwell. In his will he gave the real estate to the Sisson boys, leaving the personal estate for his wife, and after her decease to be divided equally among the children. The funeral ceremony was conducted by Rev. W. L. Gaston of Hueneme, and was thought to be the largest funeral ever held in that vicinity. Ventura Free Press, 7/10/1891. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

SISSON, POLLY SHEDD
Mrs. Polly Sisson died Sunday night at Camarillo, aged 79 years. Mrs. Sisson came to California in '67 from Maine and has ever since been a resident of this county. She leaves nine grown sons and daughters. The body will be laid to rest in the Pleasant Valley graveyard near Camarillo at 10 o'clock today, after funeral services at the church. Ventura Daily Democrat, 4/19/1904. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.

STEPHENS, THOMAS BURTON
Services Saturday for Bert Stephen, ex-chief deputy
Services for Thomas Burton “Bert” Stephens, 76, Ventura, will be at 11 AM Saturday in the Charles Carroll Chapel of the Good Shepherd, with the Rev. Charles R. Simmons of the First United Methodist Church, Ventura, officiating. Burial will be in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. Mr. Stephens died Wednesday in a Ventura hospital after a long illness. He was born Nov. 28, 1904, in Berkeley, and was a 36-year county resident, coming from Los Angeles. He had been a deputy sheriff, who retired as a chief deputy in the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in 1968, having worked 30 years for the department. He was a member of the Poinsettia Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Retired Professional and Business Men’s Club.He is survived by wife Lila; daughters Sheila Brady of Ventura and Nadine Sutherland of Panama City, Florida; and eight grandchildren. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association, Ventura County chapter, 1373 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, 93010. Friends may call from 9 AM to 8 PM Friday in the Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura. Ventura County Star-Press, 1/22/1981. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik.