The Memorial Wall

Barbara’s long journey with Parkinson’s came to an end on August 12th, 2007. Many people in the PRO world came to know and love her as a supportive, thoughtful, caring ear and voice for those suffering with Parkinson’s. Her postings on the Internet can be followed as far back as 1995 and back to the BBS days before the takeoff of the Internet. Her regularly scheduled dinners and volunteer work at the Encino Hospital, in support of this disease, gave hope and a sense of normalcy for those living with Parkinson’s. Through her involvement, she could see her future and met it with dignity and humor.

Supporting people with Parkinson’s was a big part of life from her mid 40’s, but before that she was known for being the creative and talented mother to daughters, Sandra and Jamie, and loving sister to Margie. She was an amazing artist, landscape designer, avid book reader, and cat lover.

Our prayers go out to her and that she is finally at peace. Her four-year-old grandson, Ryan, hopes she enjoys heaven and gets to see G-D.

A memorial will be planned in the near future. To be contacted, please send an Email to memoryofbarbaramallut@yahoo.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to www.parkinsonsresource.org to the Barbara Mallut Memorial Fund.

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, died May 21, 2007 at age 86. Predeceased by son Gary and daughter Jill. Irving is survived by his wife Janet, son Mark, daughter-in-law Debra, and grandson, Sam. Irv and Jan shared a happy marriage for over 64 years.

Irv will be remembered by his family and many friends for his openness to new ideas, dry sense of humor, and bravery in coping with Parkinson’s disease. His lifelong passion for business and ethics helped build the Century Plastics partnership into the success it is today. Most of all, Irv will be remembered for his steadfast generosity of spirit, thoughtfulness, and consideration toward everyone he met throughout his life.

Funeral services were held Friday , May 25, 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to: Parkinsons Resource Organization: www.ParkinsonsResource.org

Howard Goodwin, 80, of Rancho Mirage, CA passed away on May 2, 2007 in Rancho Mirage, CA of advanced Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on July 30, 1926 to Ernest Heckel Goodwin and Francis Murphy in Boligie, AL. He married Elyse Del Francia on July 6, 2003 in Treasure Island, FL. Howard was part of the founding business men who developed the tour & travel industry to Las Vegas from the early 60’s to his retirement in 2002.He was a member of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association Skal, the Las Vegas Country Club and most recently the Palm Springs Downtown Merchants Association. He served in the Navy from 1943-1947 as a Flagman in WWII.

Howard is survived by his wife, Elyse Del Francia-Goodwin of Rancho Mirage, CA; daughters, Nowell Burne of Whitefish, MT and Holly Goodwin of Moreno Valley, CA; and 5 grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Copy Katz Showroom in Palm Springs, CA. Inurnment will be at 1:00 p.m. on May 31, 2007 at Hollywood Cemetery, Hot Springs, AR. Arrangements are being handled by Hollywood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Howard Goodwin Memorial Fund at The Parkinson’s Resource Organization:
www.ParkinsonsResource.org

Gregorio “Greg” Vasquez, 79, died April 11, 2007 of Parkinson’s Disease. Born March 12, 1928 in Ontario, CA he was a resident of Chino for 46 years. Mr. Vasquez worked for Chino Unified School District for 24 years. After retiring, he started his second career as a General Contractor in the Chino Valley area. An Army veteran, he served in occupied Germany aft er World War II. He was a member of St. Margaret Mary’s in Chino. Mr. Vasquez is survived by his wife, Cora; son, Gregory and daughter, Cathy, all of Chino; two grandchildren, Jared Vasquez of Norco and Vallena Bircheff of San Francisco. He is also survived by his brothers, John, Richard, and Lalo Vasquez and his sisters, Ruth Vasquez, Eleanor Rodriguez, Trinie Sura and Nellie Andrade and their respective families.

Perhaps best known for his work in National Lampoon’s Animal House and National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, or in still Top Selling film from 1978 “Foul Play” starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, Hollywood Producer, Peter V. Herald died from complications of Parkinson’s disease this week. Services are being held Saturday, February 24, 2007. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donation to the Parkinson’s Resource organization.

Mr. Herald is survived by his daughter Tori (Robert) Knepper, son Michael (Holly) Herald, and 3 adorable grandchildren.

Parkinson’s Resource Organization is honored that the Herald family chose us to be the recipients of the Peter V. Herald Memorial Fund.

Margaret Nelle Krueger Jerram 1920-2007 Margaret Nelle Krueger Jerram was born in Faith, South Dakota on June 13, 1920, to Otto Krueger and Emma Madge Horton Krueger and passed away on January 19, 2007, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; son, Richard; parents; brothers, Claire, David, and Jim; and sister, Anne. She is survived by her daughters: Barbara Mitche ll Fullwood (Leo), Jonelle Jerram Parker (Tim), Valerie Jerram, Susan Jerram (Michael) and Dexter Dyer; sister, Ellen Donica; grandchildren: Christine and Michael, John, Rick, and Jana, Melissa and Rich, Alexandra, Seth; great-grandchild: Sean, Trevor, Hannah and Olivia; and her many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held today, Tuesday, January 23 at 10 am at McKenzie Memorial Chapel, 3843 E. Anaheim St, Long Beach. McKenzie Mortuary (562) 961-9301

AN VORST, Richard George Richard George Van Vorst was born on May 14, 1927, passed away on September 21 at Monte Vista Grove Homes after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by Connie, his devoted wife of 52 years, his three daughters Louise, Kristen and Marianne, sons-in-law Daniel and Robb and his eight grandchildren Christopher and Carrie, Claire and Tanner, Zac, Taylor, Marissa and Skyler, and many relatives and friends. Richard was born in Los Angeles, raised in San Marino and spent his early educational years at Harvard Military School. Upon graduation he entered the army, and served in World War II. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Claremont Men's College and his Masters degree from The University of Southern California. He joined his father in the family mattress and furniture business, C.B. Van Vorst Company, until he owned and operated Modern Plastic Co., a custom thermo-plastic injection molding company until his retirement in 1980. His passion was service to others and he served as director/trustee with the following organizations: Westridge School for Girls; Credit Managers Association; Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic; California Casualty; Blue Cross of CA; Thomas Jefferson Research Center; United Way; All Saints Church, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, LA Speakers Club, Young Presidents Organization and World Business Council. He served his alma mater, USC, not only as an avid and loyal fan of all sports, but in the following capacities: member of the Board of Trustees; director of the Kenneth Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center; president of Cardinal and Gold, The General Alumni Association and The Downtown Trojan Club. He was a member of the USC Commerce Associates National Board of Directors and chairman of the SCions Scholarship Program. In 1981 he was awarded USC's distinguished Alumni Service Award. He and Connie enjoyed many activities and traveled the world with fellow YPO and WBC members. Morning workouts at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, lunches at the Jonathon Club, duck and big game hunting and fishing were hobbies he pursued with enthusiasm. 

Dave Russell, 82, died from complications brought on by liver cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, on September 25, 2006 at his home in Redwood City. Dave was born in Los Angeles on January 13, 1924 and was adopted by Hazel Kaye and Jack Russell. He attended the Jerry Voorhees School and graduated from Covina High School in 1941. Dave proudly served as a signalman in the US Navy during most of the major battles of WW II. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in 1950.Dave worked at Lenkurt Electric for 28 years, and helped many start ups in Silicon Valley as a financial controller. After his retirement, Dave served on the board of the Parkinson’s Patients Support Groups, Inc. (PPSG). He also loved gardening, traveling, golf and exercising with his friends at the Cardiac Therapy Foundation in Palo Alto. Dave and his family lived in Portola Valley for 38 years before moving to Redwood City in 2002.Dave survived his wife, Marie, who died in 1997, as well as his son-in-law, Woody Lawrence, who died this Spring. He is survived by his children: Steven, and Alan, Alan’s wife Stephanie, daughter Marilyn Lawrence, and grandchildren C.J and Nico Russell, and Justin and Jason Lawrence, and his very special friend and companion for the past six years, Wanda Iverson.

Bill Meistrell was a pioneering waterman and lifeguard whose inventions, talents, and exploits helped transform surfing and diving into worldwide phenomena and billion-dollar industries. He died from Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday, July 26th at his home in Rancho Palos Verdes surrounded by family and friends. Bill was 77.

Bill and twin brother Bob are two of the three watermen named to both the surfing and diving halls of fames. Bill and Bob were born in Booneville, Missouri; Bill on July 30, 1928, and Bob 20 minutes later on July 31st. Bill and Bob started diving as kids in the farm’s pond using an oilcan for a helmet and a bicycle pump and a hose for air. Bill and Bob had big dreams as Missouri farm-boys. Bob Meistrell explains, “We had three goals when we were small boys: own a submarine; go deep-sea diving; and treasure-hunting. Somehow we managed all three.”

A former business partner murdered their father when the twins were only four years old. Bill and Bob moved to Manhattan Beach with their mother, two brothers and three sisters in 1942. Bill attended Redondo Union High School and graduated from El Segundo High School in 1947. Bill, a Korean War veteran, was awarded the Bronze Star. Bill and Bob were among the first crop of Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards in the 1940s and were among the first generation of California surfers and divers who blazed a path for generations to follow.

Bill bought into their retail store Dive N Surf in Redondo Beach in 1953 with brother Bob, legendary surfboard maker Hap Jacobs, and renowned surfer and diver Bev Morgan. Dive N Surf was the first and is the oldest surf and dive shop of its kind in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Bill and Bob became sole owners in 1958. Bill, Bob, and partner Morgan, are best known for inventing (in 1953) the first practical wetsuit, which revolutionized surfing and diving. Bill came up with the phrase “fits like a glove” and Body Glove was born. Body Glove’s boned-hand, which Bill helped design, is one of the most globally recognized brand logos.

James W. Lannert, age 79 years, of Oswego, IL, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Alden Courts of Waterford in Aurora, IL. He was born November 21, 1926 in Chicago, IL, the son of the late William H. and Margaret (nee Flynn) Lannert.
Jim was employed as a mechanical engineer at Maytag, Whirlpool, All-Steel, G.F. Business Equipment and Lyon Medal Products, prior to his retirement in 1990. He was a graduate of Purdue University in 1949 as well as a member of the Alumni Club. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Oswego, IL, the Rush-Copley Healthplex and a long time volunteer at Rush-Copley Medical Center serving the needs of others.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ann (nee Schirra), whom he married on March 22, 1946 at Fort Leavenworth, KS; five children; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grand children.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 from 3 to 7 PM at the McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home, Ltd. & Cremation Services at 210 Madison St. in Oswego, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church, 851 Boulder Hill Pass in Oswego, IL on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 by Rev. Dan Stempora celebrant. Burial will take place at Pearce Cemetery Oswego, IL.