David Stanley Soito
Services will be Friday for David Stanley Soito, who died Monday at his home in Las Lomas after a sudden illness. He was 57.
Born in Santa Cruz, he had lived in North Monterey County since 1948. After his family closed its dairy in Watsonville, he began working for Well-Pikt Strawberries on the land formerly occupied by the dairy. For 36 years, he worked as a farm mechanic. He was known in car-racing circles and served as a pit mechanic for his son, David Soito Jr.
He is survived by sons David and Timothy Soito, both of Watsonville; brothers Edward Soito of Watsonville, Stan Soito of Turlock and Edwin Soito of Idaho; and three grandchildren.
Services will be 11 .m. Friday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, 222 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Burial will follow at Valley Catholic Cemetery on East Lake Avenue.
September 24, 2003
Barbara Doyle
Services will be Friday for Barbara Jean Doyle, who died Tuesday at her Soquel home. She was 75.
She was born in Santa Cruz ,where she grew up and graduated from Holy Cross High School. She later attended Siena Heights College in Adrian, Mich., where she entered the Adrian Dominican Congregation. She earned two master’s degrees, one in religious education and one in library science. She taught school for many years as a Dominican sister in a number of places throughout the country. In later life she worked as a librarian in Chicago.
She returned to Santa Cruz four years ago and made her home in Soquel.
She enjoyed a good time and loved to laugh. She enjoyed trips to Reno and lunches and dinners out with family and friends.
She is survived by sister Patricia Ferrin of Santa Cruz, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. A vigil service will be 6 p.m. Thursday Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Seventh Avenue, Santa Cruz.
Contributions may be made to Hospice Caring Project, P.O. Box 670, Aptos, CA 95001.
September 24, 2003
Lucille ‘Lu’ Chartrey
A memorial will be Sunday for Lucille "Lu" Chartrey, who died Sept. 5 in Capitola from fatal injuries due to a fall. She was 87.
A native of Oregon, she was one of the oldest residents of Trade Winds Mobile Home Park. She worked for Pacific Telephone in San Francisco for 30 years and was an avid 49er fan, buying season tickets every year. She spent many hours every day walking her beloved dog Lady near Jade Street Park. She was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Her brother, Dutch Schultz, died this year, and both of her husbands, Joe Polli and Leo Chartrey, died before her.
Friends will gather for a memorial at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Trade Winds Mobile Home Park clubhouse, 4160 Jade St., Capitola.
Contributions are preferred to K9 Haven, where she adopted Lady, at Box 1077, Santa Clara, CA 95052.
Arrangements are by California Cremation Society.
September 24, 2003
Betty M. Ereno
A memorial service will be Sept. 30 for Betty M. Ereno, who died Sept. 17 at her home in Santa Cruz. She was 79.
A native of San Francisco, she lived in San Jose before coming to Santa Cruz 25 years ago. She was a member of the Catholic church.
She graduated from business college and worked a short time before becoming a homemaker. Her passion in life was being with her family. She enjoyed traveling with them, and some of her favorite places to visit were Clear Lake and British Columbia. She loved animals, especially golden retrievers.
She is survived by her husband, Ernie Ereno of Santa Cruz; sons Bob Curtice of Auburn and Steve Curtice of Santa Clara; daughter Erin Ereno Miccichi of Aptos; stepsons Erenie Ereno Jr. of Aptos and Phillip Ereno of Antioch; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister Norma Rowe of Oxford, Mich.
A memorial will be at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at Lima Family Funeral Home, 466 N. Winchester, Santa Clara. Burial will be private at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery of Colma.
Arrangements are by Oakwood Memorial Chapel in Santa Cruz.
September 24, 2003
Shiloh M. Erhardt
A memorial has been held for Shiloh Michael Erhardt, a former Santa Cruz resident who died Aug. 5 in Sarasota, Fla., the victim of a murder-suicide. He was 28.
Born in Santa Cruz, he attended Montessori School in Aptos, then was homeschooled. He worked with his father, who owned Copyright Office systems in Capitola.
He moved to Sarasota in 1994, where he was working on a movie script, "Justice," and taking flying lessons. An artist-designer, he loved the beach and getting together with family and friends.
According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Mr. Erhardt was killed by Phuc Tran, 22, who shot him and then killed herself at her home. Family members told the newspaper the two had been dating.
He is survived by his mother, Lia Martin of Sarasota and father, Michael Erhardt of Sarasota; sisters Rochelle Lynette Erhardt of Santa Cruz and Indiana Shea Erhardt of Sarasota; brothers Sierra Isaiah Erhardt and Micaiah Rael Erhardt, both of Sarasota; aunt Alison Tracy of Santa Cruz; grandparents Helen Bushnell of Palm Desert and Billy and Carole Martin of Clearwater, Fla.
His ashes were spread on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota after a memorial service Aug. 11 at South Gate Community Center. The National Cremation Society in Sarasota was in charge of arrangements.
September 24, 2003
Mark S. Murphy
Services will be Friday for Mark S. Murphy, who died Tuesday at his Corralitos home after a long illness. He was 53.
Born in Fresno, he grew up in Willow Glen, attending Bellarmine College Preparatory School. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech and hearing from San Jose State University and had lived in Corralitos for the past 13 years.
He spent 30 years with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, working as specialist in speech and hearing and as a special education teacher. He also was a career development education specialist, vocational education coordinator and director of the Regional Occupational Program.
He won numerous local, state and national awards. He wrote many position papers and procedural manuals in special education and vocational services and was often called upon to consult with local school officials about vocational services to youth.
He is survived by wife Marcie; sons Michael Murphy of Santa Barbara and Sean Murphy of Barking Sands Naval Base in Kauai; brothers John Murphy and Philip Murphy, both of San Jose, and Tim Murphy of Woodstock, Ga; and five nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church, 527 Corralitos Road, Corralitos.
Contributions are preferred to the American Lung Association or Hospice Caring Project, 6851 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA 95003.
September 25, 2003
Lupe Casillas
Services will be Tuesday for Lupe Casillas, who died Tuesday in Watsonville. He was 73.
Mr. Casillas was born in Corralitos. An Air Force veteran, he returned to the area after retiring from the service 47 years ago.
Mr. Casillas served in the Pacific during World War II and also in the Korean War.
He was the owner of Lupe’s Lock & Key in Watsonville for 20 years.
He was a member of Toastmasters, the California Locksmiths Association and the Watsonville Lions Club.
Friends say they will remember him as the "Flag Man" in town.
He attended Watsonville public schools and later served as a member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board. During his term, he was an outspoken opponent of the district’s bilingual education program and a supporter of corporal punishment.
During a 1985 election campaign, Casillas explained his position on school discipline, saying that he didn’t want to "abuse children," but wanted to ensure that teachers retained authority in the classroom.
One of Mr. Casillas’ early ancestors came to North America with the Cortez expedition in 1503.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Angie R. Casillas of Watsonville; daughter Renee Casillas of Watsonville; son Carlos Casillas of Watsonville; brothers Fred Casillas of San Jose, Sostenes Ibarra of Mexico; sisters Teresa Godwin of Watsonville and Louise Hernandez of Lompoc; and three grandchildren.
His twin brother, Joe Casillas, died before him.
Friends may call 1-9 p.m. Friday, with a 7 p.m. vigil service, at Davis Memorial Chapel, 609 Main St., Watsonville.
Graveside services with military honors are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Pioneer Cemetery.
Contributions are preferred to a favorite charity.
September 25, 2003
