Kenneth "Kenny" Jamison

On March 29, 2019, Kenny earned his wings at the early age of 31. He was born on September 12, 1987 to proud parents, Richard and Teresa Jamison, with his sisters, Alex & Francesca, and brother Rich, completing this family of six. Kenny proudly spent the first eight years of his life in South Gate, CA, and spent the remainder of his years in Oceanside, CA. He graduated from El Camino High School in 2005 and later went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Communication from California State University San Marcos, graduating with honors cum laude, in 2013. He had a natural kindness about him and matching sense of humor, which made him someone who was easy to talk to once you caught his attention. His dream was to one day become a writer for a TV sitcom, within the comedy genre of course; some of his favorite TV shows were “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, and “Family Guy”. He held himself to high standards, and seemed to want everything perfectly in place before he would allow himself to “take off” in life. He loved his family dearly and had a special affinity for his nieces and nephews, mostly due to his "inner kid" self. We are especially thankful to his lovely girlfriend, Lili, who showed him how great life could be once he let God take the wheel. We will miss our Kenny like the deserts miss the rain, forever in our hearts, knowing he dwells above the orange sky in the House of the Lord.

Services will be held on April 26, 2019 and further details are available upon request.

Helen Louise Vance Hespel Ruppelt

August 27, 1923-February 4, 2019

Helen was born to Fred Sumner Vance, a salesman and Blanche Francis Fowler Vance, his wife, on the evening of August 27, 1923, at their home in Santa Ana California. She had two older brothers, Wendell and Wayne, a younger sister Barbara, and a younger brother Wallace. She grew up in Orange County in various homes while it was still a very rural community.

Sadly her mother passed away when Helen was only 11 years of age, and soon after she was sent to live with her maternal grandparents, as her father had a difficult time keeping the family together.

One fact that she was always very proud of was that her father’s brother was Charles Arthur “Dazzy” Vance. He was one of the great pitchers in 1920’s and 1930’s baseball and played the majority of his career for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. Helen always said her earliest recollected memory of reading was when she would read the baseball scores to her “Pop.” She remained a dedicated Baseball fan all her life, including her beloved Padres whether they were winning or losing.

When she was 13 she moved in with Her Aunt Nell and her husband, and was overjoyed to be reunited with her sister Barbara who was already residing with them. The girls worked hard at school, helping their aunt with the household chores and they felt loved and secure.

At the age of 18, Helen met Joseph A. Hespel and they married in Las Vegas, Nevada, after only 6 weeks of dating. Joe and Helen drove back to his tiny hometown of Fennville, Michigan, where his father owned a peach tree farm. She spent her first and only winter in the snow there, and as WWII was escalating, Joe’s Dad sold the farm and the whole family moved back to the West Coast.

At that point, Joe joined the US Coast Guard and was stationed in San Diego. Housing was hard to find there at that time so Joe and Helen settled into a tiny 13 foot trailer and lived there until the end of the war. He was stationed in San Diego for his entire enlistment and planted most of the (now) huge eucalyptus trees at the Naval Training Center on Rosecrans Street.

At the end of the war, they had saved up enough money to purchase a small house in Pacific Beach on Missouri St. in 1945. Soon after, they had the opportunity to buy some lots across the street from their home which included the only barn remaining in PB. In 1946 they had their only son, Laurence (Larry) in 1950 they welcomed Marianne, and in 1954 Elaine was born to complete their family. Her favorite experience in life came from being a mother.

Helen was very involved in her children’s lives, she was a Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, and involved with the PTA. Helen even sewed many of their clothes. She was also a Sunday school teacher at Christ Lutheran where she joined the church to make sure her kids were brought up with the love of God. Her sister Barbara had moved down to San Diego, so all of their kids attended church activities together and celebrated all holidays with the two families.

Helen created a lifelong love of the ocean and the bay in her family as she and Barbara took them several times a week in the summer.

She got a part time job at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla 2 nights a week to help out financially, and in 1962 began working at the hospital full time in the accounting department. She retired after 35 years at Scripps.

She and Joe parted ways in 1975, and she enhanced her social life while continuing to enjoy her kids and now her grandkids.

In 1985 she met Ellis Ruppelt who was a retired Lt. Col in the US Air Force and they married in 1989. Sadly, Ellis died 2 years after their marriage, but Helen considered him the love of her life.

She moved to a home in Rancho Bernardo in 1991 where she stayed happily until she sold it and moved to the beautiful retirement community of Wesley Palms, once again in Pacific Beach where she spent her last five years, making new friends, going to Bible study, playing bingo, and as always, spending time with her beloved family.

Cathlene Miriam Hofheimer

Cathlene (Willis) Hofheimer passed away peacefully at home listening to hymns with family and friends. She was 89. Her love for the Lord is still reflected in her many drawings, paintings, and calligraphy (scriptures, etc..). She also had a natural gift of music - gently singing and playing hymns on her piano.

Cathy was born in Brockton, Mass. and received a BFA from Mass College of Art. Her first job was drafting for MIT, where she met her husband, Richard Westfield Hofheimer. His team was designing one of the early computers. (She would much later part ways and remain friends). Cathy raised her children - Richard Jr, Linda, and Wendy Francisco (Don) in Del Mar, CA. where she was active in swimming and tennis and was known for her sensitive portraits in charcoal, and oil. She eventually moved to Carlsbad and used her talents in a multitude of projects for the Church and in local art galleries - putting her whole self into everything she did. A highlight in her life was a trip to the Cotswolds, England, were she drew trees and sheep out in the meadow.

Cathy was always encouraging and inspiring to family (including her granddaughter, Annie Brooks), to children (she taught in churches, schools, camps, home...) and to everyone else she met with the joy of art, music, nature and God. We will miss her smile, humor, and all the fun!! She is now with her son, Richard. A private service has been arranged.

Tom Jack Loftus

Tom Jack Loftus died on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 after a long battle with colon cancer, surrounded by loving family and friends at his home in Vista, California. 

Tom was a dependable and generous man, a loving husband and father, a successful businessman, an avid motorcyclist and adventurer, and a friend to many. Born on April 21, 1955 to parents, Jack and Lydia Loftus, in Honolulu, HI, Tom went on to serve in the United States Coast Guard, followed by a career as a program manager for the Federal Aviation Administration. After his experience in the FAA, Tom founded his company, LS Technologies, in 2000 to provide support services to the federal government. LS Technologies’ strong commitment to employees and customers began with Tom, and continues today.  

Tom partially retired in 2012 to dedicate more time to traveling the world by motorcycle with his wife, Mona. Tom's travels took him to all 50 States and around the world. Tom is survived by his wife, Mona; daughters, Carol and Emily Shiflett; parents, Jack and Lydia; siblings, David, Daniel, Melinda (Loftus) Santacruz, and Nathan; and loyal canine companions, Bella and Scout.

Memorial services to celebrate Tom's life will be held on his birthday, Sunday, April 21, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort, 333 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054 . Memorial donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation.

Mark Deschneau

Mark Deschneau of Poway, CA, born 4-15-1958 in Minot, ND passed away January 5th 2019 surrounded by family and friends in Escondido CA. Mark was proceeded by his parents Jim and Carmen DeSchneau and his nephew Ethan DeSchneau. Mark is survived by his significant other Marilee and his step daughter Lani. His brothers Kevin (Driggs, ID) Austin (Edwards, CO) Jay (Sheridan, WY) DeSchneau. Nephews Sonny, AJ, and Steven DeSchneau. Mark enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. Marks energetic personality and unforgettable laugh will be missed by all.