Santa Clara Mortuary

On September 16, 1931, in the small town of Rancho De Rosas, in Chihuahua, Mexico, amid the joyful gritos and celebrations of Mexican Independence Day, Olga came into the world. She was the middle child of twelve children born to Maria Cruz Martinez Loya and Guadalupe Loya. The significance of her being born on this day seemed to mark her for a life filled with the same spirit of joy, pride, and fierce resilience that filled the air on that day and every birthday thereafter. She grew up in Rancho De Rosas. Her parents owned the only grocery store in town, and she later became the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse. Olga is survived by her brother Refugio Loya (of Oxnard, CA) and sister...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hector (Hec) Alvarez, of Santa Paula, CA, on April 2, 2025, with his loving wife Luann and daughter Melissa by his side. Hec was born and raised in Oxnard, CA where he attended Oxnard High School. He met Suzanne Feyma at Ventura College, married, raised two children and enjoyed boating, skiing, horses and bar-b-ques at their home in Oak View. Hec graduated from Ventura College around 1964 with his RN degree and became a Psych tech at Camarillo State Hospital and managed different units. After several years he then decided to work at Oxnard Mental Health Services on the Crisis Team and counseled individual clients. In the 80s...

Joan C. Castor died on November 25, 2024, after six months of hospice care. Joan was born in David City, Nebraska on April 7, 1930. She was the youngest of three siblings. As a young child, she missed a lot of school because she was in constant pain. Her doctor and parents thought it was just growing pains; it turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis. Joan graduated from high school with honors and attended the University of Nebraska. After getting married, she was hired to teach in a rural one-room schoolhouse where she also was school nurse, cook and janitor. As a single parent with two sons, and disliking snow and tornados, Joan's sister encouraged her to join her in Oxnard, California....

After a brave battle with cancer, Vince passed away on July 6th, 2023. He was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 7th, 1956, and moved to Oxnard as a child. He was active in the Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Rank, Quartermaster Rank in Sea Scouts, and Vigil Honor within the Order of the Arrow. After graduating from Oxnard High School, he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy. Returning home, he obtained his PhD in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific and worked as a pharmacist for 40 years. Vince also served in the Gulf War with the U.S. Air Force. Vince married Anne (Ruby) Kelch in 2001, and together they raised two children, son Christopher, and daughter Sarah. He...

Our beloved daughter, Sarah, went to heavenly reward at the age of 18 years old on May 22nd, 2023. It was a sudden loss due to cardiac arrest from a pulmonary embolism. Sarah was born in Ventura on October 21st, 2004. She is remembered by her parents as a creative individual and woman of moral stature. She was once a member of the American Heritage Girls and enjoyed dancing lessons from several international venues. Her close friends describe her as a giving and dependable person. Sarah was recognized in an art award at the Ventura County Fair in elementary school. Her creativity was expressed towards the end of her life in amazing graphic design as a member of the yearbook staff at...

Corinne Klock passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023 at the age of 97. Corinne was born to Frank and Rosaria Asman in Los Angeles on October 6, 1925. She was the oldest of 3 children. After graduating from Catholic Girls High School, she went to work at Barker Brothers in Los Angeles where she learned interior designing. In 1946 she married Richard Klock whom she knew from grade school. They moved to Ventura in 1961. A devoted and busy mother of six children. She also worked part time at J C Penney. Richard died in 2018 after 72 years of marriage. Daughter Maureen Hart passed away in 2014. Corinne was active and enjoyed several charitable and social organizations including Catholic...

It is with immense sadness and heartbreak that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Grandfather Herminio "Mini" Sapinoso Paja on the afternoon of May 7, 2023 at 3:05 pm of Divine Mercy Hour. Herminio (lovingly known as "Mini" to family and friends) was born on May 18, 1932 in Santiago Young, Nabua, Camarines Sur, Philippines to Juan and Hospicia (Sapinoso) Paja. He was the second eldest child out of twelve (12) siblings. He met his future wife Genoveva "Bing" Palencia in their hometown in Nabua, Camarines Sur through a mutual connection who happened to be her eldest sister Prima who were friends of his aunt who was also a teacher. They later married on August 10, 1963 in San...

On Thursday, April 20th, 2023, Celia Lerma Mireles, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away at the age of ninety-three. She was the beloved wife of the late Eusevio "Chevy" Mireles and mother of six, Celia "Sally" Valdez (Tony), Arthur Mireles, Guadalupe Lopez (Larry), Elena Mireles, Alice Juarez (Abel) and Rose Mireles-Hannigan (Lori). Celia preceded in death by her parents Jose and Elena Lerma, and her brothers, Benjamin, Jose, and Raul. She leaves behind her sisters: Emma Gonzales and Aurora Cortez. Celia was the center of our large close-knit family. We will forever value her pearls of wisdom, and her example of strength and resilience. Celia's legacy will not...

Maria De Refugio, age 85, passed away on April 13th, 2023, at her home in Oxnard, CA. She was surrounded by her loved ones and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Maria was born on October 30th, 1937, in Durango Mexico to Paula Montellano and Felipe Lopez. She grew up in El Paso, Texas and moved to Oxnard CA in 1954. She later married Manuel Lomeli Senior and together they raised 3 children, Manuel Lomeli Jr, Jessie Miranda, & Melissa Tanaka. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always put her family first. Maria had a passion for cooking, dancing, and road trips, which she constantly shared with her family and friends. She was best known for her love...

Beloved husband of Josefina Gutierrez and father of Maria Cristina Mendez, Martha Olivia Alvarado, Caroline Saldana, Catherine Garcia and Gloria Garza; grandfather of Vanessa Saldana Lopez (2 children), Janey Burns (5 children), Jose Saldana (1 child), Stephen Garza (2 children), Alejandro Alvarado (2 children), Brian Garza (2 children), Cecilia Johnson, Andrew Garcia (1 child and soon another) and Mark Garcia. Jose Gutierrez was born October 25, 1930, in Purepero, Michoacan, Mexico. He eventually met Josefina, in Tijuana, Mexico where they married in November 1956. They had two daughters before making the venture of moving to California where they had three more daughters. As the king of...

Stanley (Stan) W. Hoffman passed away February 10, 2023. He was born December 1, 1934, in Sibley, Iowa to Frank and Helen Hoffman. He was a Ventura County resident since 1962. He was married to Janice Hoffman for 65 years, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Worthington, MN. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD, and was honorably discharged in 1958. He retired from USNCBC Fire Department, Port Hueneme after 29 years of service. Stan was an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and serviced as a Eucharist Minister and Pastoral Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Oxnard Knights of Columbus #750 since 1963. He was a volunteer...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Adelina Ramos Habal on February 5, 2023, at the age of 92. Adelina (lovingly known as Deling) was born in the Philippines to Gavino Ramos and Isabel De Los Reyes in June 1930. She lived with her daughter, Jocelyn Stortz, in Rodeo CA for the last seven years where she passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her husband Jose Hacuman Habal on April 1, 2014. She is survived by her children and their spouses: John Habal, Edward and Armi Habal, Timothy and Consuelo Habal, Jose and Maria Cecilia Habal, Jocelyn and Paul Stortz, and Anthony Habal; as well as her grandchildren (and spouses) Atalie and Adam, Keren and...

Gertrude Cecelia Hayes (1933-2022) Gertrude C. (Trudy) Hayes, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully after a long illness on December 22, 2022, at the age of 89. Trudy was born to Francis and Gertrude Diggins on June 2, 1933, in Bismarck, North Dakota where she spent her childhood among her 6 brothers and one sister. Trudy moved to Southern California in her teens, where she attended Ramona Convent High School and graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College with a degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Music. It was there that Trudy met her future husband William (Bill) Hayes whom she married in 1957. Bill and Trudy enjoyed 54 wonderful years of...

On December 16, 2022, Hermelinda Quintana Alvara, our lovely Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Tia, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 86 years old. Our Mother was preceded in death by her husband John Alvara and her daughter Rebecca Ramon. She leaves behind her children, Vickie Menendez, Larry Alvara, Danny Alvara, Stevie Alvara, and Juanita Alvara. She leaves 16 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Our Mother was a beautiful soul, a kind spirit, a woman who had the gift of hospitality. All were welcome to her home. God was an important aspect to her household. She held Bible studies in her home for many years...

Rosa Margarita Bueno, 89, went to be God November 26, 2022. Rosa was born August 27, 1933, in Mission, Tx, the eldest daughter of Jose and Margarita Chapa. Rosa was married 65 years to her husband, Ernesto Bueno. She is preceded in death by son Ernesto Xavier. Rosa is survived by daughter, Guizelda? sons, Eduardo, Edmundo, and grand-son Eric. Visitation Rosary on the 13th at Santa Clara Mortuary 2730 N. H Street, Oxnard from 4 - 8pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 14th at Santa Clara Catholic Church, Oxnard.

Gloria Garcia Martinez, 86 of Oxnard, passed away on November 15th, 2022, in Oxnard CA. Gloria was born in Miami Arizona on October 31st, 1936. She went to school and graduated from Oxnard High School, Oxnard CA. She married Antonio S. Martinez. They raised 3 sons and 1 daughter. Gloria was heavily involved in sports and the local community. She worked as a public service employee and eventually retired from Oxnard School District. Gloria is preceded in by her parents Francisco Garcia and Trinidad Chavez, husband Antonio S. Martinez, Children Michael and Robert Martinez. Siblings Ofelia Lopez, Helen Garcia, Pete Garcia, Frank Garcia, Al Garcia and Joe Garcia. Gloria is survived by son and...

Elaine Torrez Gonzalez, age 59, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday Nov 13, 2022, surrounded by her family. Elaine was born on June 26, 1963, in Oxnard CA. She graduated from Oxnard High School in 1981. She worked as a Paralegal Office Manager for 16 years and an Office Assistant at Golden State School for 7 years, where she met the love of her life, Enrique. She also worked as a CNA, and an Activities Director for a medical office. Elaine lived her life to the fullest, she discovered her love for the ocean, enjoyed her walks on the beach, long drives around town, dancing, singing and listening to music. She was very sociable, always happy, laughing and the life of the party. She...

Raul (Roy) Hurtado Enriquez died on October 15, 2022. He was born in Los Angeles on January 14, 1922 to Carlos Rafael and Dolores Hurtado Enriquez. His parents separated when he was an infant and he was raised by his father in Arizona. He had a difficult early life, constantly moving and living in homes without running water or other amenities. He grew up during the Depression and at times had very little to eat. He had to work at an early age picking cotton, shining shoes, busing tables. He was not allowed to attend school after the 8th grade because he had to work to help support the family. He joined the Army in October, 1942. He was assigned to the 134th Replacement Battalion of the...

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Leonard Marcelino Lacbain II (Len), age 49 our most beloved son, brother, uncle, family member and friend, passed on September 29, 2022. Those who knew Len, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives. Len is well loved and will be greatly missed by his parents, Leonardo and Fe Lacbain, his sister Ann (Lacbain) Duffy and her husband, Sean, his nephew and niece, Tyler and Karina, his loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and many, many great friends. He loved God, his family and friends. He made friends easily and everywhere he went. He was kind, loving, and thoughtful. He was always there for others. He was an avid billiard...

John Edwin (Jack) Knoebber, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2022 after 94 years of life at his home in Altadena CA. His dear friend Mary Flynn was at his side. Jack was born July 15, 1928 to Frank and Marie (Ulrich) Knoebber in Wamego, Kansas. After his Honorable Discharge from the US Marine Corps in 1956 he settled in Southern California. There he met and married Kathleen (McNeil) Knoebber, also from Kansas, whom he was married to for over 45 years. After several jobs in aviation he joined the Federal Aviation Administration in 1969 and remained there until his retirement in 2002. Jack loved his family, friends, the Dodgers, and the Catholic Church. In his later life he volunteered...