OBITUARIES

Judy Jones

79, El Centro

Sally Moreno

81, El Centro

Anthony Ruiz

67, Brawley

Pete Serna III

31, Former Valley resident

Russell Yeager

77, El Centro

JUDY GAY JONES Aug. 16, 1940 - Aug. 17, 2019

Judy Gay Jones, 79, passed away peacefully at Life Care Center of Yuma, AZ on August 17, 2019.

She was born on August 16, 1940 in Sterling Colorado to Wayne F. and Ruby E. Rossen Sr. She married Leonard E. Jones on June 1, 1958.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her daughters, Kristin Elizabeth and Teresa Sue; her brothers, Wayne Floyd Rossen Jr. and Ronald Wesley Rossen.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Kay (Keith) Gentry; sister-in-law, Joyce Rossen; husband, Leonard; daughters, Lynette (Aaron) Mari and Norma (Nick) Hoppal; grandchildren, Lance (Sandie) Mari, Heather (Chris) Gutierrez, Danielle Saxton, Brooke, Sonya and Raquel; great grandchildren, Summer, Sonny, Alexis, Allyah, Adylessa and Audrey; many nieces and nephews.

In the early years, Judy and her husband Leonard loved and cared for over 23 foster children. She was the choir director for many years and played the organ and piano at the United Methodist Church in Merino Co.

She was also very involved with many activities at Merino High School in which her daughters and foster children were involved. She was loved by her daughters’ friends and was considered a second mother to all by maintaining her open-door policy of “my home is your home.”

Judy and Leonard moved to El Centro California in 1988 to live near their grandson Lance. She immediately began work for William McCombs as a bookkeeper at ERA Jackson-McCombs Realty.

During her employment for McCombs, she was also the fund-raising manager for many Muscular Dystrophy events from 1988-1992, where she spent numerous hours preparing and coordinating fund raising events. In 1996, the business was sold to Libby Gibson now ERA The Real Estate Store, for whom she continued to work until she retired in 2001.

She was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Episcopal Church where she played the organ and was a member of the Ladies Guild.

Services will be held for Judy at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Sts. Peter and Paul Episcopal Church located at 500 South 5th Street in El Centro, with a reception to follow.

On behalf of her passion for rescue animals, in lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the Humane Society of Imperial Valley located at 1575 W Pico Avenue El Centro in her memory.

PETE “PJ” SERNA III Apr. 14, 1988 - June 19, 2019

Pete “PJ” Serna III, 31, passed away on June 19, 2019 in Wichita, Kansas.

PJ is survived by his parents, Deborah Serna and Pete Serna Jr.; sisters, Stephanie Myers and Kimberly Serna; son, Matthew Myers and daughter, Farrah Serna; grandmother, Doris Lay; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

PJ was preceded in death by his grandfather, Pete Serna Sr.; grandmother, Dominga Serna and his uncle, Louie Lay.

A memorial service for PJ will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ, 440 West Sixth St., Holtville, CA.

ANTHONY “TONY” AVILA RUIZ Oct. 14, 1951 - Sept. 5, 2019

Anthony Ruiz, 67, of Brawley passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

He was born on October 14, 1951 in Turlock, CA and later married Yolanda R. Ruiz on May 4, 1974 in Brawley, CA.

Anthony is survived by his wife, Yolanda R. Ruiz of Brawley, CA; sons, Anthony R. Ruiz,of Brawley, CA and Steven R. Ruiz of Beaverton and 6 grandchildren.

Rosary will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. with Memorial Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Brawley, CA and will be officiated by Fr. Andrew Kunambi.

RUSSELL “RUSS D” DORSEY YEAGER Dec. 3, 1941 - Sept. 11, 2019

Russell Dorsey Yeager passed away peacefully in his El Centro home on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

He was born in San Diego on December 3, 1941 to Russell Harrison Yeager and Margaret Whitelaw Yeager. He was their first born child Russell attended El Centro schools: Harding Elementary, Wilson Junior High and Central Union High, graduation in 1959. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon his Honorable Discharge he worked in Residential construction and met his wife, Dixie. They had two children, Zach and Sara. Dixie passed away in 1983. Russell returned to Imperial Valley, joining the Planning Department as a building inspector. He served in that position until his retirement.

Russell is survived by his sisters, Judith Pierson of El Centro and Drucilla Holbrook of Bakersfield; brother, Christopher Yeager of El Centro; son, Zach Yeager and daughter, Sara Yeager both of Santa Cruz.

Private family services are pending.

SALLY MORENO Aug. 1, 1938 - Sept. 1, 2019

Sally Moreno, 81, of El Centro passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

She was born on August 1, 1938 in Nogales, AZ and later married Alfonso Moreno Jr. on December 16, 1956.

Sally is survived by her husband, Alfonso Moreno Jr.; children, Alfonso Moreno III, Lillian Kaiser, Jeanette Romero and Gilbert Moreno; 10 grandchildren and 3 great- grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m with Rosary being said at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro, CA. Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro, CA.