OBITUARIES
WILL GRIMA Oct. 12, 1932 - Oct. 10, 2017
Will Grima, 84, of Imperial, CA passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
Will was born on October 12, 1932 in Seeley, CA. He graduated from Imperial High School with honors. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War in the 320th Air Refueling Squadron as an aircraft mechanic. After serving 8 years, Airman First Class Will Grima returned and finished college at IVC.
Over the years, he worked at Greyhound, the IID, the Border Patrol, McNeece Oil, Prudential Insurance, and retired from the Employment Development Department after 27 years.
His greatest joy in life was his family. He married his love, Sylvia, on December 19, 1986. He was one of the instrumental members of the Knights of Columbus, where he helped start a men’s retreat at El Carmello Retreat House. He was very active in his church, St. Anthony.
In his later years, he loved being outdoors in his mobility chair out on his ranch. He was surrounded by his loved ones up until his death. He is with our Lord now and will be missed dearly.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers in El Centro. Mass will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church in Imperial. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
AMALIA SINGH Aug. 7, 1927 - Oct. 18, 2017
Amalia Singh, 90, of Imperial, CA passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.
Amalia was born on August 7, 1927 in Thermal, CA. She married Eutropio “Gil” Singh.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Paula Castillo and husband, Eutropio Singh.
She is survived by sons, Dennis (Rebecca) Singh and Henry (Lourdes) Singh; grandchildren, Alex (Jasmin), Chantilly, Izaiah and Angela; great- grandson Jordan.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. with Deacon Domingo Enriquez officiating at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro, CA.
MARY JO “MUMZY” GAREWAL May 22, 1933 - Oct. 5, 2017
God blessed Glenn and Hazel Colby with 11 little Angels. The 8th Angel was born at their home in Tilton, IL on May 22, 1933 and they named her Mary Jo (aka Mumzy in her later years). She grew up on a Dairy Farm and later became a nurse. When she was 21 she and two friends planned a 2000 mile roadtrip from Tilton to San Diego. After 1900 miles they stopped in Holtvillle for a bite to eat.
The roadtrip ended there. She met, (in her own words), the most handsome man she had ever seen! His name was Frank Garewal. Two weeks later he proposed and they were married shortly after on December 24, 1954. They were LoveBirds on earth for 30 years until Frank went to Heaven on September 4, 1984. On October 5, 2017, God decided Heaven needed 2 more Lovebirds so he called her home to be by Frank’s side.
Her favorite past time was being with family and friends. Playing bingo was a close (very close) second.
Along with Frank, she is proceeded in death by 8 brothers and sisters and 8 brother and sister-in laws.
She is survived by her children Frank (Moni), Mark (Steph) and Rhonda; grandchildren Brandon, Brandi, Nicole, Ashley, Steven, Stephanie and RJ; brothers Jim (Marilyn) and Norman (Judy) Colby; brother and sister in- laws Ernie & Barb, Joe & Suzi and Henry and Donna Garewal; 4 great grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and her favorite Bingo Buddy Leyla Levy.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday October 27, 2017 at the Cornerstone Church in Holtville. Burial at Terrace Park Cemetery immediately following. Lunch will be served at the Athletic Club in Holtville.
Mumzy you will be in our hearts forever!!! A Hui Hou, until we meet again.
MICHAL MARIE HAWK Aug. 19, 1943 - Sep. 13, 2017
Michal Marie Hawk passed into heaven on September 13, 2017. She was born in Pasadena, CA on August 19, 1943 but grew up on her grandfather Sebe Musgrove’s farm in the Yuma Valley.
Michal matriculated at Our Lady of Peace in San Diego and USC, acquiring two masters’ degrees. She was a homemaker, business owner and teacher.
Michal is survived by her husband of 40 years, Tim, their children Juliet (James), Alexander (Linnae) and Tiffany, and their grandchild, Arianna.
Her greatest drive was to emphasize and support the education of her children, all of whom attained at least a master’s degree.
Michal was interred at Alpine Cemetery. Rest in peace, our dear one.
IIDEFONSA “LUPE” OROSCO Mar. 16, 1931 - Oct. 8, 2017
Ildefonsa Orosco, 86, of Calexico went to rest with our Lord on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Grossmont Hospital in San Diego with loved ones by her side.
She was born March 16, 1931 in Marinette, AZ. In Lupe’s younger years she worked in San Jose, CA in the canneries as an assembly line worker. She married Cresencio Orosco on May 18, 1952 in Mexicali, Mexico. Together they raised a family of 5 children in Calexico, CA. She was known by her nickname “Lupe” by everyone she met. She was a stay at home mom who tended to her husband/children/grandchildren with a loving heart. Lupe was a loyal LA Dodgers fan. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Calexico.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cresencio Orosco and son, Mauricio Orosco.
Ildefonsa is survived by her children, Antonio (Maria) Orosco of El Cajon, CA Ilza (Ramon) Veliz of Calexico, CA Guadalupe Orozco of Calexico, CA and Mary Adams of Salinas, CA; 12 grandchildren, 5 greatgrandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers and Mortuary in Calexico. Mass will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Calexico. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Calexico.
Love you forever Mama!
RETHA CASTLEBERRY Aug. 4, 1945 - Oct. 15, 2017
Retha Castleberry, 72, of Imperial went to be with the Lord peacefully on October 15, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.
Born to Charlie and Bessie Kent on August 8, 1945 in Andrews, Texas, she was the youngest of 11 children. Retha married Daniel Castleberry on April 14, 1961 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and then moved to the Imperial Valley in 1962. They made their home in Imperial where they raised their 5 children. Retha was a devoted Wife, Mamma, Granny, Sister, Aunt and Friend.
Family meant everything to her. She loved fishing and camping on the All American Canal, music, singing, dancing, and just being around her grandchildren. She would say she had so much love for her grandbabies she could not find the words to explain it. She later said it was a Heavenly Love she had for them.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Daniel Castleberry; son, Danny Castleberry; grandsons, Anthony Allen Castleberry and Roy Falcon Jr.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Severe (Danny), Brenda Shaffer (Jason) and Linda Falcon (Roy); son, Tony Castleberry (MonaLisa); daughter-in-law, Cruz Castleberry; brother, Billy Kent; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren that she loved dearly.
Service will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley, CA. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro, CA.
MICAELA ARMENTA Sep. 29, 1926 - Oct. 14, 2017
Micaela Armenta, 91, of Westmorland, CA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her immediate family on Saturday, October 14, 2017.
Micaela was born on September 29, 1926 in Sinaloa, MX. She married Leon Armenta on July 4, 1949 in Bamoa, Sinaloa, Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Maria Elena Armenta; son, Leonard V. Armenta; daughter-in-law, Earlene Rosas Armenta and grandson, Charles Noah Armenta Grijalva.
She is survived by husband, Leon Armenta of Westmorland, CA; children, Proto (Frances) Armenta of El Centro, CA, Alfredo Armenta of Westmorland, CA, Elizabeth (Arthur) Grijalva of Brawley, CA, Daniel Armenta of Westmorland, CA; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley, CA. Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Westmorland, CA. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, CA.
FRANCIS “WILLIE” OSTHOFF 1934 - 2017
Former El Centro resident, Willie Osthoff passed away peacefully at his Escondido, CA home on October 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara and their children, Chris Sharp (Steven), Dean Osthoff and Amy Rowe (Jeffrey); grandchildren, Stephanie and Kristen Sharp, Margot, Madeline, Sophie and Sam Rowe. Willie is also survived by his brothers, Thom, Jerry, Bruce and Hal Osthoff. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Osman; sister, Donna and infant daughter, Susan Jane.
Born and raised in St. Paul, Willie graduated from Mechanic Arts High School Class of 1953. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Corporal before being honorably discharged.
With the purchase of a 1969 Kawasaki Midnight Blue Sidewinder 250, Willie’s lifelong love and enjoyment of motorcycles was ignited. Willie rode both on-road and off-road for pleasure, raced and sold motorcycles for most of his life culminating with the purchase of his own motorcycle business which he owned until he retired. He was particularly proud to be a Charter Life Member of the American Motorcycle Association.
A cigar aficionado, Willie would often be seen enjoying a cigar while riding or reading or holding a cigar clamped between his teeth as he worked. Always ready with his quick wit, Willie could be counted on to greet friends and family with a funny nickname or something that would bring a smile or laughter. Willie will be deeply missed.
Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Elizabeth Hospice are suggested www.elizabethhospice.org
GUILLERMO ESPINOZA ARVIZU Feb. 2, 1934 - Oct. 17, 2017
Guillermo Arvizu, 83, of Mexicali passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
He is survived by his wife, son, daughters, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary in Calexico. Mass will be held on Thursday October 26, 2017 at 9 a.m. at Our lady of Guadalupe in Calexico. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Calexico.