OBITUARIES
George Bernal Sr.
96, El Centro
Glenda Martin
93, Imperial
Robert Pacrem
62, Imperial
Joe Ramsay
80, El Centro
Santiaga Sanchez
95, Brawley
JOE RAMSAY May 24, 1939 - July 21, 2019
Joe Ramsay took his final 10-10 on the morning of July 21, 2019 surrounded by his family. Joe was 80 years old.
Joe was born at home in McAlester Oklahoma. He was one of 9 children born to Pearl and Melvin Ramsay. The family moved from Oklahoma to California when Joe was 9 years old, and they settled in Heber, California. Joe attended school in Heber and graduated from Central Union High School. Joe enlisted in the Army after graduation and served 3 years before being honorably discharged.
Joe married Sylvia DeShong when he came back to the Imperial Valley and to this union 3 daughters were born. The couple later divorced. Joe held various jobs in the valley and enlisted in the Army National Guard and rose to the position of 2nd lieutenant. He resigned his post to start his dream job of becoming a police officer for the city of El Centro. Upon his retirement the city gave him a plaque thanking him for his service to the residents of El Centro and for his commitment to the El Centro Police department. Joe later became a supply coordinator for Government Agencies and then as a courier for the court system.
After his employment years Joe decided to give back to those who had given so much. He volunteered and drove disabled American Veterans in the DAV van weekly to the Veterans hospital in La Jolla for treatment. He logged hundreds of hours before having to resign due to failing health.
Joe was an accomplished artist. He drew cartoons of officers in funny situations at the police department, sketches of old barns and oil paintings of flowers and desert scenes.
Joe’s favorite hobby was fishing. He said that since fishing was a sport he was an athlete. He fished the canals in the Valley, Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez, lakes in Mexico and many others.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; Bill, Kenneth and Melvin.
He is survived by his wife, Debra; siblings, Darlene Drawe of Texas, Arlene (Richard) Abbott of Bedford Iowa, Karen (Jim) Healey of El Centro, Sharon (Robert) Edgar of El Centro and Mike (Linda) Ramsay of Hemet; daughters, Brenda (Craig) Pebley of Heber, Yvonne Tucker of Brawley, Christina (Rick) Mullen of Fresno; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; his faithful cat, Winslow and all the fish that got away.
The family would like to thank Accent Hospice and A&A Cottages for their loving care and concern during Joes’ final days. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the DAV, Humane Society or Charity of the giver’s choice.
An informal get together will be held on August 9, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 661 West State St. in El Centro.
GEORGE A. BERNAL SR. Jan. 12, 1923 - July 19, 2019
George A. Bernal Sr., 96, of El Centro, CA passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019.
George was born on January 12, 1923 in San Dimas, Durango, Mexico. He married Maria Luz Bernal on January 8, 1956 in Nogales, Sonora, MX. He retired in 1986 from Central Union High School District after 25 years of service, then worked at Imperial Valley College temporarily as Head of maintenance and grounds. After his experience in the Cursillo de Cristienidad at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish he became actively involved in the Cursillo retreats by presenting, singing and mentoring participants. He also led and directed the choir and various youth groups within the church. For many years he offered the mananitas in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations.
He was preceded in death by son, Peter Bernal; wife, Maria Luz Bernal; brother, Miguel Bernal; father, Ernesto Bernal and mother Guadalupe Coronel Bernal.
He is survived by his children: Joseph Ernesto, Lupe, George, and Lucy; sons and daughters-in-law, June, Rachel, Jimmy, Cynthia and Melesio; grandchildren, Joseph, Kathleen, Carissa, Christopher, Andrew, Abraham, Vanessa, George III, Giana, Karla, Melesio, Ezequiel, and Diego; great-grandchildren, Bayne, Braden, Sophia, Jorden, Aria, Madison, Anthony, and Jonah and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 6 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro, CA. Mass will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 8 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro, CA. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro, CA.
ROBERT PACREM Oct. 28, 1956 - July 11, 2019
Robert Pacrem passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019 at home with his loving family around him. Robert was born in Chula Vista, CA on October 28, 1956 to Benito and Grace Pacrem. At a young age the family moved to El Centro, CA where Robert attended school where he graduated from Central High School in 1974 and later attending Imperial Valley College for a Law Enforcement Degree.
From 1976-1980 Robert started his career in Law Enforcement by joining the Imperial County Sheriff reserves. In 1980, Robert attended the San Diego Police Academy and upon graduating started his career with Westmorland Police Dept. Later in 1981 he was hired by Holtville Police Dept. where he worked for five years, then in 1987 he was hired by El Centro Police Dept. In 1989, he was selected as El Centro Police Dept. officer of the year. At El Centro he worked in the patrol division until 1995 when he was promoted to the Investigation Division. In 1996, he was one of the first officers to receive he certificate for Homicide/Death investigation from the California Dept. of Justice training center. While in Investigation, Robert was trained in many areas of responsibility. In 1990, while working for EL Centro P.D. he help train officers from the Mexicali Police Dept. in “Traffic Stop Procedures”. This was done at the request of the Mayor of Mexicali and the Governor of Baja California. They credit this training in aiding their officers in arresting 6 armed robbery suspects who were responsible for 16 armed robberies, one of which involved 4 State Judicial Agents being shot, one of which had died. He worked in investigations until his retirement from El Centro Police Dept. in 2002. After a few odd jobs, one of which was being a Casino Slot repairman. In 2005, Robert went back into Law Enforcement in a way, by being hired as an investigator for the Imperial County Public Defender’s office, where he worked until his death.
In 2009 Robert met the love of his life Sue Ellen. They were married June 15, 2013. In marrying Sue, Robert took on an already made family of Sue Ellen and “The Boys” as he would call them. Robert immediately fell in love with “The Boys” as he called them. Robert took to raising them as if they were his own flesh and blood. The boys took to Robert just the same, as they found a loving and devoted father to look up to.
Robert was preceded in death by parents, Benito and Grace Pacrem.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Ellen Pacrem; sons, Jose Miguel Ortiz (Julie), Angel Bladimir and Adrian Antonio Pacrem; siblings, Benito Pacrem (Velma) of Indio, CA, Patricia Pacrem Barraza (Guillermo), Veronica Barraza of El Centro, Gabriel Pacrem (Evangelina), Jennifer Pacrem and Alysa Pacrem also of El Centro, David Pacrem (Joann), Mary Hellen Pacrem (Jasmine Amanda) (Jaclynn Aurelia), and Francisco Pacrem (Todd).
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Frye Chapel and Mortuary, located at 799 Brawley Avenue, Brawley CA.
SANTIAGA RUIZ SANCHEZ Dec. 30, 1923 - July 21, 2019
Santiaga Sanchez, 95, of Brawley passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
She was born on December 30, 1923 in San Gabriel, CA.
Santiaga is survived by her son, Eddie Sanchez of Brawley.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m. with Rosary being said at 7 p.m. at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley. Mass will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Brawley. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.
GLENDA FAY MARTIN May 19,1926 - July 19, 2019
Glenda Martin, 93, of Imperial passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019.
She was born on May 19, 1926 in Benjamin, Texas and later married Rex Martin on October 17, 1942 In Rule, Texas.
She is survived by her sons, Jim Martin and Mike Martin; daughters, Pat Cooke and Pam Bonillas; 12 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great- great- grandchildren; sisters, Sally McCarty and Nancy Smith.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Imperial 1st Southern Baptist Church in Imperial and will be officiated by Pastor Matthew Mincher. Burial will be private.