NEWS 11-5-07: Obituary of former CSH employee Michelle Roulston Michele Roulston The world has lost a wonderful, creative and compassionate soul as Michele Roulston passed away Oct. 18, 2007, in Porterville, Calif. In addition to a career in nursing and education, Michele devoted her life to showing her children, grandchildren and others fortunate enough to have known her, how to enjoy life, appreciate the world and smile. Michele is survived by her life partner Rosemary Paz; children, Norman Roulston III and Anne Twig of Buellton, Karl and Suzanne Roulston of Woodstock, Va., Ingrid Roulston of Porterville, Eric and Michelle Roulston of Camarillo; and former husband Norman Roulston Jr. of Lompoc. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Katherine, Sadie, Adele and Graham Roulston of Woodstock, Va., Rhiannon Roulston and Lorelei Shirbish of Porterville and Dylan and Enzo Roulston of Camarillo. Michele will continue to provide education after her passing as she has donated her body to BodyWorlds to allow the opportunity for individuals to better understand the human body and its functions. Michele's family will continue to carry her with them in their hearts. Arrangements are under the direction of Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral and Cremation Service, Porterville, Calif. Published in the Ventura County Star from 11/1/2007 - 11/4/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities 10-14-07: Obituary for former CSH Executive Director Frank Turley - Frank Turley died on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, at his home in Roseville, Calif., with his family by his side. He was 67 years of age. Frank was born on July 9, 1940, in South Charleston, W.Va., to Cody and Silba Turley. After graduating from high school, he was offered several college basketball and scholastic scholarships. Earning a master's in behavioral science from Kent State, he continued on to complete a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a doctorate in management. In his 34-year state career, he held various positions with the California Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services. During his tenure, he served as the executive director for Napa and Camarillo state hospitals. His charismatic leadership helped achieve a record of excellence in care. Frank was known for his devotion and compassion for those he served. Forsaking himself, he placed the needs of others first. He lived his life with unquestionable integrity, virtue and character. Attending the Oroville Evangelical Church, his lifelong belief in God guided his principles and interaction with others. His kindness was more than a philosophy in his life; it was his guiding spirit. Although his spirit has been called for a higher purpose, his wisdom and encouragement will forever linger in the hearts of those he touched. In addition to his wife, Carolyn, and his son, Jeff, he is survived by his sister, Carolyn Clark, of Vienna, Va., and his brother, Richard Turley, of Louisville, Ky. A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Radisson Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA 95815
10-14-07: Below is obituary for long time CSH employee Ron Lopez.
Ronald Lynn "Grandpa" Lopez
1941 - 2007
Ronald "Grandpa" Lopez passed away with his family by his side, on Oct. 8, 2007, at St. John's Regional Medical Center. He was born on Oct. 19, 1941, in Oxnard. He was a lifelong resident of Ventura County. Ron recently retired in December 2006 from a 46-year career working as a registered nurse for the State of California. He worked 36 years at Camarillo State Hospital until it closed. He transferred to Norwalk and completed his nursing at Metropolitan State Hospital. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his children and granddaughters. Some of the things he enjoyed were taking motorhome camping trips and watching his granddaughters at their sporting games. He loved taking pictures at all the events for his family. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph M. Lopez, in 1981, and mother, Rose M. (Burdullis) Lopez, in 2000. Ron is dearly loved by family and friends. He will continue to live, love and laugh in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Published in the Ventura County Star on 10/13/2007.

Below is the obituary for Elliot Brener. Elliot was a Clinical Psychologist at CSH. He will be remembered well by those who knew him for his great sense of humor and his care and dedication to his family, friends, and patients. Elliot and his wife Barbara would have been married 20 years on Sept 13, 2007

Elliot Maynard Brener, PhD April 6, 1943 to September 2, 2007 Elliot passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 2, 2007 after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Brener. He is survived by his mother, Golda; wife Barbara; his beloved children, Steven and Susan; brother, David (Amy); nieces, Michelle and Ilana, and many relatives and friends. Elliot loved and lived life to the fullest He was born in Chicago, IL, attended Harvard University and Boston University where he received his PhD in Psychology. He always hated cold weather, so he migrated to sunny California, and dedicated his life to treating adults with severe mental illnesses. He was an avid photographer, diver, hiker, reader, traveler, and lover of classical music and dixieland. The biggest joy in his life however, were his children, Steven and Susan. He was a great dad, and the loss of his presence in their lives is devastating. He retired in 2003, and it had always been his wish to move to Tucson. He loved the desert and the mountains, so this will be his final resting place. He was a unique person who touched many lives, and he will be missed greatly. A graveside service will be held at All Faiths Memorial Park, 2151 Avenida Los Reyes, Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice in Elliot's name. Arrangements are being made by Bring's Broadway Chapel, 6910 E. Broadway. Link to tuscon.com guestbook for Elliot: http://www.legacy.com/Tucson/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=94002936

8-30-07: Obituary below provided by Susan Gransee Steven Gregory
1961 - 2007
Steven Gregory lost his courageous battle with esophageal cancer after two-and-a-half years on Aug. 26, 2007, with his family, friends and firefighter brothers by his side. Steven was fortunate enough to find his niche in life as a firefighter for the last 15 years and performed that job with honor. Prior to this he was a psychiatric technician at Camarillo State Hospital for 19 years. Steven had a keen sense of humor, contagious laugh, a huge heart and was well known in the softball community for his swiftness of foot and love of the game. He was also an excellent cook, an avid reader and remembered every joke that he was ever told. Steven had an enormous sense of family both for the family that he was born into and the family that he discovered when he became a firefighter that carried him through to the end. Steven was born on June 15, 1961, in Porterville, Calif., and moved to Ventura County in 1962. He is survived by his daughters, Ande and Stevie Rae, and their mother, Robin; parents, Thelma and Albert Gregory; sisters, Barbara Price and Tresa Gregory; nieces, Treva (husband David) Pettingill and Kristi Price; nephew, Zachary Ziese; great-nephews, Benjamin and Andrew Pettingill; great-niece, Jordyn Price; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his loyal dog, Alize, who never left his side. A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnly St., Camarillo. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, P.O. Box 7327, Ventura, CA 93006, or to the Relay For Life Camarillo for Steven Gregory. Assisting the family with arrangements is Conejo Mountain Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Rd., Camarillo, CA 93012; phone 805-482-1959.

Neva Nickerson, PT, Unit Supervisor on the MD side died June 3rd in Portervillle. Her service is at 2:00 today June 8th at the new Mortuary, Chapel of the Hills at the cemetery in Camarillo. I don't know the circumstances, just read it in the paper last night....... take care Susan OBITUARY Neva Nickerson, resident of Sierra Hills in Porterville, died on June 3rd. She was born in Bakersfield, California in 1941 to Everett (Ray) and Hazel Laughlin. She was the oldest sibling to five children who prepared her to be a “Mother Hen” to many throughout her lifetime.
Her family moved to Ventura County when she was in high school.
She was loving sister to Norma and Mary, both preceded her in death; and brothers, Robert and Walter, who are alive and well in Oklahoma.
She was married to William Nickerson for 33 years who had children of his own. Although they did not have children together, Neva spent her whole life adopting children and adults, including nephews and nieces, who needed her. Through one of William’s children, she was blessed to have a beloved granddaughter, Leanna,who was her pride and joy until her death.
Above all, her love for Christ meant everything to her followed by her love for her family and many, many friends. She was a strong personality who advocated for the poor and had compassion for people in need. She knew that the most important thing in life was to do God’s will and love others.
She was truly a person who would give you the shirt off her back. She loved to sing gospel music and blessed many through the gift of her voice. She loved the Gaither’s vocal band, CDs and tapes.
Neva worked the bulk of her life, 33 years, caring for the mentally and developmentally disabled as a Psychiatric Technician and Supervisor at Camarillo State Hospital.
After retirement, the loss of her husband and declining health, she moved to Porterville; nearly 6 years ago, to be close to her nephew, David Walker and his family.
She chose to became Grandma to David’s children, Matthew and Melissa in place of her sister Norma who had passed away before the kids were born.
She spent the last years of her life loving David and his family and reaching out to others at her Sierra Hills residence in song and card ministry; she took care of birthday, anniversary, get well and sympathy cards for the facility.
Lastly, she led her own group on Fridays called “The Circle of Friends”.
She will be missed by all of her family and her huge circle of friends.
Memorial service and burial will be Friday, June 8, 2007 in Camarillo at Conejo Memorial Park.
Under the direction of Whitehurst Loyd Funeral Service.

Virgie Yates 1929-2007

Virgie L. Yates passed away early Sunday, May 20, 2007, with his family at his side after an 11-year battle with cancer.

Virgie was born May 9, 1929, in Keytesville, Mo., where he went to school in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1947, at the age of 18, Virgie came to California, where he met his wife of 57 years, Kay. For 45 years, he worked at Camarillo State Hospital, where he became director of vocational services. He also worked in the evening for Oxnard Ambulance for 15 years. Virgie and Kay enjoyed playing Santa and Mrs. Claus for the children of Oxnard School District for many years. He enjoyed getting involved with the community such as volunteering for the Strawberry Festival and being president of his neighborhood council. He was also involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts while his sons grew up. Virgie was a family man. He loved his family. They were very important to him.

He is survived by his wife, Kay of Oxnard; sons, Butch and Jeff (wife Sharon) of Oxnard; daughter, Pam Chezum (husband Tim) of Somis; sister, Elwanda Huddle of Keytesville, Mo.; granddaughters, Janel Buchanan of Georgia, Julie Jackson of Fresno and Lisa Yates of Tennessee; grandsons, John Bradford (wife Christina of Oxnard, Timmy Chezum of Somis; great-grandchildren, Destany Jackson, Lucas and Makela Bradford; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Goldie Yates; father- and mother-in-law, Orville and Mayme Hurt; and grandson Rusty Yates Chezum.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Thursday, May 24, at James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary,