Mavash Atoufi - ... March 1956 (??) -- September 28, 2014
I don't know if there will be an obituary published for Mavash, but her death is a significant loss for me, just as Charles B. Steele's and Dorthy Marshall's deaths were in earlier years. They were, all three, those kind of rare friends you can count on one hand in the course of your lifetime, friendships that surpass any description. All three were vital to my well being and my journey. I still miss Chuck, although I am no longer tempted to turn off at the exit to his home when I drive that stretch of the highway, and he died 17 years ago. Dot has been gone longer than that, and I still remember our conversations as though they were just a few days ago. I will miss Mavash, I'm sure, to the end of my days. She and I both knew that. We became part of each other in some way.
We wept together and we laughed together. We fought and we loved. We agreed and we disagreed. We were on opposite ends of the tug rope, and we were on the same end. When we were opposed, she always won, but we knew it was by mutual agreement. We were both strong-willed people. We changed each other, but we remained independent of each other and true to our own selves. In the end, it was nothing but devotion and respect on both sides.
I grew up as a Christian, and remain so. Jesus runs through my veins and is in the fabric of my bones. Mavash grew up as a Muslim, and I believe she remained so in her heart. But we both knew we loved God and that God brought us together. Our beliefs were in the spiritual realm rather than in the doctrinal realm. We talked about it a lot. We each thanked God, in our own way, for our unexpected friendship.
Mavash was about 58 years old when she died, far too soon. She learned she had cancer in the fall of 2007 or 2008. I remembered it as 2007, but it was September 2008 when I quit writing my Sometimes Daily Blog. My heart was just sucked out of me with the news. Her symptoms began with some discomfort in her arm, and it was difficult to diagnose. Her doctors said, when she received the diagnosis, the cancer was already at a stage 4. She was kind to allow me in her life during that time, and she freely talked about it with me. I was so grateful. She was a very independent woman, and I know I was privileged to be in her circle of trusted people.
She fought the cancer bravely throughout. She was surrounded by her loving family during the entire time. They each loved her so wisely and allowed her to remain her independent self, giving her the fullness of life that she strove to have, even though I know their instincts were to smother her in their care and make the cancer go away. I know many times that must have been an almost impossible task for them. Their strength was beyond what anyone could expect of themselves.
"I already miss you," she once said to me. And I surely already miss her and will always miss her. There are few people in our lives that impact us in that way. She leaves a hole in my heart while at the same time she fills it. I am richer for having known her. I pray for her family as they travel this demanding road of grief. My sorrow is great, but it can't compare to theirs. I pray for them, and I send all the love I can muster to surround them. They are precious people.
Mavash was a loving and kind person to everyone around her. Wherever she went, she left trails of love and caring, a sense of greater self-worth to those around her.
Karen Sue Hatcher- April 4, 1967 -- April 25, 2011
Karen Sue Hatcher, 44, of Bowling Green, Ky went home to be with Jesus at 8:34 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Medical Center at Bowling Green. She was born in Stuttgart, Germany while her father was serving in the U.S. Army. She was a graduate of Scott County High School in Georgetown, Ky and longtime member of Glendale Baptist Church. She is a daughter of Jerry Leigh Hatcher and Judith Ann Hawkins Hatcher, who survive.
She is survived by her parents: Jerry and Judy Hatcher, Bowling Green, Ky;
1 sister: Dr. Kristina Lynne Knisely and husband, Brian, Elizabethtown, Ky;
1 niece: Katie Knisely, Elizabethtown, Ky;
1 nephew: Caleb Knisely, Elizabethtown, Ky;
2 aunts: Sue Roesner and husband, Lauren, Poway, Ca and Susie Fridley and husband, Lloyd, Scott Depot, W.V.;
1 uncle: Steve Hawkins and wife, Connie, Oklahoma City, Ok;
Numerous cousins and many special friends at Fern Terrace Lodge where she lived.
She was preceded in death by her twin brother: Edward Leigh Hatcher.
Funeral services for Karen Sue Hatcher will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Glendale Baptist Church with Bro. Richard Oldham officiating and burial in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be after 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Glendale Baptist Church. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Glendale Baptist Compassionate Church which faithfully serves the special needs population of Warren County. Donations may be mailed to Glendale Baptist Church, 1000 Roselawn Way, Bowling Green, Ky 42101
(Published by Goad Funeral Home)
Klaus J Barthel -- September 8, 1939 -- January 7, 2004
Klaus J. Barthel, age 64, of Mechanicsburg, died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at his home.
Born in Baden Baden, Germany on September 8, 1939, he was the son of Hans Barthel and the late Gertrud Freutel.
Mr. Barthel came to America from Germany in 1953 and graduated from the University of Illinois, after which he had moved to Florida. While residing in Florida, he had worked for General Dynamics, a contractor for NASA's Mercury project.
After settling in Mechanicsburg, he had been employed as an electrical engineer at the Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, where he was employed for 23 years. He retired in 1997.
He was the widower of the former Diane Petricek, who died in 1997.
In addition to his father, surviving are his two children, Mrs. Jennifer (Aden) Dauchess of Apex, NC and Chris Barthel of San Francisco, CA.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2004 at 1 p.m., from the Neill Funeral Home, Inc., 3401 Market Street, Camp Hill. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
www.neillfh.com www.pennlive.com/obits
Published in the Patriot-News on 1/10/2004.
Helen Grace Shreve Hawkins -- April 19, 1920 -- February 27, 2003
POWAY, Calif. - Helen Grace Shreve Hawkins, 82, of Poway and Bowling Green, Ky., died February 27, 2003, in Poway.
Helen was employed by the Union Carbide Tech Center in South Charleston. She retired in 1976 after working there for approximately 20 years.
She attended Hillvue Heights Church, Bowling Green, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Poway.
A native of Wetzel County, W. Va., Helen was the daughter of the late Ezra and Flossie Lowe Shreve and the widow of Raymond Burns Hawkins. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Carl and Eli Shreve; and sisters Lenora Shreve and Inez Burgess.
Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and Lauren Roesner of Poway, Judy and Jerry Hatcher of Bowling Green; her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Connie Hawkins of Oklahoma City, Okla,; four brothers, Howard Shreve of Orland, Calif., Ezra Shreve, Jr. of Middletown, NY, Donald Shreve of Auburn, Calif., Everett Shreve of Wetzel County; two sisters, Edna Miller of Paden City, W. Va., Edith Young of Glendale, Ariz.; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of her life was held at the First Baptist Church of Poway with burial at Dearborn Memorial Park beside her beloved husband, Raymond.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Tyler City Pentecostal Church of God, Helen Hawkins Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 550, Middlebourne, WV 26149-0550.
(Published in the Charleston, WV, Gazette)
Raymond Burns Hawkins -- October 25, 1913 -- February 13, 1997
Raymond Burns Hawkins, age 83, died on Thursday at the Villa Pomerado in Poway CA.
Raymond, son of George Willard Hawkins and Mary Jane Alley Hawkins, was born in Pine Grove WV on October 25, 1913. He taught in rural Wetzel County schools after his graduation from Glenville State Teachers College. He later went to work at E. I. DuPont's Belle, West Virginia, chemical manufacturing plant, from where he retired after 32 years.
In 1977, he and his wife, Helen, moved to Poway.
During his years in West Virginia, he was a member of the Methodist Church. Upon moving to Poway, he began a loving association with the people at the First Baptist Church, becoming a full member in 1980. He was involved in many ministries, including teaching, visitation, and prayer ministry.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen; daughters Ramona Sue Roesner of Poway and Judith Ann Hatcher of Bowling Green KY; son Stephen Ray Hawkins of Norman OK; seven grandchildren and four great grand-children; two sisters, Dorothy Hawkins of Elkview, WV, and Frances Casdorph of Charleston, WV; nephew Dr. Mark Casdorph and niece Marsha Casdorph, both of Charleston, WV.
Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church in Poway on Saturday, February 15. Rev Bob Rooks, Rev Ron Shepard, and Rev Milton Woodall will be officiating.
(Published in the Charleston WV Gazette)
Lauren Dennis Roesner, Jr -- July 17, 1968 -- July 30, 1997
ROESNER -- Lauren Dennis, Jr., went from the loving arms of his mother and father into the loving arms of his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday morning, July 30, 1997.
Dennis was born in Rockledge FL on July 17, 1968. In 1977, he moved with his family from Florida to Poway, CA.
He attended Poway High and Abraxas schools, worked at Taco Bell for several years and made many friends.
He is survived by his parents Lauren and Sue Roesner of Poway; his grandmother, Helen Hawkins of Poway; his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Todd Kent of Escondido and his nieces and nephew, Stephanie, Amanda and Nathan.
During his last days, he was comforted by the presence of his family, his AFS brother Mathieu Bouwman from the Netherlands, and many friends from his church families at Mt.Olive Lutheran Church and the First Baptist Church in Poway.
He will be missed by the many who loved and knew him and who were enriched by his humor and his strong faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations, in memory of Dennis, be given to Elizabeth Hospice. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Poway on Friday, August 1, 1997, at 1:30 p.m. with graveside services immediately following at Dearborn Cemetery.
Viewing will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, July 31, at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary
(Published in the San Diego Union Tribune)
Charles Bruce Steele -- December 1920 -- July 27, 1997
Charles B. Steele, 76; multitalented engineer, manager, tax consultant
Jack Williams, STAFF WRITER
11-Aug-1997 Monday
His careers were in management and tax consulting, but Charles B. Steele never strayed far from the the engineering skills that he learned at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
You could see it in the educational games he devised for his family. You could see it in his woodworking, his repair of cameras and his tinkering with computers and electronics.
He also applied his construction skills in helping to build a floating hospital, Esperanca, in the 1970s that was designed to aid the underprivileged along the Amazon River in South America.
Mr. Steele, 76, died of bone cancer July 27 at The Cloisters of La Jolla.
A La Jolla resident for 28 years, he was a part-time tax consultant and tax preparer until his death.
Mr. Steele earned bachelor's and master's degrees at MIT after graduating from high school in his native Butte, Mont.
He joined the Army in May 1942 and served in Africa, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska and Italy during World War II, attaining the rank of major.
After the war, Mr. Steele was employed in the corporate office of Standard Oil in San Francisco as a supervisor and compensation analyst. He left the oil company after 22 years to work for the Atomic Energy Commission in Livermore.
Mr. Steele moved in 1969 to La Jolla, where he worked another 12 years part-time as a tax consultant for Jassoy, Graff and Douglas. He was self-employed at the time of his death.
During his career as a tax consultant, he served as director of the San Diego County chapter of the Inland Society of Tax Consultants and edited their newsletter, The Forum.
He was active in La Jolla Presbyterian Church and delivered food to the elderly for Meals on Wheels.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Adri Anne; three daughters, Suzanne Land, of La Jolla, Diane Hinchman, of West Covina, and Joanne Davis, of Noosa Head, Australia; a sister, Pauline Nelson, of Reston, Va.; and seven grandchildren.
Services were Aug. 1. Cremation was planned, with ashes to be scattered in the sea off Point Loma. Donations are suggested to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 80807, Billings, MT 59108.
Copyright Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Diane Barthel -- May 23, 1945 -- July 1997
Floyd Roesner -- August 7, 1908 -- April 21, 1997
Mary Lola Hawkins -- February 1915 -- January 6, 1997
Laura Ida Schmuck Roesner -- April 19, 1910 -- November 11, 1986
Dorothy C Marshall -- August 6, 1914 -- July 1993
