* Yvonne E. McElhatten; Self-Employed Landscaper

Yvonne Edith McElhatten, a self-employed landscaper and longtime county resident, has died. She was 71.

In addition to running her landscaping business, McElhatten was a cook for several school districts and for the Crippled Children’s Society’s summer camps.

McElhatten had a passion for flowers and gardening. In her retirement years, she landscaped and tended the gardens of many of her friends in the Conejo Valley.

She was born Aug. 13, 1924, in San Mateo, but had lived for 36 years in Ventura County, most recently in Thousand Oaks.

In her youth, she served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged an aviation machinist mate, 3rd class, on Dec. 15, 1945.

She is survived by three daughters, Sherry J. Molinari of Newbury Park, Carol Marie Baxter of Thousand Oaks, and Maureen L. Churlk of Camarillo; a son, James W. Arnold of Morton, Ill.; a sister, Dolly Christian of Newport Beach; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. McElhatten.

A memorial service will be held at Christian Church of Thousand Oaks on Monday at 7 p.m. with Pastor Scott Wilson officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Guardian Memorial Funeral Directors & Crematory in Oxnard.