Beverly Hamilton, Ray V. Hill, Robert M. Powell, George B. Wartenberg

Beverly Marie Hamilton

Beverly Hamilton (Bev Shushnar), 57, a 28-year resident of La Cañada, passed away peacefully on Nov. 11, 2009 with her family at her side.

Bev was born Feb. 16, 1952 in Monroeville, Pa., to Mary and John Hamilton. She was the devoted wife of Gary Shushnar and loving mother of Mark and Steve. Bev is survived by her sons Mark and Steve, her husband Gary, father John, mother-in-law Eda, sister Connie, brothers Jim, Bill and Dan, and nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and many exceptional and loyal friends.

Beverly earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and worked in finance and accounting for ARCO, Pasadena Unified and Occidental College. Although Bev enjoyed the intellectual challenge of working in finance, her greatest enjoyment and fulfillment came as a mother while raising her two sons. Bev was a full-time mother for 12 years. She served on the parent board at St. George’s Preschool, became a Cub Scout Leader for Steve’s cub scout den at St. Bede, was a member of the Flintridge Guild of Children’s Hospital and participated in many other volunteer activities supporting Boy Scout Troop 502 and school functions.

Bev bravely battled cancer for the past seven years. The Shushnar family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the families and friends who have helped them so much over the last few months with meals, prayers and support. The support of friends was a huge help and provided much strength and love to Bev, her sons and her husband.

Rosary services were held at Cabot & Sons on Sunday, Nov. 15. Funeral services were held at Monday, Nov. 16 at St Bede the Venerable. The Mass celebrant was Fr. Tony Marti OFM Cap and co-celebrants were Fr. Matt Elshoff OFM Cap, Fr. Kevin Kester, Fr. Tony Scannell OFM Cap, Fr. Chris Thiel OFM Cap, and Fr. Hung Nguyen OFM Cap.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Francis High School, 200 N. Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, CA 91011

Ray V. Hill

Ray Vorhees Hill, age 92, formally of La Cañada and San Benito, died Friday, Nov. 13 at Shoreline Care Center in Oxnard. He was born March 2, 1918, the son of Bertram and Harriet Hill (Vorhees), on his parent’s Colorado homestead. In 1920 the family moved to San Benito, Texas where Bertram opened a market in the center of town. Ray grew up in the market and learned to be a butcher.

He met Evelyn Weikel at a dance in Corpus Christi. They were married there in 1939.

Ray joined the Army in 1942. He was stationed in Tampa and Iceland, where he was attached to the Air Corp as a mess sergeant.

After the war, Ray and Evelyn moved to Redondo Beach, where their daughter was born. They moved to La Cañada in 1950, living first on Salisbury Court, and then on Wiladonda Drive. They joined La Cañada Presbyterian Church. Ray served as an elder and was active in Cruisers. He was a Mason and served as president of the local chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. He volunteered at Verdugo Hills Hospital for 20 years.

Locally, Ray worked as a butcher at Shopping Bag, O’Leary’s, Trader Joe’s, and LA Unified School District.

Ray’s lifelong hobby was woodworking. He could have been an engineer. He could design and build anything from found materials. He never threw anything away. He will be remembered for his quiet wisdom, calm demeanor, and the ever-present twinkle in his eye.

He is survived by Evelyn Weikel Hill, his wife of 70 years; daughter Terri Leah Hill; and his sister, Alice Katherine Hill of San Benito, Texas.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at La Cañada Presbyterian Church in La Cañada. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the La Cañada Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Fund.

Robert M. Powell

Robert Marcus Powell, born June 10, 1920, passed away on Nov. 16, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred; his sons Bill, Kevin, Bob; his daughter Lenore; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bob was born in Pond, Calif., and was raised in the San Joaquin Valley. He graduated from San Jose State and served in the Aleutian Islands during World War II.

Upon ending the service, he returned to college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to earn a degree in mechanical engineering, the profession in which he worked for the next 45 years.

Bob was devoted to his family, spending many years coaching his sons’ Little League baseball teams in La Cañada and working as a leader in their Boy Scout troops. He also committed much time as a volunteer at St. Francis High School and designed the mechanical engineering plans for the gymnasium building project.

Bob’s family celebrates the memory of his life and will miss his great sense of humor and his guidance.

George B. Wartenberg

Born June 27, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, longtime former resident of La Cañada, George Wartenberg, passed away Oct. 30, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Affectionately called “Uncle” George by many, he often greeted folks with “Give me a hug!”

After graduating from Wilson High in Long Beach in 1940, he worked at McDonald-Douglas, where he met his future wife of 65 years, Claire E. Whitley. They were married in 1942 and he served in the Army Air Corps until 1944.

George entered the field of construction and he and Claire moved to La Cañada in 1953 after building a home on Tondolea Lane. As a superintendent and project manager, he built many homes and projects in the area including the YMCA, Descanso Medical Building and the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Members of La Cañada Presbyterian Church for almost 50 years, he taught Sunday school and served as an elder. The couple served as missionaries in Alexandria, Egypt from 1966-’67 and 1968-’69. George was very involved with the church’s high school ministry and they opened their home to local youth. They were active with Habitat for Humanity for many years.

George loved tennis and baseball and coached Little League and girls softball. In 2001 the couple moved to Phoenix, where he loved being a grandpa and caring for the infants in the church nursery. Claire passed away there on Oct. 13, 2007.

He leaves behind his adult children Sue of San Marcos; Scott (and wife Tricia) of Salem, Ore.; and Dave (and wife Cheryl) of Phoenix. He also leaves five grandchildren: Amy, Laura, David, Andrew and Timothy.

He was a very special gift to this world and will be greatly missed, but he would want others to know that he is in peace at home with his Lord and Savior. There will be a celebration of his life at the La Cañada Presbyterian Church from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, at Demarest Hall.