Local Obituaries

Virginia Barta was PTA president WHITTIER – Virginia M. Hollenbach Lanham Barta, 89, passed away March 21.

She was born June 16, 1925 in the family home which was built by her father in 1924 in El Serino, Los Angeles. The second of five children of George C. and Gertrude (Brown) Hollenbach, she is pre-deceased by brothers Roy, Maurice and sister Betty Pavone Lozano. She is survived by brother George E. Hollenbach.

Virginia attended Woodrow Wilson High School, and was married to Robert R. Lanham for 35 years. She was active in PTA and was PTA president at Franklin Elementary, Dexter Middle School and Whittier High School. She also worked at the PTA Thrift Shop and volunteered at the PTA Costume Shop in Uptown Whittier.

An avid cross-stitcher, she won many ribbons at county and state fairs. She also square danced with the Major Keys Square Dance group in Whittier where she met Emil “Aim” Barta, who became her second husband.

She and Aim relocated to Fort Mohave, Ariz. in 1994 where she remained even after Aim’s death in 1997. She moved back to Whittier to be closer to family at the Posada Assisted Living Community in August 2013 and then to the Walnut Villa board and care facility recently until her passing.

Virginia was preceded in death by her son, Dennis, and is survived by her daughter Janice Lanham Zolnekoff, son John Gulliford (Pat), daughter-in-law Jo Lanham, grandchildren David Zolnekoff (Laura), Amy Zolnekoff, Alexa Gulliford Scroggins (Chris), great grandchildren Gavin Zolnekoff, Lachlan Scroggins; step children Catherine Barta Macy (Del) of Wyoming, Mary Barta Budjos (Gary) of Arizona, Vincent McCann (Kathleen) of Colorado, and numerous nieces, nephews, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.

Virginia’s memorial service was held March 27 at the Hillside Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park. Internment immediately followed at Emerald Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the scholarship fund at the Whittier Pico Rivera Council PTA, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier CA 90605.

Noel Olson was WWII veteran

PICO RIVERA – Noel Ivar Olson, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1923, died recently in Sonoma, Calif.

He grew up in Pico Rivera, California, and graduated from Whittier High School.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he married Joan Benson in 1946. He attended University of Washington and graduated with a BS degree in foresty but returned to live and work in Northern California for most of his life.

After retiring, he and his wife moved to Pensacola, Florida, to pursue his dream of owning his own sailboat. They later returned to northern California for their senior years.

He is survived by his four children: Barbara Bonk, Eric Olson, Nancy Olson and David Olson.

Emil Eggli, WWII vet and missionary

NORWALK – Former Norwalk resident Emil Eggli, born Oct. 22, 1924 in Tremonton, UT to Fred and Carrie Eggli, died March 7.

He grew up with six siblings on a farm in Utah. In his youth, he participated in 4-H and won state championships for his sheep.

After serving in WWII in Italy, he returned to North Carolina to wait for his discharge from the Army.

Emil earned a B.A. in English at Pepperdine University. To prepare to serve as a missionary, he took classes in missionary medicine at Biola.

Emil and Agnes were married on Dec. 23, 1951. Six months after they were married, they became missionaries in Portugal and Angola for a short time. Upon their return to the U.S., they raised their family in Norwalk. In 1969, they moved to Santa Barbara. They were married for 59 years.

Emil worked over the years as a social worker, a realtor, a handyman, and a general contractor. He taught children’s church and Sunday School, visited the ill, taught Awana, was a deacon, an elder, and performed Bible skits.

Emil and Agnes entertained and supported many missionaries. A cook and baker, Emil won multiple blue ribbons for his food entries at the Santa Barbara county fair.

Emil was preceded in death by his wife Agnes. He is survived by his three children, David and wife Linda, Paul and wife Norma, and Karen and husband Richard; seven grandchildren, Rachel, Ben, Peter, Michael, Joshua, Ruth and Hannah; and one brother Floyd.

A viewing was held March 12 at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary in Santa Barbara. A Celebration of Life was held March 15 at Community Covenant Church in Santa Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators.

David Cox, WWII and Korean War vet

LA MIRADA – David Franklin Cox, Jr., 89, died March 25 with his wife of 62 years, Carolyn, and his family by his side.

Dave was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Los Angeles to David and Mildred Cox. He had one sister, Marilyn.

Dave grew up in Eagle Rock and Hollywood, and attended the University of Southern California where he earned a business degree. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and served on the USS Ross in World War II and the Korean War.

During his time in the Navy, Dave met his future wife, Carolyn Clark, and they were married on March 24, 1953, in Des Moines, Iowa. After his discharge from active duty in 1954, he and Carolyn moved to La Mirada, where they raised their two children, David and Dori.

Dave worked as a senior auditor for Union Oil Company for 34 years. He remained in the Active Naval Reserve, completing 30 years of service in 1973, when he retired as Lieutenant Commander.

Services were held April 8 at England Family Mortuary in Temecula.

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Published: April 16, 2015 - Volume 14 - Issue 01