In Loving Memory of Wilson Bounthanh Savanh
October 5, 1950 – August 1, 2024
The Savanh Family is sad to announce the passing of Wilson (Bounthanh) Savanh on August 1, 2024. He is loved and missed by his girlfriend, Fong, his daughters, Jacqueline and Kate, and son Tong. He has 4 grandchildren, Jeylin, Emily, Sean, and Ryan. He also has two sons-in-law, Savas and Brian. Wilson’s passion for Laotian and Thai culture, traveling, fashion, and his loving and welcoming nature touched all who knew him.
In Loving Memory of Daniel J. Kash
Daniel “Dan” James Kash passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, after a battle with gastric cancer with metastasis to the brain.
Born in 1965, he was raised in Smithtown and Port Jefferson, New York. Dan was an only child, although he was a devoted half-sibling to Louis Kash Jr., Kathryn Kash Murphy, Gregory Kash, Jeanne Kash Barbet, Robert Walker, Nancy Walker Fish, and Thomas Walker.
Dan was a volunteer fireman, on the high school rifle team, and earned honors as an Eagle Scout. He received an Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While there, Dan also enjoyed skiing and playing rugby. He became a member of the Theta Chi, Epsilon chapter fraternity. Upon graduation, Dan was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. After graduating flight school, he was assigned as a pilot to March Air Force Base, Riverside, CA to fly KC-10 Extender aircraft. During this time, Dan proudly served in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
In 1990 Dan met the love of his life, 2nd Lieutenant Deborah “Debbie” Ann Haley. They both served in the Air Force at March Air Force Base and married in 1991.
Dan left the Air Force as a Captain in 1992 and went into the private sector, pursing a career in his lifelong passion of computers and technology. His career path would lead him to achieve many certifications in various technical fields and would ultimately lead him to become an IT Systems Architect.
Dan and Debbie lived in San Marcos, California, where they enjoyed serving their community through participation in a veteran’s organization, The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), and their church, Meadowlark Community Church. Dan also enjoyed family gatherings and playing online games—World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Secret World—and attending BlizzCon with his friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, Dan will be laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery on April 22, 2024. Please contact the family for details.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Thomas.
Donald Edward Wenger Obituary
Donald “Don” Edward Wenger, age 77, from San Marcos, CA passed away Sunday morning, March 10, 2024. Don was born to Clarence and Dorothy Wenger at Washington, Iowa hospital on October 6th, 1946, and grew up on a 280-acre family farm in rural Wayland, Iowa. He was taught the good work ethic by his parents, working together as family and was surrounded with unconditional love. He gave his life to the Lord at age 14 and walked with Him all of his life.
Don met his lifetime sweetheart, Candace “Candy” Renee Luse, as a teenager and knew at once that she was the one for him. They were married in Iowa City, IA on October 13, 1968 and were excited to start a family. Children born to them are son Shane (Cori) Wenger, Kalona, IA, son Greg (Kimberly) Wenger, San Marcos, CA and daughter, Erica (Scott) Poore, Kearney, MO. Grandchildren are Mitchell Wenger, San Marcos, CA, Chelsea (Farris) Suleiman, Wahiawa, HI, Destonee VanBoening, Maryville, MO, Dylan (Destiny) DeOrnellis, Polo, MO, Donny (Elizabeth) DeOrnellis, Polo MO, Deijah Poore, El Dorado, KS, Delayne Boyd, Dalton and Dakota Poore, Kearney, MO, Danan Wenger, Washington, IA and Kyrra (Titeus) Miller, Washington, IA. Great-grandchildren are Olive and Zayn Suleiman, Levi Wenger, Cole, Jaden and Sarah Miller, Oaklee, Greyson and Evelynn VanBoening, Delilah Poore and Charlotte DeOrnellis.
His beloved chihuahua, Aspen, joined their family November 29, 2017. Don’s loving wife of 55 years, Candy, and his pride and joy, Aspen, will miss him dearly. Along with his loving mother, Dorothy Wenger, Wayland, IA, sisters and brothers-in-law, Carol (Eddie) Miller, Kalona, IA, Jane (Gary) DeYarman, Poway, CA, Darla (Gene) Messer and Susan (Mark) Yutzy, Wayland, IA and many nieces and nephews.
Don worked in the Heating and Air Conditioning business all of his life, starting in Iowa City, IA, then Unionville, MO, working for Putnam Co. School District and building his own business after hours and weekends. When his arthritis was causing him much pain, the family decided to move to a warmer climate, Poway, CA in 1988, where he worked for Action Air Conditioning and building his own side business. Always taking care of his family and people; helping them out. In 1991, he started working for the Poway Unified School District in HVAC and enjoyed his work. He still worked on the side having built quite a business on referrals alone. Never once had to advertise. And my, how hard he worked for many! He was respected by all because of the man he was.
Don was preceded in death by his infant brother, Roger Lee Wenger, his daughter-in-law, Christy Wenger and his father, Clarence Wenger.
Memorials may be given, in lieu of flowers, to your local church or charity in his name.
Service for Don will be at 3 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Magallon Chapel, 1421 N. Sante Fe Avenue, Vista, CA.
Wayne Paul Russ Obituary
Wayne Paul Russ passed away January 19, 2024 following a favorite bicycle ride near his home in Long Beach, CA. He was born January 30, 1942 in Grants Pass. OR., to Lois Loesch Russ and Dr. Robert Russ.
During the first three years of his life, he traveled with his family to various military bases while his dad served his time with the US Army Air Corp during World War II. After the war the family returned to Grants Pass on the Lower River Road.
Wayne attended FT. Vannoy Grade School graduating from the eighth grade in 1956. The family then moved to Ely, NV, where Wayne attended White Pine High School graduating in 1960. The family returned to Oregon. Wayne attended the then Oregon State College, Corvallis. He graduated in 1964.
Following graduation Wayne worked as a flagger on the construction of I-5 in Roseburg. That fall he moved to Southeran California where he was employed with Occidental Life Insurance Company of California as a computer programmer. After several years he accepted a position with Rockwell International Aircraft as a computer programmer. He retired in 1997.
On July 3, 2014 he married Jenny Wilson, his friend of many years.
Wayne lived in California much of his adult life. He enjoyed traveling and riding his bicycle often thirty miles or more a day. Las Vegas was one of his favorite places to bike along with Bull Head City, AR.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny, by his brother Gordon (Lana) Russ, Lacey, WA., his sister, Barbara Russ, Chihuahua, Mexico, and nephew, Justin Russ, nieces Koren Russ and Kristin Russ, all of Portland, OR., and numerous cousins. A celebration of life is being planned in Oregon with family members.
Richard Korts Obituary
Richard Korts was born on Jan 25, 1939 in Joplin, MO. His parents, Ingraban & Eloise Korts lived in Baxter Springs, KS, about 20 miles west of Joplin, His father was a mining engineer. Brother David was born in 1941, sister Elizabeth in 1944.
In 1945 the family began a series of moves that over three years would take them to Olmsteadville, NY, Lakeland, FL and Berkley CA. In October 1948, the Family moved to Denver, Colorado where they lived except for two years until the late 1960’s. In 1952 the family moved to Northern Michigan (Marquette & Negaunne), returning to Denver in 1954. Richard finished Jr. High School & graduated from East High School in Denver in June, 1957. In Sept 1958, Richard began attending the University of Colorado in Boulder where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1962 with a bachelor of science in Applied Math.
Richard worked for two years at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA, returning in 1964 to Colorado where he married Carol Jean Dreher in August, 1964. He received a Masters of Science in Applied Math with a minor in Computer Science from The University. He then took employment at the General Atomic division of General Dynamics in San Diego (known today as General Atomics) (GA), where he worked in the computer sciences department. In 1967, Richard & Carol divorced. Richard continued his employment at GA. In 1974, Richard met Janet Anne Fussleman, and with Janet’s son Joey, they were married on Nov. 6, 1976 in San Diego. Together they had son Steven Richard Korts in 1977 and daughter Karen Marie Korts in 1979.
In 1982, Richard and several business associates left GA to form their own computer consulting company, Base 8. Richard left in 1990 and joined a San Diego based company called Simpact, Assoc, where he became director of IT. In 1993, Richard joined Hunter Industries in San Marcos, CA, where he became manager of Systems & Programming. In 1996, with the rise of the internet on the horizon, Richard left Hunter & formed his own company called RK Associates, still active today. In May of 2016, Richard found Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Escondido. He has become involved in this wonderful, caring & loving community and it has become a big part of his life.
Richard is survived by separated wife Janet, Sons Steven & Joey, Daughter Karen Vasquez and grandchildren Jacob Barbee, Sophia Vasquez, Juliette Vasquez and Nico Vasquez, brother David Korts of Laguna Hills, CA.
Service Information
Saturday December 2, 11am at Chalice Unitarian congregation in Escondido. Lunch to follow.
OBITUARIES
MITCHELL KAGAN BERNER
Obituary
Mitchell Kagan Berner, devoted husband, son, brother and friend, passed away on January 18, 2023 after a tenacious battle with colon cancer. He was 59 years old.
Mitch was born on June 29, 1963, and adopted by Joyce and Edgar Berner of San Diego. Mitch always considered himself fortunate to be part of the Berner family, whose home welcomed all who crossed its threshold. Mitch spent his childhood surrounded by extended family, biking down Montezuma Road, goal tending for both hockey and lacrosse, jet skiing on Mission Bay, and working at the family business.
After graduating from La Jolla Country Day School, Mitch attended the University of Texas, graduating with a degree in Political Science. There he met the love of his life, Kelly Whitmire, whom he married in 1986. Mitch went on to get his Master‘s of Public Administration from USC and pursued a fulfilling career in politics working for San Diego politicians and running his own political consulting business, Public Solutions.
Mitch was known for his fierce stubbornness, quiet strength of purpose and laser-like focus on any task he deemed worthy. Those who really knew Mitch appreciated his devotion to family and friendships; his eclectic interests in sports, travel, music and theater; and his quirky obsessions with Riverdance, Sweet Factory candy, and his cat, Kaspar. He expressed his depth of emotion quietly and unexpectedly with gifts of service, always seeking to make life easier for those he loved. Whether it was planning family reunions, trips with friends, shipping meals to someone going through hardship, or showing up at a hospital bedside to offer comfort and love, Mitch embodied those early lessons of family supporting anyone who crossed his threshold.
In addition to his beloved wife, Kelly, Mitch is survived by his father Edgar Berner (Julie); siblings Jessica Freidman (Geoff), Darryn Lowenstein (Michael), Kevin Berner (Oksana), and Tracy Cohen; grandmother, Mary Binderman; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mitch was predeceased by his mother, Joyce Addleson Miller.
A service will be held for family and close friends on Tuesday, January 24 at 2:00 at Congregation Beth Israel at 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. The service will also be live-streamed on the following link: https://youtu.be/ZdS5cPp3FuQ. In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts in Mitch’s memory to Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center. You can give online at https://giving.scripps.org or by check to Scripps Health Foundation with “Mitchell Berner” in the memo line and mailed to Scripps Health Foundation, PO Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038. Also, donations to Congregation Beth Israel are encouraged.
OBITUARIES
JEFFREY ALAN MEINTS
Obituary
April 14th, 1981 – January 13th, 2023
Jeff had a brilliant mind. He was a talented artist and author. He wrote, illustrated, and published several books. Jeff had a kind, loving, compassionate heart. He was passionate about his landscaping business, education, his students at Sycamore Ridge School, and his fiancé and her daughter.
Jeff is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He was loved by all who knew him. Jeff made a difference in many lives.
