Deaths in the Family

Phyllis Muriel (Chamberlain) Geisler passed away on September 11. She was born in Pasadena on February 28, 1924, to Bernard and Irma Chamberlain. Phyllis attended Pasadena public schools and Lake Avenue Church. She graduated from Wheaton College in 1946 with a BA in Christian Education. Following intensive language studies at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman, Oklahoma and a year-long program at New York Biblical Seminary, Phyllis embarked on her 40-year career as a missionary to Japan. Career may be the wrong word, for this was her calling and her life’s work. Phyllis rejoiced in bringing the word of God to Japan and she left her mark by building and growing the MatsubaraKo Bible Camp and then nurturing new missionaries in their journey at the Karuizawa Language School where she was director for 10 years.

Following her retirement in 1990, Phyllis returned to the United States. In 1991, she married Armin Geisler, the brother of her lifelong friend Rosie (Geisler) Ockels. Phyllis and Armin settled at Covenant Village in Turlock. Though Armin only lived 4 1/2 years more, the strength, joy, and love of that union stayed with Phyllis all the rest of her life. Phyllis resided at Covenant Village until July 2022, when she moved to a care home in Walnut Creek. Apart from the nearly 40 years Phyllis spent in Japan, Covenant Village is where she lived most of her adult years. 
 
Phyllis Geisler loved the Lord with all her heart, and with all her soul, and with all her strength. 
This love of God manifested itself in the way Phyllis lived her life. She was prayerful. Phyllis was intentional about everything she did. She was serious in purpose yet lighthearted in touch. She was brave. Phyllis was warm and generous and brought hope and healing with her prayers, smiles and laughter. She cared and she showed it. Phyllis had a grateful spirit. She was often heard to say, “God is so good.” It was her conviction and her comfort. 
 
Phyllis was deeply loved by her parents. Irma and Bernard were proud to have a child on the mission field, even though it meant that they had to do without her here at home. The two of them made audio tape recordings on a reel-to-reel recorder and sent them to Phyllis so she could hear their voices, and Phyllis sent taped messages home. This helped them through the years of being apart. 

Phyllis was dearly loved by her older sister Virginia and her younger brother Richard (Dick), both of whom raised families in the Pasadena area, providing Phyllis with 11 nieces and nephews. These nieces and nephews revered “Aunt Phyl” for her missionary work. Many were pen pals with her and all enjoyed her attention when she was home on furlough. Through her marriage to Armin, Phyllis joined the extended Geisler family, becoming Aunt Phyllis, Grandmother and Great-Grandma to a whole new cast of characters. At 99-1/2 years of age, Phyllis outlived her parents, siblings, and many, many close friends. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Carol Chamberlain and Carolyn Snyder, and multiple generations of family and friends. 
 
Phyllis was a people-person. She maintained correspondence with a network of friends. She sent cards of encouragement. She remembered birthdays. She stayed in touch. Phyllis was an easy house guest, always taking interest in whatever was going on. Phyllis was a joiner. Over the years at Covenant Village, she enjoyed group activities from painting, Japanese paper crafts, and cardmaking to jigsaw puzzles, Scrabble and Qwirkle.

Phyllis was a natural teacher and always up for a challenge. Most of her career in Japan involved teaching, even when there were no buildings to teach in. In retirement, when computers came to the Village, Phyllis helped others make the adjustment to the digital age, teaching computer classes and volunteering her time at the computer center. For over a decade, Phyllis mentored dozens of children in Awana at her church in Turlock, sharing her faithful spirit and nurturing theirs.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Village, 2125 N.Olive, Turlock, CA at 2:30pm on October 7.

Daniel Peter Juhasz (87) passed away on August 24, 2023. He is survived by his wife Judi; daughter Lisa and husband Mark; son Brad and wife Tanya; grandchildren Blake and Eamon; and a sister Irene. Dan was a long time member of Lake Avenue Church and a member of the Disciples Class.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 2pm in the Lake Avenue Church Skyroom. Les Stocker will officiate. A reception hosted by the family will follow. All who knew Dan and would like to support the family are welcome.

Betty L. Smith, aged 70, passed away August 22nd, 2023, in Glendora.

She is survived by a large and loving family: daughters Cristine Finney and Jennifer Kamal and their husbands, Aaron Finney and Mark Kamal, and grandchildren Clayton, Andrew, Sydney, Elin, Bowen, and Evelyn, as well as sister Margaret Yost and family.

She was involved in the Coffee Connection ministry at Lake Avenue Church for many years, as well as serving as a volunteer for Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Huntington Collection, and Pasadena Special Hockey. Along with her deep faith, her relationships with family and friends were one of the true joys in her life, and we find solace in the enduring bonds and lasting impact she had on those of us fortunate enough have had her in our lives.

A Celebration of Life service, led by Associate Pastor Bill Mead, will be held at Lake Avenue Church on September 16th at 10:00am, followed by a reception hosted by the family. All who would like to attend are welcomed, please RSVP here:  http://evite.me/fSVhFSH8T5

Julianne "Juli" Sachiko Yoshimura, aged 25, passed away on August 10, 2023. She is survived by her parents Dan & Eileen Yoshimura; sister Jennifer (Andrew) Hyles; niece Kirk Hyles; sweetheart Joey Cavazos; dogs Chess & June; and many other relatives and friends. Juli was a member of the small group "Circle 3".

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel at Lake Avenue Church on Saturday, September 9 at 10am. Roger Bosch officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make a donation in Juli's name to the general fund of Lake Avenue Church. Go to the  https://www.lakeave.org/about/giving to make a donation

Maripaz Nacu (87) passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2023. She is survived by sons Emil, Jessie, Joseph and daughter Liza, as well as grandchildren Roanne, Brian, Jenny, Abraham and Timothy. Maripaz has attended Lake Avenue Church since 2004. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Lake Avenue Chapel on Saturday, August 26 at 10:30am.

Eunice Richter, aged 95, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Her Celebration of Life will be held at the LAC Chapel at 10:30am on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Pastor Mathew John and Pastor Roger Bosch officiating.

Eunice is survived by son Gary Richter and wife Debbie, granddaughter Danielle & husband Mike, great grandchildren Aaron & Ivan, granddaughter Candi & husband Lorne, grandson Brady, grandson Tanner & wife Abby; daughter Ruth Lagace & husband Robert, grandson Brent, granddaughter Stephanie & husband Daniel, great grandchildren Peyton, Noah & Collins, grandson Taylor & wife Madison.

Eunice was long time member of Lake Avenue Church, LAC missionary, Member of Voyagers & Mariners Sunday School Class, and Morning Break Women’s Bible Study Teacher for 15 years.

Rollin E. Mann (90) passed away at home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on May 24, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 8 at 11am in the LAC Chapel. The Celebration of Life will be live streamed on youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l7gPvqgdek

Rollin is survived by his wife of 66 years Marian, son David, daughter Cindy and four grandchildren. Rollin was a member of Kings Couriers Adult Class, sang in the Choir and played trombone in the Orchestra.

Rollin attended Penn State University and Cal State – LA, and received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer in computer design for many years before retiring. Rollin was a US Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Rollin served his Lord Jesus faithfully in the churches he attended, singing loudly and joyfully. He also served many years in Bible Study Fellowship International not just teaching but living his faith with laughter and sincerity. He will be missed by so many.

Rev. Dr. Peter Angier passed away on April 9, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel on May 13 at 2:30pm

Peter Angier, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Los Angeles, California, to Edwin and Josephine Angier. He graduated in 1954 from Pierce College, where his father served as the founding President. He later earned a B.S. in Animal Science from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1957. Peter's decision to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior would radically change the direction of his life as he felt led to pursue a career in Christian ministry.

Following six years of discipleship training with The Navigators, a non-profit Christian organization in Colorado, he was commissioned to serve in Beirut, Lebanon in 1963 where he taught and discipled high school and college students. While living in Lebanon, Peter met and married his wife, Ida, a Canadian, with whom he would have two sons, Gregg and Jeff. Together, they served for thirteen years in Lebanon and Jordan.

After living through 6 months of the Lebanese civil war, they returned to the United States in late 1975, where Peter ministered for eight years as Pastor of Missions and Evangelism at The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, two years as Executive Director of Gospel Literature International (GLINT), and eight years as Pastor of Evangelism at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.

In 1995, Peter was asked to rejoin The Navigators to mentor Business and Professional Men throughout the Los Angeles area. He is the author of various pieces of Christian literature, most notably the three books, Foundations for Life Long Significance, Current Truths from an Ancient Manuscript, and the award winning, Rough Waters, Polished Stones.

Helen Khanchalian (92) went to be with Jesus on April 7th on Good Friday at USC Arcadia Hospital. Helen is survived by her husband Frank Khanchalian of 70 years, children, Michael Khanchalian and spouse Janene, Carrie Gazanian and spouse Gil, and Linda Wiltsey and spouse Bob. Helen was an amazing Grandma to Greg, Christy, Peter, Robby, Shannon, Tim and David. In the last few years she welcomed 5 great grandchildren into the family.

Helen and Frank have attended Lake Avenue for 65 years! They have been a part of “Kings Couples Class” which is now “Kings Couriers”. She helped with many jobs over the years serving the class. Mostly she served many years as a Sunday School Teacher. She was also a wonderful mentor to all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 20, 11 am at Lake Ave Church in the Skyroom.