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Jim Cook: 1946-2011

Typesetter, Graphic Designer, Theater Director

He brought an elevated and artistic sensibility to every publication he worked on, from fine cookbooks to student newspapers, literary works to catalogs. Read story.

Berka Smock: 1926-2011

Feline Philanthropist

Berka and her late husband began the Tenth Life Foundation, caring for old and disabled cats. Read story.

Chet Gala: 1933-2011

Balboa Building Superintendent

It was my good fortune to meet Chet Gala almost immediately upon moving to Santa Barbara in 1983 to take a job as reporter with the Santa Barbara News & Review. Read story.

Rachel Oatman Johansen: 1931-2011

Teacher at Starr King Parent-Child Workshop

Rachel Johansen — for 31 years one of the pillars of the Starr King Parent-Child Workshop — was all about giving young minds and souls the freedom to wander, choose, and experiment. Read story.

Richard Rollin Rintoul: 1955-2011

Symphony Conductor, Violinist, Music Professor

Richard’s relationship to rhythms and rests always extended beyond the batons, bows, and body he has now left behind. Read story.

Bess Christensen: 1916-2011

Lompoc Community Activist

Bess was a woman of great strength and integrity who made a positive difference in our community. She was not afraid to get up and tell elected officials they were wrong, but she did it with such civility that often they thanked her and sometimes they changed their former position. Read story.

Michael Henry Shobe: 1954-2011

Acoustic Music Promoter, Botanist

Although Mike Shobe did pass on to some very pearly gates on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, we have not completely lost him. He was a legendary figure in our community, and legends never die. Just ask Johnny Appleseed. Read story.

Annette Goodheart: 1935-2011

Laughter Therapist

Annette Goodheart earned an international reputation as author of the book Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn’t Really Funny. Read story.

Remembering Jovani Tovar

Fundraiser This Weekend to Honor Life of Man Killed in State Street Shooting 10 Years Ago

With 10-year anniversary memorial this weekend, friends of man shot dead on State Street discuss his life. Read story.

David Myrick: 1918-2011

Santa Barbara Historian, Author

David F. Myrick is gone now, but his two monumental books about the transition of sleepy Santa Barbara and Montecito into regions of great estates are lasting legacies. Read story.

Jan Tyler: 1935-2011

Escrow Specialist, Traveler

A single mother who built a great life for herself and her children, Jan called many people in Santa Barbara, from the world of real estate to the docks of the harbor, her dear friends. Fair winds and following seas! Read story.

Len Black 1931 – 2011

Actor, Musician, Humorist

It was my good fortune to meet Len in London in 1975. Read story.

Ronald Stetter: 1947-1968

Brother, Soldier

Ronald Thomas Stetter died during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. Read story.

Nina Borie, 1925-2011

Mother, Volunteer, Dancer

She will be missed on the streets of Santa Barbara, where she was often seen walking on State Street, Cabrillo Boulevard, the Harbor, and Stearn’s Wharf. Read story.

Jungle Payne: 1952-2011

Graphic Artist, Musician, Early Bicycling Activist

Jungle Payne was one of the principal, early proponents of a plan for Santa Barbara to accommodate bicyclists, which eventually resulted in the establishment of the bike lanes on Castillo and Bath streets. Read story.

Independent.com publishes Death Notices, with Service information, at no charge. They appear online and in our Thursday newspaper. Extended Obituaries are also available for a nominal fee.

For more information on this service, please click here to email obits@independent.com or call 805-965-5205, and ask for the Obituary Staff.

Stella M. Sickles

SICKLES, Stella M.; of Santa Barbara; died May 20, 2013 (Born: 10/04/1915); she was 97. Services pending. ... Read

Robert C. Milton

July 10, 1919 – May 16, 2013 Robert Milton passed away peacefully at home on May 16, ... Read

Julian Villarreal, Sr.

VILLARREAL, Julian, Sr.; of Goleta; died May 17, 2013; he was 80. Rosary - 5/22, 7:00 pm ... Read

Anne Powell

Anne Powell passed away at her home in Goleta on 5/12/2013 at the age of 97. She ... Read

Cecilia Even Spencer

SPENCER, Cecilia Even; of Santa Barbara; died May 4, 2013 (Born: 07/30/1920); she was 92. Rosary at ... Read

Della Marie Burke

BURKE, Della Marie; of Santa Barbara; died May 10, 2013; she was 86. Services will be private. ... Read

Evelynne C. (Hawkins) Peterson

PETERSON, Evelynne C. (Hawkins); of Santa Barbara; died May 11, 2013 (Born: 04/28/1916); she was 97. Services ... Read

John Domingo Tapia

Happy Birthday Diox A commemorative Camphor Tree and plaque is dedicated to you in honor of ... Read

Bartolome M. Valadez

VALADEZ, Batolome M.; of Santa Barbara; died May 7, 2013 (Born: 08/24/1926); he was 86. Rosary; May ... Read

Esperanza "Hope" Darbyshire-Mileham

August 16, 1973 - May 26, 2012 It has been one year since you left us. We ... Read

Guadalupe R. Flores

FLORES, Guadalupe R.; of Santa Barbara; died May 3, 2012 (Born: 04/11/1923); she was 90. Rosary; 5/9 ... Read

Tony Andonios Zaharias

ZAHARIAS, Tony Andonios; of Santa Barbara; died May 4, 2013 (Born: 02/23/1934); he was 79. No services ... Read

Viola Abbott

ABBOTT, Viola; of Santa Barbara; died April 29, 2013; she was 87. Mass was held May 3 ... Read

Dylan Corselius-Wilson

May 27, 1986 - July 14, 2008 Happy Birthday Dylan Thank you for staying close, for ... Read

Jane Covington

COVINGTON, Jane; of Santa Barbara; died May 11, 2013 (Born: 01/03/1921); she was 92. Services pending. Arrangements ... Read

Robert "Bob" Hummer

Robert “Bob” Hummer passed away at his home in Green Valley, AZ on April 15th at age ... Read

Paul R. Cavaliere

Paul R. Cavaliere, 78, passed away suddenly on May 16 in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Paul was ... Read

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

Revealing the direct connection between the history of U.S. intervention ... Read More