Born to Wbileado & Maria de Jesus Gonzalez on March 2, 1930 in San Gabriel, California. Elias joined the United States Army in 1948. After basic training he graduated the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Georgia and was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was eventually sent to Germany where he served in the occupational forces of WWII.
He settled in Visalia, CA after 9 years in the military where he worked as a barber and sold real estate. He later returned to Kingsburg and worked as a real estate broker and bartender at his brother Ray s restaurant, The Valley Inn. He became the Manager at the Kingsburg Cemetery where he retired after 20 years.
Ruby Jane Arnst went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 15, 2021, at the age of 94. She was born to Fred and Anna Keiser in Parlier, California on December 2, 1926. Fred and Anna were German immigrants from Russia s Volga region, and arrived in the United States in the early 1900 s.
Ruby was one of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Henry Keiser, Mary Gore, Fred Keiser, Leo Keiser, Ann Pearson, Edward Keiser and Louise Boyd. Also preceding her was her beloved husband of 68 years, Lawrence Arnst, the love of her life.
Ruby grew up on farms in the Parlier area. Even though she was the baby of the family, she learned at an early age to work along with her parents to help support her family. She attended Parlier schools, and graduated from Parlier High School in 1944. The next year, she graduated from cosmetology school and became a beautician. It was while she was attending that school, that she was introduced to Lawrence, by his sister
William Alfred Stewart was born September 19, 1930 to Horace and Flossie Stewart, the youngest of 5 children, in Atwood, Kansas. When he was 7 years old, his family moved to Richmond, California; then later to Manteca where he graduated from High School. After graduation, he joined the California National Guard at Stockton and proudly served his country from 1950-1956.
In 1953 he met the love of his life, Helen Pankratz. They were married in Turlock and built their first home there in 1955. They were blessed with Celebrating 65 years of marriage this past year.
Bill began his produce career in Turlock in 1956, also that year his first son Jim was born. In 1957, he accepted a job at Pacific Fruit & Produce Company. In 1958 he was promoted to Branch Manager and moved to Oxnard. There Sheri was born, and four years later second son John followed. Another promotion in 1965 brought the family to Kingsburg, and he later became Western Division Manager. In 1980 a new company WES PAK was f