Camacho Alvarez (Lecturing Knight), Andy Costello (Organist), Boy Scout Troop 603 members and Harvey Boelts (Exalted Ruler)
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) held its annual memorial service (“Program”) to remember seventeen (17) of its members that passed away during the past year. The departed honored members and the city of their residence were:
Irvine: Roger D. Probst
Lake Forest: Larry Cucinella and Karen Casey
Laguna Woods: Jim “Coach” Amthor, Cyrill Jakubka and Nelly Schiphorst
Mission Viejo: Howard Ames, Kasey C. Koch, Richard McCullough, Paul Nester, William Quinn, Richard Reavis, David Rukstalis, Sr. and Beverly White
Oceanside: Leslie Spreen
San Clemente: John Welther
San Juan Capistrano: Donald L. Ickes
The Memorial Program was attended by Elks Lodge members, friends and family of the departed. Fronting the podium were a poinsettia, flora wreath, seventeen white candles and Elks Lodge Emblems. The Program was opened with the presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troop 603 and a welcoming message from Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Harvey Boelts.
As each deceased Elks Lodge member’s name was announced by Secretary Lorene Tierney, a candle was lit by Chaplain Christine Jones or a family member of the departed while chimes were struck by Inner Guard Matt Williams. Sharon Scott sang Amazing Grace. Throughout the Program, music was provided by Elks Lodge Organist, Andy Costello. The Memorial Service was closed with the playing of Taps by Elk Ray Mallen and the recitation of the Elks Eleven O’clock Toast by Harvey Boelts reflecting an Elk creed: “Elks are Never Forgotten, Never Forsaken.”
Myra Starkey (Daughter of Nelly Schiphorst); Christine Jones (Chaplin)
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty two (42) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 144 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
Photos provided by Elks Member Dennis Lumley
