Obituaries for March 15, 2007
Poway history authority Kay Prusinskas dies
Known as a passionate history buff, Kay Prusinskas loved telling kids and adults alike about the bygone days of Poway — from stage coach stops to the first school.
But she especially enjoyed leading the tours through the Nelson House, which was built about 1920, then moved to its current location in Old Poway Park.
Maybe it was the ingrained yet instinctive approach that teachers, even the retired ones, take when sharing knowledge with others, but Prusinskas was “very good” at putting facts and trivia into perspective for the listener, said recreation specialist Karin Pakala with the city of Poway.
“She loved giving tours — and much more,” Pakala said.
Kathryn June Chapo Prusinskas, known as “Kay” to family and friends, was 83 when she died on March 9 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She did not let the illness slow her enough to curtail her numerous volunteer efforts in the community, including her duties with the Poway Historical Society, Pakala said.
When the city held its 25th anniversary more than a year ago, Prusinskas was there, taking a break between presentations when she told of Poway’s early days.
She told the Poway News Chieftain that she “wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
For the last 39 years, she lived in Rancho Bernardo with her husband, Bill.
During that time, she raised 16 children, and also taught at Poway Valley Elementary School for 27 years.
Earning “Teacher of the Year” was important, but not as crucial as preparing students with a quality education before finding their niche in the world, she told the Chieftain.
Prusinskas captured some of the community’s flavor in her book, “The Early Years,” and she also penned pieces about those happenings in various issues of Poway Progress, said editor Lynne Woolsey.
Some of her community work included being involved in various activities at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Poway.
Prusinskas is survived by her husband, Bill Prusinskas; her two brothers, Robert and Richard Herrmann; 16 children; 27 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous friends.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 16 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Road.
Donations in Kay’s memory may be made to the “The Eudist Servants of the 11th Hour” to benefit Mother Antonia in Tijuana. For details, contact: Pat Smith @ 3542 Governor Drive, San Diego 92122 or call 858-453-1130.
Cornerstone Church School founder Alfred Spice dies
Alfred Ernest Spice, a longtime Poway resident, local pastor and one of the founders of the Cornerstone Christian School, died on March 9. He was 89.
Dr. Spice was born Sept. 6, 1917 in Cleveland to the late Ernest and Mae Spice.
He graduated from Mayfield Heights High School in 1935, attended seminary and was ordained, ultimately embarking on a journey as pastor of churches in Ohio, Arizona and California.
Later, he obtained his doctorate in Bible theology in 1987.
He married Marjorie Belle McKinley in 1941. Together, the couple celebrated a true milestone — their 65th wedding anniversary this past June.
The Spices moved to Tucson in 1944, then relocated to Garden Grove, Calif. In 1959, Dr. Spice served as the executive director of the Christian Fellowship of the Blind in that city.
He also helped found Westminster Baptist Church, where he served as pastor prior to becoming the pastor of Grace Trinity Church in Poway. While leading that congregation, he and his wife were instrumental in establishing Cornerstone Christian School on Midland Road.
According to family members, his vision was to effectively educate children in a Christ-like foundation, while building the school’s academic reputation in the community.
On more than one occasion, he served as principal or administrator during his 14 years of devotion to students and families, his family said.
He also served as trustee to Wynola Bible Conference Camp for 33 years. After retiring in 1984, the Spices joined Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, where Dr. Spice taught adult Sunday school classes and served in the Senior Adult Ministries, or SAM, as pastor.
Dr. Spice is survived by three of his siblings: Don and Floyd Spice, along with Thelma Mason, all of Ohio; his daughters, Joyce Stafford of Escondido; Marilyn Spice of Pliny, W.V.; Doreen Hanke of Yakima, Wash.; Gloria Bias of Poway; and sons, James Spice of Hemet; John Spice of Little Rock; foster son, Paul Wallick of Houston; 19 grandchildren; three foster grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and two foster great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, who died in January 2007; three sisters, Margaret, Evelyn and Ethel; and three infant brothers.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 16 at Cornerstone Church, 13617 Midland Road in Poway. Pastors Richard Brown and Jim Byrd will officiate. Internment will follow at Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations may be made to Cornerstone Christian School, P.O. Box 927, Poway, CA 92074.
Eva May Baldwin
Former Poway resident Eva May Baldwin died March 9, 2007 at the age of 94. She was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and lived in Poway for 30 years before moving to Ocotillo, Calif., three years ago.
A homemaker, Mrs. Baldwin was a member of Grace Trinity Church and Ocotillo Bible Church.
Survivors include her sons, Maurice Baldwin of El Cajon, Robert Baldwin of Imperial County and Richard Guthrey of Sun City, Calif; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ernest Baldwin, who died in 1994; her son, Harold Baldwin, who died in 2002; and her daughter, Phyllis Baldwin, who died in 2006.
Burial was at Dearborn Cemetery.
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Eric P. Slatlem
A memorial service will be held today (Thursday) for Eric Paul Slatlem, 40, of Poway, who died March 4, 2007 in an auto accident in Acton, Calif. He was born in Los Angeles and lived in Poway for three years.
Mr. Slatlem was employed by Excaliber Well Service Inc. He played on softball teams and also loved to go dirt-biking.
Survivors include his companion of 12 years, Kim Morey; their daughter, Skylar Rayn Morey; his mother and stepfather, Roxanne L. and Dwaine Howell of Poway; his brother, Christopher I. Stlatlem of Temecula; and his sister, Stacy Ann Slatlem of Poway. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul I. Stlatlem in April 2006.
The memorial service is at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15 at Living Way Church in Poway. Inurnment is at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15 at Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido handled the arrangements.
John M. Petro Jr.
John Michael Petro Jr. of Poway died March 8, 2007 at the age of 46. He was born in Braddock, Pa., and lived in Poway for 22 years.
Mr. Petro was a plumbing foreman for A.O. Reed Co.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Cheryl; his son, Sean Petro of Poway; his brothers, Henry Mlinrich of Colorado and Carl Mlinrich of Florida; and his sisters, Darlene Snyder and Tammy Kelley, both of Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Weber.
Services were held March 14 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Poway.
The family suggests donations to: John Petro, Acct. No. 3022633, San Diego County Credit Union.
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Morris A. Strohl
Morris Allen Strohl, a veteran of World War II, died Feb. 20, 2007 at the age of 87. Born in Long Pine, Neb., he was a resident of Rancho Bernardo. Previously was a Del Cerro resident for 35 years.
A retired insurance office manager, Mr. Strohl was in the Navy during World War II and served aboard the USS Lexington. He was a member of the Minutemen’s Club and the Retired Officer’s Association.
Survivors include his sister-in-law, Rita Lubeshkoff of Lakewood, Ohio; his nieces, Karen Engelkenjohn of St. Louis, Mo., and Nancy Lubeshkoff of Lincoln, Calif.; his nephews, Ted Lubeshkoff of Arcadia, Calif, and Charles Lubeshkoff of Spotsylvania, Va.; three great nephews; and four great nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Jean C. Strohl.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. March 19 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Services are private.
The family suggests donations to Elizabeth Hospice in Escondido.
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handled the arrangements.