Obituaries

Carl Warden passed away peacefully at home May 4, 2020 after battling declining health for several years. He had a decorated business career but was also known for his unselfish commitment to helping others. Carl leaves behind his devoted wife Vickie of 40 years, 4 children; Stephanie, Eric, Scott and Wendy, 8 grandchildren and his sister; Jo Lynne Burgh. Carl was born March 7, 1939 in Lake Charles, LA. He attended Lake Charles High School where he won State Championships in AAA football, basketball and track. Carl went on to play football at Tulane University and graduated with a business degree. He moved to California in 1964 to pursue a career as a stockbroker. Once there, he transitioned into corporate finance where he cultivated his technique in financing early stage business ventures. He was known for his creativity and for surrounding himself with smart, talented and hardworking teammates. Carl loved to “huddle in a mud puddle” and the “art of the deal”. Allwaste, Sanifill, US Liquids and Nyfix were just a few of his career milestones. The friendships and experiences forged in those years of his career were never forgotten and often discussed.

Melba Jean Araquistain, longtime resident of Los Altos Hills, passed away on May 11, 2020 in the Touchmark Assisted Living Facility in Meridian, Idaho. She lived there with her husband of 62 years, Paul Araquistain. Melba lived a wonderful life, full of love, exciting travel, and wonderful meals with family and friends. She was born in Paonia, Colorado in 1930 to Clarence and Edna Sandifer and grew up with her siblings, Bob, Shirley, and Charlotte. Melba graduated from Caldwell High School (Idaho) in 1948 and took her first job in public service at the Idaho Public Employment Agency. In 1950, she met Paul Araquistain and that first night of dancing gave way to a love story worthy of Hollywood (full of wooing, intrigue, and happiness). They married on September 14, 1957 and raised three beautiful children: Michelle, Lisa, and Paul II. Melba raised her family in the burgeoning Silicon Valley as her husband helped grow the semiconductor industry. Once the kids were grown, Melba took up work at Y.A.

Rita Claire (Brennan) Keefe died peacefully in her sleep on May 4, 2020 after battling Parkinson’s disease for 17 years. She was widowed from her husband, Richard Keefe, in 2008. She leaves behind a son (Ryan) and his wife (Vernadette) and their four children; and daughter (Erin) and her husband (Phil Musil) and their two children. Born in Chicago in 1942, to Dr. Robert and Mrs. Olive Brennan, she grew up in the small farm town of Philo, Illinois, and had many happy memories growing up there with her four siblings. She was a good student, and very active in school- student council, gymnastics, cheerleading, and she was voted homecoming queen of the Senior class. She reached her dream of becoming a nurse, following in the footsteps of her mother, when she graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria, IL in 1963. After graduation, she and a nursing friend headed out west and settled in California’s Bay Area. She soon found a job at Stanford Hospital. It was at Stanford that she met Dr. Richard Keefe, and their romance began. They were married in spring of 1969, and settled in Los Altos. They loved to travel, whether on a safari in Africa or waiting out a hurricane in Fiji, and loved spending time with family and friends. Rita returned to school to earn her Master’s in Public Health at San Jose State.

July 7, 1954 – May 1, 2020 Resident of Los Gatos Our beloved brother and friend passed away unexpectedly following a surgery, at the age of 65. Carl was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He spent his first four years in Sotterley Heights, Maryland, while his father Albert (“Al”) worked at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River as an aeronautical engineer. In 1958, Al and Carl’s mother Betty joined the great engineering migration to what would become Silicon Valley. The family lived in Los Altos. Carl graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino. Carl swam competitively during high school and had a life-long love of outdoor sports, including mountain biking, golf, and skiing. In later years, he was slowed by some chronic injuries, but he persisted in spite of them. Carl started his work life as a carpenter, and eventually founded his own business as a general contractor. He was still supervising projects up until the time of his passing. Carl had high standards and took much pride in knowing how to do the job right. Friends and family alike have noted that Carl never hesitated to let you know his opinions on such matters. Carl joined the Los Altos Masters swim team in the early nineties.

F.W. Ted Wheeler passed away on April14, 2020 Ted was born on August 24, 1928 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the second son of Reginald H. and Ellen M. (Webb) Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John and his sisters, Carolyn and Mary Ellen Ted is survived by his brother Ron Wheeler (Sandy), his children Jody Wheeler McFarlane (Dave McFarlane), Jon Wheeler, Amy Wheeler (Vernon Wade) and Lynne Wheeler Board (Dwaine Board); and his grandchildren Andrea McFarlane (Josh Yaganeh), Ellen McFarlane Yanisse (Danny Yanisse), Lauren Broussard, Sophie Wheeler, Silas Wheeler, Camille Board Miraldi (Matt Miraldi), Allie Rae Board and Tessa Board. And many nieces and nephews. There will be no service for Ted, but you are encouraged to tell a corny joke, eat a hot dog, walk on the beach or ride a roller coaster in his memory. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to KCSM Jazz Radio or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Ruth Livingston Schiller passed away at the age of 106 on April 21 at Villa Siena in Mountain View. Born on August 17, 1913 and raised in Bloomington, Illinois and then moved to Chicago where she met and married Stanton Schiller. Their two children (Linda and Sally) were born in Chicago. In 1956 she moved to Beverly Hills where she lived for the next 55 years. She operated a woman’s clothing boutique there for more than 20 years demonstrating her love of fashion, clothes and jewelry. Thereafter, she became a travel agent, especially enjoying many cruises and travels to multiple countries. Ruth was an energetic, independent woman with a great sense of humor who loved a party. She is survived by her daughters Linda Schiller and Sally Schiller Slavin (Richard) her granddaughters Elizabeth Weingart (Jack), Suzy Allison (Timo), and Amy Norstad (Aaron), and 8 great grandchildren. The family is so appreciative of the compassion and support of the amazing staff at Villa Siena where Ruth spent the past 11 years.