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66 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2017 | Virginia A. Coukoulis, 83 years, passed peacefully at home with family by her side. She was born in Chicago, IL., to John and Mary Czuba. She lived in Sun Lakes for the past 28 years where she enjoyed gardening and cooking for family gatherings. Virginia leaves behind her husband, William of 63 years, and her two children William Coukoulis Jr and wife Linda, Citrus Heights CA, Jeanne Varney and husband Don, Upland CA and three grandchildren Will Coukoulis Aurora CO, Julia Coukoulis Sacramento CA, and Adam Varney Encino CA. Janet M. Paciotti,, 81, passed away on April 6. Janet was born in Cleveland Ohio on May 12, 1935. She moved to Sun Lakes Country Club Banning with her husband Daniel in 1994; here they enjoyed the beautiful retirement life and in return made lifelong friends. Janet enjoyed being around all her friends and walking her dog (Mickey), she was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel, who passed away in September, 2015, and her son, Donald, in February of 2017. Janet suffered the past two years with ALS and sadly lost her battle. She is survived by her daughters Katherine L. and son-in-law Saul O. Martinez, also of Sun Lakes, and Susan Fitzpatrick of Alta Loma, CA; grandchildren Jeniece, Jennifer (Chris), and Stacy (Chris) and four adorable great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Jacob, Brielle and Jillian who were her little loves. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Helen Rowatt, 86 years old, Sun Laker since 1988. She was born on June 27, 1930. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Richard ("Scotty"), her two brothers Dick and Bill, her five sons Alan, Brian, Gavin, Kevin and Todd and her nine wonderful grandchildren as well as many other family members and friends who loved her dearly. The Lord took her in his hands on April 10, 2017. JOSEPH "Uncle Joe" SCHOEN, 88, passed away on April 1, 2017 at San Gorgonio Hospital with his loving wife Bernice by his side. He was born October 13, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan to Carrie and Emanuel Schoen. Before retirement, he had been a stockbroker for many years. Uncle Joe resided in Sun Lakes for more than 22 years. He was very active in the Friendship Club, Yiddish Culture Club, Paisano Club, 80s Plus Club, and Big Band Dance Club. He is survived by his wife Bernice, to whom he was married for almost 67 years, son Ronald and wife Nancy Schoen, daughter Karen and husband David Kennedy, daughter Gaili and husband Michael Monahan, grandchildren Jason and wife Kristen Schoen, Alyson Viesca, Kylie Monaghan, and Maura Monahan. He is also survived by his great-grandson and namesake, Liam Joseph Schoen. The family had a private interment ceremony, and will have a memorial at a future date. Uncle Joe was a beloved friend to many Sun Lakers, and his humor and quick wit will be sorely missed. Leland (Herb) Whitsitt On April 7, 2017, Leland Whitsitt passed away at his Sun Lakes home surrounded by his family. Herb and Casey Whitsitt moved to Sun Lakes in 2003 from Yucaipa where they lived for eight years and were active members of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. Herb was born and raised in the small town of Knoxville, Ill. He studied Art before joining the Navy in 1965 where he served four years with two tours in Vietnam, earning many accolades including two Bronze Stars. After the Navy he and his wife, Casey moved back to his hometown in Illinois where he worked at the Admiral factory and owned his own small electrical business while finishing college. They returned to California in 1977 where he began a 20-year career with Santa Fe Railroad as a locomotive engineer. He had a brush with death in December 1994 during a historic train derailment where he demonstrated honor and heroism in an effort to save the lives of the crew of the passing train. This life-changing incident granted him an early retirement where he enjoyed the growth of his family and the fruits of his labor. He returned to the sea as a graduate of the Maritime Sea Captain Institute aboard his sailboat, The Cajon 1. On the shores he enjoyed rounds on the golf course with his friends and family and good conversation over a hot cup of coffee. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, honor, generosity, strength, survival and love. Services will be at Weaver Mortuary at 1177 Beaumont Ave., on Wed., June 28 from 5 to 7 pm. There will be a Mass at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church on Thurs., June 29 at 10 am. Interment to follow at Riverside National Cemetery. Reception to follow at Tukwet Canyon Golf Course. Friends we will miss We want to remember your loved ones in the "Friends We Will Miss" section, above, but we need your help. Please be sure to get us the information about their passing. Turn in any obituaries to the Main Clubhouse reception desk or send them electronically to SunLakesNews@yahoo.com.