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17133. Esther Maude (Meriam)10 Guffey (Carl Burton9, Alexander8, Louisa Hanna7 Blacketter, Alexander (Sandy)6, Elizabeth (Betsy)5 Allgood, Ishmael4, Edward3, William2, Edward1 Algood) was born in South Sioux City, NE April 29, 1914. Esther died December 25, 1975 in Fresno Co, CA.
She married Emil Lewis (Camel) Rusconi August 18, 1934 in San Joaquin, Fresno Co., CA. Emil was born November 19, 1911 in Los Banos, CA. Emil was the son of Pietro (Peter) Rusconi and Elvira Morganti. Emil died February 7, 2009 in Aromas, CA. OBIT: A former resident of San Joaquin, California, for 62 years, Camel Rusconi, age 97, beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle and dear friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Aromas, California, on Saturday, February 7, 2009. Born Emilio Luigi Rusconi on November 19, 1911, in Los Banos, California, Camel was the third of ten children born to Swiss Italian immigrants Pietro "Peter" Rusconi and Elvira Morganti. In 1915, Camel's family moved from Los Banos to San Joaquin. At the age of seven, Camel enrolled at San Joaquin Elementary. He graduated from grammar school and attended Tranquillity Union High School. After finishing his sophomore year he left school. A year later, Camel was motivated to return at the request of the agricultural teacher and good friend, Bill Braun. He was needed to judge cattle and dairy products, and to pitch for the baseball team. Camel traveled to Davis, California, with Bill's class where they won several awards. In 1932, the baseball team won the Fresno County Championship with Camel pitching the final innings of the game. Camel graduated from Tranquillity Union High School that same year. On August 18, 1934, Camel married his high school sweetheart, Esther Miriam Guffey. This memorable event took place in a small ceremony at the Legion Hall in San Joaquin. After their wedding, Camel went back to work at his father's local grocery store and finished the day's work! He continued to work at the store for one year. In 1935, Camel and his brother Chile formed Diamond R Farms, Incorporated, located at the Rusconi ranch on El Dorado Avenue in San Joaquin. They raised dairy cattle and eventually grew cotton and grain. Camel enjoyed his horses and small herd of heifers located on his property at American Avenue. Camel also worked as a custodian and school bus driver at Tranquillity Union High School in the late 1930's. As a young married man, Camel remained active in baseball and softball. He had a reputable record and was recognized as one of the best ballplayers in the San Joaquin Valley during the 1930's and 1940's. In 1934, Camel was called to play baseball for the San Francisco Seals but was stricken with measles the night before. He never attempted to play professional baseball again. Camel did play semi-professional baseball with the Kerman Merchants for 19 years and also played softball for the San Joaquin teams. Camel coached and umpired for the San Joaquin Little League teams. He was instrumental in acquiring nighttime lighting for the ball parks in San Joaquin and Tranquillity, California. During World War II, while his brothers were called to war, Camel worked as a bookkeeper for his friend Joe Pettit at the cotton gin in San Joaquin. He later worked on the cotton press tying bales. Camel was a pioneer in developing the Whitesbridge Country Club Golf Course on Highway 180 and James Road, west of Kerman, California. He planted many of the trees located around the golf course. His children recall the many jokes and stories he would tell after spending a day at the golf course with his buddies Swede Anderson and Charlie Jackson. Camel so enjoyed the game he installed a professional putting green in the front yard of his home! Camel and Esther raised three children. They cared for many, taking in nieces and nephews, cousins, or any child in need. Their home was a gathering place for family and friends where many special occasions were celebrated. While living in San Joaquin, Camel was a member of the San Joaquin Methodist Church, San Joaquin-Tranquillity Lions Club, and the San Joaquin Grange. He also served on the school board at San Joaquin Elementary School for eleven years. Camel retired from the farm and moved to the coast in 1977. He lived in Aptos, California, a short time then settled on two and a half acres in Aromas. He joined the Sons in Retirement, Branch 85, in Watsonville, California. He participated in many of their golf tournaments locally, and in Las Vegas, Minden, and Mexico. During retirement, he enjoyed working in his yard and planting an annual garden of vegetables and fruits he so generously shared with family and friends. Camel especially enjoyed his children and grandchildren. Camel was known for his enthusiasm for life and a genuine love of people. He enjoyed sharing a good joke or story and he never knew a stranger. Camel's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to his caregiver Lulu for her loving care and kindness shown to him. The family would like to thank Diana, Gloria, and Rosa as well. Camel was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 41 years; parents, Peter and Elvira Rusconi; brothers, Alfred, Charles, Pete and Bill Rusconi; sisters, Emma Rusconi, Linda Berkey, Doris Hirschler and Mary Fischer; and daughter-in-law, Anita Rusconi. He was also preceded in death by a second wife. Camel is survived by a son, Emil Rusconi, Jr. and his wife Debbie of San Joaquin; twin daughters, Dianne Kimbler of Gilroy and Joanne Silveira of Clovis; their husbands, Dean and Richard; six grandchildren, Randy Rusconi and his wife Cindy of San Joaquin, Tammy Reyes and her husband Leo of Fresno, Lori Castro and her husband Dennis of Gilroy, Yvonne Romero and her husband Jason of Clovis, William Silveira of Boston, Ma., and Andrew Silveira of McKinney, Tx.; nine great-grandchildren, Jacob Rusconi and his wife Kristen, Eric Rusconi, Emily, Alissa and Tommy Castro, Samantha and Ayla Marchini, Grace and Lily Cota; two great-great grandchildren, Rachael and Hannah Rusconi; sister, Tillie Beargeon; brother-in-law, Ray Hirschler; sister-in-law, Laverne Rusconi; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 E. Saginaw, Fresno, Ca., 93704, on Friday, February 13, 2009, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home on Friday, February 13, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
Esther Maude (Meriam) Guffey and Emil Lewis (Camel) Rusconi had the following children:
32639 i. Emil Lester11 Rusconi JR (living).
32640 ii. Dianne Penny Rusconi (living).
32641 iii. Joanne Yvonne Rusconi (living).
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