The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 26

26 Part I Saturday, August 12, 1989 Gos Angeles tH.mefl OBITUARIES Sen. Cranston's Son Denies Wrongdoing in Voter Drive President of Republic Pictures Nathan Levine; Pioneer in Movies By KENNETH REICH, Times Staff Writer By BURT A. FOLK ART, Times Staff Writer Nathan (Nat) Levine, who parlayed a career as a distributor of early films that were rejected by most of the major studios into the presidency of Republic Pictures, is dead at age 89. A spokeswoman for the Motion Picture and Television Hospital said Friday that he died Sunday at the Woodland Hills facility. Levine began in the industry in 1920 when he launched an independent distributorship.

Seven years later, still in his 20s, Levine formed his own production company, Mascot. First Sound Adventure Short There he produced the first of what would be 500 reels of serials, including what is believed to be the first sound adventure short, "King of the Congo." Meanwhile, Herbert J. Yates, who owned Republic Film Laboratories and later Consolidated Film writers, cinematographers and special effects team that had made Mascot successful. Head of Firm After some disputes with Yates' original management team, Levine became head of the firm, bringing to the new studio his expertise in low-budget, commercially successful features and long-running adventure serials. That twin package remained the backbone of Republic until it gradually quit production in the late 1940s, the victim of expensive, color spectacular movies from competing studios and the brash infant of television.

Ironically, CBS purchased the North Hollywood property in 1952 and renamed it Television City. By then Levine had been gone for years, retiring from the film industry in 1937. His survivors include a son. Industries, was processing film for Mascot, Monogram, Liberty and other small picture companies and knew that Mascot was one of the few independent firms making money. Levine was operating out of the old Mack Sennett studio in North Hollywood, which he purchased when Sennett went bankrupt.

An additional attraction for Yates, who wanted his own studio, was that Mascot held contracts for such young cowboy stars as Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette and had used a former USC football player named John Wayne in three short films. In 1935, Yates formed Republic Pictures and Levine melded Mascot Pictures into the Republic organization. Yates added modern recording equipment and the latest in sound stages to Levine's holdings. Levine also brought to Republic the sound recording engineers, another. "In fact, I participated in the three main training program sessions for the staff of 400, and I told people what 'nonpartisan' meant, and what they could or couldn't do," he said.

"Some people may not have done what they were supposed to do," Cranston acknowledged. "A number of people didn't stay with the program for long, disgruntled employees and so on, and I suspect that was the basis for the Chronicle story. 'Wasn't Aware' "I certainly wasn't aware of anybody not following the rules, and if I had been, I would have asked the staff of the center to fire those people. I don't put up with that kind of thing." Cranston said he could not recall meeting two former employees who were quoted by name in the story Dino Blackburn, 31, and Lawrence Ross, 23, both of Oakland. Neither could be reached Friday.

But, Cranston said, "I am a bit dismayed that if they felt they were asked to do something wrong, they didn't bring it to anyone's attention at the time." Cranston said the Center for Participation in Democracy had trained more than 400 people in leadership skills in low-income and minority communities and registered several hundred thousand people. Voyager Gets Snapshots of NeptuneArcs By THOMAS H.MAUGH II, Times Science Writer The Voyager space probe, continuing to make new discoveries two weeks before its planned close encounter with Neptune, on Friday sent back the first pictures of partial rings called "ring arcs" around the solar system's fourth-largest planet. Researchers have long suspected the rings' existence, but had never seen them from Earth-based telescopes. The ring arcs, one 30,000 miles long and the other 6,000 miles long, were found in association with two of the four moons of Neptune that were also discovered by Voyager as it neared the end of its 12-year, 2.83-billion-mile journey. "We're really just ecstatic," said Jet Propulsion Lab astronomer RichTerrile.

Dust, Pebbles, Boulders Terrile speculated that the newly discovered ring arcs were composed of dust, pebbles, or boulders from moons that have been torn apart or ground down by collisions with other objects in orbit around Neptune. Close-up studies by Voyager as it nears Neptune should help determine their composition more precisely. The largest arc is just outside the orbit of the newly discovered moon 1989 N4, about 23,300 miles above the planet's cloud tops. The smaller arc trails moon 1989 N3 by 50,000 miles in its orbit at an altitude of 17,000 miles. Astronomers had suspected the existence of the rings because light from distant stars would disappear intermittently as the stars passed behind Neptune.

But sunlight reflected by the rings is too dim to be seen from Earth. Kim Cranston, son of Sen. Alan Cranston on Friday answered charges of improper partisanship in a voter registration organization he headed last year, saying that he was unaware of any wrongdoing and that if he had known of any, he would have fired the employees responsible. A San Francisco Chronicle story Friday morning quoted employees of the younger Cranston's Center for Participation in Democracy as saying that the supposedly nonpartisan, tax-exempt group had refused to register voters in areas where Republicans might be found and penalized any of its workers who registered many Republicans. The tax code allows such organizations to target certain areas, thereby in effect favoring one party over another, but the employees also told the newspaper that center employees violated the tax-exempt status by registering voters as Democrats without their knowledge and using Democratic candidate Jesse Jackson's name to attract black registrants.

Group Under Scrutiny Cranston, 37, now chief of staff to Lt Gov. Leo T. McCarthy, has left the presidency' of the voter registration group, but remains on its board of directors. The group, now headed by former state Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso, has come under scrutiny lately because it was the beneficiary of $400,000 in contributions from Charles Keating, head of the failed Lincoln Savings Loan whose many contributions to Sen. Cranston and organizations favored by him are now a subject of inquiry.

The younger Cranston, who was on vacation in Aspen, on Friday, acknowledged that the Center for Participation in Democracy had targeted "low-income, minority and young persons," but he said, "We weren't targeting them to register with one party or William Prater; Jailed for Life in Unionist's Murder E.S. Hoffman; Gave Millions to Assist USC From the Associated Press DALLAS, Pa. William Jackson Prater, a former United Mine Workers official who was serving a life term in prison for his role in the 1969 slayings of union dissident president earlier that December. His opponent, then-incumbent UMW President W.A. (Tony) Boyle, was later convicted of ordering the assassination.

Boyle's Elaine Stevely Hoffman, widow of electronics magnate H. Leslie Hoffman, who with her late husband donated millions of dollars to Southland institutions, much of it to the University of Southern California, is dead. The university announced Friday she had died at her San Marino home on Aug. 5 of pneumonia. She was 83.

Over the years the Hoffmans contributed millions of dollars to the university's Master Plan, which raised $126 million in the 1960s, and Five Killed in House Fire From Associated Press STOTTS CITY, swept through a wood-frame house early Friday, killing a family of five as neighbors frantically pounded on doors and honked car horns in an attempt to alert them, authorities said. The cause of the fire was unknown, officials said. first conviction was overturned and he was convicted a second time. He died in May, 1985, while serving three life terms. Prater, formerly of LaFollette, was a mid-level union official accused of helping to plan the killing and accumulating $20,000 in union funds to pay the assassins.

He later helped prosecutors convict Boyle. The three men accused of carrying out the killings, Aubran (Buddy) Martin, Joseph (Jock) Ya-blonski and his family, died in his cell Friday, officials said. Prater was found early in the morning at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas in Luzerne County. A prison spokesman said Prater, who was 70, apparently died of natural causes. "He had been in poor health for some time," Roy Van Why said.

Prater had been confined to a wheelchair since suffering a stroke in 1983. Prater was sentenced in 1973 and -d2ath millions more toward construction of the Elaine Stevely Hoffman Medical Research Center and the H. Leslie Hoffman Hall of Business Administration. The medical facility that bears ADLER, Martla born March 16, 1893; died August 11. 1989.

Beloved father of Barbara (Jerry) Pauly and Rita (Alan) Hoisch; eheriahed grandfather of Richard (Gael), Karen, John (Debbie) and Tom. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all. Service Ham Sunday at Eternal Light Chapel in Eden Memorial Park. Mallaew aaa Sllvarmaa her name is a nine-story, 117,000 square-foot structure with 90 labo ratories devoted to medical re Associated Press William Jackson Prater Marraary directors. search in biochemistry, pathology and microbiology.

She also was a principal of the Hoffman Founda tion, a major contributor to USC's Kenneth Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her other philanthropies included the Los Angeles County Muse Claude Vealey and Paul Gilly, were all convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Prater served 16 years in a federal prison before being paroled, but then was transferred to the state prison at Pittsburgh in September, 1988, to serve life terms imposed under state law and was moved to Dallas later that year. was serving three life sentences for the murders.

Yablonski, 59, was shot to death along with his wife, Margaret, 57, and their 25-year-old daughter, Charlotte, at their Clarksville home in southwestern Pennsylvania on New Year's Eve, 1969. Yablonski had lost an election for UMW um of Art and the Pasadena Art ALIA, Mary Aaa of Rancho Palos Verdea; passed away August 11. 1989 at home. Born August 22, 1945 In New Jersey; Professor of Education Cal Slate University, LA. Survived by husband, Douglas Butler; sons, David Alia Butler and Matthew Alia Butler at home; father, Joseph Alia; brothers, Mario, Salvador, Joseph and Anthony Alia: and sister, Carmella Lents, all of New Jersey.

Funeral services 1pm Monday (8 1489) at the Green Hills Memorial Park Chapel In Rancho Palos Verdes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Ann Alia Scholarship, School of Education, Cal State Unlversity-LA, 5151 State University Drive. LA 90032. Whit. Day Calaaial Chapel, Restate Beach airectlag (21JJ79- MM) ALMEIDA, Maria Plan Bralhers Del Fax Marlaary Museum.

Survivors include a daughter and three granddaughters. CRUMLY, Jaa A. beloved mother of Mary Elisabeth (Ivan Smith, Barbara (Paul) Kelly and Curtis (Merrie) Crumly; loving grandmother of 10; and proud great-grandmohter of 8. Services are planned for mid-September. Iire Brat hers West-weed Village Marlaary assisting the family.

Flowers are respectfully declined. Friends are asked to remember the Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. CA 90024 DAVIS, Eitaa Leslie age 97; died August 10, 1989 in Madera, CA. Retired Railway Mail Clerk after traveling two million miles In the government mail service; President of 8th Division of Railway Postal Clerks California State Vice President of National Association of Retired Federal Employees; member of South East Masonic Lodge 596; survived by a son, Marvin of Madera and a sister Iva Bears of Oakland. Cryptatde services Monday, August 14, 2 pm at Rose Hills Memorl- al Park, Whlttler, DETTMAR, Wllaar O.

died August 10, 1989. Retired attorney and Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge. He is survived by nis wife, Joan; and sons, Kevin, Steven and Scott Memorial service pending. DILLEY, Richard1 Reward- Armstrsag Family directors DUTTON, Cecil C. beloved hus-band of Maudelene Dutton.

Funeral services private. In lieu of flowers, donations to St Cyril's Catholic Church, Encino, CA. Pralswater Faaeral Heme, 818783-0132 FISHER, Rasa A. beloved grandmother of Robert J. Fisher, Meredith Podroszewskl and Michael B.

Fisher, also survived by 3 great-grandchildren. Services Ham Monday, August 14, 1989 at St Dominic's Catholic Church, 2002 Merton Los Angeles, CA. Forest Lawn Clendale Ferest Lawa Marlaary FORD, Reaert F. Armstreag Family directors OERTZMAN, Harry D. beloved husband of Esther.

Services 10am Sunday at Glajaaad-Wlllea West Hellywaad Marlaary Caaesl, 7700 Saata Maalca Blva, (M3SM-SM0). HANAFUSA, Al, 96. Beloved mother of George (Kathryn), Ken (Peggy) Hanafusa, Kel (Tash) Sugimoto and Deana (Louis) Abe; grandmother of 10; great-grand-mother of aunt of Akio (Toshiko) Uetima. Private funeral servicea were held on August 11 at Rose Hills Memorial Park. Fakal Marlaary directors uwaaaia izisi viv-im (213) AMATO, Christina beloved wife of Louis; daughter of Kleo Lee; sister of Alex Kazanegra; niece of Yani Begakis.

Prayer service 7pm Sunday, August 13, Church of the Hills. Service 1pm Monday, St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie St, Los Angeles. Forest Lawn Holly-wood Hills, Ferest Laws Marlaary until August every Sundance Spathat leaves Our Showroom Gets one final check. BAIRES.

Jaaaa Aataala OMAN, Rabert E. Oremaa Edea Marraary directing FlaTMral Directors RACH, Retorts "Baaal" Bobbi was very Involved in the 4-H activities In Orange County over the last 15 Nonunerwlutvoucinjiinrd. years. She was also involved with were here lor yuu C.H.O.C. through the Little Red Wagon Women's Guild.

In addition, FOREST LAWN she had a professional Interest in wXrvf A rw running and editing the O.P.A. MUK1UAKY Common Talk newspaper. The pa- Cer started over 15 years ago with er partner, and today, has grown (OH) 3'S4-ni to a multi-page monthly newspa- lzlJ JiJ1 Services Ham Monday, August 14 at the Harbor Lawn Mortuary. In- GrOllftfln terment will follow. In lieu of flow- 'i' wl 1 er, donations maybe made to the Jewish Funeral Directors Orange County 4-H Council Rach Memorial Fund.

1000 S. Harbor, LOS Angeles Valley Anaheim, CA or the Kenneth Nor- (213) (818) ris Research Hospital, in memory of 7D ooni Vr CV y.r, Roberta M. Rach, 1441 Eastlake 1 78-2201 365-7151 Suite 800, LA 90033. ROOT a.k DAY, Lllllaa I ARMSTRONG) PUkMILV I Armstrsag Family directors I maliov-Mrrraw I SANDERS, Delflaa II WaT. tfJM I rflJW-vl riert Bras.

Gallrk 213289-2178 llHtflf ISIWi Marlaary I (213)747-9121 Los Angles VALENCIA, Jarge Altorte Armstrsag Family directors A ym f'TAVyV J.T. Oswald Marlaary N.Hally weed lltUSlUC MORTUARY a CEMETERY I (213)641-0707 mother of Carl W. Verheyen, Jr. and Alicia Verheyen Atlee; grand- mother of Carl W. Ill, Carolyn Ma- rie, Kenneth and Kathryn A.

tMCSllhlfc T)7A27 Verheyen. Hllaire Alexis Marie and Carlota A. Atlee; also survived MORTUARY CEMETERY by her niece, Madeline Koeller; and (213) 469 000 Los Angeles grandnephewa, Michael and Dennis I 1 Koeller. Formerly of Beverly Hills, r-fee'jtsrs'l! prwMim SSHS to.iMpa snd many other charitable organi-tations. Mass of Christian Burial, Ham Monday at Our Lady Queen of Cremation SrvicS Angels Catholic Church, 2046 Mar Vista Newport Beach.

Interment Pacific View. 0Caar TaaBlSTSSW-. fftfft SVEiTfe Lagaaa Hills Marraary Directors. fMlVlVll WEISS, SaraaelAlUrt bom resident of the Jewish Home for the Aged. Reseda; died on Tuesday, WaaaasasaBaBaaaaaalaM July 26, 1969.

No ceremonies held. sT! wmgHEius Neptune Society ZSSSSSm'W riarra BratUrs fraiswattr; nST amiSnj Caaaga Park Funeral Directors sSaBaaaaBaaaBBBBBBaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaBBBi WILFERT, Hewers Fraaek born October 18. 1926 in Brooklyn, New York: died August 7, 1989 at West Los Angeles A Medical Center. Camatory Lots-Crypts Burial Los Angelea National Cemetery, West Los Angeles, CA. Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills 4 Internment spaces in Murmuring Ferest Lawa Marraary Trees section of Forest Lawn WINTZ Harry Atasaader MemortaJk.

Hlwd Hl Will sell Maaat Marraary 2 ea. $900ea Aftr 6 714989-5001 pp 3 INTERMENT SPACES, Resthaven sec- tion, Forest lawn dendale S197S 1213) 839-3516 PP Fuswral Notices companion uwn crPt 3330-1 a a Awakening Faith, Cypress, Forest MENORAH LODGE F. A A.M. Lawn S110O, pp 818357-6037 a will assemble 10am Sun- 3 LOTS, Forest lawn Memorial Park, A dav luruat 11 atlaahanrl rWS.Homewafd Sect lot 3737, TlZi'V eonduet services for our late me 1 Box 106 Pakxrse, WA 99161 mabh nvsrrmaw ROSE HILLS hillside lot near cha- HARBYDQETa1 pel 2550 Must sell pp 213-429-2240 Joseph a Joyce, Secretary MAUSOLEUM CRYPT 21 174-AB Forest Uwn Clend 818-248-2358pp Armstrsag Family directors BECK, Nkhalas 63; passed away August 9, 1989 from complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A long-time resident of Southern California, he taught journalism at California State University, Los Angeles and was active in the gay community.

He was also a former professional boxer who collected vintage films of historic boxing matches as a personal hobby. He is survived by many family members and friends. Services 2pm Tuesday at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Maaat Slaal Marraary. Sundance Spas jlKffiCHKX Oaerra-Oaflarres Marraary LAKELET, Jeaatkaa Alex age 17; resident of Canoga Park; student at Taft High School; died on August 9. 1989 of cardiomyopathy.

He is survived by mother, Carol Jo Morgan; father, James R. Blakeley; brother, Christopher Blakeley and grandparents. Visitation Sunday, from 6pm to 9pm at Gates, Kingsley 4 Gates, Canoga Park. Funeral service Monday, 10am at St Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, Canoga Park. Interment in Oak wood Memorial Park, Chatsworth.

Oat, Klapley Gates (81S34S-33M) HER RON, Reaert E. beloved son of Charles W. and Stella Herron; brother of Charles W. Herron Jr. and Lawrence Herron; companion of Neal Dtik; uncle of Charles Wayne and Michael Robert Herron.

Services Ham Tuesday, Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood mm, rarest uwa aenaary For years, Sundance aau Maaaa 57: be- KAMIFUJL Taaii loved husband of Mlsako; father of mrector Bobbv. Irene and Doreeni brother owners. Ydu'11 get to relax. And you'll get money back. But only if you hurry.

Because at these bpas has been making the best spas in the business. And now, with their 10th anniver BLENDER, Alvla O. beloved husband of Gertrude; loving father of Julie (Bruce) Merrint adoring grandfather of Adam and Josh Merrin. Memorial service 3pm Sunday at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Chapel, Maaat Slaal Marraary fcOYCtLllliaaO. Aratatrsag Family directors BRANOVAN, Narauia Graaaaa Ease Marraary 1 prices, everybody's going sary rebates, they're also making the best deals.

So when you get a to want to check out a Sundance Spa. BUBAR. JaMalM Sundance Spa, you'll get to join over 55,000 satisfied Sundance SuijdaiiceSpas ROSE HILLS. 2 plots part of estate sale. Contact Mike 602938-4364 Pp ROSE MILLS TERRACE ESTATES One Plot S70O (619) 433 5787 Pp of Hiroyukl "Kam" (Momoyej Kamtfuji, Margaret Tsulako Takeda and Betty Haruml Kamifujl (Ralph) Luther; and son-in-law of Merry Yuklko Betsuin.

Funeral Monday, August 14 at Evergreen Baptist Church, 1255 N. San Gabriel Rose-mead, California. Fakal Marlaary The family requests that the flowers please be omitted. MATT, Ulllaa Sprltilar passe? away on August 10, 1989. Survived by her husband, Joseph A.

Matt; daughter, Alene Rosenberg; sister of Beatrice (Parke) Levy and Jesse (Sylvia) Spritslerj grandchildren, Nancy (Danny) Wise and John (Karen) Rosenberg; great-grandchildren, Karly Jena ana Jeremy Louis Wise. Family will be at the Beverly Hills home of Mr. and Mrs. Parke Levy on Sunday. August 13, 1989 from 1 to 3 pm.

Arrangements by Msllaew A- Sllvarasaa Marraary. MC PHERSON, Alva B. passed away August 10, 1989 in Alhambra at the age of 80 years. Formerly of Idyllwlld, CA. Survived by his loving wife, Christine of San Gabriel; daughter, June Beat of San Gabriel and his son, Christopher B.

Mc Pherson of Thousand Oak; beloved grandfather of grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and I step-great-grandsoni aiao brother of Theima Mc Pherson. Servicea will be 2pm Sunday at the Chapel of Turner and Stevens, Alhambra. Private family tnumment an San Gabriel Cemetery. Terser aad Staves Alaaaaera directors DM lawn crypts Forest Lawn Cypress, Everlasting Hope, pp 619379 5734. PLOT, ROSE HILLS.

Value $600, sell $550. Owner. 213756-9780 limes Obituary Information Participating Dealers: Accent Spas I4I9-A Instill Ave()raiiKe 7I4KV.I2WH) Accent Spas HH52 Beach Bl, Westminster Services Sunday, 1 pm at Hillside Memorial Park ChapeL HlllsMe Marraary CAMPBELL, Jasaaa Edward passed away August 10. 1989 in Mesa. Arizona.

Survived by his daughter, Louise Milligan; daugh-terTRobbie Weeks; 2 anndchUdren and 3 great-grandchildren. Services 3pm Saturday. August 12. 1989 at Grand View Memorial Park. Clendale.

CA. Sorer Meetaary directing COLMAN. DavM Hllk.Ha Marraary CONKUN. Harriett beloved mother of Judith Callenden loring grandmother of 3. Servicea and committal were private.

Pierre Bretaets Washraasl Village Marraary assisting the family. lOtS. ROSE HILLS MEMORIAL PARK Creative Spas te Decks 24540 RcdlamUBI. San Bernardino 7I44CM7727 National Spa Sales 9627 Las lunas Dr, Temple City 8182879907 Pacific Coast Patios tc Spas 3r.25PCH.1iirrance 213-325-5800 Spa Mart 1715 WhxHhillBI, Upland 714-945-4447 SuncoastSpas 21045 Victory Bl, Canoga Park 818-703-1431 SuncoastSpas 10937 SepulvedaBI. Mission Hills 818-369833 SuncoastSpas 4 16 F.

Colorado St, Clendale 8182409080 Sunset Spas Palmdale 327 F. Palmdale Bl. Palmdale 8052723742 Valley Spas 24411 San Fernando Rd. Newhall 8052557731 WmTTrtw S600IOt Pp ZQ682S-3312 F. I.

ciendale-wtilspering Pines 1 lot $600 PP 818243-3090 Forest lawnGI Garden crypt in prest Court of Freedom $4200 714979 9596 Crypt, mglewood Park cem. CapHtra-no Gardens $1500 pp 714247-4804 i I We're there for you, every day. Eos Armeies Sfcneg Call Miss Black for understanding and helpful service on Obituary Notices (213) 629-4411. ext. 77241 or (213) 237-7241 Cos Anflcles (Tunes Call Miss Black for understanding and helpful service on Obituary Notices (2I3) or (213)237-7241 Cos Angeles STunes Call Miss Block for understanding and helpful service on Obituary Notices (213) 629-4411.

ext. 77241 or (213) 237-7241 Eos Anjjcles (Tunes Tim OtXawnj lnjermtliim Crf Ma BM fcr i 11111624411 11241 121 217-7241.