Obituary of Ilona Mary Luther

Ilona Mary Luther (94) Ilona resided most recently in Porterville with her son Joseph. She died on December 7, 2022 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at the home of her daughter Florie Stoltz. Ilona was born on August 4, 1928 in New York, New York of Hungarian immigrant Irene Szemacs, and Foma (Thomas) Bondar of the Russian Empire. Ilona grew up in New York where she attended St. Patrick’s High School. She left New York when she was 19, and moved across the country to San Jose, California, where she met her husband James Arnold Luther. They married on June 17, 1951. James passed away on February 14, 1995, and Ilona remained a widow. After marrying James Luther, they spent the first part of their life in Southern California in Canoga Park. They later moved to Springville, California after buying a ranch to “get out of the rat race.’ After the death of her husband, Ilona moved to Visalia, California. She was educated throughout most of her life by seminars and classes related to health and natural healing with herbs, reflexology, and iridology. Most of her occupation was dedicated to nutrition. She worked for Nature’s Sunshine Products for approximately 40 years. She started her business out of her home in Springville, and it grew enough that she moved her business to a little closet in the Porterville Mall. Later, she moved “Ilona’s Herbal Nook” to Olive Street in Porterville, and later moved it into her home in Visalia. She loved helping people with the use of vitamins and herbs. She helped so many people and generously gave her time and expertise in the area of natural health and nutrition. She was very good at what she did. Ilona loved her traditional Catholic faith, her family, entertaining her close friends, and traveling with her Nature’s Sunshine family. She was always generous and gracious to both family and friends, and was loved by all. She worked tirelessly for others and enjoyed many friendships. She was a strong independent and photogenic woman. She always dressed well and looked like a million bucks. Ilona is survived by Florie (Luther) Stoltz, her daughter, who lives with her husband David Stoltz of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and her grandchildren Cecilia Stoltz, Dominic Stoltz, Gregory Stoltz, Garrett Stoltz, and William Stoltz; and her son Joseph Luther of Porterville. She was preceded by her oldest son James Randolph, who passed away a few months prior on June 27, 2022, leaving his ex-wife Odette Luther of Tulare as her daughter-in-law, and grandchildren Aundrea Luther, Eveone Luther, and James Luther. Ilona also leaves behind her sister Bonnie Jensen of Springville (100). Ilona was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. We all loved her very much, and she will be sorely missed by all. A Visitation will be held at Myers Chapel on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Myers Chapel on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at San Joaquin National Cemetery, 32053 on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM. W. McCabe Road Santa Nella, California 95322 Arrangements in California are being handled by Myers Funeral Service and Crematory, 248 North E Street Porterville, California 93257.