MELVIN AARON ASHKANAZI, died Dec. 5, 2009. Husband of Zendra K. Ashkanazi; father of Shelah Feldman and Judy Reaven (Lori Helmstetter) of Denver, Colo.; grandfather of Margaret (Doug) Warmann, Naomi, Gabriel, Meir and Shayna Feldman, Nathaniel, Daria, Elliot Reaven and Erik Helmstetter; brother of the late Bernard (Bernice) Ashkanazi. Contributions to Shaare Zedek Synagogue. Berger Memorial.

LAWRENCE “LARRY” J. COOPER, died December 1, 2009. Widower of Sheila Cooper; father of Neil (Christina) Cooper and Jeffrey (Amy) Cooper; grandfather of Daniel Cooper; brother of Robert (Cathy) Cooper and the late Joan Stillman and Joyce Brother; companion of Sherre Levine. Contributions to the Kidney Foundation or to the American Diabetes Association. Rindskopf-Roth Service

FAITH ELLIS, died November 30, 2009. Wife of Shepard Ellis; mother of Scott (Carol) Ellis, Karolyn Ellis of Canyon City, Colo and Terry (David) Izraelevitz of Los Alamos, NM; grandmother of Jennifer (William) Babbington and Steven (Anya) Ellis, Joseph, Jacob and Adam Izraelevitz; great-grandmother of Mia Babbington. Contributions to a charity of your choice. Berger Memorial

JEANETTE RUTH FREISTEIN, died November 29, 2009. Wife of Harry Freistein; mother of Larry (Susan (Wilhauk) Freistein, the late Paul Freistein and Terri (Jeffrey) Schnitzer; grandmother of Andrew Freistein, Justin (Valerie) Freistein, Jordan (Loni) Schnitzer, Brandon Schnitzer and Anne Schnitzer; great-grandmother of Claire Evan Schnitzer and Zachary Aaron Schnitzer; step-grandmother of Kim Thuston, Nick (Jessica) Thuston, Andy (Julie) Thuston, and Dan (Charmaine) Thuston; step-great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Contributions to Alzheimer’s Association or to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion. Berger Memorial

Sally S. Green, died Oct. 22, 2009 in Atlanta, Ga. Formerly of St. Louis, Green was 90. Widow of Samuel R. Green; mother of Audrey (Morton) Gelber, Debra (Wayne) McClure and Robyn Green of Atlanta; grandmother of Lauren A. Gelber, Derek J. Gelber of Braselton, Ga. Contributions to charity of donor’s choice.

BERNARD PASTERNAK, died November 27, 2009, Husband of Wilma Pasternak; father of Rona (Barry Rovner) Pasternak and the late Gary Pasternak; grandfather of Max and Levi; brother of Joseph (Amy) Pasternak and the late Dolly Zimmerman. Contributions to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, Ca. 91301. Rindskopf-Roth

JAMES LEON SCHWAB, JR., died November 21, 2009. Husband of Margot Dilloff Schwab; father of James L. (Lesley) Schwab III of Londonderry, N.H., Lise Schwab (Bruce) Green of Houston, Texas, Peter (Jeanette) Schwab of Glenview, Ill. and Robert (Ravelle) Schwab of Algonquin, Ill., grandfather of Jonathan Schwab, Robin Schwab, Michael Green, David Green, Kirsten Schwab, Andrew Green, Brynn Schwab, Katrina Schwab, Steven Schwab and the late Heather Schwab; brother of Roger (Betty) Schwab of Clearwater, Fla. and Walter (Gerry) Schwab of Nokomis, Fla. Jimmy was born December 8, 1921 in St. Louis to the late James L. Schwab, Sr. and Gella Landman Schwab. His great-grandfather, William (Dinah) Stix was the founder of Rice-Stix Dry Goods and one of the founders of Temple Israel. Jimmy graduated from Country Day School and Harvard University, served in the Air Force during WWII, married Margot Dilloff of New York City and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December. Jimmy worked for many years for Wachovia Securities, retiring five years ago. Jimmy and Margot were charter members of Temple Emanuel. A tireless worker, Jimmy devoted considerable time and energy to his work as class agent for his class (1939) at MICDS. He loved the outdoors and his neighborhood, receiving several commendations from the city of Clayton for his efforts. He was especially devoted to animal rights causes. He was passionate about enjoying wildlife and spent countless hours feeding birds and squirrels. A devoted father, grandfather, brother and pet owner, he will be missed by all who met him. Contributions to the Humane Society of Missouri or to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Rindskopf-Roth

RICHARD M. SKLAR, died December 1, 2009. Husband of Annette Sklar; father of Jason (Dr. Jessica Zucker) Sklar and Randy (Amy) Sklar all of Los Angeles, CA; grandfather of Liev, Daisy and Georgia Sklar; son of the late Abe and the late Pearl Sklar; brother of Kenneth (Wendy) Sklar of Encino, CA and Robert (Marsha) Sklar of Irvine, CA. Contributions to Congregation B’nai Amoona, the American Cancer Society or to the American Diabetes Association. Berger Memorial

BETTY S. TAMM, died on December 2, 2009 at the age of 89. Daughter of the late Dr. Harry and the late Ione Sandperl; sister of Ira Sandperl; mother of Caroline (Linda Katz) Tamm and Sandy (Kathleen) Tamm; grandmother of Michael (Sarah) and Andrew Tamm and great-grandmother of Alex Tamm. Contributions to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Berger Memorial