July 19, 1922 – January 22, 2021
Former Warner Pacific College (now Warner Pacific University) Board of Trustees member Eleanor Jane Newcomb (98), of Madera, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Eleanor was involved in many civic activities and was well known in the community. She had a passion for WP students and was involved in raising funds for student scholarships.
Dr. Brian L. Johnson, 8th President of Warner Pacific University, offered, “We are grateful for Mrs. Newcomb’s faithful service to Warner Pacific well through her time on the board and her passion for fundraising. We extend our deep and heartfelt sympathy to the Newcomb family.”
Eleanor’s late husband, Elvan Newcomb, also served on the WPC board during the 1970s. Together, Eleanor and Elvan owned Newcomb Tractor Company in Madera, CA and were founding members of the Fourth St. Church of God in Madera. The Newcomb legacy at WP continued as her children and grandchildren all attended Warner Pacific. Additionally, her son-in-law, Ed Whitehead and grandson Ted Whitehead both held faculty positions at the College and Buz Boberg, another son-in-law and later owner of Newcomb Tractor Company, served on the WPC board as well. She is survived by her daughters Jane Whitehead (Ed), Billie Boberg (Buz), and John Newcomb (Jim), as well as five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date at the Fourth Street Church of God, Madera, CA.