Obituaries in the news

Ernst Katz

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ernst Katz, maestro to thousands of young musicians during seven decades as conductor of the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California, died Tuesday. He was 95.

Katz died of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, his nephew, Gary S. Greene, told the Los Angeles Times.

In 1937, Katz founded what he originally called the Little Symphony with four youths. He built it into a 120-member orchestra that has seen 10,000 young people pass through its chairs.

Katz financed the orchestra out of his own pocket, charging no fees to participate and often donating instruments and tuxedos to the performers. He conducted free public concerts at such venues as the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Shrine Auditorium.

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Ed Reimers

NEW YORK (AP) — Ed Reimers, the actor who told television viewers "you're in good hands with Allstate" for decades, died Sunday in upstate New York. He was 96.

Reimers, who also served as an announcer for several TV shows in the 1950s and '60s, died at his daughter's home in Saratoga Springs, said Dean Lindoerfer, his nephew by marriage. The cause of Reimers' death wasn't immediately clear.

With his white hair and resonant voice, Reimers was best known for delivering the Allstate Corp.'s famous slogan. He was the insurance giant's TV spokesman for 22 years, starting in 1957, according to the Northbrook, Ill.-based company's Web site.

Meanwhile, Reimers was an announcer for programs ranging from the popular Western "Maverick" to the game show "Do You Trust Your Wife?", later known as "Who Do You Trust?" and hosted for much of its run by Johnny Carson.

Reimers also appeared in episodes of several shows, including "Star Trek" and the 1950s hit "The Millionaire."

His movie credits included the 1965 comedy "The Loved One," starring Robert Morse.

Edwin W. Reimers was born Oct. 26, 1912, in Moline, Ill. After early jobs at radio stations in cities including Des Moines, Iowa, he lived in Los Angeles for most of his life. He moved to Saratoga Springs after his wife's death in 2007.