Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary. Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity. ADVERTISING Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity.
Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Judith Ah Sam
Judith Kuia Ahmoy Ching Ah Sam, 74, of Halaua, died Dec. 30 at her residence. Born Oct. 9, 1937, in Honolulu, she was a retired teacher, member of the Tong Wo Society and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kohala Ward for an 11 a.m. service. Burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery.
She is survived by husband, Henry Ah Sam, of Kohala; daughters, Julie (Robert) Dircks, of Hilo, Kathleen (Joseph) Germaine, of Provo, Utah, Lisa (Mark) Williams, of Columbus, Ga.; brothers, Clarence Ching, of Waimea, Kenneth (Aileen) Ching, of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Martin Esteban Jr.
Martin Esteban Jr., 77, of Hilo, died Jan. 3 at his residence. Born in Wailuku, Maui, he was a retired meat department supervisor, fish buyer and meat cutter for KTA Super Stores, Korean War Army veteran, member of Halai Kumiai, Hawaii County Senior Citizen Softball League and an inductee to the Hilo Sportsman Hall of Fame in 2000.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Jan. 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Private interment of ashes will be held at a later date. Family requests aloha attire be worn and flowers omitted.
He is survived by wife, Edith Esteban, of Hilo; sons, Nathan Esteban, of Kenai, Alaska, Gregory (Jan) Esteban, of Hilo, Martin (Giget) Esteban, of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Tina (Bud) Cook, of Hilo; sisters, Geraldine Sivils, of Pearl City, Oahu, Germaine Lockman, of North Carolina; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jacob Ronning
Jacob “Jake” Albin Ronning, 33, of Keaau died Dec. 20 at his residence. Born in Everett, Wash., he was a former transporter for Hertz Rent-a-Car in Hilo.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Wailoa State Park large pavilion for a celebration of his life. The family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by mother, Linda Ronning, of Keaau; father, Bruce (Susan) Ronning, of Stanwood, Wash.; maternal grandmother, Ila Fox, of Snohomish, Wash.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. \
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Claudine Duke
Claudine Duke, 85, of Hawaiian Beaches, died Jan. 1 at his residence. Born June 6, 1926, in Honolulu, he was a retired truck driver, World War II veteran, member of VFW Post 3830 and Puerto Rican Union of Mutual Aid Association.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Jan. 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 for a graveside service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Roriki Duke, of Hawaiian Beaches; sons, Herbert Troche, of Glenwood, Edward Troche, of Honolulu, Howard (Pauline) Troche, John (Cindy) Duke, of California; daughters, Anita (Julio) Rodrigues, Gwendolyn Rivera, of Honolulu, Betty Rodrigues, of California, Emily (Nelson) Rivera, of Pahoa, Marie (Daniel) Marquart, of Keaau; stepdaughter, Marie (Telowaara) Binauea, of Pahoa; stepsons, George (Rone) Stinnett, Andrew (Namatia) Stinnett, of Pahoa, Virgil (Katie) Stinnett, of Honolulu, Charles (Kiko) Stinnett, of Marshall Islands; 39 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren, 81 great-great-grandchildren, 16 step-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Edmunds Jr.
John Joseph Edmunds Jr., 92, of Towaco, N.J., died Dec. 21 at New Jersey. Born June 23, 1919, in Mars Hill, Maine, he was a professional engineer, World War II Navy veteran, taught physics at the University of Maine in Orono, designed and constructed custom homes, member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Masons
Services to be held at a later date in New Jersey.
He is survived by son, John (Jack) Edmunds III, of Towaco, N.J.; daughters, Karla (Eugene) Christensen, of Jordan, Mont., Dee Edmunds, of Waikoloa; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
Fusako Matsumura
Fusako “Bernie” Matsumura, 95, of Hilo, died Jan. 1 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born March 25, 1916, in Paauilo, she was a produce manager for Food Town, retired bookkeeper for Hawaii Produce and Farmers Inc., member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Kyodan, Buddhist Women’s Association (Fujinkai), Hiroshima Kenjinkai and Yamaguchi Kenjinkai.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. Jan. 10 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughter, Jean Maeda, of Hilo; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Arthur Lee
Arthur Selmer Lee, 79, of Shelbyville, Tenn., died Dec. 28 in Tennessee. Born Nov. 15, 1932, in White Earth, N.D., he was a farmer, rancher, member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Powers Lake, N.D., board member for Sorkness Township, member of the North Dakota Stockman’s Association, was the fix-it guy at Da Kine Discount Store and member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Services were held in Tennessee.
He is survived by wife, Gladys Chambers, of Shelbyville, Tenn.; children, DeAnn (David) Idso, of Shelbyville, Tenn., Teresa (Steven) Gray, of Kailua-Kona, Jim (Debbie) Lee, of Nashville, Danny (Robbie), of Beech Island, S.C.; sister, Alda Nordby; brothers, Pat Lee, Marvin Nordby, Arnold Olson, Orris Olson, Maurice Mickel, Kermit Mickel; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert Kami
Robert Shigeru Kami, 91, of Volcano, died Dec. 30 at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Born Feb. 1, 1920, in Waipunalei, he was a retired weed inspector for the State Department of Agriculture, member of Shinnyo-En Hawaii and HGEA.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by daughters, Rolberta (Jerry) Masaki, of Pukalani, Maui, Joenne (Tracy) Kami-Kim, of Kapolei, Oahu; sisters, Julia Kawasaki, of Kealakekua, Myrtle Kunitake, of Holualoa, Helen (Kazu) Okamoto, of Keaau, Jeanette (Raymond) Tanaka, of Hilo; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Apio Ung
Apio Afook Ung, 101, of Hilo, died Dec. 30 at his residence. Born Oct. 25, 1910, in Hilo, he was a retired district circulation manager for the Hawaii Tribune Herald and a civilian worker survivor on Ford Island during the Pearl Harbor attack.
No services will be held.
He is survived by son, Edwin Ung, of Hilo; daughter, Carolyn Irvine, of Volcano; two grandchildren; sisters, Eloise Stolz, Lois (Harold) Brooks, both of California, Eleanor Chu, of Honolulu; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edwin Villanueva
Edwin “Gus” Garcia Villanueva, 75, of Pahala, died Jan. 1 in Honolulu. Born Sept. 10, 1936, in Olaa, he was a retired supervisor for the former Ka’u Sugar Plantation, member of Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Army veteran.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Jan. 11 at Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church for a 6 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 8 a.m. Jan. 12 at the church for a 10 a.m. Mass. Burial to follow. Family requests casual attire be worn and flowers omitted.
He is survived by wife, Marion Kittelson-Villanueva; daughters, Jacquelyn (Vince) Sinclair, of Blodgett, Ore., Angela (Carl) Packer, of Keaau, Peggy (Joel) Kalalau, of Hawaiian Paradise Park; son, Elgon Villanueva, of Pahala; sisters: Katherine Villanueva, of Keaau, Rose Evangelista; hanai daughters, Anne (Michael) Dorsey, of Portland, Ore., Karen Martin, of Pompano Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Rickey Bailey Sr.
Rickey “R.B.” Lee Bailey Sr., 60, of Captain Cook, died Dec. 1 at Kona Community Hospital. Born Nov. 11, 1951, in Salinas, Calif., he was a former kitchen manager at Huggo’s Restaurant.
Friends may call at 7 a.m. Jan. 14 at Pukaana Congregational Church for a 10 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by companion, Selma Gladden, of Captain Cook; son, Rickey Bailey Jr., of Honolulu; father, Donald (Patty) Bailey, of Honolulu; brothers, Michael Bailey, Curtis (Lori) Darr, Michael (Debbie) Darr, all of California; sisters, Kim (Chris) Carnel, of California, Tammy (Jeff) Mullens, of Kailua, Oahu; hanai sons, Kaina Gladden, of Kona Palisades, Kekai (Jamie) Gladden, of Ocean View; one grandchild; five hanai grandchildren; numeorus nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
