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.
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.
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Andrew Watanabe
Andrew Eiji Watanabe, 64, of Hilo died May 4, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a department manager at Longs Drugs Store; purchaser at Atebara Potato Chips, Hilo Candies and Kamaaina Distribution; owner-operator of Hilo Baskets and Balloons and member of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Hilo.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. May 14 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 4 p.m. service. Private scattering of ashes at sea will occur at a later date. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Lee Watanabe of Hilo; daughters, Jodi Watanabe of Hilo, Tracie (Michael) Hamman of Tucson, Ariz.; one grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hilda Dias
Hilda M. Dias, 88, of Hilo died April 29, 2014, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born June 18, 1925, in Hilo, she was a homemaker, formerly employed by Hawaiian Telephone Co. and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. May 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10 a.m. celebration of life and 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will be at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by daughters, Sandra Gonzalez of Okemos, Mich., Gayle (Morty) Carter of Hilo; sons, Clifford (Kathie) Dias of Portland, Ore., Craig (Maria) Dias of Spokane, Wash., James (Kathy) Dias of Glenmont, N.Y.; sister, Marie Serrao of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charlene Ah Nee
Charlene “Ant” Ulualoha Ah Nee, 66, of Hilo died May 1, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama Facility.
Born Dec. 20, 1947, in Hilo, she was a retired bus driver for Laupahoehoe Transportation Co.
Friends may call at 6 p.m. May 16 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 7 p.m. service. Cremation follows. Family requests aloha attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by companion, Loretta Evangelista; hanai sons, Troy Julian, Kaniala Estrada; hanai daughters, Patrice Julian, Fern Peahi; brother, Daniel Smith; sister, Doreen Victorino; one aunt; 10 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Roger Ambago
Roger Delamen Ambago, 64, of Captain Cook died April 28, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Sept. 11, 1949, in Naguimba, Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a retired sous chef at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, member of Central Kona Union Church and its worship team, an organizer of special events and a driver for the elderly.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. May 16 at Central Kona Union Church in Kealakekua for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may call again at 8 a.m. May 17 at the church for a 10 a.m. service, followed by burial in the church cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. The family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
He is survived by hanai mother, Lucia Segundo of Captain Cook; brother, Marcelo (Dina) Ambago of the Philippines; sister, Soledad (Felipe) Dela Rosa of the Philippines; several hanai brothers and sisters; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Gallipeau Sr.
John Francis Gallipeau Sr., 86, of Honomu died April 28, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 12, 1928, in Newport, R.I., he served in the Navy during World War II and later joined the Air Force and served in Europe. He was also a Eucharistic minister at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Honomu.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. May 16 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 8 a.m. May 17 at the church for a 10 a.m. service. Burial follows at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Elsa Gallipeau of Honomu; daughters, Shaunne (Jerry) Souza of Kapaa, Kauai, Sherrie Gallipeau of California; son, John (Lee-Ann) Gallipeau Jr. of California; brothers, Joseph (Lu) Gallipeau of Oregon, Guy (Mabel) Gallipeau of Seattle; one grandson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Catalina Dayanan
Catalina Dayanan, 64, of Keaau died May 1, 2014. Born in Hilo, she worked as a crew leader for Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. May 17 at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home for a 6:30 p.m. service.
She is survived by spouse, Gregorio Dayanan of Keaau; stepmother, Norma Pabro of Keaau; son, Gregorio (Carrie Ann) Dayanan Jr. of Keaau; daughters, Trina (Peter) Grace of Hilo, Maria (Nelson) Goya of Honolulu; brother, Antonio (Evelyn) Pabro of Keaau; sisters, Rosaline Almazan, Annaliza Pabro and Maria Pabro, all of Keaau, Gaudencia (Tyson) Watarida of Hilo, Toni (Kaili) Smith of Kauai; five grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Hilarion Jonolino
Hilarion “Gunna” Jonolino, 83, of Keaau died March 30, 2014, at his residence. Born April 1, 1930, in Kohala, he was a heavy equipment operator for the former Kohala Sugar Co., was retired from Mauna Kea Beach Hotel as a golf course maintenance groundskeeper and member of the Family Christian Center Church in Hilo.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. May 17 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Burial will be at Alae Cemetery, section K. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by daughters, Valerie (Gene) Maeda of Hawaiian Parasdise Park, Sheila Mae (Terry) Machado, Cindy (Emerson) Intendencia and Lolly (Stephen) French, all of Hilo; sister, Margaret Espiritu of Kohala; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Caryn Mine
Caryn Aiko Mine, 54, of Hilo died April 24, 2014, at The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. Born in Hilo, she was the Big Island account executive for Hawaii Bride &Groom Magazine, was formerly employed by the Internal Revenue Service in Hilo and was a member of the Hilo Coast United Church of Christ and Energy in Motion Fitness and Dance Company.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. May 17 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 4:30 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by mother, Tomiko Mine of Hilo; brother, Claton (Jodi) Mine of Kurtistown; sister, Shari (Russell) Chapman of Littleton, Colo.; two nieces; numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Melania Saplan
Melania “Meling” Ramos Saplan, 85, of Naalehu died May 6, 2014, at Nakamaru Hale. Born Dec. 31, 1928, in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines, she was a macadamia nut harvester for MacNut Farms and member of the Naalehu Filipino Club and Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. May 16 at the Kona Outdoor Circle, 76-6280 Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona for a 10 a.m. service. A graveside service and burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. May 17 at Naalehu County Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
She is survived by sons, Recto Saplan and Wilson (Nora) Saplan, both of Kailua-Kona, Danilo (Leslie) Saplan of Pahala, Dante Saplan of Naalehu; daughters, Shirley (Rick) Sorensen of Bremerton, Wash., Lily (Davy) Tabbada of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Carlos Ramos of Naalehu, Rudy Ramos, Rogelio Ramos and Benjamin Ramos, all of the Philippines; sisters, Mely Ramos of Naalehu, Maria Rosales of the Philippines; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Roy Yonemori
Roy Ryoichi Yonemori, 75, of Hilo died May 7, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Oct. 23, 1938, in Hilo, he was a retired teacher from Waiakea High Schoo, founder and former chief instructor at Hilo Seishikan Aikido, former head instructor of Hilo Ki-Aikido Club, and member of Hawaii Federation of Teachers, Hauoli Kumiai and Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.
Friends may call at 2 p.m. May 18 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 3:30 p.m. service. Family requests aloha attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Kay Yonemori of Hilo; daughters, Carrie Yonemori and Joni (Cary) Ebesugawa, both of Hilo; son, Gregg (Michele) Yonemori of Hilo; sister, Kay Yonemori of Hilo; four grandchildren; two aunts; nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Frances Uchima
Frances “Franco” Fumiko Uchima, 72, of Captain Cook died May 3, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born May 9, 1941, in Kealakekua, she retired as secretary for the Department of Education, Kona Community School for Adults and member of Hookena Kumiai, Kona Hongwanji, Parks and Recreation Senior Bowling League and Teachers Bowling League and co-owner of the former Higashi Store.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. May 18 at the Kona Hongwanji in Kealakekua for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
She is survived by husband, Frederick Uchima of Captain Cook; son, Barry (Lorna) Uchima of Aiea, Oahu; daughters, Renee (Michael) Nakamoto and Shelley (Claude) Mandaguit, both of Kailua-Kona; brother, Gary (Irene) Higashi of Honaunau; sister, Gloria (Lance) Okamura of Honaunau; five grandsons; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Leannarda
Robert Shannon Leannarda, 52, of Kailua-Kona died April 25, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Cheverly, Md., he was self employed.
A private service was held.
He is survived by mother, Sara-Michael Thomas of Frederick, Md.; sisters, Michael (Matt Dini) Leannarda-Dini of Santa Cruz, Calif., Robyn (Marty) Hildebrand of Frederick, Md.; two nephews; two nieces.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Shirley Cooley
Shirley J. (Smith) Cooley, 90, died May 6 2014, in Sun City, Ariz. Born Oct. 28, 1923, in Yreka, Calif., she was a homemaker, worked for the family excavation construction business and was a member of the Holualoa Art Center.
Scattering of ashes at sea will be held at a later date.
She is survived sons, Brian (Mary) Cooley of Alameda, Calif., Craig Cooley of Dana Point Calif., Todd Cooley of Buckeye, Ariz.; two grandsons.
Jane Adams
Jane Margery Adams, 61, of Pahoa died May 1, 2014, at her residence. Born July 30, 1952, in Spokane, Wash., she was the co-proprietor of White Cloud Nursery and member of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.
Private services were held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rhododendron Species Foundation, rhodygarden.org. Online condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
She is survived by spouse, Peter Adams of Pahoa; son, Daniel Adams of Minneapolis; brothers, Jeffrey (Kriss) Ferrier of San Jose, Calif., Christopher (Marilyn) Ferrier of Marysville, Wash., Gordon (Alice) Ferrier of Duvall, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Aaron Ahn
Aaron Ahn, 81, of Kalaoa died March 20, 2014, at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born Sept. 19, 1932, in Waimea, Kauai, he was a teacher at Waipahu and Farrington High Schools and the University of Hawaii at Manoa and served in the Army.
Private services were held.
He is survived by wife, Tomie Ahn; daughter, Kathleen (Kazuo) Shirakawa; son, Alan (Jariya) Ahn; sister, Almira Lum; brother, Stanley Ahn; five grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.