Obituaries | 6-10-14
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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Sepriana Nitta
Sepriana “Pomping” “Clara” Nitta, 95, of Pepeekeo died May 31, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hakalau, she was a homemaker and member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Filipino Catholic Club, Hakalau Senior Citizens Club, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and Pepeekeo Nutrition Program.
Friends may call at 6 p.m. June 12 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may also call at 8 a.m. June 13 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou for a 10 a.m. service. Cremation follows. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, Efren (Yanin) Adalem of Virginia, Neal Nitta of Maui; hanai daughter, Geraldine (Clark) Bibilone of Pepeekeo; sister, Connie Santos of Hilo; three grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fidel Matin
Fidel Silivester Matin, 87, of Hilo died May 21, 2014, at home. Born June 28, 1926, in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, he was a former sailor.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. June 13, 2014, at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. June 14 at Alae Cemetery, section K. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by sons, Lesther Muritok and Buster Fritz, both of Hilo; daughters, Domingka Chol of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, Domenina Matin of Hilo; numerous grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Adam Warren
Adam AhChong Kawailani Warren, 76, of Keaau died May 20, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 1, 1937, in Hilo, he was a maintenance supervisor for the state Department of Transportation, Hilo Harbors Division and a kahu for Kamauloa Oka Malamalama Hoomana Naauao O Hawaii.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. June 13 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Burial follows at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests aloha attire be worn.
He is survived by daughter, Angela (Kevin) Enos of Keaau; mother, Mary Warren of Kurtistown; brother, Andrew Warren of Kurtistown; two granddaughters; numerous family members.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ralph Louis
Ralph Bradley “Bolo” Louis, 72, of Pahala died May 30, 2014, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born June 21, 1941, in Pahala, he was a retired foreman for the Ka‘u Agribusiness Sugar and Macadamia Nut Co., an Army veteran and member of Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. June 14 at the Pahala Holy Rosary Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. service. Committal will follow at Pahala Catholic Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Eleanora Louis of Pahala; daughters, Wanda Louis of Pepeekeo, Stephanie (Scotty) Kawaauhau of Pahala; hanai daughter, Lauren (Chris) Wong Yuen; brothers, Allen (Gloria) Louis of Aiea, Oahu, Leroy (Janet) Louis of Kaneohe, Oahu, Ellsworth (Sally) Louis of Pahala; sister, Patricia Louis of Honolulu; two grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William Stephens Jr.
William “Bill” Owen Stephens Jr., 80, of Kailua-Kona died April 25, 2014, at Life Care Center of Kona. Born Dec. 29, 1933, in Honolulu, he was a member of the U.S. Army 52nd Airborne Division, a retired glazier, member of Hawaii Glaziers Union Local 1889, Hui Makai Motorcycle Club, Na Kupuna Golf Club and St. Michael’s Catholic Church and a volunteer for numerous youth athletic programs.
Friends may call at 8 a.m. June 14 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church located at the Honokohau Industrial Park for a 10 a.m service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers. For information, call 938-9923.
He is survived by wife, Jolenta Stephens of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Star (Kevin) Haleamau of Kalaoa, Sherry Stephens of Kealakekua, Sharon Martines and Sheila (Andrew) Cantiberos, both of Kailua-Kona; son, William (Diane) Stephens III of Guam; sisters, June Stephens of California, Alma (George) Mai of Waimanalo, Oahu, Marcel (Emerick) Kahue of Oahu; brothers, Harvey (Carole) Stephens of California, David Stephens and Everett (Nadine) Stephens, both of Waimanalo, Oahu; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Sadako Sueoka
Sadako Sueoka, 98, of Hilo died March 26, 2014. Born in Hilo, she was a retired domestic engineer.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. June 14 at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests no flowers.
She is survived by son, Harold Sueoka of Hilo; daughters, Marian (Henry) Hamada of Kauai, Doris Kimura of Hilo; brothers, Jerry (Chiharu Sasaki) Nishioka of California, Yoshito Nishioka of Mililani, Oahu; sister, Carolyn Saito of Aiea, Oahu; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Sotero Yago Sr.
Sotero Yabes Yago Sr., 93, of Paauilo died May 12, 2014, at home. Born in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he was a retired mechanic with the former Hamakua Sugar Co. and member of Honokaa Iloko Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. June 14 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. A graveside service will be held at noon at the Alae Cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by sons, Clarito (Perlita) Yago of Paauilo, Sotero (Lela) Yago Jr. of Hilo, Edwin (Susan) Yago and Jaime (Sandra) Yago, both of Honolulu; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clarence Mattos
Clarence “Bow” “Cowboy” Andrade Mattos, 89, of Kurtistown died May 31, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hilo, he was a retired park caretaker for the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, formerly employed at Hualalai Ranch in Kona and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. June 16 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Burial follows at Homelani Memorial Park. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Margaret DeLuz Mattos of Kurtistown; stepsons, Jerry (Erlinda) Souza and Don Souza, both of Hilo; stepdaughters, Linda (Robert) Moderow of Honolulu, Sandra Souza of Hilo, Laverne Iaukea of Mountain View; brothers, Raymond (Jean) Andrade of California, William Andrade of Keaau; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Conception Basconis
Conception “Connie” Delatorre Basconis, 82, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died April 10, 2014, in San Rafael, Calif. Born Jan. 7, 1932, in Hawi, she was a retired sales clerk and cashier.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. June 19 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. Mass. Burial follows at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by daughters, Liz (Larry) Perez of Santa Rosa, Calif., Debbie Reaves of Freemont, Calif.; son, Trason (Sarah) Basconis Jr. of Piedmont, Calif.; brother, William (Lorene) Delatorre of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Marcy (Willie) Perkins of Kailua-Kona, Caroline Cordero of Hilo; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patricia Campbell
Patricia “Tutu” Jennings Morriss Campbell, 87, of Waimea died May 30, 2014, at her residence. Born Aug. 24, 1926, in Paauhau, she was the owner of the Waimea General Store and Waimea Woolcraft, co-author of “Georgia O’Keefe’s Hawaii” and was a member of the West Hawaii Players and Waimea Community Players theater groups.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. June 23 at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea for an 11 a.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Hawaii Hospice, the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund or the A.W. Morriss III Scholarship Fund at Hawaii Prepatory Academy.
She is survived by husband, Allan Campbell of Australia; daughters, Sally (Allen) Wooddell of Waimea, Virginia (Andrew Fisher) Pressler Fisher of Honolulu; sons, Lex (Lisa) Morriss, Neil (Debi) Morriss and Richard Morriss, all of Waimea; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Ruth Santos
Ruth Lehua Lorch Santos, 90, who was raised in Waikiki, died Dec. 24, 2013, in California. She was a lifelong hula dancer.
Scattering of ashes will be held July 8 in Kona.
She is survived by children, Bobo Santos of California, Stevie Santos Anderson of Kona and California, Mickey Ayres; brother, Kimo Pa of Hilo; sisters, Kaniu Kennedy and Maile Duvauchelle, both of Oahu; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Mildred Subica
Mildred Subica, 85, of Kurtistown died June 1, 2014, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born May 16, 1929, in Olaa, she was a homemaker.
Private services were held. Online condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
She is survived by sons, Myron Subica of Hilo, Milton (Theresa) Subica of Pahoa; daughters, Madeline (Mark) Sehna of Pahoa, Maureen Subica of Kurtistown; brother, Alvin Rapoza of Edison, N.J.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty Blair
Betty Jane Blair, 84, of Kailua-Kona died May 31, 2014, at her residence. Born May 13, 1930, in Hot Springs, Ark., she was a homemaker, a caregiver for the elderly in Texas and had a child care business.
Services are being planned.
She is survived by sons, Stephen Blair of the mainland, Daniel Blair of Blyth, Calif.; daughter, Kathryn Knight of California; one grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Virginia DeBoer
Virginia Lee DeBoer, 87, of Kailua-Kona died April 19, 2014, at her residence. Born Jan. 23, 1927, in Baxter Springs, Kan., she was a front desk operator.
Private services will be held.
She is survived by daughter, Denise DeBoer of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Edward (Vonnie) Ping of Kansas, Douglas (Barbara) Ping of Texas; sisters, Francine (John) Thompson and Donna Ping, both of Kansas; one granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Daryl Hong
Daryl Guy Hong, 62, of Kailua-Kona died June 1, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 18, 1951, in Honolulu, he was a mechanic for Robert’s Repair &Service, a Vietnam Army veteran and a training officer for the Hawaii National Guard.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by sons, Derek (Marie) Hong of Kona Palisades, Allen Hong of Las Vegas, Mike Hong of Kailua-Kona; parents, Daniel and Chizuko Hong of Kona Palisades; two grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Masami Aito
Masami Aito, 82, of Hilo died May 28, 2014, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. Born Sept. 30, 1931, in Kurtistown, he was the proprietor of the former Pacific Rent-All Co. in Hilo and member of Komohana Gardens Association and Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
Private services were held. Family requests no flowers or monetary gifts.
He is survived by wife, Mae Aito of Hilo; daughters, Joy Aito and Ann (Dave) Cristobal, both of Hilo, Lisa (Lance) Ogata of Waipahu, Oahu; brother, Robert (Doris) Aito of Long Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Akira Fukuchi
Akira Fukuchi, 97, of Hilo died June 2, 2014, at a care home in Hilo. Born Feb. 12, 1917, in Lahaina, Maui, he was a retired maintenance worker from Hilo Medical Center and member of Hilo Hooganji Mission.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by sons, Dennis Fukuchi of Hilo, Marvin Fukuchi of Honolulu; daughter, Geraldine (Robert Jr.) Kaupu of Hilo; brothers, Kiichi Fukuchi and Frederick (Peggy) Fukuchi, both of Hilo, Bruce (Barbara) Fukuchi of Honolulu; sisters, Irene Sadler of Williamsburg, Va., Betty Hamakawa of Hilo; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.