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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Joseph Mattson Jr.
Joseph Bernard Mattson Jr., 72, of Waimea died Jan. 23, 2016, at his residence. Born June 6, 1943, in Honolulu, he was a rancher, vegetable farmer and a U.S. Army veteran.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by wife, Leilani Ahia-Mattson of Waimea; mother, Elaine Mattson of Honolulu; daughters, Naomi (Alefosio) Silva of Honolulu, Lehua (Lanuel) Curley of Flagstaff, Ariz.; son, Joseph Mattson III of Wahiawa, Oahu; stepsons, Robert Scheper, David Scheper and Keokolo Paakonia, all of Waimea; sisters, Ululani Mattson, Norma (William) Liu, all of Honolulu; brothers, Russell Mattson of Waimea, David (Millannie) Mattson of Honolulu, Charles (Marie) Mattson of Waimanalo, Oahu, Lance (Cheryl-Ann) Mattson of Kawaihae; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yutaka Doi
Yutaka “Doc” Doi, 101, of Honokaa, died at home on Jan. 25, 2016. He was born in Paauhau and was a retired laboratory supervisor with the former Hamakua Sugar Co. He was the long-time treasurer of the Hamakua Jodo Mission and also a member of the Honokaa Senior Citizens and Honokaa Senior Softball Team.
Friends may call at the Dodo Mortuary chapel from 1o to 11 a.m. March 5, where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted. He is survived by his sons, Roland F. Doi of Paauhau, and Sidney H. Doi of Aiea, Oahu; daughter-in-law, Claire Doi of Mililani, Oahu; one grandson, Ian Doi, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo
Carol Melim
Mrs. Carol S. Melim, of Kailua-Kona, died Feb. 12, 2016, at the Kona Community Hospital. Born in Pahala, Hawaii on April 16, 1926, she was a retired jeweler for Koehnen’s Jewlry.
Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. March 5 at the Church of the Holy Cross at 440 W. Lanikaula, Street in Hilo. The family requests casual attire.
She is survived by her daughter, Dulce Barton of Long Beach, Calif.; and brother, Yoshizaku Suenobu of Pahala.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Benjamin Toro
Benjamin “Ben the Chicken Man” Alexander Toro, 66, of Ocean View died Jan. 30, 2016, at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired artist, auto mechanic and painter.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. March 5 at Naalehu Sacred Heart Church for a 10 a.m. service. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. March 19 at Our Lady of Mount Church in Honolulu for a 10 a.m. service. The family requests aloha or casual attire and no flowers.
He is survived by sons, Dwayne Kahoonei, Franklin, Francis, Vincent, and Anthony Souza; daughters, Renee Kaaihue, Tammy Wong, Jolayne Kahoonei, and Francine Souza; 14 grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Geraldine Yoneda
Geraldine “Gerri” Yoneda, 70, of Kapaau died Feb. 16, 2016, at home. Born in Kohala, she was retired from Kohala Hospital.
Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. March 7 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hawi for a 10 a.m. Mass. Private urn committal will be at a later date. Family requests casual attire be worn and flowers to be omitted.
She is survived by husband, Elmer Yoneda of Kapaau; daughters, Dawn (Raymond) Valenzuela and Jodi (Henry Alameda Jr.) Yoneda of Kohala, Cheri (Elmer Ragpala) Pires of Paauhau; brothers, Wayne Ignacio of California, Myles (Mary Lou) Ignacio of Hawi; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Adele Jardine
Adele Jardine, 97, of Hilo, died Feb. 19, 2016, at Life care center of Hilo. Born Nov. 21, 1918, in Hilo, she retired as a bartender at Naniloa Hotel. She was a member of ILWU Local 142.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. March 7 at Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo for an 11 a.m. service. Burial will follow at Maunakea Memorial Park in Papaikou.
She is survived by sons, Roy (Dottie) Jardine of Kailua-Kona and Manny Jardine of Hilo; six granddaughters; 20 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Elizabeth Pavao
Elizabeth Pavao, 94, of Kaiwiki died Feb. 13, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Sept. 1, 1921, in Pepeekeo, she was a homemaker and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Kaiwiki / Wainaku Community Association.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. March 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. Mass. Burial will follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, Frank (Cheryl) Pavao III of California, Charles (Sin Suk) Pavao of Kaiwiki, Steven (Pauline) Pavao of Hilo; daughter, Bernadette Pavao of Keaau; brother, Manuel (Josephine) Pedro of Oahu; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kikue Hatayama
Kikue Hatayama, 87, of Hilo, died Feb. 18, 2016, at her home. Born in Hilo, she was a former teacher at IVY Daycare and retired manager for Kandi’s Drive Inn.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. March 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service.
She is survived by husband, Kenichi Hatayama of Hilo; sons, Carl (Tina) Hatayama of Oahu, Brian Hatayama of Hilo, Kent Hatayama of California, Mark (Scarlett) Hatayama of Keaau; daughter, Gayla (John) Kurokawa of Hilo; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Audrey Mikita
Audrey Corinne Mikita, 87, of Waikoloa died Jan. 27, 2016, in Honolulu. Born Dec. 19, 1928, in Pasadena, Calif., she was a Realtor at Mauna Lani Realty and member of Ascension Catholic Church in Puako.
Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. March 12 at Ascension Catholic Church in Puako for a 10 a.m. Mass. Friends may also call at noon March 14 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery for urn burial.
She is survived by husband, Thomas Mikita of Waikoloa; sons, Bruce (Julie) Coull of Florida, Bradley Coull of Downey, Calif., Randall Coull of Waikoloa, Mark Mikita of Chicago, Michael (Patricia) Mikita of Charlotte, N.C.; daughters, Leslie Coull-Hayes of San Dimas, Calf., Tamara (Mark) Cozen of Charlotte, N.C.; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jenny Letts
Jenny Ann Letts, 60, of Mountain View died at home Feb. 22, 2016. Born in Wenatchee, Wash., she was co-founder of Elsela Ranch Ministries Outreach for women.
Celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. March 13 at Punaluu black sand beach. Please bring flowers.
She is survived by daughter, Amy Maxon; sons, Levi and Dennis Letts; sister in Christ Rev. Diane Ireland; brothers, Pete Maxson, Jim Maxon, Roger Maxson; and eight grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Lorraine Kaniho
Lorraine Poli (Akiona) Kaniho, 86, of Waimea died Feb. 6, 2016, at home. She was born Dec. 2, 1929.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
She is survived by sons, Gary of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Guy (Sheryl) Kaniho of Kona; daughters, Sharon (Pete) Peterson of Bisbee, Ariz., Blanche (Pat) Batchelder of Waimea; sisters, Josie Delaura, Shirley Herring, both of Vallejo, Calif., Ramona Teves, Dorothy Kekuewa, Veronica Samera, Lorna Akiona, all of Honolulu; four children; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Patrick Lessary
Patrick Lessary, 67, of Hilo died Feb. 22, 2016. Born April 5, 1948, in Honolulu, he retired as a printer for Midweek.
A celebration of life will be held April 9 and a tribute ride is planned April 10. Info: Paula, paulaululani@yahoo.com, 989-2808. Condolences may be sent to ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
He is survived by daughters, Paula (Vince) Picar of Hilo, Tammie (Allen) Cullen of Honolulu; brothers, Joseph Lessary, John Lessary, James Lessary, all of Honolulu; sisters, Esther Lessary, Patricia Riveira, Margaret Lessary, all of Honolulu; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Patricia Minniear
Patricia Ann Nakashima Minniear, 66, of Hilo died Feb. 16, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired copy center operator at Purdue University in Indiana.
Private services were held.
She is survived by son, Scott (Penny) Minniear of Brookston, Ind.; daughter, Kerian (Rob Miller) Minniear of Logansport, Ind.; mother, Yuk Ching Nakashima of Hilo; sisters, Karlene Graylin, Gayle Ayers, both of Hilo; three grandchildren, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Alex Inouye
Alex Takeo Inouye, 95, of Pepeekeo died Feb. 12, 2016, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born May 31, 1920, in Pepeekeo, he was retired from the Department of Transportation Highways Division as a bridge maintenance supervisor, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Papaikou Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
Private services were held. Family requests no flowers or monetary offerings.
He is survived by daughter, Kathryn (Wayne) Yanagisawa of Hilo; sons, Dennis (Yvonne) Inouye, David (Ok Hui) Inouye, both of Hilo; brothers, Harry (Takeko) Inouye of San Francisco, Walter (Ellen) Inouye of Honolulu; sister, Patsy Adachi of Hilo; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.