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.
Noreen Spencer
Noreen “Keala” Kealaonaona Spencer, 69, of Pahoehoe, died Oct. 31, 2017, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born July 31, 1948, in South Kona, she was homemaker, former housekeeper for Kona Lagoon Hotel and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later day. Condolences may be sent to the family c/o E.Spencer, III, P.O. Box 1131, Naalehu, HI 96772.
She is survived by sons, Emil (Morgan) Spencer, III of Waiohinu, Aukake Spencer of Pahoehoe; daughter, Nalani Spencer of Pahoehoe; hanai sons, Thaddeus (Tina) Haalilio of Kealia, Rudy Haalilio of Honaunau; hanai daughter, Kainoa (Melvin) Palea, III of Ocean View, Aloha Reeves of Napoopoo; sisters, Charlotte Rodrigues of Honalo, Nellie Takahashi of Makakilo, Geraldine Rivera of Holualoa, Jasmine Angeleo of Las Vegas, Henri-Ann (Morris) Nagata of Captain Cook; brothers, Arnold (Frances) Haalilio of Papaikou, Wilfred (Maggie) Haalilio, Sr. of Honaunau, Jeffrey (Theresa) Haalilio, Sr. of Ocean View, David (LorrieAnn) Haalilio, Sr. of Kealakekua; hanai sisters, Nancietta Haalilio of Kealia, Harriet Haalilio of Pearl City, Blossom Sapp of Ocean View; hanai brothers, Jewett (Regina) Spencer of Kealakekua, William (Gabriel) Lucas of Ocean View; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Russ Robinson
Russ Holton Robinson, 78, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 26, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Oct. 30, 1938, in Oxnard, Calif., he was a retired curator for California Well Sample Repository, a geologist, treasurer and member of Kona Masonic Lodge, former chemistry teacher for Kealakehe High School and an associate for Walmart and Lowe’s.
Services were held. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kona Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by wife, Mary Carney of Kailua-Kona; Melissa (Ryan) Alsop of Laguna Beach, Calif.; son, Perry (Nadina) Robinson of Anaheim, Calif.; six grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Carol Stepleton
Mrs. Carol Jean Stepleton, 85, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 17, 2017, at her residence. Born Dec. 26, 1931, in Whittier, Calif., she was a retired public school educator, and member of the PEO Sisterhood.
Private services held.
She is survived by her husband, Rodney Stepleton of Kailua-Kona; son, Jay (Clair) Stepleton of Montclair, N.J.; daughters, Debra (Rick Chalmers) Stepleton of Ashland, Ore., and Sheila (Adrian) Cadaoas of Hilo; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Mary Hashimoto
Mary Josephine Hashimoto, 81, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 8, 2017, at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born July 19, 1936, in Wailuku, Maui, she was a cashier at the former Kealakekua Chevron and the former Mrs. Field’s Cookies in Kealakekua and the Waiakea Theater in Hilo.
A celebration of life will be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 at Hookena Beach in Hookena. The family requests casual attire.
She is survived by her sons, Christiano (Cindy) Hashimoto, Jr., of Minnesota, and Bruce (Frances) Hashimoto of Hookena; daughters, Georgianna (Kenny Raymond) Hashimoto of Hilo, and Audrina (Milton) Angelo of Honokaa; brother, Vernon (Barbara) Kam of Arizona; sister, Rosalie Hashimoto of Waimanalo, Oahu; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona
Ellen Lainaholo
Ellen “Tita” Haumealani Lainaholo, 81, of Hilo, died Oct. 21, 2017, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born on Oct. 22, 1935, in Hilo, she was a retired waitress from the former Naniloa Surf Hotel and a member of Kuhio Chapel in Keaukaha.
Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m. Nov. 24 at Haili Congregational Church. Wake service begins at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9-10 a.m. Nov. 25 at the church for a 10 a.m. funeral service. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
She is survived by, daughters, Zelda (Kendall) Kelson of Hilo, Junedale Lainaholo of California, Leonetta Lainaholo of California and Joni Bonilla of Hilo; sisters, Patience (Samson) Brown of Hilo and Lavern Lewis of Hilo; brother, Eric (Diane) Kela of California; 12 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Kenneth Wiseman
Kenneth “Ken” Alan Wiseman, 67, of Volcano, died Nov. 1, 2017, at Ka’u Hospital. Born on May 10, 1950, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, he was a retired architectural planner and helped to build Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. He was also a member the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Private services.
He is survived by, wife, Carolyn Wiseman of Volcano; son, Alex Wiseman of Volcano.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Napoleon Higuera
Napoleon Manuel Preal Higuera, 49, of Hilo, died Oct. 14, 2017, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born on March 8, 1968 in Fresno, Calif., he was a supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service.
Private services.
He is survived by, sons, Anthony (Irene), Joshua, Napoleon II, Daniel and Thorin; daughters, Miranda (Chris) and Nadia; parents, Juan and Anna Higuera; brothers, Juanito (Lisa), Che (Claudia), Fortino (Sunday) and Manuel (Dolly); sister, Priscilla (Jose); fiancé, Allison Walker; nine grandchildren; 19 nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch.
Elmyra Louise Kanuha
Nov. 25, 1954 – Nov. 10, 2017
Elmyra Louise Kanuha, 62 of Captain Cook, Hawaii, passed away on Nov. 10, 2017. She was born in Oahu. Elmyra worked as a home-maker.
She is survived by partner Mike Auhoy; sisters Beverly (Mark) Strassburg of California; Lorraine Kamakea of Honolulu; brother Ray (Marilyn) Kamakea of Honolulu; and hanai son Mike Auhoy, Jr. of Papa Bay.
Private services will be held.
Online condolences may be posted on www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.