Obituaries 04-06-19

Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.

Nenita Llantero

Nenita “Noning” Fontanares Llantero, 82, of Hilo, died March 25, 2019, at the Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines, she was a teacher in the Philippines and retired as a teacher at Keaau Elementary School, and was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Visitation 6-9 p.m. April 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. April 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mass at 10 a.m. with burial at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire, no flowers.

Survived by husband, Tranquilino “Lino” Llantero of Hilo; sons, Emerson (Kareen) Llantero, Ferdinand (Rosemary) Llantero, Bernard Llantero, Richard (Leslie) Llantero and Harvey (MayLee) Llantero; daughters, Mildred Llantero and Irene (Raymond) Fontecha; brothers, Edison (Erlinda) Fontanares and Mario (Virginia) Fontanares; sisters, Adelaida Fontanares and Corazon Agpaoa; 10 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Andrea Mejia

Andrea “Ann” Gamayo Mejia, 65, of Kurtistown, died March 14, 2019, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Nov. 22, 1953, in Hilo, she was a police officer for 30-plus years, a YWCA Hawaii Island’s Remarkable People honoree, 2009, former background screening coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Keaau.

Friends may call at 8:30 a.m. April 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10 a.m. eulogy and 10:30 a.m. Mass. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests casual attire be worn.

Survived by husband, Phillip Mejia of Kurtistown; daughters, Ashley-Ann (Kona Bright) Mejia and Cathy Mejia of Kurtistown; brother, Melton (Terry) Gamayo of Kurtistown; sisters, Helen (Peet) Nelson of Keaau, Dolly (Jerry) Veloria of Keaau, Arlene Aranita of Pearl City, Oahu, Teresa (Melvin) Gapol of Keaau, Selene (Sam) DeSilva of Hilo; three grandchildren; an uncle, aunts, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Patricia Halalilo

Patricia Anne Halalilo, 77, of Pepeekeo, died March 21, 2019, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born July 29, 1941, in Virginia, she was a retired high security secretary for the federal government and a member of Hilo United Methodist Church.

Visitation 9-10 a.m. April 10 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo with funeral service at 10 a.m. and cremation to follow.

Survived by husband, Laupe Halalilo; sons, Marc Morifuji, David Leslie and Ross Kaleimamahu; daughter, Kristina Kaleimamahu; numerous grandchildren.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Michelle Moku

Michelle K. Moku, 54, of Hilo, died March 21, 2019, in Hilo. Born on Oahu in March of 1965, she worked for Pizza Hut for more than 30 years.

Visitation at St. Joseph Church in Hilo on April 11, 9 a.m. with a Mass at 10 a.m.

Survived by sons, Joshua Moku and Caleb Medeiros; daughters, Caydee Medeiros and Kailani “Zoe” Kaneshiro; mother, Veronica Koizumi; brothers, Sidney (Doreen) Medeiros and Jerry Koizumi; sisters, Carleen Medeiros and Melissa Alidon; a grandson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services by Homelani Cremation Services.

Harue Katsura

Harue Onuki Katsura, 99, of Hilo and formerly of Oahu, died March 3, 2019, at the Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Yokohama, Japan, she was a professional seamstress on Oahu and also worked in retail in Waikiki.

Private services and celebration of life held at Hale Anuenue.

Survived by nieces, Jean (Terrance) Nago of Hilo, Patsy (Alan) Iwasaki of Hilo; grandnieces, grandnephews and a great-grandniece.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Darin Bence

Darin Lee Bence, 52, of Kailua-Kona, died March 15, 2019, in Kailua-Kona. Born in Pennsylvania, he was a certified nursing assistant at Kona Community Hospital.

Private services planned.

Survived by partner, Terrence Santos; cousins Amanda Herr of Greensburg, Penn., and Douglas Polka of Vandergrift, Penn.

Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Tokie Fujimoto

Tokie Okuna Fujimoto, 94, of Hilo, died March 16, 2019, at a foster care home in Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Buddhist Women’s Association and Upper Kaumana Kumiai.

Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.

Survived by children, Shirley Iwase and Ella Fujimoto of Honolulu, Byron (Barbara) Fujimoto of Hilo; sister, Alice K. Furusho of Waikoloa; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Toshi Murakane

Toshi Murakane, 87 of Hilo died March 11, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, she was a retired tour narrator for the former Jack’s Tours.

Private family services held April 1 at Dodo Mortuary, Hilo. Family requests no flowers and no koden (monetary gifts).

Survived by a sister in Ichikawa City, Japan and family members in Hawaii.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Violet Righter

Violet Leimamo Righter, 89, of Waimea, died March 16, 2019, at home. Born in Honolulu, she was retired from Mamo’s Childcare, a hostess at the Willows Restaurant on Oahu and member of the Kamana Senior Center.

An oceanside service and scattering of her ashes will take place at 10 a.m. April 10 at Puako.

Survived by daughters, Louise Beamer of Waimea, Sarah (Ed) Glendon of Glenwood; sons, Matthew Beamer of Waimea, Howard Beamer of Waimea, Jesse (Sharon) Beamer of Kawaihae, William Beamer of Waimea; 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Sherri Fernandez

Sherri Lynn Fernandez, 69, of Mountain View, died March 22, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a waitress and caregiver.

Private family services to be held at a later date.

Survived by son, Kaipo Fernandez of Mountain View; daughter, Jamie (James) Lash of Wilsonville, Ore.; mother, Marie Payne of Keaau; brothers, Tommy (Brenda) Carson of Volcano, John (Carol) Carson of Kaneohe and Scott (Caroline) Carson of Kaloko; four grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Allen Perry Jr.

Allen Herbert Perry, Jr., 59, of Naalehu, died March 20, 2019, at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu on Dec. 5, 1960, he worked as a fisherman on Bite Me II fishing boat with Brian Wargo.

Services will be held.

Survived by friend and companion, Rhonda Bovee Leabo of Naalehu; sisters, Roxy (Steven) Perry of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Wendy (Kiersten) Perry of Papaaloa; brother, John Perry of Honolulu; several cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Mark Wilcox

Mark Douglas Wilcox, 66, of Waikoloa, died March 21, 2019, in Waikoloa. Born in Nebraska, he was a professional mental health counselor.

Services will be held at a later date.

Survived by spouse Lynne; sons, Adrian Wilcox of West Palm Beach, Fla., Chris (Diane) Wilcox of Michigan, Mark Wilcox of Michigan, Matthew (Laura) McCourt of Washington; brother, Gene (Kim) Wilcox of Alaska; sisters, Susan Wilcox of Alaska and Laura (Ord) Anderson of Arizona; seven grandchildren.

Services provided by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Leon Megginson

Leon H. Megginson, also known as Herman L. Megginson, 86, of Ocean View, died Jan. 19, 2019, at Hale Ho’ola Hamakua. Born July 6, 1932, in Bakersfield, Calif.

No services.

No known survivors.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Basilio Tagalicod

Basilio Tagalicod, Sr. 83, of Pahoa, died March 23, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ko’ae, Kapoho, he was a retired heavy equipment operator and a land supervisor for Kapoho Land and Development, and a member of the Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Friends may call on April 13 at the Pahoa Sacred Heart Catholic Church; visitation 8-10 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei are welcomed.

Survived by son, Francisco (Josephine) Tagalicod of Kapaau; daughters, LauryAnn (Craig) Smith of Manchester, Connecticut and Solidad Tagalicod of Pahoa; a daughter in-law; hanai sons, Wesley (Barbara) Kobayashi of Pahoa and Brandon (Stephanie) Morante of Washington; hanai daughters, Marlene Sanoria of Pahoa, Betty (Leroy) Dikito of Kalapana and Lilith Aiona of Keaau; brother, Francisco (Jan) Tagalicod of Parma, Ohio; sisters, Leilani Kobayashi, Lillian (George) Salazar, Emma Tagalicod, Florence (James) Kawaihae, Frances (Solomon) Kaawaloa of Pahoa, Marcelina (Samuel) Kahookaulana, Jane (Howard) Konanui and LoveyMae (Charles Shaffer) Tagalicod of Hawaiian Paradise Park; a sister in-law; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.

Yuriko Hayashikawa

Yuriko Hayashikawa, 98, of Hilo, died March 11, 2019, at a private care home. Born May 2, 1920, in Keaau, she was a retired saleswoman at Helen’s Fabric Shop.

Private services held. Family requests no koden, no flowers.

Survived by daughters, Jean (Wilfred) Fujimoto, Joan Shimoda, Gail DeSilva; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Deanna Pabila

Deanna Kalua Pabila, 62, of Hilo, died Feb. 1, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was an administrative assistant with Hilo Audio.

A celebration of life was held.

Survived by husband, Owen S. Pabila of Hilo; son, Loren K. Pabila of Honolulu; mother, Renee Von Elsner of Hilo; brother, Dean Bitle of Irvine, Calif.; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Tsuneo Sakamoto

Tsuneo “Charles” Sakamoto, 91, of Kailua-Kona, died March 2, 2019, at E&J Adult Residential Care Home. Born in South Kona on March 3, 1927, he was a retired real estate broker and a U.S. Army veteran.

Private services were held.

Survived by his daughter, Cindy (Chris) Featherstone of Captain Cook; granddaughters, Marissa Minor of Houston, and Ajia Minor of Denver.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.

Emily Kamaka

Emily Kawailani Kamaka, 84, of Holualoa, died March 16, 2019, at home. Born in Kailua-Kona on Nov. 13, 1934, she was a retired bartender at the King Kamehameha Hotel, a member of the Holualoa Athletic Club, a matriarch of the Kamaka Ohana and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. April 13 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kailua-Kona. Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. The family requests casual attire and flowers are welcome.

Survived by son, Robert (Dionysia) Kamaka III of Keopu; hanai son, Clyde (Veronica) Keanaaina of Georgia; daughters, Frances (Robert) Liwai of Hilo, Aloha (Bobby) Ellis of Keopu, Roberta (Russell) Reimers of Montana, Romel Kainoa of Kailua-Kona, Rodelle (Mark) Smith of Waikoloa, Helena Kaaialii of Oahu and Donna Kamaka of Maui; brothers, Samuel Maunu of Kohala, Jesse Kaona of Las Vegas, Edward Kaona of Alaska; sister, Peggy Sue (John) Kahalioumi of Kohala; 29 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.

Roger Collins

Roger Thomas Collins, 82 of Ainaloa, died Mar,ch 15, 2019, at Life Care Center Hilo. Born March 21, 1936 in Massachusetts, he was an Army veteran, worked for Tops Roofing, opened his own R.T. Collins Roofing, worked for Atlas Recycling and retired from Aloha Security as a security guard.

Services to be held at a later date.

Survived by son, Curtis (Sandra) Collins of Pukalani; daughters, Cathy (Terry) Tuell of Yuma, Corine (Wendell) Wong of Kurtistown, Cherise Collins of Ainaloa; brother, Ronald (Joyce) Collins of Blandford; sister, Jeanette Moore of Spencer. 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Kenneth Wakida

Kenneth Tetsuo Wakida, 82, of Hilo died Feb. 28, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired working foreman for the Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO), member of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1186 and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Friends may call 3-4 p.m. April 13 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; a celebration of his life will begin at 4 p.m. Casual attire.

Survived by wife, Myrtle Wakida of Hilo; son, Darin (Fay) Wakida of Honolulu; daughters, Terri Lynn (Greg) Tatsuguchi of Honolulu, Sandra (Michael) Viela of Honolulu; brother, Donald Wakida of Honolulu; sisters, Elaine (Hitoshi) Oshiro of Hilo, Evelyn Ueno of California, Ellen Sabihon of California; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Robert Abran Sr.

Robert “Bobby” Abran Sr., 76, of Honokaa, died April 2, 2019, at his residence. Born in Haina, he was a retired plantation supervisor for the former Hamakua Sugar Company, former P&R Paauilo Association Recreation Center director, Alu Like youth counselor, security officer with Mauna Kea Security and Honokaa High School, member of Big Island Basketball Officials Association, Orchid Isle Umpire Association, Little League Association, volunteered for several sports activities and athlete organizations and was a veteran of U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. April 14 at the Haina County Park in Honokaa; a celebration of his life will begin at noon. Casual attire. Flowers and food donations are welcomed.

Survived his children, Debra (Gonzo) Abran-Gonsalves of Hilo, Sheri (Rex) Thompson of Kohala, Sandra (Boyd) Brumaghim of Kona, Robert (Dustie) Abran of Honokaa, Desman (Jaime) Abran of Washington, Daphne (Moku) Abran-Colon of Honokaa; hanai daughter, Charene Roer of Washington; siblings, Francis (Peter) Alpiche of Honokaa, Suzanne Tamashiro of Honokaa, Dolores (William) Sharp of Reno, Shirley Kirkwood of Chicago, Virginia (Ralph) Kaneao of Waikoloa, Attie (Randy) Millare of Kona, Ronald (Valerie) Abran of Kukuihaele, Douglas Abran of Kauai; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Peter Pagan

Peter Pagan, 88, of Mountain View, died Jan. 3, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pepeekeo, he was a sheet metal worker.

A celebration of his life will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 at Maile Beach Park in Nanakuli, Oahu. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. April 20 at Alae Cemetery in Hilo.

Survived by, son, Alan Pagan of Keaau; sister, Christina Baule of Las Vegas,; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Earl Mabuni

Earl Takeo Mabuni, 76, of Hilo, died Feb. 21, 2019, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Dec. 28, 1942, in Hilo, he was a retired draftsman for the City &County of Honolulu.

Private services were held.

He is survived by sons, Eric Mabuni of Hilo, Michael (Reiko) Mabuni of Japan; daughter, Lianne (David) Mabuni-Passmore of Kapolei; brothers, Melvin Mabuni of Kona, George (Ellen) Mabuni of California, Raymond (Mildred) Mabuni of Honolulu; sister, Gail (Jack) Fujii of Hilo; eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Diana Holmes

Diana “S” Holmes, 70, of Nanawale, died March 27, 2019, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in California, she formerly worked in retail, was a social justice advocate and political activist fighting for equality, a member of the Open Arms Metropolitan Church, Pu’ula Congregational Church and was one of the first transgender delegates at the National Organization for Women (NOW).

A celebration of her life will take place at 11:30 a.m. April 14 at the Open Arms Metropolitan Church located at the Ainaloa Longhouse on Ainaloa Blvd., with additional services taking place at a later date at the Pu’ula Congregational Church. Casual attire.

She had no local family but many local friends and acquaintances.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.