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.
Roberta Cho
Roberta Ann Cho, 65, of Honaunau, died April 4, 2020 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Racine, Wisconsin on Aug. 14, 1954, she was a retired district registrar for the Department of Health in Kealakekua.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by her husband, Donovan Cho of Honaunau; sons, Stephen (Corinne) Cho of San Diego, Andrew Cho and James (Brienn) Cho of Honaunau; mother, Shirley Hoffman; brother, Edward Hoffman of Keaau; four grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
John Lesseos
John Mark Lesseos, Sr., 57, of Hilo, died March 30, 2020 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 25, 1962, in Los Angeles, he was a journeyman painter and member of the Painting Industry of Hawaii.
Celebration of life at a later date.
He is survived by companion, Melanie Boehm of Homer Glen, Ill.; children, Johnny Lesseos Jr. and Jennifer Leona Lesseos of Hilo, Louie Lesseos of Chicago; father, Louis Nick Lesseos, Sr. of Anaheim, Calif.; siblings, Toni Limon of Glendale, CA, Eva Lesseos-Lupher and Mimi Lesseos of Acton, Calif.; two grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ben Tamura
Ben Takayuki Tamura, 93, of Kawaihae, died April 10, 2020 at home. Born Aug. 21, 1926, in Honolulu, he was a member of Kamuela Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.
Private services at a later date. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by wife, Amy Tamura of Kawaihae; daughters, Joy Ota of Waimea, Susan (William) Brennan of California; son, James Tamura of Kawaihae; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Phyllis Alvarado
Phyllis Ann Alvarado, 91, of Kailua-Kona, died April 11, 2020, at her residence. Born Nov. 30, 1928, in St. Paul, MN, she was a homemaker.
No services planned at this time.
She is survived by daughter, Lynn Ann Alvarado of Kailua-Kona; son, Lawrence Alvarado of California; two granddaughters.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Martha Monello
Martha Sue Monello, 74, of Kailua-Kona, died April 8, 2020 at the Regency at Hualalai. Born in Kansas City, KS on March 3, 1946, she was a private school counselor, a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and a former member of the Elks Club.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Monello Jr. of Kailua-Kona; sons, Ryan (Mellon) Monello of Hilo, and Eric (Jennifer) Monello of Nebraska; daughter, Meredith (Rees) Michael of Kailua-Kona; sister, Mary Lunceford of Prairie Village, KS; five grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Janet Murakami
Janet Kinue Murakami, 91, of Honokaa, died April 11, 2020 at home. Born Feb. 25, 1929, in Honokaa, she was retired from the former Honokaa Hospital, past president and member of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Women’s Association, member of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Honokaa Seniors Club, organizer for the Honokaa Hongwanji Obon Festival, recipient of the 2015 Hawaii County Outstanding Older American Female Award, previous member of the Honokaa Hongwanji New Dharma Band, hula sister with Halau Manu Lea Hawaii and past volunteer for the North Hawaii Hospice program.
Due to COVID-19, memorial services will be held at a later date at the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
She is survived by husband, Kiyoshi Murakami of Honokaa; son, Wesley (Debbie) Murakami of Waimea; daughter, Wendy (John Schneider) Murakami of Monson, Mass.; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
