Obituaries: May 26, 2022
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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
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Janet Sakamoto
Janet Keiko Sakamoto, 103, of Keaau, formerly of Kaneohe, Oahu, died May 13, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Glenwood, Hawaii, she was retired from Times Supermarket and a member of Windward Church of the Nazarene.
Private services in Honolulu.
She is survived by children, Georgia Takasane of Kaimuki, Oahu, Stephen (Joy) Sakamoto of Kaneohe, Oahu, Iris (Stephen) Carter of Keaau, Val (Linda) Sakamoto of Aiea, Oahu, Irvin (Doreen) Sakamoto of Ewa Beach, Oahu; siblings, Hideko Tanaka of Honolulu, Catherine (Masami) Hironaka of Maui, Andrew (Nancy) Fujisaki of Aiea, Oahu, Pearl (Stanley) Takasane of Kahaluu, Oahu; 10 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary and Hosoi Garden Mortuary.
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Kim Milner
Kim Irish Milner, 70, of Keaau died May 6, 2022, at his residence. Born in Los Angeles, he was a retired police officer with the Honolulu Police Department and an avid surfer and guitarist.
Private services.
He is survived by wife, Lynn Milner of Keaau; and children, Tim Milner of Ainaloa, and Brady Milner and Niki Milner, both of Keaau.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Rose Coit
Rose Paalua Coit, 84, of Hawi, died March 26, 2022 at her residence. Born Dec. 13, 1937 in North Kohala, she was a retired hostess for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and member of Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Private services held.
She is survived by, son, Jonathan Coit of Kohala; daughter, Lisa Minoyama of Honolulu, Oahu; daughter-in-law, Tacherra Coit of California; sister, Helen Sing of Kohala; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Sune Hoglund Jr.
Sune Herbert Hoglund Jr., 84, Keaau and formerly of Waimea, died May 3, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Feb. 17, 1938, in Clatskanie, Oregon, He was Owner of S&M Cabinet Shop and a master carpenter and cabinet maker.
Private services will be held at a later date. Contact Emmalani Hoglund at 808-987-1297 for details.
He is survived by wife, Barbara Hoglund of Keaau; children, Emmalani (Jesse Himphill) Hoglund of Keaau and Gregory (Carrie) Devine of California; hanai-son, Roy Patterson Jr. of Waimea; step-children, Vickie Garza and Amie (Tom) Yessis of Kona,Joseph Hogan of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Marnie Taylor of Arizona and Jamie Trojo of California; and umerous step-children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Mark Oskins
Mark Steven Oskins, 70, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 27, 2022, in McDonald, Tenn. Born in Decatur, Ill., he was an electrician and owner of Home Convenience Center, Inc. and was also a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. June 1 at Hilo Seventh-Day Adventist Church; funeral service at 6 p.m. Graveside committal service 10 a.m. June 2 at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Valerie Oskins of Kailua-Kona; son, Steven (Christie) Oskins of McDonald, Tenn.; daughter, Mari Oskins of Ooltewah, Tenn.; father, Jack Oskins of Keaau; brothers, Mike (Cindy) Oskins of Hilo, Melvin (Sharrie) Oskins of Kailua-Kona and Vernon (Rhonda) Medeiros of Kurtistown; sisters, Alicia (Paul) Kekela of Hilo and Johnalyn Hanohano of Keaau; four grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Richard Mundy
Richard James Mundy, 75, of Hilo died May 2, 2022, at Ka’u Hospital. Born in Hilo, was a world traveler and retired as an assistant instructor of mathematics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Private services will be held at later date.
He is survived by siblings, Robert (Kathryn) Mundy of Kahului, Maui, and Patricia Casey of Washington.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Matsuko Matsuda
Matsuko Matsuda, 102, of Holualoa, died March 7, 2022 at Kona Community Hospital. Born July 24, 1919, in Hawaii, she was a pantry worker at the former Keauhou Beach Hotel.
Private services held.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona
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Roland Fornataro Sr.
Roland James Fornataro Sr., 86, died Feb. 22, 2022, in Santee, California. Born Oct. 3, 1935, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, he was a civil engineer for County of San Diego, Department of Public Works, held a life-time teaching credential for the California Community Colleges, board member and president of the Italian American Civic Association, organizer for the Columbus Day Parades, served the Lady of the Rosary Church, volunteer patrol for Chula Vista and served on the San Diego Crime Commission, member of Chula Vista Elks Club, volunteer at the Kona Community Hospital, the Hospice of Kona, the Hawaii Food Basket and was a member of the Kona Crime Prevention Committee and the Orchid Society, and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southern Caregiver Resource Center on Roland’s behalf (https://www.caregivercenter.org/general-donations).
He is survived by wife, Erina; sons Roland II and Martin; anddaughter Angela (Keith) McMahill; and seven grandchildren.
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Diane Rivas
Diane Margaret Rivas 78, of Waikoloa Village, died May 13, 2022. Born July 29, 1943 in Spokane, Washington, she was as an interior decorator, worked for This Week Big Island as a sales director, founding member of Waikoloa Community Church, coordinator of the Great Waikoloa Horse Race and Rodeo, and rganizer of the Carlos Rivas Memorial Polo Tournament as a benefit for Hospice.
A memorial and celebration of life will be at the Waikoloa Community Church in Waikoloa Village at 2 p.m. June 4.
She is survived by sister, Kristine Eslit of Nevada; step-daughters Alicia Harris of Idaho, Dorian Rivas of California, and Julia (Kurt) Frey of California; niece, Michelle (Jonathan) Malendres of Nevada; nephew Eric (Malia) Doherty of the Big Island; six grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Gregory Vinta
Gregory “GG” Gene Vinta, 68, of Kapaau, died May 16, 2022 at his residence. Born May 21, 1953, in North Kohala, he was formerly employed at Kohala Plastics Company, Avis Rent-A Car, Kawaihae Fish Company and Car Quest.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. June 2 Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery in Hawi for a graveside inurnment service. The family requests no koden.
He is survived by son, Nolan (Luana) Yomes; daughters, Anissa Anakalea and Seleena Anakalea, both of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Pauline Requelman of Kailua-Kona, Henrietta (Benjamin) Labisores of Waipahu, Oahu and Ginger Nakamura of Kapaau; brother, Allen (JoAnn) Vinta of Mililani, Oahu; brother-in-law, Albert Johansen of Pearl City, Oahu; three granddaughters; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Judith Ater
Judith “Judy” Julie Ater, 76, of Hilo, died April 22, 2022 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born July 15, 1945 in Honolulu, she was a homemaker, member of Hilo Seventh-day Adventist Church and a volunteer at the County Office of Aging.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. June 5 at Hilo Seventh-day Adventist Church; celebration of life at 3 p.m. Casual/aloha attire; no flowers.
She is survived by, son, Thomas (Genevieve) Teixeira; daughters, Jessica (Duane) Vargas and Jamie Ater; daughter-in-law, Anna Ater; brother, Ismael (Judy) Flores, Jr.; sisters, Violet Wadkins and Lucille (Stephen) Meek; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two aunts; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Mary Loretz
Mary Ellen Loretz, 83, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 13, 2022 at her residence. Born Oct. 19, 1938 in East Liver Pool, Ohio, she was a retired beauty consultant, cosmetologist and former co-owner of a mobile home park in Northern California.
Private service held.
She is survived by daughter, Nanette Antoon of California; son, J.P. (Lisa) Antoon; grandchildren, Taylor and Shelby Antoon all of Arkansas.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
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Mason Fiesta
Mason Terray Fiesta, 31, of Honomu, died May 18, 2022 at his residence. Born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he was a mason and laborer in construction.
Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. June 3 at Dodo Mortuary; prayer services at 6 p.m. Celebration of life June 4 at Pepeekeo Community Center, 12 to 4 p.m. Pupus and food will be served.
He is survived by wife, Ala Medeiros of Hilo; children, Keishya Fiesta and Keiva Fiesta of Hilo; step-daughter, Kylee Medeiros-Kalawe of Hilo; mother, Cherylene Fiesta of Honomu; father, Mark (Sheila) Barnett of North Carolina; grandparents, Isaac (Mary Jane) Fiesta Jr. of Honomu; sister, Natasha Barnett of mainland; brothers, Andre Barnett, Jordan Barnett, Mark Barnett Jr., Kadrian Barnett, and Noah Barnett of mainland; and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.