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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Katherine Branco
Katherine “Kathy” Branco, 69, of Hilo, died May 7, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honokaa, she was a homemaker, had worked for the former Hawaiian Holiday Macadamia Nut Company and member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
Friends may call 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. June 6, 2022 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a visitation. Mass follows at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Private burial at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No.2.
She is survived by husband, Manuel Branco of Hilo; children, Tracy (Taylor Mattos) Branco, Kelly (Kelvin Fukushima) Branco and Brian (Cherie Tampon) Branco, all of Hilo; brothers, Joseph E. (Theresa) Carvalho of Paauilo, Richard Carvalho and Robert (Carol) Carvalho, both of Honokaa; aunt, Mary Lou Ferreira of Pearl City, Oahu; four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Gary Williams
Gary Williams, 83, of Kailua-Kona, died May 21, 2022, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born Oct.10, 1938 in Logan, Utah, he was the owner and operator of Kona Coffee Connection and an attorney-at-law.
Service information to be announced at a later date.
He is survived by children, Greg (Jodie) Williams of Texas, Jennifer (Ben Hu) Williams of California and Jonathan (Krista) Williams of Wyoming; siblings, Deworth (Alice) Williams, Suzanne (Gary) Larsen all of Utah and David Williams of Colorado; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
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Katsue Nishimura
Katsue Nishimura, 84, of Hilo, died May 15, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was retired from the former Hawaii Motors.
Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts) or flowers.
She is survived by son, Sean Nishimura of Hilo; brother, Motomu (Pauline) Sakai of Hilo; sister-in-law, Nellie Sakai of Honolulu; brother-in-law, Richard Shiigi of Hilo; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Ray Tyler
Ray Donald Tyler, 98, of Waimea, died on May 18, 2022 in Hilo. Born on March 4, 1924, in Cleveland he served in the U.S. Marines in World War II and fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
He is survived by girlfriend, Gail Emerson of Waimea; a nephew; and cousins
Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Harry Yamanaka
Harry Torao Yamanaka, 89, of Hilo, died April 5, 2022, at his residence. Born on Kauai, he was a retired Hawaii Island administrator with the state Department of Education, avid golfer, U.S. Navy veteran, and owner of Harry’s Taxidermy.
Private services held.
He is survived by daughters, Lois-Ann (Patrick) Yamanaka of Honolulu, Mona (Shane) Saiki and Kathy (Jeffrey) Tatsuhara of Keaau, and Carla (Donald) Oates of Half Moon Bay, Calif.; sisters, Gladys Yoon and Kikuye (Harry) Lee of Honolulu, Edith (Charlie) Lee and Doris (Marlon) Henvit of Utah, and Jeannie (Lyle) Jensen of Oregon; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Barbara De Silva
Barbara Jean De Silva, 79, of Kurtistown, died April 20, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 14, 1942, in Honolulu, she was a housewife, previously worked at the Honokaa Post Office, and was a member of the Mountain View Senior Center.
Friends may call from 9 a.m to noon June 4 for a drive-thru celebration of life visitation only at Dodo Mortuary Upper Carport, Hilo.
She is survived by husband, Earl De Silva; daughters, Renee (Ray) Wilson, Raynette Filoteo and Laurie (Lloyd) Miday; hanai son, Keone (Amanda) De Silva; sisters, Diane (Samuel, Sr.) Alameda and Betty Willis; brothers, Stephen (Amy) Mc Donald; sisters-in-law, Dora Mc Donald and Jessie (George) Sanborn; brother-in-law, Donald Medeiros; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Jiemone Oliva-Munoz
Jiemone “Jie” Alohe Onukahi Keia Ku’u Ka-ua Noe O Ke Kai Malu Oliva-Munoz, 24, of Kurtistown, died May 7, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 4, 1997 in Honolulu, he was an arborist for Backyard Monkey and Long Limbs Tree Service.
Services will be held a later date.
He is survived by father, Jairus Munoz of Kurtistown; mother, Monica Oliva of Florida; step-mom, Makaela Arnold of Florida; girlfriend, Carlie Busby of Hilo; grandmothers, Jermayne Crivello of Kurtistown and Sandra Oliva of Kohala; grandfathers, James Oliva Sr. of Florida and Daniel Munoz of Hilo; step-grandfathers, Reynold Crivello of Hilo and Franklin Rivera Sr. of Kohala; and brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Eve Blomgren
Eve May Blomgren, 96, of Hilo died May 21, 2022, at her residence. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was the owner of the former Fireplace Hawaii.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. June 1 in the meeting room at Hilo Bay Shore Towers for a celebration of life. Casual attire.
She is survived by children, Greg Blomgren, Jill (Steve) Jancunski, Leilani Keao, and Colleen Blomgren, all of Hilo; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
