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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Marylyn Soaladaop
Marylyn Donna Keliikane Baysa Soaladaop, 72, of Honolulu, died Nov. 25, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was the operations manager for Wisteria Lane Flooring, former employee at Vacations Hawaii and the Keaʻau Police Station, and a student of carpentry at Hawaii Community College. Private services. She is survived by sister-in-law, Lorna Baysa; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Service.
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Christopher Wilkes
Christopher “James” Dean Wilkes, 52, of Hilo, died Oct. 27, 2022, at home. Born in Burlington, New Jersey in 1970, he was a combat medic in the U.S. Army, a tile setter, and an executive chef. Private services. He is survived by his wife, Kealoha’aina Wilkes; hanai brothers, M. Pahinui (Shana Clark-Wingler) Bauckham of Kaloli; Glenn Mitsuda of Hilo, Kevin (Shanna Kamanu) Helliangao of HPP; Gary Altman Jr. of Springfield, MO, Cedric (Amy) Andrews of Bremerton, WA; brother-in-law, Francis (Kalehua) Simeona Jr. of Mountain View; sister-in-law, Chelsea (Abraham Leedy) Ah Sing of Pepe’ekeo; hanai sister, Leinani (Ernie Mattos) Raymond of Hilo; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Service.
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Merrill Smith
Merrill L. Smith, 91, of Pahoa, died Nov. 29, 2022 at his home in Pahoa. Born April 30, 1931 in New Pine Creek, California, he was the owner of Smith and Son’s Cabinet shop in South Lake Tahoe, the Burger Smith and the Hula-Hula Café on Maui, and the Bid And Buy in Hilo. A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 15 at Pohoiki; potluck lunch at 1 p.m.; memorial service at 2 p.m. He is survived by wife, Ida (Hoapili) Smith; children, Sharon Inman, Thomas Smith, Dennis Smith, Mark Smith, Richard Smith, Mathew Smith, Charles Jenks, Terrie Esperaza, Albert Jenks, Paul Hoapili, Victor Hoapili, Tracy Galimba, Trudy Kistler; 34 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
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Masue Yogi
Masue Yogi, 82, of Hilo, died Dec. 2, 2022 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Olaa (Keaau) on Jan. 24, 1940, she retired from the accounting firm of Namihira and Yokoyama, CPA’s in Hilo, bookkeeper and was a member of the Hilo Hooganji Mission and formerly worked for T.H.Y. &Associates, Inc. in Hilo. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary offerings). She is survived by brother, Yoshio (Marcia) Obasa of Hilo; sister, Yoshie (Abel) Wakida of Hilo; numerous nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Brian Scott Shepherd
Brian Scott Shepherd, 59, of Hookena Beach and formerly of Greenfield, Wisconsin, died Nov. 27, 2022 at home. Born in San Francisco on May 2, 1963, he was a research physiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran, and mentor. A beach memorial to celebrate his life will be held next spring. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity that protects/conserves nature in Brian’s name. He is survived by wife, Michele Shepherd of Hookena Beach; sons, Anson (Danielle) Shepherd of Hookena Beach and Colin Shepherd of Milwaukee; mother, Lynette (James) Takane of Logan, Utah; brothers, Steven (Theresa) Shepherd and John (Reiko) Shepherd; sister, Laura Shepherd, all of Utah; step-mother Edith (Raymond) Shepherd of Bedford, PA; in-laws (Carpenter, Mills, DeCenso, and Nishimura Ohana); and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles Oba
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Charles Norio Oba, 85, of Hilo, died Nov. 19, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Laupahoehoe on Aug. 22, 1937 and retired as a cook from the Naniloa Surf Hotel in Hilo, was a member of the Taishoji Soto Mission, ILWU Bowling League, North Hilo Bowling League and was an avid fisherman and vegetable farmer. Private services held. No flowers. He is survived by wife, Helen Oba of Hilo; son, Kevin Oba of Hilo; daughter, Charlene (Leland) Matsuoka of Pepeekeo; brother, Harold Oba of California; sisters, Shirley Kawamoto of Hilo, Harriet Huber of Henderson, Nevada, Gladys Lopez of Hilo and Karen (Richard Davis) Oba of California; two grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.