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 to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements with photos may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Michael Pepple
Michael Dean Pepple, 79 of Volcano, passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Hawaii, Born on April 9, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri; he was a retired auto mechanic; a beloved brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; a kind friend and neighbor. Preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ann Frazier, and father, Clyde Dean Pepple, Uncle Sam Zaiss and wife Virginia; Cousin Richard Zaiss. A Memorial Service will be held at Dodo Mortuary Chapel on Saturday, August 5, 2023; Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Service at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire Live Streaming Video – Log on to Dodo Mortuary Web Site-Under Decedent name Michael Dean Pepple Survived by son, Ryan (Dionne) Pepple and step-daughter Celine of Honolulu; daughters, Lisa Pepple and Lea Pepple of Honolulu; six grandchildren, Ethan, Kayla, Walter, Noah, Hunter, and Michaela; one great-grandchild: Angelisa; brother, Dennis Lee (Janet) Pepple of Colorado; sisters, Julia Ann (Harry) Hill of Wyoming, Peggy DeVaul and Kathy (Chuck) of Colorado, Sherry McClain of Texas, Carol (Jim) Lewis of Arizona and Jeannie (Jim) Koskimaki of Idaho; cousin, ohn Zaiss of Montana; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leonara Sensano
Leonora Sensano, 97, of Pepeekeo, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at residence. Born on September 2, 1925 in Lahaina, Maui; she was a retired Loan Clerk and Teller for the Pepeekeo Federal Credit Union. She also was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, Pepeekeo Filipino Association and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Filipino Club. Friends may call on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Immaculate Heart Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, Visitation from 8:30 AM to 10 AM; Funeral mass at 10 AM. Family requests Aloha attire Burial at Homelani Memorial Park (Ilima Section) She is survived by son, Artemio Sensano, Jr. of Keaau; daughters, Stella Sensano of Fairfield, California, Yolanda Cartwright of Pepeekeo and Marlyn (Lloyd, Jr.) Akiona of Keaau; sister, Agrifina (Vic) Ignacio of Philippines; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Chrystal Raquel
Chrystal Leona Maelynn Raquel, 37, of Hilo died July 5 at the Kuakini Medical Center on Oahu. Born in Hilo, she was a former deli clerk at Sack N Save in Downtown Hilo. Visitation from 4:30–6 p.m. Friday (August 4, 2023) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; a celebration of her life will begin at 6. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by fiancé, Kyle Castro of Hilo; son, Kyden Castro of Hilo; mother, Laurie Ann Raquel of Hilo; siblings, Lainessa (Daniel) Rosenberg of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Bennilynn (Linson) Hiraoka of Honokaa, Juanito (Kuuipo) Raquel of Ainaloa, Malorie (Philip) Chesebro-Morillo of Hilo; paternal grandparents, Leonard &Juanita Chesebro of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Judith Fekete
Judith Ann Fekete, 82, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died July 13, 2023 at her residence. Born in Long Beach, California on September 3, 1940, she retired as Executive Secretary for Hewlett-Packard Company, and a member of Daifukuji Soto Mission. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. August 18, 2023, at Daifukuji Soto Mission in Honalo; memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. In lieu of koden (monetary gifts), donations may be made to Daifukuji Soto Mission. The family requests Aloha attire. She is survived by her brother, Bruce Ferguson of Long Beach, CA.; 8 nieces and nephews; numerous cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ronald Todd, Sr.
Ronald Carter Todd Sr., 86 of Hilo passed away on July 14, 2023. A Hilo native, he served as a Master Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy and was known for both his integrity and fairness. He loved the Navy, Hawaii, John Wayne, and the 49ers. He is survived by his cherished wife of 62 years, Paula; son, Ron Jr. (Raecheal); daughters Alethea and Shari; Aunty Mona Wong, sister June Rains, brother Al Souza, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding Ron in death was his brother, Clay and his beloved granddaughter, Celeste. Visitation will occur on August 4, 2023 from 08:30-10:00 a.m. in the chapel at Dodo Mortuary. A celebration of life will immediately follow at 10:00 a.m. Military honors will be conducted at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 (Pavilion) at precisely 12 noon, August 4, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc. PO Box 6820, Hilo, HI 96720. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Smith
James Sherman Kaulana Smith, 48, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died May July 17, 2023 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, Hawaii on September 7, 1974, he was a self-employed auto mechanic. Services will be held at a later date. He is survived by his son, James Smith; daughters, Jasmine Smith and Jashelle Smith, all of Hilo, Tatiana Smith of Kailua-Kona; father, James Smith of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Alison (Garry) Southerland of Idaho, and Tracey (Jessie Araki) Smith, and brother, Shawn (Leai Conn) Smith, all of Kailua-Kona; 4 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Florentino Sagon, Jr.
Florentino “Tino” Manipon Sagon, Jr, 77, of Hilo, passed away on July 20, 2023 at Hilo Medical Center with his daughters by his side. Born in Hilo, Hawai. He died following a valiant battle with cancer (multiple myeloma). Tino, a man of many talents and facets was a navy veteran, a retired car salesman, a member of the Hawaii Fil-Am golf club, and well-loved by his family and friends. Visitation will be held at Dodo Mortuary Chapel on Wednesday, August 2, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with services to immediately follow at 6 p.m. Burial will be held at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, No. 2, 110 Laimana Street, Hilo, on Thursday, August 3, at 9 a.m., with Military Honors at (Pavilion). Tino is survived by children, Jessica (Kamoi) Gaspar of Keaau, Jennifer Sagon (Patrick) of Pahoa, Marcus (Keani) Sagon of Kentucky, Jason Sagon of Washington, Jeneen (Esther) Sagon of Nebraska and Michael (Pearla) Ventura of Washington; siblings, Clarita (Eric) Waldram, Leonard (Ann) Sagon and Randolph (Laraine) Sagon, Sr. of Hilo, Alvin (Nancy) Sagon of Maui and Michael (Judy) Sagon of Kamuela; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.