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.
Roy Aratani
Roy Masashi Aratani, 80, of Hilo, passed away on May 6, 2023 at Lifecare Center of Hilo. He was retired from Pearl Harbor of Honolulu. An inurnment will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Punchbowl Cemetery on Oahu. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by his daughters, Carrie Inouye, Tracey Takahashi, and Kelli Matsushima; and 7 grandchildren.
John Sauer
John Deville Sauer, 84, of Pahala, died June 10 at home. He was born in Los Angeles and was an electrical engineer. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 12) at the Kaili Malie Farm in Pahala. Celebration of life at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by sons, Richard Sauer and Kekoa Iona of Honolulu, John (Kalai Akiona) Sauer of Keaau; daughters, Marlene (Rodney) Freitas of Pahala and Malia (William) Downen of Brighton, Tenn.; hanai daughter, Josephine Wroblewski of Pahala; sister, Marilyn (George) Miller of Lakeside, Ore.; 23 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, numerous nieces &nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Arnold De Lima
Arnold Curt De Lima, 58, of Marysville, Calif., died July 6 at home. He was born in Hilo and was a power plant supervisor with the Yuba County Water Agency and an Operation Desert Storm Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 16) at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorial mass at 9:30 a.m. Urn committal service 11:30 a.m. at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2 pavilion. Survived by wife, Della De Lima of Marysville, Calif.; son, Nathan (Nicolette) De Lima of Yuba City, Calif.; step-son, John Guanzon of Texas; parents, Ronald and Betty Lou De Lima of Hilo; brothers, Robin (Margaret) De Lima of Palmdale, Calif. and Rodney De Lima of Hilo; sister, Renee De Lima of Oahu; father and mother-in-law, Omie and Dewey Gunther of Loyalton, Calif.; nine grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo
Richard Knox
Richard Alan Knox, 67, of Volcano, died July 13 at home. He was born in Pennsylvania and was a landscaper and a Veteran of the US Marine Corps. Private services held. Survived by wife, Mindy Lee Knox of Volcano; sons, Brian Marshall Hobbins of the mainland and Nathan (Christina) Hobbins of New York; daughter, Dian (Paul) Guardasoni of Pennsylvania; brother, Glenn DeWitt of Denver; sister, Debbie Thoman of Ohio; seven grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jack Brown
Dr. Jack Davis Brown, 81, of Pahoa died July 22 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he was a retired Professor of French at the University of Mississippi, owner of “The Garden Center” in Oxford, Mississippi, member of Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church in Pahoa and was active in the culinary arts at Hawaii Community College and in the Hilo community. A celebration of his life will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday (August 10, 2023) at the Church of the Holy Cross UCC (440 W. Lanikaula St., Hilo). Scattering of his ashes to follow. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neighborhood Place of Puna. Survived by son, Davis (Annette) Brown of Salisbury, North Carolina; daughter, Anne-Marie Davis of Charlotte, North Carolina; five grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nancy Yanagawa
Nancy Umeyo Yanagawa, 96, of Naalehu died July 22 at her home. Born in Waiohinu, she was a homemaker, worked at Saga Food Service and a member of the Naalehu Hongwanji Mission. Private services. Survived by husband, Robert Yanagawa of Naalehu; daughter, Robin Kamakahi of Naalehu; sister, Jean (Henry) Sjaardema of Bozeman, Montana; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Benjamin Marquez
Benjamin Marquez, 79, of Keaau, passed away on July 23, 2023. Born March 24, 1944 in Wailuku, HI, he retired from A &B Company as a supervisor. He is survived by wife, Therese (Terry Wendt) Marquez; sons, Ben Marquez of Maui, Craig Marquez of California, Kirk (LuShayna) Marquez of Maui; stepchildren, Chad (Ellen) Wendt, Ryan (Vanessa) Wendt, Lance Wendt; brothers, Laurence Miguel of Maui, Gene (Michelle) Marquez of Naalehu; sisters, Betty Miguel Rodrigues of Alaska, Elise Miguel of California; in addition to 14 grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10-11 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Orchidland Chapel, 16-105 Orchid Land Drive, Keaau. A Luncheon and fellowship to follow. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.