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.
Deanna Yamaguchi
Deanna Mifumi Yamaguchi, 97, of Hilo, formerly of Honolulu, died Dec. 1 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Honolulu, she was the retired owner of the former A&K Store in Kalihi, Oahu. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Alison Yamaguchi and Kerry Yamaguchi of Hilo; sister, Joyce Arakaki of Honolulu; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michael Asada
Michael Y. Asada, 76, of Captain Cook died Nov. 5 in Renton, Wash. Born in Puunene, Maui, he retired from Hawaii Electric Light Co. in customer service, was a member of Daifukuji Soto Mission and president of the Kona Daifukuji Taiko group. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Daifukuji Soto Mission in Honalo. Celebration of life service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Cindy Asada of Captain Cook; daughter, Lyanne (Drew) O’Connell of Renton, Wash.; hanai son, Chris (Kate) Cantor of Des Moines, Iowa; hanai daughters, Jaynell Cantor of Kent, Wash., and Chauntelle (Landon) Buckingham of Shoreline, Wash.; brother, Richard (Sheryl) Asada of Stevens Point, Wis.; sister, Lynn (Larry) Cook of Clinton, Ark.; sister-in-law, Gail Asada of Kaneohe, Oahu; hanai sisters, Nika Cantor and Glendora (Sis) Guy of Captain Cook; six grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by People’s Memorial of Seattle.
Joseph Gallen
Joseph Robert Gallen, 71, of Mountain View, died Dec. 2 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, he was a member of the United Church of Christ Pohnpei-Hilo. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Aloha attire. Survived by siblings, Paul Gallen, Deruko G. David, Delida Gallen, Maria G. Paul, Anna G. Alpin, Joses Gallen, Rosalynna G. Donre and Pampelina G. Adelbai. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Greg Rodenbaugh
Greg “Rudedogg” Rodenbaugh, 64, of Pahoa died Nov. 22 at home. He was a tattoo artist and owner/operator of Rudedogg Tattoos in Pahoa. Celebration of life Kaimu, Kalapana early next year. Survived by life partner, Barbara Tracy of Pahoa; son, Justin Rodenbaugh of Pahoa; daughters, Sara Rodenbaugh of Minnesota, Kristy Rodenbaugh of San Diego, Jamie Matthews of Portland, Ore., Alli Rodenbaugh of Montana and Catlynn Akintunde of Washington; mother, Mary Pifer of McMinnville, Ore.; father, Jim Rodenbaugh of Sacramento, Calif.; brothers, Bradley Rodenbaugh of McMinnville, Ore., Gary Rodenbaugh of Ukiah, Calif., and Richard Bridges of Lincoln, Calif.; sisters, Amanda Perkins of Sacramento, Calif., and Tonya Coleman of McMinnville, Ore. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Frances Tanaka
Frances Nobuko Tanaka, 91, of Hilo died Nov. 24 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Olaa, she was the retired owner of the former Mizoguchi Lunch Shop. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughter, Kelly (Daren) Kodani of Hilo; sister-in-law, Yaeko Fujiwara of Hilo; two grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bruce Taylor
Bruce Taylor, 92, of Hawaii Island died Nov. 24. No known family. Survivors are asked to call Hilo Medical Center at (808) 932-3500, option 4.
Wallace Yoshiyama
Wallace Tsutomu Yoshiyama, 80, of Hilo, died Nov. 14 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Olaa, he was a retired state road maintenance worker and U.S. Army veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Deborah “Debbie” Yoshiyama of Hilo; siblings, Bertha Nagata, James (Connie) Yoshiyama and Patrick (Lois) Yoshiyama of Hilo, Alice Oshiba of Seattle, Joann Yokote of Hilo and Larry (Dale) Yoshiyama of Kona; sisters-in-law, Moira (Esteban) Rabang of Kohala, Stephanie (Oren) Tsunezumi and Ann (Gordon) Inaba of Hilo; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Janice Unger
Janice Maxwell Unger, 97, of Kailua-Kona, died on November 1, 2023 in Kea’au. She was born on November 9, 1925 in Long Beach, California. She was an educator and was instrumental in starting Parker School. She and her husband Thomas Unger went on to own and operate the Honomu Plantation Store. Janice is survived by, daughter, Stephanie (Em) Unger; sons, Keith (Cynda) Unger, Thomas (Patty) Unger, Brian (Yvonne) Unger and Scott (Karen) Unger; brother, Doran (Pauline) Maxwell; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services will be held December 16, 2023 at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona; Visitation will start at 9:15 a.m., eulogy at 9:30 a.m., with services to follow at 10 a.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parker School’s The Smart Center or Hawaii Care Choices (formerly Hospice of Hilo). Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Kevin Routh
Kevin Darrell Routh, 63, of Kurtistown died on January 25, 2023 in Hilo. He was born in Renton, WA on August 6, 1959. No services.
James Paiva
James Paiva Jr., 73, of Keaau died on May 20, 2023. A Celebration of Life and potluck will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. at the Ainaola Park, 200 Ainaola Drive, Hilo, HI 96720.
Maybelle Kumali
Maybelle Leiala Kumali, 88, of Keaukaha died Nov. 13 at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and babysitter and member of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church and Family Community Education (University Extension). Visitation from 8:30–10 a.m. Saturday (December 9, 2023) at the Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Keaukaha; a celebration of her life will begin at 10 and a funeral mass will be celebrated at 11. Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (December 12, 2023) at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery #2 Pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by sister, Eunice (Manny) Veincent of Waimea; niece, Kahealani Veincent of Waimea; hanai children, Vanessa Adams Johnson, Anya Adams, Carlie Paulos Reyes, Christina Graber-Luecke, Lacey Cameron Penny, Alice Granito, Dustin Paulos, Alika Cullen, Ikaika Garcia, Chino Garcia; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.