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 C. Bishop
Roy C. Bishop, 92, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 18 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in British Columbia, Canada, he was a retired U.S. Air Force senior master sergeant and veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, also retired from the State of Washington Department of Ecology Water Resources, member of New Hope Legacy Church and an artist. Inurnment services with military honors 9 a.m. Monday (March 25) at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. Survived by wife, Donna Bishop of Kailua-Kona; son, Kenneth (Jennifer) Bishop of Oklahoma; brother, Donald (Judith) Bishop of Seattle; sister, Grace Payne of Seattle; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Francis “Bo” Saiki
Francis “Bo” Saiki, 79, of Hilo died March 2 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired zoning inspector for the county Planning Department, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Big Island Sports Hall of Fame and Kats Athletic Club, former head coach for Waiakea and Keaau high schools girls softball, coach for Keaukaha Pony, Colt, Babe Ruth, Big League, AJA and St. Joseph High School baseball teams and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday (March 26) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Service at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Amelia “Millie” Saiki of Hilo; daughters, Cori Saiki and Kaycie Saiki of Hilo; sisters, Luana Kawelu and Leinani Andrade of Hilo; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Susie Kaleimomi Martines
Susie Kaleimomi Martines, 80, of Kailua-Kona died March 8 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kaauhuhu Homestead, Kohala, she was a retired switchboard operator at the old Kona Inn, public school cafeteria cook and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kona 1st Ward. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kona Hawaii Stake Center. Funeral service 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Julian Martines of Kailua-Kona; sons, Julian J. (Stepheanne) Martines of Kailua-Kona and Kyle Kalani Martines of St. Paul, Minn.; daughter, Suzette Wainani (Monty) Vea of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Emily Dewitt of Hawi, Kuulei Marquart of Lincoln, Neb., and Kanani Mills of Pahrump, Nev.; eight grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William “Pops” Notley Gunderson Sr.
William “Pops” Notley Gunderson Sr., 94, of Waimea, died at home on March 10. He was a retired fire captain with the Honolulu Fire Department. No services. Survived by wife, Yvonne Gunderson; children, Jan Espere, Billy (Ulu) Gunderson, Kiki (Kaiwi) Kihoi, Mike Gunderson and Mana (LiAnn Uyeda) Gunderson; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Donations appreciated at North Hawaii Hospice. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Richard “Dado” Katsuya Shiigi
Richard “Dado” Katsuya Shiigi, 92, of Hilo died Feb. 26 at home. Born in Pahoa, he was retired from the former Hawaiian Equipment and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Craig (Adele) Shiigi of Hilo; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lillian Hali‘imaile Medeiros
Lillian Hali‘imaile Medeiros, 87, of Honaunau died in Holualoa. Born in Kealakekua, she was a cook at the Manago Hotel Restaurant and member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Services 9 a.m. May 4 at St. Benedict’s (Painted) Church. Lunch to follow. Survived by sons, Clifford (Jadelyn) Medeiros and Gary Medeiros of Kona; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
David Mendonsa Sr.
David Mendonsa Sr., 86, of Hilo died Feb. 18 at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the former Hawaiian Tel and a U.S. Army veteran. Private services held. Survived by son, David John (Jessica Blank-Mendonsa) Mendonsa Jr. of Maui; daughter, Tanya Lyn (Thomas Jr.) Hickcox of Hilo; sisters, Priscilla Chung of Oahu, Lorraine (Joe) Veincent and Joann Loa of Hilo; sister-in-law, Lorraine Mendonca of Hilo; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yvonne Chappell Corbin
Yvonne Chappell Corbin, 85, of Keaau died Feb. 29 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo. Born in California, she an archaeologist for PHRI. No services. Survived by husband, Alan Corbin of Keaau; son, James Brady of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter, Bryce Miler of California; hanai daughter, Michelle Kikala of Keaau; grandchildren and extended family. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Takako “T” Miura
Takako “T” Miura, 89, of Hilo died Jan. 27 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a retired kindergarten teacher, working most of her career at Chiefess Kapi‘olani Elementary School in Hilo, member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and volunteered for numerous organizations. Private services held. No flowers or No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by husband, Toshimasa Miura of Hilo; son, Colin (Lisa) Miura of Waimea; sisters, Jean Yanaga of Aiea, Oahu, Lillie Tsuchiya and Lucille Takemoto of Hilo; brother-in-law, Jim Burkhart of San Jose, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Amy “Uta” Miura of Pahoa, Dale (Gene) Oshima of Hilo and Marian Miura of Seattle; three grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Barbara Eva Mehau
Barbara Eva Mehau, 91, of Hilo died March 5 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Wailuku, Maui, she was a retired civilian clerk typist for the U.S. Army, bartender, member of Hawaiian Bowling Club and U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps (WAC) veteran. Private services. Survived by children, Debra (Edmond) Heaukulani of Kona, Lori Cannon of Kona, Barbette (Royden) Nabarro of Keaa and Warren (Tracy) Mehau of Mountain View; sisters, Marcella Ferreira of California and Lois (Michael Botelho) Kaina of Maui; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ruth Masako Tachibana
Ruth Masako Tachibana, 96, of Hilo died March 9 at home. Born in Paauhau, she was retired from HPM Building Supply, secretary and member of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association and member of Taishoji Soto Mission and Fujinkai. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by son, Leslie (Ruth) Tachibana of Hilo; daughters, Arlene (Rogelio) Padamada of Humble, Texas, Diane (Ken) Matsuzaki of Reno, Nev., and Carole (Mark) Abril of Hilo; brothers, Walter (May) Takimoto of Kaneohe, Oahu, Roy (Priscilla) Takimoto of Salt Lake, Oahu, and Herman (Jane) Takimoto of Hilo; sisters, Katherine Wong of Green Valley, Ariz., and Earline (Richard) Nakamoto of Kaneohe, Oahu; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.