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.
Kurt Robert Penrose
Kurt Robert Penrose, 80, passed away on June 7 in Kealakekua. He was a U.S. Army veteran, police officer, firefighter, retired as a federal fire chief from the Federal Fire Department, owned a fire inspection business, was a coffee roaster for Greenwell Farms and an operations security manager for Royal Kona Resort. Private services at 9 a.m. today (June 22), followed by scattering of ashes at sea at 1:30 p.m. near Kahalu’u from Kailua-Kona Pier. Survived by wife, Donna M. Penrose; children: Robin (Hank) Bradbury of Freeport, Fla., Alton (Carol) Penrose of Hilo, Allison Kaua of Hilo, Robert Penrose, Roy (Tulpe) Penrose, Ruby (Shanden) Demello, Rene (Kaleo Puou) Penrose of Captain Cook, Richard Penrose, Reyanna (Jackson) Tokuhara of Waikoloa and Ronald (Sayolyn) Penrose of Kailua-Kona; siblings: Donna Lea Wade of Kailua-Kona, Larry (Sally) Ferris of Hartford, Ala., and Terry and Lyle of Iowa and numeous grandchildren.
Ronnie Marcelo Aurello
Ronnie Marcelo Aurello, 60, of Paauilo died May 31 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Honokaa, he was the banquet lead houseman at The Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel, banquet porter at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and brittle maker for Hawaiian Holiday Macadamia Nut. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. today (June 22) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Service to follow. Survived by wife, Janette (Gonsalves) Aurello of Paauilo; son, Ronson Aurello of Paauilo; daughter, Ashley (Harry) Yim of Maryland; brothers, Rodney (JoAnn) Aurello of Hilo, Randal (Karen) Aurello of Bartlett, Tenn., Ryan (Charmaine) Aurello and Roland (Angelina Agustin) Aurello of Paauilo; sisters, Rosita Nagun of Waikoloa and Rosalinda (Clive) Kidani of Paauilo; mother-in-law, Eleanor Gonsalves of Hilo; brothers-in-law, James “Gonzo” Gonsalves of Paauilo, Jaime (Eileen) Iwasaki of Papaaloa, Jarrett (Pua) Gonzalves Sr. of Louisville, Ky., and Darren (Christina) Gonsalves of Virginia; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Lynn (Elmer) Gonsalves-Tabudlo of Waimea, Shariann (Kui Dela Cruz) Gonsalves of Honokaa and Trisha (Brad) Gaston of Hilo; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Lance Paul Larsen
Lance Paul Larsen, 70, of Mountain View died May 17 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was a mechanic and Hawaiian patriot. Celebration of life 4-7 p.m. Sunday (June 23) at 455 Kihapai St., Kailua, Oahu. Survived by, children, Lance Paul Larsen Jr. and Michelle Kuulei Davis of Honolulu; mother, Claire J. Vega of Kailua, Oahu; siblings, Cynthia R. Larsen-Dias of Kailua, Oahu, Roxann J. Larsen-Lee of Waimanalo, Oahu, and David M. Larsen of Honolulu; nine grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gabriel Salboro Gomera
Gabriel Salboro Gomera, 79, of Hilo died April 19 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Paauilo, he was a retired zookeeper for the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and zookeeper at Hilo’s first zoo in Keaukaha. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 4 p.m. Survived by sons, Vernon (Rusti) Gomera, Gabe Shawn Gomera and Scottie (Shanelle) Gomera of Hilo; brother, Domingo Gomera of Ookala; sisters, Judy (Joe) Costa of Honokaa, May (Gerald) Otomo of Hilo and Oria (Roger) Michaelis of California; sisters-in-law, Veronica Gomera of Ookala, Norma (Joe) Richardson, Linda Nichols and Adalina Evans of Hilo; six grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nalani-Helena Konanui
Nalani-Helena “Budah” “Nalanz” Lokelaulani Honeygirl Palakiko-Konanui, 41, of Hilo and Pahoa, died June 1 at home. Born in Torrance, Calif., she was a caregiver. Celebration of life Saturday 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at New Hope Hilo, 840 Kupulau Rd. Luncheon to follow at Moku Ola (Coconut Island). Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by fiancê, Josiah “Ikaika” Konanui; son, Juan-Carlos Tautalafua Kelii Taualii Palakiko-Ziga; mother, Sharleen (Don Liebzeit) Palakiko of Beaverton, Ore.; siblings: James “Kimo” (Melissa “Missy”) and Melissa “Missy” Palakiko, Moke “Flash” (Claudette “Chongo”) Palakiko and Kawika “Kama” Palakiko of Hilo, Pua Kiele Palakiko of Honolulu; mother-in-law, DonnaLynn “Riko” Balai; brothers-in-law: Keone (Ashlyn) Balai Sr., Jesse (Kamalani) Balai, Lono (Sheana) Balai, Lawai’a “Baba”(Kaila) Balai, Lokahi (Taniya) Balai and Lauleneke “Leke” Balai; sisters-in-law: Laua‘e (Micah) Alexander, Leina‘ala “Lala” (Tauai) “Buddha” Kekaulua-Tuia‘ana and Leahi (Devin) Freitas-Gonsalves; hanai siblings, Michael ( Aurora) Torres, Keone (Jadeen) Freitas, Kalona Kalamau, Welina Kauha‘a-Po and Pikake Smallan; nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, godsons and goddaughters. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary
Sheila Brown Clark
Sheila Brown Clark, 89, of Mountain View died May 3 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a graduate of Hilo High School, a previous treasurer at Lihu‘e Union Church, docent for Pacific Tsunami Museum and distributor of NeoLife products. Memorial service 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Hilo Yacht Club. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by daughter, Heather (D. Douglas Johnson) Leina‘ala Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter-in-law, Kathleen “Katty” Ann Clark of Mercer Island, Wash.; son-in-law, Brian Michael Alexander of Florence, Ore.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Samuel Torres
Samuel “Uncle Sam” “Papa Sam” Faisca Torres, 83, of Mountain View died May 23 at home. Born in Kohala, Hawaii. He was retired from the state Department of Accounting and General Services, a foster parent for the state Department of Human Services and member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Mountain View. Visitation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Halawa Catholic Cemetery. Aloha attire. Survived by sons, Samuel (Misty) Torres of Mountain View, James (Jodie) Torres of Waikoloa, Aaron Torres of Mountain View, Derek Torres of Honolulu and John Nihipali of Waianae, Oahu; hanai son, Pelekekona “Ray” (Ashley Andres) Burks of Hilo; daughters, Kahealani (Nainoa K-Blyth) Torres of Mountain View and Muilan Nihipali of Las Vegas; hanai daughters, Mary (Mikey) Salvador, Davelynn “Mushie” (Chad Osaki) Torres and Claudia Torres of Kohala; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Brockus of Missouri; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and hanai children. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Michael Bartelt
Michael “Mr. Bartelt” “Mr. Mike” R. Bartelt, 75, of Mountain View died June 3 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was a food service manager at Waiakea Elementary, Intermediate and High and Mountain View Elementary schools, operated a used bookstore in Hilo and retired from the Hawaii Air National Guard and was a Vietnam War veteran. Private services and scattering of ashes at a later date. Condolences and memories to: Margaret A. Bartelt, P.O. Box 425, Kurtistown, HI 96760. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by former wife of 51 years, Margaret A. Bartelt; brothers, David Bartelt, Bill Bartelt, Tom (Peggy) Bartelt, Andy Bartelt and Jeffrey Bartelt; sisters, Julie (Mark) Daniels and Marie Rivera; sisters-in-law Jean (Robert) Hruska and Joyce (Bob) Luckow; brothers-in-law Fred (Marilyn) VanHandel and Luke (Ellen) VanHandel; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Michael Lawrence Wegmann
Michael Lawrence Wegmann, 89, of Hilo died May 17. Born in San Diego, he was an electronics engineer who invented the progressive slot machine system used in casinos and worked on government projects including the NASA Apollo spacecraft, California Reserve airman and U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War era. Services at a later date. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Irene Mason Wegmann; daughters, Michelle and Eileen; three grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Clifford Alan Kalani Estrella
Clifford Alan Kalani Estrella, 62, of Hilo, died June 9 at home. Born in Iao Valley, Maui, he was an auto mechanic. No services. On-line condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by sons, Koa (Johnele) Estrella of Hilo and Clint Estrella of Wailuku, Maui; daughters, Cherae Estrella of Hilo and Heavenlee Fernandez of Ka‘u; eight grandchildren; aunts. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Harry Kui Kim Ching
Harry Kui Kim Ching, 86, of Kohala died on June 15 in his hometown. Born in Kohala, he was known for his dedication and service and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Services to be held Saturday, July 27 at St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Kapaau. Survived by wife, Marlene Ching; daughters Norene, Nadene and Nanene; 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Services By Cremation Service Of West Hawaii.