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.
Vern Leslie Bigsby
Vern Leslie Bigsby, 87, of Ocean View died June 21 in Kealakekua. Born in Placerville, Idaho, he was a journeyman lineman, member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125 and Kodiak Elks Club, and loved woodworking, gardening, fishing and golfing. No services. Survived by wife, Louise Bigsby of Ocean View; son, Mike (Sherrie) Bigsby of Utah; daughters, Ross (Dennis) Coulter and Jamie Bigsby of Idaho, Casey Fisher of Arizona; brother, Lynn Bigsby of Ocean View; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William Christopher Kurashige
William Christopher Kurashige Jr., 59, of Ocean View died June 14 in Kealakekua. Born in Kealakekua, he was a self-employed auto mechanic. Services held. Survived by mother, Virginia “Lani” Dumaguin-Kurashige of Honaunau; sister, Beverly Apina of Kailua-Kona; two nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John William Lucas
John William Lucas 39, of Hilo died June 6 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, he was a U.S. Army veteran. Visitation and services 9-11 a.m. Tuesday (June 9) at Ballard Family Mortuary. Burial noon at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by mother, Audrey Lucas of Hilo; brother, David Lucas of Hilo; sisters, Jennifer Martin and Crystal Lucas of Hilo; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Eleanor T. (Pereira) Shannon
Eleanor T. (Pereira) Shannon, 96, of Ocean View died May 26. She was a pioneer and justice seeker. No services. Survived by five children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Narciso Mamuad Simpliciano
Narciso Mamuad Simpliciano, 86, of Kailua-Kona died May 7 at home. Born in Licab Nueva Ecija, Philippines, he was a retired maintenance worker for Kona Country Club and member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and Ilocano Organization of Kona. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Friday, July 19, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona. Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Kona Memorial Park in Holualoa. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Trini Simpliciano of Kailua-Kona; sons, Rey (Lorie Anne) Simpliciano and Melanio (Geraldine) Simpliciano of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Avie (Gerald) Llana of Kailua-Kona, Irene (Joshua) Mendoza of San Diego, Nanette (Erik) Totman and Trina (Dustin) Kahihikolo of Kailua-Kona; brother, Santiago (Josie) Simpliciano of Kohala; several grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joe Teasley
Joe Teasley, 72, of Hawaii Island died June 12. No known family. Survivors are asked to contact Hilo Benioff Medical Center at (808) 932-3500, option 4.
Michael “Mike” Maurice Hargrove
Michael “Mike” Maurice Hargrove, 47, of Mountain View died June 15 at home. Born in Hilo, he was an arborist and landscaper. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Reed’s Bay in Hilo, next to Ice Pond. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Jadine Hargrove; children, Rosemarie (Michael Leui Jr.) Hargrove-Rosario, Star Hargrove-Rosario, Makana Hargrove, Maili Hargrove, Ikaika Hargrove, Lehua Hargrove, Kenneth James Spencer, Kamila Grace Spencer and Kaylee Pi‘ilani; brothers, Isaac Hargrove, Frank Hargrove and Thomas Mariano; sisters, Sheri Mariano and Carlene Mariano;and a grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Paul Shoichi Kohagura
Paul Shoichi Kohagura, 78, of Pahoa died June 16 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was an accountant and U.S. Army Vietnam War Era veteran. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Wednesday (July 10) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Karen Kohagura of Pahoa; brother, Jackson (Naomi) Kohagura of Henderson, Nev.; sister-in-law, Judy Kohagura of Hilo; nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dona Kauilani Mokiao
Dona Kauilani Mokiao, 64, of Hilo died May 31 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Ka‘u, she was a homemaker. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by children, Alana Tavares, Colton Tavares and Blossom Leite; sisters, Meuwaiola Mokiao, Wilma Mokiao (Jacob) Kennedy and Shirley Mokiao; two grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Kamaile Tavares
Edward Kamaile Tavares, 58, of Hilo, died May 15 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo, he wad custodian for Hilo public schools. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Service at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by children, Alana Tavares, Colton Tavares and Blossom Leite; siblings, Lloydine Tavares, Andre (Kylee) Tavares, Miyuki Tavares, Lilia Heidi Tavares and Violet Tavares; two grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Larry Glen Vaile
Larry Glen Vaile, 74, of Hilo died July 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Surviving relatives are asked to call Ballard Family Mortuary at (808) 935-8445.