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 Takeshi Toma
Roy Takeshi Toma, 84, of Hilo died July 11 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Olaa, he was a retired claims coordinator for HT&T/Matson, member and membership chairman of Puna Hongwanji Mission, U.S. Army veteran, avid fisherman, bowler and golfer. Visitation 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 24) at Puna Hongwanji Mission in Keaau. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Memorial donations to Puna Hongwanji Mission. Survived by wife, Ann Toma; hanai daughter, Joanne Nagahiro; brothers, Wayne (Sandy) Toma, Byron (Carol) Toma and Wendell Toma; sisters, June Kiyabu and Marilyn (Charles) Sato; brothers-in-law, Richard Nagahiro, Tom (Jan) Nagahiro and James Nagahiro; sister-in-law, Susan (Howard) Takamori; two hanai grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Donna Lee Souza
Donna Lee Souza, 70, of Naalehu died Aug. 9 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker, founder of Naalehu Country Riders and member of Hawaii Classic Cruisers. Visitation 9-9:30 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 24) at Naalehu Catholic Church. Service at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Naalehu Cemetery. Survived by husband, Richard Ernest Souza of Naalehu; son, Richard (Teresa) Souza Jr. of Naalehu; daughters, Louann (Herman) Ah Yee Jr. of Naalehu and Kathleen (Bret) Crockett of Woods Cross, Utah; siblings; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Beatrice “B.B.” Velez-Walker
Beatrice “B.B.” Velez-Walker, 84, of Mount Angel, Ore., formerly of Kohala, died Dec. 18, in Mount Angel, Ore. Born in Kohala, she was a homemaker. Celebration of Life 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 24) at Haili Tent in Panaewa. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by daughters, Norma (Joe) Richardson and Adalina Evans of Hilo, Linda (Wes) Nichols of Arkansas; son-in-law, Saul Uribe of Oregon; sister-in-law, Helen Velez of Ka‘u; 18 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Dodo Mortuary is assisting with local arrangements.
Rita Ann Parent
Rita Ann Parent, 79, of Kailua-Kona died Aug. 13 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Oklahoma, she was a retired librarian and member of Friends of the Library Kona, Kona Bible Church and Seniors Citizens Program. Graveside service and burial 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. Survived by her daughter, Amy (Chris) James of Ocean View; a grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Douglas Wayne Soares Sr.
Douglas Wayne Soares Sr., 61, of Hilo died July 14. Born in Hilo, he was a former heavy equipment operator and carpenter’s assistant for Marciel Homes LLC. Celebration of life starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 8, with a bike run, and service to follow from 3-7 p.m. at the Ainaloa Longhouse. Contact Matthew Soares for more info on the bike run. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Roxanne Cabalis Soares; children, Douglas (Maria) Soares, Reuben (Ari) Soares, Shirley (Raymond Vasques) Soares, Sierra (Timothy Johnson) Cabalis, DJ Soares, Dustyne (Kaimana Nakea) Soares, Ryden Soares, and Reisha Soares; siblings, Donna (Larry) Hara, Chris (Tanya) Soares, Mariah (Fred Romero) Soares, Chad (Shonna) Soares, Donald (Zona) Soares, Matthew (Wendy) Soares, Jerome (Donna) Soares and Maria (Jordan) Soares; 21 grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Roldan “Jesse” V. Ramelb
Roldan “Jesse” V. Ramelb, 47, of Keaau died Aug. 1 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was born in Hilo. Celebration of Life 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at The Barn, 16-1773 34th (Auli‘i) Ave., Orchidland Estates in Keaau. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by wife, Hazel Sadorra Ramelb; daughters, Janie (Falaniko) Ramos and Gisele (Matthew Nases) Ramelb; sons, Roldan Ramelb Jr. and Jai Ramelb; parents, Reynaldo Ramelb and Carlina Ramelb; brother, Renn (Chelsea) Ramelb; sister-in-law, Angel Ramelb; a granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Raymond Noboru Fujikawa
Raymond Noboru Fujikawa, 90, of Naalehu died Aug. 10 at home. Born in Pahala, he was an electrical contractor and U.S. Army veteran. Private services. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by children, Raenette (Tim) Marino, Raylene (Glenn) Moses, Serena Fujikawa, Sandy (Dave) Carvalho and Riley (Shaunda) Fujikawa; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Anna Mae Jones
Anna Mae Jones, 86, of Naalehu died July 6 at home. Born in Pahala, she worked Hawaii. She was a loving mother and wife. Anna married the love of her life in 1963. Anna and Larry enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage and have two sons. Anna worked in hospitality, Bachelor Officer Quarters at Kilauea Military Camp, the former Jed’s Tavern and others. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Naalehu Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass at 10 a.m. Urn Committal to follow at Naalehu County Cemetery. Casual attire; flower lei welcome. Survived by sons, Douglas (Linda) Jones of California and Bradley (Brieann) Jones of Naalehu; sisters, Margie Pedra of Naalehu and Florence (Lynn) Paiva of Honokaa; sister-in-law, Maryjane Pedro; a hanai granddaughter; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.