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.
Roylynn Peggy Bannister
Roylynn Peggy Bannister, 56, of Keaau, died Sept. 13 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. She was an office assistant for the Department of Transportation. Service to be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center. Survived by spouse, Clinton Bannister Sr. of Keaau; sons Clinton Bannister Jr. of Keaau, Cruger-James “Hele” (Joni) Bannister of Cheysn-Keala Bannister of Keaau; stepson Bronson Amaral of Hilo; mother Charlene Tolentino of Keaau; sisters Rozel “Tudi” (Billy) Tolentino, Chelsey (Graciela) Rodrigues and Stacey Yanagihara of Keaau; brother Roy Tolentino Jr. of Keaau; 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Barbara Ann Hoglund
Barbara Ann Hoglund, 76, of Keaau died Oct. 18 at home in Paradise Park. She was born in Santa Monica, Calif. Services to be held at a later date. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by brother; sister; nephews; niece; her son; three daughters; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and friends. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
Rory Dean Pung
Rory Dean Pung, 64, of Honokaa died Oct. 11 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua. Born in Honokaa, he was a vocational employee at the Brantley Center in Honokaa and a member of The Arc of Kona. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Survived by siblings, Fierry (Gail Noeau) Pung of Ainaloa, Darcy (Sherry) Pung of Honokaa, Richard (Greta) Pung of Hilo, Sammie (Carrie) Pung of Honokaa, Carmela (Stanley) Boteilho of Kalopa; sister-in-law, Donna Pung of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yukie Kunihiro
Yukie Kunihiro, 95, of Hilo died Aug. 18 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Hilo, she was a clerk/seamstress with the former Men’s Shop, a member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and its Buddhist Woman’s Association, and of Piihonua Kumiai. Private services held. No koden (monetary donations). Survived by daughters, Lillian M. (Gregory) You, Stella K. (Dennis) Nojiri and Janet Y. (Gilbert) Nishihira of Hilo; son, Nelson T. (Lori) Kunihiro of Hilo; sisters, Ruth Ouye and Lorraine (Gordon) Hashimoto of Hilo, Dorothy (James) Burton of Pahoa; sisters-in-law, Shizuho Ota, Gladys Ota, Mayumi Ota, Laura Ota and Ellen Okimura of Hilo, Sachiko Gun Salus of Las Vegas; 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Tracy Gerard Viernes
Tracy Gerard Viernes, 51, of Hakalau died Oct. 7 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. Private services at a later date. Survived by mother, Solidad “Soling” Viernes of Hilo and formerly of Honokaa; brothers, Roque Viernes, Jr. of Kona, Roderick Shawn (Naomi) Viernes of Oahu, Ryan Scott (Marisa) Viernes of Hilo, Thomas Randal Viernes of the mainland and Terrence Viernes of the mainland; several uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Stanley Kazuo Mizuno
Stanley Kazuo Mizuno, 78, of Hilo died Sept. 12 at home. Born in Pahala, he was self-employed flower and vegetable grower, a pastor at Thy Word Ministries and member of Jolly Riders Motorcycle Club. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by sister Carolyn (Ronald) Nago of Pearl City; brother Ray (Pam) Mizuno of Glenwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ellsworth Nahaku Kekua
Ellsworth Nahaku Kekua, 72, of Hilo died Oct. 19 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a security guard in Las Vegas, Nev., and a member of the Haili Congregational Church and Kamehameha Canoe Club. Services at a later date. Survived by sisters, Darlene (Keala Kakalia) Iokepa-Kakalia of Hilo, Maria Smith of Hilo; sister-in-law, Gwen Kekua of Hilo; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Carl John Medeiros
Carl John Medeiros, 85, of Hilo, died Oct. 7. Born in Hilo, he was a retired elevator mechanic. Funeral services to be held Nov. 5 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Viewing to begin at 8 a.m., with services at 9:30 a.m., with burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park at 10:30 a.m. Survived by daughter Cindy (Charles) Deprizio of Mililani; son Carl Medeiros Jr. of Seattle; brother Ronald Medeiros of Kaneohe; sisters Linda (Dennis) Eblacas of Hilo, Joan (Roger) Grande of Mililani, Janice (John) Sias of New Jersey; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
James L. Martin III
James L. Martin III, 84, of Kailua-Kona, died Oct. 21 at home. He was a retired software engineer. Survived by wife Deborah Hayes and siblings Anne Hill, John Martin and Ross Martin. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Medinia “Medina” “Grams” Palacol Ramirez
Medinia “Medina” “Grams” Palacol Ramirez, 85, of Kawaihae died Oct. 23 at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea. Born in Paauilo, she held various positions at multiple restaurants and was a private child care provider. No services. Survived by brother, Rudy (Marlene) Palacol; son-in-law, Lot “Hano” Grace, Jr.; 2 grandsons; 1 granddaughter; 1 granddaughter-in-law; 19 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.