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.
Elizabeth “Betty” Miller
Elizabeth “Betty” Miller, 92, of Hilo, formerly of Hakalau, died March 14 at Island Care Home. Born in Hilo, she worked for Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Co., Waiakea Villas and as a cafeteria worker at Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Glad Tidings Church, 116 Kapiolani St. in Hilo. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by hanai sister, Toshiko “Frances” (Albert) Cardrino; son, Gilbert (Jennifer Allen) Manikis; daughters, Patty Lee (Patrick) DeSilva and Jasanda (Herbert Jr.) Laranang; son-in-law, Joseph Pavao; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Danette June Range
Danette June Range, 66, of Mountain View died March 23. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired housekeeper for Hilo Medical Center. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday (April 19) at Ballard Family Mortuary. Service at 10 a.m. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by husband, Richard Range of Mountain View, who died March 26; sons, Bradford Smith, Branden (Catherine) Asagra-Smith, Jason Range, Ronald Range and Keith Range; daughter, Stacie Range; brothers, Daniel (Diane) Santos, Christopher Santos and Bernard (Wendy) Santos; sisters, Roberta Rabauliman and Dianna Mae Alameda; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Donata Madriaga Alonzo
Donata Madriaga Alonzo, 92, of Keaau died Feb. 22 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was a retired factory worker for Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut and member of the Keaau Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Keaau Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Casual attire. Burial 12:30 p.m. at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Survived by children, Freming (Dennis Michaels) Alonzo of Hilo, Eddie Alonzo and Ruben Alonzo of Keaau, Pearl (Ryan) Alonzo Oshita of Honolulu; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces, and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Richard Ventura Ramelb
Richard Ventura Ramelb, 50, of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of the Big Island, died March 5 at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. Born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class, Army National Guard veteran and Waiakea High School graduate. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 6 p.m. Survived by wife, Angel Johnson Ramelb of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sons, Jordan (Ariel Abuan) Ramelb and Keoni (Krystal) Johnson of Las Vegas, Kanela Ramelb of Arizona; daughters, Anela Ramelb and Aryanna Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; father, Reynaldo Ramelb of Lihue, Kauai; mother, Carlina Ventura of Hawaiian Paradise Park; brothers, Jesse (Hazel) Ramelb of Orchidland and Renn (Chelsea) Ramelb of HPP; two grandchildren; uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Amadio “Majo” Reyes Sanchez
Amadio “Majo” Reyes Sanchez, 87, of Hilo died April 6. Born in Holualoa, he was a retired aircraft mechanic and U.S. Air Force veteran. Graveside service 11:15 a.m. Friday, April 19, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Burial of ashes noon. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by wife, Carol Sanchez of Hilo; sons, Rene (Gina) Sanchez, Richert (Marisa) Sanchez, Reid Sanchez and Royce (Ann) Serrao; daughters, Aster (Myron) Dolor and Genai Keliikuli; sister, Susana Kincaid; 11 grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Avelina Paa Castaneda
Avelina Paa Castaneda, 88, of Pahala died March 21 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was a retired macadamia nut harvester, Ka‘u coffee farmer, involved in Hawaii Island Farmer’s Market and member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pahala. Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Pahala Church Cemetery. Survived by children, Romy (Carol) Castaneda, Leonardo (Jackie) Castaneda and Joseph (Mariel) Castaneda of Pahala, Teodora Castaneda of Spain; hanai son, Virgilio Guirit of Spain; hanai daughter, Brenda (Roberto) Martin of Pahala; brother, Aurelio (Wendy) Paa of New Jersey; sister, Juliana Fillon of California; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sheila Ann Johnson Everitt
Sheila Ann Johnson Everitt, 85, of Kailua-Kona died April 3. Born in Shawnee, Okla., she was the owner-baker of MacPie, Inc., established a local chapter of and volunteered for Make A Wish Foundation and member of the Calabash Cousins, involved with Hospice of Kona, was named Ms. Senior Hawaii 2002 and placed top 10 in Ms. Senior America. Celebration of life 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (April 20) at Huggo’s in Kailua-Kona. Survived by son, Erik Frostad; daughters, Brandi (Mark) Murphy and Monika Scott; sisters, Jenifer Hunter and Vanessa Kaleikini; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hiram “Duna” Kaliponi Simeona Jr.
Hiram “Duna” Kaliponi Simeona Jr., 58, of Waimea died March 18 in Waimea. Born in Honolulu, he was a firefighter. Memorial Services 9 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Pua Ka Ilima surf park. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by spouse, Jodi Sylva; mother, Leone Leong of Kaneohe, Oahu; daughters No‘eau Bailie Simeona of Waimea and Emma Humphreys of Los Angeles; sister, Lugene Simeona of Kaneohe; brother, Wyatt Simeona of Washington. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Stanley Itsuo Toyama
Stanley Itsuo Toyama, 93, of Hilo died Dec. 16, 2023, under hospice care. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, retired administrator for the Air Force Reserve and member of Hilo United Methodist Church, Hui Okinawa, Wednesday Golf Club and Hilo Community Chorus. Family visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday April 20, at Hilo United Methodist Church. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Inurnment with military honors 11:30 a.m. Monday April 22, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 columbarium. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Sue Toyama; son, Gary (Sylvia) Toyama; three grandsons; nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Danny Steven Maeda
Danny Steven Maeda, 76, of Hilo, formerly of Kapaau, died March 7 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born in Kapaau, he was the retired owner of Aiea Leeward Rainbow Vacuum, a high school woodshop teacher, member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kaumana Ward and U.S. Air Force veteran. Visitation 9-10:30. Saturday (April 20) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kohala Ward in Hawi. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery. Casual attire. Survived by children, Guy (Kathy) Maeda and Dale (Aesha) Maeda of Wahiawa, Oahu, Bradden Sugse of Kohala, Lennon (Florence) Sugse of Maui, Gregory Sugse of Kohala, Darlene (Vic) Paracuelles-Luna of Waipahu, Tony (Lehua) Sugse of Kohala and Salena (Keola) Kaawa of Ka‘u; brother, Alvin (Anita) Maeda of Hilo; sister, Sylvia “Maile” (Buddy) Hussey of Kaneohe, Oahu; sister-in-law, Valerie Maeda of Keaau; five grandchildren and a great-grandson; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Hideyuki Kawamoto
James Hideyuki Kawamoto, 87, of Hilo died Feb. 23 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired salesman for Territorial Distributors U.S. Army and Hawaii Army National Guard veteran, and member of Hilo Lions Club. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Tuesday (April 23) at Dodo Mortuary chapel. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughters, Leslie Kawamoto of Hilo and Stacie (Reed) Matsuo of Aiea, Oahu; brother, Norman (Cherie) Kawamoto of Mililani, Oahu; sister, Caroline Abe of Aiea; sister-in-law, Margaret Kawamoto of Pacifica, Calif.; four grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
