Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity.
Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Henry Cho Sr.
Henry Cho Sr., 80, of Honaunau died Nov. 28, 2013, at his residence. Born Nov, 26, 1933, in Keei, he was a supervisor for the South Kona State Highway Division, deputy managing director for the County of Hawaii, past president of the Kona Lions Club and South Kona Aloha Lions Club, a Hawaiian Homes commissioner, a sensei at the Kona Judo Club, PTO president, May Day chairman at Honaunau School, a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and its restoration committee, grand marshall for the Kona Coffee Festival Parade, CEO of H. Cho Enterprises, owner of Cho’s Lei Stand and Kona No Ka Oi Poi Shop, a coffee, plumeria and carnation farmer, fisherman and National Guard veteran.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Jan. 10 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Honaunau for a 7 p.m. service. An all-night vigil will follow at the family’s residence. Friends may also call from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay’s convention center. Burial follows at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
He is survived by wife, Beatrice Cho of Honaunau; sons, Donovan (Roberta) Cho, Henry (Gayle) Cho Jr. and Wesley Cho, all of Honaunau; hanai sons, Donald Sasaki of Kainaliu, Warren Matsumoto of Kalaoa; daughters, Sharilyn Dumaguin, Karen (Charles) Nahale and Joycelyn (Daryl) Willingham, all of Honaunau; hanai daughter, Dee (Ken) Ono of Captain Cook; brother, George (Trina) Cho of Aiea, Oahu; 19 grandchildren; one hanai granddaughter; 20 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bennett Ohta
An obituary for Bennett Ohta of Holualoa was missing the visitation time because it was not provided.
Friends may call at 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at Daifukuji Soto Mission in Kealakekua for a 3 p.m. service.
Karen Wong
Karen “Keala” Wong, 47, of Hilo died Dec. 19, 2013, at Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. Born June 20, 1966, in Hilo, she was a receptionist for Dr. Frederick Nitta and member of the Catholic Church and Big Island Baseball.
Friends may call at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 2 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by husband, Kaha Wong of Hilo; sons, Kolten Wong and Kean Wong, both of Hilo; daughter, Kiani Wong of Hilo; mother and stepfather, Susan Maluo-DeVera and Victor DeVera of Hilo; stepmother, Greycelyn Maluo of Hilo; sisters, Terry-lynn Larson of Hilo, Lindy Maluo of Honolulu; brothers, Elijah (Karen) Maluo III and Aaron Maluo, both of Honolulu, Scott Maluo of Hilo; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Priscilla Hocson
Priscilla “Honey Girl” Leimomi Hocson, 64, of Hilo died Dec. 27, 2013, at her home. Born July 19, 1949, in Hilo, she was a senior nutrition program coordinator for the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, newspaper carrier for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and member of the Waiakea Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Friends may call at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 6:30 p.m. service. Friends may call again at 8 a.m. Jan. 14 at the mortuary for a 10 a.m. service. Burial follows at noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No.2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, Mason (Shannon) Hocson, Francois (Glenneen Erece) Hocson, William (Lokelani) Hocson and Turner Hocson, all of Hilo; daughters, Niralyn (Kevin Nichols) Hocson, April (Jordan Kamaka Naihe) Hocson and Tina (Joston) Kekaualua, all of Hilo; stepmother, Thelma Salom Domingo of Keaau; brothers, Cornelio (Janet) Albo, Nathan (Valerie) Albo, Carlos (Bernadette) Navor, Vicente (Margaret) Navor, Roberto Navor, Rudolpho Navor, Joel Salom Albo; sisters, DeannaAnn Navor, Rosalinda (Jerry) Pavao, Maryann Navor; 15 grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
James Bertilacci Jr.
James “Bert” “Mr. B” Andrew Bertilacci Jr., 71, of Mountain View died Dec. 30, 2013, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was a retired vice principal at Hilo High School, acting principal at Laupahoehoe High School, vice principal and acting principal at Ka‘u High School, vice principal at Hilo Intermediate School, athletic director at Keaau High School and a teacher and athletic director at Pahoa High School.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Ann Marie Bertilacci of Mountain View; sons, Todd (Leenel Paulos) Bertilacci of Volcano, Vincent Kapono Bertilacci and Mason (Kanani Silva) Bertilacci, both of Las Vegas; brothers, Prospero (June) Bertilacci of Youngstown, Ohio, Joseph (Char) Bertilacci of Girard, Ohio, Michael (Kay) Buchenic of Ohio; sister, Janice Bertilacci of Ohio; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sally Whitney
Sally Christine Whitney, 58, of Kapoho died Dec. 23, 2013, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 29, 1955, in Los Angeles, she was the owner of Hale O Naia Bed and Breakfast in Kapoho and a registered nurse.
Services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by partner, Jeff Neumann of Kapoho; mother, Willene Whitney of Atlanta; sisters, Nancy (Terry) Mann of Ephrata, Ga., Julie Whitney of Lynnwood, Wash.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Robert Nakamura
An obituary for Robert Seizo Nakamura, 75, of Las Vegas and Honolulu, which ran Tuesday, included incorrect times for services. Friends may call at 1 p.m. Jan. 9 at Hoisoi Garden Mortuary on Oahu for a 2 p.m. service.
It is the policy of West Hawaii Today to correct promptly any incorrect or misleading information when it is brought to the attention of the newspaper.