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.
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Sharon Spilman
Sharon Spilman, 62, of Hilo died March 26, 2014, at Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Texas, she was a retired website designer.
Inurnment will be held at noon May 19 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Donations may be made to Pohai Malama Care Center.
She is survived by mother, Grace Spilman of Puna; son, Justin Spilman of San Francisco; brother, Micheal Spilman of Arizona; one grandchild.
Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.
Pedro Racelis Jr.
Pedro Eleazar Racelis Jr., 94, of Kailua-Kona is also survived by a brother, Judah Ben Hur Racelis and sister, Aloha Racelis-Carvalho. An earlier obituary omitted their names because of information supplied to West Hawaii Today
Gordon Wright
Gordon Kalikookeahi Wright, 73, of Pahoa died May 1, 2014, at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Born in Olaa, he was a retired boiler operator for Hawaii Electric Light Co., worked at the former Puna Sugar Co. and was a Vietnam War Army veteran.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. May 21 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 6 p.m. service. Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. May 22 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 1. Family requests aloha attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Thi Kim Wright of Pahoa; sons, Gordon Wright of Modesto, Calif., Jere Wright of San Jose, Calif.; daughter, Jacquilynn Wright of Pahoa; brothers, Francis Wright of Honolulu, Samuel Wright of Las Vegas, Lawrence Wright of Pahoa; sister, Gwendolyn Wright of Little Rock, Ark.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews.
Vance Fawcett
Vance Kamehameha Fawcett, 60, of Kawaihae died April 24, 2014, at his home. Born Dec. 30, 1953, in Honolulu, he was a real estate broker for Hoaka Real Estate.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. May 24 at Hokuloa United Church of Christ in Puako for a service. A reception and celebration of life will follow.
He is survived by fiancee, Penelope O’Toole of Kawaihae; brothers, Anthony Fawcett and Gerald Fawcett, both of Kailua-Kona; sister, Denby Fawcett of Honolulu; three nieces; one nephew.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Lopaka Ryder
Robert “Lopaka” Keawe Ryder, 37, of Kailua-Kona died March 11, 2014. Born May 1, 1976, in Honolulu, he was a singer, composer, musician, entertainer, fisherman and weaver.
Friends may call at 11 a.m. May 24 at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Boat Harbor for a celebration of life. A service will be held at noon followed by a luncheon. For information, call 315-7032.
He is survived by mother, Debbie (Kawehi) Ryder of Pahala; father, Roy Ryder Jr. of Kahaluu, Oahu; brothers, Kawai Ryder of Kailua-Kona, Wailau Ryder of Washington; paternal grandfather, Roy (Jackie) Ryder of Honolulu; maternal grandparents, Robert and Meg Heidenfeldt of Hilo; hanai mother, Tiare Ryder-Anderson of Kailua-Kona; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Hattie Bester
Hattie Haleaka “Sweetheart” Bester, 61, of Kealakekua died May 3, 2014. She was born Aug. 7, 1952, in Kealakekua.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. May 25 at Kona Faith Center, 81-6224 Mamalahoa Highway for a service. Call Dawn at 313-1950 for more information.
She is survived by daughter, Dawn (Stefan) Koehler of Kona; son, Matthew Bester of Kona; sister, Lily Maliikapu of Kona; one granddaughter; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Josephine Barney
Josephine Barney, 87, of Kailua-Kona died April 24, 2014, at Kona Community Hospital. Born May 6, 1926, in Kealakekua, she was a homemaker, farmer, seamstress, material drafter, master lauhala weaver, professional hula dancer, docent for Hulihee Palace, member of the Calabash Cousins and St. Michael’s Church, worked for Suzanne’s Bake Shop, Marty’s Steakhouse and Lava Java and volunteered for Special Olympics West Hawaii and a senior citizens program.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. May 31 at Hulihee Palace for a 10 a.m. celebration of life service. Fellowship and refreshments follow at 11:30 a.m.
She is survived by sons, Cirilo (Kate Winters) Rosario Jr. and Michael (Kristine White) Barney, both of Kailua-Kona, Edward Rosario of Ocean View; daughters, Lorraine (David Brophy) Kono-Brophy, Shirley-Hauoli (Marcus Wong Yuen) Yamaguchi and Annette Rodrigues, all of Kailua-Kona, Mary (Bark) Shannon of Holualoa; brother, Joseph Palacat of Aiea, Oahu; sister, Carmen Comer of San Diego; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Herbert Nakamura
Herbert “Naka” Nobuo Nakamura, 86, of Hilo died May 1, 2014, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born Aug. 13, 1927, in Ewa, Oahu, he was a retired supervisor for C. Brewer &Co., World War II Army veteran and member of Naalehu Hongwanji Mission.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by daughters, Lisa (Audie) Cabudol of Naalehu, Jann Nakamura of Hilo; sisters, Mildred Aisaka of Aiea, Oahu, Eleanor (Bobby) Masutani of Pearl City, Oahu, Barbara (Yasu) Nagamine of Gardena, Calif.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rexford McFarland
Rexford “Buz” R. McFarland, 58, of Hilo died May 3, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born June 23, 1955, in Honolulu, he was a baker at Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu.
A service will be held at a later date.
He is survived by sisters, Judy Ramler of Hilo, Kristen McFarland of California; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edith Iwata
Edith Hideko Iwata, 88, of Pahoa died May 5, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Care Center. Born Nov. 4, 1925, in Pahoa, she was a homemaker and member of Puna Hongwanji Mission, Buddhist Women’s Association, Higashi Machi Kumiai, Pahoa Nikkei Jin Kai, and Fukuoka Ken Jin Kai.
Private services were held. In lieu of monetary gifts or flowers, donations are suggested to Hospice of Hilo, 1011 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720.
She is survived by sons, Sanford (Linda) Iwata of Pahoa, Gerald (Liane) Iwata of Hilo, Ross (Nikki) Iwata of Keaau; brothers, Yoshimi (Sumiko) Oishi of Japan, Stanley (Hiroko) Oishi of Pahoa; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Al Costa
Al Costa, 63, of Hilo died May 4, 2014, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born Sept. 18, 1950, in Portsmouth, Va., he taught high school and college and ended his career at Tidewater Community College teaching oceanography.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Hilo, 1011 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720-2019 or hospiceofhilo.org.
He is survived by wife, Joan Moore of Hilo; son, Chris (Beth Plansky) Costa of Hawaiian Paradise Park; one grandson.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Handley
John Michael Handley, 64, of Waikoloa died May 9, 2014, at his residence. Born Oct. 14, 1949, in Santa Monica, Calif., he was a general contractor.
A private service was held.
He is survived by wife, Carol Handley of Waikoloa; son, Sean Handley of Bend, Ore.; daughter, Shannon (Robert) Smith of Waikoloa; brother, James (Donna) Handley II of Visalia, Calif.; four grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Takeshi Matsunaka
Takeshi “Blackie” Matsunaka, 94, of Papaikou died April 23, 2014, at a private care home in Hilo. Born in Papaikou, he was a retired factory supervisor for the former Hilo Coast Processing Co. and member of Papaikou Hongwanji Mission and Silverton Kumiai.
Private services were held. Family requests no flowers or monetary gifts.
He is survived by son, Wayne Wagatsuma of Hilo; brother, Yoshimi (Grace) Matsunaka of Honolulu; sisters, Haruko Hayashi of Hilo, Toshiko Otani, Misao (Hisashi) Okamoto and Kazue Koyama, all of Honolulu; two grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marie Mayo
Marie Virginia Mayo, 90, of Kailua-Kona died May 6, 2014, at her residence. Born Nov. 5, 1923, in Palo Alto, Pa., she retired from the federal government as an executive secretary, was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and World War II Navy veteran.
A private service was held.
She is survived by daughter, Judy (Jim) McManus of Kailua-Kona; son, Buck (Mary) Mayo of Spokane, Wash.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Raymond Reis
Raymond Reis, 72, of Hilo died April 24, 2014, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 26, 1941, in Honolulu, he was a former baseball player for the Banditos, former truck driver and former employee for the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Private services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by daughters, Shana-Rae Daguro of Honolulu, Sherell Reis of Hilo; two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Billy Unebasami
Billy Chisato Unebasami, 90, of Hilo died April 26, 2014, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Oct. 2, 1923, in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan, he was a retired sales representative and member of Waiakea Uka Bible Church.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by sister, Lois (George) Kamimoto of Honolulu; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.