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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Herbert Ornellas
Herbert P. Ornellas, 86, of Hilo died Dec. 12, 2014, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a former corporal in the Army, he owned and operated the former Panaewa Poultry Farms, 50th State bar and Gift Wrap Hawaii.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Dec. 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10 a.m. service. Interment will follow at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Family requests no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Lorraine Ornellas of Hilo; son, Kenneth (Rosemarie) Ornellas of Colorado; daughter, Brenda Ornellas of North Carolina; brother, Edward Ornellas of California; sister, Mildred Correa of Hilo; one grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Ronald Rassner
Ronald “Ronnie” Mark Rassner, 68, of Honokaa, died Nov. 27, 2014, at his residence. Born Sept. 18, 1946, in Detroit, he was a technology business manager for The American Management Association in New York City and an Associate Professor of anthropology, languages and African oral tradition for the University of Wisconsin and Yale University. He was also a visiting Fulbright Lecturer and Associate Professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
A Celebration of Life potluck will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 3 at a Paauilo Mauka residence located at 44-3645 Kukupapa Road. For information call 775-0601. Memorial donations may be sent to North Hawaii Hospice at 65-1328 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743.
He is survived by wife, Eda Rassner of Honokaa; daughter, Shana (Conrad) Gann of Larkspur, Calif.; Justin (Fawni) Rassner of Kihei, Maui; brothers, Michael Rassner of Houston, Texas, and Gary (India) Rassner of Langley, Wash.; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Edwin Shinn Jr.
Edwin Franklin Shinn Jr., 80, of Kailua-Kona died Nov. 24, 2014, at Hale Hoola Hamakua. Born July 1, 1934, in Los Angeles, he was a Presbyterian minister and sociologist.
Friends may call at 2 p.m. Jan. 4 on the lanai at the Regency at Hualalai for a service.
He is survived by wife, Miriam Shinn of Kailua-Kona; sons, Mark Shinn of Cardiff, Calif., Nathaniel (Cathy) Shinn of Ft. Collins, Colo.; daughter, Rachel (Sam) Baker of Paauilo; brother, Raymond (Dolores) Shinn of Los Angeles; five grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Nola Smith
Nola Marie Smith, 84, of Pepeekeo, died Nov. 26, 2014 at her residence. Born in Sacramento, Calif., Oct. 24, 1930, she was an artist, photographer, craft smith, member of the Hilo Orchid Society and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Private services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7.
She is survived by daughters, Karen (Timothy) Greene of Pepeekeo and Rachele (Steve) Laminman of Orchidland; sister, Sandi (Chuck) Winter of Woodland, Calif.; brother, Stan Swanson; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be sent via homelanimemorialpark.com.
Toshiro Matsunaga
Toshiro Matsunaga, 91, of Hilo, died Nov. 27, 2014, at a private care home in Hilo. Born July 18, 1923, in Olaa, he was a retired automotive division manager for the former Hamakua Sugar Company, and member of Honomu Henjoji Mission, Alokele Subdivision Kumiai, and Hawaii Island Adult Care.
Private services were held.
He is survived by wife, Teruko Matsunaga of Hilo; son, Carl (Leila Tajiri) Matsunaga of Hilo; brother, Robert (Aiko) Matsunaga of Chicago; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shizuko Asano
Shizuko Asano, 89, of Papaikou died Nov. 14, 2014, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Hakalau, she was a homemaker. She was also a member of Taishoji Soto Mission Kyodan and Fujinkai. Private services were held. The family requests flowers and monetary donations be omitted.
She is survived by sons, Thomas (Sue) Asano of Hilo, Harlan (Janice) Asano of Hilo; daughter, Gail (Mark) Tobara of Honolulu; brother, Haruo (Joyce) Meguro of Honolulu; sister, Hanako (Toichi) Arai of Hilo; three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sakaru Kohashi
Sakaru Kohashi, 101, of Hilo died Oct. 31, 2014, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center in Hilo. Born April 7, 1913, in Hilo, he was a retired papaya inspector and salesman for American Factors and Libby McNeil companies.
Private services were held. Family requests flowers and monetary gifts be omitted.
He is survived by daughters, Joan Shibuya of Hilo, Linda (Michael) Inouye of California; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.