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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Don Kawamoto
Don Kawamoto, 61, of Kailua-Kona and formerly of Chicago died April 17, 2015, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 24, 1954, in Chicago, he was a supervisor for Transportation Security Administration at Kona International Airport and former TSA supervisor at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Private services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by sisters, Lynne (Thomas Epach) Kawamoto of Shenandoah, Texas, Lori Kawamoto of Chicago; one nephew; one niece; numerous cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Johnny Kamahele
Johnny Kamahele, 79, of Hilo died April 23, 2015, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born Aug. 9, 1935, in Pahoa, he was a retired Army command sergeant major, a corrections officer at Kulani Correctional Center and member of the United States Sergeant Major Academy Alumni, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Patriots Corps, Vietnam Veterans of America and the American Corrections Association.
Private services will be held. Online condolences may be posted at homelanimemorialpark.com.
He is survived by daughters, Donna Kamahele of Petaluma, Calif., Gabrielle Rhind of Tuscon, Ariz., Anita Kamahele of Hilo, Marina Kamahele of La Jolla, Calif.; five grandchildren.
Tatsuyo Nakagawa
Tatsuyo Nakagawa, 98, of Holualoa died March 18, 2015, at a private care home. Born July 11, 1916, in Napoopoo, she was a retired seamstress, farmer and member of Kamalumalu Kumiai, Kona Hongwanji Kyodan, BWA and Kona Fukuoka Kenjinkai.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts.
She is survived by son, James (Mary) Nakagawa of Holualoa; daughters, Elaine Nakagawa, Lillian Yamamoto and Blanche (Richard) Hiraishi, all of Holualoa, Patsy Jackson of Citrus Heights, Calif., June (Douglas) Nakata of Honolulu; sister, Sakae Egami of Kealakekua; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Mark Theisen
Mark Stephen Theisen, 62, of Kailua-Kona died April 3, 2015. Born Feb. 24, 1953, in Traverse City, Mich., he was a retired pipe fitter for Ford Motor Co.
Private service will be held in Michigan.
He is survived by children, Erich (Shannon) Theisen, Alyssa Theisen and Aaron Theisen, all of Michigan, Nicholas Theisen of Pennsylvania; mother, Marilyn Theisen of Michigan; sisters, Christine Theisen of Alabama, Norah (Bruce) Teague of California, Jane Theisen and Leslie (Dean) Higdon, both of Michigan; brother, Matthew Theisen of Michigan; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Edwin McAvoy
Edwin “Boots” “Mr. Boots” “Avocado Man” William Marion McAvoy, 74, of Hilo died April 6, 2015, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Born March 2, 1941, in California, he was a gentleman farmer, a retired agricultural inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculure, retired Navy chief petty officer, worked for Boeing and was a member of the Waiakea Uka Bible Church and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9.
Private services were held.
He is survived by wife, Patricia McAvoy; daughters, Reno McAvoy, Misty McAvoy, Pepita McAvoy; sons, Steven McAvoy, Michael (Desirae) McAvoy, Tanner McAvoy; stepdaughter, Dionne (Gabriel) Lau; six grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Brian McGrath
Brian Michael McGrath, 60, of Keaau died April 13, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born July 27, 1954, in Wyandotte, Mich., he was an Asplundh flagger through Vanguard Corp and member of the Alii Pool Team.
Celebration of life services are pending.
He is survived by wife, Crystal Lehman McGrath; son, Ryan McGrath; daughter, Meghan McGrath; stepdaughter, Alexis Lehman Cabanting; sister, Claudia (Joe Kreps) Cutter McGrath; brother, Joel (Linda) McGrath; several nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Marian Neubecker
Marian Jill Neubecker, 64, of Waikoloa died March 26, 2015, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Honolulu. Born April 27, 1950, in New Zealand, she worked in the banquet department of Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai.
Private scattering of ashes was held.
She is survived by husband, John Neubecker of Waikoloa; brother: Timothy Watson of Waikoloa; sister, Lesleyann Watson of Perth, Australia; one niece.
Arrangements by Moanalua Mortuary in Honolulu.
Theresa Thom
Theresa Margaret Thom, 86, of Pepeekeo died April 20, 2015, at her residence. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., she was an accountant and owner of the former Hoy Lung Restaurant in Flushing Queens, N.Y.
Private services were held. Her ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date. Contact Karen Thom at 963-5148 for more information.
She is survived by daughters, Karen (Henry Wyckoff) Thom and Stacey Thom, both of Hakalau; son, Kenny Thom of Connecticut; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Masayuki Nii
Masayuki “Masa” Nii, 96, of Hilo died March 18, 2015, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born March 30, 1918, in Kaueleau, Puna, he was a farmer, insurance salesman, tour guide, member and Elder of Community of Christ and former state secretary and president of Hawaii Future Farmers of America Association.
Private services were held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by daughters, Rosemary (Thomas) Kawamoto and Carol (Ivan) Faxon, both of Hilo, Beverly Nii and Ethel Nii, both of California; son, David (Pamela) Nii of Colorado; sisters, Yoshimi (Yoshimori) Baba of Honolulu, Itsuko Kihara of Hilo, Jane Kitazaki of Pearl City, Oahu; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Paul Tashima
Paul Haruo Tashima, 90, of Hilo died April 10, 2015, at home. Born in Paauhau, he was the retired proprietor of Paul Tashima General Contractor Inc.
Private services were held. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, remembrances may be made in his name to Us Too East Hawaii Prostate Cancer Support Group c/o Albert Manliguis, Pres., 7 Palani St., Hilo HI 96720-1633, or Kaumana Drive Baptist Church, 388 Kaumana Drive, Hilo HI 96720-1944, or to a charity of the giver’s choice.
He is survived by sons, Burt Tashima of Hilo, Dan (Robin) Tashima of Henderson, Nev.; daughters, Candace (Randall Kaya) Paul of Hilo, Susan Nobuko Sera (Neil) Kingsley of North Hero, Vt.; brother, Sakumi Tashima of Ewa, Oahu; sisters, Nobue Oba, Michiko (Herbert) Ota, both of Hilo, Lynn Tsuji of Kailua, Ellen (Henry Lopez) Callo of Naalehu; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Richard Jaentsch
Richard Arthur Jaentsch, 87, of Hilo died April 7, 2015, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Oct. 19, 1927, in Milton, Wash., he was a retired lead plant man and safety inspector for Chevron and refinery of Honolulu, U.S. Coast Guard seaman, World War II Army veteran, amateur radio operator, small airplane pilot and Harley motorcycle rider.
Friends may call at noon May 29 at Onekahakaha Beach park for a celebration of life.
He is survived by wife, Mabel Jaentsch of Keaukaha; son, Phillip (Arlene) Jaentsch of Kona; daughters, Jacqueline Jaentsch, Donnalyn Kalei and Debra (Donald) Leopoldo, all of Hilo; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one cousin.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.