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.
William Benevides Sr.
William P. “Willy, Grandpa” Benevides Sr., 91 of Hilo died Jan. 16, 2016, at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Oct. 15, 1924, in Hilo, he worked for Mana Transportation, American Factors and was a retried press operator for Hawaii Tribune-Herald. He also was a World War II Army veteran, member of Waiakea Kumiai, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and Big Island Portuguese Cultural Club.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. service. Friends may call again at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 12 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. Mass. Family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
He is survived by daughter, Marilyn Kamakawiwoole of Waimea; sons, Billy (Lei Wise) Benevides of Hilo, David (Kim Kainoa) Benevides of Waimea; brother, Anthony Benevides of Hilo; sister, Fanny (Richard) Gouveia of Kona; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Sterling Sylva Jr.
Sterling H.Sylva Jr., 63, of Pahoa died Jan. 21, 2016. Born March 14, 1952, in Honolulu, he ran a produce farm.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Feb. 10 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2, 110 Laimana St. in Hilo for a service. A gathering will follow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ainaloa Longhouse, 16-303 Ainaloa Blvd. in Pahoa.
He is survived by sons, Benjamin Sylva of Honolulu, Alex (Brendy) Sylva of Pahoa; brothers, Fred (Dayna) Sylva of Honolulu, Dwayne (Charlene) Sylva of California; sister, Cathy Sylva Smith of Montana; 10 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Leodigaria Mascarina
Leodigaria Melendrez Mascarina, 87, of Kealakekua died Jan. 21, 2016, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Oct. 2, 1928, in Clarin, Bohol, Philippines, she was a retired elementary school teacher and member of Legion of Mary and St. John’s Catholic Church.
Friends may call at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Honaunau for an all night vigil. Visitation will continue at 8 a.m. Feb. 13. Mass will be held at 10 a.m., followed by burial in the church’s cemetery. The family requests casual attire be worn. Flowers are welcome.
She is survived by husband, Cosme Mascarina of Kealakekua; daughters, Judy (don) West of Oregon, Nelia (Alexie) Veloso, Elnora (Poli) Olorvida, both of Kealakekua; sons, Galileo (Lourdes) Mascarina of Kealakekua, Rex (Monica) Mascarina of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Gorgonio Melendrez, Francisco Melendrez, Mario (Rosita) Melendrez, and Baldomero (Ditty) Melendrez Jr., all of the Philippines; sister, Ricarda (Marcial) Relavo of the Philippines; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joyce Hara
Joyce Shigeko Hara, 81, of Hilo died Jan. 23, 2016, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Santa Ana, Calif., she was a retired salesperson and member of the Kilauea Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 4 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn and flowers be omitted.
She is survived by son, Alan (Julie) Hara of Hilo; seven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dennis Hesia Sr.
Dennis Michael Hesia, Sr., 70, of Keaau died Dec. 27, 2015, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired foreman for Highway Construction, a professional boxer and trainer.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at Ulu Mau Village (Heeia State Park) in Kaneohe, Oahu for a celebration of life. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Colleen Hesia of Keaau; sons, Frank Mousser of Ohio, Dennis Hesia, Jr. of Las Vegas, Richard Hesia of Whittier, Calif., Robert Hesia of Honolulu, Everett Hesia of Kona, Dennett Hesia of Maui; daughters, Shereen Garcia of Washington, Deneen Hesia of Honolulu; brothers, John Hesia, Enrique Rodrigues, Frank Hesia, Richard Diaz, Delbert Diaz, Darryl Diaz, all of Honolulu; sisters, Matilda Hesia, Emelia Rodrigues, Lori Diaz, all of Honolulu; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elizabeth Wessel
Elizabeth Pualani Wessel, 76, of Hilo and formerly of Kula, Maui, died Jan. 7, 2016, at the Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center on Oahu. Born in Hilo, she was a retired front office hotel clerk and retail sales clerk.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 10 a.m. service. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. Feb. 16 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 for graveside urn committal services. Lei are welcome.
She is survived by sons, Terry (Dawn Aveson) Wessel of Kahului, Maui, Paul (Lori) Wessel of Honolulu; hanai daughter, Hassie Zitnik of Maui; brothers, Andrew (Janice) Kualii Jr., Robert (Nora Lee) Kualii, John (Barbara) Kualii, all of Hilo; sister, Rachel (Rowland) Melim of Hilo; four grandchildren, one great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nancy Weisel
Nancy Lou Weisel, 79, of Keaau diedJan. 16, 2016, at her residence. She was born in Hutchinson, Kan., on March 26, 1936. She was a retired line assigner for Roseville Telephone Co.
Private services.
She is survived by daughter, Margaret (Steve) Swall of Keaau; sister, Marjorie Mahoney of Roseville, Calif.; brother, Michael Bates of Roseville, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews.