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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Juanita Laureta
Juanita Cariaga Laureta, 91, of Hilo died Dec. 24, 2016, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Oct. 22, 1925, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a retired macadamia nut picker for Mauna Kea Agribusiness and a member of New Hope – Hilo, Filipino Ministry.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 4 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, Hilo with an 11 a.m. funeral service. Burial will follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section. Casual attire.
She is survived by daughters, Virginia (Vermillo) Lorenzo, Lucena (Abraham) Lumabao, Margarita Laureta, all of Honokaa and Zita Laureta Gomes of Keaau; hanai daughter, Esmerelda (Ronald) Miyazaki of Hilo; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Adeline Lewis
Adeline Sally Ventura Lewis, 78, of Hilo died Dec. 23, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Friends may call from 9-10 a.m. Jan. 4 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by burial at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. The family requests that casual attire be worn.
She is survived by sons, John (Alicia) Lewis Jr. of Pahoa, Daniel (Cheryl) Lewis of Keaau, Kenneth Lewis of Hilo, Wendell (Rena) Lewis of Keaau, Charles (Laurie) Lewis of Hilo; daughter, Susan (Ken Antonio) Lewis of Hilo; hanai sons, Robert Lewis, Dustin (Justine) Tada, both of Hilo; hanai daughters, Johnalyn (Lance) Platt of Iowa, Amity Lewis of Hilo; brothers, Raymond Ventura of Pepeekeo, Anthony Ventura of Hilo; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Maydel Matsubara
Maydel Leolani Kailimai Matsubara, 59, of Hilo died Dec. 25, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. She was born Nov. 25, 1957.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Jan 6 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ponahawai Chapel in Hilo. Aloha attire is requested.
She is survived by daughter, Tani Matsubara of Hilo; brother, Jay Kailimai of Hilo; sisters, Gail Kaapuni of Honomu and (Clifford) Waiwaiole of Oahu; one grandson; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
William Bowers
William Andrew Bowers, 28, of Mountain View died Dec. 13, 2016, at his residence. Born May 24, 1988, in Soldotna, Alaska, he was an installer at Solar Photovoltaic.
A celebration of life will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Shipman Park in Keaau. Casual attire is requested.
He is survived by wife, Kawehilani Bowers of Mountain View; daughters, Natasha Rezentes, Samantha Rezentes, Natalie Jo Bowers and Serenity Bowers, all of Mountain View; father, William Bowers of Mountain View; mother, Tammy Bowers of Minnesota; paternal grandmother, Irene Bowers of Soldotna, Alaska; maternal grandmother, Mary Webster of Fergus Falls, Minn.; brothers, Joe Bowers of Oregon and Donald Bowers of Mountain View; sister, Sheri Bowers of Captain Cook; numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Stephen Whitney
Stephen Joshua Whitney, 30, of Hilo died Dec. 9, 2016, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a construction worker for GDS Solutions.
Friends may call from 5:30–7 p.m. Jan. 6, at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. funeral service. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.
He is survived by mother, Raechelle Whitney of Hilo; father, Solomon Namoa of Tonga; brothers, Soloman Whitney of Hilo, Peni Namoa of Hilo, Brandon (Marlena Chung) Whitney of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Annie Akau
Annie Kahikilani “Lani” Akau, 79 of Kawaihae died Dec. 11, 2016, at her home. Born March 28, 1937, in Kawaihae, she was a retired teacher at Aiea High School and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Waimea 1st Ward.
Visitation will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 with the funeral service to follow. Cremation to follow service; private urn burial at a later date. Casual attire.
She is survived by brothers, Edward Akau Sr. of Pearl City, Oahu and Solomon Akau of Kawaihae; sisters, Elizabeth Akau Wilkins of Kawaihae, Hawaii; Wilma Nance of Galveston, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Tammy Cho
Tammy Kamalani Clara Cho, 53, of Captain Cook died Dec. 10, 2016. Born July 27, 1963, in Kealakekua, she was a homemaker.
Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at OTEC Beach with a 10:30 a.m. service. Food and fellowship will follow. Info: John Wentworth, 785- 4256. Directions: http://tinyurl.com/hfq8bfb. Condolences may be posted at ballardfamilymortuaries.com
She is survived by spouse, Warren Cho Sr.; son, Warren Cho Jr. of South Kona; daughter, Tresa (Brandon) Akao of Riverton, Wyoming; mother, Harriette Wentworth of Tacoma, Wash.; brothers, Moses Wentworth III, John Wentworth, both of Kailua-Kona, Thomas (Adriana) Pua of Napoopoo; sisters, Leimomi Nastor of Kailua-Kona; Decemberine Mukini of South Kona; Kanani (Jesse) Minamishin of Captain Cook; three grandchildren; hanai son, Andy Rodriguez of Captain Cook; hanai daughter, Elvainney (Alfrieda) Pascubillo-Kanaele of Waimea; eight God Children; hanai sister Junal (Kalehua) Perry of Kailua-Kona; hanai brother, Don (Laurie) Elsas of Arizona.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.
Rachael Valassis
Rachael Ann Valassis, 74, of Waimea died December 27, 2016, at home. She was born Jan. 25, 1942, in Detroit.
She is survived by stepson, Perry Valassis Jr. of San Jose, Calif.; stepdaughters, Cheryl (Jack) Pulley of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Dodi Jackson of Brighton, Mich.; Dani Valassis of Howell, Mich.; Lori (Cullen) Proctor of Pontiac, Mich.; brother, Daniel (Irene) Golec of Littleton, Colo.; sister Celeste (Robert) Borosky of Waimea.
Private services will be held. Condolences may be posted at ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Kona.