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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Katherine Villanueva
Katherine Basa Villanueva, 44, of Pahoa died Jan. 19, 2017, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born March 7, 1972, in Saipan, she was as a cook at various restaurants in Hilo.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel with an 11 a.m. funeral service. Burial will follow at the Alae Cemetery in Hilo. Casual attire is requested.
She is survived by companion, Jesse Sablan of Pahoa; sons, Wayne (Silhoutte) Villanueva Sablan, Dewayne Villanueva Sablan Jr., all of Pahoa; daughters, Julieanna (Jarret Talamoa) Villanueva Sablan of Mountain View, Dana (Sepeti Tuaefe) Villanueva Sablan of Pahoa; sisters, Janet Villanueva of Saipan, Arlene Villanueva of Keaau, Patricia Mae Villanueva Kolish of Hilo and Dolores Villanueva of Hilo; nine grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Theodore Decker
Theodore “Teddy” Decker, 88, of Hilo died Jan. 27, 2017, at Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo. Born Nov. 5, 1928, in Honolulu, he was a retired technical sergeant in the Air Force during the Korean War.
Friends may call from 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 3:30 p.m. celebration of life. A celebration of life will also be held at 10 a.m. March 4 at Kailua Beach Park on Oahu. Casual attire; flower lei are welcomed.
He is survived by daughter, Teddi (Robert) Daigneaut of Mesa, Ariz.; sons, Jon (Amy) Decker of Kannopolis, N.C., Hale (Ernell) Decker of Hilo, David (Mei-Ling) Decker of Phoenix; hanai sons, Steven (Maxine) Magnani of Mountain View, Nathan (Tanya) Souza of Kula, Maui; sisters, Dorynne Ringler of Kailua, Oahu, Lovita (Harvey) Alsbury of Eugene, Ore. Iwalani (Wilbert) Halm of Kailua, Oahu; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Matthew Naone Sr.
Matthew Kealoha Naone Sr., 70, of Hilo died Jan. 26, 2017, at Hale Hoola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in Honolulu, he was the owner of the former Da Cabinet Shop and Menehune Kitchen, set painter for 20th Century Fox, construction worker, formerly employed at Miko Meats, member of Door of Faith Church in Kaneohe, Oahu, and a volunteer for the Boys &Girls Club.
A celebration of his life will begin at noon Feb. 25 at Spencer Beach Park in Kawaihae. Casual attire.
He is survived by daughters, Beth (Mario) Manriquez of Waimea, Celeste (Patrick) Mendes of Ainaloa, Alvina Nau, Ramona (Jasen) Lefcourt, all of Hilo; son, Matthew (Diamond) Naone Jr. of Hilo; stepchildren, Joni (Jonah) Iona, Jackie Kahana, Alvin (Ashley) Pagan, Anthony (Emily) Pagan, all of Hilo; hanai-children, Alva Anderson, III, Halii Anderson, Kawika Anderson, all of Hilo, Alvalene (Steven) Mata of Ainaola; brothers, Thomas Naone, Moses (Haunani) Naone, Jeffrey (Jill) Naone, all of Honolulu, Ray Bogario of Hilo, Elroy Ahrens of Honolulu; sisters, Ruth (Ben) Cachola, Diane (Steven) Obedoza, all of Honolulu, Donna Lee Ahrens of the mainland, Frances Lynch of Kaneohe, Oahu, Faith Pahinui of Honokaa; 21 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yasushi Imaizumi
Yasushi Imaizumi, 90, of Hilo died Feb. 5, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired painter for the State Department of Accounting and General Services, an Army veteran of the Korean War, and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Kinney Heights Kumiai, Wanderers Golf Club, Puna Golf Club, and Keaau Senior Golf Club.
Friends may call at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 4 p.m. service. Graveside committal service and burial at noon Feb. 27 at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No.2. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Sachiko Imaizumi of Hilo; son, Owen (Kim) Imaizumi of California; daughter, Jill Tokunaga of Honolulu; four grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Juanita Gregorio
Juanita Soy Gregorio, 87, of Captain Cook died Jan. 29, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 23, 1929, in Dagupan City, Philippines, she was a retired business owner, former teacher and member of Christ Church Episcopal.
Service to be held in the Philippines.
She is survived by sons, Mario (Evelyn) Gregorio, Pablo Gregorio Jr., all of Dagupan City, Philippines; daughters, Linda Gregorio, Mercy Gregorio, Maria Corazon, all of Captain Cook; sisters, Mary Obando, Felicia Quiamco, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Janice Sears
Janice Ruth Sears, 70, of Waikoloa died Dec. 16, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. She was a music and art teacher before obtaining her degree in counseling, and becoming a high school guidance counselor in Phoenix. She also produced the Big Island Film Festival for 11 years and volunteered for Five Mountains.
She is survived by husband, Leo; son, Jeff; one grandson; stepmother, Dona (French); kidlet daughter, Sheila (Yetter).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crisis Center of Johnson County at www.jccrisiscenter.org/memory-jan-sears and leave a memory or message.
Services will be held Memorial Day weeend on Big Island.