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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Emil Foster
Emil Paul Foster, 80, of Hilo died Feb. 28, 2017, at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born Feb. 7, 1937, in Honolulu, he was a retired agent for Hawaiian Airlines and a member of the Waiakea Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Visitation will be held from 3-4 p.m. March 25 at Dodo Mortuary chapel, Hilo with a 4 p.m. service. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, Rona Ann Foster of Hilo; sons, Mark (Alana) Foster of Hilo, Michael (Juryleen) Foster of Bellingham, Wash., David (Kathy) Foster of Hilo; daughters, Kelly (Butch) Kalima of Hilo, Wendy (Steven) Shigemi of Hilo, Malia (Alexie) Kaaihue of Waimea; brother, Wayne (Theodora) Foster of Ewa Beach, Oahu; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Malinda St. Clair
Malinda “Nina” Kawehilani Keohuloa Kaawa St. Clair, 37, of Kurtistown died March 5, 2017, at home. Born April 18, 1979, in Hilo, she was a homemaker and member of the Hilo Seventh Day Adventist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ka’u Ward.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. March 25 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ka’u Ward, with an 11 a.m. service. Cremation will follow. Casual attire.
She is survived by husband, Michael St. Clair; mother, Evon (John Thompson) Kaawa; brother, Shawn Kaawa; hanai sisters, Tanya (David) Haleamau and Hiilani Lipe; hanai brothers, Halley (Dedrie) Kaawa, Dayson Udac and Pomaikai Olson; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Alice Kobayashi
Alice Caroline Asau Kobayashi, 81, of Hilo died March 10, 2017, at the Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and the St. Joseph School Alumni and Friends.
Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. March 27 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. wake service. Friends may also call from 9-10 a.m. March 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church for a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by cremation. The family requests that casual attire be worn.
She is survived by son, Raymond (Sissy) Kobayashi Jr. of Mountain View; daughters, Donna (Gerald) Ot, Danette (Reed) Takaaze, all of Hilo; six grandchildren, seven great -grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.
Richard Bartsch
Richard Paul Bartsch, 82, of Holualoa died March 15, 2017, in Keauhou. Born Nov. 11, 1934, in Aurora, Ill., he was in the Army and worked as an attorney.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. April 1 at Living Stones Church Alii Drive Site.
He is survived wife, Rosemary; sons, Christian Bartsch of Haleiwa, Oahu, Jonathan (Sheri) Bartsch of Kapaau; daughters, Lisa (William) Vazquez of Holualoa, Robin (Donald) Fisher of Kailua-Kona, Monica (Todd) Quam of Sacramento, Calif.; hanai son, Michael Spinelli of Kailua-Kona; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charles Brodhead Jr.
Charles Lindbergh Brodhead Jr. 86, of Kailua-Kona died Feb, 22, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born June 23, 1930, in Quakertown, Penn., he was a retired thoracic surgeon, a retired Navy captain and a member of Kona Coast Church of the Nazarene.
A celebration of life will be held April 2 at Kona Coast Church of the Nazarene. A luncheon is planned at 11:30 a.m. followed by service at 1 p.m. Info: 498-0690.
He is survived by wife, Doris Brodhead of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Connie (Skip) Hollenden of Lincoln, Neb.; son, Charles (Leesa) Brodhead of Kailua-Kona; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Mae Takafuji
Mae Matsuno Takafuji, 100, of Kealakekua died Feb. 21, 2017, at her residence. Born Feb. 15, 1917, in Paia, Maui, she was a retired food waitress for Spencecliff Corporation and the Queen Surf Hotel.
Private services were held.
She is survived by son, John (Florence) Takafuji of Honolulu, Clyde (Karen) Takafuji of Kealakekua; brother, Jack (Eleanor) Yamamoto of Honolulu; sister, Nellie Endo of Chicago, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Yemi Tokunaga
Yemi Oshiki Tokunaga, 94, of Kailua-Kona, died March 10, 2017, at her residence. Born March 17, 1922, in Los Angeles, she was a secretary for the Los Angeles City Schools and a retired secretary for West Hawaii Today. She was a member of Hoolokahi Congregational Church and a survivor of the Rohwer Arkansas Concentration Camp.
Private services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by son, Richard Tokunaga of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Laura Iwasaki of Bellevue, Wash.; brother, Yo Oshiki of Seal Beach, Calif.; three granddaughters.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.