Obituaries: 6-29-17

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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.

Jerome Gemine

Jerome Georges Edouard Gemine, 32, of Keaau died June 13, 2017, at his residence. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, he was a student at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, proprietor of JTEK 808 and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa and Delta Sigma Pi.

Friends may call from 10–11 a.m. June 30 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa for an 11 a.m. Mass. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Casual attire.

He is survived by parents, Rudy and Eliane Gemine of Orchidland; brother, Stephane Gemine of Orchidland; sister, Natasha Gemine of Orchidland; maternal grandparents, Georges and Therese Loesch of Thailand.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Aleksey Merkulov

Aleksey Viktorovich Merkulov, 19, of Keaau died June 22, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born March 21, 1998, in Kurganinsk, Russia, he was a construction worker.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. June 30 at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo with a 10:30 a.m. service. Condolences may be posted at www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.

He is survived by parents, Viktor Viktorich (Yelena Ivanovna) Merkulov; brothers, Dmitriy Merkulov, Igor Merkulov, Joseph Merkulov, Vitaliy (Margarita) Merkulov, John Merkulov, David Merkulov; sisters, Vickoriya (Viorel) Malancea, Olesya Merkulov Marina Merkulov, Angelica Merkulov; one nephew and numerous cousins.

Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.

William Oana

William “Bill” Richard Oana, 63, of Waimea died June 9, 2017, at home. Born Jan. 14, 1954, in Honolulu, he was an Army veteran and had multiple occupations.

Friends may call at for a service at 10 a.m. July 2 at 64-998 Waikelehua Place in Waimea with a reception to follow until 2 p.m. Condolences can be sent PO Box 2974, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743.

He is survived by wife, Pricilla Oana of Waimea; son, William (Tiffany Pratt) Oana of Ewa Beach, Oahu; daughters, Maria (Jason) Booth of Waimea, Crystal (Brian) Singer of Virginia, Maile (Dan) Corrales of Keaau and Leo (Kevin Sr.) Lee of Molokai; brothers: Louis (Rose) Oana of Cabot, Arkansas and Brooks (Debra) Oana of Mountain View; sisters, Tulane (Anthony) Sanchez of San Antonio, Texas, Arma (Fred Fujinaga) Oana, Robina Nalani (John) Subiono, all of Honolulu, Deena (Steve) Hurwitz of Waimea, Leilani (William) Ulu of Keaau; 32 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Hilo.

Thomas Vissers

Thomas Peter Vissers, 68, of Captain Cook died Feb. 14, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 30, 1949, in Hamilton, Mont., he was a carpenter.

Private service held.

He is survived by cousin, Christa (John) Huck of Elizabeth, Colo.

Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.

Mark Freehauf

Mark Gerald Freehauf, 68, of Kailua-Kona died June 26, 2017, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born April 17, 1949, in West Bend Wis., he was a retired doctor of pharmacy and member of Kona Faith Center.

Private service to be held.

He is survived by wife, Josephine Freehauf of Kailua-Kona; son, Scott Freehauf; daughter, Shara Freehauf, both of California; hanai daughter, Cecily Asuncion of Hilo; hanai sons, Kuna Asuncion, Kai Asuncion, both of Kailua Kona.

Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.

Randy Botti

Richard Charles Botti, 78, of Waikoloa died June 23, 2017, at home. Born May 1, 1939, in Brockton, Mass. He was a lobbyist, government liaison and a small business leader, founder of the Legislative Information Service of Hawaii, Hawaii Association. of Retail Gasoline Dealers and Hawaii Food Industry Association, among others.

Private services will be held.

He is survived by wife, Gwen Botti, son, Randy (Ann) Botti of Kailua-Kona; son, Douglas Botti of Sherman Oaks, Calif., son, Richard (Michelle) Benecchi of Spokane, Wash.; stepdaughter, Julie Waters of Kailua, Oahu; brother, Don (Callie) Benecchi of Dothan Alabama, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.