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.
Russell Varner
Russell Jay Varner, 89, of Holualoa, died July 10, 2017, at his residence. Born Aug. 14, 1927, in Vancouver, Washington, he was a coffee and macadamia nut farmer, retired mechanic, former Japan Airlines flight engineer and U.S. Navy veteran, World War II.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. on July 18, 2017, for a celebration of life at the Varner residence.
He is survived wife, Rene’e Etscheit Varner; son, Keith (Paula) Varner, of Holualoa; daughter Carrie (Noel) Boylan, of Pohnpei, Micronesia; brother, Harvey (Dixie Nystrom) Varner of Monroe, Oregon; sister, Rosie Varner, of Vancouver, Washington; grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donald Reich
Donald Edward Reich, 84, of Kailua-Kona, died May 12, 2017, at Life Care Center of Kona. Born Aug. 1, 1932, in Covington, Kentucky, he was a retired American Airlines pilot and U.S. Air Force veteran.
Friends may call at noon on July 19, 2017, at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery for a memorial service. The family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Jaynie Reich, of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Beverly (Jack) Reich Ivy, of Flower Mound, Texas; 2 grandchildren; a sister; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Steven Soto
Steven Scott “Big Daddy” Soto, 52, of Hilo, died June 28, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a tile setter.
Private services were held.
He is survived by his wife, Janice Soto, of Hilo; Son, Jordan Soto, of Hilo; daughter, Jade Soto, of Hilo; parents, Stephen and Marjorie Soto of Hilo; brothers, Shane Soto, of Florida, and Primus Soto, of Oregon; numerous aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Judy Eslit
Judy Rae Eslit, 73, of Waimea, died July 5, 2017, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Cleveland, she was a homemaker.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
She is survived by husband, Marcos Eslit Sr., of Waimea; son, Marcos Eslit Jr., of Kapolei, Oahu; daughters, Petra (Kekai) Kaleleiki, of Waimea, and Angelina Eslit of Kapolei, Oahu; brother, James Manley, of Michigan; sister, Jane Williams; nine grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo.