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.
Sally Jo Pontillo
Sally Jo Pontillo, 65, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 26, 2017, in Reno, Nev. Born May 16, 1952, in Glendale, Calif., she was a hairdresser at Kalona Salon in Kailua-Kona.
Private scattering of ashes followed by a celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club Club House and Community Center at Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona.
She is survived by daughter, Stephanie (Aron) Swan; sister, Sandra Northam; brother, James Hamilton; and grandchildren, Alexis and Aidan.
Arrangements by Simple Cremation.
Dallas Jelsma
Dallas Harvey Jelsma, 84, of Hilo, died Nov. 14, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Union, Iowa, he was a retired Hilo High School teacher, The Gideons International Hilo Camp chaplain and member of Puna Covenant Church.
Friends may call at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo for a 5 p.m. service. Family requests casual attire be worn.
He is survived by wife, Pamela Yon of Hilo; sons, Samuel (Karlene) Jelsma and Daniel (Kim) Jelsma of Puna; daughter, Rachel (Darren) Louis of Kona; brothers, Jim (Connie) Jelsma of Eldora, Iowa, Stanley (Shirley) Jelsma of Lakewood, Colo.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Spencer Sr.
Edward “Papa” E. Spencer Sr., 84, of Waimea, died Nov. 21, 2017, at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Waimea, he was a retired supervisor for the Hawaii County Public Works Road Department, U.S. Navy veteran and member of St. James Episcopal Church.
Friends may call at 9 a.m. Dec. 9 at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea, 65-1237 Kawaihae Road, for an 11 a.m. service. Burial follows in church cemetery. Family requests casual attire be worn, flowers and lei are welcomed.
He is survived by wife, Rose Spencer of Waimea; son, Edward (Donna) Spencer Jr. of Waimea; daughters, Daphne (Moku) Straus and Roxane (Arnold) Cabico of Waimea; sisters, Gwendolyn Forsythe of Honolulu, Abigail Pharazyn of Arlington, Wash.; five grandsons, five great-grandchildren, three hanai grandchildren, five hanai great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
George Gutierrez Sr.
George Orado Gutierrez Sr., 66, of Papaaloa, died Nov. 27, 2017, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pasig, the Philippines, he was a laboratory analyst with the former Hamakua Sugar Co. and member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Dodo Mortuary chapel for a 7 p.m. prayer service, followed by cremation. Casual attire, no flowers.
He is survived by wife, Estrella Gutierrez of Papaaloa; sons, George (Traci) Gutierrez Jr. of Honolulu, Nelson (Christy) Gutierrez of Honolulu, Ian (Keshia) Gutierrez of Kohala and Gilbert (Evangeline Fajardo) Gutierrez of Papaaloa; brothers, Willy Gutierrez, Alex Gutierrez, Hector Gutierrez and T. Gutierrez, all of Pasig, Philippines; sisters, Lagring Gutierrez, Tessie Gutierrez and Josie Lagman, all of Pasig, Philippines; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Edward Rosehill III
Edward “Butch” Walter Rosehill III, 69, of Hilo and formerly of Everett, Wash., died Oct. 12, 2017, at the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Facility. Born in Hilo, he was a retired computer electronics technician.
A celebration of life will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the AJA Veterans Hall, 361 Haihai St., in Hilo. Casual attire.
He is survived by brother, Robert (Tana) Rosehill of Hilo; sister, Diane Whitney of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jesse Balai Sr.
Jesse Lawrence Balai Sr., 55, of Pahoa, died Nov. 10, 2017, at home. Born Feb. 11, 1962, in Hilo, he was a tile setter, mason, fisherman, hunter and member of New Hope — Puna.
Visitation will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. Dec. 8 at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo for a 10 a.m. funeral service. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.
He is survived by wife, DonnaLynn Balai; sons, Keone (Brandy) Balai Sr., Josiah Konanui, Jesse (Kamalani Bondaug) Balai, Lono (Sheana Ah-Quin) Balai, Lawai’a (Kaila Leviner) Balai, Lokahi (Taniya Thomas) Balai and Lauleneke Balai; hanai sons, Darryl (Taryn Requelman) Balai Sr., Dustin Balai, Devin (Tihani Liwai) Balai and Wesley Mai’ava; daughters, Laua’e-O-Makana (Micah) Alexander, Leina’ala (Taua’i Kekaualua-Tuia’ana) Balai and Leahi (Devin Freitas-Gonsalves) Balai; hanai daughter, AshleyRose (Ku’uipo) Nihipali; sisters, Trudy (Darryl) Balai and Cheryl Balai; brothers, James Balai Sr., Jason Balai and Walter Balai; mother-in-law; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.