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.
Steven Keezer
Steven “Steve” Paul Keezer, 58, of Ocean View, died Dec. 1, 2017, in Kona. Born in Deerborn, Mich., he was a computer programmer for General Electric.
Celebration of life and potluck will be 2-4 p.m. Dec. 17 at Manuka State Park. Condolences may be sent to Keezer Family P.O. Box 7237, Ocean View, HI 96737. Online condolences may be sent to: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Cynthia (McBain) Keezer of Ocean View; son, Kyle Keezer of Ocean View; daughters, Kristine Keezer (John Gherity) of Ocean View, Emily (Benjamin) Green of Hollister, Calif.; hanai daughter, Elizabeth (Thomas) Jackson of Ocean View; sister, Donna (Gary) Lehrer; brothers, David (Jackie) Keezer, Kenneth (Merri) Keezer; half-sister Elizabeth Keezer; two granddaughters; two grandsons; two brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo
John Henzel
John Thomas Henzel, 88, of Waikoloa died Dec. 8, 2017, at his residence surrounded by his family. Born April 11, 1929, in Irvington, N.J., he was a retired business executive, joyful parishioner of Ascension Catholic Church in Puako, and proudly served as a founder and former board member of The Association of Catholic Student Councils, an organization devoted to developing the servant-leadership skills of K-12 Catholic school students on a national basis.
A celebration of John’s life and Mass will be 10 a.m. Dec. 31 at Ascension Catholic Church, 69-1789 Puako Beach Drive, Puako, HI 96743, with hospitality immediately following.
John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pat Sanford of Waikoloa; daughters, Susan (Kevin) Pestano of Pahala and Theresa (Frank) Hutchinson of Junction City, Calif.; two granddaughters; one daughter-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren and other close family members from New Jersey to California, Hawaii and beyond.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Henzel Jr.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
William Rourke, Jr.
William “Bill” Bernard Rourke, Jr., 86, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 2, 2017, at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born Sept. 1, 1931, in Chicago, he was a retired Marine Corps aviator, professor of aerospace science at Metropolitan State University in Denver and founding member of both Evergreen and Mountain Foothills chapters of Rotary International. Bill began his service as a submariner in the US Navy during the Korean War and served four tours in Vietnam. He was an active member of Saint Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church.
Service will be held at noon Dec. 28 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
He is survived by wife, Mary Lee Rourke of Kailua-Kona; daughter, Ellen Rourke Wardrop of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; sons, Bill (Pam) Rourke of Senoia, Ga., Brian (Georgina) Rourke of Evergreen, Colo.; sisters, Patricia (Joe) Peraino of Chicago, Judy McKenna of Clinton, Iowa; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Grace Dehmer
Grace “Gracie” Kau’ilani Dehmer, 57, of Papaikou, died Nov. 6, 2017, at her residence. Born on Oahu, she was the proprietress of D&G Lawns, worked for the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation and was a homemaker.
Friends may call 5-6 p.m. Dec. 19 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 6 p.m. celebration of life. Casual attire.
She is survived by companion, Dereck Figueroa of Papaikou; daughter, Raenelle (Blane DeRego) Dehmer of Honokaa; father, Robert “Kona Bob” Dehmer of Kona; brothers, Kimo (Debrah) Dehmer of Kona, Lynn (Sunee) Dehmer of Honokaa, Bobby Dehmer of Ocean View, Eric (Patti) Dehmer of Hilo; sister, Gail (Tarael Thorpe) Dehmer of Mountain View; two grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Christian Leialoha
Christian Keala Leialoha, Sr., 90, of Papaikou, died Nov. 22, 2017, at his home. Born on Sept. 27, 1927, in Hilo, he was proprietor of C. Leialoha Plumbing Service and also worked for the Hawaii state and county government. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hilo, Kaieie Kumiai, United Public Workers and Hawaii Government Employees Association.
Family and Friends may call from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel for a 6:30 p.m. wake service. Family and Friends may call again 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hilo for a 10:30 a.m. funeral service. Aloha attire; burial to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima Section.
He is survived by sons, Christian (Shelly) Leialoha, Jr. of Hilo, Chester (Donna) Leialoha, Sr. of Kona and Roy (Helen) Leialoha, Sr. of Waikoloa; daughters, Nani (David) Tabura of Pacheco, Calif., and Penny Aipoalani of Hilo; sister, Katherine Seay of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; two sisters in-law; one brother-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Pamela Rogers
Pamela “Pammy” Dawn Rogers, 62, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 11, 2017, at her residence. Born May 28, 1955, in Centralia, Wash., she was the owner of Roadrunner Cleaning Services.
Service information to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of Kona, P.O. Box 4130, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745. For information call (808) 990-2603.
She is survived by husband, Thomas Rogers of Kailua-Kona; sons, Thomas Rogers, Jr. of Maui, Zachary (Cheryl) Rogers of Kauai; sister, Cheryl (Jim) Rauscher of Minnesota, Stacy (Kevin) McCullough of Washington, Lisa Hurn-Petit of Alaska.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii
Mehrtens Chillingsworth
Mehrtens Gould Chillingsworth, 90, of Honolulu and Waimea, died on Nov. 29, 2017, in Honolulu. He was born in Honolulu.
Friends may call 9-10 a.m. Jan. 5 at Central Union Church for a 10 a.m. memorial service. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Donations in his name may be made to Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS.org).
He is survived by his wife, Lenore Chillingworth; and daughter, Susy (Francis) Ruddle.