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.
John McCormick
John McCormick, of Hilo, died Dec. 28, 2017. Born Nov. 6, 1950, in Moscow, Idaho, his life took him from Idaho to Germany, Kansas, Oregon, Alaska before he retired in Mountain View. He was in a tank battalion and received many commendations for leadership and performance. He was a self-taught licensed electrician.
Private services held.
He is survived by his daughters, Audrey Netz of Lewiston, Idaho, Michelle Manis of Ocean Shores, Wash.; stepdaughter, Paula DeLa Faria of Gresdam, Ore.; sisters, Carolyn Welch, Lewiston, Idaho, Paula Bowman, Meridian, Idaho, Nancy McCormick, Pueblo, Colo., many grandchildren, a few great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Ken Tsuhako
Ken Kenji Tsuhako, 67, of Waimea, died Dec. 31, 2017, at the Hale Hoola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired electrician, a free diver and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
His ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date.
He is survived by caregivers, Danilo and Terisita Gaddi of Waimea; sister, Linda Harrington of Sacramento, Calif.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Joanna Silva
Joanna W. Silva, of Hilo, died Jan. 2, 2018. Born on March 24, 1929, in Hilo, she was a retired senior stenographer clerk for Hawaii County Police Department.
A Memorial Service and Mass were held on Jan. 12., with burial at Homelani Cemetery, Online condolences may be sent to: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
Survived by his son, Gregg (Sandra) Silva of Hilo, Gerard (Donna) Silva of Puna; daughter Geri (Tom) Slavin of California; 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary-Hilo.
Doris Liberato
Mrs. Doris Browner Liberato, 80, of Kailua-Kona, died Nov. 30, 2017, at Hale Hoola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born Feb. 26, 1937, in Los Angeles, she was a former receptionist at West Hawaii Today, and a receptionist and bookkeeper for Jack’s Tours and was an HIBT angler.
No services are planned.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Liberato of Kailua-Kona; son, Fred (Char) Davis of Thailand; daughters, Diana Ballard of California, Phyllis Davis of Kailua-Kona, Nikki (Mark) Davis and Jeni Davis of Sacramento, Calif., Celeste (John) Solomon of Honolulu, and Zena Wright of Hawaii Kai, Oahu; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary Kona.
Theodora Bell
Theodora “Teddy” P. Bell, 84, of Hilo, died Jan. 8, 2018, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Minneapolis, she was an Affirmative Action officer for St. Paul Ramsey Hospital, worked for the Metropolitan Council in St. Paul, Minn., and had been a board member of the Bay Clinic in Hilo.
No services will be held. Online condolences: www.homelanimemorialpark.com
She is survived by three daughters, Julie (Michael Campbell) Bell of Asheville, N.C., Melinda (Darrell Kaufman) Bell of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Jennifer (Joel Jongewaard) Caskey of Scandia, Minn.; son, Erik (Fran) Bell of St. Paul, Minn.; sister, Jacquelyn Olson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Clarence Minamide
Clarence Tsugio Minamide, 83, of Hilo, died Dec. 26, 2017, at home. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the former Harders in Hilo, a U.S. Army veteran and member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin.
Private services were held.
He is survived by son, Roy Minamide of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Bernice (Mamoru) Nakamura of Hilo; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lana Sclafani
Lana Jeanette Sclafani, 70, of Leinani Estates, Pahoa died Jan. 3, 2018, at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Wisconsin, she was a retired liaison officer for the Internal Revenue Service and an avid gardener.
Private services held.
She is survived by husband, Dale Sclafani of Leinani Estates; sons, Charles Olcott of Phoenix, Christopher Olcott of Pahoa; brother, Norman (Shelli) Laurion of Pahoa; two grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Shirley Gray
Shirley Bohlmann Gray, 91, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 30, 2017, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Feb. 23, 1926, in Minneapolis, she was a retired librarian for the University of Hawaii Manoa and a Peace Corps volunteer.
Service information to be announced at a later date.
She is survived by sons, Steven (Teresa) Gray of Kailua-Kona, David Gray of N. J.; one granddaughter.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Yonna Grunberg
Yonna Grunberg, 57, of Waimea, died Nov. 19, 2017, in Istanbul. She was a wife, mother and the the owner of a successful restaurant in Istanbul.
Private services were held in Istanbul.
She is survived by her only child, Sasha Grunberg of Waimea; and husband, Ronald Grunberg of Istanbul.