Obituaries: May 30, 2021

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Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.

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Ralph Yackley

Ralph Robert Yackley, 77, of Kailua-Kona, died May 4, 2021, at Life Care Center of Kona. Born July 8, 1943, in Aurora, IL, he was a retired carpenter and a member of the Carpenter’s Union 745, Kona unit chair trustee for the union retirement fund, a salesperson at Lowe’s, worked at the former Fantasia Furniture Store, and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Services will be held at a later date.

Survived by wife, Kal Yackley of Kailua-Kona; brother, Richard Yackley of Warrenville, IL; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Stephen Wolfgang

Stephen Worth Wolfgang, 89, of Kailua-Kona, died May 16, 2021, at the Kona Community Hospital. Born Nov. 7, 1931, in Oakdale, PA, he was a civil engineer for the U.S. Air Force, Boeing and the Department of Defense, and was a Vietnam veteran.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Kona or AdvoCATS Hawaii. Services to be held at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.

Survived by daughter, Grushenka (Mark Hogan) Wolfgang; son, Andrew Wolfgang; and brother, George Wolfgang.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Keawe Alapai

Keawe Kaomea Kaanaana Kupihe Alapai, 42, of Kailua-Kona, died April 17, 2021 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kona, he was a family genealogist and a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard.

Services held.

He is survived by mother, Kalua Alapai and sister, Nani Kupihe, both of Kailua-Kona; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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Milton Kala’i

Milton “Pettoe” Hoalulu Kala’i, 70, of Hilo, died May 16, 2021, in Waimanalo, Oahu. Born Oct. 19, 1950, in Honolulu, he was the owner and contractor for MK Construction and president of the Panaewa Hawaiian Home Lands Community Association.

Friends may call at 9 a.m. June 3 at Dodo Motuary Upper Carport for a drive-through visitiation. Cremation to follow. The family requests casual attire.

He is survived by wife, Adelaide Kala’i of Hilo; sons, Derek (Kori) Kala’i, Dayton (Emerald) Kala’i and Dwayne (Cheryl) Kala’i, all of Hilo, and Daniel Kala’i of Las Vegas; sisters, Relda Palenapa of Kailua, Oahu, and Davenie Kupau of Honolulu, Oahu; brother, Renny Kala’i of Waimanalo, Oahu; 12 grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

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John Hopson

John “Hal” Hopson, 87, of Waimea, died April 8, 2021, at his residence. Born Dec. 11, 1933, in Sedan, N.M., he was a retired veterinarian.

Service information will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Cowboys for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 202, Dona Ana, NM 88052.

He is survived by sons, Sidney (Sheree) Hopson of Waimea and Steven (Joyce) Hopson, and sister, James Dawson, all of California; two grandsons; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.