Obituaries: September 15, 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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.

Beverly Samson

The Rev. Beverly Iwalani Mahi Samson, 67, of Hilo, died Aug. 31, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, she was a retired sales clerk with Ross Dress for Less and was also a minister at Ka Uhane Hemolele O Ka Malamalama Church.

Services will be held at a later date.

She is survived by daughter, Shawyne Samson of Hilo; sons, Beau Mahi of Oahu, Benjamin Samson III of Kailua-Kona, and Bryson Samson, Edmund Daog Jr. and Edward Daog, all of Hilo; sisters, Rev. Charolette Mahi of Hilo and Cindy (Simone Texeira) Rivera of Kauai; brother, Charles (Nanette) Mahi of Hilo; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Michael Taniguchi

Michael Takeo Taniguchi, 74, of Hilo died Aug. 24, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired assistant manager for ABC Stores and a veteran of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Private services.

He is survived by wife, Lynn Taniguchi of Canada; son, Jamie Taniguchi of Canada; sister, Lynn (Curtis Correa) Kihara of Hilo; three nephews; and numerous cousins.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Robert Ehmke Jr.

Robert L. Ehmke Jr., 79, of Keaau, died Sept. 1, 2021. Family members are asked to call Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo at (808) 935-8445.

Tommy Tinker

Tommy Anderson Tinker, 88, of Kapaau, died Aug. 22, 2021, at Kona Community Hospital. Born April 16, 1933, in Van Nuys, CA, he was retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, a commercial pilot for Pacific Airlines and Northwest Airlines, a diver, skier and past president of the Merchants Association, and Kohala Hospital Community Foundation Board.

No service planned at this time. Ocean scattering of ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

He is survived by wife, Cynthia Smith of Kapaau; son, H.G. (Laura) Tinker of New York; daughters, Kelly (Jim) Gronwald of Arizona, Dana (Bill) Greenroad, Rebecca (Greg) Coburn all of California; and 12 grandchildren.

Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.

Ellen Nakamura

Ellen Kinuko Nakamura, 74, of Hilo, died Sept. 1, 2021, at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born Nov. 3, 1946, in Hilo, she was retired from the state Department of Taxation as a tax examiner and a member of the University Heights Kumiai.

Private services. The family requests no flowers or koden (monetary offerings).

She is survived by husband, David Nakamura of Hilo; son, Scott (Sonia) Nakamura of Hillsboro, OR; a granddaughter; aunt, uncle, and numberous nephews and nieces.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

CORRECTION: The address for condolences for Julia Cuaresma in Tuesday’s paper was incorrect. The correct address is 83-5515 Mamalahoa Highway.