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.
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Richard Dresie
Richard “Dick” Lee Dresie, 84, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 1, 2022 at Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale. Born Jan. 21, 1937, in Hutchison, Kansas, he was a retired salesman and department store decorator for Valley Decorating Company in California, planned holiday decorations for Ala Moana and Pearlridge shopping centers, various Oahu banks, and other businesses on all Hawaiian Islands, was a freelance writer for West Hawaii Today and the author of the book Let’s Go Shore Dive’n’; organized Kona Aloha Patrol and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Services will be held at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Phyllis Dresie of Kailua-Kona; sons, David Young of Boynton Beach, Florida, Francis (Julie) Linnehan of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Mark Dresie of Telluride, Colorado, Lee (Linda) Dresie of Los Angeles; daughter, Stephanie Dresie of Eugene, Oregon; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Michael Pakele
Michael Shannon Pakele, 53, of Hilo, died Nov. 20, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a transportation manager with Suisan Co., Ltd.
Private family services held. No koden (monetary donations).
He is survived by sons, Joshua Pakele and Jacob Pakele of Ewa Beach, Oahu; daughter, Macy Pakele of Ewa Beach, Oahu; father, Paul (Jan) Pakele Jr. of Honoka’a; mother, Janet Gapol of Hilo; sisters, Corine (David Cox) Chang of Glenwood and Nyla Pakele of Hilo; and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Kowash i Nakagawa
Kowashi “Robert” Nakagawa, 97, of Honokaa, died Dec. 15, 2021, at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Kaapahu, he was a retired field serviceman for the former Hamakua Sugar Co. and member of Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kyodan.
Private services held. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by sons, Wayne (Janice) Nakagawa and Ivan (Joyce) Nakagawa of Hilo; daughter, Gayle (Glenn) Daimaru of Honokaa; brothers, Toshiyuki Nakagawa of Honokaa, Yoshiharu Nakagawa of California; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Larry Newhall
Larry Chester Newhall, 73, of Mountain View, died Dec. 12, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center on Dec. 12, 2021. Born in Oakland, California, he was a real estate business owner and property manager.
Private services.
He is survived by wife, Marva Newhall; son, Sean Newhall; daughters, Celeste Newhall and Teri Newhall; sister, Marsha Newhall; and two granddaughters.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Janet Butler
Janet Elizabeth Nelson Pombrio Butler, 84, of Kailua-Kona, died Jan. 4, 2022, at Kona Community Hospital. Born Jan. 30, 1937 in Orinda, California, she was a member of Daughters of Hawaii, and West Hawaii Wood Turners, a former teacher at Kamehameha Schools on Oahu and at San Francisco State University.
No service planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hawaii Island Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to Philip Pombrio, PO Box 1136, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745.
She is survived by husband, Philip Pombrio of Kailua-Kona; and stepsons, Philip Pombrio Jr. of Kailua-Kona and Larry Pombrio of Washington.
Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
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Peter Pavao Jr.
Peter Pavao Jr., 79, of Pahoa, died Jan. 13, 2022, at his residence. Born in Hilo, he was the founder of Hawaiian Angels Motorcycle Club (“Honyota Volkswagon”).
Service to be announced at a later date.
He is survived by wife, Dutchess Pavao of Pahoa; sons, John (Brit) Halualani of Pahoa, Peter (Ivory) Pavao IV of Waimea, and Peter (Kim) Pavao III, Derek (Melvin) Pavao, Rich (Lani) Caetano and Wayne (Drea) Caetano, all of Oahu; daughters, Shantel (Jon) Perry-Pavao of Oahu, and Lacey (Sage) Pavao-Skillman and Leona (Keenan Cardines), all of Pahoa; 28 grandchildren; andthree great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Dennis Mento
Dennis Kazuo Mento, 74, of Paukaa, died Jan. 11, 2022, at Yukio Okutsu State Vete rans Home. Born in Hilo, he was a retired communications cable installer, U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran and an avid golfer.
No services. Family requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
He is survived by sister, Gloria Mento; brothers, Milton Mento and Michael Mento; uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.