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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James Bingham
Dr. James Bingham, 67, died June 1, 2022. Born Sept. 16, 1954, in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, he was a family physician at Group Health in Spokane, Washington, and worked varying shifts at the Kaiser Kona Clinic and the Keauhou Urgent Care Center, in addition to being an avid cyclist.
Friends may call at 4 p.m. July 9 at Center Place Event Center at Mirabeau Point Park in Spokane Valley, Washington, for a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to PATH, PO Box 62, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745.
He is survived by daughter, Mari Bingham; grandchildren, Barron, Brooks, Bryce, and Angel; brother Al (Sherry) Bingham and partner, Susan Edsall, of the Big Island.
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Jessica Alconcel
Jessica Ann Alconcel, 57, of Hilo, died June 4, 2022 at Hilo Medical Center. Born Nov. 14, 1964, in Maui, she was a tour bus driver and member of the Hilo Missonay Church.
Friends may call at 4 p.me June 26 at Dodo Mortuary chapel; service at 6 p.m. Cremation to follow at Dodo Mortuary Crematory.
She is survived by children, Chassiday Alconcel, Malia Alconcel, Cisco Alconcel, Destiny Alconcel and Chico (Tiana-Marie Ventura) Iona-Alconcel of Hilo; numerous hanai children; 11 grandchildren; siblings, Jackie Jodoin and Michelle Alconcel Barajas of Pahoa, Angela Boonie Jodoin of Hilo and Frank (Tema) Alconcel of Maui; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Ryan Yoshida
Ryan Tsugio Yoshida, 53, of Keaau, died Feb. 8, 2022 in the Care Center of Honolulu. Born Sept. 23, 1968, in Hilo, he was employed by the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation as a tree trimmer and member of various fishing clubs.
Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. July 2 at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo; memorial service at 11 a.m. Casual attire.
He is survived by fiancée, Louanne Ondo of Hilo; sons, Aryn Yoshida, Spencer Yoshida and Cody Yoshida, all of Austin, Texas; daughter, Kaycie Yoshida of Austin, Texas; mother, Cheryl Yoshida of Hilo; brothers, Layne (Cecilia Fong) Yoshida of Honolulu and Kendall (Susan Chang-Yoshida) Yoshida of Honolulu; one grandson; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Christina Katayama
Christina Delia (Baker) Katayama, 50, of Las Vegas and formerly of Hilo, died June 17, 2022, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 31, 1971, in Hilo, she worked as support staff for special needs children in the Clark County school district and was a member of Thy Word Ministries of Las Vegas.
Friends may call at 1 p.m. June 26 at Thy Word Ministries Faith Center of Hawaii in Hilo for a service.
She is survived by spouse, Glenn Katayama; parents, Richard Baker Jr. and Norma Baker; sons, Craig Katayama and Aaron Katayama; sister, Laurie Baker Gabuat; three grandchildren; two nieces; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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Sheryl Kaya
Sheryl Lynn Kaya, 64, of Hilo, died May 28, 2022, at home. She was born in Kona and was a retired customer service representative with the Hawaii Medical Service Association and a member of the Kinoole Baptist Church.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. July 8 at Dodo Mortuary chapel for an 11 a.m. service. Private committal services to follow. Casual attire; no flowers.
She is survived by son, Karl (Lauren) Sunagawa of Hilo; brother, Kirk (Lori Batino) Aoki of Hilo; sisters, Jacqueline (Craig) Mukai of Maui and Valerie Ozaki of Kona; one granddaughter; and nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Chiemi Motobu
Chiemi Izumi Motobu, 96, of Hilo, died May 31, 2022, at a care home in Hilo. Born in Laupahoehoe, she was a retired Hilo Intermediate School English teacher, founder of the Central Hilo Women’s Lions Club in 1992, and President and Lion’s District Regional Chair.
Private services held. Condolences: Motobu, PO Box 7762, Fremont, CA 94537.
She is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
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Samuel Wheeler Jr.
Samuel Arthur Wheeler Jr., 76 of Kailua-Kona, died June 21, 2022 in Kealakekua. Born April 11, 1946, in Alabama, he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Airborne Special Forces (Green Berets Mike Force), and was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and V Device.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by wife, Suzanne; daughters, Kristi (Raymond) Rappaport of Georgia, Jocelyn (Jonathan Cronan) Bertovich of Waianae, Oahu, and Tracy Bertovich of Kailua-Kona; sisters Toni Geddings of Huntsville, Alabama, and Tina (George) Sears of Savannah, Georgia; four grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
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