Obituaries for Wednesday, August 30, 2023

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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 to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements with photos may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.

Dianne Pastorino

Dianne’s service on Earth ended May 2, 2023. Dianne was born on July 3, 1946, in Whitefish, Montana, to Charlie and June Knick, and three older siblings; Willetta, James, and Kathleen. She married three good men – her children’s father, Richard Baumgartner; Howard Cyphers (RIP 1995); and Braley Pastorino, who was by her side for almost 28 years until she passed. She and Braley resided in Hawaii for 24 of her last 27 years. They volunteered with North Hawaii Hospice, the North Hawaii Community Hospital, the local Lions Club, and many more organizations. They transported and later worked to arrange other volunteers to transport patients requiring medical treatments in larger communities of Hilo and Kona – they were called Angels on Wheels. They were members of several churches over the years and last found a wonderful o’hana in The Episcopal Congregations of St. James Parish on the Island of Hawai’i. Dianne leaves behind her husband, Braley; her son Brady (Sara) Baumgartner, daughter, Kathleen Christensen, stepson, Brian (Suzy) Cyphers, stepdaughters Rebecca (Dan) Lewinski, Christina Pastorino, Maelyn (Martin) Poston, and Tamara (Chris) Wikstrand. Sister-in-law Judy McConnell, brothers-in-law Gary (Tina) and Duane Baumgartner, and John Oliver, grandchildren Amber (Seth) Matarazzo, Connor (Julie) Baumgartner, Wyatt Christensen, Jason and Omar Salgado, Sam and Courtney Cyphers, Kylie and Camille Lewinski, Shanel and Damien (Kyla) Wright, Braley June Poston, Jerica (Justin) Jarrell, Cassie Jones, Jarad Jones, Loren (Jamie), Laura, and Amanda Wikstrand.12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Life will be held:In Waimea, Hawai’i, at St. James Episcopal Church (65-1237 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743), on September 8, 2023, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alzwa.org).

LaVerne Howard

LaVerne Lani Howard, 69, of Kamuela Hawaii, passed away on Wednesday afternoon June 7th, 2023 at her home in Puukapu Homestead Kamuela. She was born on May 26, 1954 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She retired in May of 2020 from HPM building supply in Kamuela, where she worked for 25 years. Lani is survived by, husband, Frank Charles Howard; daughter, Nikki Shigematsu (Sid), daughter, Tennille Howard, and son, Arthur Howard (Becky), 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; brothers, Sol Haleamau, Karin Haleamau, Bobo Kim, Steven Kim, Hoku Tolentino, Junior Rosario, and Rómulos Rosario; sisters, Flo Mockchew, Sheri-lou Secio, Joseanne Wong, Doreen Selke, Jade Valeho and Venus Rosario-Cruz; numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends please join our Ohana for a luncheon Celebrating Our Mom’s Life at the Hawaiian Homes Hall at 64-754 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela Hawaii, being held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.