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Obituaries

Thursday, April 12, 2001


Kona rancher Medeiros
won cowboy honor

>Star-Bulletin staff

John B. Medeiros Sr., 74, of Honomalino, South Kona, a rancher and rodeo competitor, died April 2 at Straub Hospital.

Medeiros was born at Kealakekua Ranch, began his career at the C.Q. Yee Hop Ranch in South Kona and rose to become livestock manager of Puuwaawaa Ranch. He was named Man of the Year by the Hawaii Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1978.

He is survived by his wife, Margie, sons Rodney, Johnny Jr. and Alika, daughters Shirley Kanehailua and Diana Aukui, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and brothers Albert, Eddie and Lawrence.

A service at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Kona will begin 10 a.m. April 28. Callers are welcome at 8:30 a.m.


Frank Bejo, 64, of Puhi, Kauai, a utility truck driver with McBryde Sugar Co., died Saturday in Straub Hospital. He was born in Lihue. He is survived by wife Nellie; sons Eugene, Frank Jr. and Michael; and five grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Kapaia. Call after 9 a.m. Cremation to follow. Inurnment at a later date. Casual attire. No flowers.

Gertrude "Gerrie" Oi Wong Birch, 78, of Makaha is survived by hanai family Wanda and Elgin Larkin-Battles. The mortuary provided incorrect information for an obituary published last Thursday.

Ruth G. Birch, 90, of Kailua, a retired organist, died April 5 in Castle Medical Center. She was born in Massilon, Ohio. She is survived by daughters Lynn Davis and Mary Wiley, sons Bill and Bob, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Service of remembrances: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Pohai Nani Retirement Home. Casual attire.

Salvatore "Sam" Catania, a former U.S. Navy chief petty officer who served as an instrument man in the Hawaiian Submarine Fleet of the 14th Naval District, died Saturday. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He is survived by wife Nita; children Sam Jr. of Waialua, Steven and Stuart M. Catania of Haleiwa and Sandy J. Walters; sisters Josie Sorrano and Diane Karlick; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services on the mainland.

Jennie Chock Char, 67, of Honolulu, a retired teacher with the Department of Education, died Monday in Kaiser Foundation Hospital. She is survived by husband Alfred P.K., daughters Julie and Wendy, mother Ellen Chock, brother Ronald Chock and sisters Thelma Diercks, Lynette Kaiura and Carolyn Tom. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Kaimuki Christian Church. Call from 10 a.m. to noon. Private inurnment. Aloha attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265.

Henry Howard Kauauanuiamahi de Fries, 82, of Waipahu died last Thursday in Kuakini Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Loretta; sons Hiram and John; daughters Loretta Hussey and Rhodie Fisher; brothers Danny and Victor; sisters Esther Smythe, Violet Anakalea, Heanu de Fries and Helen Sham; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Cremation to follow.

John "Johnny Boy" Alawa Gilman Jr., 67, of Haleiwa, a welder, died March 31. He was also a retired custodian from Mililani Uka school. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by daughters Kelly Fujiyama and Johnette and Tammy Gilman; sisters Leilani Keko'olani, Luana Gedye and Annette Faulkner; brother Anthony; and four granddaughters. Services: 7 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 6 p.m. Scattering of ashes at a later date. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Evelyn Taeko Hattori, 74, of Honolulu, a retired seamstress, died April 4 in Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Waipahu. She is survived by sons Barry R., Brian F. and Karl M.; daughter Carol Ann Y. Higa; and brothers Fred K., Paul S. and Bernard T. Oatake. Private services.

Maxwell Judd Jr., also known as "Maxie" or "Judd," 54, of Ewa Beach died April 1. He worked for Grace Pacific Paving Co. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Emma; daughter Ululani Ray; sons Maxwell III, Lyle and Wiggs; brothers Lionel and Robert; sister Iris Leach; and eight grandchildren. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Claysen Hoku'ao'okalani Kainoa, 21, of Waimea, Hawaii, a painter, died Saturday in Honolulu. He was also a crewman of the Hawaiian sailing vessel Makali'i. He was born in Honokaa, Hawaii. He is survived by parents John Jr. and Bernie; brothers John III, Nick and Brian; and sisters Robyn and Heidi. Prayer services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Call after 9. Blessing: Kawaihae Harbor. Scattering of ashes from the Makali'i and catamaran 'Alala. No flowers.

James Kawakahi Kalaukoa Jr., 49, of Hilo, a preparation cook, died last Thursday in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Kimo Elderts, daughter Leilani Elderts, mother Cecelia Kalaukoa, sisters Veronica Edwards and Paulette and Rochelle Kalaukoa, and companion Diane Elders. Private services.

Alberta Ululani Kalawa-Peahi, 66, of Nanakuli, a minister for Nanakuli Full Gospel Chapel, died March 18 in St. Francis Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Keith K. Kalawa, son Sharkey D.K. Peahi, daughter Sharkal T. Aweau, adopted son Wayne Kane, brother Benjamin Mahoe, sister Rosie Kai, hanai son Harold Peters, hanai daughters Velva Yamaguchi and Chasity Mahoe, stepmother Alice "Cherry" Mahoe, stepbrother Shadrack Mahoe, stepsister Sethia Mahoe, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Door of Faith Church, 89-142 Haleakala Ave. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Jack Kaohele, 77, of Waianae died last Thursday in St. Francis Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Sarah, sons Elliott Halemano and Henry Kealoha, daughters Sarah Halemano and Patricia Kiker, sisters Mary Dolores Wong and Ruth Ng, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Closing prayers: 8:30 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Hazel Ayako Kishaba, 57, of Kaneohe died March 20 in Castle Medical Center. She was born in Wailuku. She is survived by husband Denis; son Richard; daughter Wendy Hata; sisters Carole Tomooka, Harriet Shibuya, Fujiko Iwamoto, Kay Nakagawa and Clara Yonashiro; brother Robert Shimabukuro; and three grandchildren. Private services and burial held.

William "Bill" Tsugio Koga, 77, of Waipahu, a retired supply clerk from Pearl Harbor Shipyard, died last Thursday. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Ichiyo, son Wendell, daughters Elaine Ogata and Janice Ganitano and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 4:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Adele Anita Lopes, 90, of Kailua died April 4 in St. Francis Hospice. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son George; daughter Merlyne Berryman; brothers Ralph, Ted and Paul Magnani; sisters Estelle McKee and Dora Santos; six grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Services: Noon Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Mark Keola Makuakane, 30, of Hilo, an electrician formerly with Ray Fujikawa Electric, Aloha State Electric, died Sunday in Hilo Medical Center. He was also formerly employed with Terminix. He was born in Hilo. He is survived by wife Marlo Ann K. "Maka," son LeVan K. "Koa," daughter LeShey K. "Titi," parents Henry K. and Stalma L. Jr., brothers Kapono and Kapena and sisters Kapua Makuakane and Kau'i Gouveia. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kilauea Ward. Call 9-10:30 a.m. Burial: Naalehu County Cemetery. Casual attire.

Faimafili Uipa Matagi, 51, of Kahuku died Monday. She was born in Utulei Village, American Samoa. She is survived by husband Paisa Viali; sons Lloyd, Lorenzo, Lyle, Lucas, Paisa "P.J." Jr. and Logan; daughter Lila Magalei; parents Uipa and Loimata Tauiliili; brothers Uipa Jr. and William Ili; sisters Luisa Tupuola, Sitaimata Masoi, Patricia Aumua, Veralyn Reynolds, Leilani Soliai and Flora Bios; and 15 grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Laie North Stake Center. Call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Burial: Laie Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Edward Masayuki Matsuura, 84, of Honolulu, a retired supervisor for the federal government at Fort Shafter, died March 21 in Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Waikapu, Maui. He is survived by wife Dorothy. Private services.

Eric Oscar Medeiros, 44, of Honolulu, chief executive officer of Executive Auto Center, died March 30 in Straub Clinic and Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Chrystal, son Billy and daughter Christy. Services held.

Hiroshi Migita, 68, of Honolulu, a tour driver, died April 4 in Straub Clinic and Hospital. He was born in Manchuria. He is survived by wife Ginger. Private services.

Takeo Ohira, 87, of Pearl City, a retired stevedore for McCabe, Hamilton & Renney, died last Thursday in St. Francis-West Hospice. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by sons Ronald and Calvin, daughter Lilian Kane, brother Masao, sister Christine Shima, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Private services.

Sang Moon Pak, 64, of Honolulu, owner of New Tree Clothing, died Monday in Straub Clinic and Hospital. He was born in Seoul. He is survived by wife Bong Up; son Jin Hyuk; daughter Angela Chow; mother Kum Duk Kwon; brothers Sang Il, Sang Up and Sang Kun; sisters Frances Patty Thomas, Sang Mung Park and Nam Hee Park; and a grandchild. Korean Buddhist services: 9:30 a.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Ernest Eugene Rodrigues, 64, of Campbell, Calif., formerly of Hawaii, died April 1 in California. He is survived by parents Manuel and Gloria, wife Estrella, children Rose and Gloria Rodrigues and Lando and Rena Millare, sisters Gloria and Bessie and two grandchildren. Graveside services: 1 p.m. Monday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Tomiyoshi "Tom" Shibano, 80, of Wailuku, Maui, a retired owner and president of Tri-Isle Homes Inc., died Tuesday in Maui Memorial Medical Center. He was also the owner and manager of Shibano General Store in Wailuku. He was born in Wailuku. He is survived by wife Bernice, daughter Linda, sons Dr. Toshiyuki and Ryan, brothers Shigenobu and Fujio and four grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Saturday at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission. Casual attire. No flowers.

Ethlyn B. Sibilsky, 83, of Honolulu died Monday in Honolulu. She was born in Georgia. She is survived by husband Edward, son Edward Jr., daughters Ethlyn Sweet and Julie Simpson, sisters Virginia Pinson and Emily Jenkins, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Private services.

Vivian Rosemary Souza Spencer, 82, of Honolulu, a retired executive secretary with Libby McNeil, died Saturday in St. Francis Hospice. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sister Elizabeth Weber. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Church, Pauoa. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. No flowers. Donations suggested to St. Francis Hospice, 24 Puiwa Road, Honolulu 96717.

Lillian Louise Teves, 63, of Honolulu, a retired nanny, died April 2 in Leahi Hospital. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sisters Helen C. Silva and Rosemarie C. Atyeo and brothers George C., Wallace C. and Patrick C. Private services.

George Masumi Tsukahara, 84, of Honolulu, a retired chef from Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel, died April 7 in Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Pahala, Hawaii. He is survived by son Dale K.; daughters Sharon J. Tsukahara-Odo, Diane H. Togami, Lynn M. Tsukahara-Okada and Irene K. Kashimoto; and five grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Masako Connie Vendiola, 62, of Ewa Beach died March 31. She was born in Sendai, Japan. She is survived by husband David; daughters Jean Takata, Frances and Susan Vendiola, Nancy Quemuel and Jackie Rush; a brother and sisters in Japan; and six grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Call after 8:30. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.

William "Bill" Charles Wales, 62, of Lahaina died Friday at home under hospice care. He was born in Ellensburg, Wash. He is survived by wife Noreen; sons Brad and Todd; daughters Lori Neizman and Tiara Smith; sisters Joan Wales, Shirley Hoctor and Duane Joans; and nine grandchildren. Mass: 7:30 p.m. April 20 at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church. Call 6 to 9 p.m. Leis only. Casual attire.



You can also search the Hawaii State Library System's
Hawaii Newspaper Index online for older obituaries at:
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/hiindex.html
The index, which goes back several decades,
is available via Telnet software.



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