Obituaries

Saturday, March 6, 1999

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William Bomke, 94,
kept life sweet
for a half century

By Harold Morse

William H. Bomke, a leading sugar industry official who had one of the longest service records in the business, died Monday in Wahiawa Hospital. He was 94.

His career in sugar spanned a half century. At the time of his retirement, Bomke was a director of American Factors Associates, the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association, Hawaiian Sugar Technologists of Hawaii and the Society of Automotive Engineers and a mason of the Kauai Lodge.

Bomke was born Sept. 7, 1904, on Kauai to August and Dorothea Wilhelmina Weber Bomke. His family, engaged in sugar since the 1800s, contributed more than a thousand man-years to the industry. His grandparents and parents arrived on Kauai in 1883 in the first group of German immigrants to Hawaii under contract to the sugar plantations.

He married Lila Geyer at Mana, Kauai, in 1929. She was a high school teacher and librarian.

Bomke attended St. Louis and Iolani schools and began his sugar career in 1920, as a summer hire at Kekaha Plantation.

In 1922, he joined Kekaha Sugar as a mechanical engineering apprentice, moving to Lihue Plantation in 1926 as a night engineer. In 1946, Bomke joined Waialua Sugar Co. as master mechanic, remaining there two years.

On the Big Island in 1948, he became factory superintendent and assistant manager of Honokaa Sugar Co. In 1958, he joined Olaa Sugar. He became manager of that firm, renamed Puna Sugar, in 1965, retiring in 1970.

Bomke is survived by daughters Shirley and Ardys; sister Eleanor Weber-Frauenheim; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Private services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or Hospice Hawaii.

Domingo “Jack” Akui, 85, of Honolulu, retired from Hawaiian Electric Co., died Feb. 27 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Rose; son Benjamin; daughters Sybil Santa Ana, Kathleen Haili, Susan Luna, Patricia Ayala and Lillian DeSoto; brother John; sisters Marie Vandell and Sally Lee; 22 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. March 13 at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 13. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Claude R. Audin, 51, of Honolulu, a veteran representative for the state work force office, died Monday. He was born in Nashua, N.H. He is survived by parents Andre and Huguette; sisters Janine Gerber and Danielle Levi; and brother Andre. Mass: Noon March 13 at Our Lady of the Peace. Call after 10 a.m. Rosary to follow. Burial: March 15 at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. No flowers. Donations suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Institute for Human Services.

Henriette E. Austen, of Honolulu, a retired schoolteacher, died Tuesday in Honolulu. She was born in Wailuku. She is survived by daughters Roselani Giugni and Kanani Donahue; sons George and Edmund; 20 grandchildren; 26 great- grandchildren; and nine great-great- grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew's Cathedral. Call after 8:30 a.m. Inurnment to follow. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Fontayne E. Baker, 34, of Honolulu, a bartender, died Feb. 5 in Honolulu. He was born in Missouri. He is survived by father Eugene; mother Wilhemina Gibson-Baker; brother Donnie; companion Erik Thompson; and grandmother “Mommy.” Private services.

Marcos M. Basilio, 89, of Lahaina, a retired employee at Pioneer Mill, died Feb. 23 in Hale Makua-Kahului. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by son Marcelino; daughters Dolores Diana, Dionisia Topinio and Julita Natividad; brother Eugenio; sisters Cesaria Bautista and Benancia Daligon; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 10:45 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Norman's Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Black and white attire.

James L. “Ralph” Butler, 91, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Queen's Hospi tal. He was born in Reidsville, N.C. He is survived by wife Phyllis. Graveside services: 2 p.m. Tuesday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.

Louis C. Callejo, 95, of Eleele, Kauai, a laborer for McBryde Sugar, died Feb. 26 in Mahelona Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Benjamin and Herbert; daughter Rubyjane Rivera; brothers John and Joe Taboniar; sisters Betsy Shinagawa, Joanne Castillo, Jolita Patricio and Rosaline Sonoda; nine grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Eleele Sacred Heart Church. Call from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Burial: Hanapepe Public Cemetery. Casual attire.

Harry H.W. Chong, 61, of Honolulu died Feb. 9 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by brother Henry. Graveside services: 9 a.m. tomorrow at Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Julia Mae Craine, 75, of Kailua, a retired real estate broker, died Sunday in Kailua. She was born in White Plains, N.Y. She is survived by husband Dr. James F.; daughter Catherine Unabia; brother J. Donald Tichenor; sister Marjorie Magee; and four grandchildren. Private services.

Jose I. Dangtayan, 83, of Kaunakakai died Sunday in Molokai General Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Norma; sons Jose Jr. and Nelson; daughters Imelda and Jennifer; brother Faustino; and two grandchildren. Services: 8 p.m. Friday and Mass 10 a.m. March 13 at St. Sophia Catholic Church. Call after 6 p.m. Friday, after 8 a.m. March 13. Burial at Kapaakea Cemetery.

Asa I. deNeeve, 18, a senior at Longmont High School, died Sunday in Boulder, Colo. He was born in Boulder. He is survived by parents Philip C. and Barbara, formerly of Honolulu; brother Ian K.; and grandmother Constance L. Weber. Mainland services. Scholarship fund suggested to University of Colorado Foundation, c/o Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501-5440.

George H. Douse, 85, of Honolulu died Feb. 16 in Leeward Nursing Home. He was born on Maui. He is survived by nephews Robert C. Baptiste and John F. Morris; and niece Brenda B. Fridly. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Friday at Oahu Cemetery.

Sueo Ebisu, 83, will be remembered in services 2 p.m. tomorrow at Diamond Head Mortuary. Inurnment 9:45 a.m. Monday at the cemetery. Call 737-2748 for information. Incorrect information provided in an obituary published yesterday.

Daniel Kurt Engle, 43, of Seattle, formerly of Honolulu, died Feb. 26 in Northwest Hospital in Seattle. He was born in Marshall, Mo. He is survived by daughter Emily; son Kelly; mother Murry Engle of Seattle; sister Christy Kristjanson; and brothers Bill and Ted Engle. Services held. Ashes to be scattered on Mount Ranier.

Priscilla Ann Erle, 55, of Kihei, a counselor for Maui Family Support Services, died Wednesday at home. She was born in Elmira, N.Y. She is survived by mother Freda H.; and daughters Melissa and Heather Proud. Services: 5 p.m. Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church. Ocean burial: 10 a.m. March 14 at Charley Young Beach Park.

Louis T. “I'ms” Ferreira, 68, of Kaneohe, who worked at the Kaneohe Marine Corps air station, died Tuesday in Kailua. He was born in Keahua, Maui. He is survived by sons Louis “Acey” Jr. and Ron “Duke”; daughters Ginger “Darling” DeReis and Doreen “Pinky” Ferreira; brothers Alfred and John; sister Margie Dias; companion Inga Halas; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and after 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

George F. Figueroa, 80, a welder of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Kailua, died Tuesday in Port Charlotte. He was born in Waialua. He is survived by Barbara M., mother of his children; sons Peter, Paul, Gary, George, Thomas, Michael, Damien and Clifford; daughters Marilyn Rath, Faith Black, Donna Schine, Valerie Puu, Arlene Mediros, Marie Miller and Leona Faustina; brothers Robert and James; sisters Virginia Lopez, Margaret and Barbara Jane Rodrigues, Hilda Generalao and Patricia Caldeira; 36 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Mass on the mainland.

Noboru “Harry” Fukuyama, 79, of Honolulu, a retired city maintenance worker, died Feb. 16 at home. He was born in Paia, Maui. He is survived by brother James. Private services.

Choyo “Yutaka” Gima, 87, of Honolulu, a retired tailor, died Feb. 24 in Straub Hospital. He was born in Waialua. He is survived by brothers Herbert, Paul and Gilbert; and sisters Kay Adaniya, Rachel Moromisato and Sally Uyeshiro. Private services. Donations suggested to Shriners Hospital, 1310 Punahou St.

ue8 R.G. Hamby Jr., 53, of Honolulu died Thursday in Queen's Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by brother Rudolfo Verosa; and sisters Maria J. Means and Maria T. Silverio. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Kenneth K. Hayashi, 59, of Honolulu, a Charley's taxi driver, died Feb. 27 at home. He was born in Wahiawa. He is survived by son Kenneth K.; daughter Traci; mother Marion Ishikawa; stepfather Gordon Ishikawa; brother Jerry Y.; and sister Karen R. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Steve Jordan, 68, of Kailua, a chemist, died Monday in Honolulu. He was born in Virginia. He is survived by wife Janelle; sons G. Steve Jr. and Dan; daughter Lisa Jordan-Benvenuto; stepsons Mark, Robert and Milton Hutchison; brothers Don and Bill; sisters Helen, Ester, Julia, Irene, Margaret and Christine; and five grandchildren. Inurnment: 9 a.m. Monday at Valley of the Temples.

Dorothy S. “Dot” Kamida, 79, of Honolulu, a retired supervisor for the Army and Air Force Exchange, Guam, died Feb. 24 in Kuakini Hospital. She was born in Mana, Kauai. She is survived by husband Edward S.; son George S.; daughter Shirley S. Shinsato; brother Mike Ishikawa; sisters Yuki Shiroma and Judy Miyamoto; and four grandchildren. Private services.

Nenita H.M. Kekoa, 75, of Kailua died Wednesday in Honolulu. She was born in Manila, the Philippines. She is survived by husband retired Col. Curtis; daughter Kekoa Catherine Enomoto; sons Curtis Jr., Kevin and Kaleolani Patrick; sister Sione Ontell; stepmother Consuelo Maldonado; and five grandchildren. Services: 1 p.m. tomorrow at St. Anthony's Church in Kailua. Mass and graveside services on the mainland. Aloha or casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to Catholic Charities.

Shigeyo Kimura, 90, of Wahiawa, a retired cook from Wahiawa General Hospital, died Wednesday in Wahiawa General Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by sons Noboru and George M.; daughter Barbara K. Matsumoto; sister Masano Inouye; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 6:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Florence “Kopa” Kitaoka, 73, of Pearl City, a retired cashier for the Board of Water Supply, died Wednesday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Shoso; sons Wesley and Vance; and daughter Kimberly Silva. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Kawaiahao Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Inurnment: 2 p.m. Friday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.

Jae Yong Lee, 90, of Honolulu, a retired owner of a rental business in Korea, died Tuesday. He was born in Seoul. He is survived by wife Chang Chu; sons Chang Jin and Chang Sik; daughters Young Ja Kim, Young Sook Moon and Young Lan Lee; brother Deuk Ryong; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services: 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church. Call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Mary M. Lillie, 87, of Kahului, formerly of Honolulu, died Feb. 27 in Hale Makua in Kahului. She was born in Watertown, S.D. She is survived by sons Fred and John; daughter Catherine Gugler; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: Early May at Wailuku Union Church and Waiokeola Congregational Church. No flowers. Donations suggested to Alzheimer's Association, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., Building No. D, Honolulu 96814.

Kiyoshi P. Masuda, 79, of Waianae, a retired schoolteacher who taught at Waianae Intermediate and High schools, died Feb. 26 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Waialua. He is survived by wife Alice A.; brothers Gilbert Y., Robert I. and Toshiaki; and sisters Janet Tenno and Doris Arita. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Inurnment: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Haruko K. Miyashiro, 93, of Honolulu died Monday in Queen's Hospital. She was born on Okinawa. She is survived by sons Michael K., Thomas H. and Patrick M.; daughters Gladys S. Shiroma and Florence S. Miyashiro; sister Fumi Chibana; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Elsie M. Mizuire, 62, of Hilo died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. She was born in Hilo. She is survived by husband Herbert; son Howard; daughter Laurie Griffin; mother Mary DeMello; brothers Daniel, Manuel and John DeMello; sister Barbara Crutchfield; and hanai son Ricky DeMello. Wake services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Call from 11 a.m. to noon. Burial: Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. No flowers.

John M. Naganuma, 74, of Halawa died Feb. 26 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Lahaina. He is survived by wife Dorothy M.; son Wes M.; daughter Dawn M. Pike; and five grandchildren. Wake services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Private burial. Casual attire. No flowers.

Tevita Naulu Jr., 76, of Kaneohe died Sunday in Castle Hospital. He was born in Tonga. He is survived by wife Mele; sons Peni, Siviveni, Ikani and Naulu; daughters Paea, Lata, Suesa, Amelia, Levaitai, Akanesi and Tolisi; 38 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. March 13 at United Methodist Church on Beretania Street. Call 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 7 to 9:45 a.m. March 13. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Rose M. Pacheco, 73, of Aiea died Feb. 26 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. She was born in Puunene, Maui. She is survived by sons Arthur, Walter and Michael; brothers Alson “Sandy,” George and Alfred DeMello; sister Dorothy Cravalho; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Private services.

Norman L. Redona, 71, of Honolulu, a retired owner of a military surplus sales company, died Jan. 25 in Honolulu. He was born in Kansas City, Mo. He is survived by wife Wanda; daughters Maile J. Luxor and Melia M.L., Jennifer L. and Melissa L.H. Redona; sons David K., Derrick K. and Norman L. Redona Jr. and Nyles Gregory; and two grandchildren. Private services.

Wendell L. Reeder, 73, of Kailua-Kona and Oregon, a retired college president, died Sunday in Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Nebraska. He is survived by wife E. Almeda; daughters Terri Vasche and Tami Cushman; sister Irma Rebman; and three grandchildren. No services.

Clotilde M. Rego, 88, of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 27. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by daughter Jolyne; two grandsons; stepdaughters Carmen R. Amadio and Jean Rego; five stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. Services on the mainland. Donations suggested to charity or local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Helen H. Sakaguchi, 79, of Kailua died Sunday in Kailua. She was born in Paauilo, Hawaii. She is survived by husband Harry M.; son Harold H.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call 6 p.m.

Candido R. “Billy” Subeldia, 64, of Honolulu died Tuesday at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Nathan; daughter Roxanne Kahuli; brothers Philip Acoba and Sam and Andy Subeldia; sisters Mary Jaramillo, Candy Rivera and Dolly Bolosan; and two grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

Robert S. “Bob” Tamanaha, 79, of Kaneohe, a retired auto mechanic for the Board of Water Supply, died Feb. 15 in St. Francis Hospice. He was born in Makaweli, Kauai. He is survived by wife Sue; sons Stevens and Kevin; daughter Cindy Higa; brother John; and sisters Yasuko Higa, Gladys Kaneshiro and Florence Tamanaha. Private services.

Harper J. Van Petten, 80, of Hilo, a retired brakeman/conductor for Santa Fe Railroad in Winslow, Ariz., died Thursday at home. He was born in Detroit. He is survived by wife Mary; daughters Linda Martin, Cynthia Van Petten and Marie Bumatay; son Ted Roluff; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at the Hospice Bereavement Room, 1011 Waianuenue Ave. Call 6 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.