John Stegmaier, father of former state Rep. David Stegmaier, died Saturday night of prostate cancer. Stegmaier ‘gives back’
to his father in last daysThe former state rep will return
By Rod Antone
to Oahu after he wraps up
some family business
Star-BulletinDavid Stegmaier left local politics last November to care for his father in Maryland. He said it was the best thing he could have done.
"I feel so lucky to have had such a great example," Stegmaier said during a phone call from Maryland. "My father was a real gentle, kind man, and I was glad that I was able to give back to him when he needed it."
Stegmaier said his family will be returning to Oahu after taking care of family matters.
John Stegmaier's career involved foreign service in China, Canada, Japan and Spain. He also started an international consulting company called East West Associates Inc. in 1972, eventually moving his family to Honolulu in 1973, where they lived for three years.
During the last 20 years of his life, he served as president of two nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping the mentally ill. Stegmaier was 85.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Daphne; children David, Cynthia, Gail, and Louisa; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held in Massachusetts, and a memorial service will follow in the Washington, D.C., area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in John Stegmaier's name be made to New Hope Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 201, Kensington, MD 20895-201.
Wing Chang, 87, of Hilo, a retired real estate and insurance agent, died yesterday in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Honokaa, Hawaii. He is survived by son Marcus W.S., brother Anthony and four grandchildren. Private services.
Richard T. "Dickson" Hamamoto, 92, of Honolulu, a retired auto parts warehouseman, died Feb. 26 in Las Vegas. He was born on Kauai. He is survived by wife Doris, sons Peter and Joseph, sister Edna S. and a grandson. Private services.
Jolene James, 42, of Aiea died Tuesday in Honolulu. She was born in Carrizozo, N.M. She is survived by husband Mitchell; children Kimberly Morales, Christopher Carson and Dashon Bacon; parents Jean and Jimmie; sisters Denise Rector and Dee Dee Lynn Tharp; and a granddaughter. Committal services: 10 a.m. Monday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Pauline Anna Kristel, 77, of Kihei, Maui, a retired supervisor for the state government, died Wednesday at home. She was born in Port Allegheny, Pa. She is survived by son Barry and two grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Casual attire.
Arthur W. "Afa" Mauga, 31, of Kaneohe, a counselor with Hale Kipa, died Monday. He is survived by wife Melissa; daughter Alissa; brothers Siaosifaika, Tavita, Herman, Helmer, Emil and Daniel; and sisters Sauimoana and Gloria. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Valley of the Temples.
Dorothy L. McCarthy, 88, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Honolulu. She was born in Chicago. She is survived by daughter Rianna M. Williams, stepson Vern I. Jr., sister Marjorie L. Bernecker, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Private services. Donations suggested to the Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund (for cancer in children), P.O. Box 9585, Boston, MA 02205, or an animal care organization.
Minnie A. Perreira, 91, of Honolulu died Tuesday in St. Francis-West Hospice. She was born in Waimea, Kauai. She is survived by daughters Jeannette Camara and Suzanne McAllister; sisters Mary Castillo, Evangeline Tingle and Lenora Fujita; brother Richard Eugene; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Ryan K. Query, infant son of William A. and Darcy S.N. Query, died last Friday at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. He is also survived by grandparents William N. and Leticia Query and James and Trudie Nakamura and great-grandmothers Ethel Welsh and Mizuno Shimizu. Services: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. No flowers.
Artemeo "Timmy" Ramos, 64, of Kapolei, who retired from the U.S. Army, died March 5. He was born in Waipahu. He also worked for the Friends of Iolani Palace. He is survived by wife Leonora; son Derek; daughters Rene Putman, Michele Simpliciano and Julie Ramos; brothers Constantino, Ramon and John; sisters Buenaflora West and Clarita Jennings; and six grandchildren. Prayer services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Rosary: 6:30 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Doris E. Rodrigues, 75, of Papakolea died March 8 at Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by sons Herbert and Louie S. Jr.; daughters Doreen Matthews, LaVerne Flores, Gwen Kort and Wanda Chun; brother Donald Kaopuiki; sisters Thelma Yoshitomi and Anita Tyau; 21 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services: Noon Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Church, Pauoa. Call from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.
Michael Le Roy "Smitty" Smith, 58, of Kailua-Kona, a former drummer/musician with Paul Revere & the Raiders, died March 6 in Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Portland. He is survived by sons Rory and Rio, daughters Alexandra and Jenna, father Howard W., mother Mildred Kugler, brother Jerry and a grandchild. Gathering and live entertainment: 2-8 p.m. Sunday at the Old Kona Airport, Kailua-Kona.
Shigeo Tayama, 73, of Hilo, a retired equipment operator for the County of Hawaii, died Jan. 29 in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Papaikou, Hawaii. He is survived by mother Teruko, brother Ty H. and sister Sally M. Private services.
Lorraine H. Tom, 54, of Honolulu, an assistant housekeeper supervisor for Outrigger Hotels, died March 4 in Kuakini Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Lowell K.; son Lance Y. Gibo; mother Miye Miyashiro; brother Horace Miyashiro; sisters Pearl Velazquez, Bobbie-Jean Asato and Stella Emoto; and three grandchildren. Private services.
Gilbert A. Understeller, 64, of Mountain View, Hawaii, and formerly of Honolulu, is survived by sister Diana Marciel. The mortuary provided incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday.
John M. Weber-Keawemauhili, 47, of Honolulu died Saturday at Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Tulsa, Okla. He is survived by wife Larna; son Mervin L.P. Weber; daughters Lynn Keahi, Lia Lastimado and Minoaka Keawemauhili; brothers and sisters; father James M. Weber; and four grandchildren. No services.
James K.J. Yee, 85, of Honolulu, who retired from the federal government, died Tuesday in Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Myrtle; son Evan; daughters Marsha Bruhn and Janice Edgerton; sisters Rose Lai, Annie Ahuna and Helen Chang; and three grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. 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.