Obituaries for Wednesday, March 18, 2009

•Janet Cox

•Esperanza Oana

•Moses Keale

•Emilio Bayudan

•James Bender

•Richard Shigematsu

•Jennifer Manu

•Hugh Riley

•John Carvalho

•Celedonio Asuncion

•Greg Ventura

•Riyoko Mis

Janet Cox

Janet Sebastian Cox of Hanapepe Heights died March 10, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nev., at age 71. Born Feb. 8, 1938, in O‘ahu, she was a clerical worker at PMRF and the National Guard.

She is survived by husband Clyde Cox; son Clyde (Kristin) Cox Jr. of Olathe, Kan.; daughter Susan (Kylan Dela Cruz) Cox of Hanapepe Heights; granddaughters Brandee, BreeAnn and Blakelee of Kaua‘i, and Brittany of O‘ahu; and grandson Matthew of O‘ahu.

Visitation from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, March 20, at Sacred Hearts Church in ‘Ele‘ele; Mass at 10 a.m.

Burial to follow at Kauai Veterans Cemetery.

Aloha attire is suggested.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.

Esperanza Oana

Esperanza Langtad Oana of Hanama‘ulu died March 7, 2009, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 76. Born Dec. 23, 1932, in Hanalei, she retired as an office manager with County of Kauai Public Works.

She is survived by husband Stanley Oana Jr.; sons Jedrino (Davelyn) Balauro of Los Angeles, Alfred (Janice) Balauro of ‘Ele‘ele; daughter Denise Young of the Big Island; stepsons Shane (Terumi) Oana of O‘ahu, Sterling (Tammy) Oana of Las Vegas, Styles (Rose) Oana of O‘ahu; stepdaughters Stanette (Aaron) Takeuchi of Las Vegas, Sheldeen (Robert) Ronia of the Big Island; brothers George (Kathleen) Langtad of Hanama‘ulu, Lorraine Paler of the Big Island; 25 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of her life will begin with visitation at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at The Lihu‘e First Church; services at 10:30 a.m.

Burial to follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.

Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Oana family with arrangements.

Moses Keale

Rev. Moses “Moke” Keale Jr. of Anahola died March 8, 2009, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 69. Born Feb. 2, 1940, in Ni‘ihau, he retired as a heavy equipment operator for Gay & Robinson Incorporated.  

He was preceded in death by son William Keale; brother Moses Keale Sr.; and sisters Adeline Rivera, Rose Kaliloa and Rebecca Keale.

He is survived by wife Elaine (Petersen) Keale of Anahola; hanai son William Kamala of Anahola; hanai daughters Rhonda (Jeff) Garcia of Lihu‘e and Anaconi Kamala of Kapa‘a; brother Arthur (Dorothy) Keale of Waimea, Joseph (Viola) Kahale of O‘ahu and Arthur (Cissy) Kahale of Koloa; sister Josephine Keale of Waimea; sisters-in-law Dianne L. Keale of Anahola, Frances (Harry) Kamoku of Kapa‘a and Palma Kamala of Kapa‘a; grandchildren Taylor, Kilinoe, Conner Garcia of Lihu‘e; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation from 9-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at the Kauai Veterans Center; services at 11 a.m.

The family requests aloha attire and flowers be omitted. Leis are welcome.

Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Keale family with the arrangements.

Emilio Bayudan

Emilio S. Bayudan died March 9, 2009, at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital at age 35. Born June 7, 1973, in Waimea, he was a scientist with Syngenta Seeds.

He is survived by wife Gina; daughter Tiffany Bayudan; parents Emilio and Zenaida Bayudan; brothers Nelson Bayudan and Melvin (Renee) Bayudan; aunts Juanita “Paning” Aquitania and Rosita “Rosing” Bayudan; uncles Rufino “Pinong” (Lolita) Bayudan, Jose “Amie” Suguitan and Sergio (Evelyn) Suguitan Jr.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephew.

Visitation from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at St. Theresa’s Church in Kekaha; Mass at 10 a.m.

Burial to follow at Kekaha Cemetery.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.

James Bender

James Bender of Keapana died March 11, 2009, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 83. Born May 2, 1925, in Kealia, he was a building and maintenance supervisor for the State of Hawai‘i.

He was preceded in death by parents Veris and Julia Bender; brothers Darcloud, Clarence and Lawrence; sisters Beatrice Bender and Bertha Kealalio

He is survived by wife MaryAnn Akana Bender of Keapana; daughter Donna Kuulei (Roy) Ho of Keapana; sons Mark V. (TJ) Bender of Germany, Kent Kimo Bender of Ocean View and Shane (Michele) Bender of Keapana; grandsons Guy (Jona) Ho, Ryan Ho, Sean Ho, James Bender and Kekoa Bender; great-grandson Ethan Bender; brother Mossman (Millie) Bender; sisters Gertrude Rodrigues, Bernice Braun and Lillian Cameron; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Friday, March 20, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a; Mass at 11 a.m.

Casual attire is suggested.

The family requests flowers be omitted.

Arrangements by Garden Island Mortuary Ltd.

Richard Shigematsu

Richard Tadashi Shigematsu of Lihu‘e died March 11, 2009, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 79. Born Dec. 7, 1929, in Lihu‘e, he was a Merchant Marine.

He was preceded in death by parents Hajime and Lily Shigematsu, sisters Lilinoe H. Scharsch and Margaret M. Shigematsu, and brother-in-law Roy Watanabe.

He is survived by sons Derek (Stacey) Kamahoahoa of Kaneohe, O‘ahu, and Delroy (Cindy) Shigematsu of Kapa‘a; daughter Mary Quinores of Honolulu; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchild; sisters Helen Watanabe of Laie, O‘ahu, Eunice (Kiyoto) Kinoshita of Lihu‘e and Gladys (Dexter) Palk of Anchorage, Alaska; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Garden Island Mortuary Chapel; service at 11 a.m.

Burial at Kauai Veterans Cemetery

Casual attire is suggested and the family is accepting flowers.

Arrangements by Garden Island Mortuary Ltd.

Jennifer Manu

Jennifer “Pua” Pualililehua Mersberg Manu died March 8, 2009, at age 40. Born March 29, 1968, in Lihu‘e, she was a sales associate with Pay Day Hawaii.

She was preceded in death by father Lawrence K. “Joe” Mersberg Sr., brothers Nathan “Kaiza” Mersberg and Lawrence “Duna” Mersberg Jr.

She is survived by mother Tamar “Kamala” Mersberg; husband Sosefo Manu of Anahola; sister Priscilla “Ui” (John) Mersberg-Kloes of Washington; brother Arthur (Naomi) Mersberg of Anahola; and nieces and nephews Ioane Kloes Mersberg, Makanani Mersberg, KaPua Mersberg, Kalei Mersberg, Anapesi Koli, Cody Mersberg, Joshua Mersberg, Kunane Doiron and Nawaili‘i Koli.

Visitation from 9-noon during a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 21, in Hanalei at Waipa, 5-785A Kuhio Highway; service at noon by Kahu Nathan Grosse of Kauai Baptist Temple.

Burial to follow at Hanalei Community Cemetery.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.

Hugh Riley

Hugh Edward Riley of Koloa died March 13, 2009, at his home in Koloa. Born April 18, 1927, in Indiana, he was a retired businessman and U.S. Naval pilot.

He is survived by wife Lil R. Riley of Koloa; children Julie Riley of Maui, Hugh A. Riley of Maui, Mark (Tami) Riley of Kalaheo; brother Charles B. Riley of San Diego; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at St. Raphael Church; Mass at 3:30 p.m.

Reception to follow at 5 p.m. at Joe’s On The Green.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kauai Hospice.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.

John Carvalho

John “Pops” Simon Carvalho of Hanama‘ulu died March 6, 2009, at age 75. Born April 19, 1933, he was a retired chief engineer with Lihu‘e Plantation.

He was preceded in death by wife Genevieve Kaiu-Carvalho, parents Manuel and Alexandria Carvalho, and sons Simon Carvalho and Aaron Carvalho.

He is survived by daughters Shandrina (Daniel) Garcia of Lihu‘e, Joanna (Linda) Carvalho of Lihu‘e and Christina (Ralley) Medina of Lihu‘e; son Jonathan (Corelie) Carvalho of Lihu‘e; sisters Violet Koerte of Hanama‘ulu and Daisy Medeiros of Lihu‘e; brother Adam (Carnation) Carvalho of Lihu‘e; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary; service at 7 p.m. Luncheon noon until sunset on Saturday, March 21, at 5258 Laukona St. in Hanama‘ulu.

Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.

Celedonio Asuncion

Celedonio Asuncion of Kula, Maui, died Feb. 26, 2009, at age 100. Born Feb. 26, 1909, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a retired police officer of Maui County.

He is survived by wife Justa; son Cecil; daughters Mattie Yoshioka of Kaua‘i, Elaine Yamaguchi, Felita Asuncion-Gapero; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Borthwick Mortuary; service at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.

Burial at 1 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary.

Greg Ventura

Gregory Jules Ventura died March 11, 2009, at his home in Kilauea at age 60. Born Dec. 27, 1948, in Lihu‘e, he was a carpenter and U.S. Navy veteran.

He was preceded in death by father Jules Ventura Jr. and brothers Wayne and Jules John Ventura.

He is survived by wife Linda; sons Kawika (Leeann) Ventura-Kaluakini of Maui, Cameron (Tyme) Ventura of Kapa‘a and Clayton (Kilinoe) Ventura of Kapa‘a; seven grandchildren; mother Regina O. Ventura of Kapa‘a; and sisters Paulette Vierra, Kitty (Vernon) Basuel and Regina E. Ventura.

Visitation at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, at Calvary Chapel (off the Kapa‘a bypass road); service at 4 p.m.

The family requests flowers be omitted. Donations may be made in Greg’s name to Kaua‘i Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Riyoko Mishima

Riyoko Mishima of Waimea died Feb. 24, 2009, at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home at age 87. Born Dec. 31, 1921, in Waimea, she was a retired baker at Waimea High School cafeteria.

She was preceded in death by husband Kazuyoshi Mishima.

She is survived by children Stanley (Barbara) Mishima and Raymond (Ann) Mishima; five Grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother Thomas Masao; Ernest Shigeru and Yoshisuke (Snoogie) Sueoka; sisters Sachiko Higashi and Emiko (Turk) Tokita; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were private.

Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary Ltd.

Gregory Thomas

Gregory Lee Thomas of Lawa‘i died Feb. 27, 2009, at age 45. He was born July 12, 1963, in Ho‘olehua, Moloka‘i.

He was preceded in death by father Ernest Thomas and brother Ricky Kaluhiokalani.

He is survived by wife Shelley Place Thomas; sons Nainoa, Kapena and Hoku; mother Gladys Thomas; brother Andre (Kathleen) Thomas, Buttons (Hiriata) Kaluhiokalani; sister Michelle Mathews; and numerous uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Remembrance of life at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the home of Shelley Thomas. Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Point Panic, Kaka‘ako, O‘ahu followed by the scattering of ashes.

Yoshito Yamaguchi

Yoshito Yamaguchi of Kapa‘a died March 14, 2009, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 97. Born Jan. 5, 1912, in Kealia, he retired as a mechanic/truck driver trainer with Lihu‘e Sugar Plantation Hanama‘ulu Shop.

He is survived by wife Margaret Yamaguchi; children Walter Yamaguchi, Janet Ito, Daniel (Karen) Yamaguchi all of Kapa‘a; brother Larry Yamaguchi of California, sister Sue (Sadao) Muramaru of Honoka‘a; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Private services were held. Family requests no Koden.

Arrangements by Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.

Rita Bennington

Rita Bennington of Kalihiwai and Princeville died Feb. 15, 2009, at home in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, at age 71.

A memorial service was held March 7 in San Miguel.

A donation may be made in her memory to the Humane Society.