• Juanito Pacleb Gonzles Jr. • Eleanor Odelia Duarte Almeida • Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe • Cory ‘Snap’ Koichi Moritsugu • Erick Manguchei • Myra N. Muramoto • Frances Blankenship • Ernesto Taylan • Hank Kiu Lam Mak Juanito Pacleb Gonzales
• Juanito Pacleb Gonzles Jr. • Eleanor Odelia Duarte Almeida • Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe • Cory ‘Snap’ Koichi Moritsugu • Erick Manguchei • Myra N. Muramoto • Frances Blankenship • Ernesto Taylan • Hank Kiu Lam Mak
Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr.
Juanito Pacleb Gonzales Jr. was born June 28, 1948 at Wilcox Hospital in Lihue to Catalina Pacleb Gonzales and Juanito Gonzales Sr. He passed on Dec. 16 at home in Hanamaulu at the age 68. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Kapaia.
He was the youngest of six siblings: Santiago Gonzales (deceased), Galiardo Gonzales (deceased), Warlina Crawford (deceased), Josephine (Steve) Morris of Torrance, Calif., and Virgilio (Linda) Gonzales of Pearl City, Oahu.
As a child he had rheumatic fever resulting in a chronic heart condition. After graduating from Kauai High School (Class of 1966), he attended culinary school in Honolulu. He married Maxima (Ada) Negrete and had two children, Leilani (Andrew) Ojinaga of San Diego and James (Rochelle Parras) Gonzales, and four grandchildren: Ezekiel, Jonathan, Jayden and Meka.
He lived a simple life and enjoyed cooking, fishing, crabbing, selling at the Sunshine Market and participating in church functions. At the Sunshine Market, he sold fruit and was well known for wearing a sombrero and skillfully wielding his machete to open coconuts. He was well-liked by fellow vendors.
He was devoted to his mother and father and cared for them throughout their lives. After their passing, the church became the center of his life and the Immaculate Conception Church community became his extended family. He loved playing the harmonica and drums at church events.
May he be at peace now that he is united in heaven with his loved ones, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Eleanor Odelia Duarte Almeida
Eleanor Odelia Duarte Almeida, of Lihue, formerly of Koloa, passed away peacefully at home with family and friends nearby on Dec. 25, 2016 at the age of 91. Born Dec. 12, 1925, she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She retired from Kauai Surf.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacintho Sr. (Odelia) Duarte; husband Alfred “Freddie” Almeida Jr.; brother Edwin “Dosha” Duarte; brothers-in-law Albert Almeida, Joseph Almeida and James Oshita; and sisters-in-law Margaret Shelton and Charlotte Sherry.
She is survived by two sons: Dennis (Barbara) Almeida of Lihue and Stanley “Bully” (Pat) Almeida of Koloa, and one daughter, Deborah (Vana Contrades) Almeida of Lihue; four grandchildren: Yvette (Dan) Togikawa, Jennifer (Peter) Morishige, Raquel Almeida and Brad Almeida; 10 great-grandchildren: Travis (Sarah) Visitacion, Cy Morishige, Leiala Togikawa, Kainalu Almeida-Kaohi, Keani Togikawa, Shylah Ann Almeida-Kaohi, Cienna Morishige, Kaimana Kaohi, Cheyann Morishige and Tarah-Leigh Almeida.
Also surviving are two brothers: Jacintho “Juni” (Carol) Duarte and Raymond (Stella) Duarte; two sisters: Catherine (Bill) Summers and Gladys Oshita; brother-in-law Donald (Mary) Quintal; two sisters-in-law: Ellen Almeida and Lorraine (Ron) Pacheco, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on Jan. 21 at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Family viewing is from 8 to 9 a.m., with public viewing from 9 to 9:45 a.m., with Mass to follow. Burial will follow at St. Raphael Cemetery in Koloa.
The family requests casual attire.
Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe
Denise D. Ortal-Ballaibe 54, of Mililani, Oahu, passed away on Dec. 15 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 15, 1962 in Pasadena, Calif. Her memorial services was held on Oahu Saturday, Jan. 14, and her Kauai services will be Saturday, Jan 21 at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. Visiting hours will be from 9 to 10 a.m., with services to begin at 10 a.m., and graveside service at 11:15 a.m.
She is survived by her husband, Rudolph O. Ballaibe; children Noah Kaneala Ballaibe, Emma Grace Ballaibe, stepson Daniel R. Ballaibe along with stepwife Jenifer B. Ballaibe, stepnieces Kaya J. Ballaibe and Kailani I. Ballaibe, and stepnephew Koa D. Ballaibe. The daughter of the late Earl W. Dusenberry, she is also survived by mother Sharon and stepfather Leonard Marlin, sisters Barbara Kermode, Lori Karle and Sandra Dusenberry, and nephews Robert Karle and Tyler Dusenberry.
Myra N. Muramoto
Myra N. Muramoto of Lihue passed away on Dec. 14 at the age of 92. She was born in Koloa on Nov. 21, 1924, and was a dedicated grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Shigeo Muramoto, brothers Ken Fukumoto and Joe Fukumoto, and sister Janet Ruiz.
She is survived by two daughters: Marsha (Malcolm) Ikeda of Lihue and Sheila (James) Harada of Mililani; two sons: Gerald (Lynn) Muramoto of Kapaa and Nyles (Donna) Muramoto of Lihue; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; brothers Ted (Alice) Fukumoto, Randy Haruo (Esther) Fukumoto, Gary (Betty) Fukumoto, Gaylord (Susan) Fukumoto; sisters Helen Hirano, Gladys (Frank) Yoshii and Naomi Masaki, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services were held. The family graciously requests no koden.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Muramoto family with arrangements.
Cory ‘Snap’ Koichi Moritsugu
Cory “Snap” Koichi Moritsugu, 57, of Kekaha, passed away at his residence on Jan. 9. He was born in Los Angeles on June 7, 1959. He was a retired automotive inspector and mechanic.
He is survived by his son, Bricen S. Moritsugu of Koloa; daughters, Nadine M.L. (Michael S.) Park of Mililani, Oahu; and Keria Vandehey of Hanapepe; mother Ilona K. Moritsugu of Koloa; brothers Robin L. Moritsugu of Kapaa, Ross H. Moritsugu of Koloa, former wife Corlis K. Moritsugu of Koloa; and grandchildren Emma K.C. Park and Nainoa K.K. Park.
Also surviving are aunts, uncles, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and companion Elizabeth Nani Sanay Pa‘ao‘ao.
He was preceded in death by his father Warren K. Moritsugu; sister Doreen C. (Rodney Young) Fernandez; grandparents Alice (John Jr.) Maglinti, Lono Fu and Henry K. and Mary F. Kawaguchi Moritsugu.
A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 31 at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary, Koloa. Visitation with the family is at 10 a.m., with the service to begin at 11 a.m. The family suggests casual attire.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Erick Manguchei
Erick Manguchei, 48, passed away on Jan. 7 peacefully in his home. He was born on Aug. 3, 1968 in Lihue. He was a mechanical operations supervisor with Kauai Coffee Company.
He is preceded in death by his father Manuel Manguchei, Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Leona “Kea” Manguchei; daughters Kaelyn (Cody Wallace) Manguchei, Sofia-Marie Manguchei; and six hanai daughters; mother Mary Manguchei; brothers Alan Eugenio and Orlando Manguchei; best friend Darren “Bullay” (Lani) Agoot, Agoot ohana, along with numerous aunties, uncles, cousins, family and friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Kapaa Missionary Church with visitation from 9 a.m. and services beginning at 10 a.m.
Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life will follow immediately at Nawiliwili/Kalapaki Beach Park.
The family requests aloha or casual attire.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Manguchei family with arrangements.
Frances Blankenship
Frances Blankenship of Hanapepe Heights, formerly of Anchorage, Ala., passed away on Dec. 26 at her residence at the age of 92.
Born on May 23, 1924 in Lubbock, Texas, she was a self-employed seamstress.
She was preceded in death by husband Gainy Blankenship, son Vernon Pryor and numerous siblings.
She is survived by daughter, Ronda (Emilio) Fernandez, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at King’s Chapel Eleele. Services are at 4 p.m.
The family requests flowers be omitted.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary, Koloa assisted the family with arrangements.
Ernesto Taylan
Ernesto Taylan of Brydeswood passed away on Jan. 16 at his residence at the age of 77. Born on April 9, 1939 in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a heavy equipment operator with the McBryde Sugar Company.
He was preceded in death by Rodrigo Taylan, Consolacion Salvacion, Shirley T. Alviza, Catherine T. Veniegas and Gomercindo Taylan Sr.
He is survived by his wife Luisita Taylan; sons, Ernie (Nancy) Taylan, Efren (Emelie) Taylan and Erwin (Tiana) Taylan, all of Brydeswood; five grandchildren: Kainalu Taylan, Kamalei Taylan, Kekai Taylan, Efren Taylan Jr. and Theo Taylan; sisters Thelma (Abelardo) Capapan of Galveston, Texas; Norma T. Rosqueta of Lihue; Melba (Romito) Buado of Houston, Texas; Warlita T. Dondonay of Galveston, Texas; and Marilou (Noemi) Bueta of Corona, La., and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. with Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Hanapepe Public Cemetery.
The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Hang Kiu Lam Mak
Hang Kiu Lam Mak of Hanapepe passed away on Kauai at the age of 89 on Jan. 14. Born on Nov. 9, 1927 in China, she was a chef, seamstress and adventure traveler.
She is survived by her son, Sonny (Kim) Mak of Santa Rosa, Calif.; daughters, Jo-Ann Wong of Hanapepe, Lisa (Liam) Huang of American Canyon, Calif.; Michelle (Steven) Wong of San Francisco; Janice (Alex) Chung of Honolulu; and Priscilla (Paul) Wong of Honolulu; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; brother, Hang Chou (Lian) Lum of China; and sister, Hung Kwan (Kau) Lam of Honolulu.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Wong’s Chinese Restaurant at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be held at a later date in Honolulu.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
