Obituaries for Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Merly de Vera Cruz
Merly de Vera Cruz
Merly de Vera Cruz of Kapaa passed away in Wilcox Medical Center on Dec. 4, 2017, at the age of 72. She was born on May 2, 1945, in Ranao Bani, Pangasinan, in the Philippines. She retired as a registered nurse from Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Juan Cruz, and her second husband, Joseph Stason, and her parents, Geronimo de Vera Sr. and Egliberta Orlanda.
She is survived by son John Michael Cruz, daughter Marian Cruz, and granddaughter Kambree Takekuma.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Church. Viewing will begin at 8 a.m., followed by Mass at 10 a.m., with burial to follow Kauai Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests casual attire.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Richard Sasan
Richard Sasan of Lihue passed away on Dec. 4, 2017, at Wilcox Medical Center at the age of 81. He was born in Lihue on March 28, 1936, and grew up in Lihue Camp. As a teenager he played in the barefoot plantation football league, and played high school football and basketball. He graduated from Kauai High School in 1954.
He served in the U.S. Air Force after high school, and was stationed in Germany, where he met his wife, Liane Schoberl. Together they had four daughters.
He worked for the National Weather Service on Oahu and Kauai, under the National Oceanic Atmopsheric Administration as a meteorologist technician. In the early ’70s and ’80s he reported the weather on the local Kauai radio stations as “Dick Sasan.”
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and was an excellent provider for his family. He was a man of character and strength and faced his challenges fearlessly. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
He is preceded in death by his wife Liane Sasan, parents Timoteo and Francesca Generalao Sasan, sister Lily Sasan, brother Fred Sasan.
He leaves behind daughters Cookie Puahala (Darrel Jacobs), Sissy (Willie) Jerves, Tootsie Sasan (Leo Borrero) and Heidi Sasan (Bernard) Duarte, grandchildren Luana, Richard, Mokimana, Nikole, Samantha, Cheydon, Jessica, Dillon and Madison, great-grandchildren Keaton, Leilani, Skylah, Raiden, Railah, Cheyley, Kayge, Avani, Tevah and Ryken, brothers Jay (Diane) Sasan and William (Mary) Sasan, and sisters Josephine (Victor) Bigno and Lucille (Tony) Bargayo.
A memorial service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lihue on Saturday, Dec. 30, with visitation from 8 to 9:45 a.m. and memorial service at 9:45 a.m.
Burial will be held at 1 p.m. at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. The family kindly requests that flowers be omitted.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Kenichi ‘Stupe’ Shimogawa
Kenichi “Stupe” Shimogawa, 92, of Kalaheo, passed away on Dec. 12, 2017, at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Born on March 3, 1925, in Koloa, he was a retired as a fuel farm operator, meat cutter, football official, school crossing guard for Kalaheo School, and in the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by parents Shigeru Shimogawa, Mitsuyo and George Lemon, brothers Kenneth “Kazu,” Kiyoshi Shimogawa and George Lemon Jr., and sisters Janet Kiyono Wakamoto, Betty Yaeko Ihara and Viola “Nana” Kim.
He is survived by wife Mary Shimogawa of Kalaheo, sons Duane Shimogawa of Lawai and David (Rosanne) Shimogawa of Kalaheo, daughters Keiko (Jeff) Pu‘u of Lawai, Kathy (Ricky) Carveiro of Lawai and Debbie Bahnmiller (hanai) of Wailua, grandchildren Shantelle Manibog, Kainoa (Dan) Sheldon, Adrian (Tammy) Pu‘u, Duane (Beth) Shimogawa Jr., Aeson (Robyn) Pu‘u, Gavin Shimogawa and Marcus Shimogawa, 11 great-grandchildren, sister Dorothy Soares, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday Jan. 6, 2018, at Kalaheo Missionary Church, from 8 to 9:45 a.m., where memorial services will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
The family suggests casual attire, and requests flowers be omitted.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Florentina Manuel Sadomiano
Florentina Manuel Sadomiano, formerly of Hanamaulu, passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2017, in San Francisco, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born on Aug. 30, 1926, in Solano, Nueva Viscaya, Philippines, and at the time of her death she was 91.
She was a homemaker, and her love of crafting made her a master quilter.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dionicio Sadomiano Sr., and parents Anastacio Sr. and Anatalia Manuel.
She is survived by daughters Norma (Claudio) Pera, Fely Sadomiano, Lita (Bryan) Mamaclay and Wilma Sadomiano Bourez, sons Francisco Sadomiano (Joan Hudson) and Danny (Raenette) Sadomiano, grandchildren Gavin, Don, Keoni Sadomiano, Chris, Kathleen, David Pera, Tricia (Mark) Ruiz and Sean Mamaclay (Jaime Lyn Kelekoma), great-grandchildren Teshaya and Tylise, Carmela, Ezra and Isaiah, brothers Rudy Manuel, Ana (Jane) Manuel, sisters Aileen Manuel-Duffik, Agnes Ann Manuel, hanai sons James and David Castro, hanai daughers Yvonne Castro Redman and Yvette Castro Sismondo, along with numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, at Immaculate Conception Church from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., with Mass to follow at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
The family request casual attire.
Raymond Henry Pakahea Ah Leong Aiu
Raymond Henry Pakahea Ah Leong Aiu, son of Eugene Kahoali‘i Aiu and Alice Apana Aiu (both deceased), peacefully passed into the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in his home on Nov. 6, 2017.
He is survived by his loving wife, Verlie Anne Aiu, children Kappy (Rinda) Aiu, Billy (Dustine) Aiu, Ka‘iulani (Norman) Ah Hee, Lei Aiu-Taber, Deanna (Russell) Kackley, Raymond Aiu Jr., Rosary “Chachi” Lindsey, and Mailelauli‘ili‘i Aiu Domingo, siblings Cecilia Wood (Kalihi, Oahu), Ernest Aiu (Monterey Park, California) and Alma Cirino (Aina Haina, Oahu), sisters-in-law Juliet Kanoa Aiu and Danita Mcgregor Aiu, 29 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His deceased beloveds are siblings Margaret Aiu Kaili, Harold Aiu, Andrew K. Aiu and Dr. Patrick Aiu, and granddaughter Pa‘anaakala Aiu.
Dede, as he was affectionately known, was the life of the party, the jack of all trades, the mentor of many, the heart and soul of our ohana.
He was a man who demonstrated the strength of Christ, the mercy of the Father, and the unconditional love of the Holy Spirit. His aloha spirit was tangible, and communicated encouraging, vulnerable and intimate love.
Please celebrate the immense aloha that Dede offered the world. We would love to see you! Join us on Kaua‘i at St. Catherine Church in Kapaa. The public visitation will be held on Jan. 5, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the eulogy and vigil service at 7:30 p.m. A requiem Mass will be held on Jan. 6, 2018, from 9 to 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery on Kuhio Highway across Kealia Beach, with a pa‘ina to follow at St. Catherine’s Coyle Hall until 3 p.m.
James ‘Jimmy’ Akina Makua Jr.
James Akina Makua Jr., 65, of Eleele, passed away on Dec. 18, 2017 in Waimea.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1952, in Oahu. He was a tile setter.
He was preceded in death by father James Akina Makua Sr.
He is survived by wife Marina Dureg Makua of Eleele, sons Audie (Lisa) Dureg of California, Billy Irving of Idaho, daughters Jaimie (Victor) Perez of Texas, Julia Makua of Michigan, Melissa (Brian) Makua Edwards of Florida and Wanda Irving of Eleele, 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, mother Mie Morita of Honolulu, brother Charles Makua of Oahu, sisters Judy (Thad) Lilly and Doreen (Ethan) Takara, both of Oahu, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, Dec. 28, at Garden Island Mortuary chapel in Lawai from 4 p.m., where a celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m.
The family suggests aloha attire.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Phyllis Ann Kunimura
Phyllis Ann Kunimura of Koloa passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Dec. 7, 2017, at the age of 84. She was born in New York on July 17, 1933. She was an educator for over 60 years and co-founder of K.I.D.S. (Kauai Independent Daycare Services, Inc.).
She was preceded in death by husband, former Mayor Tony Kunimura.
She is survived by daughter Patrice (Mike) Wright of Haleiwa, and grandsons Trevor (Katy) Wright and Cole Wright.
She was laid to rest during a private service at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 20, 2018, at Koloa Union Church, with more information to follow.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Mercy Hoonanikama-kuamauloa Shintani
Mercy Hoonanikamakuamauloa Shintani, 75, of Kekaka, passed away on Dec. 16, 2016, at her home in Kekaha.
She was born on Sept. 10, 1942, on Niihau.
She was preceded in death by David Shintani and James Kahale.
She is survived by her sons Raymond (Laurie) Pahulehua of Niihau, Nelson (Zanetta Snow) Shintani of Hilo, Steven (Sherlin) Shintani of Niihau, Jeffery (Grace Marie) Shintani of Kauai and David Shintani of Kekaha, daughters Gloria (Clifton) Kelley of Kekaha and Glory Kahale of Kekaha, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, brother Dale (Angie) Pahulehua of Kekaha, hanai sisters Mikala Woodruff of Kekaha and Kaleimomi Schinita of Kekaha, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Dec. 29, at Garden Island Mortuary chapel in Lawai from 3 to 5 p.m. Burial will follow at Kekaha Hawaiian Cemetery.
The family suggests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Sutemi Yamamoto
Sutemi Yamamoto, 96, of Hanapepe, passed away on Nov. 22, 2017, at Wilcox Medical Center.
Born on Oct. 21, 1921, in Makaweli, he retired as an electrician and also from the U.S. Army.
He is survived by wife Dora Yamashiro Yamamoto of Hanapepe, sons Mark (Sheila) Yamamoto of Washington and Paul (Paula) Yamamoto of Kailua, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and sister Sumiko (Sam) Motoike of California.
Services were private.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
John Sanchez
John Sanchez, 89, of Wailua Homesteads, passed away peacefully at Wilcox Medical Center on Dec. 23, 2017. He was born on July 23, 1928, in Wailua, where he resided for his entire life. He retired from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and was previously employed at Hawaiian Fruit Packers Cannery. He was a cattle rancher, and his interest in agriculture sparked his involvement in the community. He served on the Kauai County U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency as a volunteer for numerous years after his retirement. He assisted farmers and ranchers with his wisdom, and was an avid sports fan. He also found pleasure in raising his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife Hilda Garcia Sanchez, grandson Dustin Perreira, father Manuel Sanchez Sr., mother Bertha Gomes Sanchez, and brothers Manuel Sanchez Jr. and Antone Sanchez.
He is survived by daughters Sharleen (Clayton) Perreira of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Cynthia (Bobby) Ayonon of Wailua Homesteads, grandchildren Colby (Maja) Ayonon and Ashley Perreira, great-grandchildren Chloe Ayonon and Cruz Ayonon, brothers Alexander(Becky) Sanchez of Torrance, California, and William Sanchez of Wailua Homesteads, sisters Rosa Fernandez of Honolulu and Barbara (Wallace) Isoda of Wailua Homesteads, and sister-in-law Mildred Garcia Ah Hee.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, Dec. 28, at St. Catherine Church from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with eulogy at 9:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
In honor of his life, western attire is requested by his family.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
