Obituaries for Sunday, February 13, 2022
Dallas Vernon Kauaolikokalani Brun
Dallas Vernon Kauaolikokalani Brun
Dallas Vernon Kauaolikokalani Brun passed away on Jan. 24, 2022, at the age of 26, in Lawa‘i. He was born on March 6, 1995, in Waimea. He was a homemaker.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Anthony (Braddah) Wong and Vernon and Lorraine Brun, aunty Lisa Brun and uncle Vernon Brun.
He is survived by mother Anelle (Burt Rapanot Jr.) Brun, father Arthur (Ata) Brun, brothers Dalton (Casandra) Brun and Brendan Brun, sisters Qiyrah Rapanot, Hannah Brun and Faith Brun, nieces Tiah Brun, Talia Brun, Teily Brun and Tairee Brun, grandmother Anora Peralta, hanai family Chris and Mary Rapacon, and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Feb. 19, at Westside Christian Center (stone Church) in Kekaha. Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by service. The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
David Kolomona Malina Banquel
David Kolomona Malina Banquel passed away on Jan. 5, 2022, in Hanapepe, at the age of 47. He was born on Jan. 7, 1974, in Lihu‘e. He was a sergeant with the County of Kaua‘i Police Department.
He was preceded in death by parents Ricardo and Magnolia Banquel.
He is survived by wife Nelda Banquel, sons Kaikane Cardinez of Iowa and Kemren Banquel of Hanapepe, daughter Kaelyn Banquel of Hanapepe, brother Philip (Kim) Banquel of Lihu‘e, sister Malia Banquel of Lihu‘e, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Kaua‘i Veteran’s Center in Lihu‘e. A drive-thru visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with service to follow. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face masks are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Adolf Befurt
Born July 8, 1936
Died Dec. 3, 2021
On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, Adolf Befurt slipped out of his earthly body to travel freely again amidst the starlight, ocean currents and astral planes. He was 85. A dedicated father, devoted grandfather and successful Kaua’i business owner, Befurt, affectionately referred to as “Opa” for the last 21 years — embodied the immigrant’s American dream. A childhood survivor of the ravages of World War II, he arrived in the United States with little English and less money. He applied his experience as a youthful auto-body apprentice in Germany to become a manager at an industrious auto-body operation in Honolulu, and later as the successful owner of Adlof’s Auto Body in Lihu‘e, where he was dedicated to providing kama‘aina with the highest service and care.
Before making the Garden Island his forever home, he spent seasons as a lumberjack, miner and cook on a fishing boat off Ketchikan, Alaska. He weathered many storms in life, both real and metaphorical, but he navigated them with great physical and spiritual fortitude. His daily rituals included communing with nature and meditating on the blessings of his family, friends and ancestors. He believed strongly in self-reliance, personal freedom and family, and the enduring power of love. He valued art, music, beauty and the natural world — especially the island of Kaua‘i. Those who had the gift of knowing him knew how much he loved to talk story, and that he felt indebted to share his wisdom and good fortune with others. A mensch by every description, he helped those in need — often in critical and unexpected ways. Later in life he was a philanthropist who gave generously to local schools and Hawaiian cultural efforts.
Befurt is survived, remembered and beloved by son Adrian, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grandchildren Wyatt and Lauden, sisters Gerta and Elisabeth, nephews Andre, Oliver and Sasha, and niece Sylvia.
Stories and pictures can be emailed to: adrianjebef@yahoo.com
Aloha, a hui hou.
Rudolpho ‘Rudy’ Ochoco
On July 5, 2021, Rudolpho “Rudy” Ochoco peacefully passed away where he resided in Waipahu, O‘ahu. He was born in Lihu‘e and graduated from McKinley High School on O‘ahu in 1958.
He enjoyed a blessed life with the talented strength of his big brother, Juan “John” Ochoco, on one side, and the warmth and huge heart of his sister, Carolina “Carol” (Ochoco) Rayno, on the other. He entertained thousands with his jazz dinner music in Waikiki, the Gold Coast and Ko Olina. He never really retired, as he also entertained at weekly outreach dinners on his ‘ukulele.
He was preceded in death by parents Juan Ochoco and Severina “Minnie” Vea and by beloved brother Ricardo “Ricky” Ochoco.
He is also survived by brother Juan “John” Ochoco and sister Carolina “Carol” (Ochoco) Rayno, children, including Carolyn (Ochoco) Watanabe, and grandchildren, including Kami Watanabe and Faryn (Watanabe) Ota.
He was promoted to serve a higher power in the early morning on July 5, 2021. He chose to participate in the University of Hawai‘i Willed Body Program, where he donated his body to medical research here in Hawai‘i. However, the pandemic has complicated and delayed much of the operations of the program, so his last chance to serve his community has been postponed to a future date. Unlike all of his other activities, this event will not be filled with music, therefore, the family of Rudolpho “Rudy” Ochoco asks all who knew him to think of a song that reminds you of him, and sing it out loud for all to hear.
Felix Ingel Iloreta
Felix Ingel Iloreta passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. He was born on Oct. 16, 1927, in Binacud, Sinait, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He worked for Lihu‘e Plantation and the old Kaua‘i Surf Hotel.
He was preceded in death by wife Josefina Ragasa Iloreta, son Abelardo Iloreta, parents Felipa Ibe Ingel and Francisco Yago Iloreta, brothers Nicasio, Juan and Basilio Iloreta, and sister Magdalena Iloreta.
He served under the Philippines Commonwealth Army of the United States Armed Forces Far East (USAFFE) during World War II. He joined the military ground operations at the age of 16, becoming a part of the Philippine guerrilla forces that helped defeat the Japanese in the Philippines. For meritorious achievement in combat, he received the Bronze Star. On Jan. 16, 2022, he was posthumously presented the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.
He is survived by children Arsenio (Daisy) Iloreta, Antonio (Erlinda) Iloreta, Edna (Glenn) Douglas, Jimmy Iloreta, Joselito (Leto) Iloreta, George (Josie) Iloreta, Eddie (Jayne) Iloreta, daughters-in-law Amelia Iloreta and Emma Iloreta, 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a. Public viewing and visitation begins at 9 a.m., with Mass to follow at 10 a.m. Face masks and social distancing are required during the church visit. Following Mass, burial services will take place at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara Sue McAllister
Barbara Sue McAllister, 79, passed away peacefully in her Hanapepe home, surrounded by her ‘ohana and friends, on Feb. 7, 2022. Services will be private, but every time you hear a chatty, left-winged red bird, you can smile knowing that she is in a very happy place!
She found joy in her lovely drawings and creative writings. She was born in Oklahoma City and was proud of her Choctaw Indian heritage. She enjoyed reading, completing mind and memory games and sharing wonderful moments with her friends and family. She was grateful for all the wonderful memories and support by everyone on the island over the last 20 years.
She is survived by sons Bruce (Kurstin and their son, Carter) and Eric (Stefanie and their sons Luke and Liam). She will be truly missed by her loving sister, Patty, and niece Dawn, who both helped her to the very end of this journey. She will be missed by Patty’s daughters Christian, Reina, son Brian, and grandchildren, her beloved brother Scott (Ann, sons Michael, Christopher and daughter Amy, grandchildren and great-children), and many special people in her life including Joanna, Becky, Iris, Michelle, Grace, and Brenda.
She was preceded in death by daughter Rene Fryer, parents Charles and Vivian Malcom and her beloved “Craiger” Pemberton.
Karen Whitson
Karen Whitson passed away peacefully on Feb 6, 2022, into Jesus’ loving arms. She died of stage 4 liver cancer 3 weeks and a day from the time of her diagnosis. She was 73 years old, born Mar. 9, 1948 in San Francisco. She graduated from Mercy High School before starting a career with United Airlines.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents Doug and Toni Rosa.
She is survived by Mark Whitson, her husband of 40 years, sisters Kate Rosa of Truckee, California, Laura Martin of St. Augustine, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.
She volunteered 13 years for Meals on Wheels, and was the first female director of St. Vincent DePaul in Fremont, California. She moved to Kaua‘i in 2009 and volunteered at the St. Catherine Church Food Pantry in Kapa‘a for 9 years, and was active in the church.
A celebration of life is Wednesday Feb. 16, at St. Catherine Church, in Kapa‘a, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and services to follow at 11 a.m.
Her motto was “Make memories, not regrets.”
