Joseph James Lee
Joseph James Lee passed away on Sept. 26, 2022, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 98. He was born on June 27, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a TV and appliance repair business owner and a retired Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by father Hong Lee, mother Ying Lee, brothers Henry and Fred Lee, sisters Mary Wu, Margaret Wong, May Wong and Marie Lee and former wife Darlene Lee.
He is survived by sister Dorothy Spencer of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, daughters Sandra (David) Lee-To of Excelsior, Minnesota, Barbara (Jody) Lee of Council Bluffs, Iowa, grandchildren Amber Strohbehn, Colin Lee-To, Austin Strohbehn and Evan Lee-To, great-grandchildren Adaline Strohbehn, Ansel Strohbehn, Meadow Harrison and Winter Harrison, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation with family will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with celebration of life services to follow at 11 a.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
The private scattering of ashes will be at Po‘ipu on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Ferdinand Daligcon Mariano
Ferdinand Daligcon Mariano passed away on Oct. 14, 2022. He was born on Sept. 5, 1971, in Waimea. He was an accountant for the county Department of Water.
He was preceded in death by sister Marivic Mariano and brother James Mariano.
He is survived by parents Fernando and Gloria Mariano and brother Paul Mariano.
Friends may visit the family on Friday, Dec. 9, at Westside Christian Center in Kekaha. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Irene G. ‘Dede’ Wilhelm
Irene G. Wilhelm, affectionately known as Dede, 88, of Lihu‘e, was born on Jan. 19, 1934 in Kohala, Hawai‘i Island.
She was a well-known cocktail waitress at the former Kaua‘i Surf Hotel up until the day the hotel closed its doors. Her charm and excellent service could never be duplicated. Locals and tourists alike would return time and time again whether for a vacation or to relax and have a cocktail at the Planter’s Bar or Golden Cape just to see her. On Nov. 18, 2022, she gave her last call. She was surrounded and embraced by her loved ones when the almighty came and gently took her to eternal paradise.
Throughout her life she remained passionate about traveling the world, reading murder mysteries and writing and journaling. Another great passion of hers was criminal work. For six years, which was the term limit, she was the head of the Kaua‘i Police Commission. She was also a member and served on the National Board of Police Commissions. It was all very time consuming and she enjoyed every single minute.
She was preceded in death by parents John Gonsalves and Clarinda Pinho Gonsalves, brother Arthur Gonsalves, sister-in-law Winnie Crawford Gonsalves and sons Jerry (Norma) Yahiku Jr. and Scott (Andrea) Yahiku.
She is survived by her husband Earl “Jack” Wilhelm, daughter Kristine (Darrell) Borrero, son Robin (Cathy) Yahiku and her most precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Our family would like to give a very, very special thank you to Bernie Ka‘eo for her unbelievable love and support. Also, a big mahalo to Kaua‘i Hospice for all of their time and wonderful care.
Private services were held.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Imelda Negrillo Quiban
Imelda Negrillo Quiban passed away on Oct. 15, 2022, in Las Vegas, at the age of 56. She was born on Aug. 26, 1966, in Luna, La Union, Philippines.
She is survived by husband Noli Quiban, siblings Feniano (Carmen) Negrillo, Cipriano (Shirley) Negrillo, Teresa Bailey, Patricia Negrillo, Maria (Chito) Zabala, Ramon (Glean) Negrillo and Vicky (Cecilio) Redaus, brother-in-law Alejandro Quiban Jr, sisters-in-law Nenita Quiban, Mercy Vasques and Renante Quiban, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Dec. 10, at Immaculate Conception Church, with Rev. Edison Pamintuan presiding, assisted by Deacon Bill Farias. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. Final resting will be at a later date. Friends are welcome. The family suggests casual attire.
Kalapaki Bay Memorial Park is assisting the family with arrangements.
Damascio Ruiz Jr.
Damascio Ruiz Jr., 83, of Koloa, passed away on Nov. 3, 2022, in ‘Oma‘o. He was born on Aug. 22, 1939, in Waimea and was a retired air traffic control technician with the Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
He was preceded in death by parents Margaret and Damascio Ruiz Sr., sisters Rose Medeiros and Shirley Cambra, sister-in-law Edith Ruiz, brothers-in-law Herbert Cambra and John Vegas Sr., and granddaughter Keala Ruiz.
He is survived by wife Thelma (Fu) Ruiz of ‘Oma‘o, sons Lindell Ruiz of ‘Oma‘o, John (Lisa) Ruiz of Hanapepe and Ross (Janel) Ruiz of ‘Oma‘o, daughters Laurie Ann Ruiz of ‘Oma‘o, Shari Ann Ruiz of Kalaheo and Raynette (Nathan) Chun of ‘Oma‘o, brother Donald Ruiz of Arizona, sisters Mary Jane Vegas of O‘ahu and Emily Ruiz of California, 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Dec. 10, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i, with viewing from 9 to 10 a.m. and celebration of life services to follow. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mitsuo Wakumoto
Mitsuo Wakumoto, 93, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Nov. 7, 2022. He was born on Nov. 12, 1928, in Kealia. He was a welder and an Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by wife Hiroko Wakumoto, daughters Elaine Wakumoto and Annette Wakumoto, parents Tsunekichi and Kume Wakumoto, brothers Masato Wakumoto and Hiroshi Wakumoto, and sisters Sayoko Wakumoto and Kiyoko Wakumoto.
He is survived by sons Sandy Itsuo Wakumoto of Kapa‘a and Ricky Kazuo Wakumoto of Kapa‘a, daughters Ellen Yumi Sugai of Honolulu and Patricia Takako Sugai of Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island, grandchildren Nicole Kimiko Sugai, Reid Akira Sugai, Christopher Kenji Sugai and Cody Lee Akihiro Sugai, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family service was held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.
Samuel Viquelia
Samuel Viquelia passed away on Aug. 15, 2020, at the age of 79, in North Hollywood, California. He was born on Nov. 25, 1940, in Waimea. He retired from the aerospace industry, Rockwell and Boeing.
He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Viquelia, father Paul Viquelia, sister Yolanda Ana and brother David Viquelia.
He is survived by daughter Denise of Orange, California, granddaughter Roxie, stepmother Shirley Viquelia, sisters Sharon, Angelleah and Pauline Viquelia (deceased), brothers Ronald Viquelia, Fred Viquelia (deceased) and Benjamin Viquelia (deceased), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private Service was held at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
Patricia Ganotisi Ramos
Patricia Ganotisi Ramos passed away at home on Oct. 24, 2022, at the age of 94. She was born on March 17, 1928, in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was a restaurant prep cook.
She was preceded in death by husband Faustino Ramos, son Urbano Ramos, father Julio Ganotisi, mother Isidra Ganotisi, and grandson Freeman Ramos.
She is survived by children Benjamin (Elsie) Ramos, Pascuala Ramos, Angelita (Aurelio) Ganitano, Felimon (Tori) Ramos, Marina (Remie) Eugenio, Federico (Pacita) Ramos, Julie (Rudy) Barroga and Fredie (Julie Ann) Ramos, 19 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives may visit with the family on Friday, Dec. 16, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary. Visitation begins at 6 p.m. and services at 7 p.m.
Friends and relatives may visit with the family on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Kapaia. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Lihu‘e Cemetery at 11:15 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
