Edna Mae Thompson Hicks
Edna Mae Thompson Hicks of Hollister died Aug. 14, 2002 surrounded by her grandchildren. She was 93.
Mrs. Hicks was born April 28, 1909 in Okalahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford C. Hicks.
Mrs. Hicks is survived by her daughters Carol Leino of Salinas and Joyce Molinari of Bradenton, Fla. Other survivors include brothers Roy, Forrest and Earl Thompson all of California, grandchildren Jeff Row of Hollister, Greta Molinari-Stone of Salinas, Holly Molinari-McDonald of Bradenton, six great-grandchildren, son-in-law Stanley Molinari of Salinas and numerous nieces and nephews.
As she requested, there will be no services.
Salvatore Pintello
Salvatore "Sam" Pintello of San Juan Bautista, who operated Sam's Landscaping Services from 1974 to 1987, died July 27, 2002 in Monterey. He was 83.
Mr. Pintello was a veteran of the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1962 and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served aboard the carrier U.S.S. Intrepid in WWII. The carrier saw heavy action and survived many kamikaze attacks that almost sank it. A native of Montreal, Canada, he was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Bolado Park.
Mr. Pintello was preceded in death in 2000 by his wife, Mary E. Pintello. He is survived by sons Thom Pintello of San Juan Bautista, Rodney Pintello of Morgan Hill, James Pintello of Texas, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Private cremation arrangements were by Grunnagle Ament Nelson Crematory and interment was at San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Gerald Winfield Sans
Gerald Winfield "Jerry" Sans, a lifelong San Benito County farmer and rancher, died Aug. 18, 2002 at the Sans Topo family ranch in the Topo Valley in San Benito County after an extended illness. He was 78.
In addition to ranch work, Mr. Sans and his late wife, Phyllis, spent from 1980 to 1992 as owners and operators of the Paradise Valley Bar in Paradise Valley, Nev. He and Phyllis returned to the family ranch to retire in 1992.
Mr. Sans was a past president of the San Benito County Cattlemen's Association, a longtime member of the San Benito County Farm Bureau and a member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and took pride in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mr. Sans was preceded in death by Phyllis in 1996. He is survived by his children Les Sans and Paul Sans and his wife SanDee of the family ranch, and Sandy Rose and her husband, George, of Hollister, sisters Carla Shields and Genevieve Eade of San Benito. He also is survived by grandchildren Sami Jo Johnsen, Todd Sans, Ken Rose, Tammy Rose and Jerilyn Sans and five great-grandchildren.
As was his request, private cremation and inurnment is through Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister.
Johnny Gansberger
Johnny Gansberger, a veteran of the U.S. Army, died on August 11, 2002 after a battle with cancer. He was 83.
Mr. Gansberger was born on March 10, 1919, in Paicines. He attended San Benito High School and other county schools. He lived in South County until he moved to Oregon with his wife, daughter and her family in 1994. Mr. Gansberger was a cowboy and a foreman at several ranches and spent many years on the 101 ranch. He also worked for Almaden Vineyards.
He is survived by his children Allan Gansberger of San Mariposa, Terry Gansberger of Prunedale, Arnold Pennice of Goodyear, and Pam Garat of Grants Pass, Oregon. He is also survived by siblings Eddie Gansberger, Arnold Gansberger, Nola Ballard, Ruth Gunnels, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
LaVerne M. Paulsen
LaVerne M. Paulsen of San Juan Bautista died Aug. 15 at home. She was 93.
Mrs. Paulsen had moved from Hawaii three years ago to San Juan to be closer to her son, John Graham. Prior to her retirement she worked in the insurance business for many years. She was born in San Francisco.
She is survived by her son John Graham of San Juan Bautista, sister Lila Jean Wehe of San Juan Bautista and a nephew, Michael Wehe of Belmont.
Friends are invited to a celebration of her life on Saturday at 1 p.m. at her home, 800 2nd Street, San Juan Bautista.
Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private inurnment will be at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.
Aurelio Rodriguez Sr.
Aurelio Rodriguez Sr. a former farmer and rancher, died Aug. 17, 2002 at Hazel Hawkins Hospital due to failing health. He was 71.
Mr. Rodriguez was born in Allende Nuevo Leon, Mexico and came to San Benito County from Alamo, Tex., in 1964. He worked for Bush Ranch, Matthews Ranch, Almaden Vineyards and Christopher Ranch and prior to retirement was a driver for his sons' business, A&R Doors. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and The United Farm Workers' Union. He and his wife, Juanita, were married in 1955 in Texas.
Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his wife, Juanita Rodriguez of Hollister, his sons Albert Rodriguez of Hollister, Ruben Rodriguez of Hollister and Aurelio Jr. of Salinas, siblings Enrique Rodriguez, Abel Rodriguez and Ernestina Rios all of Mexico. He is also survived by his grandchildren and one great grandson.
The funeral was Wednesday. Interment and graveside services were at Calvary Cemetery.
Billy Gene Erwin Fellows
Billy Gene Erwin Fellows, a Korean War Veteran, died at his Hollister residence on Aug. 18, 2002 after a short illness. He was 72.
Mr. Fellows was born in Mayview, Wash. While serving in the U.S. Army he received the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a master mechanic and worked for Gilroy foods for 20 years before retiring in 1999. He enjoyed working on cars and volunteering for the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
He is survived by his children Ken Fellows of Morgan Hill, and Billy Fellows and Teresa Terasaki of Hollister, siblings June Dumbeck and Dale Fellows both of Washington, Jim Fellows of Santa Cruz, four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m. today at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and on Friday before funeral services. The service begins Friday at 11 a.m. at the mortuary chapel, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. Donations are preferred to the Grace Bible Church, Benevolence Fund c/o the mortuary chapel.
Brenda Anne Blakeway LeBarre
Brenda Anne Blakeway LeBarre of Morgan Hill died Aug. 15, 2002 at Hazel Hawkins Hospital. She was 30.
Ms. LeBarre was born in Sacramento. She attended local schools and graduated from Gilroy High School and from the Masters Institute of Technology, where she studied design. She worked for Chamberlains Children Center of Hollister, Child and Family Services of Tennessee and most recently at Lutheran Child and Family Service in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She is survived by her parents, Roger and Diane Blakeway of Hollister, grandparents Rubie Blakeway of Hollister, Eugene Trautman of Rio Oso, and Carmen and Bev Blakeway of Auburn, brothers, Erik Blakeway of Hollister and Steve Hollasch of Seattle, Wash., friends, Tim Reed and his daughters Samantha and Taylor of Greenwood, Indiana and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
A memorial service was held on Sunday at the Hollister United Methodist Church. Arrangements have been made for private cremation through the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory. Contributions are preferred to Chamberlains Children Center or to the Lissette LeBarre Memorial Fund c/o the mortuary chapel.
Lucille M. Hopcroft
Lucille M. Hopcroft, a Hollister native, died Aug. 22, 2002 at Stanford Medical Center. She was 77.
Mrs. Hopcroft worked for many years at J.C. Penney in Hollister. She was a member of Sunnyslope Christian Center and enjoyed playing the piano.
Mrs. Hopcroft was preceded in death in 2000 by her husband, John Hopcroft, who died in 2000. She is survived by her sons Paul Hopcroft of Stevensville, Mont., Tim Hopcroft of Hollister, siblings Tom Garcia of Hollister, Val Marino of Colorado and Malia Bernal of San Jose. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by siblings Fred Garcia and Charlotte Yanez.
The funeral was Aug. 27 at Sunnyslope Christian Center. Rev. Kevin Townsend officiated. Interment and graveside services followed the funeral at the IOOF Cemetery. Donations are preferred to The American Cancer Society.
Carlos "Charlie" Rodriguez
Carlos "Charlie" Rodriguez died at Stanford on August 19, 2002. He was 62.
Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jacquie Rodriguez of Morgan Hill, his children, Teri Atkins of Anaheim, Paul Rodriguez of Corona, John Rodriguez, of Long Beach, Joshua Rodriguez of Morgan Hill, and Rose Rodriguez of Morgan Hill. He is the grandfather of Andra Atkins, Andrew Rodriguez, Steven Rodriguez, and Sarah Rodriguez. He is also survived by his father, Carlos C. Rodriguez of Idaho, his sisters, Anna Marie, Linda and Martha, his brothers; Robert and David, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cecelia, and his son, Charlie Rodriguez, and his mother, Elena Rodriguez.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, he was a member of Local 332 and was employed by IBEW for 25 years. He loved riding his Harley Davidson.
Funeral Mass was August 24 at St. Catherine's Church, Morgan Hill. Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy, handled the arrangements.
Ilene Joyce Stewart
Ilene Stewart died suddenly on July 24, 2002 in San Juan Capistrano. She was 56.
Mrs. Stewart was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 2, 1945. She was the daughter of the late Allan Novak and is survived by her mother, Alyce Novak of Oceanside.
Mrs. Stewart was a devoted wife to Gary Stewart of Escondido and a loving mother to her two children: Suzanne Rosen and her spouse, Jeff, of Scotts Valley and Kelly Sinon and her spouse, Keith, of Gilroy. Mrs. Stewart is also survived by her five grandchildren: Lauren Rosen, Lindsay Rosen and David Rosen, of Scotts Valley and Kathryn Sinon and Kirk Sinon of Gilroy.
Mrs. Stewart moved across the country when she married her first husband, Robert Mulry, in 1965 and resided in different locations throughout California over the years, finally settling in Escondido with her husband of 13 years, Gary.
Together the couple continued with her passion for raising and showing dogs. She was a judge for the American Kennel Club certified in many breeds. She raised Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes, English Bull Terriers and Scottish Terriers.
A large family of very, very special friends with whom she enjoyed frequent travel survives Mrs. Stewart. A Celebration of her life was held in Carlsbad on August 18. Another Celebration will take place in Danville on Sept. 21 at the Greenbrook Club House at 5 p.m. Expressions of Sympathy may be made in the form of Donations to:
Scottish Terrier Club of America Health Trust Fund, Teresa Thomas, Treasurer
5305 Jane Anne Street Halton City, TX 76117 or the The Zoological Society of San Diego Attn: Development Dept. P.O. Box 120551 San Diego, CA. 92112
Claudia D. Libby
Claudia D. Libby died as a result of an accident near her home on Limekiln Road. She was 67.
She was a lifetime resident of San Benito County except for brief periods. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and was a teacher and principal of Cienega School for many years. She also was a cattle rancher and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sandra and Allen Barker of Hollister, Shari Swank of Anchorage, AK, Lynn and Anthony Ford of Magna, UT, Nancy and Glen Froistad of Aromas, Kristen and Craig Vallejo of Hollister and Dan Libby of Costa Rica, her sister, Arline Groscup of Menlo Park and 14 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. She was is preceded in death in 1984 by her husband, Allan Libby.
Friends can pay respects until 8 p.m. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home.
Visitation will be on Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 10-11 a.m., when the funeral begins in the Church chapel. Interment and dedication of the grave will follow the funeral at the IOOF Cemetery.
Inez Sarvis
Inez Sarvis, a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, died Aug. 26, 2002 at Hazel Hawkins Southside Convalescent Hospital. She was 92.
Mrs. Sarvis was born in Point Reyes Station and moved back to San Benito County 30 years ago. She attended San Benito County Schools in 1914 and moved away after marrying Arnold Sarvis, who was in the U.S. Navy. They lived in Kansas City, Imperial Beach, Maryland and Florida, where she ran the PX in Jacksonville. After Mr. Sarvis' death, Mrs. Sarvis returned to San Benito County, where she managed an apartment complex for 27 years.
Mrs. Sarvis is survived by her sisters Olga Laveroni of San Jose and Zoe Rezendes of Hollister, nieces and nephews Glenda Dickey of San Jose, Joe Caporgno of Hollister and Jane Hinz of Bakersfield, and numerous others.
A memorial service is today at 2 p.m. at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. Rev. Harlan E. Selvey will officiate. Arrangements for cremation were by the mortuary, and private inurnment is planned at Calvary Cemetery in Hollister.
Contributions are preferred to the U.C.T. Benevolent Foundation for cancer research in care of the mortuary chapel.
