Catherine Dyer Becker
Catherine Dyer Becker of San Jose died on July 3, 2002. She was 49.
Mrs. Becker is survived by her husband, Dale Becker, children Dena Franco, Marcus Jaime, step-children Danyal and Shawn Becker, four grandchildren, brother, Michael Dyer of Oregon and aunt Doris Lavagnino of San Juan Bautista. She was preceded in death by her mother, Agnes Dyer, father, Roy Dyer and grandparents Earl and Gladys Epperson. Mrs. Becker was cremated and her ashes spread over the ocean with her mother. A memorial was held at the family home in San Jose on July 13, 2002.
Frank M. Fields
A memorial to celebrate the life of Frank. M. Fields, who died on May 3, has been scheduled for Friday at the family home in RidgeMark. Mr. Fields lived in Hollister for 15 years beginning in 1985 before moving to Sunnyvale. The service is at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Wayne Martin officiating. For information contact Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Esther L. Givan
Esther L. Givan of San Juan Bautista died July 15, 2002 at the Sunridge Rehabilitation Hospital. She was 100.
Mrs. Givan was born in Oklahoma on June 23, 1902. She was a longtime resident of Salinas and lived in San Juan Bautista for six years. She was a former member of the Hillcrest Methodist Church in Salinas and a member of the Salinas Women's Club. She recently celebrated her 100th Birthday at the Native Daughters of the Golden West Lodge Hall in San Juan Bautista with 80 celebrants, including five generations of descendants. She is survived by her children Georgana Gularte of San Juan Bautista, Bonnie Campbell of Arlington, Wash., Wayne Roberts of Ridgecrest and LeRoy Roberts of Joshua Tree. She is also survived by four siblings and 15 grandchildren. She was cremated and there will be no services, at her request. Memorials may be sent to the Hospice of the Central Coast. P.O Box 1798 Monterey, Ca., 93942.
Craig Lee Pierce
Craig Lee Pierce, a resident of Hollister, died on July 2, 2002 at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco. He was 45.
Mr. Pierce was born in Gilroy and attended San Benito High School. He served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He was self employed as a mechanic. Pierce is survived by his parents, Vernie and Kathleen Pierce, his son Craig of Gardnerville, Nev., sister Cynthia McGrath and niece Audra Auquistapace of Hollister. Arrangements have been for private cremation and private inurnment through Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Frances Gransberger
Frances Gransberger died on July 3, 2002 due to complications after breaking her pelvic bone. She was 83.
Mrs. Gransberger was born on Oct. 22, 1918. She was a longtime resident of San Benito County and was living in Rouge River, Ore. She is survived by her husband, John Gansberger, children, Arnold Penrice, Pamela Garat, Allen Gransberger and Terry Gransberger, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her body will be cremated. There will be no services at this time.
Lois Caroline Stadtler
Lois Caroline Stadtler died on July 9, 2002 at her home in Hilmar after a long illness. She was 77.
Mrs. Stadtler was born Oct. 21, 1924. She was a native of Streator, Ill., and lived in Hilmar for 58 years. She was a homemaker and the family ranch bookkeeper for 55 years. She was also a member of the Cow Belles of King City. She is survived by her husband Phil Stadtler of Hilmar, son Dan Stadtler of McNeal, Ariz., siblings Lyle Linn of Anson, Tex., and Riva Lee of Turlock. She is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Stadtler was preceded in death in 1975 by her son, John Stadtler.. A memorial service was held Saturday at the Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. Burial will be private. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Emanuel, P.O. Box 819005, Turlock, 95381.
Nancy Ann Johnson
Nancy Ann Johnson, a teacher with the San Juan Unified School District, died July 14, 2000 in an auto accident on Airline Highway. She was 49.
Mrs. Johnson was a native of Hollister who attended local schools and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She was the incoming CTA treasurer, vice president of the Reading Council at one time, and an avid gardener who ate healthily and practiced yoga. She also enjoyed playing golf. Mrs. Johnson will be remembered for her beautiful smile and caring nature. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband Bill Johnson of Hollister, daughters Mindy Johnson, Liz Johnson and Katie Johnson, all of Hollister, grandson Andrew Sotelo, father Herb McAbee and wife Sally of Hollister, mother-in-law Helen Johnson, siblings Jim McAbee of San Jose, Michael McAbee of Hollister, Colleen Stull of Salinas, Leland McAbee of Vacaville, John McAbee of Hollister and Marty Johnson of Salinas, in addition to several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy McAbee. The service begins today at 11 a.m. at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home, where visitation will take place prior to that time. Contributions are preferred to the Nancy McAbee Johnson Scholarship Fund for Arts & Education at San Benito Bank c/o the mortuary.
Lloyd A. Perry
Lloyd A. Perry died on July 5, 2002 at Stanford Medical Center. He was 78.
Mr. Perry was born in San Juan Bautista and attended local schools. He served with the U.S. Army in WWII in the European Theater. He was a charter member of San Juan Bautista Post 6359, V.F.W., a 45 year member of Hollister Elks Lodge, a member of SIRS No. 131 at Hollister Airport, the I.D.E.S, Sacred Heart Church, Scarpum and Cementum and the Lock, Stock and Barrel Men's Club. He enjoyed fishing and golfing. Mr. Perry was a Route Salesman for Langendorf Bread Company for 27 years. He was also a certified lab technician for over 35 years. He and his wife, Dolores Perry, were married for 53 years. In addition to his wife, Mr. Perry is survived by his children Chris Perry-Dungan of Hollister, Bob Perry of Boise, Id., Mark Perry of Dublin and Scott Perry of Hollister. Nine grandchildren also survive him. His parents Albert and Louise Perry precede him in death. A rosary was held Tuesday at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. Interment was also held on Tuesday in the Veterans section of the San Juan District Cemetery. Donations are preferred to the Youth Activities of the YMCA or Sacred Heart School Foundation.
Steven VanKirk
Steven VanKirk died of cancer in Modesto Memorial Hospital on July 16, 2002. He was 52.
Mr. VanKirk was born in Hollister and attended schools in Patterson, where he graduated from Patterson High School in 1968. After high school he attended Modesto Junior College. He is survived by his two sons, Patrick Kent VanKirk of Modesto and Matthew Eugene VanKirk of Eureka, parents Bonnie and Patrick Moore of Patterson, his brother, Kevin Moore and sisters, Susan Frias and Patricia Poot all of Patterson and one grandson. He is the nephew of Beverly and Leonard Poletti of Hollister. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene VanKirk. Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private family committal services will be held at the IOOF Cemetery in Hollister.
Arthur D. Dias Jr.
Arthur D. Dias Jr., a veteran of the Vietnam War, died at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose on June 28, 2002. He was 53.
Mr. Dias was born in Hollister and lived in San Benito County his entire life. He attended local schools. In Vietnam he served as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marines and also served in the National Guard. He worked for Teledyne McCormick Selph ordinance, Gilroy Food and Keystone Seed. Co.
Mr. Dias is survived by his children and their spouses, Paul and Rita Dias of Hollister, Gina and Alex Dias-Rangel of Gilroy, four grandchildren and siblings Cathy, Peter, Judy, Susie, Janet, Victoria, Johnny, Dennis and Linda Dias. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Dias Sr. and Josephine Vera Dias, and his brother Bobby Dias.
Graveside services will be held July 9 at 2 p.m. at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella. Arrangements for cremation are under the direction of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory of Hollister.
Sarah Dorothy Lico
Sarah Dorothy Lico died on June 26, 2002 at Watsonville Community Hospital. She was 102.
Mrs. Lico was born in Donnici, Calabria, Italy. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Hollister and joined St. Patricks Church when she moved to Watsonville. She was a former member of the Y.L.I. in Watsonville. The Licos operated a market in Watsonville beginning in the 1930's. She and her late husband Ralph, who died in 1965, operated orchards in Watsonville and Hollister. She is survived by son Joseph Lico of Hollister, three grandchildren and several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son Elmer Greco. A rosary was held on Sunday at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. A mass was held on Monday at the Sacred Heart Church. Entombment followed at Calvary Mausoleum in Hollister.
Judith M. Justice
Judith M. Justice died on Monday evening at Hazel Hawkins Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was 64.
Mrs. Justice was born in Freedom and had lived in Hollister for 12 years coming here from San Jose where she worked as a technician for Lockheed. She was preceded in death in 1999 by her husband Jim Justice. Mrs. Justice is survived by her children John Guerrero of Los Banos, Mimi Cooper of Hollister, Rick Justice and Robert Justice both of South Carolina, sister Janiece Mattos of Placerville and nine grandchildren. Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private family inurnment is planned. Donations are preferred to The American Cancer Society c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St. Hollister, CA 95023
Judy Tatro
Judy Tatro of San Juan Bautista died June 23, 2002. She was 63.
Mrs. Tatro was born on July 2, 1939 in Oklahoma. She moved to California at the age of 3, living in San Francisco before moving to San Jose. She enjoyed dancing and performing at recitals at the Santa Clara Fair and the Montgomery Theater. She served as secretary for the historic Santa Clara Swim Team and was involved as a volunteer for the American Youth Soccer Organization, president of the Falcon Boosters, and was a Girl Scout leader Mrs. Tatro is survived by husband, Gerald Joseph Tatro, children Jody Lynn Tatro Wheeler of Saratoga, Jon Joseph Tatro of Paso Robles and Jay Thomas Tatro of Austin, Tex. She is also survived by her mother Ruby Seavers of San Juan Bautista, brothers Jerry Seavers of Vietnam, Richard Seavers of Santa Clara and Don Seavers of Santa Cruz; sisters Cheryl, Leanne, Sharon Seavers of Los Gatos and seven grandchildren. Visitation was Tuesday at Darling Fischer Chapel of the Hills in Los Gatos. A memorial service was held on Wednesday at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church in Saratoga. The family requests donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House at 520 Sand Hill Rd., Palo Alto, Ca. 94304. Attn. Alan Beach.
