Cheri McFarland
Cheri McFarland, for six years the branch manager of Hollister’s Bank of America, died Tuesday at Hospice House Monterey. She was 54.
Ms. McFarland moved to San Benito County six years ago and was a member of St. Benedicts and Sacred Heart Churches. She loved sewing, baking, decorating and traveling to Pismo Beach. She worked for Bank of America for 25 years.
Ms. McFarland is survived by her mother, Sally Wallace of Antelope, daughters Louise McFarland of Hollister and Kelly McFarland of Orange County, sister Ellen Sue Fitz of Rancho Santa Margarita, brother Charles Martin Wallace of Maryland and two grandchildren.
Visitation is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Benedicts with a 7 p.m. mass. Entombment will be Saturday at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster. Donations may be made to Hospice House or Hospice of the Central Coast c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home.
Calvin W. Mead Jr.
Calvin W. Mead Jr., who retired to Hollister after a career as a principal, died Sunday in Hollister. He was 75.
Mr. Mead met his wife, Jura, in 1968 in Salinas, where he moved from Atoka, OK. He was a graduate of Southeastern University in Oklahoma and received a master’s from Oklahoma State. Mr. Mead served in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he served in the 97th Division Co. D and was involved in the liberation of Czechoslovakia. While in the reserves, he served in the Korean Conflict.
He and his wife moved to Hollister in 1987 after he retired from his job as a principal in the Salinas City School District.
Mr. Mead was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Hollister Elks Lodge #1436 and a past member of Salinas Exchange Club.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Mead is survived by his children Judith Wallace of Westwood, Jefferey Mead of Pacific Grove, Janet Ray of Atoka, OK, his stepchildren Jeri and John Whelan of Sacramento, E. John Frayne of Albany, OR, and Margaret and Ralph Hadden of Santa Rosa, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a nephew.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at Seventh and Monterey streets in Hollister. A reception will follow at the home of Mrs. Mead, 531 Dooling Road, Hollister. Arrangements are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home.
Julius N. Nunez
Julius Nunez, who grew up in New Idria and had been a source for historians who have written about mining life, died Nov. 3. He was 98.
Mr. Nunez was featured last December along with his sister in a Pinnacle article describing life in New Idria and the early days of Tres Pinos.
Mr. Nunez was born July 31, 1902 at New Idria. At New Idria, he remained healthy during a flu epidemic that killed dozens of miners and family members and was in charge of their burials.
He moved to Monterey from San Benito County in 1930’s and opened a butcher shop. He became friends with John Steinbeck, who was a street person at the time. Steinbeck would come into the butcher shop for something to eat and for a bone for his dog. He retired from the butcher shop and opened a Real Estate Office in Capitola, which he ran for about 20 years. Mr. Nunez moved back to San Benito County in 1977 when he sold the Real Estate Office. He loved to play golf. Mr. Nunez played golf with Bing Crosby and Phil Harris at Pebble Beach several times. He also was a marshal for tournaments at Pebble Beach and at Ridgemark.
Mr. Nunez is survived by his sisters Carmen Valdez of Hollister and Jessie Keenan of Hollister, and nieces and nephews Rose Stephens of Hollister, Dorothy Bowden of Hollister, Pauline Puckett, Babe Littlejohn of Hollister, Pat Keenan of San Jose, Bud Graham of Marina, Babe Graham of Arizona, Edward Julius Valdez of Hollister, James Valdez of Carson City, and many great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Sallie Nunez, who passed away in 1976, stepdaughter Neva Young, brother Andrew Nunez, brother Frank Nunez, and sister Tillie Graham.
At Mr. Nunez request arrangements were made for cremation at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. Private interment will be at Mission Memorial Park, Seaside.
Libertina "Libby" Spina
Libertina Spina, a Hollister resident, died Nov. 4 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. She was 89.
Mrs. Spina was born in Fresno and came to the San Benito County in 1937. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Ladies Aid and the Grandmother’s Club. Ms. Spina was an avid gardener, seamstress, and great cook and loved to bake. She has been a homemaker all her life.
Mrs. Spina is survived by her daughter Elaine Conley of Hollister, daughter Emille Martin of Hollister, son-in-law Murrill Conley of Hollister, sister Irene Greco of Pinole, sister Sunny Brennan of Antioch, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Mike Spina, who died in 1985.
Friends may visit at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home Monday until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until service time. Services will begin Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home proceeding to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Entombment and graveside services will follow at the mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery. Contributions are preferred to the visiting nurses Assn.
Consuelo Acevedo
Consuelo Acevedo, a Hollister resident, passed away at her home on October 24. She was 68.
Ms. Acevedo was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. She came to the San Benito County 12 years ago. Ms. Acevedo was a homemaker and a housewife all her life.
Ms. Acevedo is survived by her husband Oscar Cardoza of Aromas, daughter Maria Lourdes Godinez of Hollister, son Eduardo Godinez of Mexico, son Jose Luis Godinez of Indio, CA, daughter Connie Barajas of Hollister, daughter Sonia Cardoza of Aromas, son Oscar Cardoza, Jr. of Mexico. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
The funeral was Friday in the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Burial and graveside services followed at the San Juan District Cemetery in San Juan Bautista.
Dorothy E. Behringer
Dorothy E. Behringer, a resident of the San Benito County, passed away Sunday, October 1 at Southside Convalescent Hospital in Hollister. She was 92.
Ms. Behringer was born in Portland, Oregon. In 1972 she moved to San Benito County from San Jose. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was employed many years for the Oliver Laird Company, which manufactured luggage.
She is survived by her close friends, Ann Tham of Hollister, Janet Torrano of Hollister and Eva Tabata of Hollister. She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd in 1986.
Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private burial at sea will follow the cremation. Donations are preferred to a charity of your choice.
Edward "Eddie" Casillas
Edward Casillas, a resident of San Benito County, died October 23. He was 59.
Mr. Casillas was born in San Jose and lived in San Benito County most of his life. He attended the local schools in the San Benito County schools, and he also attended Gavilan College. He is a former member of the Hollister Boosters, Hollister Elks Lodge, and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Casillas was a general contractor, electrical contractor and a commercial contractor.
Mr. Casillas is survived by his wife Deborah Casillas of Payson, AZ, daughter Maureen McCoy of Sausilito, son Michael Casillas of Hollister, stepdaughter Jennifer Trujillo of Payson, Arizona, brother Manuel Casillas of Hollister, brother Emilio Casillas of Hollister, brother Joe Casillas of Hollister, brother Frank Casillas of Hollister, brother Paul Casillas of Hollister and sister Mary Marcus of Hollister and many grandchildren. He preceded in death by his mom Carmen Casillas, father Julian Casillas, brother Julian Casillas and daughter Monica Casillas.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 3 at the Tres Pinos Church Hall at 11 a.m. Father Ron Green will be officiating. Contributions are preferred to your favorite charity. For any additional information please call Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home at 637-3757.
Iona Good Egleland
Iona Good Egeland, a teacher from Ohio who came to San Benito County in 1984, died Saturday at a local convalescent hospital. She was 88.
Mrs. Egeland taught art and English at the junior high and high school levels. She enjoyed traveling, fishing and boating. She and her husband celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in August.
Mrs. Egeland us survived by her husband Max B. Egeland of Hollister, daughter Karen E. Richins of Redwood City, brother Dale E. Good of Vermont, sister Doneta Moyer of Ohio, one grandson and several nieces and nephews.
At her request, arrangements have been made for cremation at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Crematory. A memorial will be scheduled at a later date.
Lizzie May Gentry
Lizzie May Gentry, a resident of Hollister, passed away October 31 at Sunbridge Care Center. She was 82.
Ms. Gentry was born in Mulenburg County, Kentucky. She came to the San Benito County three years ago from Stockton, and she had been a resident of San Benito County before moving to Stockton. Ms. Gentry has been a resident of California since 1966. Ms. Gentry worked in the shipyards during WWII.
Ms. Gentry is survived by her daughter Joan Rheane Robles of Hollister, daughter Jennifer Gentry of Hollister, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great, great-granddaughter.
Arrangements for private cremation have been arranged through Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. Private burial of her cremains will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Morgan Hill. Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s ASSN c/o Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
Frank Goodenberger
Frank Goodenberger, a worker for Bishop Motors in 1968, passed away Thursday morning on October 26at Watsonville Community Hospital. He was 88.
Mr. Goodenberger was born in Stow, Ohio. He came to the San Benito County in 1968, and worked for Bishop Motors as an Auto body Repairman. He retired from Bishop Motors in 1979. Mr. Goodenberger was a member of the Presbyterian Church, American Federation of Musicians, Local 210, and AARP.
Mr. Goodenberger is survived by his daughter Marilyn Runyan of Watsonville. He preceded in death by his wife Ruth, who in 1993 passed away.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, October 31, 2000 at 11 a.m. at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Arrangements and Cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Donations are preferred to the Heart Association.
James Frederick Patrick Snyder
James Frederick Patrick Snyder, a veteran of the U.S. Army, died Oct. 24 at his Monterey residence. He was 51.
Mr. Snyder was born March 13, 1949 in Pennsylvania and lived in Hollister for six years. Mr. Snyder was a paratrooper in the Army. He then went into business as a licensed general contractor. Most recently he was a welding inspector for D + M Consulting Engineers, where he achieved welding inspecting’s highest degree. In his free time, he loved to paint "plein aire" style, to sculpt, and to garden. At the age of 49 he began violin lessons and enjoyed classical music as well as Celtic tunes.
Mr. Snyder is survived by his sister Kathy Henkel of Livermore, sister Nolen Barrett of San Francisco, brother Dennis Snyder of Lake Stevens, Washington, brother John Snyder of San Diego. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Snyder of Allegheny, who died in 1999 in Hollister.
For information about services contact Sheree Hardrath at 647-8610.
Edler Jullian Anderson
Edler Jullian Anderson, a Hollister resident, passed away October 19.
Mr. Anderson was born March 19, 1915 in Colfax, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business. After working for Washington National Insurance, he became a fighter pilot and flew P-38’s during WWII. He retired as a Major at the end of the war. He was Vice President of New York Life in charge of Group Sales until he moved back to California in 1966. In Los Altos he opened his own consulting business in self-funding health and welfare. He sold his business in 1985 and fully retired at that time. He belonged to the Canoe Brook Country Club in Short Hill, N.J., and was a long-time member of Los Altos Country Club.
Mr. Anderson is survived by his daughters Cheryl Daw of Hollister and Freya Gnerre of N.Y., grandson Brad Daw of Bullhead City, Arizona, sister Mertle Plenke of Conn. Mr. Anderson preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Audrey Anderson.
There were no services at the request of Mr. Anderson. Arrangements for cremation have been made through Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson crematory, 870 San Benito St., Hollister 95023.
