Bill Parker
Bill Parker, a World War II fighter pilot and ace, died Monday after an accident in Panoche. He was 84.
Mr. Parker is survived by his son and his son’s wife, Bill and Paris Parker of Hollister, and his daughter Marie DeFrank of Washington, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mr. Parker had been a resident of Panoche since 1965, and prior to retirement had been an electronic design engineer for Litton Industries.
Donations can be made to a charity of choice in Mr. Parker’s memory. Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private family inurnment is planned.
Ignacio S. "Stacy" Ureste
Ingnacio S. Ureste, who was born in Hollister, died October 13 [2000] as a result of a vehicle accident in San Jose. He was 51.
Mr. Ureste moved to Sunnyvale in 1959. He graduated from Fremont High School and he was very active in sports while in school, specializing in track events. His interests besides his wife and children were camping and enjoying the out-of-doors. Mr. Ureste was a welder for 28 years, working most recently for C.M.S. Welding Machinery.
Mr. Ureste is survived by his wife Anita Ureste of San Jose, son Daniel Ureste of Utah, son Joel Ureste of San Jose, daughter Elizabeth Ureste of San Jose, son Michael Ureste of San Jose, father Anastacio Ureste of Bakersfield, mother Mary Lou Armendariz of Sunnyvale, sister Sylvia Hemple of Washington, sister Sandra Kalaveras of Santa Clara, sister Christine Jimenez of San Jose, brother Robert Armendariz of Cupertino, one grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements for cremation have been made through Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. The memorial service was Wednesday, followed by interment will be a Calvary Cemetery.
Charlotte E. Melendy Berberick
Charlotte E. Melendy Berberick, a lifelong resident of San Benito County and rancher, died October 10 [2000] in Hollister. She was 93.
Born in Paicines in 1907, Mrs. Berberick was a graduate of San Jose State University and taught in her younger years at different schools in the area. She was the wife of the late Kingsley Berberick, who died in 1966.
She was a member of many community organizations, including the California Cattlewomen, San Benito County Cattlemen’s Association, The Farm Bureau, Order of Eastern Star, Fidelity Rebekah Lodge, Native Daughters of the Golden West, California Teachers’ Association, and the Hollister Methodist Church.
Mrs. Berberick is survived by many nieces and nephews: Sara May DeRosa of Paicines, Jason DeRosa of Paicines, Jeanette Chaves of Hollister, Georgia Haskins of Paicines, Kurt Haskins of Paicines, Tawnya Haskins of Paicines, Elizabeth Shields of Coos Bay, Robert Shields of Coos Bay, Doug Shields of Coos Bay, Chad Zgragen of Paicines, and Joe-Ann Zgragen of Hollister.
She is also survived by her devoted friend Rita Bowling. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lila Elliott, and her brother, Martin Melendy.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 11 a.m. at the Hollister United Methodist Church. Reverend Ardyss Golden and Native Daughters of the Golden West, San Juan Bautista Parlor #179, will officiate. Donations are preferred to a charity of choice.
Arcadio "Danny" T. Daniels
Arcadio "Danny" T. Daniels, a receiving & shipping clerk for Rohnert Seed Co., died October 7 [2000] at Sunbridge Care Center. He was 95.
Mr. Daniels was born in Alcala, Cagayan Phillippine Islands, and came to the U.S. 75 years ago. Mr. Daniels came to the San Benito County more than 50 years ago and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Philippine – American Community Assn., and the Teamsters Union. He was an avid gardener for the past 25 years.
Mr. Daniels is survived by his wife Nieves L. Daniels of Hollister and daughter Lori A. Williams of Hollister, two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Friday at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home with the Holy Rosary Friday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Services will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. from the funeral home with mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:30am. Burial and graveside services will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Hollister.
May Belle Hooton
May Belle Hooton, a resident of San Benito County since 1944, died September, 26, 2000. She was 89.
Ms. Hooton was born in Milo, Oklahoma and moved to Bakersfield in 1938. In 1944 Ms. Hooton came to the San Benito County.
Ms. Hooton is survived by her daughter Helen Smith of Hollister, daughter Mary Welch of Hollister, son Charles Martin of Dos Palos, sister Hilda Guinn of Coalgate, OK, son-in-law Myrl Smith of Hollister, step son Bill Hooton of Sacramento, step daughter Josephine Stone of Harrison, MT., 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren. She proceeded in death with her husband Marvin Hooton, son LeRoy Martin, son Clifford Martin, daughter Faye Martin Smith, daughter Ruth Martin, daughter Bessie Martin, and son Paul Martin.
Graveside was held October 2, 2000 at 10:00am at the IOOF Cemetery. A reception was followed from the services at the home of Helen Smith, 2560 Fallon Road, Hollister.
Donations are preferred to the American Lung Association. Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary M. Kennedy
Mary M. Kennedy, a resident of Hollister, died October 7 [2000]. She was 77.
Ms. Kennedy was born and raised in Watsonville, and came to the San Benito County three years ago to be closer to her niece and family. Ms. Kennedy was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Hollister and St. Patrick’s Church in Watsonville, The Pajaro Valley Historical Society, Young Ladies Institute and St. Patrick’s Altar Society.
Ms. Kennedy is survived by her nieces and nephews, and their spouses, Ellen and Dick Bozzo of Gilroy, John Kennedy of Camarillo, Margaret and Jim O’Donnell of Hollister, Tim Kennedy of Santa Cruz, Mike and Dee Kennedy of Maine, Kathleen and Ed Key of Napa, Jane Kinderman of Idaho, sister-in-law Ruth Kennedy of Yountville and Helen Kennedy of San Carlos.
Rosary and vigil services were held Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 11:00am at Our Lady Help of Christians Valley Catholic Church in Watsonville. Interment and graveside services will follow the Mass at Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery next to the church.
Donations are preferred to Notre Dame School Alumni Association in Watsonville, St. Francis High School or The Pajaro Valley Historical Society c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St. Hollister, CA 95023.
James W. "Jim" Leonard
James W. "Jim" Leonard, a parts man for Tiffany Motor Company for 28 years, died October 4 [2000] at El Camino Hospital in Mt. View. He was 73.
Mr. Leonard was born in Olustee, Oklahoma, and came to the San Benito County in 1946. Mr. Leonard went to Olustee High School in Oklahoma. After graduation Mr. Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served on Guam during WWII. Mr. Leonard is a former member of Hollister Post 9242 V.F.W., Hollister Lodge No. 1436 BPOE, the Moose Lodge of Sunnyvale, and United Methodist Church of Hollister.
Mr. Leonard was a faithful 49er fan. Mr. Leonard worked for Alamaden Lincoln-Mercury for 20 years after moving to Mt. View.
Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife Fran Leonard of Mt. View, daughter Debbi Martin of Hollister, Jamie Leonard-Padilla of Gilroy, brother Edward Leonard of Redwood City, sister Billie Sue Walker of Redwood City, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Private cremation was held through Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory with interment at the IOOF Cemetery. Donations are preferred to the Heart Fund.
Clifford W. Martin
Clifford W. Martin, a former security worker for Plantation Casino in Nevada, died September 28 [2000], two days after his mother, May Belle Hooton. He was 59.
Mr. Martin, originally of Oildale, came to the San Benito County seven years ago from Sparks, NV.
Mr. Martin is survived by his siblings, Helen Smith of Hollister, Mary Welch of Hollister, and Charles Martin of Dos Palos. His mother May Belle Hooton died September 26. He also was preceded in death by siblings LeRoy Martin, Faye Smith, Patsy Ruth Martin, Bessie Martin and Paul Martin.
Mr. Martin’s service was held with his mother’s on October 2 at the IOOF Cemetery. He and his mother were interred together.
Donations are preferred to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory.
Joaquin G. Mazon
Joaquin G. Mazon, a veteran of WWII, died at Pacific Hills Manor, Morgan Hill on October 4. He was 90.
Mr. Mazon was born in Bauang La Union, Philippine Islands. He came to San Benito County in 1982 from San Francisco.
Mr. Mazon served in the US Army during WWII, and was a member of the Philippine Scout Regiment. He also was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans of San Francisco Posts. Mr. Mazon loved to play cards, and he played both the flute and ukulele. He worked as a bellman in the hotel industry for the Mark Twain Hotel in San Francisco before he retired.
Mr. Mazon is survived by his wife Felisa Mazon of Hollister, son Jaime Mazon of Hollister, son Ben Mazon of Hollister, daughter Aurelia Mazon of Hollister, daughter Evelyn Canaveral of San Jose, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Friends were invited to the rosary service Friday, October 06, 2000 at 7pm at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Family and friends left the Mortuary Chapel Saturday morning at 11:30 to go the Sacred Heart Church for a Mass beginning at 12 noon.
Interment was Friday at San Juan District Cemetery with military honors.
Mary Paxton
Mary Paxton, who lived in San Benito County all her life and was the mother of former Free Lance writer Mark Paxton, died Tuesday at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. She was 74.
Mrs. Paxton, wife of James M. Paxton of Hollister, was a member of the Local Great Books program, and was active in the Bolado Park Women’s Club, as well as the Ridgemark Women’s Club, where she served as captain. She was an amateur artist in both painting and needlework, and an avid bridge player.
She graduated from Hollister High School, and then from San Jose State University with a business degree. She had formerly worked for the Children’s Home Society and later did volunteer work for the organization.
Mary Paxton also is survived by son Craig James Paxton of Hollister, siblings F. Patricia O’ Donnell of Hollister, John L. O’ Donnell of Hollister, and four grandchildren, Erin and Maura Paxton of Hollister, and Maida and Rose Paxton of San Francisco.
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, October 14, at Sacred Heart Church. Contributions are preferred to Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Augusta C. Ribeiro
Augusta C. Ribeiro, a resident of San Benito County, died Oct. 5. She was 95.
Mrs. Ribeiro was born and raised in Porto Martins, Terceira, Azores. She came to the U.S. from Azores in 1969, then came to the San Benito County in 1973.
Mrs. Ribeiro was a member of Sacred Heart Church. She was a homemaker for more than 75 years. Her interests were raising her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved being with her family.
Mrs. Ribeiro is survived by her children Sebastian C. Ribeiro and his wife Margarida of Kitimat, Canada, Maria Melo of Hollister, son John C. Ribeiro and wife Olivia of Kitimat, Canada, Jose F. Ribeiro and wife Florinda of Hollister, 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Manuel C. Ribeiro, who died 36 years ago, son Manuel Ribeiro, daughter Margarida Ribeiro, daughter Carmelina Ribeiro I, daughter Carmelina Ribeiro II, and son John Ribeiro.
Services were last week.
Donations are preferred to Santa Margarida Church in the Azores. Please make donation to the order of Maria Melo-for Santa Margarida Church.
Paul F. Vasquez
Paul F. Vasquez, a former worker for Botelho Brothers in San Juan Bautista, died October 5. He was 83.
Mr. Vasquez was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and lived in Hollister for about 60 years. He married his wife, Laura, on June 20, 1942 in Hollister. He was employed for many years with Botelho Brothers in San Juan Bautista. As a young man he was an avid fast-pitch softball player who excelled as a pitcher.
Mr. Vasquez is survived by his wife Laura Vasquez of Hollister, daughter Pauline Valdivia of Hollister, son Richard Vasquez of Selma, daughter Mary Helen Lopez of Morgan Hill, son Robert Vasquez of Hollister, sister Mary Rosario of Nylan, sister Lupe Villalon of Brawley, sister Martha Cabling of Visalia, brother Daniel Vasquez of San Diego, sister rosemary Martinez of Salinas, sister Rios of Orosi, brother Edward Vasquez of Roseburg, OR. He was also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He proceeded in death by his son, David Vasquez who died in 1967.
Services were October 9. Officiating was Juan Benevides of Apostolic Bible Learning Center. Interment was at the IOOF cemetery. Donations are preferred to Golden Age Nutrition Program/Meals on Wheels c/o the funeral home.
Theron S. Wright
Theron S. Wright, a former member of the Southside School Board & San Benito High School Board, died October 8. He was 91.
Mr. Wright was born in Hollister, and married his wife Hildur in 1931 in Lodi. He was a member of the Hollister United Methodist Church, The Farm Bureau, the Camera Club, the Flying Club, and was past president of Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance for 44 years. While attending the University of California at Berkeley he excelled in track and was in Big C Society and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and Alpha Zeta honor society in agriculture. His great love was traveling and he and wife belonged to the International Travel Trailer Club.
Mr. Wright is survived by his wife Hildur Wright of Hollister, daughter Brenda Blohm of Walnut Creek, daughter-in-law Gloria Wright of Lodi, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Theron Wright Jr. who died in 1993.
Graveside services will be on Friday at 10 a.m. at the IOOF Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at The United Methodist Church in Hollister. A reception will follow the memorial services at the church.
Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Donations can be made to a charity of choice.
