Ellen A. Arthur
Ellen Arthur, a former Hollister resident, died May 1. She was 88.
Mrs. Arthur was born Nov. 9, 1912 in Hollister. She moved to Salinas 37 years ago. She was a retired elementary school teacher at Barden School and received her B.A. and Masters degrees in education from San Jose State.
Mrs. Arthur was a member of the Salinas-Kushikino Sister City Association, California Retired Teachers Association, American Association of University Women, PG&E Coast Valley Retires, PG&E Moss Landing Retires, Salinas Golf and Country Club, Elks, SIRS of Hollister, National Steinbeck Center, PSEA of PG&E and was a charter member of Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Mrs. Arthur is survived by her daughter, Barbara Adams of Pollock Pines, daughter Kay LeBarre of Palm Desert, six grandchildren and give great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held. Inurment will be at the Watsonville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, 957-A Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 or Visiting Nurse Association Adult Day Care, 45 Plaza Circle, Salinas, CA 93901.
Joe C. Gonzalez
Joe Gonzalez, a former worker for the quicksilver mines in New Idria, died May 5. He was 91.
Mr. Gonzalez was born in Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico and came to San Benito in 1925. He went to New Idria in 1937 to work in the quicksilver mines, then worked at Ideal Cement from 1947 until it closed. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church.
Mr. Gonzalez is survived by his wife, Lupe Gonzalez of Hollister, son Raul Gonzalez of Hollister, daughter Lydia Rubio of Hollister, daughter Eva Sanchez of Hollister, daughter Josie Geray of San Jose, daughter Mary Helen Subia of Morgan Hill, daughter Elizabeth Armendariz of Hollister, daughter Grace Gonzalez of Hollister, daughter Esther Subia of Morgan Hill, daughter Hope Larios of Hollister, 45 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 20 great, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews from Southern California and Mexico.
The funeral was held Monday. Rev. Ron Green of St. Patrick’s Church in Watsonville officiated. Interment was at the IOOF Cemetery.
Richard Tony "Church" Guttirez
Richard Guttirez, an Orange County Department of Public Safety worker died. He was 52.
Mr. Guttirez was born in Bakersfield, is a past resident of Hollister, but lived in Costa Mesa at the time of his death.
Mr. Guttirez is survived by his son, Richard Guttirez of Hollister, daughter Julie Ann Guttirez of Hollister, mother Mildred Luna of Hollister, siblings Joe Saldivar of Hollister, Connie Lopez of Ribbins, Jesse Guttirez of Hollister, Genevieve Valdez of Santa Ana, Dionicio Guttirez of Hollister, Arnold Guttirez of Hollister, Ruben Guttirez of Portland, Gilbert Guttirez of Hollister, David Guttirez of Hollister, Betty Nash of Hillsboro, Ore., Sal Luna of Portland, George Luna of Hollister, three grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A rosary and vigil will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. The service begins Saturday at 10:30 a.m. proceeds to Sacred Heart Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment and graveside services will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery.
Mary Dooling Hudner
Mary Dooling Hudner, one of San Benito County’s most prominent citizens who once drove a stage on the treacherous road from Fremont Peak to Hollister, died Saturday morning. She was 98.
A lifelong county resident and an active leader in numerous organizations, Hudner’s importance to the community was demonstrated by the treatment given to her at Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, the county’s pre-eminent social event, where she sat at the same box seat for 67 years.
"She was the main person," said Betty Breen, a close family friend. "She knew everyone, and everyone knew her, kind of like the queen bee. She was the focus of attention."
She married Paul Hudner in 1925. The same year she moved to the Hudner Ranch off Highway 25, where she lived for the rest of her life. Hudner’s maiden name was Dooling, an Irish family that moved to San Benito more than 100 years ago.
The Hudners ran a successful cattle business for many years. After her husband died, in 1970, Mary Hudner continued to run the business until 1998.
Hudner graduated from Fairview School as the top student in the county. She was in the first graduating class of San Benito Junior College, now Gavilan College. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley and later Stanford, where she received a degree in education.
Hudner’s father, Will Dooling, required his daughter to go to work in 1924 before he allowed her to marry, so she put her degree to use as a teacher of Latin and algebra at San Juan School.
"He insisted she learn to make a living before marrying so she would learn to be independent," said Stephen Hudner, her son.
Some of the many organizations she belonged to included the American Red Cross, Catholic Ladies Aid Society, Hazel Hawkins Auxiliary, the Democratic Central Committee and the Cattlewoman’s Association, which voted her Cowbelle of the year in 1984.
"She was past president of everything, and did it all with such grace," Breen said.
Hudner is survived by her three sons – John Hudner, of Eldridge, Philip Hudner, of Kentfield, and Stephen Hudner, of San Francisco – as well as nephew John Erkman of San Mateo and nieces Kathie Gaylord of Los Gatos and Carol Dougherty Dougherty of La Quinta.
She is also survived by grandchildren Paul T. Hudner, Mollie Hudner Thompson and great grandchild Ryan Hudner Thompson; grand nieces Melissa Hickman, Mary Amelia Gorin and Devin Dougherty; grand nephews Steve and John Gaylord, Dan Hudner Dougherty, Neil Pinkerton Dougherty, Andrew Nelson Dougherty and John and Joseph Gorin; great grand nephews Sam and Jack Hickman.
Friends are invited to the Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday morning. Private graveside services will precede the Mass at Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions are preferred to Sacred Heart School, The American Red Cross or the San Benito Saddle Horse Association.
Lupe Aguilera Luna
Lupe Aguilera Luna, who has relatives in San Benito County, died suddenly May 4 in Los Angeles. She was 53.
Mrs. Luna was born in Los Angeles, but looked forward to her yearly visits to San Juan Bautista and Hollister, where some of her brothers and sisters lived.
She is survived by her husband, Bobby Luna Sr. of Los Angeles, and her brothers and their wives, Vince and Mickie Luna, Lupe Luna, Rudy and Juanita Luna of Hollister, Manuel Luna Jr., Robert Luna and Henrietta Patino of San Juan Bautista, Raymond and Annette Luna of Gilroy, Gloria Luna of Morgan Hill, Ruben Luna of San Jose, Rosemary and Pascual Casas of San Diego, children Elizabeth Vargas of Montebello, Yvette Lozano of Los Angeles, Richard Luna of Los Angeles, grandmother Cruz Aguilera of Los Angeles, sisters Joann Baquera, Virginia Valencia, Dolores de Anda and brother Alfredo Aguilera all of Los Angeles.
A rosary vigil was Wednesday in Los Angeles, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery on Whittier Boulevard.
Manuel R. Martinez
Manuel Martinez, a Hollister resident, died May 4. He was 90.
Mr. Martinez was born in Durango, Durango, Mexico and came to San Benito more than 70 years ago. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Teamsters Union Local 890. He retired after 35 years with Gentry Foods in Gilroy as a machine operator.
Mr. Martinez is survived by his daughter, Pauline Garza of Hollister, son Jesse Martinez of Los Banos, brother John Martinez, brother Angel Martinez, brother Louie Martinez, brother Filomen Martinez, adopted brother Gilbert Perez and adopted brother William Perez, three grandchildren, and several great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death in 1966 by his wife, Augustina Haro Martinez, and Juanita S. Martinez, who died in 1981.
The funeral was Tuesday beginning at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home proceeding to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Graveside services and burial was followed at Calvary Cemetery.
Alan B. Nason
Alan Nason, a Bible teacher, died May 3 at his home in the San Juan hills. He was 73.
Mr. Nason was born February 5, 1928 in Brawley. At 28 Mr. Nason was paralyzed by polio. Despite this he was able to help people as a bookkeeper with their business and finances and also as a Bible teacher.
Mr. Nason is survived by his brother, Tom Nason, daughter Carol Lindhorst, daughter June Nason, daughter Gloria Nason, son Mark Nason, son Rick Nason and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hollister Kingdom Hall at the corner of Fairview and Fallon roads.
Donations are preferred to your local hospice or Worldwide Bible Education Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Ida May Roybal
Ida May Roybal, a San Benito County resident, died May 3. She was 58.
Mrs. Roybal was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was married to her husband Pete for 30 years.
Mrs. Roybal is survived by her husband Pete Roybal, daughter Natalie Waterbury, daughter Jennifer Roybal, grandson Sean Waterbury, granddaughter Amanda Waterbury and many family members in New England.
A memorial services was held under the direction of Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy.
Wayne S. Teeters
Wayne S. Teeters, a local farmer and dairyman, died May 7 at Hazel Hawkins Hospital after a long period of failing health. He was 84.
Mr. Teeters moved to San Benito County in the 1930s and ran a dairy in the Lovers Lane area, where he also raised walnuts, prunes and pears most of his life. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, the Hollister Gem & Lapidary Club, the San Benito County Historical Society and he served on the Pacheco Storm Water District. He served in WWII as a radio mechanic in the Army Air Corps.
Mr. Teeters is survived by his sister, Marie Wheeler of Danville and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death in 1994 by his wife, Thelma O. Teeters.
A memorial service will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. A private graveside service will follow at Gavilan Hills Cemetery in Gilroy. Friends are invited to a reception afterward at Paines Restaurant in Hollister. Contributions are preferred to the San Benito County Historical Society.
Shirley M. "Honey" Bailey
Shirley Bailey, a Hollister resident, died April 19. She was 74.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Hollister. She and her husband were married May 18, 1946 in Hollister, moved to Morgan Hill and she and her family moved back to Hollister in 1962. She was lovingly called "Honey" by her grandchildren.
Mrs. Bailey is survived by her husband, Robert Bailey Sr., of Hollister, daughter Judy Tompkins of Hollister, daughter Linda Harris of Lancaster, mother Olive Thomas of Hollister, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren. Mrs. Bailey was preceded in death by her son Robert Bailey Jr. and her father Stanford Campbell.
A memorial service was held April 24 at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Rev. Joe Mallinson of the Seventh Day Adventist Church officiated. Inurnment was at the IOOF Cemetery.
Donations are preferred to charity of choice.
Anthony D. "Tony" Burgess
Anthony Burgess, an electronics installer, died April 27. He was 46.
Mr. Burgess was born in San Francisco and came to San Benito five years ago. Mr. Burgess enjoyed camping and fishing. He loved WWII movies and history. He took great pride in the TV and sound system that he designed for himself.
Mr. Burgess is survived by his brother, Andrew "Andy" D. Burgess of Hollister, nephew Joseph Burgess of Hollister, niece Valerie Burgess of Hollister, close friends Ed and Debbie Gerkie of Los Gatos and close friend Lucy Peng of Los Gatos. Mr. Burgess was preceded in death by his father, Edward Burgess, and mother, Marjorie Burgess.
A private cremation was conducted by Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. Friends attended a celebration of Mr. Burgess May 1 at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
Donations are preferred to the Hospice of Central Coast c/o mortuary chapel.
Sandra "Sandi" Crowe
Sandra Crowe, a secretary at Calvary Christian School at Calvary Baptist Church, died April 25. She was 56.
Mrs. Crowe was a Hollister native and grew up in San Juan Bautista, where she attended school. She was a 1962 graduate of San Benito High School. In school she was active in the drama club and performed in many productions. She attended Salinas Beauty College in 1963.
She was married to Lloyd Crowe on December 1, 1973. In 1989 she retired from the beautician business. Since that time she has been the secretary at Calvary Christian School at Calvary Baptist Church. Mrs. Crowe was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church, the church’s youth group, AWANA. She was very active in Little League baseball when her sons were young. Mrs. Crowe loved playing scrabble and doing crafts. She and her husband, Lloyd, recently started the L&S repair shop and were enjoying having their own business.
Mrs. Crowe is survived by her husband, Lloyd Crowe of Hollister, son Andy Sheehy Sacramento, son Danny Crowe of Sacramento, mother Doris Lavagnino of San Juan Bautista, father Bill Lavagnino of San Juan Bautista, brother Bill Lavagnino of San Juan Bautista, brother William Lavagnino, Jr. of San Juan Bautista, sister Teresa Lavagnino of Redding, sister Carol Lavagnino of Santa Barbara, two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was Friday at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home with services Saturday at the Calvary Baptist Church. Graveside services and burial followed at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hollister.
Contributions are preferred to the Calvary Christian School c/o Calvary Baptist Church.
Maria Guadalupe Ojeda
Maria Guadalupe Ojeda, a Hollister resident, died April 30. She was 69.
Mrs. Ojeda was born in Mexico and came to Hollister in 1996. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church.
Mrs. Ojeda is survived by her husband, Rafael Ojeda of Hollister, and her children Yolanda Santoyo of Oxnard, Gerardo Ojeda of Florida, Maricela Ojeda of Mexico, Celia Ojeda of Mexico, Imelda Ojeda of Mexico, Leticia Ojeda of Hollister, Julia Yebra of Hollister, Consuelo Ojeda of Illinois, Alonzo Ojeda of Illinois, Patricia Ojeda of Mexico, Olga Ojeda of Hollister, Gloria Santoyo of Hollister, Cecilia Ojeda of Hollister, Maria Carapia of Mexico, Ramon Carapia of Mexico, Jose Carapia of Mexico, Raymundo Carapia of Mexico and her grandchildren.
A Rosary was held May 2 at 7 p.m. Funeral and burial will be in Salvatierra, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Agustin C. Ramirez
Agustin Ramirez, a Hollister resident, died April 24. He was 77.
Mr. Ramirez was born in Tampico Alto, Vera Cruz, Mexico and he had worked in construction prior to retirement. He moved to Hollister in 1994 after his wife died. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and in San Jose he was active with the Community Service Organization.
Mr. Ramirez is survived by his son, Larry Roybal of El Sobrante, daughter Vera Martinez of San Jose, daughter Josie Ramirez of Hollister, son Gus C. Ramirez of San Jose, daughter Socorro Ramirez of Mexico, son Amparo Ramirez of Mexico, daughter Elvia Ramirez of Mexico, brother Rudy Campoy of Mexico, brother Ramon Campoy of Mexico, sister Esther Campoy of Mexico, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mr. Ramirez was preceded in death by his wife, Becky Ramirez.
A rosary and vigil service were held April 29 at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. The funeral was Monday. Interment and graveside services followed the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gilroy.
