Violet McKone
Violet McKone, a Hollister resident, died June 9. She was 84.
Mrs. McKone was born in White Fish, Mont., and came to San Benito in 1937. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Young Ladies Institute of Hollister and the Grandmothers’ Club. Mrs. McKone was a homemaker for most of her life. She loved to do needlework, read and was devoted to her family and did some traveling.
Mrs. McKone is survived by her son Patrick McKone of Pueblo, Colo., daughter Elizabeth Madruga of Martinez, four grandchildren, sister Gloria Buckingham of Hollister, brother Delmer Paine of Hollister and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. McKone.
At Mrs. McKone’s request, arrangements have been made for cremation at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory, followed by private interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Donations are preferred to Cancer Research c/o Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
Raymond N. Torres
Raymond Torres, a long-time Hollister resident, died June 10. He was 79.
Mr. Torres was born in San Diego and came to San Benito 60 years ago. He served in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Torres was the "Jack of all trades." He loved to repair cars, among other things, for his family and friends. He also loved gardening and worked for more than 20 years as a supervisor for Gentry Foods in Gilroy.
Mr. Torres is survived by his wife, Lupe Lujan of Hollister, daughter Lucille Wardell of Hollister, sister Mary DeLaCruz of Hollister and sister Mary Chavez of Lompoc, sister Jenny of Santa Clara, sister Rosie, numerous grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Joe Torres.
At Mr. Torres wish, there will be no funeral services and cremation will be arranged by Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Manuel Freitas
Manuel Freitas, the San Juan Valley’s "Mr. Agriculture," died June 2. He was 97.
Mr. Freitas ran Frietas Packing, which shipped locally grown fruits and vegetables around the world. Mr. Freitas loved to watch things grow and farming became his passion as well as his profession
Mr. Freitas was born in San Juan Bautista and was a charter member of Old Mission San Juan Bautista and Knights of Columbus Council 1492 of Hollister. He was a trustee of the Olympia Schools for many years.
Mr. Freitas was married to his wife, Dorothy Freitas, for 56 years.
Mr. Freitas enjoyed camping, claming, and driving his fifth wheel whenever he could. He was still driving it at age 85 and turned in his license at 90.
Mr. Freitas is survived by Dorothy Freitas of San Juan Bautista, children Joseph Freitas of San Juan Bautista, Anthony Freitas of San Juan Bautista, Jene Freitas of San Jose, Vivian Hoagland of San Jose, Mary "Tiny" Spina of Hollister, Lorraine Tavares of Magalia, sister Carmina Baptiste, sister-in-law Lucille Freitas, sister-in-law Alice Freitas, 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He preceded in death by his brother William Freitas, brother Clarence Freitas, brother Laurence Freitas and sister Lena Freitas.
Visitation was held at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The rosary was at Old Mission San Juan Bautista Tuesday. The funeral was Wednesday at the mission with burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Donations are preferred to the Mission Restoration Fund or to Hospice of Central Coast.
Betty L. Huffman
Betty Huffman, a former Hollister resident, died suddenly May 29. She was 71.
Mrs. Huffman was born in Nebraska and lived many years in the Hollister/Gilroy area. She was a member of the New Jerusalem, and was a minister as well as a counselor for her church.
Mrs. Huffman is survived by her children Katy Jean Stiltz of Volcano, Janet Story of Granite Bay, Rick Huffman of Paso Robles, Andrew Huffman of Grass Valley, and many other relatives.
A memorial service was Saturday at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
Bernando R. Jaurigue
Bernando Jaurigue, a veteran of WWII, died May 28. He was 78.
Mr. Jaurigue was born in Oxnard and lived in Hollister most of his life.
He was a bartender for many years. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Church and served in the Army during WWII. While he was involved with the Community Service Organization he was helpful in passing legislation helpful to migrant workers, including elimination of the short hoe. He also helped start a local Head Start Program.
Mr. Jaurigue is survived by his children Richard Jaurigue of Hollister, Bobby Jaurigue of Hollister, Tommy Jaurigue of Hollister, Roseann Jaurigue of Phoenix, and siblings Rogelia Gaeta of Hollister, Ruby Zamora of Hollister, Rosie Sandoval of Atwater, Ruth Larkin of Hollister and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Jaurigue, who died in 1999.
A memorial mass was celebrated on June 2 at Sacred Heart Church. Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory.
Anna Mariottini Lavagnino
Anna Mariottini Lavagnino, one of the San Benito High School’s oldest and most avid supporters of the Baler football team, died Monday. She was 90.
Lavagnino, a SBHS graduate, was a common site at all Baler home and away games. She could often be seen huddling under a blanket in the bleacher seats with husband Augie, a high school sweetheart and former SBHS football player in the early 1930s whom she married in 1991.
An avid cook and outdoor enthusiast, Lavagnino loved fishing at San Justo Reservoir. She was known not to return until the couple, who launched their boat themselves, caught their limit of trout.
She is survived by husband, August Lavagnino, daughter, Joyce Black of LaHabra, and son, Raymond Mariottini, siblings Ida McPhail of San Jose, Ines Lemos, Elsie Scagliotti, Armeda Dooling, Ray and Ralph Sabbatini of Hollister. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The visitation is in the Chapel of Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. The rosary will be at 7 p.m. this evening at the mortuary chapel.
Family and friends will meet at St. Benedict’s Church on Friday morning at 9:45 a.m. to attend a 10 a.m. mass. A reception will immediately follow at St. Benedict’s Hall. Interment will be at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, on Friday afternoon.
Donations are preferred to the Community Foundation Ann and Augie Baler Football Fund, P.O. Box 2062, Hollister, CA 95023, or in care of the mortuary chapel.
Rebecca L. Love-Cauthen
Rebecca Cauthen, a photographer for P.C.A. portrait studios, died suddenly May 29. She was 52.
Mrs. Cauthen was born in Gilroy and lived in Gilroy and Hollister. She received her drafting certificate for Gavilan College and was one class short of her BA Degree. She was a member of the Church of the New Jerusalem in Gilroy. Mrs. Cauthen worked in the church’s outreach counseling program.
Mrs. Cauthen is survived by her father, Richard Huffman of Susanville, son Seth Love of Gilroy, daughter Kimberly Love of Gilroy, sister Janet Story of Granite Bay, CA, brother Rick Huffman of Paso Robles, sister Kathy Stiltz of Volcano, brother Andrew Huffman of Grass Valley and 14 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Betty Huffman who died May 29, 2001.
The funeral was Saturday at Friends Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson.
Charles Maurer
Charles Maurer, a hod carrier who helped build the original Hollister Convalescent Hospital, died June 1 after a short illness. He was 88.
Mr. Maurer was born in Mountain View and came to San Benito 83 years ago. He was a member of Thousand Trails, Laborers-Hod Carriers Union of Salinas and I.D.E.S. He loved to go the dances at I.D.E.S. Lodge. He helped build the Fort Ord barracks and Northridge Shopping Center.
Mr. Maurer is survived by his children Charleen Huber of Hollister, Paul Maurer of Cloverdale, three grandchildren, one great granddaughter, nieces and nephews. Mr. Maurer was preceded in death by his wife, Neva Louise Maurer, in 1967.
Funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home with private burial following at Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions are preferred to the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.
Joseph Benjamine Reyes Sr.
Joseph Reyes of Fresno died June 1. He was 47.
Mr. Reyes is survived by his, children Joseph Reyes Jr. of Hollister, Yvette Reyes of Fresno, father Ruben Reyes of San Bernadino, mother Mary Lou Reyes of Madera, siblings Ruben Reyes Jr. of Madera, Frank Reyes of Hollister, Alfred Reyes of Hollister, Roberta Reyes of San Jose, Rachel Robinson of Hollister, Stella Gutierrez of Hollister, Mary Martinez of Hollister, Gloria Nunez of San Fernando.
Visitation is today from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Funeral Chapel in Madera. Services are Friday, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery.
Yvonne Sanchez
Yvonne Sanchez, a Hollister resident, died June 2. She was 60.
Mrs. Sanchez was born in Porterville, CA in 1940. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School in San Jose where she lived most of her life until her move to an apricot orchard in Hollister, where she built her own home nearly 20 years ago.
Mrs. Sanchez worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and held an engineering "A" license as well as a General Contractor’s. She was a licensed Real Estate Broker and she was a proud member of MENSA. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gambling and traveling. Her travels took her throughout the U.S. as well as Mexico to climb the pyramids, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Costa Rica and Paris.
Mrs. Sanchez is survived by her husband of 39 years Robert (Tiny) Sanchez of Hollister, children Nancy Sanchez-Smit of Salinas and Bobby Sanchez of San Jose, New York, Moscow, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., mother Oleta Guinn of Santa Cruz, two grandchildren, loyal companion "Shredder" as well as many loving friends and family members.
Funeral services will not be held at her request, rather a party will be held June 9 at 1 p.m. at the family ranch and all friends and relatives are invited.
Virginia "Ginger" and Elmer "Al" Berg
Memorial services were held on June 16 for Al and Ginger Berg, longtime residents of Hollister. Al died on January 23, 1991 at the age of 79, Ginger on June 14, 2001. She was 87.
They were born and married in Chicago and lived there until 1952, when they moved to California. They were preceded in death by their youngest granddaughter, Elizabeth, who died at age 8. Survivors are Bill Berg of Hollister, Zanne Mitchell of Santa Cruz and David Berg of San Jose, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
They were married 58 years.
Penny E. Fellows
Penny Fellows, a former Gilroy resident with children in Hollister, died June 17 in Phoenix. She was 60.
Mrs. Fellows was born in Bagley, Minnesota. She came to California from Oregon in 1970, settled in Gilroy and lived there for 12 years before moving to Phoenix in 1982. Mrs. Fellows was a waitress for Denny’s in Gilroy. She enjoyed bowling, dancing, doing crafts, and camping. She especially loved her time with her grandchildren, working crossword puzzles and Canasta.
Mrs. Fellows is survived by her children, Ken Fellows of Morgan Hill, Billy Fellows of Hollister, Teresa Terasaki of Hollister, four grandchildren, brothers Dennis Haugen of Washington, Kermit Haugen of Washington, Ray Haugen of Washington, Roger Haugen of Washington, Jerry Haugen of Montana, sisters Alice Sampson of Idaho, Barbara Bostrom of Arizona and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Cancer Society c/o the mortuary chapel.
Alma Volandri Roba
Alma Volandri Roba died June 13, 2001. "In her own time and in her own way," she wrote in her own obituary.
She was born in 1907 in San Francisco. She moved to Hollister in 1933 when she married Joe Robba, a local orchardist who was born in San Benito Country in 1906. He was preceded her in death in 1987.
She is survived by a son, Joseph Robba, a granddaughter, Loring Merrick Robba, and a daughter-in-law Claire Robba Giurlani, and many friends.
She arranged for cremation at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. There will be no service. Financial or food donations are preferred to the donor’s favorite charity or shelter.
