Signe T. Crawford
Signe T. Crawford, who moved to San Benito County from Colorado last year to be close to her son, died August 28. She was 98.
Mrs. Crawford was a Colorado schoolteacher and attended of Valley City Teachers� College in North Dakota, where she was born. She received her BA and MA from Adams State College, was a member of the Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and PEO Ladies.
Mrs. Crawford is survived by her son and his wife, Ronald and Lawnee Crawford of Hollister, siblings Ann Marie Wilson of Bayport, Minn., and John Saugstad of Kathryn, N.D., her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady H. Crawford.
Services will be in Colorado and donations are preferred to Athena Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star care of Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home.
Mark S. Garcia
Mark S. Garcia, a lifelong Hollister resident and local handyman, died August 24 at Hospice House after a 10-year illness. He was 44.
Mrs. Garcia is survived by wife Janelle I. Garcia of Hollister, children Cora Beth Lausten of Lompoc, Mark James Garcia of Hollister, Gia Marie Garcia of Hollister, mother Connie Garcia of Hollister, brothers Tony Garcia of Hollister and Mike Land of Modesto, nephew Adam Garcia and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be scheduled later. Contributions are preferred to hospice.
Paul Martinez Sr.
Paul Martinez Sr., an avid Raider fan and whose family brought him to Hollister at age 2, died suddenly August 27. He was 59.
Mr. Martinez was a supervisor for M.C. Electronics of San Benito County and was a proud owner of a 1972 Fort Pinto that still works. He also enjoyed fishing and being with his family.
Mr. Martinez is survived by his children Roberta Martinez of Gilroy, Paul Martinez Jr. of Hollister, Roxanne Martinez of Hollister and Richard Gonzalez of Hesperia, sisters Pat Flores, Pilar Carranza and Carmen Castillo, all of Hollister, 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous other relatives.
The funeral is pending. Call for arrangements at Grunagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home.
Margarite Paredes Sanchez
Margarite Parades Sanchez, who came to California in 1921 and settled in San Benito County 16 years ago, died August 25 at Hazel Hawkins Southside Convalescent Hospital. She was 87.
Mrs. Sanchez had worked in a sardine cannery in Oxnard, but spent most of her life as a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Edgardo C. Sanchez, sons Richard Castaneda and Rudy Reyes of Hollister and Ralph Reyes of Monterey, and three siblings. She also is survived by seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with graveside services at Calvary Cemetery.
Aurora C. Soria
Aurora C. Soria, an avid gardener born in Rangerville, Tex., died August 25 at home in Hollister. She was 69.
Mrs. Soria was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses and was a homemaker all of her life.
Mrs. Soria was preceded in death by her husband, Santiago L. Soria, and is survived by her children: Jose Luiz Ramirez of Fort Worth, Luz Soria, Juanita Soria, Florestela Soria-Flores, Graciela Soria Tapia, Hortencia Soria Renteria, Celia Soria and Santiago Soria Jr. all of Hollister, and Martin Soria of Salinas. She also is survived by siblings Pablo Camacho of Hollister, Ramona Camacho Garcia of Mexico, Concepcion Camacho of Mexico, 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was Tuesday at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home with interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Andrew Joseph Stagnaro
Andrew Joseph Stagnaro, a member of the Professional Rodeo of California Association, died August 25 after a long illness. He was 65.
Mr. Stagnaro, a lifelong Californian, had lived in San Benito County for nine years. He was a team roper and former member of the Native Sons. He owned and operated the Peanut Farm in Woodside for many years and was a member of the Frontier Boys.
Mr. Stagnaro is survived by his loving companion Linda Stubo of Hollister, children Wendy Von Haesler of Pollock Pines and Lisa Dean of Carmichael, mother Anita Stagnaro of South San Francisco and siblings Anthony Stagnaro, Joseph Stagnaro and Joann Bertolucci of the Bay Area, six grandchildren and many friends and relatives.
Future memorial services are pending and arrangements for cremation are through Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. Contributions are preferred to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
Hugh Hoover
Mr. Hugh Hoover, a resident of Hollister for the past 18 years, died Sunday, August 19 at the age of 80.
Mr. Hoover was born in Cleveland, N.C., and moved to Hollister from Lompoc. He was a WWII veteran and served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1959. He was with Martin-Marietta Co. at Vandenburg Air Force Base as a supervisor for 25 years.
Locally, Mr. Hoover was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Hollister and a 50-year member of the F&A.M. and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a 20-year member of the Elks Lodge and Past Exalted Ruler of the Hollister Lodge. He was also a Shriner and member of the Al Malika Temple in Los Angeles. He was also a past big SIR and member of the Hollister SIRS #131.
Mr. Hoover is survived by his wife, June K. Hoover of Hollister, daughter Joyce Mullen of Capitola, brother Harry Hoover of Danville Va., two granddaughters as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.
A memorial will be offered today at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 521 Monterey St., Hollister. Officiating will be Reverend Ardyss Golden and Reverend Richard Smith. A memorial service will also be offered by the Hollister Elks. Private inurnment will be Thursday morning at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella.
Arrangements for cremation and memorial services are under the direction of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Contributions are preferred to the United Methodist Church in Hollister.
Fitzroy Lessey
Fitzroy Lessey, a Hollister resident who moved to San Benito County from New Jersey two years ago, died August 17 at the age of 70.
Mr. Lessey was born in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies and attended Naparima College and John Donaldson Tech Institute, both in Trinidad. He was a member of the Sacred Heart and St. Benedicts Parishes. In Trinidad he worked as a taxi driver, served with the police and military forces, and was a refinery operator for Texaco. He came to the United States 25 years ago and worked as a Chemical Engineering Technician for Hoffman LaRoche Pharmaceutical Company in New Jersey for 23 years.
Mr Lessey played baseball for Hoffman LaRoche, was a long distance swimmer, played soccer and practiced aerobics in the water and on the beach in Trinidad. He also enjoyed singing in the Choir in Trinidad and at his Parish church in New Jersey and playing the piano. His family said he was an excellent cook, well read, was mechanical with his hands and loved to tell stories.
"His life was a continuing educational experience for him, he was constantly sharing his experience with others," said daughter Margaret Winfree of Hollister.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shelia Lessey. He is survived by his daughter Margaret "Hazel" Winfree, daughter Wendy-Ann Wattie, sons Lyndon Lessey and Christopher Ayers of New Jersey and Sheldon Lessey of New York, sisters Vilma Premdas and Rosalyn Boodh and brothers Ernest Ramdin and Avis Ramdin, five grandchildren as well as many other relatives living in Trinidad, New York and New Jersey.
The rosary will be this evening at 7 p.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Family and friends will leave the mortuary chapel on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. to go to St. Benedicts Church for a mass beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
William J. Pipestem
William J. Pipestem, a Hollister resident since 1963, died August 15, at the age of 78.
Mr. Pipestem was born in Oklahoma City, Okla. He had served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Locally, Mr. Pipestem volunteered his time daily to rescuing wildlife including songbirds, bobcats, and deer for the Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, named for his ex-wife. He was a retired machinist, having worked for various shops for over 40 years.
His mother Lina Hollingsworth, father Jerald Pipestem, and his son Jerry Pipestem preceded him in death. His cousin Betty Maynes of Salt Lake City, Utah, daughters Janice Hostetler of Tennessee, Dawn Dubrul of Hollister, Meredith Pipestem Zanella of Paicines, Nina Flynn of Hollister, son Brian Pipestem of Hollister, and five grandchildren, Laura and Meredith Grimes of Hollister, Carolyn Neiggemann of Paicines, and Ashley and Tonya Dubrul of Hollister survive Mr. Pipestem, as does his beloved cat Queenie.
Arrangements for cremation are under the direction of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory. Private family services will be held.
Contributions are preferred to the Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 2244, Hollister, Ca. 95024.
Barbara Jean Felice
Barbara Jean Felice, a former Hollister resident, died Saturday afternoon, August 11, 2001. She was 78.
Mrs. Felice was born in Santa Rosa. She lived in Hollister for 10 years and has also lived in Gilroy, Butte County, Sonoma and Fresno.
She served the U.S. Navy in World War II and also served at the Hollister Airfield. She worked with her husband in their advertising business, primarily hat and t-shirt printing.
Mrs. Felice is survived by her husband Louis A. Felice of Fresno, son Mark A. Felice of Fresno, grandsons Nicholas Felice and Robert Felice of Fresno, and granddaughter Rebecca Felice of Fresno. She was preceded in death by her daughter Carole Sue Felice, who died in 1986.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday in the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Interment was held at Calvary Cemetery. Contributions are preferred to the Hinds Hospice, 1416 West Twain, Fresno, Ca. 93711. Arrangements for cremation were under the direction of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Erminia Luna
Erminia Luna, a former resident of the Morgan Hill Area who was living in Avondale AZ, died on August 8, 2001 at the age of 79. She was a homemaker.
Visitation was held on Tuesday at Johnson Funeral Home. A vigil followed the visitation. A funeral mass was held on Wednesday at St. Catherine Church in Morgan Hill.
Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Morgan Hill. Arrangements were made by Johnson Funeral Home.
Violet L. Stray
Violet L. Stray, a Morgan Hill resident, died on August 12, 2001, at the age of 73. She was a waitress at the old Jack’s Steak House until her retirement.
A Memorial service was held on Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home. Arrangements were made under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
Dolly D. Strohn
Dolly D. Strohn, a Paicines resident, died on August 10, 2001. She was 76 years old.
Mrs. Strohn was born in Panoche Valley. She was married to James Strohn in 1947. She worked for Hazel Hawkins Hospital and Southside Convalescent Hospital for thirteen years before retiring. She was a homemaker all of her adult life.
Mrs. Strohn is survived by her husband James Strohn of Paicines, children Georgia Robinson of Hollister, Pete Strohn of Glide, OR, Janet Slibsager of Hollister, Gene Strohn of Hollister, Louie and Kenneth Rey of Stockton, aunt Lillian Arney of Coalinga, 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Todd Robinson.
Memorial services were held privately at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. A reception was held for friends and family at the home of Georgia Robinson, 547 Line Street, Hollister. Interment was held at the IOOF Cemetery.
Donations are preferred to Cystic Fibrosis, c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St. Hollister Ca. 95023.
Haruko Tanimoto
Haruko Tanimoto, a Morgan Hill resident, died on August 14, 2001 at the age of 87. She was a retired nurse’s aide.
Services will be held on Sunday, August 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
