Week of February 7, 2002
Kimberly Rebecca Ames
Kimberly Rebecca Ames, who lived in Morgan Hill for more than 40 years, died Feb. 2 in Morgan Hill. She was 49.
Ms. Ames graduated from Live Oak High School and received an A.A. degree from Lassen Junior College in Susanville. She worked with emotionally disturbed children and was a counselor for battered women. She also taught English to Indian children.
Her friends and family said they will remember her for her good heart, infectious laugh and vivacious personality.
Services are Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill.
Wesley Linn Capps
Wesley Linn Capps, a longtime resident of Morgan Hill who owned the veritable SnoWhite Drive-In, died peacefully at home Jan. 17, 2002. He was 70.
Mr. Capps was born in Marysville, Kan., on Nov. 15, 1931 and attended TCU in Texas. He moved to San Jose in 1954, to San Martin in 1961, then to Morgan Hill in 1970. Mr. Capps worked for Certain Teed as a foreman for 25 years, maintained his vineyard and was a Cub Scout Leader for Troop 799 in San Martin.
In addition to owning SnoWhite, Mr. Capps owned Wes Glass Co. and was self-employed in construction. After retiring he worked part-time for Frank's Plumbing.
Mr. Capps is survived by his wife, Pam Capps of Morgan Hill, his children and their spouses, Dan and Kim Capps of Morgan Hill, Allen Capps of Reno, Steve and Brenda Capps of Indiana, Dana Hockett of Lodi, mother Daisy Meriweather Capps of Nebraska, father Wilton Capps of Seattle, siblings Lee Capps of Bend, Ore., Dale Capps of Darlington, Penn., Ron Capps of Red Bluff, Ron and Beth Schilling of Tacoma, Wash., Kathy Haven of Sedgwick, Kan., Peni Swedilius of Sheridan, N.Y., and Lynn Jent of Woodland, Wash., and two grandchildren.
There will be no services, but arrangements are under Johnson Funeral Home in Morgan Hill. The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 1715 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 100, San Jose, 95008-0607.
Romona Aliph Fernandes
Romona Aliph Fernandes died in Hollister on Jan. 31, 2002. She was 84.
She was born in Great Bend, Penn. She had been a resident of Hollister and San Benito County for many years and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She had served her country honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII. She and her husband, Robert, were married in Oakland in 1945.
Mrs. Fernandes is survived by her husband, Robert Fernandes of Hollister and her children and their spouses, Kathleen and Richard Gillespie of Fallon, Nev., and Bob and Jennifer Fernandes of Hollister and six grandchildren.
A wake was held on Monday. A mass was celebrated at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Interment and military rites were held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella.
Donations are preferred to Hospice, American Cancer Society or The American Heart Association.
Thomas B. Galdos
Thomas B Galdos died on Feb. 1, 2002 at his residence. He was 77 years old.
Mr. Galdos was born in Amador and came to San Benito County 75 years ago. He attended San Benito High School and with other students entered the Navy at graduation. The school presented their diplomas to parents in special graduation ceremony. He served on USS Stephen Potter, a destroyer, for four years in the Pacific during WWII. He was a 50-year member of V.F.W. Post 9242 of Hollister, a longtime member of Hollister Lodge #1436 BPOE, a member of SIRS at the airport; Bolado Park Golf Club for 35 years and he belonged to Bolado Men's Group.
Mr. Galdos also played fast-pitch softball for Holex in a league in the Central Valley. He also bowled, was also an avid 49-er and Giants fan and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years.
Mr. Galdos was an employee for Holex and its successors for 30. He retired as an estimator.
Mr. Galdos is survived by, his wife Bernice D. Galdos of Hollister, children and their spouses, Linda D. and Joe Freitas of San Juan Bautista, Thomas B. and Lisa Galdos of Hollister, Karin and Ron Yuste of Hollister, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings, Marie Vallejo, Louise Branum, Helen Garcia, Laura Baughman, Juanita Marcuz and Carmen Vieira all of Hollister. He is also survived by brother-in-laws, Dick Vieira and Donald Marcus of Hollister and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation ceremony was held at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home on Tuesday. The Hollister Elks Lodge held its Ritual for Funeral Services at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the mortuary chapel, which was followed by a Rosary Service at 7:15 p.m. A mass was held at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday and Interment was followed at Calvary Cemetery with military rites provided by Hollister Post 9242 V.F.W.
Donations are preferred to American Lung/Fibrosis Association or to the Heartland Hospice and Home Health Care of Monterey c/o the mortuary chapel.
Israel Martinez Gonzalez
Israel Gonzalez Martinez, the infant son of Luis Martinez and Isidra Gonzalez of Hollister, died Feb. 5. He was 3 months old.
Israel is survived by his grandparents, Francisco Hernandez of Mexico, Pedo Martinez and Maria Alvarez of Mexico and sister Adriana Martinez of Mexico.
A rosary will be Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at the IOOF Cemetery with Rev. Miguel Grajeda officiating.
Frank L. Mondo (Originally posted January 31, 2002)
Frank L. Mondo died in Hollister on Jan. 25, 2002. He was 86.
Mr. Mondo was born in Salinas. He and his wife Erma were married in 1946 in Castroville. He had worked for Gavilan College prior to his retirement and served in the US Army during WWII and the National Guard.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, and Knights of Columbus San Benito Council #1792, where he was a 4th Degree member. He was involved in his community through his affiliation with Sons in Retirement (SIRS) Italian Catholic Federations, Elks Lodge #1436, Boy Scouts of America and Scarpum Cementum.
Mr. Mondo is survived by his wife, Erma Mondo of Hollister, his children and their spouses, Larry and Caroline Mondo of Prunedale and Carolyn and Ed Loeser of Hollister, his brother and sister-in-law Chet and Margaret Mondo of Fresno, two grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday at Sacred Heart Church. The fourth Degree Knights of Columbus participated and Rev. Michael Miller was the celebrant.
Entombment services will be private at Calvary Cemetery with Elks Lodge #1436 officiating with the priest. Donations are preferred to Sacred Heart School, c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St., Hollister, Ca., 95023.
Week of January 31, 2002
Fernanda Mendez Avila
Fernanda Mendez Avila died in Hollister on January 27, 2002. She was 92.
Mrs. Avila was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and came to San Benito County in 1971. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Jovenes De Antano, where she enjoyed going on Mondays and Wednesdays. She was an accomplished seamstress who made clothes and quilts. Music was a pleasant past time for her.
She was a homemaker more than 80 years; she started taking care of family in the mountains of Mexico where she lived as a young girl. The last 25 years of her life were spent with her son and daughter-in-law, Manuel and Elba Avila.
Mrs. Avila is survived by her sons and their spouses; Manuel and Elba Avila of Hollister, Leonardo and Martha Avila of Gustine, Pedro and Esperanza Avila of Long Beach, and Francisco and Anastasia Avila, sister Magdalena Herrera of Mexico, 24 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herculano Avila, in 1968.
Visitation will be held at the Grunnagle-Ament Nelson Funeral Home on today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Recitation of the rosary will be this evening at 7 p.m. Family and friends will eave the mortuary chapel on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. to go to Sacred Heart Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Elvira Burnson
Elvira Burnson, an early pioneer for the English as a Second Language Program, died in Santa Cruz on Jan. 7, 2002.
Mrs. Burnson was devoted to her church, family and community. She was a dedicated schoolteacher for more than 45 years and founded the ESL Program in the South County. She was active in the Gilroy program at the time of her death.
She is survived by her daughter, Paula Burnson of Santa Cruz, sisters Josefa Rodriguez of San Jose, Delia Rodriguez of San Jose, Lidia Rodriguez of Mountain View. She is also survived by several generations of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Gilroy. A reception will follow at Coyote Grange Hall, Monterey Highway just north of Morgan Hill. Committal Services will be on Monday at 10 a.m. at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy. Services are being directed by Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy.
The family prefers donations to the Elvira Burnson Memorial Fund, Migrant Workers Educational Program, c/o United Methodist Church, 7600 Church St., Gilroy, Ca., 95020.
Frank S. Carbonel
Frank S. Carbonel, who was born in the Philippines, died Jan. 26 in Morgan Hill. He was 97.
Mrs. Carbonel moved to Hollister 76 years ago and worked for many years in the seed business. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Hollister and St. Catherine's in Morgan Hill, as well as the Legionaros del Trabajo of America. He moved to Morgan Hill three years ago because of his failing health.
He was preceded in death in 1991 by his wife Marina Carbonel. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Teresa and Rudy Cayabyab of Morgan Hill, Frances and Ernie Marlan of Alameda, Frank Jr. and Lelia Carbonel of Pittsburgh, and eight grandchildren.
A rosary and vigil is Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Black Cooper Sander in Hollister. The funeral is Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m., proceeding from funeral home to Sacred Heart for an 11 a.m. Mass. Interment follows at the IOOF Cemetery. Donations are preferred to The National Brain Tumor Foundation or the American Heart Association.
Loretta M. Hodges
Loretta M. Hodges, who was born in Hollister, died Jan. 12 in Mesa, Ariz. She was 76.
Mrs. Hodges, a homemaker, was born in Hollister Sept. 7, 1925. Her husband preceded her in death in 1991.
She is survived by her children Loretta Felix, Donald, John and Jeffrey Hodges, sisters Edna Graves and Laurel Emerson, brothers Robert and Fermin Graves, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The service was Jan. 17 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mesa. Memorials are preferred to the Arizona Kidney Foundation, 4203 E. Indian School, Suite 140, Phoenix, Ariz., 85018.
James D. Johnson
James D. Johnson died at his home in Hollister on Jan. 18, 2002. He was 70.
Mr. Johnson was born in Duluth, Minn. He had lived in San Benito County for about 20 years and had worked for Control Data in the 1960's as a computer engineer. He left to start Computer Communications Inc. in Southern California. He served as vice president and held the patent for their primary product that dealt with computer terminals. He also served on the board of seven different electronic companies.
His hobbies were photography, gourmet cooking and opera. He was also an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Hollister.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his children Jennifer Johnson of Seattle, Wash., and Jeffrey Johnson of Japan.
Arrangements and cremation are through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory. Private family inurnment will take place in Minnesota, where he was born.
Marjorie Mansmith
Marjorie Mansmith died in Hollister on Jan. 25, 2002. She was 91
She was born in Ransom, Ill. She had been a resident of San Juan Bautista since 1955 moving here from Minnesota. She was a member of Mission San Juan Bautista.
Mrs. Mansmith is survived by her children and their spouses: Judith Ann Hendricks of Janesville, Minn., Gene and Laura Lee Mansmith of McClearly, Wash., and Hon and Juanita Mansmith of San Juan Bautista. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death in 1998 by her husband James Mansmith, sister Beulah Brown and her brother Wesley Thomson and her grandson Patrick Mansmith.
Private cremation services are being arranged through Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Crematory.
Donations are preferred to Hazel Hawkins Hospitals Foundation of San Juan Library Auxiliary c/o Black Copper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St., Hollister, Ca. 95023.
Frank L. Mondo (Corrected)
Frank L. Mondo died in Hollister on Jan. 25, 2002. He was 86.
Mr. Mondo was born in Salinas. He and his wife Erma were married in 1946 in Castroville. He had worked for Gavilan College prior to his retirement and served in the US Army during WWII and the National Guard.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, and Knights of Columbus San Benito Council #1792, where he was a 4th Degree member. He was involved in his community through his affiliation with Sons in Retirement (SIRS) Italian Catholic Federations, Elks Lodge #1436, Boy Scouts of America and Scarpum Cementum.
Mr. Mondo is survived by his wife, Erma Mondo of Hollister, his children and their spouses, Larry and Caroline Mondo of Prunedale and Carolyn and Ed Loeser of Hollister, his brother and sister-in-law Chet and Margaret Mondo of Fresno, two grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday at Sacred Heart Church. The fourth Degree Knights of Columbus participated and Rev. Michael Miller was the celebrant.
Entombment services will be private at Calvary Cemetery with Elks Lodge #1436 officiating with the priest. Donations are preferred to Sacred Heart School, c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St., Hollister, Ca., 95023.
Marilynn Mullen
Marilynn A. Mullen, a bookkeeper for Fortino's, died at her home in Hollister on Jan. 24, 2002. She was 67.
Mrs. Mullen was born in Chicago and came to San Benito County in 1969 from Fairfield. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, as well as working on her garden. She worked as a bookkeeper for Fortino's and Fortino's Total Home for 22 years.
She was preceded in death by husband Raymond Francis Mullen, who died April 1999.
Mrs. Mullen is survived by her daughters and their spouses: Sharon and Donnie Cabral of Hollister and Karen Mullen and Steve Anderson of San Leandro, seven grandchildren, siblings Ken Meyers of Mission Veijo and Marge Hassler of Elmhurst, Ill, Aunt Marg Oliver of Illinois, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been made for cremation at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home and Crematory. A mass was held Saturday at Sacred Heart Church and was followed by Inurnment at St. Benedicts Church Columbarium. Donations are preferred to the Cancer Society c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home.
Gladyce Nishita
Gladyce N. Nishita, a former resident of San Juan Bautista, died in San Jose at the Plum Tree Care Center on Jan. 19, 2002. She was 84.
Mrs. Nishita was born in Stockton and raised in Parlier. After graduating high school, she married her husband George and moved to San Juan Bautista in 1938.
She was a member of the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, J.A.C.L of San Juan Bautista, San Benito County Howa Kai and the San Jose Yu Ai Kai. She worked for 25 years as a bookkeeper for Frank Gould and then the King and Domingues accounting firms.
Mrs. Nishita is survived by her son and his wife, George and Linda Nishita of San Jose, grandchildren, Jeff and Kimi Nishita of San Jose, siblings and spouses Glenn and Ritsuko Kawaka of San Juan Bautista, Frank and Betty Nishita of San Juan Bautista, John and Mabel Kadotani of Santa Cruz. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband George Nashita, who had been in the farming business in San Juan.
The funeral was Wednesday at the Grunnagle Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. Interment and graveside services followed at the San Juan District Cemetery.
