Obituaries for May 11

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Hilda M. Dias, 88, of Hilo, died April 29 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a housewife, formerly employed by Hawaiian Telephone Co. and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Celebration of life at 10 a.m. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Burial at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by daughters, Sandra Gonzalez of Okemos, Mich., and Gayle (Morty) Carter of Hilo; sons, Clifford (Kathie) Dias of Portland, Ore., Craig (Maria) Dias of Spokane, Wash. and James (Kathy) Dias of Glenmont, N.Y.; sister, Marie Serrao of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Hilda M. Dias, 88, of Hilo, died April 29 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, she was a housewife, formerly employed by Hawaiian Telephone Co. and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Celebration of life at 10 a.m. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Burial at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by daughters, Sandra Gonzalez of Okemos, Mich., and Gayle (Morty) Carter of Hilo; sons, Clifford (Kathie) Dias of Portland, Ore., Craig (Maria) Dias of Spokane, Wash. and James (Kathy) Dias of Glenmont, N.Y.; sister, Marie Serrao of Honolulu; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Melania “Meling” Ramos Saplan, 85, of Naalehu died May 6 at Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines, she was a macadamia nut harvester for MacNut Farms and member of Naalehu Filipino Club and Iglesia Ni Cristo. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday at Kona Outdoor Circle, 76-6280 Kuakini Hwy. in Kailua-Kona. Wake service at 10 a.m. Graveside service and burial 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Naalehu County Cemetery. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by sons, Recto Saplan and Wilson (Nora) Saplan of Kailua-Kona, Danilo (Leslie) Saplan of Pahala, Dante Saplan of Naalehu; daughters, Shirley (Rick) Sorensen of Bremerton, Wash., and Lily (Davy) Tabbada of Kailua-Kona; brothers, Carlos Ramos of Naalehu, Rudy Ramos, Rogelio Ramos and Benjamin Ramos of the Philippines; sisters, Mely Ramos of Naalehu and Maria Rosales of the Philippines; sisters-in-law, Adelina Saplan and Natividad (Domingo) Lodivero of Naalehu; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Frances “Franco” Fumiko Uchima, 72, of Captain Cook died May 3 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, she was a retired secretary for Kona Community School for Adults, co-owner of the former Higashi Store and member of Hookena Kumiai, Kona Hongwanji, Parks and Recreation Senior Bowling League and Teachers Bowling League. Visitation 4-5 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Kona Hongwanji in Kealakekua. Memorial service at 5 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by husband, Frederick Uchima of Captain Cook; son, Barry (Lorna) Uchima of Aiea, Oahu; daughters, Renee (Michael) Nakamoto and Shelley (Claude) Mandagui of Kailua-Kona; brother, Gary (Irene) Higashi of Honaunau; sister, Gloria (Lance) Okamura of Honaunau; five grandsons; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Andrew “Andy” Eiji Watanabe, 64, of Hilo died May 4 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a department manager at Longs Drugs Stores, purchaser at Atebara Potato Chips, Hilo Candies and Kamaaina Distribution, owner/operator of Hilo Baskets and Balloons and member of New Hope Christian Fellowship-Hilo. Visitation 3-4 p.m. Wednesday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 4 p.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Private scattering of ashes at a later date. Survived by wife, Lee Watanabe of Hilo; daughters, Jodi Watanabe of Hilo and Tracie (Michael) Hamman of Tucson, Ariz.; one grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.