Priscilla Haunani Bertelmann, 72, of Waimea died Sept. 6 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Kohala, she was a retired housekeeper for the Hilton Waikoloa Village and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation 9-10:45 a.m. Friday (Sept. 14) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waimea. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Waimea Mormon Cemetery. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by brothers, Sidney Spencer of Sacramento, Calif., and Edgar (Lita) Spencer of Waimea; sister, Carol (Al) Davis of Waikoloa; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Gordon Tamio Kurokawa, 85, of Hilo died Sept. 7. Born in Paukaa, he was retired from the county Real Property Tax Division, owner of GK Appraisals Inc., He was a member of the Papaikou Hongwanji Mission and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Thelma Kurokawa of Hilo; sons, Gary Kurokawa of Honolulu and Kevin (Wendy Miyao) Kurokawa Hilo; brother, Ronald (Etsuko) Kurokawa of Hilo; sister, Elsie (Richard) Asakura of Kona; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
William “Toby” Earny Lawson, 68, of Waikoloa died Aug. 25 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Mississippi, he was a supporter of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and proponent of peace and liberty amongst all people and cultures. Survived by sons, Chad Lawson of Hilo and Elijah Lawson of Keaau; daughter, Kanoelani Lawson of Keaau; brother, Walter Carl Lawson Jr of Louisiana; sister, Sandra Carlene Lawson DeWitt of Louisiana; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Patricia Dunagan Matsen, 73, of Kailua-Kona died Sept. 5 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Dodge City, Kan., she was an adult educator and member of United Methodist Church. Memorial services at a later date. Survived by husband, Luther Matsen of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Jerusha (Wesley) Neal of Durham, N.C. and Amy Joy Matsen of Kailua-Kona; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Derick Tokjen, 24, of Ocean View died Aug. 26 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Majuro, Marshall Islands, he was a tree trimmer and a member of the Protestant Church in Ocean View. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Friday (Sept. 14) at Jonithen Jackson’s home in Ocean View. Wake Service 6 p.m. All-night vigil to follow. Visitation again 8-10 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 15) at the Jackson home. Service at 10 a.m. Burial 4 p.m. at Naalehu Community Cemetery. Survived by hanai parents, Beauty and Darren Laji of Ocean View; hanai brothers, Brucy Laji, Kilion Laji and Akino Laji of Ocean View; hanai sisters, Talina Lafi, Shelma Lafi and Tracy Laji of Ocean View; hanai grandfather, Brucy Kilion of Ocean View; mother, Lynn Henry of Pocahontas, Ark.; father, Clanton Tokjen of Seattle; brothers, Kijjo Henry of Marshall Islands, Billy Ibarra and Rodrigo Ibarra Arkansas; sisters, Nicole Thatcher of Georgia and Theresa Basaya of Arkansas; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
The Rev. Susumu “Sus” Yamane, 90, of Honolulu, formerly of Hilo, died July 9 in Honolulu. He was pastor emeritus of Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo, having served as its pastor from 1971 to his retirement in 1994. During his tenure, he helped establish ministries for the University of Hawaii at Hilo Hospice of Hilo (now Hawaii Care Choices) and Habitat for Humanity. He also served as interim pastor for the Hoolokahi congregation in Kona and served in Ogden, Utah, Koloa Union Church on Kauai and Ewa Community Church on Oahu. Service of remembrance 10 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 15) at Church of the Holy Cross, 440 W. Lanikaula St., Hilo. No koden. Memorial donations to Hawaii Care Choices, 1011 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720 or Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, 863 Iolani St., Hilo, HI 96720. Survived by wife, Miyeko; children, Naomi (Dan) Giovanni, Deborah (Ross) Watabayashi and Jon (Joy) Yamane; brother Noboru (Betsy) Yamane; three grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
