Esther Blanche Delaries, 91, of Keauhou died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a preschool teacher at Mokuaikaua Congregational Church, member of its congregation and Women’s Fellowship and cashier at Oshima Drug Store. Private services held. Survived by daughters, Annette (Clifford) Madawi of Keauhou, Marlene Stockwell of Madera, Calif., and Anita (Bill Warden) Delaries of Johns Creek, Ga.; sons, Harvey (Sue) Delaries and Vernen (Mollie) Delaries of Keauhou, Warren (Lucy) Delaries of Kealakehe; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Delaries, Magdalena Pucong and Agnes Kihara of Kona, Donisia Drummond, Pua Delaries and Della Tapiro of Hilo; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ralph Samuel Gens, 94, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 3. Born in Berlin, Germany, he was a chief engineer for Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Ore., and U.S. Army World War II veteran. Private services. Memorial donations to Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center at http://kohalacenter.org/kbec. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by son, David (Cynthia) Gens of Portland; daughter, Marilyn-Renee Gens Johnson of Kailua-Kona; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Maralyn “Marni” Dyer Herkes, 85, of Waikoloa died Nov. 21 at a private care home. Born in Spokane, Wash., she was executive director of Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, president of Kona Outdoor Circle; statewide director of Main Street Program, participant of Kona Community Development Plan, volunteer member of the Saddle Road Task Force, volunteer at Kohala Center, member of the League of Women Voters, West Hawaii Fisheries Council, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, Five Mountains Hawaii and Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, served on Hawaii County Charter Commission, helped found Visitors Aloha Society of Hawaii, managed Hilo Hattie’s store and Jewel Palace and worked at Honolulu Academy of Arts and Lyman Museum. Celebration of life 3-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Big Game Fishing Clubhouse at Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Robert (Lynn) Herkes of Ecuador, Ken Herkes of Florida and Doug (Ann Cobb) Herkes of Waikoloa; a granddaughter; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Jerry “J.O.” Anthony Oliveira, 77, of Hilo died Dec. 19 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pepeekeo, he was a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, mechanic for the former Hilo Motors and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Anuenue Athletic Baseball and Basketball Club, Hui Na Kolohe baseball team and Hilo Post Office baseball and basketball teams. Visitation 8-9:15 a.m. Monday (Jan. 14) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Section 7. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Mary Jean “Jeanne” Oliveira of Hilo; sons, Paul Oliveira and Shane (Terrie) Oliveira Sr. of Hilo; hanai daughter, Melissa Waugh of Hilo; siblings, Betty Lou Van Sickle and Kenneth (Dorothy) Oliveira of Hilo, Rose Marie (Don) Hostedler of Wyoming; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
John Steven Piert, 68, of Captain Cook died Dec. 11 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Pasco, Wash., he was a landscape architectural designer, coffee farmer, wood worker and University of Idaho graduate. Visitation 1:30-2 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 78-6955 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa. Memorial service at 2 p.m. Survived by wife, Dee K. Piert of Captain Cook; sisters, Sandra (Bryon) Fitch of Washington and Sharon (Duane) Fitch of Idaho; nieces, nephews, cousins and an aunt. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Norman Sachio Yamamoto, 74, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 2 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hamakua, he was an electrical engineer, produce clerk at ChoiceMART and fisherman. Visitation 10:30-11 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 12) at Regency at Hualalai in Kailua-Kona. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Survived by sons, Shawn (Dorothy) Yamamoto of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Keith Yamamoto of California; brother, Howard (Ginger) Yamamoto of Oregon; sister, Delna (Russell) Komo of Kailua-Kona; two grandsons. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Kiyoshi Myron Yanagihara, 100, of Kailua, Oahu, died Sept. 12 in Kailua. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the family business, Nick’s Garage, an amateur ballroom dancer, golfer and bowler. Private services and inurnment held in Hilo. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by daughter, Joan Yanagihara; son-in-law, Donald Mair; brother, Alvin N. Yanagihara; sisters-in-law, Kinuko “Kay” Yanagihara and Sachiko Yanagihara. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.