Lily Marina Asuncion, 73, of Hilo died Jan. 7 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, she was a retired caregiver. Visitation 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Mililani Memorial Park Makai Chapel in Waipio, Oahu. Wake service at 6:30 p.m. Graveside committal service and burial 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Rene Asuncion of Hilo; daughters, Shirl (Tracey) Veincent and Maelissa (Rodney) Kawaiaea of Hilo; son, Glenn (Misty) Asuncion of Kahului, Maui; brother, Florencio (Cresencia) Domingcil of Santa Maria, Calif.; sisters, Juana Antonio of Keaau, Maxima (Chris) Mendez of Nanakuli, Oahu, and Avelina (AJ) Ortiz of Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary and Mililani Memorial Park &Mortuary.
Michael Ralph Ben, 70, of Hilo died Jan. 5 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Waipahu, Oahu, he was a retired Hawaii County human resources director, certified as a senior professional in human resources by the Society for Human Resource Management, past SHRM council director and past president of the Hawaii Chapter, part-time arbitrator for Hawaii Labor Relations Board, founding board member of Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture, past race director for Big Island Interscholastic Federation canoe paddling program, official for the Moku O Hawaii Paddling Association and creator of Hawaii Island Outrigger Paddling Facebook account. Visitation 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 25) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 5 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Betty Ben of Hilo; brothers, Gerald (Renee Fukumoto-Ben) Ben of Kailua-Kona and Robert (Cynthia) Ben of Oahu; sister, Cheryl (Charles Brady) Ben-Brady of Kauai; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Donnie “Don” Dean Bennett, 85, of Pahoa died Jan. 4 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Alva, Okla., He was a U.S. Marine Corps corporal during the Korean War, chapter commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart, former commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830 and volunteer driver for veterans. Celebration of life 1 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 23) at VFW Post 3830 in Nanawale Estates. Graveside urn committal service noon Friday (Jan. 24) at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by significant other, Flora Schlenk; daughters, Sandra Baldino (Harry) Lanehart of Pennsylvania and Marylyn Bennett of California; stepdaughter, Vivian Fithian of Pasadena, Calif.; brother, Wes (Georgette) Manuel of Louisiana; a grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Bonnie L. Castillo, 85, of Honokaa, died Jan. 11 at home. She was born in Sudan, Texas, and specialized in custom safaris to Africa. Private services held. Condolences to: Leslie Whited, P.O. Box 974, Mt. View, HI 96771. Survived husband, Edwin Castillo of Honokaa; daughter, Leslie Whited of Mountain View; stepdaughter, Cass (Michael) Ho of Midway, Utah; stepson, Christopher Castillo of San Diego; daughter-in-law, Diane Bowers of Albuquerque, N.M.; a grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Serena Nakia Meyer, 58, of Honokaa died Jan. 6 in Honolulu. Born in Honokaa and raised in Paauhau, she was a business owner. Visitation 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa. Mass at 11 a.m. Survived by son, Kaleo Bidad; father, Henry Meyer Jr.; sisters, Janice (Orson) Wilcox and Kathy (Kimo) Stone; brother, Gordon (Leonette) Meyer; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Keiichi Urushiyama, 70, of Keaau died Jan. 10 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Japan, he was a termite inspector for Veterans Termites and Terminix. Private services held. Survived by wife, Cynthia H. Urushiyama of Keaau; son, John D.K. Urushiyama of Hilo; daughter, Lisa R. Kepo‘o of Hilo; five grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.