Ethel I. Chong, 94, of Hilo died Jan. 28 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center. Born in Honomu, she was a homemaker and member of Hilo Lions Club. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 12) at United Community Church. Memorial at 11 a.m. Graveside urn committal service 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Clayton E. Chong and Curtis E. Chong of Hilo; daughter, Elisa Lei Chong of Kailua, Oahu; hanai son, Ralph Toyofuku of Kaneohe, Oahu; five grandchildren and a great-grandchild; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Fernando “Bobby” Escobar Gomez Jr., 85, of Hilo died Jan. 21 in the Adult Foster Family Care Home in Hilo. Born in Darapidap, Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, he was a retired automobile mechanic for the former Hilo Motors and the former Keaau Agribusiness Co., U.S. Navy veteran, former unit chairman and Big Island trustee of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and ILWU Bowling League. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Urn burial noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Genoveva “Genny” Gomez of Hilo; daughter, Debra (Dr. Garrett) Ota of Hilo; sons, Matthew (Dr. Lara) Gomez of Hilo and Thomas (Jeannine) Gomez of Hilo; brother, Robert Gomez of the Philippines; sisters, Lydia (Rudy) Quincena of West Covina, Calif., Feliza Aganad of Chicago and Mary Lou (Manolo) Valdez of Colorado; sisters-in-law, Natividad Pinzon of Hilo, Francisca Pajarillo of Honolulu and Georgeanna Macanas of Pepeekeo; brothers-in-law, Juan Macanas of Pepeekeo and Edmando (Mavis) Mangibin of Hilo; caregiver, Maria Cariaga of Hilo; eight grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Brian John Nuechterlein, 69, of Kailua-Kona died Jan. 16 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Chicago, he was a retired electronics technician for the former TRW Aerospace Co. and U.S. Marine Corps and Navy veteran. Inurnment with military honors 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by wife, Janet Nuechterlein of Kailua-Kona; daughters, Shauna (Bully) Fergerstrom of Waimea and Cheree (Junr Fabro) Nuechterlein of Kailua-Kona; mother-in-law, Fujie Yoshizawa of Keaau; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Nancy) Yoshizawa of Torrance, Calif., Glenn (Jo-Ann) Yoshizawa of Kailua-Kona and Alvin Yoshizawa of Keaau; sister-in-law, Lynette Kusano of Oahu; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Guy Hiwa Piltz, 81, of Waimea died Jan. 20 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was an Episcopal priest and member of St. James Episcopal Church. Communion service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea. Casual attire; no flowers. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to North Hawaii Hospice. Survived by wife, Josephine Piltz of Waimea; daughters, Linda Piltz O’Brien of Wahiawa, Oahu, Kristin Piltz of Waimea and Jennifer (Jeff Ramos) Piltz of Waialua, Oahu; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a niece. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.