Ernestine Lavagnino Agnew
Ernestine Lavagnino Agnew passed away peacefully in her Fresno home on February 20, 2009 with her husband and family at her side. She was born on June 2, 1927 in San Juan Bautista to Ernest Lavagnino and Sarah Ahern. She graduated from Hollister High in 1945; she was a graduate of San Jose State in 1949 and received her teaching credential. She married Allen Agnew in 1950. They settled in San Luis Obispo where a large family was started until moving to Fresno in 1965.
Rudolph (Chino) Contreras
Rudolph "Chino" Contreras passed away at home peacefully surrounded by his family on Feb. 13, 2009 at the age of 80. Beloved father of Laurie Medina, Della (David) Filice and Rudy Contreras. Loving grandfather of Jennifer (David) Hebison, Nikki (Romero Aguilar) Medina, Erin Medina, Samantha & Stacy Filice, Joshua Batrez, Ruben, Allison & Anthony Contreras. Dearest great-grandfather of Austin & Amanda Hebison, Aiden James Aguilar, and Lucas Batrez. Dear Brother of Gilbert, Ruben, Joe, Ray, Hilda, Julia, Dolly, Olivia, Mary and the late Raoul. Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Linda Beth Dias
Passed away in San Jose at the age of 48. Daughter of Mariano Dias of Gilroy. Private memorial services to be held. Send condolences to www.grunnagle.com
Clara Mary Pianalto
Clara Mary Pianalto was born February 2, 1915 in Tontitown, AR. She was the oldest daughter of Peter and Mary Fiori, who were original immigrant settlers of that Italian community. Clara passed away February 15,2009. She was preceded in death in 1968 by her husband, Frank, and in 1972 by granddaughter Cheryl Pianalto. As a young married couple, they located in Gilroy in 1936. Clara was a homemaker and an employee of the Filice & Pirelli Cannery for over 30 years. In her later years, she enjoyed volunteer work at St. Mary Catholic Church, her home of worship.
Peter M. Russell
Peter Miles Russell passed away peacefully with his children by his side in San Jose, CA. He was 53 years old.
James H. Atherton
James H. Atherton, 58, died at home in Morgan Hill on January 6, 2009. His wife Colleen, and good friend Anno Hermanns were with him.
Roberta (Bobbie) Atkins Bolin
In Memory of Roberta "Bobbie" Atkins Bolin, born in Morgan Hill, CA in 1931. She attended local schools and graduated from Live Oak High School in 1949.
Jeffrey (Buck) Howard Shearer
Service- Glad Tidings Church, San Juan Bautista 2/21/09 @ 1:00 P.M.
Francesco Fortino
Francesco Fortino, age 84, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 12, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita for 47 years. They were married on July 22, 1961. He loved his two sons, Vince and Fausto both of Gilroy; devoted grandfather of Bianca Fortino of Gilroy, Michele Fortino of Hollister and Gianfranco Fortino of Gilroy; beloved brother of Albert Fortino of Palm Desert, Louie Fortino of Gilroy, Adele of Gilroy, Mary and Anna both of Italy and the late Giuseppe and Gene Fortino; dearest uncle of numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carol M. Macfarlane
Carol Macfarlane passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 11th at the age of 72 years with her family at her side. Carol and her loving husband, William "Bill" Macfarlane whom she married 52 years ago, settled in San Benito County in 1984 at the Ridgemark Golf & Country Club. Besides being a loving wife and devoted mother, Carol was a Banker for Bank Of America both in Gilroy and San Juan Bautista for a period of 14 years. She had been an active member of Immaculate Conception Church before her health prevented her from doing so. Besides her husband Bill, Carol is survived by her children and their spouses Michael and Stacey Macfarlane of Antioch, Thomas and Jill Macfarlane of Hollister, Joseph and Gina Macfarlane of Folsom, and James and Karen Macfarlane of San Jose; her grandchildren Lindsay, Courtney, Haley, James Buck, Cole, Jacob, Jessica, Rachel, and Ryan Macfarlane; her brother and sister-in-law Stanley and Patricia Shifflet of Baja, Mexico and many nieces and nephews.
