Marcy G. Rivera
Marcy G. Rivera passed away in Hollister. She was born in Calexico, CA ,and lived in Hollister since 1962 coming here from Fresno. She worked at Casa de Fruta for over 40 years and liked going to the casinos, liked the outdoors and gardening. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alex, who died in 2001, and is survived by her children; Helen Sanchez of Pleasanton, Victoria Rivera of Gilroy, Jenny Rivera of Hollister, Richard Rivera of Carmel and Manuel Rivera of Hollister, her sisters; Pauline Velez of Kermin and Ruth Valdivia of Kermin and her 10 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons; Alex Rivera Jr. and Joseph Solis and her sisters and brothers that preceded her in death; Petra Castro, Dolores Marquez, Eugene Garcia, Paul Garcia, Tori Garcia, Cruz Garcia and Josie Reyes.
Edson Marker Pyle
Born in Berkeley in 1918, Edson Marker Pyle was raised during the depression in the Central Valley and in Long Beach. A survivor of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, he attended Long Beach City College and Fresno State. He served honorably in the Army Air Corps' 319th Bomb Squadron as a B-26 pilot during WWII, seeing action in the Mediterranean and North Africa. He wed Roberta Lee McAbee of San Juan in 1944. Upon returning from the war, he continued his military career with the California National Guard and settled in Hollister, where he and his wife raised their first two children. In 1956 they moved to San Jose where Mr. Pyle was an officer for the National Guard. He retired from FMC Corporation, having worked there for 20 years, never missing a day of work.
Robert A. (Sapo) Barraza
Robert A. "Sapo" Barraza passed away in Hollister at the age of 21. Arrangements are pending at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home.
Patricia Ann Perry
Pat went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family at home on Friday, October 12, 2007. Wife of Jack Perry of Morgan Hill. Daughter of Aline Richard of Maine and the late Alphee Richard. Mother of Jack Perry of San Jose and Danielle Miles of North Carolina. Grandmother of Jenna, Tessa and Ethan Miles of North Carolina. Sister of Michael, Joan, Connie, Diane, Michael, Larry and Stephen. A native of Biddeford, Maine.
Ronald William Deetz
Ronald William Deetz – Surrounded by numerous loved ones this beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on Saturday, October 13th, at the age of 62. Born into a large family on December 20th, 1944, in DeKalb County Indiana, Ron spent his youth on his family's farm. After earning a Bachelor's from Purdue University and an MBA from Golden Gate University, Ron pursued a richly rewarding career in semiconductor quality assurance for Signetics, Philips Semiconductors and NXP; a job which provided him the unique opportunity to travel the world. As a 27 year resident of Gilroy, CA, Ron, a charitable, dependable and spirited man, nurtured life-long relationships with many of his neighbors. In his spare time Ron enjoyed home-improvement projects, playing the piano, barbecuing, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the local Elk's lodge and would yearly trade his corporate tie for a grill-master's apron at the Garlic Festival. Ron is survived by his loving wife, Louise and mother, Alice; his children, Jeffrey, Angela, Brian and Joshua; his grandchildren, Kenneth, Michelle, and Ryan; his brothers and sisters, Donald, James, John, Jean and Judy.
August (Gus) J. DeSerpa
August (Gus) J. DeSerpa passed away Saturday morning in Hollister at the age of 91.
Helen Marie Goerke
Helen Marie Goerke passed away in Hollister last Thursday. She was born in Sterling, Kansas and is survived by her daughters; Janet Davis and Jeannie Fletcher, 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husband, Earl Victor Goerke and 2 sons, Robert & Richard. Future memorial services are planned.
Pamela Ann Ahlin
Pamela passed away suddenly at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital on Oct. 9th at the age of 57 years. Pam was a native of Hollister and lived here all her life. She was a graduate of San Benito High School and the Gavilan College Nursing Program. Pamela spent 20 years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse working at convalescent hospitals in San Benito County. "Besides being a very generous, caring, and loving person, Pamela had a great big heart", said her family. She enjoyed collecting Tinkerbell and Cow memorabilia (figurines and paintings); sewing, arts and crafts, and traveling to the Sierras. Pamela is survived by her husband Bob Ahlin; mother Alice Hyman; brothers; Robert Prater and Charles Hyma, spouse Danielle, all of Hollister, nieces; Sarah Prater Romay, spouse Robert of Sacramento, and Allison Prater of Napa; and great-nephew Robert Romay of Sacramento. She was predeceased by her father Kenneth Prater. Arrangements have been made for private cremation and inurnment at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory. Friends are invited to a memorial celebration of Pamela's life on Wednesday Oct. 17th at 1:00 P.M. at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to Mabie Skilled Nursing Center Southside,c/o the funeral home chapel.
Antonia (Toni) Burnham
Antonia A. Burnham, beloved mother and grandmother, dies of cancer at age 55 on October 10, 2007 at 9:55 A.M. Antonia, commonly known as "Toni", was born November 14, 1951. Although presented with many challenges throughout her young life, it's no secret that she had graced the earth and everyone in her presence. Her selfless generosity and compassion to help others lead her to a career in the Santa Clara County Social Services Dept. where she worked as an eligibility worker for 30 years. Her efforts made certain that clients were justly compensated with the Social Security and Workman's Compensation benefits they were entitled to, along with organizing fund raisers to assist families with emergency needs such as food, gas, and transportation. Her endless smiles and laughter were just the icing on the cake, as she brought joy into the lives of everyone she knew. Toni was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989, but her will to survive and fight proved her strength when she beat the odds and lived on for another 18 years. The merciless disease however, struck back in 2005, this time in her ovaries, eventually taking her from this world and all who loved and adored her. Toni is survived by her daughters; Christina and Gina, sons; Daniel and John,
Leo L. (Bob) Pera
Hollister native Bob Pera passed away at Mabie Skilled Nursing Center Southside on Wednesday, Oct. 10th at the age of 87 years. Bob attended local schools, served with the U.S. Army during WWII, and spent 30 years as a heavy equipment operator working for Robinson & Moretti Inc. of Gilroy. He loved the outdoors; fishing lakes, mountain streams and mostly at San Luis Reservoir. His survivors are his spouse Regina "Gina" Pera; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Marie Pera; granddaughter Robin Pera, all of Hollister; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Bob and Helayna Pera of Gridley; sister-in-law Rose Babcock of Georgia; two nephews and three nieces.
