Obituaries

Lowell passed away at the age of 85 in Morgan Hill, CA, in the presence of his four children; Charlene Alias, Wade Howell, Terry Howell and Charlotte Brenner. He is also survived by his wife, Dorine Howell, of 61 years, 8 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren in California and 3 nephews in Texas. He is a native of Kansas and moved to Morgan Hill, CA, in 1962. He and his wife moved to Aromas in 1968 and returned to Morgan Hill in 2000 to live with their daughter in Hacienda Mobile Home Estates.

Larry Contreras, 58, passed away peacefully on Aug. 16th in Hollister after a brief illness. Larry was a devoted husband to Eva, his wife and partner of 30 years, and a caring dad to John Duran. Larry is also missed by his dog Deebs and his cat Jimmy. He was a employee of IBM for 27 years at the time of his passing. Larry and his wife Eva bought their dream home in Hollister in 1999 and Larry loved his new community. As a talented artist, he painted many beautiful images of his new community, including the Mission San Juan Bautista. Larry joined the San Benito County Art League, and served as their treasurer during his tenure. A faithful San Francisco Forty Niners fan, Larry loved to watch the games on TV. He was also an avid reader and was reading the latest Harry Potter book at his passing. He was a passionate and opinionated man and had strong feelings about the direction that the leadership of our country was taking. Larry was opposed to the war in Iraq. Larry is survived by his twin sister Jeanne and her husband Mark Juarez, niece and nephew; Julie and Mark Jr., brother Ron, and father Charles. Larry is also loved by his extended family, Jose and Juanita Guevara, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, his brother-in-laws; Louie, Alfonso and Jorge, his sister-in-laws; Juana and Erika, his nephews and nieces; Poncho, Adam, Alejandra, Veronica, Tristan, Nathaniel, and Dominique. (nephew Louie Jr. predeceased him).

Gloria Rose Bozzo Filice, affectionately known as Zsa Zsa, passed away peacefully at her home August 20, 2007. She is survived by her children Patti Littlejohn and her husband Everett of Gilroy, John G. Filice and his wife Kim of Gilroy, and Toni Rinde and her husband Knute of Hollister, grandchildren; Kristann and Mark Mangano, Michelyn and Frank Delgado, Tiffany and Richard Helmly, and Wendy Rinde Solorio, 12 great- grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Carmen F. Filice, brothers; Vince and Junior Bozzo, sister Florence Rizzi, and

Samuel Steven Weiss, son of Steve and Kristin Weiss of Gilroy, died soon after birth of anencephaly on Wednesday, August 15, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. Besides his parents, Samuel is survived by his two year old sister, Hannah Grace Weiss; grandparents Phil and Roberta Anderson of Gilroy, and Leonard and Carol Weiss of San Jose; Great Grandmother Betty Dexter of Gilroy; Uncle Randy and Aunt Jennifer Anderson of Gilroy, and Aunt Amy Weiss of Berkeley; cousin Ethan Anderson of Gilroy. A private graveside memorial for the family will be held at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park in Gilroy. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the building fund of Grace Bible Church 634 Monterey Street, Hollister, CA 95023.

Aliza Eden Medina, daughter of Luis Medina and Bionca Espinosa has passed away. She was loved by many and will always be remembered...She will be missed by those closest to her, grandma Terasa and Jenny, grandpas, Luis and Ray and Papa Jim, brother and sister, Josiah and Keira, aunties, Mari, Shannon, Rosa, Lili, Cristal, uncles Jesse and James and Giovan, lil' cousins, Damian, Skyler and Austin.

Josephine Ocampo passed away in Salinas. She is the wife of Jose Ocampo of Hollister. The Rosary will be on Wed. Aug. 22, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. The Mass will be on Thurs. at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow the Mass at the IOOF Cemetery.

Beatrice (Tootsie) Dubois passed away August 15, 2007. A viewing will take place 9 am this morning at Habing Family Funeral Home, thence to St. Mary Catholic Church for a 10 am Mass. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Opal Marie Felice passed away at Mabie Skilled Nursing Center Sunday at the age of 89 years. She was the spouse of the late Anthony P., Felice. Arrangements are pending. A full obituary will appear in wednesdays newspaper.

Passed away in Salinas at the age of 31. Husband of Francisca Vargas of Hollister. Vigil services will be on Tues. Aug. 21, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Mass and interment will be in Pueblo Nuevo, GTO, Mexico.

Jess Mejia passed away at his Gilroy residence August 17th at the age of 59 yrs. A native of Hollister, Jess spent much of his life between San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. A graduate of Hollister High School and prior to his graduation from San Jose City College with his AA Degree, Jess served three tours of duty with the U. S. Marines in Vietnam. A former employee at the Ford Plant in Milpitas until it closed, Jess transferred to Cal Trans and retired due to health reasons June 30th of this year. Jess was a dedicated Raider fan and overall sports enthusiast. He loved his trips to Lake Tahoe. "Family, friends, and his back yard gatherings meant a great deal to him. He was a warm, loving and a genuinely caring person", said his wife Carol. Besides his spouse Carol, survivors are his children Jay Mejia (Birgit); Gabi Mejia; Henry Gracia (Rita); Melanie McIntyre (Erik); Benjamin Navarro ( Serena) and George Navarro (Claudia). Eleven grandchildren, his uncle, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and treasured friends survive. He was predeceased by his grandparents, his mother, his aunt and uncles, and Cecilia Gracia.