Archived Obituaries

Claire Buletti Macfarlane was born in Gilroy, Ca to the late Ansel and Bernice Buletti. She died at home at the age of 65 after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, David Macfarlane; survived by her sons Ian Macfarlane (Gilroy) and Duncan Macfarlane (San Francisco), She is also survived by her aunt Olga Goicovich (Fresno), and cousins Michael Goicovich (Long Beach) and Gail Aune (Santa Rosa), sister in-law Marie-Claude Macfarlane (Riverside), nephew Reid Macfarlane (Riverside) and niece Judith-Marie Macfarlane (Paris, France).

Robert Ottoboni passed away Saturday morning in Hollister. Private burial and graveside blessing has been held at San Juan District Cemetery.

Rosary: Aug. 6th 7:00 P.M. at funeral home. Mass: Aug. 7th at 10:15 A.M. St. Benedict's Church. Interment: Calvary Cemetery.

Passed away at the age of 86 years. Allen, better known as Skip, was a native of California and had been a resident of San Benito County for the last 25 years. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sue Wharton of 52 years, 3 sons, Michael, George and Ronald, 1 daughter, Amanda, 2 brothers, and he is preceded in death by 2 sisters. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held for Skip on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church on 521, Monterey Street in Hollister. Following the memorial service, family and friends are invited to gather at the church.

Juanita Fernandez Pena passed away at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital at the age of 74. Juanita, her husband Richard and family, moved from Clint, TX to San Benito County 42 years ago. Juanita was employed with Tri Valley Cannery until the cannery closed. She was a member of Teamsters Local Union 890. Juanita had a passion for cooking. You could smell her food a block away. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends. Juanita also enjoyed music and singing. On any given morning you could hear her singing in the kitchen while she cooked for her family. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. Juanita is survived by Richard Fernandez of Hollister, her children and their spouses, Tommy Fernandez (Delia) of Hollister, Julie Roybal and David Flores of Hollister, Norma Amador (Frank) of El Paso, TX, Grace Lara (Jorge) of Hollister, Alfred Fernandez (Leonore) of Hollister, Stella Alvidrez (Paul) of San Jose, Richard Fernandez Jr. (Mary) of Phoenix,AZ, Raul Fernandez (Virginia) of Hollister, Sylvia Ruiz (Jose) of Phoenix, AZ, Robert Fernandez (Nancy) of Gilroy, Raymond Fernandez (Brandy) of Gilroy and Rebecca Arias (Andrew) of Hollister. Juanita is also survived by her sister, Maria De Los Angeles Acosta (Max) of Texas, 40 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Juanita will be greatly missed.

Hollister native and long time resident Christine "Chris" Shacklett passed away at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital at the age of 61 years. Chris was a graduate of San Benito High School, Gavilan College, as well as the California College Of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. Her artistic talents could be found in the "paste up advertising layouts" for major newspapers. Later as she developed a strong interest in antiques and collectibles, she and her sister Lucy Ghione opened a shop in Moss Landing called Curiosities. "She was a great Mom, super Grandmother, and was very devoted to her family", said her children. She loved the out-of-doors, especially spending time in Yosemite.

Lois Elizabeth Blankenship passed away July 30, 2008 in Gilroy. She was preceded in death by her husband Glenn Blankenship, son Leon Blankenship, daughter Frankie Naccarato and grandson Kyle Blankenship; she is survived by her children Anita Doughty and Don Blankenship; 11 grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Morton and Dorothie Leavitt, he passed away at home in Morgan Hill, CA on Tuesday July 22nd, 2008 after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy. He is survived by his devoted wife of 31 years, Karen; his children Alison and Eric; his mother Dorothie; his brother Jeffery; niece Katie; nephew Benjamin; and many other close family and friends.

Bob Kraemer was born in Jamaica, New York and died at home on July 24, 2008 at the age of 68 after a five-year battle with cancer.

Maria Luisa Sanchez passed away at Natividad Medical Center at the age of 54 years. Maria was a native of Mexico and had been a resident of San Benito County for the last six years. She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, music and dancing. Maria was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. She was the daughter of Maria Negrete Gonzales of Hollister and the late Pedro Sanchez. The mother of Manuel Garcia and Pedro "Tony" Garcia of Salinas; and Yesenia Garcia of Hollister; grandmother of Oscar Herrera, Monique Mendoza, Nicole Hernandez, and Aaron Alcantar; sister of Consuelo Perez and Bertha Barajas of Watsonville; cousin to Candy Peredes and Daniel Castillo. Survived by nieces, nephews, and Bo Jangles, her kitten. A rosary was held last evening at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home. Family and friends will leave the mortuary today at 9:30 A.M. for a Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 10:00 A.M. Entombment will follow at Calvary Mausoleum.