Archived Obituaries

Dorothy J. Spalding died in Hollister on June 14, 2007 at the age of 76. She was born in Mena, Arkansas, then lived in Santa Maria, CA. She had lived in Hollister for the past two years and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her favorite pastime was cooking and sewing.

Patrice Page Fancher Welton was born on May 26, 1947 and passed away on September 4, 2018 in Gilroy, her home of 37 years....

Former resident of Gilory, Louis Richard" Romero died on January 18, 2012. He succumbed to a four-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his time of passing. Louis was born on April 15, 1932 to Ausencio Romero and Mary Gurrero on Bickmore Ranch near Morro Bay, CA He was preceded in death by his wife, Inez, brother Manual Romero, sister Helen Morales and is survived by sister Esther Lopez, brother Jesse Ybarra, brother Tony Gonzalez, five children: Richard Romero, wife Thea; Robert Romero, wife Beverly; Ronda (Romero) Kulhanek, husband Mark; Russell Romero, wife Colleen; Rebecca (Romero) Whittington, husband Steve; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Gordon M. Booth, a 27 year Sales and marketing executive of Gilroy Foods and McCormick and Co, Inc. passed away on November 25th after a ten month battle with lung cancer. He was 61.

Edna M. Souza passed away at her Hollister residence on October 2nd, 2009, at the age of 92 years. Edna was the daughter of the late Manuel Corcell and Marie Escobar who were early residents in San Juan Bautista. Edna received her education at San Juan Grammar School and was a graduate of San Benito High School. She and her late husband Joseph G. Souza who was a native of San Luis Obispo and who died in 1997 had operated a dairy ranch in Salinas Valley in the early l940's before coming to Hollister in 1945 to farm 50 acres of apricots on Wright Road. As a homemaker most of her adult life, Edna was well known throughout the Portuguese Community from San Luis Obispo to Reno for her talents in designing and baking wedding cakes. She loved cooking and was an excellent seamstress. "Edna wasn't afraid to work, said her nephew Tony. When she had the dairy she would actually cut hay with a team of horses." Edna was a 50 year member of the Hollister Grange and it's president for 30 years; a member of the I.D.E.S. of Salinas, and for 40 years she and her husband traveled to all 50 States with the Alaskan Camper Club. Besides her husband Joseph, she was pre-deceased by sister Millie Kashersky, brother Arthur Corcell, and nephew Bobby Ivelich. Survivors are brother-in-law Bill Kashersky, niece Mary Doughty of Salinas; great nephew Tony Ivelich (Pam) of Gilroy; great-niece Michelle Garcia (Danny) of Gilroy; great-nephew Matthew Doughty of Salinas; and great-great-nieces Jacklyn Cordero of Gilroy and Deanna Arias of Hollister. Visitation is today (Tues) from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. at the Grunnagle Funeral Home. Friends are invited to the funeral service Wednesday morning at 10:00 A.M. at the mortuary chapel followed by the entombment at Calvary Mausoleum. Reception to follow.

Passed away into the loving arms of God peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and friends on Nov. 22, 2009. He put up a strong courageous battle with lymphoma. Don was the beloved husband of Vera Arlene, who was the love of his life. Beloved father of Michael (Lori) O'Dell and Laurie (Ben) Frechette. Loving Papa Don of Tonya O'Dell and Jennifer Frechette and great-grandfather of Sean and Shayla O'Dell, Julissa Leggett and Madison Orozco. He is survived by two brothers, Homer and Kenneth O'Dell.

Private cremation will be followed by private inurnment at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Donations are preferred to The American Heart Association, The Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of choice c/o Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 363 7th St. Hollister, CA 95023. Condolences: www.blackcoopersander.com

Passed away after a long illness. No services planned.

Arrangements are by Smiths Family Funeral Home and Crematory of Fallon, NV.

Robert Chrisco of Gilroy, passed away April 15, 2007 at the age of 90. Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Friday, April 20 at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, 1000 First St., Gilroy.