Archived Obituaries

Entered into rest at her Hollister home at the age of 73. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Cremation to be followed by private family inurnment. For full obituary and condolences: www.blackcoopersander.com

Passed away March 31, 2008 in San Jose, CA. He was 66 years old. He is survived by his daughters Roxane (Jon) Ribera of Hollister and Tracy (Sal) Venezia of Littleton, CO. Grandfather of Steven Ortiz Salas of Hollister, Hunter, Tyler and Chase Venezia all of Littleton, CO. Great-grandfather of Avery Rocha of Hollister. Brother of Corina Meraz of El Paso, TX., Maria Elena (Juan) Ramirez of Gilroy and Arturo (Olivia) Ortiz of Hanford. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. he is preceded in death by his wife Frances Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz retired from Gaylord Container which is now Temple-inland in 2002 and has been Gilroy resident for over 40 years.

Longtime Gilroy resident Dave Bosworth passed away. He leaves behind his brother Ron West and life partner Eva Salas. A gathering will take place 1:00 P.M. Sunday April 13, 2008 at 855 Chesapeake Pl., Gilroy.

Aged 66, was called home Thursday, March 27, 2008 with his family by his side at Los Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. Born April 14, 1941 in Baguio City, Philippines, Amado was preceded in death by his mother Eufrosina Mallare and sister Jean Baliton. He is survived by: his daughter Elizabeth Barnes and husband Stephen, his son Neil Amorao and wife Lisa and son Andrew Amorao as well as his brothers William and John Mallare.

Aged 86, loving father and grandfather, passed away on Wednesday March 26, 2008 in Morgan Hill, California. He is survived by his sister Dorothy McFarland and Brother Robert Stites of Tulsa Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by 6 siblings. He is survived by his children, daughters Mary & husband Bernard Hawkins, Carol & husband Jeff Bradley, Linda Stites & John Tomasello, Anita Stephens, Denise Hall & Dennis Hancock, Sons Roger Stites, Gary Stites, Fred Stites Jr., Johnny Stites, Chris Schmidt. 26 grandchildren, 38 great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Juanita, second wife Ronnie, sons George Duggan and Donald Stites. He was born January 7, 1922 in Muskogee Oklahoma, grew up in Tulsa, and lived most of his adult life in Morgan Hill, Ca. Fred was a roofer and worked all over Santa Clara County.

Passed away at his home in Los Banos on Thursday, March 27, 2008 after a short illness. Husband of Lucy Mendez of Los Banos and son of the late Paul Mendez Sr. and Sofia Corral. Father of David Mendez Jr., Michael Mendez and Paul Mendez all of Los Banos. Brother of Betty Mendez Cortez (Leo) of Los Banos and the late Paul Mendez Jr. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a native of Gilroy. and he graduated from Gilroy High School in 1972 and was a Navy Veteran from 1974 – 1978. He attended Gavilan College for 2 years. David enjoyed playing sports and he was very active in youth sports. He will always will remembered for his awesome smile. To see David smiling and dancing, go to youtube.com and enter David Mendez Gilroy.

passed away of pancreatic cancer in her home with all of her family around her. Mother of Patricia "Serena" Barraza ( Sergio) of Hollister, CA, Candy Aguirre (Daniel) of Marina, CA, Ruby Hernandez (Peter) of Hollister and Judy Hernandez (Sergio) of Hollister. Grandmother of Genie Barraza, Buddy Barraza, Daniel Aguirre Jr., Gino Barraza, Alia Rodriguez, Albert JR Rodriguez, Diamondique Hernandez and Julianna Estrella Marquez. Daughter to Angelita Silos (Gabriel) of Dos Palos. Sister of Virginia Katashima (Kinji) of Gilroy, Manuel Silos (Verni) of Winterhaven,CA Carmen Silos of WA, Arthur Silos (Libby) of Palmdale, CA, Angel Silos (Mary) of San Martin, Della Martinez (Richard) of Morgan Hill, George Silos (Natalie)of San Jose, Martha Silos of Gilroy, Sylvia Silos of Gilroy, Tina Verala (Francisco) of Firebaugh and David Silas (Lily) of Gilroy. Godmother to Steven Juarez, Arthur Hernandez, Manuel Muniz, Ricardo Villagomez, Vanessa Verala, Vivian and Veronica Silos. Her boyfriend was "Epi" Cisneros. Josie worked at Gentry's Gilroy Foods for 25 yrs. As a weighmaster. She loved to make crafts, paint and sew. She had a huge collection of shoes, hats and scarves. She loved cats, angels and bears. She face painted with her daughter for parties. She was the most loving, sweet, sensitive mother and lived for her grandkids. Sadly, her life was cut short at a young age. She will forever be missed.

Passed away at age 86 and was a beloved husband for 61 years of Paula, loving father of sons Randolph (Allison) of Dublin, Ohio, and Barry of Walnut Creek, and devoted grandfather of Alex, Ian, and Mackenzie. He passed away on March 26 after a long illness. A U.S. Navy veteran, survivor of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and Purple Heart recipient, he was a mechanical engineer who served for most of his career as a manager and chief engineer of the Rucker Company in Emeryville. He graduated from University of Colorado in 1950 as a Mechanical Engineer and taught a credit course in "High Pressure Hydraulics" for 16 years at the University of California, Berkeley. Albert was a native of Denver, CO and had lived in Lafayette before retiring to Hollister.

Passed away last December at the age of 42 in Tres Pinos. Memorial services with military rites will be offered Saturday, April 5,2008 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister. Send condolences to: www.grunnagle.com

Passed away at her residence on March 27th at the age of 87 years. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana; Bettie has resided in Hollister the last 62 years. As an active businesswoman, Bettie was a manager for the Department Of Motor Vehicles Offices in San Benito County and neighboring cities over a span of 25 years. A 65 year member of the Methodist Church, her life revolved around her church, her family, and her community. She was an avid bridge player, cook, and baker, who loved to travel with her husband, Roy. In addition to visiting all states in the U.S., trips were taken throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. She is a member of the C.S.E.A, and was a former member of the Business and Professional Women's Club and the Grandmothers Club. Besides her husband Roy P. Schmidt, Bettie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Ted N. and Diane Schmidt; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Leslie and Pat Michael and great-grandson Michael Michael of Redwood Valley, CA; sisters Louise Taylor and Sandy Barber of Lakeland, FL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jeff and Jeanne Schmidt of Bitterwater, sister-in-law Amy Lou Hall of Oklahoma, and many nieces and nephews. A daughter of the late Talmage and Ruth Hawkins, she was preceeded in death by her brother Talmage Hawkins, and sisters Bonnie Gray and Ellie Stangohr.