Obituaries for Saturday, April 29, 2023
James ‘Kimo’ Gerardo
James ‘Kimo’ Gerardo
James ‘Kimo’ Gerardo, 68, passed away peacefully at his Hanama‘ulu home on Feb. 4, 2023. He was born Sept. 17, 1954, in Lihu‘e, and retired from Duke’s restaurant.
He was preceded in passing by parents James Gerardo, Mary Keoho Haluapo Gerardo, sisters Marylyn Gerardo, Kathy Louis and brother Alan Gerardo.
He is survived by son Byron Gerardo, sisters Joyce (Terry) Daligdig, Alison (Clayton) Silva, Brenda (Rey) Coloma, brothers Brian (Shanell) Gerardo, Jerry Aquias, Mathew Louis, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunties.
A celebration of life is Saturday, April 29, at the Peter Rayno Sr. Park in Hanama‘ulu, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ikona Ivan Fernandez
October 14, 1999 March 30, 2023
Ikona Ivan Fernandez was born at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Oct. 14, 1999. From that day on he was a light in so many people’s lives. His love for his family was unlike any other. He was a farmer and owner of Loyal To Da Lepo.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Rawlin Kamaka Fernandez Sr. and Pastora Cayabyab.
He is survived by parents Amparo and Kamaka Fernandez III, grandparents Elaine Fernandez, Guillermo Cayabyab, siblings Meleana, Makanalei, Po‘okela, girlfriend Kela Wood, mother and father-in-law Yantini and Matthew Wood, brothers-in-law Dane, Raka, Jae, fur babies Kalihiwai Marley, Mauka Kimo, Nala Nohili, Kalehuamakanoe, numerous uncles, aunties, and cousins.
His legacy will be continued through his family, friends, and anyone that perpetuates Aloha Aina.
A celebration of life will be held at Anahola Clubhouse on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. with service to follow.
Loyal To Da Lepo Always and Forever.
Guy Seichi Moriguchi
Guy Seichi Moriguchi passed away on March 10, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, at the age 63. He was born on June 8, 1959, in Honolulu. He was an operations manager at Aqua Engineers on Kaua‘i.
He was preceded in death by father Charles T. Moriguchi.
He is survived by wife Shirley Moriguchi, daughters Kyra (Evan Kuribayashi) Moriguchi, Mallory (Kane) Zalopany, sons Bryce Yoshida, Grant Yoshida, mother Betty S. Moriguchi, in-laws Thomas and Nives Soriano and Reuben and Florence Yoshida, grandchildren Emma Kuribayashi, Kolt Kuribayashi, Alaka‘i Zalopany, Kaniela Zalopany, Kala‘i Zalopany, siblings Duane (Denise) Moriguchi, Eric (Janell) Moriguchi, Irineo (Thelma) Soriano, Ruben (Darlene) Soriano, Emilie (Domi) Bucasas, Edwin (Luz) Soriano, Jason Yoshida, Todd Yoshida, nieces and nephew Ashlie Moriguchi, Hali‘a Moriguchi, Justin (Mariah Navor) Moriguchi and Maddux Moriguchi.
A celebration of life is Friday, May 12, at Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. and service to follow at 4 p.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gloria Purser Leishman Wheatley
August 25, 1932 April 20, 2023
Our precious loving mother, Gloria Wheatley of Wailua, Kaua‘i, passed away on April 20, 2023, she was 90 years old.
She devoted her life to her children Jan, Hal, Kevin, Len and Jill. She will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend, always with a smile, a positive attitude and a kind word for everyone!
Gloria was born Aug. 25, 1932, in the small town of Wellsville, Utah, she was the sixth of eight children born to Irvin and Deloris Leishman.
She married Joseph Blaine Wheatley on Oct. 15, 1948, in the Logan Temple.
They lived in several places during the course of their marriage, Utah, Idaho, California and Hawai‘i. Blaine passed in 1992, at the age of 65, in Wailua, Kaua‘i.
Gloria was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints attending the Kapa‘a ward for many years. She held various callings in her church service. Her favorites being an arts and crafts and home making instructor as well as a primary teacher. Gloria was a very talented and artistic person excelling in the delicate creation of beautiful porcelain dolls and figurines. Everyone remembers the beautiful villages she arranged every Christmas under the tree, a love she inherited from her Mother. Gloria also enjoyed her garden and flowers, spending many hours beautifying her home on the lovely island of Kaua‘i.
Gloria was a very accomplished world traveler, she enjoyed seeing and learning about different cultures when traveling with her family and friends During her life she traveled to Mexico, Canada, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand well as many states in the USA.
She was a mother and grandmother for many years, raising her five children, helping with four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gloria would like to thank her special friends and family who helped, assisted and supported her in later years. Their tender loving care and friendship added so much to her life.
Gloria never wanted to be the center of attention, her services will be private for immediate family members only. She will be buried next to her husband at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery Hanapepe, Kaua‘i County, Hawai‘i, USA.
To honor Gloria and celebrate her life, plant a flower, bush or tree to beautify our world.
Alice Shiraishi Ching
Alice Shiraishi Ching, 94, passed away in Kapa‘a on April 12, 2023. She was born in Lanai City, Lanai, on Jan. 6, 1929, and worked as a secretary at a law firm.
She was preceded in passing by parents Ikuji and Tomo Shiraishi, husband Edwin K.D. Ching, siblings Clinton and Spencer Shiraishi and Jonsie (Eugene) Yamamoto.
Alice is survived by sons Michael (Irene), Jason and Ben (Natalie) Kobayashi, grandchildren Tyler (Nohelani), Tori, Kallen and Kadden Kobayashi, great-grandchildren Kyrie and Kamryn Kobayashi, and sister Jane (Buddy) Festerling of Honolulu.
Private services will be held. The family requests no koden (gifts).
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Helen Morihisa
Helen Morihisa, of Kilauea, passed away on April 11, 2023, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 66. She was born on April 30, 1956, in Hanalei. She was a housekeeper and janitor.
She was preceded in death by parents Hisashi and Fumie Morihisa.
She is survived by sister Sherlene Morihisa (Larry Sharpley) of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts).
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Emilia Manzano Cera
Emilia Manzano Cera passed away on April 6, 2023, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 84. She was born on Jan. 21, 1939, in Santiago, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
She was preceded in death by husband Cornelio Cera, brothers Antonio Manzano, Florencio Manzano, sisters Sabina Manzano, Filomina Manzano and Marcelina Panit.
She is survived by sisters Trinidad Dela Cruz, Leonora Astero, brother Romulo (Nelly) Manzano, daughter Sarah Cera, son Valentin Cera and granddaughter Kiana Emilia Annunziata.
A service is Saturday, May 13, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Betsy Aguano Ruff
Betsy Aguano Ruff, 78, of Gillespie, Illinois, died at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, Illinois, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. She was born May 24, 1944, in Lihu‘e on the island of Kaua‘i to Francisco Aribon Aguano and Florencia Pancho. She married Jesse William Ruff Sr. in Honolulu. They were married for 52 years. She was an entrepreneur and owner of a landscape business. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
Betsy is survived by her spouse William Ruff of Gillespie, children Regina Belfield of Warsaw, Virginia, Jon Eric Ruff of New Athens, Illinois, grandchildren Johanna, Justin, Jillian, Maxwell, Marlana, Tanner, great-grandchild Delilah, siblings Beatrice Jackson and Criapin Aguano.
Betsy was preceded in death by her parents and son Jesse William Ruff Jr.
A memorial service will be on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at United Methodist Church, Gillespie at 1 p.m. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, Illinois, is in charge of the arrangements.
