Archived Obituaries

Kindred spirit, Christy, left our world for a happier one on December 24, 2006. Never a thought for herself, she worried most about the feelings of her family and friends and the many others that are suffering from cancer.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 29th at 11:00 A.M. at the Habing Family Funeral Home for Margaret Burch, who passed away Sunday evening in her Gilroy home at the age of 92.

Elvira Lanini died in Soledad.

Elsie A. Kovanda died at home in Hollister. She was born in the Oak Park, IL, and was living with her son and his wife. She moved to Hollister in 1993 from Berwyn, IL, to be with her son.

Elvira R. Lanini passed away at eh Eden Valley Care Center in Soledad. She was born in LaHonda, CA, and lived in Hollister for over 80 years. She is predeceased by her husband, Fred, who died in 1995. They were married in 1937. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church,The Grandmothers' Club, YLI, Catholic Daughters and Native Daughters of the Golden West. She liked to

Richard E. Stebbins died in Hollister after a lengthy illness. He was born in Salinas and moved to Hollister from the Santa Cruz Mountains 8 years ago. He was a U.S. Naval pilot from 1950 to 1956 and was in the Naval Reserve from 1956 to 1966. He flew fighters of the Essex and Yorktown aircraft carriers and was a United Airlines Captain for over 30 years. He also attended the First Presbyterian Church.

Rudy Martinez the III was born Aug. 6, 1981 at Wheeler Hospital in Gilroy Ca. Rudy was taken from us by a tragic car accident on Friday night Dec. 15, 2006. He leaves behind two children Angel M. Martinez (10) & Isaiah Martinez (6). Rudy is survived by his loving parents Victoria Diaz and Rudy Martinez, Jr.; siblings Frankie, Robert, Devonna, and Angela Martinez, grandson of Alice and Rudy Martinez, Sr., many aunts, uncles, loving cousins and nieces. Rudy had a deep passion for art, music, and reptiles. But most of all Rudy's HEART belonged to his kids, family & friends. He will be missed, but NEVER forgotten! We LOVE you ALWAYS!

Entered into rest at the age of 88 . Funeral Services will be held on Dec 28, 2006 at 10:00 am at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary ; 466 N. Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA. Contributions can be made to, Alzheimer's Activity Center in San Jose or Bellarmine High School in Santa Clara

Hollister native and long time San Benito County resident Adeline Rodrigues passed away on December 20th at the Sunrise Assisted Living Residence in Fresno at the age of 92 years. Adeline attended local schools and graduated from the former Serra High School in Hollister. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the I.D.E.S. and S.D.E.S. (Portuguese Societies) of Hollister, and the Golden Years Travel Group - going on trips to Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin. Prior to her husband Joseph "Rod" Rodrigues's death in 1986 they had many memorable cruise trips as well as enjoying the camaraderie of their close friends on hunting and fishing outings in San Benito County. She and "Rod" raised apricots and dried fruit in partnership with her late brother and sister-in-law Alvin and and Beverly Freitas for many years in San Benito County. During the 1930's Adeline operated the Sisterette Beauty Shop with her late sister Gertrude Hansen and in the 1950's owned the Ad-Dore Dress Shop which was on San Benito Street by the Vet's Building. Adeline is survived by her nieces Janice Kennedy, Jeanne Davila, Kathryn Freitas, and Michelle Hansen; nephews Thomas Hansen; Scott, Alvin, and Rodney Freitas; many grand nieces and grand newphews. Visitation will be held on tuesday Dec. 26th beginning at 12:00 noon at the chapel of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister followed by the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 P.M. Family and friends will leave the mortuary chapel wednesday at 9:30 A.M. for a Mass of The Resurrection at 10:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Entombment, Calvary Mausoleum. Donations are preferred to the Alzheimers Assn c/o mortuary chapel.

Jeffrey Jay Brashear, 47, passed away on November 29, 2006 in Hollister after complications of a lingering spinal cord injury sustained in 1987 by a hit-and-run accident, leaving him permanently disabled and in intense physical pain. He had lived in Hollister since 1969 and graduated from San Benito High School