Archived Obituaries

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:00 am at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill.

Olga Edyth (Caporgno) Laveroni, born May 11, 1912 in Petaluma, CA, died Oct. 12, 2006 in Saratoga, CA. She lived and attended school in Hollister, CA and moved to San Jose in 1937.

Sylvia M. Cordia, age 81, died peacefully at Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Medical Center on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, following a courageous battle with pneumonia. Her love, caring, and tolerance of others will forever be part of those who knew her.

Altina was a graduate of Gilroy High-Class of 66'.

There are no words to express the loss of a man who touched the hearts of so many. We will be celebrating the life and mourning the loss of my dad and friend to many.

Mark A. Merriman passed away on October 4, 2006 at his home in Morgan Hill, CA. He was 60 years old.

Jovita Martinez, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away October 8, 2006. She was born in Brownsville, TX on November 3, 1936 and moved to Gilroy in 1961. She worked first at I. B. Perch, and later Gilroy Foods, where she retired in 1998 after 26 years. She was an avid 49ers fan and devout parishioner at St Mary Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Alec Martinez; her sons Daniel and Richard Martinez of Gilroy, and Lt. Commander Edward Martinez of Stafford, VA; grandchildren Ryan, Mariah, Liam and Lauren Martinez; her sister Elena D. Vasquez of Brownsville, TX, her brothers, Silvestre Dimas of Fort Worth, TX and David Dimas of Gilroy, CA, sister-in-laws; Consuela and Paula Dimas, Mary Lou Bejar, Josie Amador and her bother-in-law Joe Martinez; and daughter-in-laws Gina and Treva Martinez. She was preceded in death by her father Juan Sr., her mother Micaela; and brothers Santiago and Juan Jr.

A native of Amador, CA, Helen moved to Hollister in 1925 when she was eleven years old. Helen was preceded in death by her husband William J. Garcia in 1994; and step-daughter Barbara (Midge) Garcia Jamison, 1992. She had nine siblings - three brothers and six sisters. She was predeceased by Eugene Galdos, 1920; Henrietta Leichtle, 1999; Frank Galdos, 2001; Tommy Galdos, 2002; & Marie Vallejo, 2004. Surviving are four sisters, Louise Branum, Laura Baughman, Juanita Marcus and Carmen Vieira all of Hollister; many nieces and nephews; and four step-grandchildren. Surviving also is "adopted son" Joe S. Garcia Jr. and Sabra V. Garcia, who cared for Helen the past twelve years. Most of her life was spent in Hollister. Helen was in partnership with her late husband William and brother Frank Galdos at the Model Bakery, located where Maddux Jewelry Store is in downtown Hollister. After retiring from the bakery in 1962, she worked at Dryden's, Cornets 5 & 10 Cents Store, and also had a childcare nursery for many years. Friends are invited to the funeral services on Friday, October 13th at 10 A.M. at the chapel of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister. A procession will follow to Sutter Creek Cemetery on Highway 49, Sutter Creek, for burial. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Donations are preferred to the Hospice or Child Protective Services, c/o the mortuary chapel. Pastor John Amelio will be the officiant.

Mr. Chris Williams of Felton, CA died peacefully at his home. He is survived by his wife, Ida Williams, and children; son, Joshua Williams of Felton, CA and Mary and Kailynn Kitaji of Santa Cruz, CA, his mother Nancy Williams of Fresno, CA, siblings Michael Williams of San Francisco, CA and Cynthia Thomas of Twain Hearte, CA, nephews Joseph Williams of Fresno and Ryan Wardwell of Twain Hearte, and many uncles, aunts and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Dempsey, and his brother, Greg.

Oscar Esperanza Torres passed into the arms of our Lord on September 23, 2006, at the age of 62. He is survived by his wife, Lolita; father, Rudy; children, Jovani and May, and siblings, Edwin, Mario, Arwyn and Nenette (Capapas) Torres.