Archived Obituaries

Born and raised in San Jose, resident of Gilroy for many years, retired Gilroy HS teacher. Beloved husband of Sandi Nelson (Cumming, GA). Devoted father of Jeff Nelson (San Rafael) and Melanie Nelson (San Francisco). Cherished brother of Marcia Gregory and Joan Schuller (Larry) of San Jose. Dear uncle to Travis and Joelle Gregory and Amanda and Molly Schuller. Predeceased by parents, Lloyd and Ruth Nelson. A graduate of Willow Glen HS, he received a B.A. in Music and a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre Conducting from SJSU. He conducted many musicals at San Jose Civic Light Opera and is mourned by the local musical theatre community. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service on Sat., March 6th at 2:00 P.M. at Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave., Gilroy. Donations to the Parkinson's Institute, 675 Almanor Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085-2935

Betty Frances Heinberg was born in Gardenia, CA on July 28, 1921 and passed away on July 11, 2010. A long time resident of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The wife of the former Dean of Instruction at Gavilan College. Betty was a loving mother to Craig and Susan Heinberg who graduated respectively from UCLA and Stanford.

Dave was born and grew up in the small community of West Liberty, OH. He had dreams of exploring the world beyond his home community, so he began by saving for college by delivering papers. He later attended Goshen College in Indiana for one year until he was drafted.  As a conscientious objector, he did alternative service as a health attendant for spinal cord injured patients for two years.  He later returned to Goshen College, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1960.  He met his wife, Marian, at college and made many life-long friends.

Gerald R. Rianda, raised in Gilroy, passed away peacefully, June 16, 2012, at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary.

Mary was an elementary school teacher for many years in the San Jose area. She was preceeded in death by her husband Colin Watson and is survived by her daughter Cheryll Hill of King City and her son Dale Watson of Santa Clara. A memorial service will be held on July 10th at 11:00 A.M. at the Presbyterian Church of Hollister.

A woman of compassion, open-mindedness, a love for nature: beloved mother of Pamelah Stephens of San Jose, Keith Stokes, deceased, Kelly Garcia of San Martin, son-in-law Ted Garcia and step-son Don A. Drake, wife Gail. She is the beloved wife of Donald Drake of Gilroy for 37 years. She passed away peacefully on May 25, 2010. She took great pride in her family and her volunteer work in California State Parks. She was proud to be a fourth generation California native with a family that had always been involved in preserving and caring for nature and working with local and State politics.

Dixie Lee (Dixilee) Wright: Pushing Past All Expectations with Laughter and Strength

Waltraud I. (Trudy) Rasmussen passed away at her Hollister home. She was born in Weimar,Germany and came to Hollister from Marina 33 years ago. She is preceded in death by her husband, Neal Rasmussen who died in 1966.

Robert Michael Thompson passed away at his Hollister home at the age of 56. He was the husband of Shirley Thompson of Hollister.