Obits for January 18

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Ralph “Dude” Green memorial service and scattering of ashes are at 10 a.m. Sunday at Keauhou Canoe Club, with a pot luck reception to follow. His obituary was published Nov. 1.

David “Dave” Leon Martin, 78, of Pahoa died Jan. 3 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Whittier, Calif., he was a retired McDonnell-Douglas machinist and U.S. Navy veteran. Services held. Survived by wife, Josephine Martin of Pahoa; son, David T. Martin of Escondido, Calif.; stepsons, Steven Winters of San Marcos, Calif., Jeffrey (Pat) Winters of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Alan (Christy) Winters of Poway, Calif.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.


Suezette “Suesue” Kaleomililani Mercado, 49, of Hilo died Dec. 18 at home. She was born in Hilo. Services held. Survived by daughters, Daesha Lynn Antonio of Hilo and Tabree Antonio of Boston; sisters, Sharon Hawkins of Texas, Jane (Eddie) Sato of Guam and Laroma Parker of Honolulu; brothers, Zachary Tadio of Hilo and Chuck Kaina of San Francisco; five grandchildren; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.


John Mertus, 72, of Hilo died Jan. 14 at home. Born in Michigan, he was a retired ophthalmologist and a former U.S. Navy officer. Services held. Survived by wife, Joanne Mertus of Hilo; son, Paul (Jill) Mertus of New York; daughters, Anne (Jon) Davis, Malia (Steve) Bauer, Lisa (Mark) Shelton and Amy (Brian) Milner of Ohio; sisters, Mary “Susie” (Curt) Thies of Las Vegas and Ruth (Michael) Strohminger of Ohio; 14 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.


Alfred Gerard Santos Sr., 73, of Mountain View died Jan. 1 at home. Born in Wailuku, Maui, he was a retired construction supervisor for Maui Excavation and Construction. Services held. Survived by wife, Luana M. Santos; sons, Alfred G. Santos Jr. and Scott R. Santos; daughter Raina L. Santos; brother Rodney D. Santos; sister Bernice L. Lea; six grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home.


Cynthia Ann Watanabe, 49, of Hilo died Jan. 14 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Chicago, she was a homemaker and member of Hilo Missionary Church. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hilo Missionary Church. Celebration of life at 10 a.m. Survived by husband, Darryl Watanabe of Hilo; sons, Samuel Watanabe, Quintin Watanabe and Joshua Watanabe of Hilo; parents, Allen and Emily Cheung of Mundelein, Ill.; sister, Patricia (Greg) Miyake of Mundelein; parents-in-law, Yoshio and Marjorie Watanabe of Hilo; sister-in-law, Dana Grace of Hilo; two nieces and a nephew, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.


Lothar Walter Wehmeier, 78, of Kailua-Kona, died Dec. 22 at home. Born in Berlin, Germany, he was the owner of Rehabilitative Technical Components, Active International Corp. and Wehmyolo Estate Coffee Farm. Private services. Survived by wife, Yolanta Wehmeier of Kailua-Kona; sons, Udo Wehmeier and Alex (Janie) Wehmeier of California; sisters, Sieglinde Zrostek of Berlin, Germany and Grace (Fawzy) Farrag of North Carolina; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.


Ralph “Dude” Green memorial service and scattering of ashes are at 10 a.m. Sunday at Keauhou Canoe Club, with a pot luck reception to follow. His obituary was published Nov. 1.