Margaret Mieko Gota, 89, of Hilo died Nov. 6 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired Waiakea Intermediate School teacher and member of the Church of the Holy Cross. Private services held. No koden (monetary gifts). Survived by brother, Robert (Alice) Fujimoto of Hilo; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leabert Yoshiki Matsuo, 76, of Hilo died Dec. 22 at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center in Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a retired mechanic for Sears Automotive Center and HPM, owner of Matsuo Auto Repair, member of Hilo Meishoin Buddhist Temple and U.S. Army veteran. Visitation 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Hilo Meishoin Buddhist Temple, 97 Olona St. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Survived by wife, Patricia Matsuo of Hilo; son, Lealand (Devan Tomono) Matsuo of Hilo; brothers, Kenneth (Janet) Matsuo and Harold (Karen) Matsuo of Hilo; brother-in-law, Wayne (Carol) Tanaka of Kailua, Oahu; sister-in-law, Merle (Karl) Unoki of Hilo; a grandson; an uncle and nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Rebecca Leimomi Mauhili, 80, of Hilo died Dec. 11 at Adventist Health Castle Medical Center in Kailua, Oahu. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired medical social worker at Hilo Medical Center, member of 3 Days and 3 Nights Study Hall, Hilo Lions Club, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Alumni Choir, Hawaiian Bowling Club and Hawaiian Civic Club of Laupahoehoe. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by companion, Ernest Thomas of Hilo; daughters, Reinalee “Dink” Kaili of Waimea, Charlotte (Kawika) Napeahi of Hilo, Lydia (Don) Hooser of Kailua-Kona, Becki (Lei Mauga) Kaili of Aiea, Oahu, and Kimie “KC” Mauhili of California; sons, Charles “Kalani” Kaili of Waikoloa, Noble (Dorthi) Kaili of Hilo, Leitan “Kukuna” Kaili-Mauhili of Aiea, Clarence “Boku” (Beverly) Mauhilo, David Mauhili and Daniel (Joann) Mauhili of California; hanai daughter, Loreen (Michael) Bahilot Sosa of Ka‘u; sister, Visitacion Mokihana Pavao of Kailua-Kona; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Chow of Nanakuli, Oahu, and Midge Kahee of Hilo; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Elise P. Nerida, 86, of Hilo died Dec. 12 at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in the Philippines, she retired from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 162 Kapiolani St., in Hilo. Church service 10-11 a.m. Burial at Homalani Memorial Park. Luncheon to follow at Gilbert Carvalho Park. Survived by son, Charles (Melissa) Nerida of Hilo; daughter, Sally (Gilbert) Pimentel of Honolulu; sister, Rosario Lacuesta of California; sister-in-law, Josie Pangilinan of New Jersey; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Veronica “Ronnie Cordoban” Tiogangco, 68, of Honokaa died Dec. 4 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Ka‘u. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Haina Park. Lunch to follow. Survived by companion, Rodney Puckett of California; son, Ryan (Christina) Cordoban of Honokaa; daughter, Royalan Cordoban of Colorado; hanai daughter, Momi Lorenzo of Honokaa; brothers, Truman (June) Ignacio of Ocean View, Crestito (Celeste) Tiogangco, Melvin (Pamela) Tiogangco, Daylan (Paula) Tiogangco, Dayton Tiogangco and Grant Tiogangco of Hilo, Ganriel Tiogangco and Richard Tiogangco of Honolulu; sisters, Lovey Mae Scott of Keaau, Elizabeth “Cus” Cadabona of Laupahoehoe, Angel (Harold) Swain of California, Mabel (Dexter) Chaves and Joyce (John) Nalimu of Hilo, Joahan Tiogangco of Las Vegas, Luana (Markham) Rosehill of Mountain View, Joni (Kalani) Dacuycuy-Wong of Honolulu; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
