Filomena Soriano Acacio, 92, of Kapaau died Dec. 29 at Kohala Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker and member of Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation 8-10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass at 10 a.m. Casual attire; flowers and lei welcome. Burial at Hawi Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery. Survived by sons, Albert Acacio of Harbor City, Calif., and Romeo Acacio of North Las Vegas; sister, Savina Orencillo of Philippines; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Albert Bona, 72, of Hilo died Jan. 11 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a tour bus driver and U.S. Navy veteran. Visitation 9-10 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 23) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 10 a.m. Casual attire. Urn burial noon at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire. Survived by son, Kaloku (Debra) Bona of Hilo; daughter, Hiilani Bona of Hilo; brother, Jerry Bona of Oahu; sister, Beverly Hiyane of Oahu; a grandson. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Lee “Leroy” Franklin Bransford, 71, of Ocean View died Dec. 9 at home. Born November 20, 1948 in Tacoma, Wash., he was owner/operator of Leroy’s Experimental Engines, a Harley-Davidson repair and build shop, member of Lineriders Motorcycle Club and U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who served during the Vietnam War. Memorial motorcycle run 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22 at Honokohau Boat Harbor, Lineriders Motorcycle Club corner. Survived by wife, Patti Bransford of Ocean View; stepdaughter, Autumn Connolly of Kailua-Kona; sisters, Jerry Bransford of Honolulu, Carol Bransford of Arizona and Helen Sanchez of California; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Yasunori Deguchi, 95, of Kailua-Kona died Dec. 28 at Regency at Hualalai. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired assistant manager at Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, U.S. Army World War II veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and two Purple Hearts, and member of Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and Kyodan, Kona Lions Club, Kona Japanese Civic Association, Keei Mura Kumiai, American Legion Post 20, National Guard Association, Hawaii National Guard Retired Reserve, Retired Officers Association, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Japanese American National Museum and Japanese American Historical Society. Visitation 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Kealakekua. Memorial service at 4:30 p.m. Inurnment ceremony at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. Survived by sons, Wesley Deguchi of Honolulu and Alison (Angela) Deguchi of California; brother, Allen Deguchi of California; sisters, Mutsumi (Kenneth) Komo of Keopu and Fujie Inouye of Honolulu; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Hugh Arthur Fleming, 84, of Mountain View died Dec. 26 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Raton, N.M., he was a retired gemologist, pilot and fisherman who held multiple records and owner of Lafayette &Spectrum Electronics and employee of JHE Communications and Hamakua Sugar Communications. Private services at a later date. Survived by wife, June Sachiko Fleming of Mountain View; sons, George (Shelley) Karvas and Mark (Lornalee) Karvas of Hilo, Hugh “Yuki” (Isabell) Fleming of Washington; daughters, Lorilee Fleming of Raton, and Laura Nelson of New Mexico; brother, Vince “Sonny” Warrick of New Mexico; six grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
MonaLisa “Mona” Denise Simao, 69, of Hilo died Dec. 17 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired office clerk for the county’s Coordinated Services for the Elderly, taxi driver for Hot Lava Taxi &Tours and member of Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Celebration of life at 6 p.m. Graveside service noon Saturday, Jan. 25, at Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Survived by sons, Clayton Baltero and Dean Baltero of Pahoa; daughters, Alethea Kama (Malia) Kaneshiro and Vanessa Higa of Hilo; brother, Byron (Joyce) Candaroma of Hilo; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.