All Obituaries

Kathy Lee Padilla, born to David and Genevieve Padilla, passed away at home on January 19th, 2021.  She attended Merced schools and graduated in the class of 1971. Working over 40 years for Mercy Hospital/Dignity Health, Kathy was known for her hospitality, backyard barbecues, gardening, weekends away with her girlfriends, road trips, cooking for family and friends, spending time with her grandsons and caring for her cousin Richard Paulsen.  She also enjoyed organizing local...

Ofelia Luisa Ebker, 90 passed away on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center in Merced, California.  She was born on October 11th, 1930 in San Miguelito, Nicaragua to Gilberto & Lola Chavarria.  She was raised with 6 siblings in Central America. She came to the United States in 1960.  She met the love of her life in San Francisco, California.  Ofelia married Philip Ebker in 1961 and they were happily married for over 51 years.  They raised 3...

Clara (Claire Aleen) Ashworth passed away in Fresno on January 12, 2021, at the age of 97. She was born in Mariposa to Dick and Florence Wass. Clara was raised in Jerseydale and Usona in Mariposa County. She married John Ashworth of Merced and in 1944 they settled in O’Neals, Madera County. Clara was an employee of Ponderosa Telephone for 44 years. She is preceded in death by John and 13 siblings. She is survived by her daughter Carole Dulitz and her husband Dave of Springville, son...

Marilyn Sue Wilson-Buckingham was born on November 29, 1951 in Dos Palos, California to Fareign M (Doodle) and Barbara Jean Wilson. She would grow up in Madera, Firebaugh, Smelling, and finally Merced, California. She graduated Merced High School in 1969 and went to work for Farmer's Insurance. She ventured to beauty school, and finally found her passion as a cook for Merced City School District. Marilyn passed away January 10, 2021 in Merced, California after a brief illness. She is...

Jesus Javier “Tongis” Fuentes, 32, passed away on January 8, 2021 unexpectedly.  Jesus was born in Turlock, California on December 12, 1988 to Roberto and Virginia Fuentes. He lived in Atwater all his life where he lived with his loving grandparents and mother. Jesus played football for Atwater High School and graduated in 2007. He graduated from Firefighter Academy and worked in construction. He enjoyed playing softball and watching football;his favorite team was the...

On Tuesday, January 5 2021 Janice Louise (Jackson) Maddux passed away at the age of 78. She was born in Pomona, CA on September 27, 1942 to Juanita and Winfred Jackson. Jan graduated from Fresno State with a B.S. Degree in Agriculture Business where she also met her husband, Harry, and were married on June 15, 1968. As a journalist she worked in San Francisco writing articles and serving as an editor for several Agriculture and Livestock publications including Western Livestock...

Mary D. Souza While surrounded by family, Mary Delores (Picanco) Souza, at the age of 98, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021, in Reno, Nevada. Mary was born June 1, 1922 in Riverdale, California to Joao and Maria Picanco, the middle of three children. In 1937, the family moved to Hopeton, California, where they had a dairy. Mary spent many years helping her family with the dairy. She would get up early in the mornings to help milk before catching the high school bus which so...

Rodolfo "Rudy" Flores September 13, 1943 - December 31, 2020 Merced, California - Born in 1943 in Esperanza, Texas, youngest son of Jose and Cliofas Flores peacefully passed on 12/31/2020 surrounded by his family. Rudy came to Merced, Ca when he was 15 years old where he met his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary. He attended Hoover middle school and El Capitan HS where he excelled as a track phenom. Though Rudy had a future as a track star, he chose to marry his...

Joven Rivero Nazareno was born on June 12, 1946 in the City of Cavite, Philippines. He was the second son of Jovencio Katibayan Nazareno, Sr., and Esther Rivero Nazareno. He graduated from the Mapua Institute of Technology (now Mapua University) in Manila in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Joven worked as a draftsman for the Philippine Navy. While working there, he met Teresita Johnson in 1970. They fell in love and married on July 30, 1972....

 In Loving Memory of Zenobia Holley Sunrise: September 1, 1941 - Sunset: December 27, 2020 Zenobia Holley went home to Jesus, December 27, 2020. Zenobia was born in Texas. She was born to Willie Mae and Jessie Denson.  Zenobia came to Merced, California in 1964. She has also lived n Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana. She spent the last 47 years in Merced. Zenobia was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church. In June, 2002, she retired from Merced County Office of Education....