All Obituaries

A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Octaviano A. Villanueva, passed peacefully to be with The Lord, Jesus Christ, on May 21, 2023, in Merced, CA. Lovingly known as Tovie to friends and family, he was born in Niles, CA on March 22, 1934. As a longtime resident of Merced, he worked as a construction laborer for a large company and was a devoted member of the Local Union 1130; as well as a diehard fan of the San Francisco 49ers. We measure a man’s worth by his...

Julia Tagana Long, 83, of Atwater, California, departed this life on May 15, 2023. Julia was born on February 15, 1940, to Luis V. Tagana and Rosa Dumdum in the Philippines and was raised with her four sisters and four brothers. Julia was united in marriage in Angeles City in the Philippines on July 21, 1965, to Donald Ray Long. Together, they had two daughters: Kimberly Long and Sheryl Long Lewis. She had a love of sewing, playing, gardening, shopping, and cooking. She was greatly loved...

Elsie was born on October 12, 1939, in French Camp, CA to Jesus and Frances Garcia. Elsie married her high school sweetheart, Joe Cardenas, and together they had 6 children: Elaine, Joey, Richard, Frances, Lisa, and Lydia, 23 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters: Carmen, Angie, and Katy; 5 brothers: Alex, Albert, Jesse, Joe, and Edward; her daughter: Elaine; and great-grandson: Francisco. A viewing will take place on Friday, May 19,...

Velda Verlene Coronado, 72 went peacefully to be with the Lord on April 14th 2003 in Bakersfield, CA, surrounded by loved ones. Velda was born Sept. 25,1958 in Oregon to Leonard Brown and Wanda Foust. She was the oldest of 5 children. 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Velda Brown married the love of her life Lemuel Zuniga Coronado on Oct. 9th 1979, and became a devoted wife and mother of 3 children. She was a certified nurse aide for many years. Velda was Baptized March 23 1980 in the Livingston...

William Monroe Upchurch Jr., son of Donna Williams and Willie Upchurch, was born in Atlanta, Texas, on November 4, 1958, and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana. He joined the Air Force after graduating from West Monroe high school in 1976. Bill met the love of his life, Gloria, in 1979 at Loring Air Force Base, and they got married on October 5, 1980. Their only child Michael was born on November 22, 1983. From 1989 to 1991, Bill moved his family to Germany and was stationed at...

It is with great sadness, that the family of Connie passing on April 8, 2023 at the age of 97. Mom was born Consuelo Estrada on January 31st 1926 in El Paso, TX to parents, Damian and Rosaura (Silva) Estrada. As a young child, her family moved to California and settled in Dos Palos, CA, where she grew up with her mom and dad and 6 siblings. She graduated from Dos Palos High School and short time later moved to Fresno to work at Luftenbergs Dept. Store. The owner, Mabel Luftenberg, took mom...

Cruz Richard Villegas Jr, passed away April 6, 2023 in Merced, CA at the age of 25. He was born March 1, 1998 to parents Elizabeth and Cruz Villegas Sr. He is proceeded in death by his father, Cruz Villegas Sr. he is survived by his mother Elizabeth, siblings; Robert, Johnny, Andrew, Darla and EvaMarie. Cruz had such a big heart. So loving, so kind, and a smile that would light up any room. He cared so deeply for the people around him. His many passions included spending time with family...

It is with great sadness, that the family of George S. Sziraki, Sr, announce his passing on March 31, 2023, at the age of 83. George was born February 20th, 1940 in a small town just outside of Budapest, Hungary. In 1956, at the age of just 16, he was an active participant in the Hungarian Revolution, trying to help rid his home country of communist Russia. Due to safety concerns, he was forced to flee Hungary alone. After being granted political refugee status by the United States, he...

Mary was born in Tucson, Arizona on July 11, 1954. She was in a military family.  She lived in Casablanca, Africa from 1955 to 1958. Then went to Amarillo, Texas. When the base closed, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. There she grew up and attended the University of New Mexico. Upon graduating, she joined the United States Air Force where she rose to the rank of Captain. She was stationed in Ramstein, Germany, Limestone, Maine, and then Castle Air Force Base in Merced,...

Lorin Travis Ruddock, 48, passed away unexpectedly on March 21, 2023. He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. Born in Napa, California, on July 31, 1974, he lived his entire life in California. He attended Napa High School and then U C Davis. He found himself in Winton, near Merced, California, working at different trades throughout the years. He loved playing his video games and guitar, playing in a few garage bands, also hanging out with his Clamper Brothers. In...