August 22, 1922 – March 30, 2014
Shirley Butler Lee, the fourth of the five children, was born August 22, 1922, in Trinidad, CO to Frank and Hattie Goodman. Her family moved to Los Angeles and later to Medford, OR when Shirley was in third grade. After graduation from high school in 1941, the country was already mobilizing for war, and Shirley moved to Portland, OR to work for Kaiser in the shipyards. There, she met and married Roger Butler. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Fresno, CA so Roger could work and play baseball for Roma Winery. In January of 1944, her only child, Roger Frank Butler, was born. In late 1947, Roger and Shirley purchased a house built by Dick Eklund, and Shirley lived in that house until her declining health which required her to move into Pacific Gardens where she received excellent care until her passing on Saturday, March 22, 2014. During most of her adult life, Shirley worked as a cake decorator in various bakeries in the Fresno and Clovis area, including Benson’s and Frugalettis. Everyone she knew benefited from her skill, receiving cakes on various special occasions. She married her second husband, Elmer, in 1975. She always put others ahead of herself and was quick to volunteer, when help was needed. She was a great hostess and particularly looked forward to putting on her traditional Christmas Eve party where a packed house enjoyed bountiful food and drink. She was an avid reader, and for many years, enjoyed playing bridge. She was a good mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was loved and will be missed. She was a very positive person who loved life and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. The family wishes to thank Pacific Gardens; Bright Horizon Hospice; and Dr. H. Le, for the care and consideration shown to Shirley. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother and father; her step-father, Joe Whyte; her husbands, Roger Butler, and Elmer Lee; her siblings, Bill Goodman and his wife Irene, Pat and her husbands Pug Hazelrigg and Dick Keosheyan, Virginia Johnson and her husband Karl, and Roy Goodman and his wife Elaine; her nephew, Rodger Johnson; and her niece, Sandra Ryan. She is survived by her son, Frank and his wife Joan; her grandsons, Matt and Nate Butler; her granddaughter, Christine Williams and her husband Damon; her great-grandchildren, Shawn Butler, Jackson and Alise Williams; and by numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. A Celebration of her Life will be held at Pardinis Catering on West Shaw in Fresno, CA on April 19, 2014, at 12:00 noon. Remembrances may be made to The Veterans Memorial Museum, 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721; or to the donor’s favorite charity.
Bina, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was born in Coperchia, Italy, on January 10, 1931, and passed away on March 27, 2014, at the age of 83. Bina was the daughter of Rocco and Vincenza Petrosino. She emigrated from Salerno, Italy in 1947 with her parents, paternal grandmother and brother, Antonio, where they were reunited with her grandfather, Antonio Petrosino, who lived in Clovis. Bina attended San Joaquin Memorial High School where she graduated in 1949. In 1955, Bina returned to Italy to marry, Gaetano, “Nino” Gaeta. They settled in Clovis, Ca. and were married 54 years until Nino’s passing in 2010. Bina was a homemaker and devoted herself to her children and their upbringing. We will forever hold dear her kind hearted nature, inquisitive mind and unique sense of humor. The family would like to extend their gratitude for the excellent and compassionate care she received from the entire staff at Saint Agnes Medical Center and especially Dr. Marshall Flam and the Saint Agnes Hematology-Oncology Medical Group, whose staff went above and beyond in the care they administered. Special thanks also to Walt Robinson of Bright Horizon Hospice for responding promptly to our mother’s needs. The family would also like to thank Auspice Home Health. She is survived by her sons, Celestino and his wife Christine, of Carlsbad, CA, Anthony and his wife Rhonda, of San Ramon, CA, Michael and his wife Lisa of Clovis, CA; and her daughter, Anna Marie LaMattina and her husband Patrick of Fresno, Ca. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Gabriella, Nicholas, Francesca, Alexandria and Michael Gaeta and Marco Gaetano LaMattina. In addition, Bina is survived by her brother, Antonio Petrosino of Clovis, CA and many beloved relatives both here and in her native land of Italy. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at The Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Clovis Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in Bina’s name to Saint Agnes Medical Foundation, Valley Caregiver Resource Center, Bright Horizon Hospice and Auspice Home Health. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559) 227-4048
Sarah was born on September 23, 1916, in Beatrice, NE to Daisy Belle and Frank Mac- Cracken. She moved to Reedley and then Fresno as a young child, graduating from Fresno High School in 1934, and Fresno State College in 1939. Sarah married Rowland Hopper in 1943, and spent many happy years raising her family with him. She loved her family, dogs and garden. Following Rowland’s death in 2006, Sarah moved to San Joaquin Gardens, where she reconnected with old friends and made many new ones. Sarah is preceded in death by her husband Rowland; her parents; and sister, Betsy Mac- Cracken. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Hunter; son, Neil Hopper; daughters, Janet Hopper and her husband Steven Lopez, and Lynne Hopper; and grandchildren, Daisy Hopper and Damian Hopper. The family would like to thank the staff at The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens; and Bright Horizon Hospice for the exceptional care they gave Sarah. At Sarah’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to TSJG Foundation; or Animal Rescue of Fresno. Neptune Society Of Central California, 1154 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California (559) 222-7764
A lifelong resident of Fresno, California, Vicki passed away on February 21, 2014, at age 70 after a six-year battle with Ovarian Cancer. She was born on October 30, 1943, to Victor Leon Kuhn and Marie Marian Gross. She was a 1961 graduate of Roosevelt High School where she was the Senior Class Cheer Leader. Early during her high school years, the love of her life found her. She and Larry Allen Zander were eventually married on June 30, 1963. As husband and wife for over 50 years they shared many happy occasions, particularly the births of their children and grandchildren. After completing a two-year Associate in Arts Degree at Fresno City College, she quit her formal schooling to marry and begin raising a family. When her two children became of school age, she entered the work force with the Fresno Unified School District as an elementary school nurse’s aide. She spent all of her career with the district. Most of these years were at Heaton Elementary School as a School Office Manager from 1976 to 2001, and many years at Lincoln Elementary School as a Student Body Fund Developer from 2001 to 2014. Among her many interests, the grandchildren were at the top of the list. They were the centerpiece of her life for her last 17 years. She quickly became known as “Oma”. She was very much loved by her family, and will be deeply missed. Knowing now that she is now safely in the hands of God provides comfort to all. She also enjoyed her family summer vacations. With the families of her two daughters she looked forward to our annual summer week long vacation while staying in beautiful ocean view homes along the central coast of California. Carmel and Cambria were her favorite destinations for these vacations. As the chief student body fundraiser at Lincoln Elementary School, her enthusiasm for the children, for the work itself, and for the positive feedback she received from the staff all kept her spirits high and her mind off of her health issues in her last years. She loved to travel with the Tauck Tours Company. Her travels included Europe, specifically to Germany, Turkey and Greece. Travel in the U.S. to New England for fall colors and to the Antebellum South was also at the top of her list. But it was her travel to the Canadian Rockies that she really wanted to replicate. Although she had earlier taken the vacation tour in the Canadian Rockies with her husband, she deeply wanted to share the same experience with the rest of her family. The money from the piggy banks of her three grandchildren was invested and enough was accumulated over the years to fund that same Canadian Rockies trip for the whole family. The plan was for this to happen in the month of her 50th wedding anniversary in 2013. But this trip was not to be as the recurrence of cancer cancelled this dream. (The family has plans to proceed with this trip in her memory.) She was an avid reader of books on a variety of subjects. She participated in several ladies Book Review groups and Bible Study groups. She often fell asleep with some book in her hands. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Paul Mueller and Kenneth Zander; and nephew, Matthew Mueller She is survived by her husband; her children, Stephanie Lee Lozano and Lesli Alison Zander both of Fresno; and her grandchildren, Allison Jade Lozano, Mateo Joseph Lozano and Corin Marie Cruikshank. Also surviving is her sister, Georgia Mueller of Fresno; nieces, Rebecca Cano of Coarsegold and Paula Jordan of Fresno; and nephew, Jeffrey Zander of Shell Beach. In her behalf the family wishes to express thanks for the staffs of the St. Agnes Cancer Center and the Bright Horizon Hospice Service. With their help and support she set a good example for all and will be remembered as a strong woman of Christian faith. “And now these remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 Visitation will be at the Stephens and Bean Chapel On Thursday, February 27, 2014, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the Matt Mueller Fund at Hope Lutheran Church, 364 E. Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93710; the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 901 E Street NW, Suite 405, Washington, DC 20004; or the Bright Horizon Hospice Services, 6255 Fresno St. Suite 104 Fresno, CA 93710. Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California (559)268-9292
Joe peacefully left us to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 3, 2013. He was born on August 25, 1922, in Tranquility, Ca. He was 91. Joe and his wife Betty celebrated their 70 year wedding anniversary on June 20, 2013. Joe retired in September of 1984, from Fred Rau Dairy, Inc. after 42 years. He was tired but happy. He also enjoyed many years as a member of the Edison Social Club where he helped make sausage and beerocks four times a year. He made many new friends. God bless those friends. A special thanks goes to Sharon Bailey and Marie Highet for all there love and care. The family also wishes to thank all the nurses and caregivers at Bright Horizon Hospice for their love and kindness. God bless all of you! He is preceded in death by his parents, Ellias and Senhorinha; his brothers, Domingos, George, Henry and Bill; and a sister, Hazel. Joe is survived by his loving wife Betty; son, Kenneth; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sisters, Marie, Margaret, and Greta; his brother Harold; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 9, 2013, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Vigil Service and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Thursday, October 10, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church; or the donor’s favorite charity. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559) 227-4048
Lois Evelyn Jennings Yearout was born July 26, 1926, and passed away on October 17, 2013, in Fresno, Ca. She was born to Ervin and Alice Jennings, in Upland, Ca. During her early years, Lois lived a few years in Upland and Sacramento before her family settled in Fresno. She attended elementary school and junior high in Fresno and graduated from Fresno High School in 1944. She then attended Goshen College, a Mennonite college in Indiana. While in high school, she met Robert Yearout and they attended Goshen College together and married in 1946. After college, Robert and Lois returned to the Fresno area and they started farming with Robert’s father Floyd and brother Ray in the Cantua and Mendota area on the westside of Fresno County. Lois was busy caring for their three children, Richard, Carol, Steven. Lois began substitute teaching at a migrant school in Cantua during the cotton harvest season in the Fall of 1949. Later she substituted at Washington and Mc Cabe Elementary School’s in Mendota. In the mid sixties Lois started teaching 7th and 8th grade fulltime at Mc Cabe Elementary Junior High School and continued until 1981, when she retired. After 28 years on the westside of Fresno County, she and Robert moved to Fresno and enjoyed city life. Lois was a member of the AAUW for many years. She and her family attended the Church of The Brethren for many years and faithfully drove from Mendota to Fresno each Sunday. She helped in the church’s women groups and taught Sunday School for more than 30 years. She also volunteered for many years at the Fresno Community Medical Center Gift Shop. In her early years, Lois enjoyed playing tennis and various table games and entertaining with her friends. She was a great hostess and always worked hard to please others. Lois was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2004. She is survived by her children, Richard Yearout and his wife Alyce, Carol Ann Pafford and her husband Sam, Steve and his wife Abbie Crist; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Lois is also survived by her sister, Ellen Davidhizar and husband Paul; and her brother, Ernest Jennings and his wife Mary; and many nieces and nephews. Thanks to Lois’ caregivers, Bev Smith, Gigi Sheehan, and Christi Morton, for their loving care and her many friends. Thanks also to Bright Horizon Hospice of Fresno. A Memorial Service will be held at the Central Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church, formerly the Church of the Brethren, 3901 E. Clinton at 9th St. on Friday, November 8, 2013, at 11:00 am. Remembrances may be made to Bright Horizon Hospice, 2115 Kern St. #102 Fresno, Ca. 93721; or Alzheimer’s Foundation of Central California, 4411 N. Cedar Ave., Ste 102, Fresno, Ca. 93726. Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 ‘L’ Street, Fresno, California (559)266-0666
Arlene “Boots” Wright was born to Herbert and Bernice Gamlin on November 3, 1929, in Fresno and passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2013, at the age of 84. Boots worked in retail and the banking industry before retiring from Sanwa Bank in Fresno, Ca. Boots and her husband, Tim, loved to travel in their fifth-wheel with frequent stops at Pismo Coast Village, Death Valley, and Trona, where she and her family lived for 10 years. She loved to dance and meet new people. She always was the heart of the party. Boots was a die-hard Oakland Raider fan. She spent over five years at Yosemite Gardens and over two years at Orchard Park. She made many good friends and great memories. She was preceded in death by her husband, H.H. “Tim” Wright, her best friend and sister, Noralee Sebilian and her brothers, Wallace and Charles Widlund. She is survived by her son, Tim Wright and his wife Liz, of Clovis; daughter, Jerri Burgess, of Clovis; grandchildren, Matthew Wright of Los Angeles, Steve Garcia and his wife Norma of Clovis, Sara Lloyd and her husband Matthew of Fresno, Rich Seavy and his wife Stacey of Prosper, Tx., and Kellen Seavy of Clovis; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at those two facilities for all their support, care and compassion. Also, they would like to thank Bright Horizon Hospice for their compassionate care in her final days. A Visitation will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow the at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to your local SPCA. Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 ‘L’ Street, Fresno, California (559)266-0666
Bob was born on December 4, 1933, to Russell & Hazel Zimmerman in Fresno, Ca., and passed away on Monday, November 11, 2013, surrounded by his family. He led a very joyous life and loved his family dearly, always bragging about his grandkids. He worked as an insurance adjuster for 50 plus years, before retiring to spend more time with his wife at their cabin located at Shaver Lake and to enjoy watching his grandchildren and all their activities. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Hazel; his brother Jack; and sister, Joyce Smith. He is survived by his loving wife Susan; sons, Rodney and his wife Angie, Dan and his wife Ann, and Mark; step-son, Casey Shiroyama; and devoted step-daughter, Jennifer Hinojosa and her husband Gumen; six grandchildren, Robert, Steven, Russell and Amy Zimmerman, Shawn Shiroyama and Anthony Hinojosa. A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Monday, November 18, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Bright Horizon Hospice, 6255 N. Fresno St., Ste. 102, Fresno Ca. 93710. Farewell, 660 West Locust Avenue, Fresno, California (559)440-0484