Obituaries

Nov 7, 2024

Michael Ira Ballew

Thursday, November 7th, 2024, our sweet brother, uncle, cousin & friend joined our Lord and many loved ones who had already passed into eternity. This came after his 2023 diagnosis of cancer and heart disease, as well as his stoic battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mike's life is a beautiful story of resilience and accomplishment. He was born in Hobart,...

Dec 14, 2024

 Felismina was born October 15, 1929 in the village of Santa Barbara, Pico, Azores, the sixth of seven children, and the last to leave this earth. 

 On December 15th, 1947, Felismina married Frank Vieira. In November of 1959, they moved to the United States. 

 Felismina was proud of her Portuguese heritage, and equally proud of being a naturalized U.S. citizen. 

 She belonged to...

Dec 6, 2024

Flora Ghilarducci, 96, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones, on December 6, 2024. She was born in Tassignano, Italy on September 8, 1928, to Lorenzo and Orsola Banducci, the youngest of five children (along with her twin sister Maria). She met the love of her life, Leo Ghilarducci, who had come to Tassignano to visit his...

Dec 10, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Aita (Dad), Alejandro Bernal, who left us on December 10, 2024. Born on August 26, 1935, in Arizcun, Spain, to Fernando and Maria Miura Bernal, Alejandro moved to the United States in pursuit of his dreams and new opportunities. Upon his arrival, he began working for his...

Dec 4, 2024

Nov 15, 2024

Nov 7, 2024

Oct 24, 2024

Nov 11, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce James (Jimmy) Edward Dean has passed away. Jimmy was born February 21st, 1947, and passed peacefully on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2024 in Bakersfield, CA. Jimmy was born in Mexico, Missouri and lived in Bakersfield, California after 1990 until his passing.

Jimmy enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Mexico High School....

Nov 5, 2024

Nov 5, 2024

Robert (Bob) Williams was born in Enid, Oklahoma on August 29, 1938, and went home to heaven on November 5, 2024. Survivors include his wife, Bobbi, daughter, Amy Church and husband, James Church, granddaughters Carrington Church and Kennedy Church. Also surviving is daughter Lisa Whitten and husband Gary Whitten, grandsons, Shad Whitten, Chase Whitten and wife Melissa and great grandsons,...

Nov 4, 2024

Oct 31, 2024

Vera Mae Fites, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024, at the age of 84. 

Born on May 11, 1940, in King City, California, Vera was a beacon of love and warmth in the lives of all who knew her.

Vera shared a beautiful life with her devoted husband, Tom Fites, and together they created...

Oct 31, 2024

 Mike Hale; aka, Dad, Pop’s, Big Mike, Ekim Elah, was born in Bakersfield on March 31, 1946.

 Mike attended Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield College and Fresno State. Mike did not play football at Fresno State; however, he beat several of the football players in arm wrestling.

 Mike married the love of his life, Bonnie Hale. He had a love for hot...

Oct 18, 2024

Michael Patrick Collier

September 30, 1947- October 18, 2024

Michael was born on September 30, 1947 in Bakersfield California to Kemp and Dena Collier. 

He attended local schools for his primary grades and was a 1965 graduate from South High School. At South High School Michael was a standout out wrestler going undefeated his senior year and winning a valley championship at 138...

Oct 13, 2024

Joe David Minton was born on April 11, 1930, in Lubbock, Texas to Charlie Scott Minton and Julia Myrtle (Lay) Minton. He passed away peacefully on October 13, 2024, in Bakersfield, California.

Joe’s early life was spent farming with his father after the family moved from Texas to Kern County, California, in 1932. He attended both Wasco and Bakersfield High Schools....

Sep 24, 2024

Sep 22, 2024

 Leland (Lee) Harry Murotani was born in Bakersfield, California on July 14, 1952 to parents Gaishi (Guy) and Yoshiye Murotani. Lee passed away in his home where he was born and raised on September 22,2024. He was 72. 

 He was a product of Bakersfield’s educational system beginning as a kindergartener at Munsey Elementary, transferring to Harris Elementary when it opened in...

Sep 21, 2024

Michelle Jean Burton, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away unexpectedly on September 21, 2024, in Bakersfield, California. She was born on March 22, 1959 in Downey, California.

Michelle is preceded in death by her husband, William "Ceps" Burton. Michelle raised three wonderful children: Crystal Nicole Hatch (Thomas Hatch), Brandon Michael Zavala (Kelsey Zavala), and Tyler John Smart (Jenna Kober). Michelle...

Sep 20, 2024

Ann Sill Hayes, 89, passed away on September 20, 2024, in Shafter, CA. Born on September 24, 1934, in Bakersfield, CA, she was a lifelong resident and grew up in the Sill family, a Kern County pioneer family in farming and ranching. She had fond memories of the Sill family and growing up on the ranch in Shafter, CA and...