United States High School Yearbooks by County
Ricardo Zepeda
Services will be Thursday for Ricardo Zepeda, who died June 1 from injuries suffered in a car accident in North Monterey County. He was 18.
Mr. Zepeda was born and raised in Watsonville.
He graduated from Watsonville High School in 2002, and was studying engineering at Cabrillo College.
He is survived by his parents, Antonio and Maria Zepeda of Watsonville; his brothers, Genero, Antonio Jr. and Angel Zepeda, all of Watsonville; his sisters, Veronica and Maribel Zepeda, both of Watsonville; his grandparents, Leopoldo and Genoveva Moreno of Watsonville, and Maria Owalle and Santiago Zepeda of Mexico; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may call from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, 222 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. A vigil will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church, 721 Main St., Watsonville. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s, followed by Burial at Valley Public Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
June 3, 2003
Eva LaVaun Bechtel
Services will be private for Eva LaVaun Bechtel, who died May 23. She was 91.
Mrs. Bechtel had lived in Santa Cruz since 1986.
Before moving to Santa Cruz, she owned and operated a beauty shop for more than 50 years.
She was a member of the Grey Bears of Santa Cruz and attended St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin F. Bechtel of Santa Cruz; son James V. Bechtel of Capitola; and two grandchildren.
Contributions are preferred to the Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz County, 6851 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
Arrangements are by Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, Santa Cruz.
June 3, 2003
RICARDO “RICK” ROMEO PEREZ
Services will be on Thursday for Ricardo "Rick" Romeo Perez who passed away peacefully at his home in Davenport on Sunday, June 1, 2003. He was 42.
A long time resident of Davenport, Rick attended Pacific Elementary School, Mission Hill Jr. High School and graduated from Santa Cruz High School. He also attended De Anza College and San Jose City College Majoring in Diesel Mechanic Repair.
Rick worked for the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District for 23 years, Rick loved his job and his co-workers.
His hobbies included Cars, Nascar racing, Motorcycle riding, Super bikes, soccer, off road fun, and mini bike racing. Rick drove for Chaparral Motorsport Superbike racing team. He had a passion for 18 wheeling, his dream was to drive cross country when he retired from the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. Rick was a very generous person and was always willing to help.
He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association.
He married his elementary school sweetheart, Cheri, they have been together for 30 years.
He is survived by his wife of 21 1/2 years, Cheryl "Cheri" Olimpio Perez of Davenport; his son, Anthony Ricardo Perez of Davenport; his daughter, Nicole C. Perez of Davenport; his twin sister, Minerva Casrez of Santa Cruz, his sisters, Maria Olivas of Davenport and Macrina (Kiki) Acevedo of Davenport: his brothers, Rey Perez, Jr., Joe Perez and Filo Perez all of Davenport; his parents, Reynaldo and Macrina Perez of Davenport. He is also survived by 4 nieces, 7 nephews and numerous aunts and uncles.
Friends may call on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz) beginning at 12 noon and will conclude at 5:00 p.m.
Services will be held at the chapel on Thursday, June 5, 2003 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Remembrances can be made to the Davenport Volunteer Fire Department 75 Marine View, Davenport, CA or Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz County, 6851 Soquel Dr. Aptos, Ca 95003. Arrangements are under the direction of Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.
June 3, 2003
VICTORIA "LILLIA" CARDINALE
Services will be on Friday for Victoria "Lillia" Cardinale who passed away on Monday, June 2, 2003 at a local hospital, she was 77.
Born in Messina, Sicily on May 25, 1926 she was a homemaker for 59 years and a seamstress.
Lillia enjoyed gardening and cooking. Her gardens brought forth wonderful tomato’s, Italian Zucchinis and Prickly Pears. She was an excellent cook making Ravioli’s, Pizza and Cannoli. She was also an excellent seamstress making wonderful wedding dresses. She was often called on by Bridal Veil for her excellent work. She loved giving gifts, she always had a gift for someone.
She was a member of the International Catholic Federation and of Holy Cross Church.
She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Vincenzo "Vince" Cardinale of Santa Cruz; her children, Maria Fortino of Gilroy, Frank Cardinale of Santa Cruz, Caterina Mosley of Soquel, Joe Cardinale and Anthony Cardinale both of Santa Cruz; her sisters, Pina Visalli and Tita Siracusano both of Messina, Sicily and her brothers, Franco Coiro of Genoa, Italy and Pietro Coiro of Messina, Sicily.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and many other relatives throughout Sicily.
Friends may call on Thursday, June 5, 2003 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Vigil Prayer Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church (126 High Street Santa Cruz). Committal services will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.
June 4, 2003
MARILYN M. RUSK
MARILYN M. RUSK, 64, died in her home in Scottsdale, AZ on May 29, 2003. She was born on July 3, 1938 in Wilkensburg, PA. She was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Jerry, son Douglas, and daughters Pamela and Amy. Survivors also include three grandchildren, Jeffrey and Amanda Hall and Lauren Rusk; and a sister, Carroll Lucus, of Sunnyvale, CA. Marilyn attended Indiana University and was affiliated with Kappa Delta sorority. They lived in Riverside, IL for 12 years and then moved to Watsonville, CA where they lived 17 years. They moved to Arizona 9 years ago. Marilyn was a devoted, wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking so much she wrote a cookbook. Services will be held on June 21, 2003 at 11am at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery chapel in Santa Cruz, CA. Contributions can be made to: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.
June 4, 2003
Diane K. Marks
A memorial will be Saturday for Diane K. Marks, who died May 30 at her home in Santa Cruz. She was 49.
A California native, she was a talented watercolor artist and writer who lived in Santa Cruz for 28 years. She enjoyed reading, and she loved to hike in the redwoods. Her family said she had an awesome sense of humor.
She is survived by two sons, Robin Jacobi and Aaron Marks, both of Santa Cruz; her mother and stepfather, Gloria and David Miller of Manhattan Beach; father William Jacobi of Pacific Palisades; sister Dee Roe of Santa Cruz; and one grandson.
The memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at 94 Brookwood Drive, off Prospect Heights in Santa Cruz. For information, call 476-4388.
Contributions are preferred to the Aaron Marks Scholarship Fund, in care of Bank of America, 4055 Capitola Road, Capitola, CA 95010.
June 13, 2003
Filomena G. Espiritu
Services will be Saturday for Filomena Germano Espiritu, who died Tuesday at Dominican Hospital of sudden heart failure. She was 71.
A native of Bato, Leyte, Philippines, she earned a teaching credential and taught English in the Philippines and in California. A Santa Cruz resident since 1972, she was known as a caregiver in the community. She worked for 20 years as a nursing assistant.
Her family said she was a great pianist with a lust for life.
She is survived by her husband, Ildefonso Espiritu of Santa Cruz, daughter Eangelica Aton of Santa Cruz; brother Vicente Germano of Santa Cruz; four sisters, Carmen Germano of Santa Cruz, Shirley Christenson of Rochester, Minn., Lily Graham and Domeniciana Germano, both of the Philippines.
Friends may call at Oakwood Memorial Park Crystal Chapel Friday from 1 to 6:30 p.m., when a vigil will take place.
The funeral procession will form at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Oakwood Crystal Chapel and travel to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 515 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m.
The Rev. Percy Kimble will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
June 13, 2003
John P. Hamilton
No services are planned for John Patrick Hamilton, who died June 2 at his home in Boulder Creek. He was 51.
Born in Pittsburg, he had lived in the area for 15 years. He worked as a commercial fisherman.
Cremation will be private. Davis Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
June 13, 2003
Irene Bongolan-Sampilo
Services will be Sunday for Irene Bongolan-Sampilo, who died of natural causes Tuesday at Carmel Residential Care. She was 83.
Born in Santiago Ilocus Sur, Philippine Islands, she lived in Watsonville for 51 years.
For 30 years, she worked for Green Giant as a cannery forewoman. She was a member of the Catholic Association of Watsonville, Legionarios, the Teamsters, the Santigenean Association of the United States, Salinas Filipino Community and Visayan Trust. Her family said she loved to grow orchids and was a great cook.
She is survived by two daughters Felirene Bongolan of Berkeley and Loraine Bongolan-Van Stolk of Watsonville; sister Rosario Sipin Labayog of the Philippine Islands, and two grandchildren.
Her first husband, Felix Bongolan, died in 1973. Her second husband, Lorenzo Sampilo, died in 1992.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Davis Memorial Chapel, 609 Main St., Watsonville. Friends may call from noon to 4 p.m.
Burial will be in Valley Catholic Cemetery.
June 13, 2003
