Archived Obituaries

Joan Sexton, 61, of Van Buren, Arkansas passed away in her home on Feb.3, 2008. She was born May 2, 1946,in Broken Bow, OK. She was a member of the Old Town Cruisers Car Club for 16 years and Sunnyside Assembly of God. She is preceded in death by son Brent Sexton. She is survived by her husband, David Sexton of Van Buren, Ark.; two sons, Eddie and wife Pam of Hollister, David Jr and wife Susie of Van Buren Ark. And One daughter Jeannia Bocanegra of Hollister; two sisters, Barbara Cosio and Sue Townsend both of Hollister. Nine grandchildren, Kyle, Wayde, Tanner, Allison Sexton all of Hollister,Donnie, DJ Bocanegra, Isaiah Sexton of Hollister and Dylan, Hayden Sexton of Van Buren Ark. Graveside services will be held Friday, March 14, 2008 at 1:00pm at Calvary Cemetery 1100 Hillcrest Road, Hollister, Califronia

A private service will be held.

Born in Jerome, Arizona on June 29, 1918, Esperanza passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 6, 2007, with all of her children at her bedside. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church since the late 1940's, when she and her late husband Daniel established their home in the Gilroy area. She was a giving, humble, loving and spiritual person who enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Her children's involvement in their respective communities was acknowledged in 1993 when the family was chosen as the Hispanic Family of The Year for Santa Clara County.

Rachel Marie Estrada passed away in Gilroy, California at the age of 78. She was a long time housewife and graduate of Live Oak High School class of 1948. Rachel, a long time resident of Morgan Hill, California, raised her family there. She is survived by her three children, Henry (Kathie) Martinez of Bend, Oregon, John Estrada (Sylvia) Estrada of San Jose and Olga Jean Sanchez of Morgan Hill. Rachel is also survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her unending devotion to her children and her fighting spirit. She will be missed. May she rest in peace. She was a volunteer at St Catherine's food pantry for approximately 13 years and worker at the voter polls for many years.

Manuel F Nunes, 84, long-time resident of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, passed away on January 26th, 2010.

Irene Laursen, a Gilroy resident since 1959, died December 13th at Santa Theresa Hospital in San Jose. Born Irene Sylvia Peters, she was 11th of 12 children in rural northwestern Nebraska. Irene had flowing red hair, a love of dancing, and a playful wit. She married fellow Nebraskan, Rudy Laursen, in 1936. The couple's three children were all born in Nebraska; Lorrie Baker of Oakland, Phill Laursen of Gilroy, and Byron Laursen of Santa Ynez. A shy personality, yet remarkably determined, Irene survived by 35 years the loss of her beloved Rudy. A member of Saint Mary's Parish, Irene received last rites before her passing. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Lisa, Jennifer, and Kristin Laursen of San Francisco, and by devoted daughters-in-law, Kathy Laursen and Theresa Volpe Laursen.

John Pershing Skinner was born June 3, 1919 in Nampa, Idaho. He died after suffering with Parkinson's disease on July 16, 2008, surrounded by his family. John is survived by his wife, Helen and their two children, Margaret of Oakland and John Jr. of Palo Alto. He was the proud grandfather of three grandchildren: Kailyn McCord, Nathaniel Skinner and John McCord.

Lorayne Stricker passed away in Lapeer, Mi, at the age of 84. She was a 30 year resident of Gilroy, CA.