Recent Obituaries and Guest Books

Carmen "Betty" Landavaso

SALINAS

Carmen "Betty" Landavaso, 78, lifelong resident of Salinas, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 13, 2013, in Salinas. She was born March 7, 1935, in Lompoc.

Betty was a very special lady, always caring for her family and friends. She had a playfulness about her and loved to joke with her kids, grandchildren and especially her lifetime friend and husband, Chuy. Betty learned to love the sport of boxing and was the first to shout "Knock 'em out!". She enjoyed watching cowboy movies and scary movies, and dancing to "old school" Motown. She also enjoyed gardening. Betty was an awesome cook and made the best tortillas ever. Our hearts ache for Betty and we will love her forever. We feel so fortunate that God gave us Betty for the time that we had her.

Betty is survived by her husband, Jesus "Chuy" Landavaso of Salinas; five children, Frank (Gloria) Valenzuela of San Luis, Ray Valenzuela of Las Vegas, Marina Landavaso (Nick Hernandez) of Salinas, Rose Landavaso (Mark Cunningham) of Salinas and Melinda Landavaso of Salinas; ten grandchildren, Andy Valenzuela, Frankie Valenzuela, Dominic Valenzuela, Elisha Valenzuela, Alicia Valenzuela-Gutierrez, Catina Valenzuela-Narte, Corina Valenzuela, Angelica Landavaso, Joseph Landavaso and Jacob Landavaso; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; mother, Fidencia Chavez of Salinas; sister, Rita Moreno of San Jose; and her brother, Tom Adair of Salinas; along with numerous loving relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 1 to 5 p.m., at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA 93905.

A Funeral service will be held Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2 p.m., at the Healey Mortuary Chapel.

Burial to follow services at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, 850 Abbott St., Salinas, CA 93901.

Arrangements entrusted to Healey Mortuary & Crematory, www.healeymortuary.com

Weaver, AL



Daniel Eric Madden

Daniel Eric Madden, 55, of Weaver, AL, died May 19, 2012 in Oneonta, AL, in a motorcycle accident.

Mr. Madden served in the United States National Guard, United States Coast Guard, and the United States Coast Guard Reserves. At the time of his death, he was employed with the United States Postal Service. Mr. Madden was a member of the Korean Presbyterian Church in Anniston, AL and had a passion for riding his motorcycle. He was founder and rider of the American Legion Riders, Chapter 107, in Leeds and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Leo and Dora Kathleen Hughes Madden.

Mr. Madden is survived by his wife, Tomoko Madden of Weaver, AL; his daughter, Desiree (Joshua) Sleeper of Hollister; his son, Eric Madden of Southern California; two sisters, Linda McMahon of Arizona and Gloria Morrow of Florida; three brothers, Richard (Atsuko) Madden of Chicago, IL; William (Chae-Mi) Madden of Glenco, AL; Paul (Tami) Madden of Chowchilla; three grandchildren, Logan Madden, Bell Sleeper and Sunday Sleeper; several nieces and nephews; and an extended host of friends, who he considered family.

A Memorial and Burial service will be held Monday, May 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m,. at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907. Reception to follow at Marina American Legion Post 694 located at 694 Legion Way, Marina, CA 93933.

Salinas

John L. Massa

John L. Massa, 96, a native of Salinas. Passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. He was born into the farming family of Italian immigrants, Domenico G. and Adalgisa Massa, on July 28, 1916, in Salinas.

A farmer, who lived his life of 96 years in Salinas. The third of four children. A man beloved by all that knew him. He saw vegetable farming grow from horse tilled "gardens" to large acres farmed by cab enclosed, air conditioned, equipment that would not have been imaginable to a young boy. A transformation of the Salinas Valley and Monterey in his life time. He embraced life with a soft touch and an appreciation of all around him. Much more a giver than a taker. A man who appreciated fine art and music and the embrace of his extended family. He will be missed, and yet all are happy he is at peace.

Preceded in death by his wife Elsie, brother Bill, sisters Alma and Rose, and great grandson Nathan.

He is survived by his sons John and Derck and daughter Mary; nicknamed Butch, Buck, and Chickie. Their spouses Ann Marie Massa, Pat Smith, and John MacLeod. Grandfather of Pamela (Bardin) Bengard, Toni (Bart) Bonfantini, John C (Jodi) Massa, and Susan (Ray) Thomas, Annie Massa-MacLeod, and Elizabeth Massa-Macleod (Derek Oldham); Max Massa and Sarah Massa (Zach Fenstrom) . Great grandchildren Bridget, Bardin, Sarah, and Christian Bengard; Bart and Barret Bonfantini; Justin, Kyle, and Alicia Massa; and Devin and Stephen Thomas. Numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2013 3:00p.m. to 7:00pm at the Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 West San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901.

Rosary will be held Friday, May 24, 2013, 7:00pm at the Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 West San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901.

Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013, 10:30am at the St Joseph's Church, 1 Railroad Ave. Spreckels, CA.

Entombment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com.

Salinas

Maria Trindade Oliveira

Maria Trindade Oliveira, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at her home. She was born June 12, 1927 in Topo, Sao Jorge, in the Azores Islands of Portugal.

Maria immigrated to the United States in 1972 and lived in Salinas ever since. She worked for Sunnyside Nursery for 20 years. She loved flowers and spending time with her family. She especially cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maria is survived by her only child, John Jorge (Julie) Oliveira of Salinas; her grandchildren, Sandy (Brian) Amaral of Salinas and Brian (Jessica) Oliveira of Salinas; four great-grandchildren, Sariya Oliveira, Jenise Oliveira, Isabella Amaral, and Cateleya Oliveira; three brothers, Fernando Brasil of Modesto, Pedro Brasil of Los Banos, Antonio Brasil of Turlock; and one sister, Elena Silva of Sao Jorge, Azores, Portugal; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 13, 2013 from 2 to 8 p.m., at Whitehurst, Norton, Diaz Funeral Service in Turlock.

Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption in Turlock. She will be buried at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Salinas.

Myrtle Point, OR

Shirley Ann Paradice

Shirley Ann Paradice, 75, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013, in Myrtle Point, OR after a 7 year fight with cancer.

Shirley spent her early years living in Monterey and then eventually moved to Salinas where she proudly raised her family and loved spending time with them. She also worked for the local IBEW union and eventually retired from there and moved to Oregon.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Richard Paradice; son, Richard A. Paradice; daughter, Diane L. Paradice; daughter, Denise R. Baldwin; son, Michael S. Paradice; sister, Theda Mooney; and brothers, Charles, Edward, Clifford and Donald Morey. Her surviving grandchildren are Anthony Reyes, Vanessa Paradice, Brianna and Raine Montes. Shirley "Bird", as we all loved to call her, will be truly missed.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Alta Vista Mortuary, 41 East Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93901.

Arrangements by Alta Vista Mortuary, 831-424-9700. Online condolences: www.altavistamortuary.com

Soledad

Amada "Amy" Patino

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, our beloved mother, grandmother, & great grandmother, Amy, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. She was born February, 1, 1926 in Los Angeles. She initially lived in Monterey and eventually settled in Soledad, having resided in Monterey County since the mid 1940's.

Amy worked as a field laborer, then in retail at the Soledad Pharmacy on Front Street, and finally as owner and operator of Patino's Day Care Center. She ultimately retired in 2008. Amy enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sewing, crocheting, knitting and trips to Reno.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Salvador Patino; son, Ralph Patino, & sister Angelina Garcia.

She is survived by her 3 daughters; Amanda (Jesse) Holguin, Linda (Melvin) Jackson, Sylvia (Jose) Bravo; grandchildren, Florinda & Isaac Bailon, Sal & Kenny Patino, Shannon Patino, Moises & Anysia Alvarado, Priscilla & Adrian Bravo; Damian & Daniel Jackson; 10 great grandchildren; nephews, Rudy & Richard Garcia; niece, Raquel Arroyo.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 4 to 7 pm at Woodyard Funeral Home in Soledad; followed with Rosary at 7 pm.

Arrangements by Woodyard Funeral Home, 395 East St, Soledad, CA (831) 678-9100 WoodyardFuneralHome.com

Soledad

Alvin H. Piffero

Alvin Henry Piffero, 81, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at his home with his family, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born January 26, 1932 in Salinas to Ricardo and Gemma Piffero, he attended Gonzales Schools and Hartnell College.

Alvin served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1960, attaining the rank of Corporal. Alvin received several medals and ribbons related to his service during The Korean Conflict.

In March of 1963, he married his wife Phyllis. He is a lifelong resident of the Salinas Valley residing in both Gonzales and Soledad. Alvin worked for the US Postal Service for over 30 years until retiring as Postmaster at Greenfield Post Office.

Alvin was a member of The Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club, Monterey County Swiss American Club, Salinas Elks Lodge BPOE No. 614, Gonzales American Legion Post 81, The Knights of Columbus and The Foresters of America Soledad Court No. 153.

Alvin will be especially remembered for his interests in the local youth programs. He loved coaching Little League and Soledad Youth Basketball, being a 4-H Leader, assisting the local 4-H and FFA members with their fair swine projects, and attending the local high school sports games. Alvin really enjoyed going to the San Francisco Giants games with his family.

Most recently when Alvin was diagnosed, he was proud to participate and serve in the research and development of medication to find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Piffero of Soledad; his children, Gary and Candy Piffero of Gonzales, Joanne and Richard Lopez of Soledad and Sharon Piffero; his beloved grandchildren, Joseph Manzoni, Nicole Piffero and Kevin Piffero. Alvin also was honored to be a father figure to his nephew, Robert Domenighini, after both of Robert's parents passed away when he was a teenager. Surviving siblings include his brother, Richard Piffero of Gonzales, and Delores Silva of Novato; numerous nieces and nephews.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Ricardo and Gemma Piffero; his brothers, Arthur Piffero, Sergio Piffero; and sister, Erna Domenighini.

Celebration of Life Prayer service will be held Saturday June 1, 2013 at 1:30 p.m., at The Monterey County Swiss Rifle Grounds in Gonzales. Relatives and friends are welcome at the celebration of life. Private family interment will be held at Garden of Memories-Santa Cruz Memorial at a later date.

Memorial contributions are welcome in lieu of flowers to Hospice Of The Central Coast, , or an organization of your choice.

Thanks to Dr. Jerome Goldstein and his team at The San Francisco Clinical Research Center and Hospice Of The Central Coast for their help and support.

Arrangements by Woodyard Funeral Home. Online condolences to www.WoodyardFuneralHome.com.

Salinas

Paul J. Powers Jr.

Paul J. Powers, Jr., 83, of Salinas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 14, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 18, 1929 in Los Angeles, to Paul J. and Beatrice Powers.

Paul grew up in Westwood and Long Beach, graduating from St. Anthony's High School and went on to graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Administration. He was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta at USC. He served in the U.S. Army at Ft. McNair in Washington DC during the Korean War. When he came home to Long Beach, he served as Plant Manager for Purex Corporation until he moved the family to Salinas to start Powers Rentals in 1966.

Paul was an avid pilot of his Turbo Piper Lance based out of the Salinas Airport with an IFR rating and thousands of hours of flight time. One of Paul's greatest joys in life was flying…whether taking people that had never flown to see whales in the Monterey Bay, or business and family trips across the country. He enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially in the Lake Tahoe and Maui areas.

Paul was a very active member of the community serving on numerous boards and committees, California Rental Association - President, California Rental Association Northern Chapter - President, Rental Industry Association - Chairman of the Board, American Rental Association - Director, Scaffold Industry Association - Founder and President, Salinas Valley Builder's Exchange - President, Monterey County Sheriff's Department Aero Squadron - Commander, City of Salinas Airport Commission, Rotary Club of Salinas, Salinas Rodeo, Salinas Airshow, Salinas Owners and Pilots Association and Notre Dame High School Board

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Beatrice Powers; and his sisters, Kathleen Merrick and Miriam Stracke.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carlene Powers; his children, Paul (Karen) Powers III of Corral de Tierra, Melinda (Steve) Costa of Salinas, Susan (Marguerite) Powers of Salinas, Linda Ferhmann of Toronto, James Powers of Toronto; and his grandchildren, Matthew, Adam and Megan Costa, Patrick and Jacquelynn Powers, Sharon and Daniel Ferhmann.

The family would like to give a very special thank you to all of his caring doctors, nurses and therapists at SVMH.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 20, 2013 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas, CA 93901.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., at Struve and Laporte in Salinas.

Burial following at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907.

Memorials in the name of Paul J. Powers, Jr., can be made to the and the Rotary Club of Salinas.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com.

King City

Theresa Richardson

Theresa Richardson passed away peacefully in her home Wednesday, May 8, 2013. She was a 54 year resident of King City. She was born Rowena Theresa Reed in Chattanooga, TN to Helen and Charles Reed.

Theresa grew up with her family, including her younger sister, Charlynne and was a member of the Red Bank Methodist Church in Chattanooga. After graduating from Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, she received her B.S. degree from Georgia State College for Women. She then went on to receive her Masters in Library Science from George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville .

In 1959, she headed west and took a position as the Librarian at King City Joint Union High School, a position she held for 33 years. She enjoyed working with the close-knit staff and was a popular teacher with the students.

Theresa was a member of many organizations. She was a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also a member of the Estero Bay Newcomers Club of Morro Bay, the La Cuesta Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution in San Luis Obispo, and the Silver Kings and Queens of King City. She previously volunteered at the gift shops at both Mee Memorial Hospital in King City and the Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo.

Upon retiring, Theresa and her husband of 52 years, Eugene "Corky", spent their time between King City and Morro Bay. They also enjoyed traveling. As everyone knows, Theresa most cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her love for them knew no bounds.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Charles and her sister, Charlynne. She will be laid to rest with them at Chattanooga Memorial Park.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene; her two sons, Jerry (Anne) and Ron (Amy); and her five grandchildren, Joshua, Alyssa, Samantha, Kelly and Keri.

A "Celebration of Theresa's Life" will be held Friday, May 31, 2013 from noon to 4 p.m., at the DeAnza Building in San Lorenzo County Park, 1160 Broadway in King City.

Donations can be made to the .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 333 East San Antonio Drive, King City, 831-385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com

Juana Marquez Saldana, 97, Salinas, died 05-15-2013.

Arrangements: Struve and Laporte Funeral Home www.struveandlaporte.com.