Isabel (Betty) Consiglio was born October 1, 1913 in Fall River, Massachusetts. She was a Eucharistic Minister and President of numerous club and organizations. She loved to entertain and could be found at the convalescent nursing and senior homes in  the area performing.

She will be sorely missed, but will live on in all our hearts. She is survived by her daughters; Janet Jones of Clearwater, Florida and Carol Lyons of Santa Maria, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Stephanie DiVito and Sean Jones and Great Grandsons; Justin DiVito and Joshua Jones.

She was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore (Sam) Consiglio and daughter Joanne Cibello.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Christopher John Leon, 25, of Santa Maria, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 30, 2008 of natural causes.

Christopher was born on September 30, 1983 in Santa Maria to Christopher and Nancy Leon. Lovingly known as “Little Chris”, “Snausage”, and “Hammer”; Christopher spent his life as a part of the Santa Maria community. He was a 2002 graduate of Ernest Righetti High School and attended Allan Hancock College.

Christopher was employed as a truck driver for Pacific Petroleum and T&T Crane and later as a crane oiler for Parsons Construction while training to be a crane operator. He was also a proud member of the Operating Engineers Local 12.

One of Christopher’s passions was sports. In 2001, he was First Team All-League, First Team All-Area and First Team All-County in football, and continued his football passion at Allan Hancock College. He also played baseball in the Orcutt American Little League (OALL), umpired for local little leagues and was a member of the 2002 Righetti CIF Semi-Finalist baseball team. Christopher also enjoyed playing pool, wakeboarding, snowboarding, camping, and socializing.

Most of all, Christopher will be remembered as a big-hearted, caring and soft spoken man who had a deep love for his family and friends.

Christopher is survived by his loving parents, Christopher and Nancy; brother, Kyle Leon; sister, Katie Leon; fiancée, Lauren Taylor; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2008, followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Church Services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at First Christian Church, 1550 South College Drive in Santa Maria, with Pastor Clete Doyal officiating. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the Leon family has set up a Scholarship Memorial Fund to benefit a Student Athlete in Football and Baseball that exemplified Chris’ dedication, heart and desire to both sports. To contribute in Chris’ name, please send to the Christopher J. Leon Scholarship Memorial Fund, c/o Coast Hills Federal Credit Union, Account # 47617-01, 1157 East Clark, Suite D, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

Please click on the link below to view a special tribute to Christopher:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=434245948

Henry J. "Hank" Dolcini passed away suddenly November 30, 2008, at his home.

Hank was born on October 9, 1937, to Henry and Minnette Dolcini. He grew up in Guadalupe, attending local schools. He graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1955. Following high school, he attended Allan Hancock College.

Hank served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Walke from 1959-1963, receiving extensive training in electronics. His military service included a stint in the Western Pacific.

Hank resided in Orange County where he had a long career at Northrop Grumman working as an electronics engineer. Following his retirement in 1994 after 31 years of service, Hank returned to Santa Maria.

Hank had many hobbies. He was an avid sportsman and had vast knowledge of computers. He enjoyed the company of his friends and was involved in many local organizations, including the American Legion Post 371 of Guadalupe, the Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen's Club, the Nipomo Men's Club, and the Tin Can Savers Veterans' Group, and the Model A Club. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association.

Hank is survived by his sister, Bernardine (Lawrence) Perales; his sons, Henry of Corona, California; Rodney of Moreno Valley, California; Steven of Corona, California; and daughter, Stacy (Steven) Guse of Wilmington, North Carolina; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
 
Hank was preceded in death by his father, Henry Dolcini, in 1961 and his mother, Minnette Dolcini, in 1991.

Much loved father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Hank will be sorely missed.

Contributions may be made in Hank's honor to a favorite charity.

A funeral service will be held Friday, December 5, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home, with Father Vaughn Winters officiating.  Interment will follow in the Guadalupe Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Magner- Maloney Funeral Home.

Carolyn Ruth Greer Rasmussen, 71, of Santa Maria, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008 at her home. Carolyn was born on December 16, 1936 at the The Stork’s Nest in Tucson, AZ to Jason “Red” and Gladys Greer. Her father, Jason, is a member of the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.

Carolyn’s passions where the Dodgers, football and bingo; but most of all her granddaughter, Sarah Faith Johnston, the joy of her life.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 51 years, Flemming Rasmussen (retired, Rasmussen Danish Bakery); daughter, Diana Lynn Johnston (Bruce); son, Michael Edwin Rasmussen; granddaughter, Sarah Faith Johnston; sisters, Jeanette Greer Malkin (David) and Marilyn Greer Caywood (Gene); sister-in-law, Ulla Rasmussen Tucker; mother-in-law, Esther Rasmussen; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kundaria and his staff for their loving care.

Visitation will begin at Noon on Sunday, November 16, 2008, followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Private interment will be in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marian Hospice, in care of the Marian Foundation at 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria, CA 93454.

Betty I. Douglass, 83, of Santa Maria, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2008 at her home.

Betty was born on September 25, 1925 in Lewistown, Montana to John and Mabel (Cox) Smith. She graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula in 1947 with a degree in Journalism. Betty loved teddy bears, keeping one with her until the day she passed.

Betty is survived by her son, John E. Douglass of Frasier Park, CA; daughter, Sue Hansen and her husband, Robert, of Rialto, CA; brother, John R. Smith of Fresno, CA; as well as six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Douglass on July 4, 1997; daughter, Therese “Terri” Deimling on August 4, 1998; and her brother, Jack Barney.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2008; followed by a Scripture Service at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

Robert Henry Bienert, 100 years old, of Santa Maria, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Marian Medical Center with his family at his side. Born September 13, 1908 in Oxnard, CA, to August and Frieda Bienert, Robert graduated from Oxnard Union High School in 1927. He started working for Union Oil Company in 1930 and was transferred to Santa Maria in 1935.

Robert married Viola Lucille Harper at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa , on June 1, 1941. In 1943 he entered the United States Army and was stationed in England with the 22nd General Hospital. After discharge from the Army in 1945, Robert returned to Santa Maria and worked for Union Oil Company for 44 years before his retirement.

Robert enjoyed watching all sports on television, most especially wrestling; he enjoyed seeing old barns and windmills, fields of wildflowers and palm trees. He could always be found doing some kind of gardening and would have loved to find where all those crows go to roost in the evening. He never refused a Santa Maria style barbeque.

Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Viola Bienert in November 2002. He was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his son, Richard Bienert, daughter, Barbara Mahoney and son-in-law George Mahoney, and grandson Bryan Mahoney all of Santa Maria. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at Magner-Maloney Funeral Home, 600 E. Stowell Rd, Santa Maria. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 414 E. Church St., Santa Maria. Burial will follow at the Santa Maria Cemetery.

Ann Leininger Meler, 83, died peacefully Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 in her Santa Maria home with her family at her side.  Ann was born in 1925 in Akron, Indiana to Reverend Kenneth and Ruth Leininger.  She graduated from Mentone High School and then went on to graduate from Indianapolis City School of Nursing as a registered nurse. She was also a member of the Nurse Cadet Corp.  Nursing always played a very large role in her life and she worked in an OB/GYN office, the operating room and eventually specializing in psychiatrics and chemical dependency.  After her two children left home she went back to college and got her Master’s degree in Human Behavior.  She moved to the Central Coast in 1982 from San Diego and worked at Twin Cities Community Hospital.  Her last job in this county was in San Luis Obispo, at French Hospital, where she helped set up a chemical dependency program. 

In 1986 Ann married Joseph Meler, who was the superintendent of the Templeton School District that included the school her grandchildren attended.  Their marriage was a true partnership and they shared a deep love during their 22 years together.  She considered herself very fortunate to be accepted and loved by Joe’s four children.

Ann’s children could not have asked for a more loving mother.  She was beautiful in side and out and there was almost nothing she could not do.  She was an artist, a seamstress, a computer whiz and a writer of eloquence and clarity and made a mean batch of apple dumplings. She loved to learn, read, travel, observe nature and most of all spend time with family and friends. She belonged to MENSA and enjoyed meeting the ladies in the Santa Maria group. 

Her intelligence, wit, wisdom and warmth will be greatly missed by all of us she has left behind, but she will never leave our hearts.

Ann is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Meler of Santa Maria, sisters Jane Preston (Dale) and Patricia Ellis, her daughters, Nancy Whitt (Jim), Carolyn Stewart-Snow (Roland), Step-sons Kenneth Meler (Rhonda), Patrick Meler (Nancy), Michael Meler, (Greg), Step-daughter Jennifer Rupp (Steven) grand-children, Ethan, Ann, Alex (Ashley), Kendra, Katie, Sarah and Ben, great-grandchildren, Cyrus, Madelyn, Ansyn, Jonathan, Caitlin and Jocelyn.

Catherine “Cathy” Teresa Mahan, 75, of Santa Maria, passed away Friday, October 31, 2008 at her home.

Cathy was born on December 10, 1932 in Chicago, IL to John and Mary Healy. She was raised and educated in Chicago, graduating from St. Ferdinand High School. Cathy was married to John I. Mahan on December 14, 1958. She has called Santa Maria her home for the past 37 years.

Cathy was a member of St. Louis deMontfort Church and was active in the Santa Maria community. Most importantly, she was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Cathy is survived by her husband, John I. Mahan; children, John J. Mahan, Mary Padilla, Michael Mahan and his wife Tammy, Daniel Mahan and his wife Nadine, and Patricia Thomas and her husband, Evan; grandchildren, Bryan, Kevin, Catherine, Christina, Timothy, Danielle, Justin, Nicolas, Robert, Amanda, James, Jennifer, John, Vincent, Sean, and Francis. Cathy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John and Francis; and her son, James Francis Mahan in 1965.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home, with Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at St. Louis deMontfort Church, with Rev. Charles Hofschulte, C.J. officiating. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

Lydia D. Souza, 97, of Santa Maria, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Lydia was born on May 16, 1911 in Oso Flaco to Manuel and Maria (Bello) Dias. She was a lifelong resident of Santa Maria. In 1939, Lydia was married to Joe L. Souza. She was a former longtime secretary for IDES #31 and a member of UPPEC, SES, and SPRSI. Lydia spent her life as a homemaker and friend to many.

Lydia is survived by two nieces, Margie Arbuckle of Lake Elsinore, CA and Marilyn Lenehan of Ojai, CA; step-nephew, Raymond Estes; as well as longtime friend and caregiver, Manuel Jorge of Santa Maria. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe L. Souza on April 11, 1977; brothers, John Dias and Louie Dias; and sister, Izaura Dias.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008 followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2008 at St. Louis deMontfort Church with Rev. John Mayhew, C.J. officiating. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

Bernice Signorelli was born in 1914 in the Santa Maria valley and passed away on October 23, 2008. She was the daughter of Manuel and Rose Souza. She attended Bonita Elementary School and graduated from Santa Maria High School.

Bernice was happily married for 65 years to Guido, who preceded her in death. She was also pre-deceased by her daughter, Glenda, and three siblings, Alice, Henry, and Melvin.

Bernice was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a talented seamstress and made many of her own clothes, as well as some for her daughters and granddaughters. She was also involved in lawn bowling and was a 4-H leader. Bernice was an excellent cook, and never failed to delight her grandchildren with her famous chocolate cake. She and her husband traveled extensively. She was physically active her whole life.  Later in life she attended Allan Hancock College to study sewing. After moving to Merrill Gardens, Bernice loved to play Bingo.

Bernice is survived by a daughter Brenda (and Barry) Karleskint, son-in-law Ivan Brough, grandchildren Ken (and Sue) Karleskint, Rob (and Amanda) Karleskint, Ann Marie (and Dan) Poletti, Heather Bennett, Shane Brough, and Corey Brough, as well as six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers Earl (and Dickie) and Clifford (and Virginia) Souza, sisters-in-law Lucille and Edith, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by many dear friends.

Public visitation will be held at Magner-Maloney Funeral Home in Santa Maria on Monday, October 27th, from 3-6 p.m., followed immediately by a Vigil Service at 6 p.m. The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday morning, October 28th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, also in Santa Maria. Flowers are welcome and donations may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Bernice Signorelli.

Gene L. Silva, 83, of Santa Maria died Friday, October 10, 2008 at Marian Medical Center. Gene was born May 29, 1925 in Santa Maria, California. He was the son of Frank G. Silva and Augusta (Mattias) Silva. A life long resident of Santa Maria, Gene began a career of truck driving following his education and later enlisted in the Merchant Marines near the end of WWII. After his discharge, he continued his trucking career until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 381. He also was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping. He was an avid football fan and enjoyed placing wagers on football games. Gene loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie M. Silva, sons; James C. Silva and his wife Karen, of New Cuyama, Gene L. Silva, Jr. of Arroyo Grande, and Frank Silva and his wife Raeleen, of Santa Maria. He is also survived by one sister, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Frank G. Silva and Robert D. Silva and granddaughter Erin Denise Silva who passed away November 19, 1991.

Graveside services will be Friday, October 17, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at the Santa Maria Cemetery with Rev. John Mayhew, C.J., officiating.

Jimmy F. “Jim” Kephart, 69, of Santa Maria, passed away October 12, 2008.

Jim was born on January 31, 1939 in Ft. Worth, TX to Norman and Colene (Elston) Kephart, and was raised and educated in Southern California. After high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he received his BS from the University of Arizona, and his MS from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Jim was a career officer, retiring in 1982 as a Major.

Jim was married to Beatrice Deak in 1983, and moved to Santa Maria the same year. He and Beatrice left Santa Maria and lived in several places before returning to Santa Maria, where they have lived for the past 15 years.

Jim loved reading, crossword puzzles, camping, and was great at remodeling his and his friends’ homes.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beatrice Kephart; sons, Matthew Kephart of Los Gatos, CA and James Kephart and his wife, Lori, of Boston, MA; daughters, Samantha Kephart of Santa Maria, Kate Moore of New York, Ann Wheale of Portland, OR, and Susannah Kephart of Chula Vista, CA; brother, Robert Kephart and his wife, Marjorie of Norwalk, CA; as well as numerous grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Kephart.

Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in the Sesto Pavilion. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Vandenberg Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation at 877 Francine Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

Clarence E. Sayers Sr. “Jack”, 78, of Santa Maria, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2008.

Jack was born on July 5, 1930 in Council Bluffs, IA to Clarence and Arline (Thomas) Sayers.

Jack was a longtime resident of Santa Maria. He worked at Blockman School as a valued custodian and a beloved mentor to all the children and facility staff. Jack loved his children and treasured all his grandkids, but his true love was for his great grand children.

Jack is survived by his son, Clarence E. “Jack” Sayers Jr. of Lolo, MT; daughters, Glenda Stalcup of Huntington, AR and Mary Ann Mathews of Santa Maria; brothers, Glen Sayers of Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Diane Campbell of Portland, OR and Josephine Lentz of Kamaie, ID; grandchildren, Patrick Sayers, David Sayers, William Mathews, Jessica Mathews, Amanda Stalcup; great grandchildren, Destiny Sayers, Colina Sayers, Danielle Mathews, Zayana Sayers, Jayden Mathews, and William Mathews.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.