News

Frances Elizabeth Breedlove (83)

Frances Elizabeth Breedlove (83) went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 28th, 2021. She was surrounded by loved ones. In her last few years, she was cared for by her granddaughter Heidi and great-granddaughter Maddie. Frankie was born in Tulare, CA to Victor and Nora Miller. Frankie moved from Southern California to Madera with her husband Howard in 1969.

Frankie worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for a few years before starting a small business in Madera called the Pant Shack. Eventually, Frankie and Howard started Madera Roofing, Inc. in 1975. She also volunteered for several organizations. She enjoyed giving her time as a den mother for Cub Scouts, the school library, and PTA. She was a member of a small music group and loved playing the banjo. They would sing at different convalescent homes in Madera, bringing joy and comfort to the residents. In addition to work and volunteering, Frankie was an avid bowler.

David “Ross” Thornton (80)

David “Ross” Thornton (80) passed away October 18, 2021; after a long battle with diabetes, Ross was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1940, moved to Houston in 1950, and later to Illinois, where he graduated from high school in Park Ridge in 1958.

Ross attended school for radio broadcasting in Chicago and was hired for his first job as a disc jockey in Douglas, Arizona. In 1964, he moved to Madera and took a job with K-HOT Radio. He stayed on the air in Madera until the radio station was sold to a new owner in 1974. His next adventure was in medical supply sales. He then changed careers again after marrying his second wife, Barbara Sordi-Gleason, in 1988. He started selling insurance for Foster and Parker Insurance Agency, where he worked for 26 years before retiring in 2013.

Beverly Ann Varney (91)

Beverly Ann Varney (91) passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 14, 2021, to live with Jesus. She was 91 years old. Beverly was born March 22, 1930, to Leon Reed Blizzard and Ella M. Baird Blizzard in Lansing, Michigan.

Beverly grew up in Dewitt, Michigan, and attended Dewitt Elementary and High School. Upon graduating High School, she attended Edward W. Sparrow Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1951 as a Registered Nurse. She married Vernell W. Varney on January 17, 1954. They have two sons, David (Colleen Gillespie) Varney and Jay (Amy) Varney.

Johnny Deniz (90)

Johnny Deniz (90) was born on July 24, 1931, and passed away on September 24, 2021, at the age of 90. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Rosa Deniz, his brother Manuel Deniz, his sisters Marie Cabral, and Amelia Fox, and his first wife Wilma Toschi. He is survived by his wife Dorie, his three children, Cindy Shafer, Brian Deniz, and Karen Helton, his step-daughters Jennifer (Weber) Ullmann and Kathryn (Weber) Keener, grandchildren Alan Deniz, Kevin Deniz, Spencer Deniz, Carson Deniz, Ainzley Deniz, Justin Shafer, Jimmy Shafer, Katelyn (Shafer) Nocito, Taylor Helton, Alison Helton, and ten great-grandchildren.

Mark David Lohuis (64)

Mark David Lohuis (64) of Clovis, California passed away on September 19, 202. Mark was a teacher and coach for the Madera Unified School District for the last 28 years. He taught at both Madera High School and Madera South High School where his impact on the youth of Madera will be felt for years to come.

Please join the family for a memorial to celebrate this man's life. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 8th, 2021 at 5:00 PM at the Clovis Missionary Baptist Church in Clovis.

Richard (Rick) Albert Cosyns (64)

Richard (Rick) Albert Cosyns (64), as usual, arrived late, (two weeks at that) on January 21, 1957, in Long Beach, CA. However, he left this world early on Sept. 7, 2021, while doing what he loved, one of his bucket list hunts.

Born the third child to Albert and Margaret Cosyns. The family relocated to Madera, CA to build the family farm when Rick was 2 years old. He attended St. Joachim’s school and Madera High, where he loved playing football and was involved with his 4-H projects. Throughout his life, Rick enjoyed skiing, competitive shooting, traveling, and of course hunting. He graduated from Fresno State in Plant Science and became very involved in the industry as well as running the family farm with brother Allen.

Erich Richard Kuckenbecker (48)

Erich Richard Kuckenbecker (48) left this earthly world on August 18, 2021, at the age of 48. Erich was born in Fresno, CA on July 18, 1973, to his loving parents Lynne and Richard Kuchenbecker.

Erich grew up in Madera, CA, and graduated from Madera High School in 1992. Erich enjoyed NASCAR and was an avid Jeff Gordon fan. He loved hunting and his yearly trips to Montana with his father and his friends. Erich also enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved the family’s yearly trips to Santa Cruz and especially loved going to Phil’s Fish Market on the way home.