News

William F. Westcott (88)

William F. Westcott (88) of Madera passed away unexpectedly on Sunday August 2, 2020; he was just short of 89 years old. He was born, raised, worked, married, raised his family, and died in Madera. Known as “Billy” in his youth and “Bill” throughout most of his adult life, he was born in Madera in the beginnings of the Great Depression on September 2, 1931. Bill was the middle child of the late Francis Dana Westcott, of Boston, and Bonnie Christina (Silkwood) Westcott of San Fernando CA, brother to the late Marius Westcott of Union City CA, and brother to his surviving sister Bonnie Anita (Westcott) Holiday of Madera. Bill’s loving wife of 62 years, Myrna, proceeded him in death on March 19, 2017.

Bill’s parents and brother moved from Los Angeles to Madera in 1929 with several trucks to haul lumber for the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company (and grain). The lumber company dissolved in 1931 due to the Great Depression, but his dad continued with the truck hauling, adding house moving and then into the construction business. Bill attended Pershing Elementary, Lincoln Grammar School and Madera Union High School, graduating in 1949. He worked full time for the California Army National Guard, both in Alameda & Sacramento. He left as a Regimental Sergeant Major, transferred back to the Madera National Guard unit, and started college at Fresno State College (now CSUF) in 1952.

Carl Wisener (86)

Carl Wisener (86), a Madera native and lifelong resident of Madera, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020 at his Madera residence. Carl was co-owner of General Builders Supply (GBS) for 33 years in Madera before retiring. He served his county in the California Army National Guard for 8 years, attaining the rank of 1st Sgt. In the community Carl was a member of the Madera Noon Lions Club for 30 years.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents Talmadge and Myrtle Lowry Wisener , by a brother Travis Wisener Jr. and by son Jeffrey Scott. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda Wisener of Madera, his daughters Joni Rochelle Hill of Selma and Lisa Elaine Showes of Kingsburg, he is grandfather of 3 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Bill Gene Chambers (79)

Bill Gene Chambers (79) was ushered into the presence of Jesus on July 31, 2020, in Madera, California. “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21 He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Cathleen (Pekarek) Chambers. Bill was born in Dinuba, California, on June 29, 1941, the seventh and youngest child of Elmus and Effie Mae Chambers. Bill’s childhood in Dinuba was wrapped in the love of his mom and dad, sisters and brother.

After graduating Dinuba High School in 1959, Bill attended Reedley College and completed his Associate Degree in Business. In 1962, Bill began his life-long career with Pacific Gas & Electric. He married his bride Cathleen Pekarek on July 14, 1962. This union was blessed with three sons. The family resided in Dinuba and Corcoran in the early years. Then, in 1977, they relocated to Madera. After 31 years of service at PG&E, Bill was offered an early retirement in 1993. It was perfect timing to begin his “Grandpa” career.

Evan's Feed Owner Passes at 90: Dale Evans

Dale Stanley Evans (90) of Madera passed away on Sunday August 2, 2020 after a short illness. Born in Fairfax, Oklahoma on November 24, 1929, Dale was the son of William Corbett Evans and Beulah Faye Evans, and brother to five siblings, the late Lloyd Evans and Alogene Jester, surviving siblings Virginia Wilton, Marie Atkinson and Charles Evans.

In 1935, William and Beulah loaded up the children and all their belongings left the farm in Oklahoma for California. The family settled in Madera and put down roots. After graduating from Madera High School in 1949, he began working at the Hill Top Dairy in Madera.

Richard "Dick" Eugene Haupt (86)

Richard Eugene Haupt (86) - On Monday, July 20, 2020, Richard “Dick” Haupt, Sr., a lifelong resident of Madera, started his final fishing trip at the age of 86. Dick was a first-generation American born on October 14, 1933, in Fresno, California. At the age of two, he moved with his family to Dixieland in Madera.

He spent his high school years in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and graduated from Madera High School in 1952. After graduation, Dick was drafted into the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany for two years during the Korean War. Upon returning in 1954, Dick worked at Western Electric for the next two years and married his first wife, Betty Lou (Vieira) Haupt in 1959.

Philip Michael Molina (42)

Philip Michael Molina (42) lovingly known as “Mike” passed away July 15, 2020 in Madera of a brief illness. He was born in Colusa, CA and at a young age moved with his family to Madera. Mike attended local schools and was a graduate of Madera High Class of 1996.

In 1997 Mike married the love of his life Kelly Chambers. Mike and Kelly have been working together, as they own and operate Perko’s Café on Cleveland Avenue in Madera, for many years. But their greatest achievement has been in raising their five boys to be great men.

Sue Bare (90)

Sue Catherine Bare (90), a long time resident of Madera, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020, following a period of declining health. Sue was born to Jim and Clara Tedford in Darnell Arkansas, later moving to Madera where she graduated from Madera Union High School with the Class of 1948.

In earlier years before retirement Sue was a cashier at Hal’s Market and at Madera Food Mart, and for a time worked at Howell’s Studio where she was a colorizer. An active person in the Madera Community Sue enjoyed being a volunteer at Madera Community Hospital.