News

Beloved Little League Coach Passes: Larry A. Cervantez

Larry A. Cervantez (66) - Heavy hearts are left behind with the passing of Larry A. Cervantez, who died peacefully with his loving family at his side on July 30, 2016, after a 2 1/2 year courageous battle with cancer.

Larry was born and raised in Madera, the son of Jose Maria and Petra Cervantez.He attended Madera schools graduating from Madera High School in 1969 and attended Fresno City College. Soon after graduating high school he met the love of his life, Marge Gutierrez. They fell in love and were married in 1971.

Daniel Engelhaupt, Jr. (27)

Daniel Louis Engelhaupt Jr. (27), a native and lifelong resident of Madera, CA passed away Monday, July 11, 2016 in a Fresno hospital. He was a merchandiser for Pepsi Cola for 1 year and a member of St. Joachim Catholic Church. Daniel was a graduate of Madera High School Class of 2007 and received his Associates at Fresno City College. He also enjoyed movies.

Daniel was preceded in death by his grandpa Tony Fuentes, big grandpa Jim Englehaupt and little grandpa Jim Feramisco.

Robert Simonian (74)

Robert Lee Simonian (74), better known as “Bob” passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the age of 74 years. Bob was born to Vasken and Lorena Simonian in Fresno where he was a lifelong resident. Bob attended Madison Elementary School and graduated from Central Union High School with the Class of 1960. He later received his Associates Degree from Heald College.

Bob was active in numerous endeavors, most notably his membership at the Biola Congregational Church, his service on the Board of the Herndon-Barstow School Board, where he was a Past-President and his position of President of the Madera County Air Crafters, Inc. In his leisure time he enjoyed his flying time and was also an avid hiker, spending time in the outdoors. For the past 26 years he was an employee of Cal-West Rain where he was in sales, and also was a grape farmer.

Royce King (88)

Royce "Boots" King (88) of Madera passed away on June 19th, 2016. Royce Elaine was born on May 23rd, 1928 in Salinas, CA to parents Roy and Auris Root. As a very young girl she earned the nickname 'Boots' because of the white cowboy boots she wore. The name stuck with her throughout her life.

Royce received her BA from San Jose State University in 1950. She excelled in journalism and was working for a publicity firm when she met Earl King. She was on an assignment to interview a local rodeo participant, who turned out to be her future husband. She and Earl were married on March 20th, 1952. Together they had 4 children; Jodie, Amy, Will & Connie. Most of their married life was spent in Madera County.

Former Madera Online Columnist Leon Emo Dies at 67

MADERA - Former columnist for several Madera newspapers, Leon Emo, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, at the age of 67. He was born May 26, 1948, in Los Angeles, but not long after his birth, he settled with his family in the San Joaquin Valley, where his father, Leon Emo, Sr., opened a crop-dusting business, for which Leon worked while he was growing up.

He attended Madera schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1966. Shortly after completing high school, Mr. Emo was drafted into the Army, and he served his country in Vietnam, South Korea, and stateside until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

Jean Whitaker (68)

Jean Macaluso Whitaker (68), beloved mother, grandmother and sister, was born on May 22, 1947 in San Jose, CA. She passed away on May 9, 2016 with her family by her side in Madera, CA where she was a resident for over 40 years.

Jean worked at Madera District Fair as a Business Assistant for 25 years until her retirement. She was a proud member of Valley Bowl Too bowling team. Jean enjoyed golfing, bowling, and reading with a crisp, fruitful glass of wine. She found the most joy in spending time with her family driving them around, watching them play sports, playing card and board games, telling stories, and taking family trips.

Jean I Konkol (94)

Jean Konkol (94) was born in Fresno, Ca on July 22, 1921 and was resident of Madera, CA for 56 years. She passed away Monday, May 9, 2016 at her home in Madera, CA. She and her husband Donald owned and operated Sierra Foodland Grocery store from 1960 to 1986.

They also owned and operated Madera Custom Meat Locker, Loknok Deli and Madera Party Rentals. After retirement she and her husband, Don managed the Reef Apartments, Town and Country Apartments and Rosewood Court. Jean was a member of the Madera Golf & Country Club and the Organizers Organ Group in Fresno.