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Carole Copeland Hewitt
Carole Copeland Hewitt, a long-time resident of Morgan Hill, died after a short illness.
Carole loved her city and church (Methodist) communities and was an active member of those communities. She was an ardent supporter of the Gavilan College and Live Oak High School football teams. Other than her children and grandchildren, nothing gave Carole more pleasure than hosting team dinners, parties and interacting with the coaches.
Carole is survived and missed by her husband Bob; sons John (Stacie) and Jeff (Janean); sisters Barbara Abernathy, Shirlee (Rick) Alpers and Joanne Carson; mother Elner Copeland; and granddaughters Preslie and Remmington.
Memorial service takes place at 10am Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Morgan Hill Room at the Community and Cultural Center.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church Restoration Project, 17175 Monterey Road.
Manuel Perez Sr.
Manuel Perez Sr., 79, of Gilroy, died Dec. 3, 2004.
Manuel was a very hard worker and owned his own construction cleaning business. Prior to that he worked in the copper mines in Arizona. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He cooked pozole, menudo and tamales. Most importantly, he loved to be around friends and family.
He is survived by his children Manuel Perez Jr. of San Jose, Joe Perez and his wife Linda of Gilroy, Edward Perez and his wife Margie of Gilroy, Mary Martinez and her husband Henry of Gilroy, and Anna Perez and her husband Abraham; grandchildren Martha, Manuel III, Amorette, Sabrina, Joelle, Edward Jr., Juan and Victor; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of Vincent, Salvador, Josefina, Patricia, Connie, Jenny, Virginia, Dottie and Jimmy.
Manuel was preceded in death by his wife, Efigenia Pere; his parents Pablo and Josefa Perez, and his brother Nazario.
Visitation takes place at 1pm today, Dec. 7, with a Vigil Service at 7pm at Habing Family Funeral Home. Funeral Mass takes place at 11am on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at St. Mary’s Church, Gilroy. Burial follows at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Sherry Anderson, a former Morgan Hill resident, died at the age of 78 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
She was the beloved mother of Jennifer, Robin and Joe Anderson; and former wife of Art Anderson.
A memorial service takes place Saturday, Dec. 11, at St. Catherine’s Church in Chino Valley, Ariz.
Ruth Malech
Ruth Malech died Dec. 4, 2004, at the age of 94.
Ruth was the matriarch of the large Malech family consisting of six children, 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. She was born Ruth Eleanor Stevens on March 31, 1910, to Burt and Addie Berry Stevens on their Coyote Ranch established by her grandfather, Orvis Stevens. Except for a few years early in her marriage, she spent most of her life on that beloved ranch.
She met Earl Malech of Almaden at a dance at Oak Dell Park in 1929. They were married that September, and soon began their family of five boys and one girl. Always active in Coyote events, Ruth served as president of Encinal PTA, and was also active in the Coyote Grange. During the 40s and 50s, she wrote and produced plays for these organizations.
In the 60s she wrote a news column for the Morgan Hill Times called “Coyote Howls,” which was about Coyote happenings. She pursued many interests and hobbies during her lifetime, but her writing talent lasted until she was hospitalized weeks ago. She was especially fond of corresponding with all of her great-grandchildren and enjoyed composing stories and poems for all her family members and friends.
In Ruth’s last few years, she compiled a family history and presented a beautifully bound copy written in her own words to all her children.
Her generosity was widely known, extending from family to many she considered in need. She had much philanthropy, including scholarships given for many years to graduating Live Oak seniors.
Ruth’s greatest joy was her large family, and her house was the meeting hub over the years for family and friends, who never left empty handed or hungry.
She is survived by her sons Burt (Dena) of Gilroy, Paul (Mary) of Morgan Hill, Keith (Serena) of Almaden Valley, Ray (Nancy) of Coyote; daughter Lucille (Matthew) Melot of Coyote; grandchildren Katherine (Rick) Genasci, Patti (Bryan) Hayes, Kenneth (Carleen) Malech, Fred Malech, Robert Malech, Steve (Donna) Malech, Scott (Amy) Malech, Tom (Julie) Malech, Roger (Cera) Malech, Brett (Kristi) Malech, LoriAnn (Dan) Bach, Sande (Randy) Singley, Maverick (Lisa) Malech and Marshall Malech. She also leaves behind 30 great-grandchildren and several nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, in 1993; son Alfred in 2003; and grandson Randy Malech in 1977.
Visitation takes place from 4-7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Johnson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to a favorite church or charity.
Barbara Joan Gonzales
Barbara Joan Gonzales died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in San Jose.
Barbara’s hobbies included trips to the Mirage to play double diamonds and of course, spoiling her family. She was known for her generosity. She volunteered each Christmas at Betsy’s restaurant to feed the homeless. She was a guardian angel and will be fondly remembered for her giving nature. She never turned away a stranger. She was a very strong woman who will be missed greatly.
Barbara leaves behind her beloved husband Cruz “Jess;” daughters Maryann (Raul) Halison and Jeanette (Tim) Carmona; grandchildren Jessica and Marcus Halison; and sisters Madeline Schadler and Maryann Stone.
A Celebration of Life took place Nov. 30, at Johnson Funeral Home.
Carol Harter-Longoria
Carol Harter-Longoria, 51, died at her home on Dec. 1, 2004, after a long struggle with cancer.
She is survived by her children Joffre Longoria, Jessica Longoria and Jeana Longoria, all of Gilroy. She is the daughter of Lorene Harter of Roseville, sister of Dennis Harter of Oakville and Donna Evans of Hollister. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Carol was a project manager for Wells Fargo Bank in San Jose and a former bank manager for the Gilroy branch. She had been a Gilroy resident for the past 22 years. She was a member of the Gilroy Kiwanis, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, was a team leader for the Relay for Life, and was very active in all her children’s activities.
The family asks that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Good Shepherd Lutheran.
Jose Maria Orozco
Jose Maria Orozco, 72, died Dec. 1, 2004, in Los Banos.
He was the dearest husband of Mercedes Orozco for 52 years; father of Jose Orozco Jr. and his wife Linda, Armando Orozco and his wife Gloria, Angelica Galindo and her husband Jesus, Maria Castro and her husband Raymundo, Isabel Castro and her husband Guillermo, and Yolanda Moreno and her husband Juan.
He was grandfather to Jesus Galindo, Ricardo Galindo, Crystal Galindo, Adam Vasquez Orozco, Rudy Orozco, Ciera Orozco, Armando Orozco Jr., Ruby Orozco, Marcus Orozco, Sally Castro, Michael Castro, Robby Castro, Vanessa Castro, Melissa Castro, Kristy Castro, Steven Moreno, Andres Moreno and Stephani Moreno; great-grandfather to Eliana Casarez, Gabriel Casarez, Adam Vasquez, Gabriel Vasquez and Starlene Shepard; and the brother of Raymond, Jorge, Raul, Gustavo, Carlos, Rosa, Olivia and San Juana.
Services were under the direction of Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Burial was at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park.
