Obituaries

John Michael Bryan (68) was born November 9, 1949 in Bakersfield, CA and died in Madera, CA on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018. John was a 1967 graduate of San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. He later served in the U.S. Army as a medic in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart for a wound to his leg and was honorably discharged. John earned his Bachelor’s Degree at CSU Fresno and received his D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry) from Washington University in St. Louis, MO in 1981. He practiced Dentistry at Grace Hill Community Services and started 5 clinics while in St. Louis. In 1988 he relocated to Madera to be near family. He practiced dentistry in Madera and for the Healthy Smiles Foundation's Healthy Smiles Bus until the time of his death.

John was a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and a Fellow in the American College of Dentistry. In the community of Madera he was an active member of the Elks Lodge, Madera Kiwanis Club, the St. Joachim’s Church Folk Choir, was a past president of the parish council at St. Joachim’s and belonged to the VFW and American Legion Posts.

Thomas H. “Tom” Austin (84) and a 50 year resident of Madera County, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at his Madera home.  He was born in Claremore, OK. and raised in Merced, CA., graduating from Merced High School in 1952. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean Conflict and was a member of both V.F.W. and the American Legion. 

He was the founder and owner of Ag and Industrial Supply and Firebaugh Ag Supply. He was also a member of the Cherokee Heritage Association, Firebaugh Lion’s Club, Tin Can Sailors, USS Saint Paul Assn., and the Las Palmas Masonic Lodge in Fresno.  Tom loved camping with his family, square dancing, RV travel and visiting with friends and family.

Paula DeCesari Baraldi (88) passed away on January 29, 2018. Paula, with her daughter Nancy, owned and operated DeCesari Stationery for many years. She was also very active in her community. She served as Director and Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Madera Chamber of Commerce and participated in the Chamber's Retail Merchants Committee and Governmental Affairs Committee.

She also achieved 30 years of perfect attendance and was a lifetime member of the Soroptimist Club of Madera in which she accepted the responsibilities of serving as President and Secretary. Other areas of her community service included life member of the Madera County Historical Society; President of the American Cancer Society; President of the National Association of Republican Women; member of the Association of Stationers; member of the Italian Catholic Federation; and was an active member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church. She was recognized as a distinguished graduate of St. Joachim's School and received the Madera District Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

George R Sutton (82), a former Madera resident,  passed away peacefully on Feb 5, 2018 after a long illness.  George was born Aug 17, 1935 in Los Banos, CA to Paul and Mildred (DeArmond) Sutton.  He attended Woodbury and Golden Gate Universities studying bookkeeping and tax accounting.   

George was a Madera business owner of the old Forehand Sutton Motors as well Miss Buckey-Dee Stables.  George was also active with the Madera County Horseman’s Association.  Many of their horseshows were held at the Miss Buckey-Dee ranch on Ave 14 1/2.  For the last 30 years George had a tax and accounting business in Palm Springs, CA.