Obituaries

William J. "Bill" Alessini (88)

Mr. William J. "Bill" Alessini (88) passed away in Madera on July 7, 2023. Bill, born on October 16, 1934, was a lifelong Maderan and spent his working years promoting Downtown Madera, where he worked since the age of seven, sweeping up and doing general custodial work at the former Madera Drugs and the family’s Barsotti Bakery.

Bill graduated from Madera Union High School in 1953, where he was a cheerleader. As a teenager, he delivered furniture for Jennings Brothers Furniture, then realized he was spending most of his money on clothing and took a job at Madera’s premiere haberdashery, Duncan and Shied. He had become a partner in that store in just a few years. In the 1970s, with partner Carol Wilkins, opened William Carol Fashions Unlimitied, which at its height consisted of eleven stores throughout the valley. Bill continued to operate William Carol until his retirement a few years ago in downtown Madera.

Juanita Castillo Gamboa (88)

Juanita Castillo Gamboa (88) was born on December 27, 1934 in Liberty Hill, Texas to Luciano and Atilana Montemayor Castillo. Juanita was a resident of Madera, California, for over 60 years. She had a career with and retired from Oberti Olives. She passed away on July 4, 2023.

Juanita is survived by her sisters Dominga Rivera (Simon) of Kerman and Rosa Alanis (Cruz), and brother Manuel Castillo of Madera. She had 6 children: Raymond, Joe, Amalia, Andrew (Janie), Mary Ann Espinoza (Leo) of Madera, and Jesse Gamboa (Christina) of Visalia. She had 12 grandchildren: Monica, Michael, Andrew (Buddy), Jennifer Costilla, Anthony, Gina, and Benjamin (J.R.) Costilla, Alexis, Selena, Alec, Sabrina, and Nicholas Gamboa. She also had 17 great-grandchildren: Lorenzo and Amiya Keturi from Turlock, Christopher, Dominick, Giovanna, Mila, Jaxson and A.J. Gamboa, Penelope Rodriguez, Mark Jameson Brady of Madera, Mia and Mason Rosales of Sanger, Alaya, Noah, Luca Gutierrez of Atwater, JD and Adam De La Fuente of Clovis.

William Ray Jantzen (89)

In Madera, William Ray Jantzen (89) passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2023. Bill was born to William Henry and Anna Weins Jantzen in 1933. He was a long-time educator in Madera, teaching in the Madera High School until his retirement.

Bill was educated n Madera attending Dixieland Elementary School and graduating from Madera Union High School before serving two years in the United States Army. He received his bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Fresno State College in 1958. He also attended Cal Poly but earned his Masters's Degree in Agriculture Education from U.C. Davis in 1962.

Steve Jack Zupanovich (92)

Steve Jack Zupanovich (Mr. “Z”) went peacefully home to Jesus, surrounded by his family, on May 17, 2023, at age 92. Steve was born to Jack and Maria Zupanovich in San Pedro, California, on December 22, 1930.

As a child, Steve loved spending time on the fishing boats, playing in the harbor, and fishing with his Dad and Barba Jack. However, from the time he played Senor Bandini in the 3rd grade, he had a keen interest in everything historical. In 1943 Steve, his sister Margaret and his parents moved to Kerman, where he graduated high school and spent most of his adult life. Shortly after high school, Steve enlisted in the Marine Corps and joined George Company in Korea from 1948 to 1952, where he earned two purple hearts and a bronze star for bravery. Steve was always modest and would often joke that he did what any of his buddies would do!

Rick L. Logoluso (67)

Rick L. Logoluso (67) passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 27, 2023. He was born in Madera, CA, on January 6, 1956, to Tony M. and Maxine M. Logoluso (both deceased). Rick attended Ripperdan Elementary School, graduated from Madera High School in 1974, and briefly attended Reedley College.

Since Rick was born into a grape-farming family, his occupation was already predetermined. After attending Reedley College, he returned to the family farm and farmed with both his father and his brother Michael (deceased). Although Rick spent most of his life farming, his true love was playing the accordion solely or with his band. Rick enjoyed bringing a smile to people’s faces or watching them enjoy themselves dancing!