News

Darwin Shebelut: Madera Businessman & Former City Council Member Passes at 93

FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR SATURDAY IN MADERA

MADERA - Darwin Gordon Shebelut, long time Madera Automobile Dealer, developer, and recognized community leader passed away on Monday, December 16, 2013 at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Mr. Shebelut, age 93, was born in Madera, California to Conrad and Artye Shebelut. Darwin attended local schools and was a 1938 graduate of Madera High School where he was the senior class president.

Leoba "Leo" Salazar (81)

Leoba "Leo" Salazar (81), a native of George Town, TX and a resident of Madera, CA for 61 years passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at a Madera hospital. He was a retired Maintenance Man working for Madera Unified School District for 36 years.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Salazar and Theodora Sanchez-Salazar. Two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" Salazar and Sylvia "Ya Ya" Salazar. 4 brothers, Efrain, Eliazar, Santiago Salazar and Robert Salazar, Jr. and 1 sister, Ruth Salazar-Garcia.

Sue Sheehan: Local Educator Dies at 78

Regina Sue Sheehan (78) was born Jan. 4, 1935, in Henrietta, MO, to Ray and Lucille Merrell. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013.

Sue was raised in Missouri until the death of her father in 1950, when she moved to California to live with her uncle Hollister “Hub” Gilliland. She attended Fresno High School and went on to major in education in college, earning an Associate of Arts degree from Fresno City College in 1955 and a Bachelor of Arts degree and elementary teaching credential from Fresno State College (now California State University, Fresno) in 1957.

Local Insurance Agent Dies at 74: Larry Hill

Larry Hill (74) passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. He was born in Colorado and a resident of Madera since 1948. Larry graduated from Madera High School Class of 1957. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963.

Larry was an insurance agent; he owned Foster and Parker Insurance Company until his retirement after 37 years. Larry was very active in the community of Madera; he was a member of the Madera JC's, Madera Golf and C.C., Madera Breakfast Lions, Madera Elks Lodge # 1918 BPOE and the American Legion Post #11 Madera.

Community Volunteer Eileen Porter Dies at 76

Eileen E. Porter (76) passed away at her Madera home with her family by her side on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, after a long battle with cancer and heart disease.

Eileen was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Clayton Joseph Fry and Edith Brendlinger Fry in 1937. Her parents, brothers and sister moved from the east coast to Fresno after World War II. Her two older brothers would join the family in Fresno after being honorably discharged from the United States Navy.

Former Madera Tribune Editor Dies: Harry Nordwick 86

MADERA - Harry A. Nordwick, a newspaperman for 35 years, died July 18, 2013 at the age of 86 in Madera, CA. He was born in Medford, OR on July 24, 1926. Prior to retiring in 1985, he was managing editor of the Salinas Californian for 15 years. Previously, for 10 years, he was city editor, wire editor and editorial writer. After retiring, he returned to Madera in 1989.

Mr. Nordwick was editor of the Madera Daily Tribune from 1955 to 1961. Prior to that he worked on the Medford Mail Tribune as reporter/photographer and was editor of the Southern Oregon News Review in Ashland, OR.

Local Dentist Greg Moran Dies at 63

MADERA - Long-time Madera resident Greg Moran DDS died on Friday, July 5, 2013 at the age of 63, leaving a lifetime of memories for all those who loved him. Born in Longview, Washington to Bob and Gloria Moran (Konrath). Greg's family moved to Madera when he was 7 years old.

Always a good student, Greg graduated from Madera High School in 1967, the University of Southern California (USC) in 1971, and University of the Pacific Dental School in 1975. Always a fan of his home town, Greg created a successful family dental practice that he ran with integrity and love.