Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
Sheldon Mensch, age 72, went on his last adventure on April 19, 2011 in Fresno, California. He was born April 24, 1938 in Jessup, Maryland to Albert and Miriam Mensch. He had seven sisters and four brothers. Sheldon attended Arundel Junior Senior High in Maryland and graduated from Golden State University, San Francisco with his Bachelors Degree.
Madera - Samuel Thomas Price Jr. was born on March 6, 1922 in Rotan Texas. He passed away on April 14, 2011 at the age of 89. He spent his childhood in Merced where he graduated from Merced High School. He then moved to Texas where he began his apprenticeship as a printer. After completing the trade school, he moved to Mariposa where he established his career as a printer at the Mariposa Gazette. It was there that he met his wife of 68 years Lorraine Price.
Lillie Herschfelt passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the age of 98. Lillie was a native of Miles, TX and a resident of Madera, CA for 74 years. She graduated from Ballinger High School class of 1931, entered into the Tarleton Jr. College in 1932 - 1933. She then went to University of Texas where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. 
Mary Shinkawa (85) passed away on Monday, March 22, 2010, in Fresno, Ca., at the age of 85. She was born on October 27, 1924, in Orosi, Ca. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Tokiryo and Giichiro Osaki.
Mary was a member of the Bowles Buddhist Church and Fresno Fujinkai. She was a homemaker for 55 years and a Sunday School Teacher for 25 years. In her senior year at Orosi High School, she was relocated to Poston, Az. with her family during WWII. After the war ended the family returned to Orosi to continue with their vegetable farm.
Elizabeth "Betty" Ochinero Fry (83) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Fresno, California to Tony and Anna Marie Ochinero. Her strong Catholic faith was an inspiration to others.
Her eternal optimism and sense of humor was part of her life. She was truly a miracle lady. Betty was a world traveler and especially liked her many pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Medugorje. She was an avid tennis player and Bridge player and she loved the many friends she came to know while enjoying these activities.
Leoner "Lee" DaSilva (79) was born the second of five children to Felisberto and Maria DaSilva on May 3, 1926. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 8, 2005. Lee attended elementary school at the original Arcola School and graduated from Madera High in 1944.
