News

Louie Munoz (89), of Madera, California passed away peacefully on Friday, April 15, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Louie was born in Madera, California to Benito and Atanasia Munoz. Louie attended local schools and graduated from Madera High School.

Louie married Alice Gutierrez of Mendota, California in 1956 and they started their family. Louie started work on Television repair in Mendota and eventually moved back to Madera and landed a job at Radio T.V. Hospital with the Massetti family. After leaving the T.V. repair business Louie landed a job with Madera Unified School District as a Custodian and was quickly promoted to Head Custodian at Thomas Jefferson Middle School until his retirement.

Betty Jo Dover (91):  It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Betty Jo Dover on Sunday, March 27, 2022. She passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91. Betty and her husband, Carl, had been residents of Madera for over 85 years where they worked and raised their two sons, Gary and Stanley Dover. 

Betty worked as a Waitress before retiring and becoming an avid camper. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, lawn bowling, and beating everyone at cards and domino's. She was a spunky and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  

anet E. Bush (87), a native and life resident of Madera, CA passed away March 12, 2022. She was a member of the Fourth Street Church of God in Madera and worked as an Office Clerk for Madera Unified School District for 22 years. During her tenure at MUSD, she spent many years at John Adams Elementary School ensuring a smooth educational transition for students, parents and educators.

Janet was a graduate of Madera Union High School class of 1953, she also was a Beauty Operator for many years, and enjoyed spending time in the great outdoor with her family and grandchildren. She was preceded by her husband Don Bush in 2016.

Roger Belden (88) was born in Avenal, California to Irving and Mabel Belden.  Roger’s father worked for Standard Oil in the Kettleman Oil Fields. While Roger was their only child, his mother was from a large family and Roger grew up with many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Weis family.  Avenal was a small town, and Roger developed lasting friendships with his classmates and friends. 

When he graduated from high school, Roger went on to Loma Linda where he was studying medicine, but he decided the medical field was not for him, so he enlisted in the Army and stationed in Germany.  When he completed his service, he started college again at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in architecture, but just a few units from graduation; decided his real calling was farming.

Anthony Joseph Basila II (37) of Madera, California died on Saturday, March 5, 2022 after a brief illness with his sister at his side. He was born in Fresno, California on July 15, 1984 to Velta and Kenneth Basila of Fresno, California.

He attended St. Joachim’s School in Madera. As a youth athlete, he excelled in soccer and baseball. He graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School, class of 2003. He went on to study graphic design and digital media at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. Upon returning home, he devoted his life to the family farm working alongside his father and grandfather, and eventually making his home on a farm of his own.

Sue Lyon (90) went to heaven on January 24, 2022, with her family at her bedside. She was born in Tennessee on June 25, 1931 to Aubrey and Louise Bell. Sue graduated from Braggadocio High School and played on the women’s basketball team.

She moved to Caruthersville, MO in 1949 at which time she became an operator for the telephone company. She relocated to Madera in 1956. Sue worked as a bookkeeper for Tucker International and Roy Ben Lyon Construction Company at which time she met and married Roger Lyon. She was a devoted wife for 46 years. She worked alongside her husband, keeping the books for his business, Roger’s Cabinets.