News

Richard (Rick) Albert Cosyns (64), as usual, arrived late, (two weeks at that) on January 21, 1957, in Long Beach, CA. However, he left this world early on Sept. 7, 2021, while doing what he loved, one of his bucket list hunts.

Born the third child to Albert and Margaret Cosyns. The family relocated to Madera, CA to build the family farm when Rick was 2 years old. He attended St. Joachim’s school and Madera High, where he loved playing football and was involved with his 4-H projects. Throughout his life, Rick enjoyed skiing, competitive shooting, traveling, and of course hunting. He graduated from Fresno State in Plant Science and became very involved in the industry as well as running the family farm with brother Allen.

Erich Richard Kuckenbecker (48) left this earthly world on August 18, 2021, at the age of 48. Erich was born in Fresno, CA on July 18, 1973, to his loving parents Lynne and Richard Kuchenbecker.

Erich grew up in Madera, CA, and graduated from Madera High School in 1992. Erich enjoyed NASCAR and was an avid Jeff Gordon fan. He loved hunting and his yearly trips to Montana with his father and his friends. Erich also enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved the family’s yearly trips to Santa Cruz and especially loved going to Phil’s Fish Market on the way home.

MADERA – The man responsible for building most of Madera's west side has passed away at 94. David L. Berry was born in 1927 to Dutch and Hattie "Bill" Berry in Lamesa, Texas. The family soon migrated west to California, eventually settling in Madera, where Dutch operated a sawmill.

David attended Madera Union High School before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard towards the end of World War II, where he served on the U.S. Naval Ship  Hodges (operated during the war by the United States Coast Guard). While on the Hodges, Berry saw ports of call in New Guinea and the Philippines. The ship was also a part of the push towards Japan before their surrender. The ship then returned to San Francisco on Independence Day 1945 before leaving later that year for New York by way of the Panama Canal.

William Lawrence Farnesi (98) was born on September 3, 1922, in Madera CA to Alfredo and Caterina (Tocchini) Farnesi. He passed away peacefully on July 14, 2021, in Fresno, CA. “Bill” attended Madera grammar Schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1942. While in High School he played baseball, ran track where he set County records and was a stand-out basketball player, and enjoyed many social clubs on campus as well.

By this time, his Father had already opened Madera’s first gas station where Bill spent many hours working afternoons and evenings for the family business. Bill also found he had a passion for woodworking and crafting, it wasn’t long before he found a place at Dean & McNally as a cabinetmaker. This love and craft would remain with him for the rest of his life.

James C. Spraggins (85) a native of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away June 27, 2021. Jim was born to William and Linda Hollingsworth Spraggins and was raised in Madera and was a graduate of Madera Union High School class of 1956. He was a cement contractor for over 45 years in Madera and served many families and businesses in our community.

He was raised as a Catholic, yet volunteered for many different churches as well as coaching in Little League for 25 years in the National League. Jim was selected as the Manager for the Madera National All-star team a number of times and had great success. In addition, he helped in other youth sports and Park events. Jim was an avid Fisherman and Hunter and he enjoyed the solitude of the outdoors.