News

Celia Perlongo (89) passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2020, in Madera, Ca. Celia was born on August 10, 1922, in New York to Michael and Asunta Pastena. In 1976, Celia and her husband Joe and their daughters moved to Madera. Celia was a loving mom and homemaker, and a great cook. When the holidays came, the whole family would gather at her home with great anticipation for her cooking, especially her famous meatballs and her red “gravy”. 

Celia worked at McDonald’s as a Greeting Hostess for over 20 years. Prior to that she was a school monitor at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. She loved McDonald's fries and would always bring her grandchildren happy meals after school. Her grandchildren loved to visit her while she was working and eat with her during her break. Celia received a Certificate of Recognition for her Dedicated Service. Her children remember her white car and they would always laugh at her when she revved the engine and peeled out. Celia loved vanilla ice cream cones and sweets -- and red wine!

For the last two years, Celia lived at Avalon Health Care, and her family would come and visit her routinely. Celia’s family would like to thank Avalon and their Staff who took great care of her while she was there. She was loved by everyone there. The family also extends a special thanks to Alicia Ramos who was so good with Celia.

Celia is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Perlongo and her siblings: Rose DeAnglis, Salvatore Perlongo and his wife Josephine Perlongo, Mario Perlongo and his wife Mary Perlongo, Anthony (Tony) Pastena, Ralph Pastena, Carmine (Tommy) Pastena, Carmela Pastena, and Almarando (Dean) Pastena.

She is survived by her sister Vera Delio, her sister-in-law Rose Lomascola, and by her three daughters Dr. Antoinette Stone and daughter-in-law MJ Skinner, Regina Henry and son-in-law Gavin Henry, and Angela Martinez and son-in-law Paul Martinez, as well as her six grandchildren Joseph and his wife Nici Nassiri, Kavon and his wife Kayla Nassiri, Serena and her husband Kurt Arreola, Daniel Martinez, Nicolas Martinez, and Adam Martinez, and her seven great-grandchildren, Caroline, Cori and Camille Nassiri, Analie Perlongo, Ayden Arreola, Kimberlee Arreola, Ava Arreola, with the last one arriving in the near future. Her surviving extended family consists of numerous nieces and nephews both in California and on the East Coast.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.

MADERA - Former Madera resident Reynold Mason (Ren) Hallett (71) passed away on August 13, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ren had moved back to Indiana in 2016 to be closer to family.

Ren was born on April 14, 1949, and grew up in the city of Indianapolis.He was a 1967 graduate of Howe Military Academy where he was “A" Company’s First Lieutenant and Platoon Leader. He was a champion swimmer for the school all four years.

William F. Westcott (88) of Madera passed away unexpectedly on Sunday August 2, 2020; he was just short of 89 years old. He was born, raised, worked, married, raised his family, and died in Madera. Known as “Billy” in his youth and “Bill” throughout most of his adult life, he was born in Madera in the beginnings of the Great Depression on September 2, 1931. Bill was the middle child of the late Francis Dana Westcott, of Boston, and Bonnie Christina (Silkwood) Westcott of San Fernando CA, brother to the late Marius Westcott of Union City CA, and brother to his surviving sister Bonnie Anita (Westcott) Holiday of Madera. Bill’s loving wife of 62 years, Myrna, proceeded him in death on March 19, 2017.

Bill’s parents and brother moved from Los Angeles to Madera in 1929 with several trucks to haul lumber for the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company (and grain). The lumber company dissolved in 1931 due to the Great Depression, but his dad continued with the truck hauling, adding house moving and then into the construction business. Bill attended Pershing Elementary, Lincoln Grammar School and Madera Union High School, graduating in 1949. He worked full time for the California Army National Guard, both in Alameda & Sacramento. He left as a Regimental Sergeant Major, transferred back to the Madera National Guard unit, and started college at Fresno State College (now CSUF) in 1952.

Carl Wisener (86), a Madera native and lifelong resident of Madera, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020 at his Madera residence. Carl was co-owner of General Builders Supply (GBS) for 33 years in Madera before retiring. He served his county in the California Army National Guard for 8 years, attaining the rank of 1st Sgt. In the community Carl was a member of the Madera Noon Lions Club for 30 years.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents Talmadge and Myrtle Lowry Wisener , by a brother Travis Wisener Jr. and by son Jeffrey Scott. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda Wisener of Madera, his daughters Joni Rochelle Hill of Selma and Lisa Elaine Showes of Kingsburg, he is grandfather of 3 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Bill Gene Chambers (79) was ushered into the presence of Jesus on July 31, 2020, in Madera, California. “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21 He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Cathleen (Pekarek) Chambers. Bill was born in Dinuba, California, on June 29, 1941, the seventh and youngest child of Elmus and Effie Mae Chambers. Bill’s childhood in Dinuba was wrapped in the love of his mom and dad, sisters and brother.

After graduating Dinuba High School in 1959, Bill attended Reedley College and completed his Associate Degree in Business. In 1962, Bill began his life-long career with Pacific Gas & Electric. He married his bride Cathleen Pekarek on July 14, 1962. This union was blessed with three sons. The family resided in Dinuba and Corcoran in the early years. Then, in 1977, they relocated to Madera. After 31 years of service at PG&E, Bill was offered an early retirement in 1993. It was perfect timing to begin his “Grandpa” career.

Dale Stanley Evans (90) of Madera passed away on Sunday August 2, 2020 after a short illness. Born in Fairfax, Oklahoma on November 24, 1929, Dale was the son of William Corbett Evans and Beulah Faye Evans, and brother to five siblings, the late Lloyd Evans and Alogene Jester, surviving siblings Virginia Wilton, Marie Atkinson and Charles Evans. 

In 1935, William and Beulah loaded up the children and all their belongings left the farm in Oklahoma for California. The family settled in Madera and put down roots. After graduating from Madera High School in 1949, he began working at the Hill Top Dairy in Madera.