News

Thomas Ryan Daggett (78) was born on April 13, 1940 to Ryan and Helen Daggett in Hawthorn, CA. His lifetime was shared with a loving family continuing with his enjoyment of playing football and wrestling throughout his high school and college years. His love for his country led him to serving his country in the US Air Force where he was a trainer in the use of the portable hydrant systems taking him to many parts of the United States and France.

Following his military days he attended Fresno City College with a Police Science certificate and worked for the US Marshall's Dept in Fresno before and after entering the Fresno Sheriff's Dept in 1969 and retiring after 30 years of service.

Mr. Fay Hickman (79) was born on May 5, 1939 in Sacramento, CA to Henry and Laura Hanks Steen. In his teens, Fay changed his last name to his step-father, Boyd K. Hickman. He graduated from Madera Union High School in the Class of 1958 where he lettered in basketball. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962 on a Destroyer surviving a hurricane in the South China Seas. After his discharge, he returned to Madera and was employed by Oberti Olives and retired from Tri Valley Olives after 45 years. Fay was an avid golfer and bowler and excelled in both.

He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. He will be missed by all.

Garrett Michael Noblett (27) - The world lost a talented and promising young man when Garrett Michael Noblett passed away at home and in the presence of his loving parents, Michael and Rochelle Noblett, on June 14, 2018.  His girlfriend, Kamilah Murphy, was also at his side.

Edith O. Biscay (98) passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the age of 98 with her family by her side. She has been a resident of Madera for 64 years . She was born on October 15, 1919 to Norwegian parents Hans Peter Hvidsten and Marie Haugan Hvidsten in Stephen, Minnesota.

She was the eighth of nine children growing up in the far north where there wasn't electricity or phone service. She graduated high school in 1939 and shortly after went to work in Washington D.C. as a clerk typist in the War Department during the years of World War II. It was an exciting and busy time where she once found herself sharing an elevator ride with Eleanor Roosevelt.

Dorothy Firmalo Tigson (94) - On May 20, 2018, Dorothy Firmalo Tigson, age 94, passed away peacefully in Clovis, California, with loved ones nearby. Dorothy was born in Madera, California, to John and Alice Michiyo Firmalo on September 1, 1923, the oldest of seven children.
   
The start of World War II ushered in two unhappy episodes in the life of her family: the death of her father in her junior year of high school and the internment of her family in a relocation center (Fresno Assembly Center) in the middle of her senior year. This was because her mother, although an American born citizen, was of Japanese descent. Being the oldest, Dorothy then had more responsibilities with her family. Her father was Filipino, a proud American Legionnaire and a Master Mason. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War I. The Madera American Legion Commander and members, his Masonic Brethren and local businessmen took only three months to secure the family’s pardon and return to their Madera home.

Philip John Gallegos (88), a lifelong resident of Madera, California passed away on May 14, 2018. He retired from the Madera Unified School District as a Maintenance III and Locksmith. Philip was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign War (Post 1981), a Life Member of the Madera Historical Society, a Member of the CSEA Retiree Unit, recognized as the 2013 Madera County Old Timer’s King, and a Member of St. Joachim’s Church.

Philip served in the United States Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954, achieved the rank of Corporal, awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and served in the Army reserves for five years. Philip most enjoyed spending time with his family but also loved treasure hunting at yard sales and tinkering with bikes and clocks.