News

Former Madera Online Columnist Leon Emo Dies at 67

MADERA - Former columnist for several Madera newspapers, Leon Emo, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, at the age of 67. He was born May 26, 1948, in Los Angeles, but not long after his birth, he settled with his family in the San Joaquin Valley, where his father, Leon Emo, Sr., opened a crop-dusting business, for which Leon worked while he was growing up.

He attended Madera schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1966. Shortly after completing high school, Mr. Emo was drafted into the Army, and he served his country in Vietnam, South Korea, and stateside until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

Jean Whitaker (68)

Jean Macaluso Whitaker (68), beloved mother, grandmother and sister, was born on May 22, 1947 in San Jose, CA. She passed away on May 9, 2016 with her family by her side in Madera, CA where she was a resident for over 40 years.

Jean worked at Madera District Fair as a Business Assistant for 25 years until her retirement. She was a proud member of Valley Bowl Too bowling team. Jean enjoyed golfing, bowling, and reading with a crisp, fruitful glass of wine. She found the most joy in spending time with her family driving them around, watching them play sports, playing card and board games, telling stories, and taking family trips.

Jean I Konkol (94)

Jean Konkol (94) was born in Fresno, Ca on July 22, 1921 and was resident of Madera, CA for 56 years. She passed away Monday, May 9, 2016 at her home in Madera, CA. She and her husband Donald owned and operated Sierra Foodland Grocery store from 1960 to 1986.

They also owned and operated Madera Custom Meat Locker, Loknok Deli and Madera Party Rentals. After retirement she and her husband, Don managed the Reef Apartments, Town and Country Apartments and Rosewood Court. Jean was a member of the Madera Golf & Country Club and the Organizers Organ Group in Fresno.

Madera Unified Administratot Barry Crow Passes at 73

MADERA - Barry Kerman Crow passed away on Sunday May 8, 2016 at Madera Community Hospital at the age of 73 following a brief illness. Born in Fresno to Kenneth and Muriel Crow, Barry grew up in Fresno where he graduated from Roosevelt High School.

He later went on to CSU Fresno where he earned his Bachelors Degree. He was awarded his Masters Degree in Education and his Administrative Credential at Fresno Pacific University. At Fresno State he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He later served in the California Army National Guard with basic training at Fort Ord.

Julie Gleason McCully (55)

Julie Gleason McCully (55) went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 8, 2016. Julie was born on June 14, 1960 in Fresno, Ca and was raised in Madera, Ca. She was the daughter of Barbara Thornton and Fred Gleason. She attended John Adams Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School and graduated from Madera High School with the class of 1978. In 1987 she married the love of her life, Erik McCully of Fresno, and moved to Southern California.

Julie was a compassionate and caring woman and was an amazing mother and loving wife. Her life truly revolved around her children and their activities. They participated in sports and many other activities. They brought so much joy into her life and made her equally as proud with all they have accomplished.

102 Days After the Passing of Her Husband, Peggy & Dino Petrucci Reunite in Heaven

Peggy Louise Petrucci (83) passed away on Thursday April 14, 2016, with her family by her side. Her hasband Dino Petrucci, former Madera Unified School Board Trustee just passed 102 days prior. Peggy was born to Raymond and Opal Hayes in Cecil, Arkansas. She spent most of her childhood in Arkansas before moving to Madera in her teen years.

She graduated from Madera Union High School in 1950. Peggy married the love of her life, Dino, at the age of 18 in Las Vegas and for the next 4 years spent many weekends with him at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo during his time in college. They were married for 64 beautiful years.

Evelyn Manfredo (95)

Evelyn Louise Manfredo (95) peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2016 at the age of 95. She is the daughter of John and Catherine Greco of Fresno and grew up in a hard working Italian family. After graduating from Fresno Technical High School her vibrant personality was recognized as she became Miss Fresno County.

She soon met Loyd Manfredo and in 1941 they married before Loyd was deployed in World War II. She worked on Navy planes during those war years while she taught piano and accordion lessons. She became a Fresno City “Aunt Mary’s” Hostess as Fresno was growing. Eventually she opened a children’s boutique on Belmont called Tiny Tots, later relocating and renaming it Guys and Dolls, a neighborhood children’s store on Fruit and Shields.