News

Webster Benard (81)

Webster "Web" Benard (81), a native of Keota, OK and a resident of Madera, CA for 77 years passed away Thursday, August 20, 2015 at a Fresno hospital. He was a retired U.S. Postal Clerk where he worked for 34 years and a member of Westside Christian Fellowship Church.

Web served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and in his early years enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also an avid antique hunter who collected a wide variety of items – especially those related to the history of the Central Valley.

Former Madera Unified Teacher Passes: Betty Jean Pipes (89)

Betty Jean Pipes (89) of Madera, CA passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2015. Betty was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 18, 1926. Her childhood years were spent in Mountainair, New Mexico. Betty was the only child of Ernest Rudd and Era Saunders Rudd.

Her parents were in the restaurant business. As a child Betty spent many hours working in the family restaurant. Due to her tedious work schedule, Betty was unable to finish high school. While working in her family restaurant, Betty was charmed by one of the regular customers, Wayne Pipes. Wayne, a Texas Tech Alumni, was working as a fireman with the Santa Fe Railroad. They married in 1945 and soon after started a family.

Ralph Philip Reitz (91)

Ralph Philip Reitz (91) was born in Fresno, CA on June 28, 1923, to Philip and Eva Reitz, and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 7, 2015. He attended Locan Elementary School near Kings Canyon and Temperance Avenue and graduated from Sanger High School in 1941. He attended Fresno State College for three semesters until his education was interrupted by World War II.

After the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. In the Air Corps, he trained to be a pilot in California, Montana, and New Mexico. During this time, he met his future wife, Frances Sullivan, of Nashville, TN, with whom he shared his married life for 65 years. They moved to California after the war in 1946 and settled in Fresno, CA.

Former Captain of Ferko String Band Dies: Joseph Blass Jr. (94)

Joseph H. Blass, Jr. (94) of Havertown, PA, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on May 13, 2015. Born in South Philadelphia on February 1, 1921, he was the son of the late Joseph H. Blass, Sr. and Marian Blass (nee Brendlinger).

Joseph served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and fought in the South Pacific. He also served as an Officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was employed as a tool maker with General Electric in Southwest Philadelphia.

Earl J. Martin (76)

Earl J. Martin (76), a native of Livingston, CA and a resident of Madera, CA for 74 years passed away Friday, May 1, 2015 at his Madera home. He was a retired owner and operator of Chevron Service Station Cleveland and Hwy 99 for 35 years.

Earl was a police officer from 1960 to 1970 and was a member of the B.P.O.E. Madera Elks Lodge #1918 for 45 years. He was an avid fisherman and lived with the best catch of his life for 57 years, Shirley. Earl was known for his BBQ expertise, specializing in tri-tip and rib-eye steaks.

Owner of Penny Candy Dies at 80: Carole Lee Gostanian

Carole Gostanian (80) was born on December 13, 1934 in Fresno, California to parents, Leo and Vivien (Michaelian) Gostanian. She passed away on April 20, 2015 in Fresno, California.

Carole Gostanian, the colorful and sometimes contentious owner of Penny Candy — a Fresno book shop turned novelty store in the 1960s that sold everything from pet rocks to adult gifts and drug paraphernalia — died last Monday at the age of 80.

Mark Ibrahim (48)

Mark Ahmad Ibrahim (48), passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. He was born on July 7, 1966, to Sami Ahmad Ibrahim (surviving) and Marie Louise Haas Ibrahim (predeceased) in Los Altos, CA. He graduated from Los Altos High School, class of 1984.

He then attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, class of 1989, where he met his beautiful wife. He learned to manage the family farm, La Vina Ranch, from his father-in-law, Morgan Johnson, and became an expert at growing table grapes and cherries.