News

Abigail Grace Needham Has Gone Home to God

FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR NOON FIRDAY

Abigail Grace Needham (5 and a half) passed away on December 27, 2013, surrounded by her father, mother, and sister at her bedside. Abby passed after a two-year battle against brain cancer.

Abby's beauty, character, charm, wit, and sense of humor are the main traits which magnetized over 17,000 followers and friends along her side during the rigorous battle. Abby will be remembered for her love of family, rainbows, and butterflies.

Betty Boyd (80)

Betty Boyd (80) of Madera, CA passed away on December 23, 2013 at home. Betty was born on July 28 1933 in Oklahoma to the late Presley and Violet Wiggins. She was under Hospice care at home at the time of her passing.

Betty most recently worked at the Madera County Library which she enjoyed very much. She also was a waitress and worked at Madera Glass. Betty loved to knit and made her family beautiful blankets.

Coach Allen "Al" Kiddy (78)

Coach Allen "Al" Kiddy (78), a native of Norman, OK and a Madera County resident for 48 years passed away Sunday, December 15, 2013 at a Modesto hospital.

Coach Kiddy graduated from Jenks High School in Oklahoma after earning "All State" honor in wrestling, football, baseball and winning the State 100 yard dash and finishing 2nd in the 220 yard dash.

Darwin Shebelut: Madera Businessman & Former City Council Member Passes at 93

FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR SATURDAY IN MADERA

MADERA - Darwin Gordon Shebelut, long time Madera Automobile Dealer, developer, and recognized community leader passed away on Monday, December 16, 2013 at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Mr. Shebelut, age 93, was born in Madera, California to Conrad and Artye Shebelut. Darwin attended local schools and was a 1938 graduate of Madera High School where he was the senior class president.

Leoba "Leo" Salazar (81)

Leoba "Leo" Salazar (81), a native of George Town, TX and a resident of Madera, CA for 61 years passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at a Madera hospital. He was a retired Maintenance Man working for Madera Unified School District for 36 years.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Salazar and Theodora Sanchez-Salazar. Two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" Salazar and Sylvia "Ya Ya" Salazar. 4 brothers, Efrain, Eliazar, Santiago Salazar and Robert Salazar, Jr. and 1 sister, Ruth Salazar-Garcia.

Sue Sheehan: Local Educator Dies at 78

Regina Sue Sheehan (78) was born Jan. 4, 1935, in Henrietta, MO, to Ray and Lucille Merrell. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013.

Sue was raised in Missouri until the death of her father in 1950, when she moved to California to live with her uncle Hollister “Hub” Gilliland. She attended Fresno High School and went on to major in education in college, earning an Associate of Arts degree from Fresno City College in 1955 and a Bachelor of Arts degree and elementary teaching credential from Fresno State College (now California State University, Fresno) in 1957.

Local Insurance Agent Dies at 74: Larry Hill

Larry Hill (74) passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. He was born in Colorado and a resident of Madera since 1948. Larry graduated from Madera High School Class of 1957. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963.

Larry was an insurance agent; he owned Foster and Parker Insurance Company until his retirement after 37 years. Larry was very active in the community of Madera; he was a member of the Madera JC's, Madera Golf and C.C., Madera Breakfast Lions, Madera Elks Lodge # 1918 BPOE and the American Legion Post #11 Madera.