News

Mark Zewe (52)

Mark Zewe (52) a native of Charleroi, PA and a resident of Madera, CA for 30 years passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011 at a Madera hospital. He was a graphic artist. He graduated from Madera High School in 1977 and California State University, Fresno in 1980.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents James & Pauline Zewe, brother, James Lewis Zewe and his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Herb Levine.

Mickey Nishimoto (87)

Masako "Mickey" Nishimoto, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, passed away in Madera on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the age of 87. She was born on January 14, 1924 and raised in Devil's Slide, Utah. She was the third of five children of immigrant parents, Jusaburo and Shigeyo Fujiki from Japan.

In 1948, she graduated from the U. of Utah with a BS in Nursing. She began her nursing career at the Salt Lake City VA and later transferred to the VA in Oakland, CA where she was a surgical head nurse. There she came to know Keith Nishimoto, her future husband. Married in 1957, she moved to Madera and worked at the Nishimoto's grocery store while raising her two daughters. Her main focus was the Bridge Store, the family business which she helped run for 54 years.

Diane Elaine Cappelluti (70)

Diane Elaine Cappelluti passed peacefully on the evening of November 2, 2011. She was surrounded by her loved ones and family who have been caring for her over the recent years.

Her parents Donald and Dorothy Doman brought her to Fresno from Philadelphia in 1945. She graduated from Fresno High School in 1958 and graduated from Fresno State University in 1963. She married her husband Paul Cappelluti in 1965 and remained his by his side until his death in 1995.

Nicholas "Nick" Cappelluti (91)

Nicholas "Nick" Cappelluti a native and lifelong resident of Madera, CA passed away Saturday, September 24, 2011 at a Madera hospital. He owned and operated Madera Glass and Body Shop from 1947 to 1982. Nick was a member of St. Joachim Catholic Church, the Y.M.I. and was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corps.

Nick was preceded in death by his wife Dolores, daughter Cheryl Hillman and son Ron Cappelluti.

Wife of Former Madera Judge Passes: Veronica A. Moffat 61

Veronica A. Moffat passed from this life into one with our eternal Lord on August 29, 2011. Veronica was preceded in death by her husband Honorable Judge Edward P. Moffat II, parents Marcelino and Ramona Ramirez and numerous Aunts and Uncles.

Born and raised in Madera, Veronica attended St. Joachim's Parochial School, Washington Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Jr. High and Madera High School. Upon graduation, she decided to explore the world of law where she went to school to become a legal assistant. She spent the majority of her career working for California Rural Legal Assistance helping the undeserved have a voice in the Valley as well as the Madera County District Attorney's Office where she began her career.

Kimberly McKinney

Kimberly McKinney, age 40, a native of Lancaster, CA and a resident of Madera, CA for 16 years passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with Melanoma Saturday, August 27, 2011 at her Madera home.

She was a homemaker and was a member of Harvest Community Church. Kim attended school at Herndon-Barstow Elementary and graduated from Madera High School class of 1989. She received her Associates from Fresno City College and attended Fresno State. Kimberly was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister.

Jerry Lee Butler (75)

Jerry Lee Butler, age 75, a native and lifelong resident of Madera, CA passed away peacefully, Thursday, July 7, 2011 at his Madera home with his family by his side.

Jerry worked for the M.U.S.D. as transportation manager for 25 years and for J.W. Meyers as a truck driver. He was a graduate of Madera Union High School in 1954 and he joined the Army National Guard in 1954 where he served 9 years. Jerry married Patricia in 1958. He was a member of the Madera Elks Lodge for over 40 years and was involved with the Madera Police Auxiliary for 16 years.