All Obituaries

Gabriela M. Gutierrez passed away on June 24, 2020. She was 90. Gabriela was born in Houston, Texas on March 24, 1930 to Eduardo and Isabel Gutierrez. She moved to Watsonville with her family in 1959. Gabriela was a resident of Watsonville for 61 years. She loved to sing and dance, gardening and growing her roses and geraniums, and loved to spend time with her nieces and nephews; whom she treated and raised as her own children. She loved her miniature Doberman “Whiskey”, who was...

Richard Del Piero, a lifelong resident of the Monterey Bay area, passed away peacefully at the age of 96.  Richard was born on March 7, 1924 in Davenport, California (Santa Cruz County). His parents, Timo and Caterina Del Piero and his two sisters, Rita (m. Stringari) and Aurora (m. Mitchell), had immigrated to the United States in the early 1920’s from Nimes, Italy after the devastation of World War I. Here, they joined the community of immigrants from the Friuli region of...

Watsonville resident Richard “Dick” E. Kitch, age 96, passed away in the early morning of June 10, 2020, of natural causes. Dick was born May 24, 1924, in Pawnee County, Kan., to wheat farmers Lloyd and Marie Kitch. He was the youngest of four children. Having graduated high school at 17, he left home to attend Ft. Hays State University, where he was an active member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. A proud veteran, Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, stationed in...

Donald Gunderson went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. He was born June 23, 1952 in Fort Ord, California to Don and Betty Gunderson. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1969. Don served in the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. He had many life skills and was multi-talented. He owned Don’s Electric in Watsonville. He leaves two children, son Donald and daughter Serena, siblings Betty (Gary), Annette, Bernice, Alberta (John), and Rich (Cindy). He also leaves 3...

Joaquin Segura, beloved husband, father and, grandfather, passed peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Stanford Hospital surrounded by his family days after his 88th birthday. He was born and raised in La Angostura, Michoacán, Mexico, a small town founded by his family. As a young man he enjoyed traveling and exploring many cities in Mexico including Mexico City where he lived and worked as a barber. He moved to Watsonville after working numerous jobs in the United States under the...

Joseph William Parker passed away on May 30, 2020. He was 90. He was born to George and Nora Parker on Dec. 15, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest child of four. After the passing of his mother in May of 1938, Joseph was enrolled in a boarding school 90 miles from Chicago. Up until fourth grade, he returned to Chicago’s parish schools.  After high school, he entered the Congregation of Alexian Brothers in Tennessee, where he completed his nursing education. Joseph was...

Gertrude Angela Wohnoutka passed away on May 30, 2020 at De Un Amor, where she spent the last 6 years. She was 99. Gertrude was born to John and Susan Jansen on July 3, 1920 in Olivia, Minnesota. She was married to George Wohnoutka on August 23, 1938 and was a loving mother to her six sons and daughter.  She was a resident of Santa Cruz County for the past 40 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter Beverly. She is survived by her sons; John, Dan, Ron,...

Lela Mae Shean passed away peacefully on May 28th in Kansas City, MO., with her daughter Theresa by her side. She was 91 years young although she never admitted to being over 39. Lela was born on April 18, 1929 in Jacksboro, TX. In her teen years her and the family moved to San Francisco, CA. After World War II, she met her husband-to-be Charlie Shean. After a short courtship they married and moved to Stockton, CA., where Charlie went to work for the San Joaquin County as their Human...

Marian Hopson died peacefully on May 20. She married O.A. “Al” Hopson in 1944 and moved to Watsonville in 1945. She worked for the J.C. Penney for 35 years. She was very active in the community serving as a bowling coach for junior bowlers, holding various State and local positions with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. She enjoyed Bingo on Friday nights at St. Francis.  She leaves behind her husband of 75 years, son, Tom (DeeDee)...

Acension “Sal” Sandoval, Jr., died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 18, 2020. He was born in Pajaro on March 20, 1941 and was one of 6 siblings. He was 79. “Sal”, as he was known by his family and friends, went to local schools, graduating from Watsonville High School. He worked as a Plant Manager at Dean Foods for many years. He was an avid 49ers fan and loved to BBQ (he was The Best), among many other interests. Most of all, “Sal”...