Obituaries

Jan 22, 2026

Mary Romana Villanueva Ramirez, 83, passed away on January 22, 2026 after a short illness. Rome or Mary, as family and friends called her, was born in Bakersfield on November 3, 1942 to Paul and Frances Villanueva. She was the oldest to her three siblings, Sally Lopez, Barbara (Richard) Evans and Mike (Karen)Villanueva.

Mary attended East Bakersfield High School. She was...

Dec 31, 2025

Richard Lee Vega passed peacefully after a brief illness and was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Lake Isabella, California to Mabel Vega - Bracamonte and was raised by his stepfather, Simon Bracamonte. He attended Lakeside School and East Bakersfield High School.

Richard proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952...

Dec 31, 2025

Thomas Edward Vontz of Buttonwillow passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on December 31, 2025, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 87 years old. Tom was born on March 30, 1938 in Indianola, Nebraska to Marion and Elda (Colling) Vontz. He was the youngest of their 6 sons. He graduated from Indianola High School where...

Dec 12, 2025

Recovering at home after surgery, Lewis Thomas Long, Jr. (Tom) passed away in his sleep on December 12, 2025.

The youngest of three children, Tom was born on October 16, 1954, in Wasco, CA to Lily and Lewis Long, Sr. From a young age, he loved the outdoors and the mountains. He loved living in the mountains, chopping his own wood,...

Dec 23, 2025

Harold Feliz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He proudly served in the United States Army, a commitment that reflected his sense of discipline and service. He was a talented musician who played the saxophone and had a lifelong love of music.

Beyond music, Harold held a deep passion for kung fu. Practicing and teaching martial arts was an important...

Dec 17, 2025

On an unusually cold and wet day October 29th, 1942, Gary Arthur Jaussaud was born to the delight of his mother and father. Gary spent his early childhood in Taft, California, surrounded by the love of his maternal grandparents and extended family. When Gary was still a young boy, his mother, Louise Donnel, married Babe Jaussaud, and together they formed...

Dec 12, 2025

December 12, 1942 - December 12, 2025

I write this obit not as a resume but rather as a tribute to those who have made my journey a more meaningful one. My greatest fortune in life was to meet Carol Virginia Beller while we were students at Muncie Central High School (Indiana). We were married in 1960, had two children, then...

Nov 26, 2025

Louis Isabel Ornelas Junior, 79, of Shafter, California, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025, in Bakersfield, California, with loved ones by his side.

He was born in Bakersfield on February 1, 1946, to Isabel and Paula Ornelas of Buttonwillow, California, where he grew up and spent most of his adult life. In 1963, Louis married his lifetime sweetheart and the...

Nov 12, 2025

Betty Louise Fanucchi was born on December 2, 1926 to Joe and Rose Tazioli and passed away on November 12, 2025 with her daughters by her side.

Betty was a great cook and delighted in cooking for her family especially during the holidays. In her later years she enjoyed the monthly bingo at Saint Francis Church as a member of the...

Nov 6, 2025

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 19, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 124 Columbus Street in Bakersfield for 83-year-old Gary Joe Leary, who passed away on November 6 with his family by his side. Visitation in the church will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the Recitation of the Rosary at...

Nov 25, 2025

Rafaela “Rafa” Eby, 79, died peacefully on November 25, 2025 leaving behind her two daughters, Nicole (Tony) Nausieda, Barbara (Will) Fullingim, her brother, Pedro Osorio, her grandchildren, William Maxwell, Bruce Aiden, Sunshine Penelope, Minerva Minnie, Harrison Victor, Marielle Rose, and Juliette Lily, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rafa was born in San Juan Nepomuceno, Colombia to Fernanda and...

Oct 26, 2025

June 17, 1951 – October 26, 2025

Mark Timothy Rodgers passed away peacefully in Bakersfield on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at age 74, surrounded by his family and loved ones, after several years of health problems. He was a loving father, grandfather, husband, brother, friend, and mentor, and he was a tireless member of the Bakersfield business community for well over...

Nov 1, 2025

November 20, 1927 – November 1, 2025Dolores Torigiani of Bakersfield, CA, daughter of Manuel and Ida Izuierdo, wife for 60 years to John Torigiani, died at her granddaughter's home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.She was a genuine lady who loved music and family and was surrounded by love when she left this Earth peacefully with her granddaughter at her side. She lived...

Oct 27, 2025

Barbara Sandrini, a devoted wife, Nonni, and tireless servant of her community, passed away on October 27, 2025 at the age of 77. Her life was marked by compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to family, faith, and service.

Born on December 9, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Barbara grew up surrounded by family and values that would guide her throughout her...

Oct 17, 2025

Barbara De Los Santos, age 76, of Wasco, California passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025. She was born March 23,1949, in Visalia, California to the late John and Jesse Marquez.

She is survived by two daughters, Melissa De Los Santos of Chicago, Illinois and Jessica De Los Santos of Yuba City, California. Her beloved grandson, Marcus John Gentry from Yuba...

Oct 17, 2025

Joe Freitas III (Joe-Joe), beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025.

Born on December 28, 1947, to Julie and Joe Freitas Jr., Joe grew up surrounded by family, faith, and farming. He graduated from South High School in 1966 and attended Bakersfield College, Cal Poly, and Fresno State, where he was a proud...

Jan 16, 2026

Judy Helene (Art) Nigh was born on March 5, 1947, in Culver City, California. She passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, at her home in Taft, surrounded by her family.

Judy graduated from East High School in 1965. In September 1968, she met the love of her life, Larry Nigh, at Andre’s Drive-In on Chester Avenue. They became inseparable immediately...

Oct 18, 2025

Oct 13, 2025

Monica Jaussaud Etcheverry was born on June 23, 1952 and passed away on October 13, 2025 after a short battle with ALS. Born in Bakersfield to Dermide “Babe” and Mildred Louise Jaussaud.

Monica attended St. Joseph and St. Lawrence Catholic Schools, Garces Memorial High School, and Cuesta Junior College in San Luis Obispo. Monica’s Catholic faith, being every bit as important...

Oct 13, 2025

April 18, 1930 – October 13, 2025

Wilma Creps La Perle, beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and great-aunt passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, on October 13, 2025, at the age of 95.

Born in Wheatland, California, to Ena Dina Delco and Chester Albert Creps, Wilma grew up in a close-knit farming community where her family raised sheep and grew...