All Obituaries

Ron Iudice, age 74, died on Dec. 26, 2022, at his home in Mariposa after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 16, 1948, in San Francisco to Carmelo and Dorothy Iudice. At the age of nine, Ron moved with his family to San Jose. He was a graduate of Willow Glen High School. He became a school aide for the Santa Clara County school system, working with developmentally disabled youths. At the same time, he met photographer Peter Cloud, who specialized in horse show photography....

Robert C. Benson February 10, 1933 - January 2, 2023   Robert Clarence Benson age 89 of Catheys Valley, CA died on January 2, 2023.  Robert was born February 10,1933 in Waubun Minnesota, son of Olga and Clarence Benson and was the oldest of five children, Darlene, Sharon, Dale and Jim.  He was fond of his stepmother Gladys Benson.  On June 20,1953 he married Jean Benson in Marble, Minnesota. He was a Corporal MP in the Army during the Korean war.  They...

Long-time resident and beloved Wife and Mother, Mary Kay Jay passed away January 14, 2023 at St Agnes Hospital in Fresno CA at the age of 83. Mary Kay Jay was born June 7, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA to Frank and Mary McCarty. She was Rodeo Queen while attending Orosi High School about 1956. She moved to Mariposa for her Junior year in 1957. She graduated Mariposa County High School in 1958. She met her husband and the love of her life, Gerald Jay in 1960. They were married February 11,...

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 17, 2022 James Martin Allan of Mariposa, passed away peacefully at the age of 83. Better known as Marty, he was born in Oakland, CA, the oldest of seven siblings, to June and Jim Allan.  Marty graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in Concord and went on to earn a business degree from Cal State Hayward.  He was briefly married and had a daughter to which he welcomed into his new relationship with the love of his life, Beejee Rowney.  Their 55...

Joseph N. Barnett (Joe) passed away peacefully at home on Sept 9, 2022, after a short illness. He was 91 years old. He was born on Feb 5, 1931, in Sacramento, Calif., to Joseph and Fritzi Barnett. He spent his childhood in Merced with his parents and older sister, Marty. His father was the chief engineer for the Yosemite Valley Railroad from 1929-1944 when it ceased operation. His mother ran a floral shop, Merced Greenhouse, in downtown Merced. He attended local schools and graduated from...

Surrounded by her family, Collette Marie Banks-Turner passed away at her home and was welcomed into heaven on July 4, 2022 following a brief battle with cancer.  Collette was born in Merced, Calif., to Cecil E. (Pop) and Gloria N. Jones-Banks on June 11, 1954 as the third child in a family of eight; she is survived by her siblings Nannette (Michael) Sutter, Ed (Daria) Banks, Suzzette (David) Norris, Claudette (Brian) Lee, Babbette (Frank) Tyler, Paulette (Bil) Donnelly, and John...

Joyce Ann (Allen) Conway, aged 85, passed to eternity on June 10th, her mother's birthday, closing the circle on a rich, full life. She succumbed to heart failure following surgery to replace a heart valve. She Joins her husband, retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant John D. (Jack) Conway, and son Brett. She is survived by her children, Eddie, Bradley, Kristy, and Jennifer, granddaughter Skye, twenty-six grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and sister Rebecca.  Joyce was born...

Frank Tuttle Frank was born May 23, 1933 in Wilmington, CA, worked as firefighter for City of Compton for 31 years, retiring as a Captain, moved to Mariposa, CA after retiring.  Frank passed peacefully June 24, 2022 Frank loved athletic activities, water skiing, snow skiing, running, bicycling and weight training, after moving to foothills Frank enjoyed jogging and hiking in the foothills.  He loved boating and had many ski boats and sail boats. After retiring Frank started...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Nelson, our loving father, grandfather and great grandfather who passed away on Saturday May 7th at the age of 89. Bob was born December 20, 1932 to loving parents Bert and Hattie Nelson in Beatrice Nebraska. When he was three years old his family moved to St. Helens, Oregon.  In 1951 he moved to San Jose, California with his Mother and Stepfather where he enlisted in the Army and a few years later met and married...

Betty Jean Collins grew up in the small town of Mattawa, Canada, came West to California in the 1950s with three other nurses seeking jobs and adventure, and stayed to raise a family and serve her community. She died on December 20 in her apartment at The Windham senior living complex in Fresno, three weeks short of her 91st birthday.  Betty was a longtime resident of Ponderosa Basin and parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa. After graduating from the University...