News

Marion Fry (79)

Marion Fry (79) was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Clayton Joseph Fry and Edith Brendlinger Fry on November 29, 1935. Her parents, brothers and sister moved from the east coast to Fresno after World War II. Her two older brothers would join the family in Fresno after being honorably discharged from the United States Navy.

Marion graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954 and received her bachelors degree from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. She later earned her masters degree in education while serving the Lord in the missionary work. Marion arrived in the Philippines in 1965, ready to use her gifts and passion to serve others. For 49 years, she was a huge blessing to all she came in contact with, primarily in counseling missionary kids.

West Coast Trucking Giant Passes Away: Joseph Pistacchio 95

MADERA - After a long and blessed life, Joseph "Joe" Pistacchio passed away on September 28, 2015, in Madera, CA. Joe died peacefully at home with his wife, Mary, and loved ones by his side. The youngest of eight children, Joe was born to Timoteo and Maria Pistacchio on September 1, 1920, in Sanger, CA. The Pistacchio family emigrated from Italy to America in 1903 and has deep roots in the San Joaquin Valley. Joe was proud of his family and his Italian heritage.

Joe graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He married Mary Montevecchi on January 28, 1945, a union that would last over 70 years. This past January in honor of their long marriage, there was a grand celebration in Madera attended by many family and friends.

Allan Hall: Local Pharmacist & Community Leader Dies at 75

William Allan Hall (75), better known to friends as "Allan", passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2015. Allan was born in Merced, California but later moved to Fresno where he was a graduate of Fresno High School. He attended Fresno City College, Fresno State and graduated from the Oregon State School of Pharmacy.

Returning to the valley he settled in Madera where he has served the community professionally as a respected Pharmacist and community leader for 52 years. Beginning his career at the former Calaway's Drug Store on Yosemite Avenue, he later ventured out on his own with the establishment of Hall's Drugstore. After fifteen wonderful years he sold the business to Savemart in Madera where he continued to work in their pharmacy until recently.

Webster Benard (81)

Webster "Web" Benard (81), a native of Keota, OK and a resident of Madera, CA for 77 years passed away Thursday, August 20, 2015 at a Fresno hospital. He was a retired U.S. Postal Clerk where he worked for 34 years and a member of Westside Christian Fellowship Church.

Web served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and in his early years enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also an avid antique hunter who collected a wide variety of items – especially those related to the history of the Central Valley.

Former Madera Unified Teacher Passes: Betty Jean Pipes (89)

Betty Jean Pipes (89) of Madera, CA passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2015. Betty was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 18, 1926. Her childhood years were spent in Mountainair, New Mexico. Betty was the only child of Ernest Rudd and Era Saunders Rudd.

Her parents were in the restaurant business. As a child Betty spent many hours working in the family restaurant. Due to her tedious work schedule, Betty was unable to finish high school. While working in her family restaurant, Betty was charmed by one of the regular customers, Wayne Pipes. Wayne, a Texas Tech Alumni, was working as a fireman with the Santa Fe Railroad. They married in 1945 and soon after started a family.

Ralph Philip Reitz (91)

Ralph Philip Reitz (91) was born in Fresno, CA on June 28, 1923, to Philip and Eva Reitz, and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 7, 2015. He attended Locan Elementary School near Kings Canyon and Temperance Avenue and graduated from Sanger High School in 1941. He attended Fresno State College for three semesters until his education was interrupted by World War II.

After the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. In the Air Corps, he trained to be a pilot in California, Montana, and New Mexico. During this time, he met his future wife, Frances Sullivan, of Nashville, TN, with whom he shared his married life for 65 years. They moved to California after the war in 1946 and settled in Fresno, CA.

Former Captain of Ferko String Band Dies: Joseph Blass Jr. (94)

Joseph H. Blass, Jr. (94) of Havertown, PA, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on May 13, 2015. Born in South Philadelphia on February 1, 1921, he was the son of the late Joseph H. Blass, Sr. and Marian Blass (nee Brendlinger).

Joseph served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and fought in the South Pacific. He also served as an Officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was employed as a tool maker with General Electric in Southwest Philadelphia.