William “Bill” Soares, 82, a resident of Madera California since 2000, passed away on February 20, 2022. A native of Ventura, California, he grew up in the westside town of San Joaquin. He graduated from Tranquility High School and later attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Fresno State where he graduated before enrolling at the University of Pacific School of Pharmacy in Stockton. Following graduation he returned to the westside to operate El Rancho Drug Stores in San Joaquin...

Darrell Dean Pruett Darrell passed away on the morning of January 18, 2022 at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, CA. He was born on March 3, 1939 in Bessie, Oklahoma, son of Richard and Alice Pruett. Darrell was the middle brother of 4 boys, survived by twin brother Donald, sister Artie Godfrey, and proceeded by brothers Jerry, Wayne, sisters Jewel and Pearl Burns. Darrell graduated from Madera High School Class of 57. After graduation, Darrell enlisted in United States Air Force...

Jim Martin, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on January 17, 2022. Jim was born May 13, 1943 to Kenneth and Bonnie Martin and was raised in Madera CA. He graduated from Madera High School and California State University Fresno. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Alves, in 1963. He began his lifelong career in agriculture working with his father, Ken, at West Side Pump Company in San Joaquin. He later cofounded Cal-West Rain in Kerman where he worked with his...

H.B. “Bud” Smith, Jr., 91, a native of Bradford, Arkansas and a resident of Madera since 1947, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Madera and served as a member of the California National Guard at the Merced Unit for 10 years. In 1947 after he moved to Madera from Arkansas he was introduced to a lovely young woman, Betty Creamer, as a 16 year old she was young and beautiful, Bud was a wise 17 year old and made sure she was home...

Thomas R. “Tom” Hagopian, 77, a native and lifelong resident of Fresno, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at his home after a brief illness. Tom was born in Fresno at the old St. Agnes Hospital, the son of Lee and Dorothy Garabedian Hagopian and was raised on the family farm in Kerman where he graduated from Kerman High School with the Class of 1962, playing football for the Kerman Lions. He later went on to receive his A.S. Degree from Fresno City College. Tom served in...

On Thursday, January 13th, 2022 Wilma Tashjian finished her earthly race and passed peacefully to her eternal Heavenly home. Known for her red hair and sweet countenance, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, gentleness and love for Jesus Christ, her Savior. Wilma Dell Lane was born on July 5th, 1928 in Coleman, OK. Her early years were defined by time spent with her close-knit family, which included her older brother Jack and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Her family moved...

Zaphiria LaBarge, cosmetologist and mother, voyager and survivor, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, in her adopted hometown of Madera, California. She was 86 years old. A masterful cook and fluent speaker of six languages, Zaphiria was born Zaphiria Margiouklas in Cavallas, Greece to parents Demitri and Kiriakoula Margiouklas, the youngest of five sisters. She was a lifelong learner, having travelled to earn her college diploma in London, England, the first of her international travels. In...

Jerry R. Coen, Sr., 76, a native of Madera and a resident of the Modesto - Turlock area for 35 years, passed away January 12, 2022.  He was a graduate of Madera High School class of 1963. Jerry was a member of BPOE Elks Lodge #1918 in Madera, the Old Fishermen’s Club in Modesto and E Clampus Vitus Chapter 58. He was an avid sports fan and loved his Dodgers and Rams.  Jerry never passed up a good poker game and he even liked to throw back a few with friends on occasion. Jerry was...

Clarence Hendrix 71, peacefully went home to be with his lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on January 12, 2022. He was born October 4, 1950 in Merced to John and Bernice Bishop Hendrix. He grew up in Fairmead, CA where he attended local schools and graduated from Chowchilla High School. He also attended Job Corp. He started his work history as a young boy milking a neighbor’s cow before school. He worked on ranches tending grapes and running work crews. Later he worked in cotton gins and...