Obituaries
Melvin W. Watts
Jan 6, 2026
Melvin W. Watts, of Watsonville passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on August 5, 1941, at Stanford Hospital to Willard and Violet Watts of Alameda. When Mel was three years old, his family moved to Watsonville where he spent the remainder of his life.
Mel was known for his kindness, gentle nature,...
Jose Guadalupe Casillas
Jan 5, 2026
Jose Guadalupe Casillas passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at the age of 94.
Our beloved father and grandfather, Jose Guadalupe Casillas was born on October 30, 1931, to his parents Eduardo Casillas and Benita Becerra in Pegueros, Jalisco Mexico. He married Tecla Cervantes and they were married for 62 years.
Jose worked in the agricultural industry most of his working...
Antonio Valdez Rodriguez
Jan 5, 2026
Antonio Valdez Rodriguez passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at the age of 80.
Antonio was born on June 13, 1945, to his parents Francisca Rodriguez and Apolonio Valdez in Jalisco, Mexico. He married the love of his life, Julia Andrade De Valdez and was a resident of Gilroy, California. He was a devoted Nursery man at Pajarosa for many...
Victoria Mendoza Avila
Jan 4, 2026
Victoria Mendoza Avila passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 92.
Victoria was born on June 21, 1933, to her parents Jose Mendoza and Paz Mendoza in Westmorland, California. She was raised in Watsonville, California and married the love of her life, Ruben H. Avila.
She completed her education up to the 8th grade. She loved singing, dancing,...
Frances Ellen "Frankie" Tanner
Jan 2, 2026
Frances Ellen “Frankie” Tanner, 91, of Arcata, California, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Santa Cruz. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Frankie will be remembered for her radiant smile, warm heart, and the joy she brought to all who knew her.
Born on October 31, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Orson Lawrence and Katheryn...
Diana Lynne Miller Cornell
Jan 2, 2026
Diana Lynne Miller Cornell passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 73.
Diana was born on July 25, 1953, to her parents Lloyd and Beverly Miller. A resident of Watsonville, California and married the love of her life, Gregory Breen Cornell.
Her hobbies included Disney-Mickey & Minnie Collections as well as a good game of playing Bridge with...
Rebecca Duran
Dec 29, 2025
Rebecca Duran, a beloved mother, grandmother, and devoted wife, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at the age of 88.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Rebecca made her home in Watsonville, California, where she lived for over six decades after settling there in 1964.
A full-time wife, mother, and grandmother, Rebecca dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her strength, kindness,...
Adolfo Lara Martinez
Dec 27, 2025
Adolfo Lara Martinez passed away at home surrounded by family in Watsonville, Ca on December 27, 2025.
He was born in El Jaral, Guanajuato, Mexico to his parents Benito Lara and Paula Martinez on April 30, 1949.
He came to the United States at the age of 16 and made Santa Cruz County his home in 1969. He dedicated his life to...
Rubye Mae
Dec 23, 2025
Rubye “Nana” Mae was born May 16, 1933, to Earl and Lois Bray in Houlka, a small town in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
Rubye Mae passed away unexpectedly December 23, 2025. She’s reunited in heaven with Glenn Ukestad, Paul Riggs, and her daughter, Brenda Ukestad. Family was very important to her and she dedicated her life to being a mom and grandma....
Jesus Alvarez Zamora
Dec 20, 2025
Jesus Alvarez Zamora passed away in Salinas, Ca on Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
He was born in Michoacan, Mexico on June 4th, 1971, to his parents Uriel Alvarez and Josefina Zamora, but was a longtime resident of Watsonville, Ca where he would later raise his own family.
Jesus was a hardworking farmer by trade, who loved to spend time with his family...
Betty Jane Brown
Dec 19, 2025
Betty Jane Brown passed peacefully at her home in Boulder Creek on December 19, 2025.
Betty was born on April 21, 1935, in Aliceville, Alabama to her parents Leland Denter and Ruby Christine Gilliam. She moved to Watsonville with her family when she was 11 years old.
Betty was known best for her love of the Lord and served Him at Landmark...
Anthony Pedro Herrera
Dec 15, 2025
Anthony Pedro Herrera Sr passed away in Glendale, Ca on December 15, 2025.
Anthony was born in Pasadena to his parents Pedro and Pearl Herrera on January 6, 1968.
Tony loved to spend time with family. He is remembered by his friends and loved ones as a funny and caring person, who always wanted to make people laugh and make sure everyone...
Jason Kennedy Menefee
Dec 12, 2025
Jason Kennedy Menefee -- a devoted father and fiercely loyal friend tomany who worked extremely hard and played even harder while revelingin the biker/outlaw lifestyle -- has died after a bout with metastaticmelanoma.Jason passed peacefully on the morning of Dec. 12, 2025. His fiance,Hanna Hildebrand, took tireless, compassionate and loving care ofJason, and allowed him to pass exactly how he...
Evangelina Burgos de Marrujo
Dec 10, 2025
Evangelina Burgos de Marrujo passed away in Salinas on December 10, 2025.
She was born in El Ranchito de los Burgos in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico on December 3, 1952, to her parents Carlos and Leonor Burgos.
She moved to Los Angeles, Ca where she worked as a seamstress for a time before getting married to her husband Emilio Marrujo and moving to...
Daniel Thomas Avila
Dec 8, 2025
Daniel Thomas Avila passed away in Salinas, Ca on December 8, 2025.
Danny was born in Tracy, Ca on February 4, 1954, to his parents Thomas and Antonia Avila. He spent his youth in Watsonville, Ca and last resided in San Juan Batista with his own family.
Danny was a creative spirit who enjoyed playing the guitar, drawing, and painting. In his...
James Alan Corona
Dec 4, 2025
James Alan Corona passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 67.
He was born on December 12, 1957, to his parents Joaquin and Avalon Corona.
James loved music, puzzles, bowling, swimming, and the beach.
He is survived by his siblings Raymond and Katherine Corona, who will miss him dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held for James at Ave Maria Memorial...
Carla Schaper Reans
Nov 30, 2025
Carla Schaper Reans was born May 23, 1929 and entered into the arms of her loving savior Jesus Christ on November 30, 2025 at the age of 96.
Carla was the daughter of German immigrants Friedrich and Hertha Schaper, she was a lifelong resident of Watsonville. As a youth she was a member of the 4-H club and Rainbow girls. Carla...
Raúl Galaviz Cazarez
Nov 17, 2025
Raúl Galaviz Cazares, a beloved member of the Watsonville community and a proud native of Tampico, México, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at the age of 80.
Born on September 24, 1945, to Cerna Cazarez and Raúl Galaviz, Raúl moved to Watsonville as a young man and spent most of his life here, building a warm circle of friends...
Javier Lizarde Herrera
Nov 16, 2025
Javier Lizarde Herrera passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, at the age of 72.
He was born on May 2, 1953, to his parents Eleno Lizardi and Simona Herrera. A native of Huanusco, Zacatecas, Mexico and a resident of Watsonville, California. He married the love of his life, Liduvina Lizarde.
Javier was an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a...
Roberta "Pickles" Tapiz
Nov 13, 2025
On November 13, 2025, Roberta “Pickles” Tapiz passed away at home surrounded by her family. She was 69.
Roberta was born on December 17, 1955, in Watsonville, California to her parents, Joseph and Isabel Tapiz.
Roberta was a dedicated and loving grandmother to Leelu, Logan and Nova. She worked at Mintie White Elementary for 30 years. She loved sports and enjoyed watching...
