Helen Astiasuain

Helen Astiasuain passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2025, at the age of 93 in Reedley, Calif. Helen was born on Aug. 29, 1931, and throughout her life, she was known for her vibrant and loving nature, as well as her tireless work ethic. Helen was a cherished member of the Kings River Quilt Guild and was proud to be one of its original founders. Her passion for quilting was matched by her dedication to her family’s dairy farm, where she served as the chief financial officer and calf feeder. Helen’s love of her work and crafts made a lasting impact on her family and community. She was a devout member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Reedley, often donating quilts to benefit St. La Salle School. Helen also enjoyed sewing, baking, and gardening, hobbies that she pursued with much joy and that brought beauty to the lives of those around her. 

Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband, Martin. She is survived by her loving children, Evie, Gail, and Dan, and leaves behind a legacy of love with eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Helen’s life was marked by her devotion to her family, her faith, and her community, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Colleen Best

Colleen Best, of Clovis, died on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. She was 74 years old. Mrs. Best was a homemaker. A graveside service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at the Sanger Cemetery. Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Maria G. Cabrera

Maria G. Cabrera, age 76, of Visalia, Calif., passed away on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. She was born in Harlingen, Texas, to Alicia Partida and Florencio Cabrera. 

Maria dedicated 35 years of her life as a teacher’s aide, making a lasting impact on the students she worked with. 

She is survived by her children, Carlos Cabrera, Paulina Navarro, and AJ Cabrera; her sister, Lucy Sinker; her grandchildren, Celeste Navarro, Bianca Navarro, Jasmine Navarro, Beijah Cabrera, and Benji Cabrera; and her great-granddaughters, Zianna Vargas, Leiyani Vargas, and Angel Romo. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florencio Cabrera and Alicia Partida. 

A visitation for Maria will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dopkins Funeral Chapel, 189 South J Street, Dinuba CA 93618, followed by a rosary at 5 p.m. 

Maria’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Joe Guzman, Jr.

Joe Guzman, Jr., of Sanger, died on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. He was 67 years old. Mr. Guzman was a printer. Private services were held. Mr. Guzman is survived by one daughter, six sisters, three brothers, grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dopkins Dinuba Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LaVerne H. Howerton

LaVerne H. Howerton, of Visalia, died on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. She was 101 years old. Mrs. Howerton was a baker. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Smith Mountain Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on Feb. 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Visalia. Mrs. Howerton is survived by her son and daughter. Dopkins Dinuba Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Lucille Margosian

Lucille was born March 24, 1932, in Yettem, to Hacher and Mary Boudakian. There were five children in the Boudakian family: Evelyn Crowder, Charlie Boudakian, Harry Boudakian, and Jack Boudakian. She married Amos Margosian and had three children: Sharon (John) Margosian Kaprielian, Karon Margosian Penny and Aron (Carrie) Margosian. Amos’ brother, George Margosian (Rose Marie) was more of a brother than a brother-in-law to Lucille. George and RoseMarie had two wonderful daughters: Melissa (Pierre) Margosian Pilavian and Tina (Darrel) Margosian Peters. 

Lucille was blessed with six-grandchildren, Douglas Penny, Avi Penny, Ara Kaprielian, Danielle (Kasper) Kaprielian Hovannisian, Amos Margosian and Margo Margosian; and six great-grandchildren, Zoie Margosian, Kayvan Penny, Olivia Penny, Theo Martin Hovannisian, Aron Margosian and Max Ara Hovannisian. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, brothers and her son, Aron Amos Margosian. 

Services are to be held at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Yettem, Feb. 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. 

Frank Olvera

Frank Olvera, of Dinuba, peacefully passed away on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. He was born on Jan. 11, 1935, in Fresno, Calif. Frank grew up in Reedley, graduating with the class of 1953. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. They were married for 68 years. He leaves behind his children, Jim, Anita, Kathy and Mark, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at 9 a.m., followed by a rosary and funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 356 N. Villa Ave., Dinuba, Calif. Burial will follow at Smith Mountain Cemetery. A luncheon will take place after the burial at the Orosi Memorial Hall, 41645 Rd. 128 in Orosi, Calif. 

LaVerne G. Wyro Fry-Youngberg 

LaVerne Fry died peacefully on Jan. 15, 2025, at Sierra View Homes in Reedley, Calif. LaVerne was born May 20, 1923, to Henry and Hazel Wyro in Merced, Calif. LaVerne married C.A. “Bud” Fry at 19 and they had three sons, Kenneth, Dan, and Mark. LaVerne and Bud made their first home in Traver, Calif., and later bought a ranch on the north side of Reedley. They had been married for 26 years. 

Six years after the death of her husband, Bud, LaVerne moved off the ranch and into the town of Reedley where she pursued her lifelong dream of opening a women’s clothing store, LaVerne’s Fashions, for 18 years. Later she married Ellard Youngberg, to whom she had been married for 40 years. Ellard had one daughter, Carol Wertheim. 

During the proceeding years, LaVerne became involved and accomplished many things. She was on the County and Reedley Chamber of Commerce, appointed to the Reedley Planning Commission and the Local Emergency Planning Commission of the State of California, elected as the first woman city council member of Reedley, and had the great honor of being elected the first woman mayor of Reedley. LaVerne was an active member of the Sierra Kings Hospital Auxiliary for over 20 years and played a major part in the community by being involved in many local volunteer organizations. 

LaVerne is proceeded in death by her parents Henry and Hazel Wyro, brother Walter Wyro and husbands Bud Fry, and Ellard Youngberg. She is survived by her three boys, Ken, Dan and wife Andrea, Mark, and stepdaughter Carol. She leaves behind her precious seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren and many loving family and friends. 

LaVerne’s family would like to thank the staff members of Sierra View Homes and St. Mary’s Hospice for the care and comfort she received through her journey. LaVerne’s memorial service will be held on March 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 1254 N. Frankwood Ave., Reedley CA 93654. 

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