Hazel Lillie Cruz

Mrs. Hazel Lillie Cruz was a woman of faith and dedicated her life to the Lord, her family and her friends. She was married for 69 years to the love of her life, Albert Cruz, and together they raised six children. She was the proud matriarch of her family, which also included eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Hazel supported her family as a cherished wife and mother, while also holding various jobs in the community. She had a rural paper route and was also a manager at Bailey Manufacturing Company. In 1980, she became the bookkeeper and manager for the newly founded family business, Cruz Tire Service, where she worked for thirty years.

Hazel was an angel who opened her home to anyone who needed help and was always ready and willing to pray for anyone in need. She was sweet, kind, caring, generous, and strong willed. She was a firm believer in the power of prayer and the gospel of the Lord.

She was loved by everyone who met her, and she will be greatly missed by all.

Geraldine Marie Johnsen

Geraldine Marie Johnsen, born in Sanger, Calif. and from Visalia, Calif., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 at the age 89. A memorial service will be held with close family and friends on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Salser and Dillard in Visalia, Calif. She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel assisted the family.

Velen Maldonado

Velen Maldonado, of Sanger, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at the age 87. A Rosary will be recited on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Old Catholic Church in Sanger. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at 10 a.m. also at St. Mary’s Old Catholic Church, burial to follow immediately after at the Sanger Cemetery. Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home assisted the family.

Jeanette Sue Patrick

Jeanette Sue Patrick, of Saugus, Mass., passed away peacefully on Sept. 24, 2025. She was born in Sanger, California, the beloved daughter of the late Richard and Martha “Jane” (Coates) Johnson.

Jeanette devoted her life to the care and understanding of animals. After earning her associate’s degree in veterinary technology, she built a long and respected career as a research animal analyst, contributing her skills to several esteemed higher education institutions. Her commitment to animal welfare and scientific advancement left a lasting impact in her field.

Alongside her late husband, Thomas A. Patrick, Jeanette owned and operated Moggy Moore Scottish Folds, a well-regarded cattery known throughout the feline enthusiast community. She was a passionate breeder of Scottish Folds and Oriental Shorthairs, with her cats frequently earning recognition at shows across New England and as far as Cincinnati, Ohio. Her home was always filled with feline companions, and her heart, with love for every one of them.

Jeanette was also a proud member of the Potawatomi Nation, a heritage she embraced with deep respect and quiet pride throughout her life.

In her free time, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and was an avid reader with a particular fondness for the works of Stephen King. As her eyesight declined in later years, she found joy in audiobooks, continuing to indulge her lifelong love of storytelling.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Richard Michael Johnson.

Jeanette is survived by her siblings; Beverly Russell of Morro Bay, California; Laura Harris of Las Vegas, Nevada; Mark Johnson of California, Robert M, Patrick and Cherry Patrick Jamison. She will be remembered fondly by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched through her work, warmth, and passions.

At her request, all funeral services were private. Arrangements were by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home.

Lynn Kenneth Seibert

Lynn Kenneth Seibert, of Fresno, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at the age 83. A graveside service was held on Sept. 27, 2025 at the Red Bank’s Cemetery. Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home assisted the family.

Jose Eleazar Vela

Jose Eleazar Vela, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. He was 80 years old. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sanger. Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home assisted the family.

________________________________

Submit an obituary

Now you can submit an obituary for publication in Mid Valley Times using the popular memorial web site Legacy.com. Go to legacy.memoriams.com/network/MidValleyTimes/Obituaries.