Peers-Lorentzen

It is with profound sadness and grease-stained hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Ralph Dominguez Jr, 85, of Pixley, on June 10, 2026 in Visalia.  

Ralph was a master of his craft, a man who could listen to an engine and diagnose exactly what was wrong just by the sound of the idle. For many years, prior to his retirement, he worked as an auto mechanic and in towing, where he was known for his legendary work ethic, his unwavering honesty, and his willingness to help anyone who broke down on the side of the road.  If it had wheels and an engine, Ralph could fix it. He was a problem solver who treated every car as a puzzle to be mastered. His garage was a second home to him, filled with the smell of grease, the clanking of wrenches, and endless stories.

Ralph joins his wife Mary, son Robert, son-in-law Jesse, sister Stella, sister Connie, and sister Alice in Heaven.  Ralph is survived by 5 sisters: Eva Arias of La Verne, CA, Gloria Izanow of Reno, NV, Yolanda Zato of Las Vegas, NV, Dora Dominguez of Los Angeles, and Diane Dominguez of Los Angeles.  Ralph also has 7 surviving children:  Ralph Dominguez and wife Fatima Alejandra of Taft, CA, Connie Amezquita of Fontana, CA, Rosemary Torres and husband Oscar of Rialto, CA, Yvonne Lozano and husband David of West Covina, CA, Anna Schwarz and husband Joseph of Stella, NC, Tony Dominguez and wife April of Tulare, Frank Dominguez and wife Cindy of Porterville.  He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a wide circle of friends who will miss his quick wit and generous spirit.  

All who knew and loved him—and anyone whose car he ever saved—are invited to come share their favorite memories.  

A Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 232 S. Adams Road in Tipton on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 9:30 AM with burial following the service at the Tipton-Pixley Cemetery.

Jewel Ann Taylor, of Tulare passed peacefully with her family by her side to Our Heavenly Father on June 8, 2026, at the age of 83. She was born to Roy and Rosie Kilgore on July 21, 1942, in Shawnee, OK. At the age of 3 her family moved to California.
Jewel married her husband William T. Taylor in 1958 at the time of her passing, they were married 67 years, they settled in their new and forever home in Tulare together in 1964 and have lived in that home and raised their family.

Jewel’s love for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was an individual love. She had a special love for each and every one of them. The time she spent with each and every one of her family was priceless to her and she felt so very blessed and expressed it. This individual love extended to her entire family that included 6 sisters and 4 brothers and many nieces and nephews.
Jewel was a prayer warrior. She had a connection with God the Father that you could not deny. You could walk into a room she had been praying in and knew you were in His presence.
Jewel has always been a woman of strong faith in God her Father. She has served the Lord and Savior as a Sunday school teacher and took part in an off-campus program Frank Kohn school had in the 60’s called Religious Release. She loved sharing the word of God with others, especially children. Jewel had a few part-time jobs, but they did not take precedence over her family.
Jewel is survived by her husband William T. Taylor. Daughter Darleen Thompson (Ron) Son Gary Taylor (Dannette) Daughter Branda Garrett (Danny). Grandchildren Richard Thompson, Jennifer Head (Cody) Kyle Taylor (Kristen), Christy Vieira (Jeff), Amy Adams, Kelly Blankenship (Jeff). Great-Grandchildren Colton Adams, Ryatt Head, Paisley Head, Case Blankenship and soon baby boy Vieira. Brother-Marvin Kilgore, sisters- Oleda Lay, Venia Grilione, Linda Mundy (Ray) and Carolyn Hollingsworth (Gerald). Jewel is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Jewel was preceded in death by her son Keith W. Taylor, her parents Roy and Rosie Kilgore. Brothers- Arvil, Harvey and Leroy. Sisters – Rosetta and Lillian.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local church or ministry. If you do not have one you can make a donation to the church Jewel attended and enjoyed being a part of, Tulare Bethel Assembly of God. Jewel appreciated all the prayers for her and special thank you to Marilyn Sunderland. She would pray with Jewel any time she was called upon.

The family would like to thank Oncologist Dr, Sharma and nurse Rosario for their compassion and understanding during her cancer treatment these past 3+ years. We would also like to thank the staff members at Tulare Adventist especially Taylor, Natalie, Savannah, and Amanda. Although she was there briefly, they were so very kind and compassionate.
Funeral Services will be Saturday June 27, 2026, at 10:00am at Peers Lorentzen in Tulare. Graveside service to follow at North Tulare Public Cemetery.

There will be a viewing Friday, June 26, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Peers-Lorentzen in Tulare.

In Loving Memory of Marcie Carman Tellez November 22, 1974 , May 30, 2026
With deeply broken hearts, we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved mother,
grandmother, and friend, Marcie Carman Tellez, who left us far too soon on May 30, 2026, at the age of
51.
Born on November 22, 1974, Marcie’s life was defined by an extraordinary, self-made capacity to love.
She grew up without her own mother, Carmen, who tragically passed away just three days after Marcie
was born. Though she was raised surrounded by a village of people who cared for and loved her deeply,
the absence of a maternal guide meant Marcie sometimes doubted how great of a mother she was.
Without a textbook or her own mother to show her the way, she forged her own path, and to her children,
she was simply the best. She was a natural, instinctive mother who cared fiercely, loved without condition,
listened without judgment, and always gave the absolute best advice.
Marcie carried herself with immense strength, grace, and a positive attitude, taking each thing in life in
stride. Her impact reached far beyond the walls of her home; as her colleagues beautifully shared,
“She
made everyone feel heard, valued, and appreciated. Her laugh lit up the room, and her kids and
grandchildren brought so much joy to her life.
” Her beautiful smile and her radiant laugh will be missed by
all who knew her. She was never shy, never hesitant to share a kind word, and possessed a warm energy
that could instantly brighten anyone’s day, no matter what challenges she might have been facing herself.
Her greatest joy, and her self-proclaimed proudest achievement, was the family she built. She was
blessed with her two oldest children, Vanessa and Frank, and was later married to Margarito Ibarra for
over 15 years, with whom she shared her four younger children, Marlene, Fabian, Maritza, and Miranda.
She was a fiercely proud mother and grandmother, never missing an opportunity to let the world know
how much she adored them. She treated everyone she met as one of her own, leaving a lasting mark on
the hearts of countless individuals. She found immense happiness in the simple joys of life: good music,
making friends, and being surrounded by the family she cherished above all else.
She is survived by her six loving children: Vanessa Trujillo, Frank Trujillo, Marlene Tellez, Fabian Tellez,
Maritza Tellez, and Miranda Tellez; her beloved grandchildren: Katie Trujillo, Lexie Velasquez, McKenzie
Garcia, and Nikolai Garcia; and her sons-in-law, Mizael Garcia and Vincent Martinez. She also leaves
behind her loving aunts, Margaret Tellez and Frances Valdez; her cousins, Eloy, Melanie, Jerry, and
Michael; as well as a large, extended family and a community of friends who will miss her light every
single day.
Service Details
Visitation & Rosary Friday, June 19, 2026
Visitation: 4:00 PM , 7:00 PM | Rosary: 6:00 PM
Peers,Lorentzen Funeral Services
132 West Kern Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274
Funeral Mass Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM
St. Rita’s Catholic Church
954 S. O Street, Tulare, CA 93274
Burial Following the Mass
Tulare Cemetery
900 E. Kern Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274

Allen was born on October 1, 1936, in California.  He passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Thousand Oaks, California. A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11:00 am at Tulare District Cemetery, Tulare, California.

Jose was born on August 8, 1953, in Colima, Mexico.  He passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Tulare, California at the age of 72. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Chapel, Tulare, California. A Rosary will begin at 6:00pm during the Visitation. Mass of Christian Burial Friday June 19, 2026, at 10:00am, St. Mary’s Catholic Church , Visalia, California. Final Resting Place- North Tulare Public Cemetery, Tulare, California.

Adrian Gaona passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 31 years of age. He was born on October 10, 1994, and raised in Tulare, California by his loving parents, Adriana Gaona and Juan Carlos Olvera. He was the oldest of six children. From a young age, Adrian showed great passion for all things trucking and drove trucks for 13 years. In his free time, Adrian also loved rebuilding three-wheelers with his brothers and cousins. One of his greatest qualities was his willingness to help others in need. He freely gave his time, shared his talents, and could be counted on by anyone who needed help. Adrian was also known for his playful spirit and sense of humor. There was never a time when he wasn’t trying to make others laugh or smile. He especially loved being playful with his daughter and niece. Adrian is survived by his parents, Adriana and Juan Carlos; his daughter, Penelopi; two sisters, Abigail and Andrea; three brothers, Juan Carlos Jr., Jose Manuel, and Andres; and two nieces, Ximena and Ayla. Adrian’s absence will also be felt by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 10th, at 4:00 pm, with a rosary starting at 6:00 pm at Peers Lorentzen Funeral Home, 132 W Kern Ave in Tulare. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 11th, at 10:00 am at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 954 O Street in Tulare, with a burial to follow at North Tulare Public Cemetery. 

Ronal Lee Steppe was born on July 6, 1962, in California. Ronal passed away on May 11, 2026, in Visalia, California at the age of 63. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Christina V Baggett passed away peacefully on May 16th, she was 6 months shy of 90. She was born on October 25, 1936 in New Mexico and had 5 siblings starting with Manuel the oldest, Major General Steve Sosa from North Carolina, her sister Tila from New Mexico, Virgina Sosa from Visalia, California and John Sosa from Visalia, California. Christina was the second to last child and was the last one living … they have all passed and are together now.

Christina is survived by her 3 sons Rudy Ortiz from San Jose, California, Richard Ortiz from San Jose, California and Gary K Ortiz from Tulare, California. She is preceded in death by her daughter Geraldine Flores from Visalia, California.

Both Geraldine and Gary had one son each, blessing Christina with becoming a grandma and great grandma. Christina married Troy Baggett in 1972 and they both had a wonderful life together, traveling around the great states from Alaska to New Orleans, Louisiana to the Great Yellowstone collecting rocks and meeting new people from other states.

Troy passed away in 2002 and Christina couldn’t keep up her ranch (They had a Pistachio farm) so she and Gary moved from the ranch to Tulare, where they had a blast living in their new home where they resided for 25 years, wow time goes by…. her greatest gift were her children and grandchildren. She also had 2 stepchildren, Jeff Baggett and Jan Baggett who has passed on and one grandchild.

Visitation for Christina will take place on June 8^th at Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service’s chapel from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on June 9^th followed by interment at Tulare District Cemetery on Kern.

Celestina Maria Gonzalez, a beloved sister, aunt, and friend to many, passed away on May 6, 2026. Born on December 15, 1953, in Tulare, CA to Vincent and Gabriela Delfino, she was one of 5 sisters. Tina attended Tulare City Schools and was involved in band at Tulare Western, later attending College of the Sequoias. She went on to pursue and earn her Bachelor’s and teacher credentials at Fresno State, and her master’s in Science from Walden University in 2017. Tina’s love for education and children took her to Corcoran, Lindsay, and Tulare in her teaching career. Tina was passionate about family and their education. She loved children and would see past students who remember her. She cherished her friends and enjoyed participating in bible studies and her daily phone calls with friends and family. Tina’s pastimes included dance and attending band competitions in addition to reading, whistling and humming. She was a die hard Kansas City Chiefs and Fresno State Fan. She had a love for Nascar and enjoyed going to the Casino. Tina is survived by sisters, Margaret Telles (Rosemead, CA) and Frances Valdez (Tulare, CA). She also has many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Service Information Family and friends are welcome to join in celebrating Tina’s life at the following services: Thursday, May 28, 2026 Visitation: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Rosary: 6:00 PM Location: Peers Lorentzen Funeral Services, 132 West Kern Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274 Friday, May 29, 2026 Mass: 10:00 AM Location: St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 954 S O St, Tulare, CA 93274 Cremation Burial: Following Mass Location: Tulare Cemetery, 900 E Kern Ave, Tulare, CA 93274 Parish Hall Gathering: Following the Burial Location: St. Rita’s Parish Hall.

Gildardo Castillo Rojas (1928–2026)

Gildardo Castillo Rojas, 97, of Tulare, California, entered into rest on 05/03/2026 at his home in Tulare after a battle with Stage IV liver cancer.

He lived a long life marked by devotion to his family and pride in an honest day’s work.

He was born on 06/29/1928 in Huajuapan De Leon, Oaxaca, Mexico, to Anacleto Castillo and Hermelinda Rojas. Over the years, he lived in Mexico City, Veracruz, and Estado de Mexico before arriving in Tulare, California, in 1994, where he built a life rooted in family and steady work. He was a tailor for most of his life and, in his later years, worked in packaging at Ruiz Foods in Dinuba, California.

A devoted husband and father, he was known for his skill as a tailor, as well as his hard work and diligence throughout his later years at Ruiz Foods. His strong Catholic faith was an important part of his life and a source of guidance throughout the years. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Elba Diana Castillo; his children, Myrna Blakeman, Eduardo Castillo, Nora Moreno, and Omar Castillo; his four grandchildren, Deanna Hambalek, Bethany Blakeman, Eric Castillo, and Emmanuel Castillo; his sister, Maria del Socorro Gonzalez; and his brother-in-law, Candido Gonzalez.

Funeral services will be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes prayers offered in his memory.

Gildardo Castillo Rojas (1928–2026)

Gildardo Castillo Rojas, de 97 años, residente de Tulare, California, falleció el 03/05/2026 en su hogar en Tulare tras una batalla contra el cáncer de hígado en etapa IV. Vivió una larga vida marcada por la devoción a su familia y el orgullo por el trabajo honrado.

Nació el 29/06/1928 en Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca, México, hijo de Anacleto Castillo y Hermelinda Rojas. A lo largo de los años, vivió en la Ciudad de México, Veracruz y el Estado de México antes de llegar a Tulare, California, en 1994, donde construyó una vida arraigada en la familia y el trabajo constante. Fue sastre durante la mayor parte de su vida y, en sus últimos años, trabajó en el área de empaque en Ruiz Foods en Dinuba, California.

Esposo y padre devoto, era conocido por su habilidad como sastre, así como por su arduo trabajo y diligencia durante sus años en Ruiz Foods. Su sólida fe católica fue una parte importante de su vida y una fuente de guía a lo largo de los años. Será recordado con cariño y se le extrañará profundamente.

Le sobreviven su dedicada esposa, Elba Diana Castillo; sus hijos, Myrna Blakeman, Eduardo Castillo, Nora Moreno y Omar Castillo; sus cuatro nietos, Deanna Hambalek, Bethany Blakeman, Eric Castillo y Emmanuel Castillo; su hermana, María del Socorro González; y su cuñado, Cándido González.

Los servicios funerarios serán anunciados por la familia. En lugar de flores, la familia agradece las oraciones ofrecidas en su memoria.