Yona Vishnia
Former IDF officer Yona Vishnia passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 99. A service was held on September 30 at Jerusalem Memorial Chapel in Levittown, NY, with burial at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, NY, officiated by Rabbi Joel Levenson of Midway Jewish Center (NY). Feldman Mortuary helped with the arrangements.
Born in Jaffa in 1926, Mrs. Vishnia (née Rappaport) grew up in Tel Aviv, in a home that was occasionally used as a safe house for Haganah members hiding from the British. Mrs. Vishnia then became an officer in the IDF.
In her 20s, Yona met Zev Vishnia, a Holocaust survivor and partisan who had been detainee in a Cyprus Displaced Person Camp prior to reaching Israel to fight in its War of Independence. Mr. Vishnia passed away in 2009.
Mr. and Mrs. Vishnia emigrated to the US, and made their home in Long Beach, NY, for more than 50 years. Mrs. Vishna became an educator at Oceanside Jewish Center.
“Yoni’s bedtime stories to her children and grandchildren were not fairy tales, but accounts of daring raids, youthful bravery and fallen comrades,” her family said.
“Home, wherever she made it, was always full,” the family of Mrs. Vishnia said. Her apartment in Long Beach became headquarters for birthdays, anniversaries, sleepovers.”
After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Mrs. Vishna relocated to Plainview, NY. Then, at age 96, she moved to Denver to be close to family.
Survivors are daughters Yael (Eli) Spielman, Anath (Ian) Gardenswartz and Ruth (Robert) Deane; grandchildren David, Avi (Rachel) and Josh (Dani) Spielman; Dani (Rachel), Elli (Shachar) and Elana (Maoz) Charles; Gaby (Gisela), Noah (Marissa) and Jacob (Peris) Deane; and nine great-grandchildren.
Barbara Pred
Barbara Jean Pred died on August 24, 2025. She was 72. A service was held on August 28 at Temple Emanuel. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
A native of Keenesburg, Colo., Mrs. Pred (née Kauffman) was raised on the family farm. She then spent time as an adult in Denver and San Diego while working for a law firm and a commercial real estate investment group.
On June 9, 1995, Barbara and Ron were married, and remained a couple until Mrs. Pred’s passing.
Mrs. Pred’s family noted: “Barbara was a tireless caregiver. She nursed her mother Dolly through two arduous but successful battles with breast cancer, and her husband Ron through a successful battle with multiple myeloma.
“Her warmth, compassion and quick wit will be dearly missed and impossible to replace,” her family said.
Survivors are husband Ron Pred; son Josh Pred and stepdaughter Rory (Ron); brother Bruce Kauffman; niece Sami and nephew Joe.
Contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, Humane Colorado or Temple Emanuel.
© IJN 2025
