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Charles "Chaz" V. Freeman
Born in California on Oct. 20, 1959
Departed on Jan. 11, 2009 and resided in Kennewick, WA.
On October 20th, 1959 in Lancaster, California we were blessed with the birth of a baby boy and most of us had no idea just how great of an event that was.
Charles Vance Freeman started his life.
When he was still a young boy he moved with his family to Richland and lived on Camden Street.
He attended school at Marcus Whitman Elementary.
It was there in the library club where his talents began to flourish.
His artwork was well known throughout the school.
His acting skills sprouted and he took part in every play.
There simply was no better Cowardly Lion.
At Carmichael Jr. High he wowed everyone with his drawing and painting skills.
His talents were well known.
Charles continued his drama training appearing in several plays again.
He was a hit! In High School, he had many friends and everyone knew he was quite the artist.
He was nominated for "Most Creative" and was the art teacher's pet.
Charles graduated Columbia High School in 1979.
After High School, it was not long before Charles would discover his life's passion in the Culinary Arts.
He would go on to own and operate a successful restaurant and catering business for over 25 years.
He was often seen catering events at many of the local wineries as well as sharing his gastronomic skills on television.
Everyone who met Charles was touched by his warm heart, generous nature and quick wit.
His sincere and gracious nature earned him many close friends and a loyal clientele.
Anyone who met Charles couldn't help but love him.
Always quick to say yes, as loyal as a friend could come, a man of his word, trustworthy beyond reproach and a barrel of fun to have a good time with.
He would talk to you for hours about food and wine, if you let him.
He was always up for a conversation about anything.
He was well schooled and a font of knowledge on many subjects.
He spoke French and enjoyed singing French drinking songs.
If it was your birthday he would make a meal fit for royalty.
Charles was an all around wonderful man.
Charles loved animals and always had several pets.
Over his lifetime he has had several dogs and cats, parrots of all types, chinchillas, a hedge hog, a pot bellied pig, a pigmy goat, rabbits, ferrets, ducks, geese, turkeys, hamsters, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and two coati mundis.
Many people who would meet his pets would make the "petting zoo" comment.
Charles passed away in his sleep at his Kennewick home on Sunday, January 11th due to complications of his long battle with diabetes.
The world lost a very precious soul and source of inspiration.
Charles is survived by his loving parents, Bernard and Crystal Freeman of Richland; brother Harley Freeman and family of Cleveland, OH; brother Bernard Freeman Jr. of Corvallis, OR as well as by many, many friends who love him dearly.
We all love you and will miss you so much Chuckie-poo!
Please join us for a Memorial Service on Saturday, January 17th at 1:00 p.m. at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls located at 314 W. 1st Ave. in Kennewick, WA to honor the life of Charles with all that knew him.
All are invited to join in sharing memories and fun times and we encourage you to attend.
Florence Amelia Starkebaum
Born in Rifle, Colorado on May 19, 1914
Departed on Jan. 2, 2009 and resided in Kennewick, WA.
Florence Amelia (Wilshire) Starkebaum, 94, retired teacher and community volunteer, died peacefully at her home in Kennewick on January 2.
She was kind and generous and a friend to everyone she knew.
Florence was born to Edith and James Wilshire in Rifle, Colorado on May 19, 1914.
Her older brother, Alfred, died in 1963.
Accompanied by her mother, Florence attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, majoring in home economics and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1936.
She met Norman ("Starkie") Starkebaum while in college.
They were married
in Haxtun, Colorado, December 24, 1940.
Prior to her marriage, Florence was hired by the Kerr Fruit Jar Company to travel all over Colorado, demonstrating the use of a pressure cooker for canning, an adventure she enjoyed recounting all her life.
She made her rounds in a 1936 Ford, her mother in the passenger seat, and a huge glass jar jutting out the back where the trunk should have been.
The car was specially outfitted with jars, lids, a gas stove and equipment for demonstrations.
"The car drew as much interest as the canning demonstrations, " she remembered. "In every town, men and women would gather around it to admire it and ask numerous questions."
She and Norman moved to Richland in 1944, where Norman found work at Hanford (as part of the Manhattan Project), and their three children were born.
In 1953 Florence and Norman built a new house in Kennewick on 20 acres they had developed.
Florence taught home economics at Kennewick High School with her colleague, the late Kay Birchmier, from 1957 to 1977. Florence loved teaching.
After she retired, she helped establish the Food Education and Service Training (FEAST) program in the Tri-Cities.
It continues as the Culinary Arts Program at Tri-Tech.
In 1966, Florence and Norman hosted Mauro Baltazar, an exchange student from Brazil, in their home for a year.
They later helped Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian families who had re-settled in the Tri-Cities.
All became part of Florence's extended family.
Norman died in 1988. In 1994, Florence moved to the retirement community Canyon Lakes.
With her many friends, she continued making crafts for Holly Daze Bazaar for the Kennewick Methodist Church, and for Safe Harbor, an emergency nursery for babies and children with families in crisis, or suffering abuse or neglect.
She kept two sewing machines going.
In recognition of her volunteer work, she was named Woman of Distinction by the Tri-City Federated Women's Club in 1979, United Methodist Woman of the Year in 2000, and the "Old Woman in the Shoe" by Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery in 2007.
She received an American Red Cross Real Heroes award in 2008 for sewing 300 Christmas stockings for children in foster care.
She is survived by her children Jean (and Peter) Colley and Gordon (and Mary) Starkebaum, Seattle; and Warren (and Karen Young) Starkebaum, Plymouth MN; her grandchildren Elaine, Paul, David, Martin, Peter, and Doug; her two "grand dogs;" and her friends around the world.
To all who knew Florence, thank you for your love and support.
A memorial service will be held at the Kennewick First United Methodist Church at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 21.
Donations in her memory may be made to Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery, 1111 Grant Place, Kennewick, WA 99336 or to United Methodist Women, 2 S. Dayton St., Kennewick, WA 99336.
James Lee Ford
Born in Lewiston, Idaho on Jun. 24, 1937
Departed on Jan. 9, 2009 and resided in Kennewick, WA.
cemetery: Riverview Heights cemetery
Kennewick, Washington - James Lee Ford passed away Friday, January 9, 2009 at Kadlec Medical Center following his battle with lung cancer.
Jim was born in Lewiston, Idaho on June 24th, 1937.
He was the son of James R. Ford and Leona (Moore) Ford.
When Jim turned 18, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in New York and Wyoming where he served as a MP.
Jim returned to Lewiston where he met and married
Beverly June Brockman on Christmas day, 1959.
In 1961, they moved to Spokane and then moved to the Tri-Cities in 1964.
Jim and Beverly have enjoyed their marriage for 49 years.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughter, Jan Dawkins of Richland; and granddaughter, Erika Marie Schultz of West Richland.
Jim loved fishing and playing cribbage with his friends.
He attended the First United Methodist Church of Kennewick where he was a member of the "God's Fellows" men's group.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Weeks and the 3rd Floor Nursing Staff at Kadlec Medical Center for their loving support, kindness, and care during the time of Jim's illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave., Bldg. A, Kennewick, WA 99336.
For those wishing to pay their respects, Viewing will be at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls located at 314 W. 1st Ave. in Kennewick on Friday, January 16th from 5-8pm.
Graveside services will be at Riverview Heights cemetery located at 10th and Olympia in Kennewick on Saturday, January 17th at 11:00 am.
Immediately following, a reception will be held at Kennewick First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Richard LeRoy Hedrick
Born in Creston, Washington on Nov. 9, 1918
Departed on Jan. 10, 2009 and resided in Kennewick, WA.
Richard LeRoy Hedrick, 90, died January 10, 2009, at Life Care Center in Kennewick, Washington.
Richard was born November 9, 1918 to Geneva and James Hedrick in Creston, Washington.
Richard graduated from Creston High School in 1936, attended the University of Idaho and joined the Army Air Force in 1940, earning the American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
He married
Margaret Ure in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 7, 1944.
After discharge from the service they moved back to Creston, WA where Richard worked on his uncle's farm awhile before being employed by Boise Cascade at the Lincoln Sawmill for 14 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and being with family and friends.
In 1980 Richard and Margaret moved to Ocean Shores, Washington to enjoy their retirement and met many friends.
In the early 90's they moved back to the east side to Spokane and in 1996 they moved to Kennewick.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife Margaret of 63 years in 2007, his parents, his baby brother and two sisters.
He is survived by son Richard Carl (Carma) Hedrick of Boise, Idaho; daughter Susanne (Mike) Atterberry of Kennewick; five grandsons Jaremy, Andrew (Heather), R.C. (Dana), Mitch, and Jonathan; three great-grandsons Riley, Ryan and Aiden; along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in March in Creston, Washington.
