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Frances Emma Bigler
Frances Emma Bigler, 86, Artic resident and former teacher at Stevens Elementary School, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014 at her home in Artic, Wash.
Frances was born on April 18, 1928, in New Carlisle, Ind., to Charles and Jessie (Seaver) Bigler.
She received her Bachelor’s in Education and was a teacher at Stevens and in New Mexico and England. She enjoyed acting and was a member of the Driftwood Players. She also enjoyed singing. She raised and showed Abyssinian and Persian cats. She had a wonderful sense of humor.
Frances is survived by a nephew, Paul Bigler of Portland, Ore.; her guardian, Kathy Pacana of Artic and two caregivers: Tracy and Felecia Favello, both of Artic. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Charles V. Bigler Jr. and Clarence Bigler and a sister Dr. Muriel S. Bigler.
There will be a memorial potluck for Frances on Friday, Nov. 28th at 11:30 a.m. in the Artic Community Hall.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Kenneth Neiworth
Kenneth Wayne Neiworth was born in Hoquaim, Wash. on Nov. 5, 1934, a middle child of four brothers and a sister: Richard, Patty, Donald, James, and George. His family and schoolmates called him Ken. He was very involved as a boy growing up in his community: as an altar boy with the Catholic church, delivering newspapers and participating in his high school student government. His mother, Helen Regan Neiworth, was a graduate of Grays Harbor College. His father, Henry James Neiworth, worked a double shift at a mill and owned a family farm, in Hoquaim.
As Ken Neiworth got older he began to work for a pharmacist in town that had a fountain where he would see some of his classmates. Dad was popular. Dad also went on to work at J.C. Penney. He did this until about the time he graduated from high school. He had joined the Army Reserves, even though the Korean war was in full swing. He volunteered to enlist. This would set the course for his life.
Ken Neiworth became the radar operator for the Army, something he was very proud of, spending two years in Korea and two years in Japan. In Japan he met a woman named, Mitchiko. She was one of the loves of my father’s life. They were not able to stay together. So Ken Neiworth came back to the United States and married
my mother, LaVonne Baumgardner, that he met through his brother, Richard Neiworth. They married
after she graduated from high school. When LaVonne Baumgardner met my dad, Kenneth Neiworth, he was a very ambitious man and an associate manager for a variety store chain called Kress. He had a bright future. Ken had a head for business and was very good at increasing sales. Sadly, right after my parents’ honeymoon, my father became ill with polio. He fought hard to regain his strength for over nine months, teaching himself to walk again. Dad has always been brave like that.
Ken Neiworth, my father, was unable to continue with the variety store career, so he was given a whole new career managing an apartment house, called the Scotsman Apartments. He managed the apartment house for over 30 years, helping a multitude of people, even receiving an award for helping those that were mentally ill, as he watched over them, kind of like a father, helping them stay on track. He also helped those that abused alcohol quit drinking. Many people were thankful for his help. He was like a surrogate father to young people that didn’t have a dad.
Most recently, Ken Neiworth received a medal of honor from South Korea for his service to their country as a Korean War Veteran.
In conclusion, Ken Neiworth has led a full, rich, productive life, anyone could and should be proud of. I know I am very proud to call Ken Neiworth, my father. Ken Neiworth is survived by Geri Neiworth, his daughter. His brothers, Rich Neiworth, and Jim Neiworth, and Jim’s wife, Lorna Neiworth, and 11 nieces and nephews. Thank you dad for leading such a remarkable life. We love you very much!
Kenneth Neiworth’s memorial service, will be held at Sunset Memorial in Hoquaim on Saturday, at 10 a.m.
Edward D. Bjornstrom
Edward D. Bjornstrom, 64, of Longview died Nov. 4, 2014, at St. John Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 1, 1949, in Los Angeles, to Iva Rose Smith. When Ed was 4 years old he and his mother moved to Astoria where she met and married
Richard Bjornstrom, who raised Ed as his son. They all settled in Longview the following year. Ed graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1968 and attended carpentry apprenticeship classes at Grays Harbor College.
He worked as a realtor before retiring as a member of Carpenters Local 1707. He was also a member of the Longview Tai Chi Centre. Ed lived in Aberdeen for about 12 years. He enjoyed long walks and loved talking to people. He was very charming and well-loved by family and friends.
He is survived by two sons, Brad Bjornstrom (Sadie) of Longview and Scott Bjornstrom (Eileen) of Columbia, Mo.; four siblings, Rick Bjornstrom (Connie) of Longview, Debbie Wheeler (Dave) of Oregon City, Ore., Dan Bjornstrom (Dorothy) of Happy Valley, Ore., and Bill Bjornstrom (Cheryl) of Fernley, Nev.; and two grandsons, Fletcher and Bridger Bjornstrom, both of Columbia.
A private family service will be held.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Columbia Funeral Service. Ed’s ashes will be placed next to his mother at Longview Memorial Park.
James Joseph Palmer
Retired Montesano High School mathematics teacher, James Joseph Palmer died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at his home in Montesano, Wash. He was 91. Jim was born January 18, 1923, in Hampton, Iowa to Joseph and Ruth (Fox) Palmer.
Following graduation from Hampton High School, Jim served in the U.S. Navy as an electrician’s mate on repair ships in the Mediterranean during WW II.
After the war, he and his brothers, Jesse and Chuck, moved to Oregon and worked in sawmills. While in Valsetz, Ore., he met Louella Nickell and they were married
on Feb. 20, 1949. They left there for college on the GI Bill. She was his loving partner for 49 years until her passing in 1997.
Jim graduated from Oregon State University and Carleton College. He began teaching in Myrtle Creek, Ore. in 1955, moved on to Toutle, Wash. in 1958 and then to Montesano in 1962, where he retired in 1985. He was also a relief electrician at Weyerhaeuser sawmills from 1958 until 1982.
He was a member of Vote Smart, and enjoyed fishing, beekeeping, golfing, gardening, and was a great raconteur.
Jim is survived by his family, daughter Becki Lenhart Sackrider (Joe) of Black Diamond, Wash., sons John (Linda) of Bellingham, Wash., Jimbo (Becky) of Greenwood, Miss., Joel of Aberdeen, Wash. and Jess (Lisa) Palmer of Shalimar, Fla., five grandchildren, Chris Lenhart (Audra), Janet, Greg, Matt and Nolan Palmer, two great-grandchildren, Quinn Williams and James Lenhart and two brothers, Jesse and Chuck Palmer.
In addition to Lou, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers Tom, Roger and Frank Palmer and his sisters LaRae Palmer and Ruth Carmen.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Montesano.
Kenneth W. Little
Kenneth W. Little, age 87, died peacefully at Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014.
Born Aug. 31, 1927, in Spokane, Wash. to William and Marguerite, he went to grade school in Spokane. The family moved to Seattle and Ken graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle before enlisting in the Army. When asked about his time in the military Ken would dryly respond: that his years of service amounted to being a “bed pan commando and manning a typewriter stateside” unlike his brother who had “fought on a battleship in the Pacific.” After discharge from the Army he took advantage of the GI Bill and received his Bachelors Degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore.
Ken played on the University Tennis team and zealously engaged in campus fraternal traditions. His future wife Iris’s interests during that time were her music studies, and Ken. Following graduation from Pacific he headed to Alaska for the summer in order to earn the money that would allow him to continue his studies in the social services. Iris saw that Ken’s graduation could likely mean a parting of the ways and not content to let the moment slip by she reached out to him in the north country by sending him a tie she had lovingly knit and enclosed a note that said “this is the tie that binds, and you can take that any way you want’. Ken and Iris were wed on June 8, 1952. The newlyweds headed to Chicago so that Ken could continue to pursue his studies receiving a Masters degree from George Williams College in Group Work Administration.
His education led him to a career with the YMCA, which was always a part of his life, and eventually brought him to Grays Harbor where he was Executive Director of the Aberdeen YMCA from 1967 to 1972. After his years at the “Y” he became a Mental Health Professional with Evergreen Counseling Center until his retirement.
Ken enjoyed sailing, tennis and most of all bridge, achieving the rank of “Gold Life Master.” Interested in his Scottish heritage he was a member of the “Clan Little Society” He had been a member of the Lions and Rotary International. He also volunteered in the building of the Lady Washington.
Survivors include his wife Iris, a younger brother Frank Little of Seattle, two sons Don (Diane) and Brian (Julie) of Aberdeen. Ken was preceded in death by his daughter Kathy Howard of Spokane, great-grandson Porter Rudd and older brother Bob Little. He had four grandchildren Becky Rudd (Mike), Darcie Dingman (Andy) of Spokane, Dana York (Mike) from Olympia and Drew Little (Sarah) of Aberdeen and four great -grandchildren Joey Dingman, Emily and Tyler Rudd and Kaitlyn York.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 in the afternoon Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge, 1712 South Boone Street.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: YMCA of Grays Harbor, 2500 Simpson Ave., Hoquiam, WA 98550
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, PO Box 2019, Aberdeen, WA 98520
Melvin Michael Tobin
Melvin Michael Tobin (Mike), age 71, passed away at Pacific Beach on Nov. 7, 2014. Heart failure caused him to leave us too soon while currently a resident of Edna. Calif. He was born to Kenneth and Evelyn (Mike and Mickey) Tobin on Aug. 15, 1943, in Olympia Wash. The family eventually settled in Montesano, Wash. where he graduated high school and married
his high school sweetheart, Carol. They had three children — son Michael (Teresa) Tobin of Union, Wash., daughter Leiza (Jay) of Moses Lake and son William; grandchildren Matt Tobin, Kelsey (Justin) Weiland, Kodi (Jessica) Tobin, Ken (Vanessa) Tobin, and great-grandchildren Braelyn, Saria and Addison. He had a life-long passion for the outdoors which spurred careers in both the timber and fishing industry that took him to Alaska, a state he really loved and told great stories about his times there. He was always willing to lend a hand to those around him and made friends wherever he went. He had a garden and loved to can the proceeds from that and tend to his yard.
He spent his later years with his much-loved partner Connie Coates and enjoyed spending time with her modifying their cozy home in Etna.
His greatest joy however was his family and lately his role as grandpa and great-grandpa. His hugs were unbelievable, and it felt like being totally wrapped. The sorrow of his loss shall only be surpassed by the joy of knowing him. Survivors include brother Steve (Janie) Tobin of Humptulips and sister Pauline (Bob) Drolz, Axford Prairie. A sister, Judy West Worman, passed away in 2008. A celebration with family and friends will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Prosperity Grange, 3701 Steamboat Island Road NW, Olympia. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local fire hall.
James F. Schmid
James Floyd Schmid, a lifetime resident of Grays Harbor County, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at Grays Harbor Health & Rehab. He was 84.
Services are pending and a full obituary will follow in The Daily World.
Arrangements are by the Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
George Alan “Al” Flynn
Longtime Harbor resident George Alan “Al” Flynn passed away Nov. 20, 2014, at the age of 85.
He was the personnel manager, industrial relations at Lambs Grays Harbor until his retirement in 1985.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Our Lady of Good Help Catholic Church in Hoquiam. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge.
Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Rose Dorman
Longtime Ocean Shores resident Rose Dorman died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at Grays Harbor Health and Rehab in Aberdeen. She was 98.
Arrangements are by the Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen.
Norman I. Anzarut
Longtime Aberdeen resident Norman Isaac Anzarut died Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, at Pacific Care in Hoquiam. He was 80.
Arrangements are by the Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen.
June J. Crawford
June J. Crawford, age 98, died Nov. 18, 2014, at HomePlace Memory Care, Oak Harbor. She was born June 8, 1916, in Capper, Okla., one of nine children. She traveled by horse and wagon with her parents at the age of two to Colorado, where her family homesteaded. Her father was a skilled carpenter, and he built a rock house for the family.
The family left Colorado and returned to Oklahoma and then Arkansas. June, as a young woman, met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Crawford. Bob was not able to find work in Arkansas and traveled to Washington and Grays Harbor, where he had an aunt and uncle. He was hired as a logger and later as a truck driver building logging roads for Weyerhaeuser. He returned to Arkansas where he and June were married
on Nov. 1, 1937.
June and Bob moved to Brooklyn, Wash. (Pacific Co) where they settled on a 40 acre farm in the North River area. Bob worked in the Saganau logging camp in Brooklyn. Soon, daughters Edith and Linda joined the family. June remained at home, working the farm. She was mother, hunter, fisherman, carpenter, gardener, skilled seamstress, horticulturist and rock hound. June was one of the few women in the North River valley who could drive and soon became the neighborhood shuttle driver for her daughters, as well as her friends. June and Bob spent 55 years in Grays Harbor. She is probably best known for her fishing skills.
In 1983, June and Bob purchased a home in Oak Harbor and reluctantly they made Oak Harbor home in 1992. Bob died in 1997 just a few days before their 60th anniversary. June remained in her home until she was 95 and for the past several years, she had been a resident of HomePlace.
June is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Edith and Larry Porter of Oak Harbor and Linda and Kenneth Rubin of Savanah, Ga. She is survived by two grandchildren, Jeff and Mike (Ingrid) Porter and by four great-grandchildren; Justin, Tim, Melissa and Ryan Porter and chosen family members, Ken and Linda Mills, their children Ken Jr. and Kynda. She was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Nina Crown, all seven brothers, one sister and granddaughter Melanie Porter.
Graveside funeral services for June Crawford were held at Maple Leaf cemetery on Nov. 22, 2014. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC.
Memorials may be sent to the Melanie Porter Camp Scholarship Fund at Whidbey Presbyterian Church or to North River Food Bank (a favorite charity), 2597 North River Road, Cosmopolis, WA 98537 or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Bruce A. Caron
Bruce A. Caron, 72, lifelong resident of Aberdeen and retired longshoreman, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Nov. 4, 2014, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. He is survived by his wife Karen, son Chris, daughter Angie, brother Bill, sister Cookie, nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren. Bruce will be remembered for his kindness and great sense of humor. Bruce loved life. He will be missed by many.
Fern Osgood
Fern Louise Osgood, age 94, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed. She was a giving, kind and caring person who had a warm smile and friendly greeting for all.
Fern was born to James and Eva (Craig) Clark on Aug. 26, 1920, in Elma, Wash. and spent her childhood growing up in Satsop, Wash. She attended the Satsop Grade School and graduated from Elma High School. On Aug. 30, 1941, she married
her high school sweetheart, Leo Osgood.
In 1946, Fern graduated from St. Peter Hospital School of Nursing and began a long and fulfilling career as a Registered Nurse. Fern worked at the McCleary Hospital, Beachwood Nursing Home, and retired from the Oakhurst Convalescence Center. Fern was a hard-working, compassionate and caring nurse.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents, James and Eva Clark; husband, Leo; brothers, Craig Clark and Ralph Clark; sisters, Dorothy Ryno and Grace Izzi; and infant son, Otis Osgood.
Surviving are her children, Leo (Cheryl) Osgood, Marti (Jim) Whiting, David (Rhonda) Osgood and Ralph (Annette) Osgood. She cherished her 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
Since 1999, she was blessed to have lived with granddaughter Stephanie and her husband Eric Smith, along with great-grandchildren, Kyle, Luke, Anna, Grace and Meredith, where she thrived in being “Grandma Fern.” In April of this year, she moved in with Leo and Cheryl, where she received the most wonderful care possible.
Fern was a member of the Satsop Rebekah Lodge, Satsop United Methodist Church, Elma Fraternal Order of Eagles and Tumwater Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Our family sends a special thank you to Pastor K Bramstedt, and to Ken and Kathy McElroy for their assistance in our Mom’s final hours.
Based upon her request, there will be no formal service. Our family suggests that your donations be given to your favorite charity on her behalf.
George Alan “Al” Flynn
George Alan “Al” Flynn passed away Nov. 20, at the age of 85. He leaves many Pacific Northwest area cousins and friends behind. Al was born April 30, 1929, in Auburn, Wash., the only child of Loretta Catherine (Hoban) and George Benedict Flynn.
Al graduated from Seattle University in 1951 and spent four years in the Navy serving in both the Pacific and Yokosuka, Japan.
Al settled in Aberdeen, Wash. where he served as the personnel manager, industrial relations at Lambs Grays Harbor until his retirement in 1985.
Having no children of his own, Al was known as “Uncle Al” by many cousins. He loved to travel and enjoyed Ireland twice and Hawaii many times over his lifetime. Al was a generous man and on more than one occasion treated friends and cousins to Hawaiian Island vacations. He was active in the Elks Club and is known endearingly for his story telling usually about family and his travels.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at the Our Lady of Good Help Catholic Church, 200 L Street in Hoquiam, Washington. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge #1082, 624 K Street.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 – 5th Street in Hoquiam.
