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Dawn M. (Black) Wood
My sweetheart, lover and best friend Dawn Wood is gone.
Seventeen years ago, Dawn asked me to dance. That wonderful dance has gone on until the morning of Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. My precious Sweetheart has ended one journey and started another. I pray that sometime, somewhere we will dance again. Rest peacefully my Dear. I love you, Dawn.
Dawn Marie (Black) Wood was born Sept. 11, 1952, in Aberdeen, Wash. She was raised in Moclips, Wash., where she attended schools and graduated from Moclips High School. “Go Hyaks!” Dawn was a member of the Quinault Indian Nation and very proud of her native heritage.
She was a very independent, vibrant soul that marched to the beat of her own drum. Soon after graduating from high school Dawn left the Grays Harbor area to pursue a career with the Federal Government. After 32 years of federal service she retired from the Bonneville Power Administration as Office Manager. While at BPA she enjoyed a wonderful family type relationship with many fellow employees. Dawn was always “on top” of everything that was happening at Bonneville and was the “go to” person that fellow employees turned to when they wondered “what’s up?”
Dawn loved to travel. She especially enjoyed cruising to such places as Alaska, Mexico, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Europe, and most recently, a wonderful thirty day South Pacific cruise that included the Hawaiian Islands, Apia, Moorea, Tahiti, Bora Bora and Pago Pago. It was on this cruise that we developed a special relationship with our friends of “Table 131.”
Dawn was predeceased by her Mother and Father, Mary and Joe Black, as well as the love of her life, her Husband, John P. Wood. She is survived by her dear companion, and best friend Bob Spitzer Sr. of Lake Steven, Wash. She leaves a sister Jo Ann Black/Jones (John) of Hoquiam, Wash. / Mesa, Ariz. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Kimberley Pace (Kevin) and Stepson John P. Wood Jr. of Montana.
At Dawn’s request there will be no funeral. She simply desired to have her ashes spread where she placed her Husband John’s, in the Pilchuck River. A small intimate memorial will be observed at a later date.
For many years Dawn has been an avid supporter of The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center where she is a “Legacy Partner in Research.” It is her wish that all gifts and donations be made to them.
Donald R. Smith
Donald Richey Smith passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at the age of 84. He was born in Tyner, Ind., to Elvin and Lucille Smith, the second of eight children.
After graduating from Tyner High School, Don joined the Air Force. He was stationed at McChord Airforce Base and decided to stay in Washington after his discharge.
He made his way to Westport and became a crab fisherman. There he met his future wife, Rosemary Krause. They married
on July 18, 1961 in Cordova, Alaska.
Don went to work at Weyerhaeuser soon after and put in 30 years there.
He spent a lot of time coaching little league baseball and was well known in his South Side neighborhood as the guy who took his dogs on long walks. Many young people who went to Stevens School will remember him and his black dog Bingo.
Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rosemary Smith, children John Smith (Barb), Jack Thein and Susan Grover, six grandchildren, Jesse Grover, Shelby Cokeley, Callie Rich, Casey Smith, Guy Cain and Chris Cain and three great-grandchildren, his siblings Earl (Trudy), Bill (Sue), John (Beverly) Dusty and Mary Ann and his sister in law, Mary. He was preceded by his mother and father, sister Virginia and brother Jimmy.
A service will be held at the Harbor Calvary Church in down town Aberdeen Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m.
Gary W. “Lax” LaCroix
Gary Wayne “Lax” LaCroix of Fox Island passed away on Feb. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash., surrounded by loved ones. He was born on Sept. 13, 1950, in Aberdeen, Wash., to O.D. “Babe” LaCroix and Gladys Knoph-LaCroix. Gary grew up in Aberdeen, where he graduated from Weatherwax High School. He also earned an A.A. Degree from Grays Harbor College, and then went to school at UEI in Portland, Ore., where he completed an Electronic Technology program.
Gary was a strong and unique man who lived life on his own terms, never false, but with a tender heart not worn on his sleeve. He was a natural athlete who enjoyed playing golf, basketball and baseball. He set records in Babe Ruth baseball in Aberdeen that were not broken for several years. He played Rec basketball for Washington Crab and the Polish Club in Aberdeen, and baseball for Lakeview Senior Center in Olympia. He also played golf, basketball and baseball in high school.
In 1983, Gary married
Cheryl Pence, and had two children, Brianne and Michael. They later divorced, but remained close friends.
Gary so much enjoyed having lunch and get-togethers with Brianne, and had talked extensively with Michael about moving to Eastern Washington this Spring to be closer to him and his family. He had lived many years in Olympia and Fox Island, and had a lifelong love for restoring and detailing cars, and was a brilliant carpenter.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Brianne LaCroix of Seattle, Wash., his son, Michael (Victoria) LaCroix of Clarkston, Wash., and granddaughter, Natalie LaCroix also of Clarkston. He is also survived by his sisters, Rebecca (Roy) Werner of Aberdeen, Wash. and Carmen Pavlick, Olympia, Wash., brother Dennis LaCroix of Scottsdale, Ariz., and longtime friend and former girlfriend Karen Sorrels of Fox Island, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, Babe and Gladys, his brother Mark LaCroix, his niece Traci Veloni, and his beloved dog Bozo. The family is planning a memorial service for late this spring. Cremation has been handled by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home in Tacoma, Wash.
Ronald Strandberg
LACEY — Former Grays Harbor resident Ronald E Strandberg died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at his home in Lacey. He was 90.
He taught for many years at Hopkins Junior High School in Aberdeen.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Evergreen Christian Community in Olympia.
Ralph W. Frederick
MONTESANO — Ralph Wayne Frederick of Elma died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 93.
Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary of Montesano.
William R. Hardy
William Russell Hardy of Grayland died Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. He was 76.
Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home in Shelton.
Chuck Everson
Lifelong Montesano resident, Chuck Everson, age 56, passed away on Feb. 13, 2016, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Chuck was born on May 25, 1959, to Walt and Sandra Everson at St. Joseph Hospital in Aberdeen, Wash. He was raised in south Montesano and attended Montesano High School
At a young age, Chuck was employed at Simpson Timber Company as a chaser. After he worked numerous years at Simpson, he became self-employed. He was a very hard worker and always gave 100 percent to every job he did.
Chuck loved to be outdoors. One of his favorite things to do was to constantly ride quads and dirt bikes. He was very family oriented and loved to spend time at family gatherings.
He was a very kind and gentle person, good natured and a free spirit. He was always happy and never complained about anything. Chuck was the type that would give anything to help another.
Surviving relatives include his father Walt and step-mother, Jean; two sons, Derek and Daniel (Jessica); four brothers, Allen (DeAnna), Randy, Brad (MariAnna) and Rob (Danielle); his grandma, Dora and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His mother, Sandra and his grandpa died previously.
A celebration of life with potluck will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at the Olympic View Grange in Brady.
Memorial contributions made be made at Timberland Bank under the names of Derek and Daniel Everson.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 - 5th Street in Hoquiam, Wash.
Jean A. Downing
Jean Ann Downing, a resident of Hoquiam, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. She was 65.
She had worked as a medical records specialist.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Light and Life Community Church, 2740 Simpson Ave., Aberdeen, WA 98520
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Light and Life Community Church in Aberdeen.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Kenneth “Sonny” Bensinger
Kenneth “Sonny” Bensinger died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 at his home in Central Park. He was 80.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at Harbor City Church in Aberdeen.
Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary.
Glenna R. Green
MONTESANO — Glenna Rae Green, a longtime resident of Hoquiam, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was 85.
In 1977, Glenna began working for the Hoquiam School District as a cook and remained until her retirement in 1993.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park.
Ethelmae Begrin
Ethelmae Begrin, a lifetime Hoquiamite, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at her home in Hoquiam. She was 98.
Remembrances are suggested to the Senior Companion Program, P.O. Box 667, Hoquiam, WA 98550
A celebration of life will be held at noon Saturday in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Jr. Borns, 2826 Simpson Ave. in Hoquiam.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Floyd A. Phernetton
OLYMPIA — Floyd Amos Phernetton of Westport died Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia. He was 82.
Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
Mary A. Koski
A celebration of life for longtime Harbor resident Mary A. Koski, who died Jan. 23, in Tumwater, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Aberdeen Rotary Log Pavilion.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers &Sisters, No. 9, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 546, Montesano, WA 98563. Arrangements were by Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Mary Secor
A celebration of life for Aberdeen resident Mary Secor, who died Jan. 31, at home, will be held at noon Saturday at the Grays Harbor College cafeteria. The family asks that those attending wear red, white and blue. Arrangements were by Harrison Family Mortuary in Montesano.
Georgia F. Smith
SATSOP — Georgia Frances Smith, a Satsop resident, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at her home in Satsop. She was 91.
There will be a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Saturday, in the Satsop United Methodist Church. She will be inurned at Satsop cemetery.
Cremation arrangements are by Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Alice E. Lisle
Alice Elaine Lisle of Montesano died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, at Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam. She was 83.
A celebration of her life will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Country Estates Clubhouse in Montesano. An obituary will follow at a later date. Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
Fred Windle
Fred Windle, 97, Aberdeen resident and former Foreman at Weyerhaeuser’s Cosmopolis Pulp Mill, passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, surrounded by his family.
Fred was born in Olney, Lancashire, England on Oct. 9, 1918. He and his mother immigrated to the U.S. when he was a toddler. They traveled across the U.S. by train, settling in North River. He graduated from North River High School in 1936.
He worked in the woods for many years. He eventually went to work at the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill in Cosmopolis, retiring in 1980.
He married
Mary Stancin in 1939. She passed away in 2006. They spent their retirement traveling. Fred enjoyed Husky Football, the Mariners, gardening and woodworking.
Fred is survived by his son John (Janice) Windle of Aberdeen and his daughter Elizabeth Wiley of Auburn, Wash. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Mary (Donn) Dore of Auburn, Wash., Melissa (Wayne) Colson of Avondale, Ariz., Melanie (Bill) McNally of Bonney Lake, Wash., J.C. (Karen) Witherspoon of Longview, Wash. and Creedence Windle of Walla Walla, Wash. and three great-grandchildren: Emily Dore of New Orleans, La., Braedon and Byrn McNally of Bonney Lake, Wash.
There will be a time of visitation on Friday, Feb. 26, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. in Fern Hill cemetery, Aberdeen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Trina L. Chesterman-Gunter
Trina Lee Chesterman-Gunter, 43, lifetime Aberdeen resident and homemaker, died Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at her home in Aberdeen.
Trina was born on Aug. 16, 1972, in Aberdeen to Lee Roy Chesterman and Billie Jo Fortner. She attended school in Aberdeen and enjoyed making blankets, doing crafts and puzzles.
Trina is survived by her son, Robert Gunter of Aberdeen; parents: Lee Roy Chesterman of Aberdeen and Billie Jo Fortner of Elma; sisters: Cassandra Chesterman and Colleen Chesterman, both of Aberdeen. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Shawn Chesterman.
There will be a memorial for Trina on Friday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. in Fern Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Following the memorial, there will be a Celebration of Life for Trina at River of Life Church located at 308 W. King St. in South Aberdeen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Ethelmae Begrin
Ethelmae Begrin, 98, passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, at her home. She was born on Oct. 24, 1917, in Hoquiam to Ruth Ester (White) and John (Jack) Bushell Large. A lifetime Hoquiamite, she attended Washington Grade School, Hoquiam Jr. High and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1936. In her senior year she was an officer in the Hoquiam High School girls Peksu Club.
Ethelmae worked at S.H. Kress a “five and dime” store in Aberdeen after her graduation. She purchased a fur coat with her first paycheck, which her dad suggested was not a good choice. She took his advice and returned it to the store.
She was married
to her high school sweetheart, Edward A. Begrin on June 14, 1941, in Aberdeen at the home of Ethel and M.B. Lytle, her aunt and uncle. They spent their honeymoon in Victoria, Canada, visiting Butchart Gardens. They were married
for 68 years. They had lived at the McIntosh Apartments in Hoquiam the first two months of their marriage. They then purchased their home in Hoquiam where they lived their entire married
life.
She enjoyed swimming, dancing, decorating their home, sewing, cooking and entertaining friends and family. One of her projects was painting their player piano pink to match the décor. Another time, she purchased a used davenport and cut the middle section out with her husband’s saw, cutting through nails and all. When she put it back together and recovered it, the final result was great.
Ethelmae was famous for her homemade bread and rolls. She had worked for Dr. Albert Meyer and O’Connor’s clothing store in Hoquiam. She was a member of “Gab” club, a group of ladies that got together for lunch at the members’ homes, YMCA Circle Number 3 and the Clam Diggers Square Dance Club.
They went dancing at the Aberdeen Elks with their dance group on Saturday nights. Their favorite band was Soft Touch and “Proud Mary” was their favorite song. They loved to dance and always stayed until the very last dance.
They traveled to Canada, Disneyland in 1956 and went on an Aberdeen Elks Hawaii trip in 1979 with a group of 99 members, staying at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. They went on cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean with family and friends. Ethelmae and Ed were active with planning their 1936 high school class reunions, hosting many of the luncheon meetings at their home.
Ethelmae is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Terry and Jr. Borns; grandsons, Todd (Dawn) Borns and Troy Borns; great-grandchildren, Kira Borns, Kelsey Borns, Tiana Taylor, Nathan Borns, Amber (Josh) Gilbert, Anthony (Melissa) Bailey and Alexandra Marshall; great-great-grandchildren, Karter, Kendrick, Ava, Elijah and Callee; and her niece Patricia Kugan. The extended family includes great-nephews and niece, great-great-nephew and nieces and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward of 68 years, granddaughter Tami (Borns) Taylor and brother James W. Large.
At her request there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Senior Companion Program P.O. Box 667 Hoquiam, WA 98550, or Meal on Wheels, 117 E. Third Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520. A celebration of life will be held in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Jr. Borns, Saturday, Feb. 27, at noon at 2826 Simpson Avenue, Hoquiam, Wash.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
