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Jones, Richard
Thursday, 05 Dec 2002
Funeral services for Richard Owen Jones will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, with Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret.) officiating. Cremation will follow with private family inurnment to be held at a later date.
Richard O. Jones, 81, died Dec. 5, 2002, at Whidbey General Hospital He was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Detroit to Clarence Owen and Margorie Ruth (Saxton) Jones.
Cmdr. Jones was raised in the Detroit area, where he graduated from high school. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering. After college, Dick was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He was married to the former Muriel E. McCarty on Sept. 25, 1943. He began his career at Camp Perry, Va., then moved on to Quanset Point, R.I. He was sent to Troy, N.Y., and Rensselaer Poly Technic Institute, where he completed his master’s degree.
The Navy sent Dick to the Philippine Islands, Elizabeth City, N.C., the Pentagon and then to NAS Whidbey Island. His career continued on to Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Okinawa and Pier 91 in Seattle, where he retired as a commander. On the same day he retired, his son Michael was accepted to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
Richard returned to civilian life and accepted the position of superintendent of water and sewer for the Department of Public Works in Livonia, Mich. He spent 20 years in Livonia, returning to Oak Harbor in 1984. He loved fishing, golf, wood working and playing the violin and organ.
Cmdr. Jones is survived by his wife Muriel E. “Sally” Jones at the family home, Oak Harbor; by six children: Leslie and Philip Mansell of Mill Creek, Michael and Karen Jones of Oak Harbor; Joanne and Rodger Swanson of Bothell; Pete and Suzanne Jones of Macungie, Pa.; Julie and Glenn Bauer of Orchard Lake, Mich., and Jonas and Cara Jones of Atlanta, Ga. Two sisters, Eleanor Schwartz of Homeland, Calif., and Audrey Jones of Detroit, 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren also survive.
Memorials may be made to the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, 3150 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 122, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-1090. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be seen at https://burley.plan4ever.com.
Short, Edward
Wednesday, 04 Dec 2002
Edward Earnest Short, Coupeville’s chief of Ppolice for more than 20 years, died Dec. 4, 2002, at Whidbey General Hospital. He was born July 8, 1924, in Quinton, Ala., to Shirley and Pearl (Vance) Short.
Ed’s life was one of service to his country and the town he dearly loved. Having attended the Georgia Military Academy as a boy, he later enlisted in the Navy in 1941. He served with distinction on a number of ships, including the U.S.S. Clemson, Daly, Mustin, Albany, Beltrami, Coney, Norris and the Coral Sea. His medals include the World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, as well as the American Area and Asiatic Pacific Area Medals. He achieved the rank of Bosun’s Mate First Class, which he later changed to Aviation Electrician First Class.
In 1957, Ed married Murrieal Coiteux in Vancouver and two years later moved to Coupeville. Stationed as NAS Whidbey with a seaplane squadron, Ed was reassigned to Alameda, Calif., during the Korean War, but their hearts remained in Coupeville. In January 1963, one week after he retired from service, Ed was asked by Mayor Ralph Ward to return to Coupeville as chief of police. Ed put on the badge and went to work on the first of February, beginning two decades of commitment to the people and the town in which he lived for the rest of his life.
Coupeville had not had a police force very long and Ed was not only the chief of police, but also the entire force for many years. In the beginning, he wore a number of hats. Every morning he would check the meters of the town wells, turn on the water and chlorinate it. In the evening, he would read the meters again and turn the water off. He was in charge of the operation of the sewer system and was also served as the dogcatcher.
Conscientious, hardworking and down to earth, Ed was a beloved figure in Coupeville. His sense of humor and Southern drawl added to his low-key charm. Ed would turn on the water at the houses of new residents and then spend time getting to know the new family and welcoming them all to town. Broken water lines, frozen pipes and criminal mischief meant Ed was always on call. Often he would work weekends and holidays to give town employees time off.
Ed served under seven mayors including Ralph Ward, Vic Sealey, Ed Spromberg, Lysle Zylstra, Mel Case, Jack McPherson and Lew Naddy. From the beginning, the exercise of his authority was like that of the mythical Mayberry. He once told a reporter that when he came to Coupeville, the mayor told him the town had the money to pay his salary and that he didn’t have to make money giving tickets. "You’ve got to write a few" Ed admitted, most of them to out-of-towners speeding toward Keystone Ferry.
Ed retired form the police force in 1984 and immediately went to work for Chuck’s Electric, where he remained until the mid-90s. Despite the gradual decline of his health, Ed continued to work in his garden and, until the end, was happy to help friends’ fix broken equipment and electrical problems.
Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Murrieal Irene Short and son Mark Edward Short, both of Coupeville; by two sisters, Shirley Hunnicutt and Linda Gardner, both of Quinton, Ala.
Friends will gather at the Coupeville United Methodist Church at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, for a procession to Sunnyside Cemetery. Graveside services will begin at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Mary Boyd officiating. Full military honors and a piping over ceremony will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. at the Methodist Church with a reception to follow for family and friends at the church fellowship hall.
Memorials may be made to the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation, the Coupeville United Methodist Church Memorial Fund of the Island County Historical Society Collections. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. The obituary can be seen on-line at https://burley.plan4ever.com.
Dunn, Deane
Wednesday, 04 Dec 2002
Deane P. (White) Dunn, 81, died Dec. 4, 2002, after an unsuccessful battle with cancer. She was in the company of many of her family members when she passed away peacefully in her home.
Dean was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on Nov. 30, 1921. Her father, Edward W. White, homesteaded in Saskatchewan in the early 1900’s, being originally from Iowa and Illinois. Edward married Dr. Mary P. Raffenberg in 1912. Edward and Mary had four children, Mina (d. 2001), Edward R. (d. 1941), Dorcas and Deane. Deane’s family immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Washington state when she was four years old.
Deane graduated form Anacortes High School in 1940 and worked in the Bremerton Shipyard during World War II. She married William H. Smiley on Sept.16, 1942, and had three children. That marriage eventually ended in divorce.
Deane married Don Dunn Aug. 15, 1964, and they lived in Pattons’ Hideaway on West Beach Road until her death. She worked civil service in the Supply Unit of NAS Whidbey Island for 29 years, retiring in 1979.
Deane was active in the Whitehead-Muzzall Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post of which she was president three times and spent much volunteer time at various local service agencies.
Deane’s primary interest was her family genealogy. She was also devoted to pets and animals and contributed to several organizations promoting the ethical treatment of animals. She was an avid gardener and especially liked roses.
Mrs. Dunn is survived by her husband Don at the family home, Oak Harbor and by three children: Richard H. Smiley Ph.D. of Juneau, Alaska; Virginia Smiley and her husband Mike Bavard, also of Juneau and Margaret Smiley Johnson and her husband Steve Johnson of Oak Harbor. One sister Dorcas Rennar of Seattle, six grandchildren: Lisa Johnson Penman and her husband Corey, Chad Jones and fiancé Beth Clevenger; Rebecca, Richard, Kelsey and Krista Smiley and one great-grandchild Taylor Cortell also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Mina Jenkins and one brother Edward R. White.
Memorial services for Mrs. Dunn will be held Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, at 2 p.m., at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 3037 Goldie Road. Cremation was held with private family inurnment at Grandview Cemetery, Anacortes. Memorials may be made to Whidbey Animal Improvement Fund. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Nowell, Raney
Wednesday, 04 Dec 2002
Raney Lee Nowell, 51, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. Raney died at Whidbey General Hospital of cancer. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at Oak Harbor Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 301 Ronhaar in Oak Harbor. Reception will follow.
Raney was born Aug. 27, 1951, in Tularosa, N.M. to Alfred and Nolene Nowell. He married Sherri Aug. 7, 1970. Most of their married life was spent in Oak Harbor. For the last 10 years they owened R & S painting. Raney loved fishing, music and especially loved people.
Raney is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, their son Joshua and his wife Carrie, their daughter Micah and her husband Shane, and one grandson Thadd. His dad Alfred two sisters and three brothers also survive.
Mercier, Robert
Monday, 02 Dec 2002
Funeral services for Robert C. Mercier will be held Friday, Dec. 6 at Burley Funeral Chapel at 1 p.m. Military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Prior to the memorial, there will be viewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cremation will be held with burial
at sea provided by the U.S. Navy.
Robert Craig Mercier, 64, died Dec. 2, 2002, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born June 18, 1938, in Bay City, Mich., to Joseph William and Loretta Christina Paula (Schroeder) Mercier. He attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Mich., graduating valedictorian of his class.
Bob enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1957. He left the Navy for a time in the mid 1960s and worked for Dow Chemical Company, but returned to the Navy. He was married to Bonnie C. Meador on Oct. 9, 1967, in Bluefield, Va.
Bob’s return to the Navy took him to Sanford, Fla., on to Heavy 10 in Georgia and A School in Memphis, Tenn. He was sent to Whidbey Island in 1969 and assigned to VA-95. He was transferred to VAQ-137, AIMD, VAQ-130 and NAMTRADET. During his active duty time Bob also operated B&B CB Sales and Service in Oak Harbor, as well as a reserve police officer with the Oak Harbor Police Department, achieving the rank of sergeant. Bob retired from the Navy in 1987 as an ATCS (E-8).
Following retirement, Bob worked for the Allen Corporation, a defense contractor at NAS Whidbey Island. He eventually went on to work for B.F. Goodrich Aerospace at their Everett modifications facility, where he remained for over 13 years. His failing health forced his retirement as an avionics supervisor.
Mr. Mercier was an active member of the Retired Chief Petty Officers Association, as well as serving a time as president. He was also an active participant of the Canadian Naval Veterans Association.
Bob is survived by his wife Bonnie at the family home, Oak Harbor; by three children: Kelly Sotelo of Yakima; Richard Mercier of Kennewick; and Michelle and Donovan Harris of Lemoore, Calif. He is also survived by one brother William Mercier and his wife Priscilla of Portage, Mich., and one sister Jeanne Alcorn and husband Hawley of Bay City, Mich. Three grandchildren: Joshua Andrew, Elijah and Daniel also survive.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Evans, Dianna
Tuesday, 01 Oct 2002
Funeral services for Dianna Evans will be held Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) will officiate. Interment will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery.
Dianna Marketti Evans, 33, died Oct. 1, 2002, at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington, D.C., following a lengthy illness. She was born at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Dec. 23, 1968, to Joseph A. and Grace E. (Rodriguez) Marketti.
Dianna came to Oak Harbor with her family in 1984 and attended Oak Harbor High School. She was married May 15, 1994 to Steve D. Evans in Oak Harbor. She and Steve were transferred to Hawaii for three years and back to Oak Harbor and in 2001, moved to Woodbridge, Va.
Dianna was a Girl Scout leader and service manager for the Girl Scouts of America while in Hawaii. She was an ocean liner enthusiast and a member of the Titanic Historical Society.
Dianna is survived by her husband, Steve of Woodbridge, Va.; by three children, Ryan, Rebecca and Joshua Jackson, all of Oak Harbor; by her father and stepmother, Joe and Kathy Marketti of Oak Harbor; by her mother, Grace Meyer of San Diego, and one step-sister, September Mazza of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary may be seen on-line at https://burley.plan4ever.com
Martell, Anna
Monday, 30 Sep 2002
Anna Marie Martell
Ann Martell was born May 13, 1911, in New Orleans into the Irish Catholic family of her parents, John and Bernadette Corr. A registered nurse, Ann graduated with honors from a four-year nursing program, in the depth of the Depression.
She accepted a nursing job in Muskogee, Okla., where 66 years ago she met and married Carroll Martell, a young architect. The couple followed Carroll’s career to New Mexico, Washington, D.C., Chicago and finally to Spokane where they moved with three young children after World War II. There they lived and worked for more than 50 years, and reared a family of six children.
Ann especially loved summers at their family-built cabin on the east shore of Priest Lake in Idaho. There she swam, fished with her husband, gathered mushrooms, cooked and cared for her family. Her ingenuity and nursing skills were called upon often by family and neighbors.
What a gal! Ann served as a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital, baked bread once a week, sang to her babies, read to her children and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and countless hours to school and church functions. She dressed with great style, loved music and was a terrific dancer.
The southern sass and wit Ann brought with her to the Northwest complemented a long list of skills. She could identify hundreds of wild mushrooms, catch and clean fish, patch-up kids, and play a spirited game of poker and bridge. She and her husband, Carroll, were vital members of a vibrant network of lifelong friends.
An optimist with a lovely smile, Ann faced the joys and tragedies of her long life with courage and a firm faith in God and a love of life. Ann was a wonderful woman, mother and wife whose great, good heart was finally stilled Sept. 30, 2002.
Ann Martell was preceded in death by her son, Lawrence Martell. She is survived by her husband Carroll, now of Coupeville; her daughters, Maxine and husband, James Burns of Coupeville, Marie and husband, Richard Seymour of Seattle, and Bernadette of Elma; and her sons, John Martell of Seattle, Carroll Martell and wife, Patricia of Renton. She is also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mass will be said at Sacred Heart Church in Spokane, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Parish. Local arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Home.
Meyers, Dorothy
Friday, 27 Sep 2002
Dorothy Winifred Meyers, 86, died Sept. 27, 2002, at Cascade Vista in Redmond. She was born Aug. 5, 1916, in Coupeville, to George Mitchell and Louise Eaton Mitchell. Mrs. Meyer was an original member of the Daughters of Pioneers on whidbey Island. She enjoyed gardening. She was a manager of West Coast Telephone. She is survived by sons Robert Meyers of Kirkland and George Meyers of Yelm; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. No services will be held.
Wieberdink, Arthur
Tuesday, 24 Sep 2002
Arthur Lyman Wieberdink, 82, eight-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at his home Sept. 24, 2002, following a brief illness.
Mr. Wieberdink was born in Milaca, Minn., June 8, 1920, to Benjamin Wieberdink and Sophia (Krumm) Wieberdink. On Aug. 3, 1941, he married Cornelia Sankey. He farmed in Minnesota until 1961. At that time, he moved with his family to Stanton, Calif., where he was employed as a service technician for the Pitney-Bowes Company until his retirement in 1982. The couple moved to Oak Harbor in 1994.
Mr. Wieberdink is survived by his wife Connie at home; four sons, Roger and Ronald Wieberdink, both of Oak Harbor, David Wieberdink of Tacoma and Norman Wieberdink of Portland, Ore.; six daughters, Judith Meno of Portland, Ore., Joanne Larsen of Grandville, N.D., Linda Sellgren of Oak Harbor, Lois Alms of Custer, Rachel Fizia of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Phyllis Flores of Cleveland, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon Wieberdink of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Amanda Lundquist and Irene Vedders, both of Milaca, Minn., and Ruth Visser of Lynden; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Lee Wieberdink in February 2002, by one granddaughter, Lisa Larson and by two sisters, Abby Burgess and Laura Wieberdink.
McCartney, Linda
Saturday, 21 Sep 2002
Linda M. McCartney, 55, died peacefully Sept. 21, 2002, at her home in Mariners Cove following a four-month illness. She was born June 19, 1947, in Chicago to Walther and Eleanor Holz. Linda was a 32-year resident of Whidbey Island moving from Millington, Tenn., and China Lake, Calif.
Linda’s father belonged to the Masonic Lodge and it was natural for her to join the organization of Rainbow Girls as she became a teenager. She progressed to the Job Daughters. While living in Phoenix, Ariz., she was the state representative for Job Daughters at a Masonic convention. As a teenager, Linda was an accomplished accordion player. One of her special songs was “Roll Out The Barrel.” She and friends would gather at her parent’s home and have an outdoor songfest during summer evenings.
While Linda was working at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station she became acquainted with Bob Henderson. At a Whidbey Singles meeting they became better acquainted. Soon they started dating and before long they built a home in Mariners Cove where they lived until the present time. “Eight years of life in Paradise” as Linda would say when asked where she lived.
Linda was an avid bowler, participating in local and national leagues. Her best game was 257 at Whidbey Lanes.
At her request, there will be no services. Cremation was entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel. Linda’s cremated remains will be scattered in the near future.
Remembrances in memory of Linda may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Hier, Dorothy
Wednesday, 18 Sep 2002
Dorothy Latham Hier, 86, died Sept. 18, 2002, at Careage of Whidbey. She was born in Freeport, Ohio, to James and Ada Latham. She married Robert Heir July 22, 1938 in Ashland, Ky. Mrs. Hier graduated from Ohio University with a degree in education. She taught junior high school for about 30 years in South Pasadena and LaCanada, Calif. In 1975 she and her husband Robert moved to Baja, Calif. where they resided for more than 30 years.They moved to Whidbey Island in 1993 to be near their family. Mrs. Heir was a member of the Ohio University Alumni Association.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Fillman of Coupeville; one grandson, Scott Campbell of Coupeville; and four great-granddaughters, Sheree, Lauren, Hannah and Sarah Campbell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in 1996 and one grandson, Mark Campbell in 1995.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville, with Mark Burley officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Remembrances in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Stroke Support Group at Whidbey General Hospital.
Looff, Ethel
Wednesday, 18 Sep 2002
Ethel Awburn Holmes Looff, 101, died Sept. 18, 2002 at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville.
Mrs. Looff was born April 29, 1901 in Chicago to Ralph Thomas Holmes and Mary Awburn Holmes. She completed one year of study at the University of Chicago College of Science before moving with her family to Hollywood, Calif. In 1922, Mrs. Looff received her elementary school teacher’s credential and junior high school credential from UCLA and her bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She received her general secondary school credential in 1926.
Mrs. Looff was employed as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System from 1922 to 1927. During the summer of 1926, she met her future husband, Henry B. Looff, on the steamship Alaska on her way home to California after visiting her older sister in Anchorage.
At the time, Henry was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries in Alaska. Henry and Ethel were married Oct. 29, 1927. For the next 18 years, they spent April through October on Kodiak Island and winters on Whidbey Island. Their two sons, David and Donald, were born in 1928 and 1930.
While living on Kodiak Island, Mrs. Looff collected botanical specimens which she donated to universities around the country. She discovered a new variety of arctic willow which was named for her: Salix pulchra var. Looffiae. She is one of only approximately 200 persons for whom taxa have been named, including George Washington.
In 1943, Mrs. Looff received a War Service appointment as a junior fiscal accounting clerk at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. She eventually became administrative assistant (chief clerk) of the Public Works Department. In 1957, Mrs. Looff took a job as an English teacher and later as the head librarian at Anacortes High School. During the summers, Mrs. Looff attended the University of Washington School of Librarianship, and in 1960, at the age of 59, she received her degree of Master of Librarianship.
Following retirement in 1966, Mrs. Looff was asked to set up a library at Peninsula College, and she commuted by air to Port Angeles weekly for three years. In 1970, at the age of 69, she established a library at Pima College, a then new community college in Tucson, Ariz. From 1971 to 1972, Mrs. Looff was the creator and director of the Learning Resource Center of Whidbey Branch, Skagit Valley College and from 1974 to 1980, she was the Education Center librarian for Chapman College at NAS Whidbey. In 1980 Mrs. Looff moved from Oak Harbor to a retirement center in Seattle. While there, she organized and cataloged the library at the University of Washington Herbarium. Mrs. Looff was a member of University Presbyterian Church. In 2000 she moved to Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville.
Mrs. Looff’s biography has appeared in World’s Who’s Who of Women, Who’s Who in Library Service, and International Biography. She was a member of Pi Lambda Theta (national honor society in the field of education) and Beta Phi Mu (International Library Science Honor Fraternity). In 1975 Mrs. Looff was awarded Emeritus Membership in the Washington State Association of School Librarians.
Mrs. Looff was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph G. Holmes; her sisters, Catherine (Ruth) Malone, Madeline G. Holmes, and Viola (Grace) Carrigan; her husband, Henry B. Looff; her son, David H. Looff; and her great-granddaughter, Erica C. Jenkins. She is survived by her son, Donald L. Looff of Oak Harbor, and her six grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren: John Looff of Lexington, Ky. and his children Rachel, Sarah, and Megan; Mary Sallee of Cincinnati and her children Jenny and Bryan; Jean Looff of Liberty, Mo. and her children Adam and Christopher; Alan Looff of Bellingham; Debra Jansen of Oak Harbor and her children Jessica, Jonathan, Jacob, Justin, Jennifer, Jember, Joshua and Juliann; and Cheryl Looff Yoder of Salem, Ore., and her children Lishan, Aklilu and Isaiah.
Graveside services were held Sept. 20 at Maple Leaf Cemetery with Rev. Marshall McBride officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
Remembrances may be made to the Gideons or to a favorite charity.
Haddock, Bruce Allen
Wednesday, 18 Sep 2002
Bruce Allen Haddock died suddenly Sept. 18, 2002, at his residence on Camano Island. Bruce was born to proud parents William and Rhonda Haddock, April 27, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pa. He grew up in Oak Harbor. After graduation, Bruce enlisted in the Navy where he honorably served four years. He then continued his education and received a bachelor degree in special education from Western Washington University and his master’s of education from Lesley University in 1994. Bruce Haddock was an outstanding teacher and mentor for over 20 years.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Debra Haddock. Bruce was the loving father of Brooke Heubel, Jason Haddock and Rachel Haddock; and dear brother of Mark and Denis Haddock. He will be lovingly remembered by his three grandchildren Alexander, Nicolas and Isabella Heubel.
Bruce Haddock was a beautiful person who brought light and laughter to all of those he came in contact with. He was a loving father, a generous friend, and a wonderful teacher who made a permanent imprint of love in our troubling world.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Weston Alternative Schools in the Arlington School District, or to the charity of one’s choice.
A memorial service will be held for friends and family, Friday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m., in the chapel of Gilbertson Funeral Home, 27001 - 88th Avenue, Stanwood.
Callahan III, Thomas J.
Monday, 16 Sep 2002
Thomas J. Callahan, III, 85, 24-year resident of Oak Harbor, died Sept. 16, 2002 at Oak Harbor Retirement Community Memory Care.
Mr. Callahan was born in Philadelphia Sept. 25, 1916, to Thomas J. Callahan II and Mary (McAleer) Callahan. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He met Mary Emett Sweeney while both were in the Navy, and they were married on May 11, 1946, in Bethesda, Md. They moved to New York, Rhode Island, the Washington, D.C., area, San Diego and Guam before returning to San Diego. He retired as a chief warrant officer (CW4) in 1958. Following his retirement from the military, he worked for the State of California as an administrator for the State Department of Health, retiring in December 1978. They moved to Oak Harbor at that time.
Tom was president of the Retired Officers Association, and a volunteer with Citizens on Patrol. He was an active member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed being grandfather to all the neighborhood children. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Patricia M. Hollinger and husband Joseph of Folsom, Calif.; son Thomas J. Callahan IV of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii; three grandchildren, Sabrina Callahan of Hanalei, Hawaii, T.J. Callahan V of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Michael Hollinger of Folsom, Calif.; one great-granddaughter, Emmalani Lloyd of Hanalei, Hawaii; one brother, Edward J. Callahan and wife Catherine of Cherry Hill, N.J.; and one sister, Patricia of Philadelphia.
He is also survived by several dear friends, Virgil and Elvie Cruz and Larry and Beth Munns, all of Oak Harbor, and Amy and Dennis Watson of Alexandria, Va.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 19 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Father Ronald Belisle, Celebrant. Interment followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with military honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Northwest Parkinsons Foundation, 1206 123rd Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98005. Arrangements under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Barrett, Franklin
Monday, 16 Sep 2002
Franklin C. Barrett, 69, of Oak Harbor, died suddenly on Sept.16, 2002. He was born May 26, 1933 in Vancouver, but spent most of his life in Cheney. He graduated from Cheney High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1953. Frank met Alicia West in 1953, and they married Oct. 30, 1954, in Spokane. They celebrated 47 years of love and friendship in marriage before Alicia’s death on Feb. 1, 2002.
In 1962 Frank was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station with VA-145, and Oak Harbor became home. During his Navy career he also kept busy volunteering, first with the Cub Scouts and then with the Boy Scouts as his sons grew older. Although he never belonged to the Boy Scouts himself, he eventually received many prestigious awards from them, including the Silver Beaver. He was also involved with St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in a variety of ways including religious education and being a eucharistic minister.
In 1973 Frank retired from the Navy and started his second career as an assistant naval science instructor at Oak Harbor High School. He thoroughly enjoyed his cadets and co-workers and was respected and loved during his 20 years at the high school. He retired again in 1993 and he and Alicia spent time traveling together and enjoying each other’s company.
Family and friends were a very important part of his life and he loved to spend time with them. Among his greatest blessings he counted his Christian faith, being born in the United States, finding the love of his life and sharing a lifetime with her and his children. He attended countless sporting events, concerts, plays, and religious events to be there for his children and grandchildren. Frank and Alicia also enjoyed attending plays and watching the Mariners baseball team and attending Spring Training in Arizona.
All who knew Frank well knew that he was a phenomenal person. He lived the Scout Laws and the Ten Commandments every day. To him they were much more than words, they were a way of life that he demonstrated with such depth that it was almost unbelievable. He was the ultimate teacher, whether he was dealing with family, students, Boy Scouts or friends...his calling was clear, people learned from him. His granddaughter described him as her “hero” and she was not alone in that view.
Frank is survived by his three children, David Barrett and wife Sue of Renton, Bruce Barrett of Lynnwood, and Shannan Dumke and husband Mark of Freeland; his grandchildren: Frank and Conor Barrett of Alabama and their sister Lauren and mother Kim, Kristina and Erin Barrett of Lynnwood and their mother Eileen, Danielle Dumke of Lynnwood, and Aimee and Brianne Dumke of Freeland. He is also survived by his brother Robert and his wife Nadine, and sister Donna and her husband Walt, all of Spokane, numerous nieces and nephews and lifelong friends, the Ratcliffs.
Funeral Mass for Franklin C. Barrett will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m., at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with the Rev. Michael O’Neil officiating. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Full military honors will be provided by NAS Whidbey Island and Oak Harbor High School NJROTC honor guards. A reception for family and friends will follow at the church Parish Hall. Burial at sea will follow under the auspices of the U.S. Navy.
Donations can be made to the St. Augustine’s Church Building Fund at 185 N. Oak Harbor Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Mills, Timothy E.
Wednesday, 09 Apr 2008
Timothy E. “Tim” Mills, 61, died April 9, 2008, at Whidbey General Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 22, 1947, in Clarion, Penn., to Glade and Freda Ruth (Reynolds) Mills.
Tim was raised as a military dependent and the family traveled to various duty stations with the U.S. Navy.
Tim graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1965 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 7, 1966. He spent four years with the Navy and left military service in June 1970 as an ADR-3.
Tim returned to Oak Harbor and began a career in marine maintenance and repair. His business was called Temco Marine. Later he worked as a contractor with his own business repairing manufactured homes, called Temco Enterprises.
He loved boating and fishing in Puget Sound and Alaska with his uncle Ed Mills.
In 1972 Tim married, and had one daughter. In 2002 he remarried. Tim was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Tim is survived by his wife Tamara (Fatina) Mills of Oak Harbor; his daughter, Miki Schach of Granite Falls; one brother, Terry Mills of Coupeville; and his mother Freda Ruth Gross of Oak Harbor. His father preceded him in death.
A memorial service for Tim was held April 19 at Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Randy Beumer officiating. Military honors were provided by NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard.
Milledge Bennett, Wanda
Wednesday, 09 Apr 2008
Wanda Milledge Bennett was born Dec. 18, 1919, in McMinville, Ore., and died April 9, 2008.
In 1920 the family moved to Grants Pass, Ore., where she spent her formative years. Wanda was a keen student as she graduated from Grants Pass High School early and attended the University of Oregon at 16 years of age. She belonged to the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.
After finishing college she worked as a legal secretary for Balderree Killoran & Nelson in Grants Pass. Later she worked for the Island County Prosecuting Attorney's office in Coupeville, where she and her husband of 62 years retired.
Wanda married Stanley M. Bennett on Oct. 17, 1941, and they shared a life of passion for music, dancing and horses. In Grants Pass they raised three children, who were quite a handful.
Wanda was active in P.T.A. and a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. After retiring from ranching, logging and construction businesses, Stan and Wanda moved to Coupeville where they spent much of their time sailing and fishing in the San Juan Islands.
Wanda is survived by her sons Stephen and Michael, and her daughter Jan Alison Bennett. We will miss her wonderful sense of humor, her impeccable taste, her kindness and generosity. The family will have a private memorial service. Local arrangements were made through Whidbey Memorial with great appreciation from the family.
