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Harwell, Sr., James D. Sunday, 10 Feb 2008
James Douglas Harwell, Sr., of Langley, died Feb. 10, 2008, at home after a short battle with cancer.
He was born Nov. 7, 1940, in Lexington, N.C., to Neal and Audrey Harwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, formerly of Langley; and his father-in-law, Glenn Nichols, on Jan. 28, 2008.
He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Mary, of Langley; his mother-in-law, Valborg Nichols, of Langley; a daughter Kathryn Cepowski and her husband, Terry, of Freeland; a daughter Jennifer Harwell and her boyfriend, Carlos Bolanos, of Everett; a son James Harwell Jr. and his fiancée, Sarah Buhr, of Tacoma; a sister Lauralee Cooper of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister Georgia Zeutenhorst and her husband, Dennis, of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother William Harwell and his wife, Donna, of Chehalis. He is also survived by three grandchildren Sarah, Gabrielle and Michael Cepowski; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim owned Jim’s Hardware in Clinton for more than 30 years. He enjoyed running, swimming, and bicycling and was a member of the Island Athletic Club as a charter member. He enjoyed performances at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, reading, going to movies at The Clyde Theatre, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends and participating in local activities, such as the Mr. South Whidbey Contest. He was also a past president and member of Kiwanis.
A fund-raising lasagna dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Clinton Progressive Hall.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Assembly of God Church, 5373 Maxwelton Road, Langley.
Memorials can be made to the Jim Harwell Medical Support Fund at any Whidbey Island Bank.
Boyer, Elsie Louise
Saturday, 09 Feb 2008
Elsie Louise (Keller) Boyer was born March 30, 1927 to Harry Keller and Alice Swanson Keller in Centralia, Wash. She went to be with her Lord on Feb. 9, 2008.
Elsie lived her entire childhood in Centralia, attending elementary, junior high and high school there, graduating in 1945. After working for the local newspaper for a year, Elsie married Larry Boyer from Oak Harbor in 1946 and was with him for 38 years. Elsie loved Larry until the day she died.
The next few years of Elsie’s life involved living in Pullman, Wash., while Larry worked toward his teaching credentials and ultimately earned a master’s degree in education. They then moved to Granite Falls, Wash., where Larry was a high school teacher for two years before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The family lived in various locations throughout the country during the eight years Larry was an FBI agent. During these years they had three children: Alan, Nancy and Randy. When the family relocated back to Oak Harbor their fourth and last child, Janis, was born.
Elsie was baptized as an adult in a Methodist Church in Ohio. She maintained a long membership with the Oak Harbor Methodist Church until her health restricted her outside activities.
Elsie had many loyal friends and loved to spend time with them particularly playing golf and cards. One of her card groups played pinochle together for 50 years. She also belonged to a long-time bridge group. She was active as a hospital volunteer for many years; she loved to camp with friends and was a tireless housekeeper.
Elsie’s health declined over the last five years but she enjoyed a large family party for her 75th birthday. Her declining health made it necessary to move to Harbor Tower in her last year and a half of life, where she was well cared for.
Elsie is survived by her four children, Alan Boyer and his wife Sharon, Randy Boyer, Janis Boyer McIntyre and Dan Hassler and Nancy Wezeman and her husband Timothy. She also is survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, her brother Steve Keller, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were very important to her. Her husband, Larry her brother, Ben, sister, Rosie and her grandson Wyatt preceded her in death.
The family is grateful for our mom’s life, her many friends over the years and a quick end to her suffering when she came to her last day of life.
A memorial service to celebrate Elsie’s life will be held at the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. with Pastor David Lura officiating. In lieu of flowers friends may want to contribute to the American Cancer Society in Elsie’s name, honoring her memory and that of her grandson, Wyatt. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
Isler , June G.
Thursday, 07 Feb 2008
June G. Isler, 86, of Greenbank, died Feb. 7, 2008, at Enso House hospice in Freeland of heart failure. She was the wife of the late Robert J. Isler, who died in 2001.
Mrs. Isler was born on March 2, 1921, in Ann Arbor, Mich., daughter of the late Hazel T. Grennan and Del E. Grennan. Raised in Detroit, she attended Wayne University before her marriage in 1942.
After World War II, Mrs.Isler and her husband moved east, ultimately settling on Long Island, N.Y., where they raised their five children. Mrs. Isler was an active volunteer at the John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y., eventually becoming Director of Volunteers. Subsequently she enrolled in the nursing program at Suffolk County Community College, graduating in 1969. She worked as a recovery room nurse at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson until her retirement. She and her husband, lifelong sailing enthusiasts, moved to Whidbey Island in 1989.
She was predeceased by a son, Michael T. Isler, and a grandson, Eric C. Dillmann. She is survived by her daughter, Susan E. Dillmann, of Southbury, Conn.; her sons, John T. Isler of Greenbank, Kevin P. Isler of Hollywood, S.C., and Mathew J. Isler of Sammamish; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Private services will be held. Donations in her memory may be sent to Careage of Whidbey.
Slate Kobylk, Maxine
Wednesday, 06 Feb 2008
Maxine Slate Kobylk, 90, widow of Lt.Col. Nickolas Ferrell Kobylk, passed from this life peacefully into God’s heavenly kingdom on Feb. 6, 2008, under hospice care in Freeland with her family by her side.
Maxine was born on March 30, 1917, in Seattle, at their first family home. She was the second of four sisters born three years apart. Present at her birth was her late maternal grandmother, Mary Agnes King Shouse. Maxine and her grandmother were very close and shared the same wit, spirit of adventure, determination, strong family values and love of knitting.
In 1923, at six years of age, Maxine traveled with her family from Seattle to Tennessee and Florida to visit other Slate family members. The family of six, including her newborn sister, Virginia, left in February and traveled all summer in a Gardner. Her father often had to repair the car during the seven-month trip. They slept in tents or in private homes opened to them along the way. Maxine loved the trip that sparked her life long interest in travel, history and love of country.
Maxine’s parents were the late Joseph Faust Slate and Florence Eveline Shouse. When Maxine was very young her family moved into a home her father built on Walnut Avenue in West Seattle, where she lived until she was married. She was in the first graduating class of Lafayette Junior High School and graduated from West Seattle High School. While in high school, she was a member of the Girl Scouts, Girls Club of Seattle High Schools and the West Seattle Assembly 18 Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Following high school, she earned a B.S degree in biology from the University of Washington and was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity. In the early 1950s, she earned an MA degree in education from Plattsburg State Teachers College, New York.
While at the University of Washington, Maxine met her future husband, a graduate student, Nickolas F. Kobylk. Nick was drafted into the army for WWII, so they were married in Maxine’s home on April 23, 1942, while Nick was on a three-day pass.
Nick became a career U.S. Army and Air Force officer and over the next 30-plus years, he and Maxine lived in nine different states as well as overseas in West Germany and Turkey. While living in Turkey, she and two other ladies traveled the old Orient Express train route and had a chance visit with Hungarian prelate and hero Cardinal Jozef Mindszenty while he was under asylum in the U.S. legation in Budapest.
Throughout the years, the Kobylks were able to travel the world over, but they returned almost annually home to the Seattle area to visit family and friends, and upon retirement in Oct. 1974, they made Oak Harbor their final home. Her extensive knowledge of U.S. history and love of this country’s beauty made her the perfect tour guide during the family trips home.
Above all else, Maxine cherished being the mother of her two sons, Nickolai and Steven. Family life and faith took precedence above all else. She enjoyed a rich professional life as well, both as an educator and as a student with a desire to learn about the culture and history of other people. She taught piano and also first grade at a Christian school in Laredo, Texas. She later instructed high school students in home economics, physical education, history and as the librarian. While living in Turkey in the early 1960s, Maxine taught adult Turkish students American culture, economics and industry under the Senator Fulbright program. Her time in Turkey was also very rewarding spiritually as she and her husband, in 1963, were part of an international team that formed and built St. Nicholas Anglican Church in Ankara, which is still active in 2008.
Maxine was multi-talented and always up to the challenge of trying a new activity. She was a life-long knitter and an accomplished pianist. In Germany, she studied oil painting under Georg Hanke and took concert zither lessons. She still managed to find the time for charitable work with the USO, the Red Cross, and other organizations.
Maxine participated in sports throughout her long life. She was an avid swimmer, tennis player, and hiker/walker. She played racquetball well into her 70s and swam into her late 80s.
Maxine’s was involved in various clubs and activities. She was a member of the Vanderzicht Swimming Pool, the NAS Officers Wife’s Club, the old Whidbey Historical Society, Oak Harbor Garden Club, Oak Harbor Senior Center and U.S. Lighthouse Society. She was a regular on the Oak Harbor Travel Royalty circuit, traveling to South America, China, Australia and the South Pacific.
Maxine is survived by her two beloved sons Nickolai Kobylk, and wife Linda of Charleston, S.C., and Steven J. Kobylk, and wife Josie of Coupeville. There are two grandchildren, Nickolai Kobylk and wife Natasha Kramskaya, and Maria Kobylk Vaughan, and husband, Richard; and three great-grandchildren, Ian, Sophia, and Charlie Vaughan. She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Johnson and Virginia Eals, and preceded in death by a third sister, Betty Young. There are also several nieces and nephews.
Maxine lived in her own home in Oak Harbor and was sharp in mind and wit until her passing. The family wishes to thank Maxine’s friends, caregivers and Skagit Hospice for their thoughtful care and loving friendship.
Following her wishes, a private funeral service, according to the rites in the 1928 Episcopal Prayer Book, will be conducted followed by cremation. A public celebration of life memorial service will be announced at a later date followed by the spreading of her ashes in Puget Sound in site of Admiralty Inlet. A memorial bench will also be placed in her memory near Admiralty Head Lighthouse. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Oak Harbor Senior Center or the Oak Harbor Red Cross. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Seligmiller, USN (Ret.), Cmdr. Harold Lloyd
Tuesday, 05 Feb 2008
Cmdr. Harold Lloyd Seligmiller, USN (Ret.) died unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2008. He was born in Fairmont, Minn., Nov. 5, 1925, the first of three sons of Fred and Inez Seligmiller.
Hal developed an interest in model airplanes as a teenager and upon graduation from high school in Milwaukee, Wisc., he enlisted as a Naval Aviation Cadet and entered active duty in 1943. In 1945 he was released from active duty to attend the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He also married Exelda Hoffman that year in Milwaukee and returned to active duty as Ensign USN to attend pilot refresher training. In 1953 he entered Post Graduate School at Monterey, Calif., and graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s of science in Aeronautical Engineering. He continued studies at the University of Minnesota and received a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering in 1956.
Hal was ordered to Heavy Attack Squadron Four at NAS Whidbey that same year where he became carrier qualified. His career as a Navy pilot continued from there, with cruises on the USS Shangri-La and USS Hancock among his many assignments. He and his family were stationed on both coasts and overseas in London before his retirement from active duty in 1969. He continued his aviation career with Boeing as Special Engineer in Product Development in the 747/767 Product Development Programs until his retirement in 1985.
Hal is survived by three of his four children, son Brian (Laurie) of Scottsdale, Ariz., son Jeff (Mely) of Oak Harbor, and daughter Sandy of Edmonds. His wife of 53 years, Ex, preceded him in death in 2003 and his son Marc, in 1983. He welcomed baby grandaughter Blayne Seligmiller just last year, and has step grandchildren Sharee Pacana and Bryan Perkins. He is also survived by his brother Gene Seligmiller (Elaine) of Cheboygan, Mich., two nephews, and several grand nieces and nephews. He lived in Oak Harbor for 44 years.
In his retirement, Hal enjoyed flying model airplanes with the Whidbey Island Radio Control Society, golfed whenever he could, traveled to visit family, read voraciously, and was an active volunteer with the PBY Memorial Museum in Oak Harbor.
A memorial service and celebration of Hal’s life will be held Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, 30 S.E. Ely St., Oak Harbor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the PBY Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 941, Oak Harbor, WA 98277-0941, www.pbyma.org, or to The Museum of Flight
McLaughlin, Miriam J.
Tuesday, 04 Dec 2007
Miriam J. McLaughlin born June 8, 1933, and passed away peacefully at her Whidbey Island home after a valiant fight with cancer on Dec. 4, 2007, with her sweetheart of the past 13 years by her side.
She retired to Whidbey Island in 1994 after meeting her soulmate. She quickly adapted to the kick-back style of the island life. Together they enjoyed many travels abroad and shared more together in the 13 years than most can fit in a lifetime. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace now “Grandma Mac.” We love you and miss you.
Roodzant, Jack
Monday, 03 Dec 2007
Jack Roodzant, native son of Oak Harbor, passed away Dec. 3, 2007, in Everett. He was born in Oak Harbor on July 4, 1933 to Henry and Marie Roodzant, the second of seven children. He was known as Mr. Roodzant the math teacher. He was a quiet but strong man with a deep sense of integrity and personal faith. Jack loved woodworking, gardening, traveling and served actively in his church.
He was a devoted family man and a loyal friend. Jack attended Oak Harbor Christian School and Oak Harbor High School, graduating in 1953 after helping out for two years on the family farm. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957, married Janann in 1959 and later graduated from Western Washington College in 1962. He began teaching mathematics in southern California, and returned to teach in Oak Harbor in 1968, retiring in 1993.
Jack is survived by his wife, Janann (Young) Roodzant, his son, Brad Roodzant, his daughter, Lea Del Prete of Oak Harbor, his grandchildren, John Del Prete III of Bellingham, Nick Del Prete of Oklahoma City, Emily Del Prete of Oak Harbor, sister Mary Ann James (Ron), of Fallbrook, Calif., Eleanore Olsen (Bill) of Oak Harbor, Melody Jones and sister-in- law Lona Roodzant of Oak Harbor, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie Roodzant, sister Maisie Mercer and her husband Don, and his brothers, Bob Roodzant and Bill Roodzant.
Memorial services for Jack Roodzant will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. with Rev. David Lura officiating. Cremation was held with family committal to follow at Fircrest Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Memorials can be made to United Methodist Memorial Fund or The Gideon Bible Society. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Christensen, Wilbur Emmons
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2007
Wilbur Emmons Christensen died Nov. 27, 2007 at Careage of Whidbey, Coupeville, at the age of 94. He was born in Detroit on August 9, 1913 to Leroy and Lourena (Susan) Christensen. He was raised in Detroit, graduating from Cooley High School.
Wilbur was a self-taught tool and die maker, apprenticing at Excello Corporation in Detroit. He made journeyman and spent 13 years with Excello. Wilbur worked many jobs in the Detroit area. He was married to Eunice Mae Holloway in Detroit, Mich., on May 8, 1937. During the war Wilbur would work 12-hour days at his regular job and on Saturday, he worked ten hours and eight hours on Sunday at a defense plant, contributing to the war effort.
In 1946, Wilbur and Eunice moved to the Los Angeles area, where he continued to work as a tool and die maker. He worked in aerospace and manufacturing, before retirement. The Christensens moved to Frazer Park, Calif., where they purchased a family grocery and dry goods store, which they operated for four years.
In 1982, Wilbur and Eunice moved to Sequim, Wash. Wilbur had a lifetime dream of living in the Northwest, and Sequim seemed a natural choice. Eunice’s health began to fail and for ten years, Wilbur was her primary care giver. In 2001, they moved to Oak Harbor and lived in Summer Hill Retirement and Assisted Living Center. Wilbur spent his last days at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville.
Wilbur enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing and water-skiing for many years. He was a gifted tool and die maker, and a quiet, introspective dreamer. He and Eunice had a 68-year love story.
Wilbur is survived by one son David Christensen and wife Igene of Coupeville, one daughter-in-law Syd Christensen of San Marcos, Calif., three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Eunice preceded him in death in 2002 and one son Dennis Christensen in October of 2007. One sister Dorothy and one brother Raymond also preceded him in death.
Family graveside services were held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, with Rev. Fred Renfroe officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Ervin, USN (Ret), Samuel Dee
Monday, 26 Nov 2007
Samuel Dee Ervin, Master Chief, USN (Ret), age 72, longtime Oak Harbor resident, died at Burton Care Center in Burlington on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Ervin was born in Redhouse, Ky., on Oct. 14, 1935, to Samuel Isaac Ervin and Hazel (Palmer) Ervin. He moved with his family to Hamilton, Ohio, as a small child, and attended schools there. Sam entered the US Navy, and served his country with distinction and honor during the Vietnam Conflict. He retired with the rank of Master Chief (E-9) at NAS Whidbey Island in 1977.
Sam married Anita Shipley on July 18, 1955, in Liberty, Ind. He was a member of the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching Mariners baseball.
Sam is survived by his wife Anita, at home in Burlington; four daughters, Dee Veatch and husband Bruce of Tehachapi, Calif., Holly Jolly and husband Robert of Everett, Kelly Lewis of Willoughby, Ohio, and Jamie Ervin of Sedro-Woolley; one son, Samuel Shipley Ervin and wife Magret of Uden, The Netherlands; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Ervin and wife Dorothy of Hamilton, Ohio, Sandford “Tommy” Ervin and wife Jan of Franklin, Ohio, and John Ervin and wife Glynn of Fairfield, Ohio; sister, Sylvia Gleason and husband Lee of Hamilton, Ohio; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ann and Don Lewis of Seaford, Del.; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Palmer and Ronald Eugene Ervin.
A service to honor the memory of Sam will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at noon, at the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, 1100 W. Whidbey Ave., Pastor Ben Norris officiating, with Military Honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Interment will be private and at a later date. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Ave., Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are under direction of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.
Spencer Virsack, Helen
Thursday, 22 Nov 2007
Helen Spencer Virsack, age 81, died at Harbor Care of Oak Harbor on Nov. 22, 2007, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Newport, R.I., on March 16, 1926, to Samuel and Helen (Pierson) Spencer.
Helen was raised in Newport. In 1953, she married Harry Stanley, a career naval officer. Helen was a homemaker and stay at home mom. She traveled from coast to coast, following Harry’s naval assignments. Harry retired in 1962 and they settled in Southern California.
Harry passed away in 1981 and Helen traveled to Seattle to visit her daughter. While there she ventured out and discovered Oak Harbor. She fell in love with the island, returned to California to sell her house and made Oak Harbor her new home.
Helen soon joined St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. While attending church, she discovered Ed Virsack, her mail carrier, also attended the same church. They began dating and on Nov. 14, 1986, she and Ed were married.
Helen and Ed lived in Oak Harbor, but decided to try living in Cocoa Beach, Fla. After a couple of years they discovered the heat and humidity were not for them and returned to Oak Harbor. As her health failed, she was eventually moved to Harbor Care.
Helen is survived by her husband Ed of Oak Harbor and by two children, Hal (Sandy) Stanley of Denver, Colo. and Sylvia Stanley of Seattle. Her parents and brother Neil Spencer preceded her in death.
Funeral Mass for Helen Virsack will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant. Rites of Committal will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery
with a reception to follow at Rhimes Hall at the church. Rosary will be recited on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Skagit Hospice or St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Bottenberg, William Joseph (Bill)
Thursday, 22 Nov 2007
William Joseph (Bill) Bottenberg passed away unexpectedly Thanksgiving day, Nov. 22, 2007, at his home in Arlington.
He is survived by his wife Mary, son Joseph, sister Juanita, brothers Foster and David and parents, Mary and Foster.
Bill graduated from Washington State University the year of Mount St. Helens and has been employed at the Boeing Airplane Company as an engineer since. He had a successful career and interesting assignments in many areas of the world.
He was an avid dart player and robot builder with a large circle of friends who enjoyed competitive events in both the U.S. and Canada.
Bill will be sorely missed.
Holland, Michael Allen
Monday, 19 Nov 2007
Michael Allen Holland, 62, died Nov. 19, 2007, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was the sixth of seven children born Nov. 20, 1944, in Rogers, Minn., to Joseph and Erma (DeShaw) Holland. Michael lost his mother when he was 10 and his father when he was 11. Michael’s older siblings decided they would raise the youngest of the children.
Michael decided at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He was a Vietnam era veteran, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military service, Michael began working for the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD). He was their Human Resources Manager when he left the PUD after 15 years of service. Michael was married to Alice Anne Hamilton on April 25, 1976, in Everett. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from City College in 1977.
Michael and Anne moved to California with a brief stop in Sacramento and then on to Fresno, where they lived for 20 years. Michael became the owner of his own business, serving as an Indoor Air Quality owner/manager, specializing in mold remediation. Michael retired and he and Anne moved to Oak Harbor in 2005.
Michael was a very private person. He was known as a man of character, honesty, fun loving, gentle and a man so very proud of his family. He was especially proud of his two grandsons serving with the U.S. Army. He enjoyed golf, fishing, tying flies, reading anything and everything, maintaining a keen awareness of the political scene, football, including the U.W. Huskies and the Fresno Bulldogs, walks at City Beach and visits to Starbucks. His passion in life was his love for the church.
Michael was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor and the Knights of Columbus, John O’Brien Council 3361 of Oak Harbor.
Michael is survived by his wife Anne at the family home;; two daughters, Diana Holland Caldwell and her children, Maloree, Michael and Ryley Caldwell, all of Marysville, Wash., and Dana Michael Holland wife Diana and their children Keller, Dessa and Bailee Jo Holland, all of Arlington, Wash.; and by stepson Mark D. Keiper and wife Sinead of Tucson, Ariz., and their children, Jared Keiper of Sioux Falls, S.D., Melissa Keiper and great-granddaughter Khaira of Queen Creek, Ariz., Sgt. Jeffrey Keiper and wife Victoria of Fort Hood, Texas, Pvt. Garrett Keiper of Ft. Eustis, Va.; stepdaughter Mary E. Smith and husband Frederick and their children, Jessica Kohler and husband John and great-granddaughter Hailey Kohler, Dessa DeMonbrun, Cassandra Smith and Cole Smith, all of Marysville, and Lori A. Lane and husband Charles of Bellingham. Six brothers and sisters, Betty Beaudry of Beaver Creek, Ore., James Holland of Palmer, Ariz., Thomas Holland of Hudson, Wisc., Marie Lewis of Mesa, Ariz., Patty Celt of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Jerald Holland of Mesa, Ariz., also survive.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am Monday, Nov. 26, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Kienzle as Celebrant. Rosary will proceed the Mass at 9 a.m. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Parish Hall. Cremation was held with graveside services at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Skagit Valley Hospice or Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley.
Keller Smith, Don
Monday, 19 Nov 2007
Don Keller Smith, 82, passed away Nov. 19, 2007, at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. He was born May 11, 1925, a son of Earl and Ilah Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was raised in Utah and Colorado. He graduated with honors from the University of Colorado in Mechanical Engineering. He is a veteran of World War II, where he was a pilot for the U.S. Navy. He married Margaret Rice.
He was an engineer for many years, but his main job was working on hydroelectric power. His hobbies included anything aeronautical and he was a master gardener, his passion being rhododendrons.
Don and his wife moved to Whidbey Island 19 years ago from Mercer Island.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maggie; four children, Ronald (Loretta) Smith, Gayle (David) Rodgers, Reed (LaFawn) Smith and Debra (George) Parker; one brother, Roger (Gladys) Smith; two sisters, Darlene Hughes and Carrolyn (Keith) Howe and sister-in-law, Thelma Smith; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. One brother, Earl Smith, brother-in-law, Don Hughes, and one grandchild preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held Nov. 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Langley. Interment was in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Services were under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
LaFond , John A.
Sunday, 18 Nov 2007
John A. LaFond, community and military leader, died suddenly at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on Nov. 18, 2007, at the age of 70. John was born Jan. 12, 1937, in St. Paul, Minn., to Clarence and Evelyn (Whitrock) LaFond. He was raised in White Bear Lake, Minn. His father worked for the railroad and the family moved to New York, where John attended the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany.
Following high school, John entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1959 with his Bachelor of Science degree. He was married to Carole Palmer on June 6, 1959 in Baltimore, Md. He received his commission as an ensign and was assigned to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as an engineer. He was then sent to Troy, N.Y., and Rensselaer Poly Tech, where he received his second Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
The Navy sent John to Brunswick, Maine, Memphis, Tenn., and Baltimore, before he was transferred to Vietnam with a Seabees Naval Construction Battalion. Returning to the states, John was stationed at Norfolk, Va. for a four-year tour. He went on to spend the next four years at the Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah. While in Utah, John completed his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
In 1974, John was sent to NAS Whidbey Island, where he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Public Works. John retired as a Commander in June of 1979.
Upon retirement John immediately obtained a position with Skagit Valley College, teaching business, accounting, and economics. Twenty years later he retired as Chair of the College’s Business Department.
John also ventured into politics as a city councilman for Oak Harbor. He spent 12 years on the council, working on numerous issues and serving with multiple committees. He was a representative to the Economic Development Council. John was considered a “voice of reason” during discussion on the important items that came before the City Council. Following his departure from the council, John took a more active role in the Economic Development Council where he served as board president.
John and his family developed a passion for skiing while in Ogden. They also took many camping trips throughout Utah and the West. John was a strong supporter of his children in school and all of their endeavors including coaching Little League teams. He allowed each of his children to find their own way in life. John’s greatest strength was his faith. He was a long-term member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, serving as lector and working with the monthly Pancake Breakfast Committee.
John and Carole were charter members of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club with John serving as Commodore. He developed a love for sailing as a child on White Bear Lake and that love continued as he operated his racing sailboat and participated in Race Week every year since 1982. John loved to travel the U.S. and Europe. He and Carole completed a 5,000-mile journey across many of the Western states this past year. John also had a great passion for cars, owning over the years a 1964 Corvette Stingray, classic Thunderbird, Trans Am, and his latest, a 1999 Corvette Stingray and a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carole at the family home; by three children: Ron LaFond and wife Rebecca Sorlien of Roseville, Minn., Michael LaFond and wife Diana of Berlin, Germany and Sandy LaFond Helgeson and husband Don of Kirkland; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Amelia LaFond and Ryan and Maret Helgeson. One brother Peter LaFond of Redmond, Wash., and three sisters, Jean Gerlach of Loveland, Colo., Mary Gregory of Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Nancy Brown of Northville, Mich., also survive.
Funeral Mass for John LaFond will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with Father Philip Raether as Celebrant. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation Chapter, 809 E. Chestnut Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
(Heller) Henni, Georgia
Saturday, 17 Nov 2007
Georgia Henni, 87, passed away Nov. 17, 2007, at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville.
Georgia was born in Oak Harbor on March 16, 1920, the youngest of 10 children of Martinus and Elizabeth (Riksen) Heller.
She grew up on the family farm in the Swantown area of Oak Harbor and attended grade school and high school, graduating in 1938. She met and married a young farmer, Karl Henni, in 1941. Together they raised 10 children on their family farm located on North Whidbey.
She loved her family very much and her favorite pastime was working in her flower garden. That love of gardening lives on in her children.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Karl; three sisters, Clara Olsen, Jennie (Edmundson) Johnston, and Reka Hamlin; and four brothers, Onno, Henry, Albert and Simon Heller.
She is survived by her 10 children, Joyce (Roy) Mattox, JoAnne (Robert) Pankaskie, Janis (Ralph) Shelton, Robert Henni, John Henni and Susan Henni of Oak Harbor, Lois Singleton of Mount Vernon, Doreen (Greg) Dunton of Anacortes, Martin Henni of Bow and Ranelle (Charles) Lemmon of Boring, Oregon; her sister, Maggie Bruhn of Marysville and her brother, Barney Heller of Everett; 14 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor with a gathering of family and friends at the family farm following the ceremony. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
