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Aston, Rustin Saturday, 30 Nov 2002
Rustin Aston, co-owner of Blooms, died Nov. 30, 2002, from complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. He was 46 years old.
Mr. Aston was born May 7, 1956, in White Salmon, Wash. He grew up in the Columbia River Gorge area. After graduating from high school in 1974, he attended Pacific Lutheran University and went from there to majoring in psychology. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Washington with a bachelor’s of science degree.
His studies took him to Europe. He spent time doing research in Germany, a place and time that he remembered fondly.
He first came to Vashon in 1989 where he worked for the Beall’s Rose Farm as a sales manager. The work took him to the Rose Farm in Columbia. While working for Beall’s, he attended South Seattle Community College, where he took courses in floral design.
Rustin met Victor Kring in 1992, and the two became partners in life and in business. They operated Blooms on Broadway together.
In September 1998, they purchased the Wallflower Flower Shop, renaming it Blooms on Vashon. Rustin was the manager at Blooms on Vashon. He strove to provide excellent service, often delivering at a moments’ notice and until late at night.
He was an avid reader and reservoir of knowledge, his friends and family recall. He was a great conversationalist, providing useful and interesting information regarding art, history, music, languages and cartography, nearly anything imaginable.
As a friend, neighbor and partner, he was always the gentleman, tolerant and willing to help those in need. He was happiest when entertaining his friends. All who knew him and loved him will miss his graciousness.
Survivors include his partner Victor Kring and brother and sister, Jay Aston and Shelley Hill.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Island Funeral Service.
A potluck wake will follow.
For questions regarding the potluck, call Dova Silks at 463-4888.
Memorials in his name may be given at the Bank of America on Vashon.
Geary, Gordon Allen "Gordy" Friday, 29 Nov 2002
Gordon Allen ‘Gordy’ Geary died Nov. 29, 2002, at his sister’s home in Eureka, Calif. He was 55 years old.
Mr. Geary was born June 15, 1947, in Glendale, Calif.
He had lived on Vashon Island in the 1980s and had worked at the Islander restaurant, K2 Corp, and was manager of the Vashon Lanes bowling alley.
He served for two years in the United States Army in South Korea and was honorably discharged.
Always a competitive bowler, he won $200, 000 at the 1990 High Rollers in Las Vegas.
Friends and family say he was kind, generous and honest to a fault.
Survivors include a sister Carolyn of Eureka and many friends.
Arrangements were entrusted to Pierce Chapel in Eureka, Calif.
Michael, Jane Wednesday, 20 Nov 2002
Jane Michael, long-time volunteer at Granny’s Attic, died Nov. 20, 2002, of heart failure at Providence Hospital in Seattle. She was 86 years old.
She died surrounded by the love and in the presence of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born Elizabeth Jane Moss May 24, 1916, in Colorado, the ninth of 12 children born to Iza Mae (Baker) Moss and Henry B. Moss.
She grew up riding horseback and enjoying her youth as a tomboy on the plains of Colorado until, at the age of 18 while visiting family, Jane’s mother was killed in a horse and buggy accident and she returned home to help raise her younger brothers and sister.
By the time Jane and Jim were married
in 1935, the Dust Bowl had hit Colorado. They had two sons and toiled as dirt farmers during the first years of their marriage. But by the time their daughter was born, running the farm was left to Jane and the two young boys while Jim went to work at whatever he could find in town.
Eventually, in 1952 they moved to California where Jane managed a small business. In 1964, she moved to Seattle and worked at the Olympic Hotel until her retirement in 1982. Slowly over the years, one-by-one, her children and then her grandchildren followed her to Washington.
At the time of her death all of her family members except one grandson and great-grandson (who are in Louisiana) lived nearby. Not only was Jane the glue that held her family together, she was a magnet of love and acceptance that drew them all to her.
She moved to Vashon in 1987. She chauffeured her granddaughter and friends around Vashon and volunteered as a cashier at Granny’s Attic until three years ago. After she retired from Granny’s she stayed active, enjoying her friends and taking care of anyone who might need or want her attention, until her illness began to take its toll last May.
She did not have an easy life but she always said she had no regrets, her family says.
Her parents, 11 siblings, husband James Wilbur, son James Warren and grandson Brian Brown, all died earlier.
Survivors include a son Kenneth of Oak Harbor, daughter Mike and granddaughter Sasja, of Vashon Island and six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Lovering, Earle Tuesday, 04 Mar 2003
Earle W. Lovering died in Tacoma on March 4, 2003. He was 85 years old.
Mr. Lovering was born in Massachusetts on May 14, 1917. He married
Geraldine Chase in Maine on Aug. 31, 1940.
After his retirement from Scovil Manufacturing in Waterbury, Conn. and Chicago Extruded Metals in Chicago, the Loverings moved to Vashon, where he was a 17-year resident. He loved the island, the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound. His retirement years were happy ones.
Survivors include his wife Geraldine Chase Lovering, who lives in Tacoma, son Richard C. Lovering of Gold Beach and daughters Sarah Johnson of Rowayton, Conn., and Francis Rounds of Ann Arbor, Mich., as well as three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials can be sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma or the Vashon Public Library.
Mr. Lovering left his body to the Department of Medicine, University of Washington.
Roggenbuck, Louise Monday, 10 Feb 2003
Louise Roggenbuck died Monday Feb. 10, 2003, in her home on Vashon Island. She was 74 years old.
Her sons and friends were with her when she died.
Louise was born in Ekalaka, Montana, on March 6, 1928, to Lawrence and Marie Sweeney.
Her family moved to Vashon in 1938 and Louise graduated from Vashon High School in 1945.
She married
her husband of 48 years, Buck Roggenbuck in 1946.
Together they raised six children. In addition to raising her family she was Executive Housekeeper at the Doubletree Inn for 21 years.
After retiring, she worked part time at Vashon’s Beauty Nook.
Her oldest son Michael, daughter Linda and husband Buck all died earlier..
Survivors include her sons, Lewis Roggenbuck of Vashon Island, Dennis Roggenbuck of Seattle, Brian Roggenbuck and friend Tani of Darrington, Glen Roggenbuck and wife Jennifer of Port Angles and son-in-law Bob Miller of Ollala.
Mrs. Roggenbuck was especially fond of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Grandchildren include Dawn Mayer and husband Andy, Bob Roggenbuck and wife Katie, Jennifer Haggerty and husband Ryan, Alana Roggenbuck, Christopher Roggenbuck, Michael Roggenbuck, and Julio Gracia Jr. Great grand-children are Jordan, Will and Eliza Mayer, Cade and Presley Roggenbuck and Juliet Haggerty. Sister Joyce Garner of Dallas, Texas and Uncle, Fred Jennings of Vashon and her many many friends also survive her.
Funeral services were at Island Funeral Service on Vashon. Pastor Joyce O’Conner-Magee officiated.
She was buried in Vashon cemetery.
The family requests that memorial gifts to Vashon Senior Center.
Schmidt, Ruby Friday, 07 Feb 2003
Ruby L. Schmidt died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in her home on Vashon Island after a long illness. She was 87 years old.
She was born in Thief River Falls, Minn. Her family moved to Vashon in 1922. She attended the Columbia School on Vashon as well as Vashon High School.
She married
George Schmidt in 1950 and took on the responsibility of six stepchildren along with one of her own.
Her husband, George, and two stepdaughters, Myla Garvin and Miggy Wilsie died earlier.
Survivors include her daughter Betty Fisher of Vashon Island, sister Vera Martin and husband Mike, brother Earl Rose and wife Vera of Seattle, grandsons Ken Fisher of Honolulu, Michael Fisher and his wife Cindy of Vashon, granddaughters Stacie Bennet and partner Todd Caugill of Graham, Michelle Nakaya and husband Matt, their three daughters, Kiana, and Kaili and Kaylie who were born only hours before Ruby died, stepchildren Ed Schmidt and wife Beth, Esther Calhoun, Elsa Mae Williams and husband Clayton, all of Vashon, George Schmidt and wife Donna of Seattle as well as countless great and great great grandchildren.
The family acknowledges the services of Dr. Sjardo Steneker, Vashon Visiting Nurse Services and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue. They say the could not have made it through the hard times without the support of those people.
There will be a gathering at the family home all day Sunday, Feb. 23, at 19805 Vashon Highway. Friends are invited to stop by and write a favorite memory of Ruby in a remembrance book.
Katica, George F. Tuesday, 04 Feb 2003
George F. Katica, a former Vashon Islander, died Feb. 4, 2003, in Tucson, Az. He was 82 years old.
He was born Jan 29, 1921, in Seattle.
Mr. Katica graduated from O’Dea High School and served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
He was active in business for many years, concluding his career as principal owner of American Lumber Mfg, Inc, of Tacoma and Sumner.
With Annie, his wife of 58 years, he maintained homes in Tucson and on Vashon Island.
A sportsman all his life, George enjoyed duck hunting and salmon fishing in Puget Sound. He was an avid golfer, a founding member of the Vashon Golf and Country Club, a long time member of the Fir Crest Golf Club, an active current member of the Vashon Club and the Sun City Vistoso Golf Club, and a member of both the Southern Arizona and Washington Seniors Golf Associations.
Survivors include his wife, Annie; daughter Susie, and her husband, Rich Murphy, of Seattle; son Bill, and his wife, Marcia Katica, of Tacoma; son Bob, and his wife Nancy Katica, of Vashon; sisters Mary Ann Boyle of Seattle and Mildred Cunningham of San Jose, CA; eight grandchildren, Kevin, and his wife Claudine Kim-Murphy; Christine and Stephen Murphy; Annie, Megan, and Mary Katica; Charlie and Alison Katica; and two great grandchildren, Kieran and Camryn Kim-Murphy.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb 20, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Seattle.
The family requests that memorial gifts be sent to Hospitality Kitchen in Tacoma, 1323 South Yakima Ave., Tacoma, Wash. 98405, or to a charity of your choice.
Hall, Bonnie Sunday, 26 Jan 2003
Bonnie Hall died Jan. 26, 2003, in Gig Harbor. She was 81 years old.
She was born May 8, 1921, in Stratton, Neb., on Mother’s Day.
She moved to Pomona, Calif. her very early years. After schooling in Pomona and graduation from Pomona Community College, she completed her degree at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles as a drama major.
She enjoyed many years of success as an actress in the theater. Several years of summer stock in upstate New York, many years at the Pasadena Playhouse and a very long run at the Glendale Center Theater marked a wonderful career on the legitimate stage.
Turning from the theater to teaching, she was a gifted kindergarten teacher in the Ontario-Montclair School District and retired in the mid-1980s.
She then moved to the Pacific Northwest to reside on Vashon Island and enjoy the wonderful years of her retirement among her many new friends.
Bonnie treasured the friends she made and kept from her early days in Pomona to her death in Washington.
Survivors include her brother, Jim Hall and his family of Bend, Ore., her sister, Nancy Hall and her partner Ricki Johnson of Gig Harbor.
At her request, there were no services.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name are suggested to the Heifer Project (www.heiferproject.com) at P.O. Box 1692, Merrifield, Va. 22116-1692.
Bebow, Irene Wednesday, 22 Jan 2003
Irene V. Bebow died Jan. 22, 2003. She was 76 years old.
She was born March 3, 1926, in McCall, Idaho, to Arvie and Hilda Hill. They later moved to Seattle.
She graduated from Broadway High School in 1944.
Later that year she met and married
Harry Bebow. They lived in Wisconsin then moved to Vashon in 1956.
She enjoyed gardening and animals and was a devoted homemaker and loving wife.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Bebow of Vashon, a daughter Nancy Bebow of Kingston, and a son Gerald Bebow of Vashon.
No services are planned at Mrs. Bebow’s request.
