Browse obituaries: 1574 records found

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Arnold, Alison Wednesday, 25 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Alison M. Arnold (Al) was born Nov. 24, 1921, to Irwin and Aley Brink Arnold in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was an only child. Al died peacefully at home in his sleep the morning of Aug. 25, 2010.

Al decided when he was 8 years old he would be an engineer when he grew up, and a hobby of building model airplanes directed him toward a career in aviation design.

Al’s career, after graduating from Purdue University, where he was one of only 25 aeronautical engineers in the United States in 1946, began as an officer in the Navy, where he met and married Nancy Robbins in 1945.

Nancy and Al had four children and adopted a teenager while living on Mercer Island. Al and Nancy moved to Whidbey Island to build their dream home in 1977.

Al was a founding member of Whidbey Audubon Society, and after retiring from the Boeing Co. in 1986 was active in many community causes.

Al leaves his wife of 64 years Nancy; and his five children, Robin (Charlene) Arnold, Phil (Lucy Richard) Arnold, John (Jed) Arnold and finance’ Martha Stroud, Meredith Arnold (Ken Bjornson), and Vane Dumas; grandchildren Timothy (Angela) Roff of Lake Stevens, Jennifer (Mike) Pearson of Freeland, Rebecca Arnold of Portland, Ore., Elizabeth Arnold of Mukilteo, Reginald (Reg) Arnold of Seattle, and Chelsea, Ryan and Graham Arnold of Seattle; and five great-grandchildren, Quinn and Brandon Roff of Lake Stevens, and Brennen, Nolan and Nathan Pearson of Freeland.

Preceding Al in death was his granddaughter Kirsten Harris (Nov. 22, 1976 - Sept. 30, 1998).

Al was a devoted family man and a wonderful example to his five children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.

No service is planned at Al’s request. The family suggests donations to Whidbey Audubon Society or your favorite charity.

Camin, Ellen Tuesday, 24 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Ellen Camin died peacefully at home on the beautiful, moonlit night of Aug. 24, 2010.

She was born Sept. 24, 1935 in Sacramento, Calif. to Albert S. and Emily B. Weaver, the oldest of five children.

As a young girl, Ellen’s life was influenced by her parents’ love of the outdoors; her childhood was filled with horseback riding, hiking and visiting Lake Tahoe.

At age 16 she had polio, and this experience only intensified her determination and independence. She lived a full and active life; playing tennis, hiking in the Cascades, traveling to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Alaska. Her love of nature and her stewardship of the earth were integral to her character.

Ellen graduated from Stanford University in 1957.

She met George Ghilarducci there, and they married in 1959, moving to Tacoma to raise a family.

In 1973, she and George trekked across central Asia and the Middle East, and this sparked an interest in yoga, meditation and philanthropy that lasted throughout the rest of her life.

In 1975, she obtained a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and became an administrator at a mental health agency. She later founded the Tacoma Area Living Lightly Association, co-founded Cascadia Revolving Loan Fund, served on the board of In Context magazine, became involved with the Chinook Learning Center (now Whidbey Institute), and joined the philanthropic Threshold Foundation.

After the death of George in 1989, Ellen moved to Whidbey Island, where she briefly served as director of Chinook.

In 1995, she married Bernie Camin. With Bernie, Ellen’s life was composed of circles within circles within circles. There were several spiritual circles, the Sacramento circle, the Stanford circle, the Tahoe circle, the Tacoma circle, the Whidbey Island circle. Within each of these, she formed very deep relationships and friendships, many of which lasted her entire life.

She came into this life believing that she needed to DO in order to “help the world,” and she actually did so very, very many things in this lifetime.

Ultimately, the testament to her life is not what she accomplished, but in her being with people, with her children, with her siblings, her grandchildren, her two husbands, and her many, many friends. She innately touched people very deeply, and they touched her. Even toward the end, she had little private conversations with many, including beautiful moments with each of her seven grandchildren.

She was beloved by all whose lives she touched. She left a body of written words as well as a very meaningful body of paintings, which toward the end reflected a conflicted soul.

Conflicted as to what she had accomplished, and conflicted by the cancer that was consuming her. She is now at peace. Ultimately, as much as she accomplished, she will be missed for who she was and who she loved, and by whom she was loved.

She is survived by her husband, Bernie Camin; her three children, John (Denise), Emily (Tim Panzer) and George (Kelly) Ghilarducci; seven grandchildren; two stepchildren, Evan (Stacy) Caminker and Lisa Zolle; and four step-grandchildren. After viewing at home, she will be cremated.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at Mountain View Funeral Home in Tacoma.

Enzmann, Janet Monday, 16 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Janet Rogers Enzmann was born in Springfield, Mass. on Oct. 14, 1925 to Frank Rogers and Gertrude Ward Rogers.

After her father’s death in 1931, she and her mother moved to nearby North Wilbraham, where her mother served as manager of the local telephone office.

Janet attended high school in Springfield, graduating summa cum laude in 1943. She graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1947 and returned to Springfield, where she received a master of education degree from Springfield College in 1949.

Following graduation, she was employed as a teen-age program director in the Providence, R.I. YWCA. She moved to Seattle in 1951 in the same capacity.

In 1953 she was briefly a policewoman in the juvenile division of the Seattle Police Department until her marriage in 1954 to Boeing engineer George Enzmann. The family moved up and down the West Coast in response to aircraft contracts. George retired in 1990 when they returned to the Northwest, settling in Coupeville in 1991.

Janet was an active member of the League of Women Voters for many years. She also served as both a paid and volunteer elementary school librarian. She had been active in Friends of the Library in all her places of residence. Her love of books and history led her to volunteer work at the Island County Historical Society Museum in Coupeville where she ultimately became its librarian/archivist. She was a founding member of the Genealogist Society (WIGS) and published several books tracing her Irish ancestry, as well as her husband’s German ancestors. She was active in the Coupeville Festival Association, especially with the Craft Booth Committee.

Janet is survived by her husband George; daughter Heidi Ontiveros; son Edward Enzmann; and granddaughter Celia Ontiveros.

Janet died of colon cancer in her home on Aug. 16, 2010, with her family at her side.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, where family and friends may go online to www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.

Wachowiak, Elaine Sunday, 15 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Elaine F. Wachowiak, 83, died at Evergreen Hospital in Totem Lake unexpectedly from heart complications on Aug. 15, 2010.

Elaine was born Aug. 19, 1926 in Detroit, Mich. to Stanley Thomas Pattullo, a chauffeur from Montgomery, Mich., and Edna Sommers, his wife, from Fort Wayne, Ind.

Stanley relocated his family to a sunnier climate in Pensacola, Fla., where Elaine and her brother Wallace lived most of their young lives.

After graduating from high school, Elaine, a true female pioneer, worked as an executive assistant at the age of 23 to the president of Pensacola Creosote Factory in Pensacola, supporting her family until 1954, when she met her true love, Navy pilot Francis G. Wachowiak, and married him on Oct. 9.

A Navy wife, Elaine worked at home raising her four children in Hawaii, California, and Minnesota, finally settling in Bothell.

She served as a volunteer for the Navy Relief Society in Minnesota. She worked as a bookkeeper beginning in 1969 for Inglewood Country Club.

Retiring with her husband Fran in 1975 to Freeland, where for 30 years she was an active member of the community, she served on a number of boards: Toddler Learning Center, Good Cheer, Island County Senior Services and the Eagles Auxiliary.

Elaine moved to Langley after the death of her husband Fran in 2001. Her smiling face and friendly personality will be missed by many of the people she visited every day in Freeland and Langley.

She is survived by two sons, Douglas and Stephen; twin daughters, Barbara and Beverly; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A gathering celebrating and honoring Elaine will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 10 at Visser Funeral Home, 432 Third St., Langley.

Friends and family may also view the online obituary, sign and leave messages at www.visserfuneralhome.com.

Family suggests donations be made to the Toddler Learning Center (for infants with disabilities), PO Box 633, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Sproule, Alice Friday, 13 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

Alice Irma Sproule died at her home in Lynnwood on Aug. 13, 2010, after a long illness.

Mrs. Sproule was born in Goodrich, Colo., on July 2, 1924 to Carl F. Dierks and Helen E. Wirsing Dierks. She was raised on the family homestead in Pavillion, Wyo., where she was graduated from Morton High School. She attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie.

She married Walter Eugene Sproule on July 14, 1945, in Evanston, Wyo. He then shipped out to the Philippines, while she remained in Laramie for his return. They lived in Riverton, Wyo., until July, 1956, when they moved to Hot Springs, S.D.

In Hot Springs, Alice was a “stringer reporter” for the Rapid City Daily Journal, worked as a florist and kept their accounts, then worked for Midwest Furniture. She later was the manager for the local Montgomery Wards catalog store and as the manager for the Century House Hotel.

She also served on the Hot Springs School Board, serving as president during expanding times. In this office, she had the privilege of handing the diplomas to several of her children and their friends, who all thanked “Mom” as she handed them their diplomas.

Wherever the family lived, Alice was an active member of their church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, directing the Christmas pageant, and heading up the Vacation Bible School; she continued her activities until her health no longer permitted.

Walt and Alice moved to Pullman in 1968. Alice was the office manager for the Empire Department Store, a position she held until her health required her to retire. Walt retired from his position at Washington State University in 1985, and they then moved to Greenbank on beautiful Whidbey Island, where they lived for 17 years.

Throughout her life, Alice loved flowers, painting and cooking. She thoroughly enjoyed their years on Whidbey, watching the whales and eagles.

Alice is survived by her children; daughters, Marie Hokanson, Bothell, Jocelyn Carson and husband Dave of Everett, and Rebecca Thomas and husband David of Moses Lake; sons, Leon Sproule and wife Virginia Carter of Chatteroy, and Stephen Sproule and wife Kay of Roseburg, Ore.; eight grandchildren; Walter Hokanson, of Austin, Texas, Chris Carter and wife Stephanie of Spokane, Terry Sproule and wife Stefanie of Spokane, Mary Carson and fiancé Peter Landeen of Bozeman, Mont., Andrew Carson of Seattle, Petty Officer 1st Class James Stamper and wife Brenda, serving in the Navy in New Orleans, La., Wendy Dougherty and husband Frank IV of Sutherlin, Ore., and Jason Thomas of Moses Lake; five great-grandchildren, Frank V., Luke Paul, and Violet Emmajean Dougherty, and Christian and Trista Carter. She is also survived by siblings Pauline Welty, Riverton, Wyo.; Larry Dierks, Riverton, Wyo.; Evelyn Lenz, Thermopolis, Wyo.; Dorothy Schmuck, Mackay, Idaho; Myrna Williams, Riverton, Wyo.; and Dean Dierks, Palm Desert, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter E. Sproule, sister Gladys Corkill, brother Herbert (Bud) Dierks, and granddaughter Nova Sproule.

A memorial service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Pastor Jay Decker presiding, followed by internment in Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (Western Washington Chapter), or the Lutheran Church of your choice.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Manor Villa for their kindness to our mother.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.

Nowak, Donald Thursday, 12 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

Donald Edward Nowak died Aug. 12, 2010 in Coupeville.

Don was born June 30, 1931 in Alpena, Mich. to Blanche and Edward Walter Nowak.

After graduating from St. Bernard High School in Alpena in 1949, Don enlisted in the Army. Following a transfer to the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, he entered West Point Military Academy and was a proud member of the Class of 1954, Cadet Company M-2.

After graduation he was commissioned an infantry lieutenant and remained on active duty with overseas posts in Germany, Viet Nam and Japan. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1976.

He graduated from Columbus State University in 1979 with an MBA. In that same year, Don and his first wife, Erma, moved to Whidbey Island, building their new home in Greenbank.

He was a partner in Browne, Youngberg & Nowak Tax Consultants until he retired in 2005.

After Erma’s death, he married Ruth L. Rehn and they traveled extensively during the following years.

He was a devoted member of St. Hubert Catholic Church in Langley and an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as Commander of the Deception Pass Chapter of the U.S. Power Squadron from 1989 to 1990 and was also a member of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.

Don is survived by his beloved wife Ruth Rehn Nowak; brother David Nowak, wife Edie of High Point, N.C., children Ada Dunn, Christina Washburn, Thomas Nowak and Michael Nowak; brother James Nowak, wife Patti of Alpena, Mich., children Mark and Lori; sister Mary Powers, husband Henry of Lawton, Okla.; sister-in-law Doris Nowak of Pawleys Island, S.C., children Mary O’Hanneson and Edward Nowak; niece Pat Olson, husband Tom of Bothell, children Kristin and Kevin; nephew John Knighton, wife Sherrie of Indianapolis, Ind.; step-daughters Lynda David, husband Chuck, and Karen Nies, husband John.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma Knighton Nowak, his brother, John Nowak and his nephew Jackie Nowak.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, Langley followed by a reception at the Parish Hall. Graveside service will follow at Fernhill Cemetery, Anacortes.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Hubert Catholic Church Building Fund (804 Third St., Langley, WA 98260) or World Vision (www.WorldVision.org). Visser Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Biondi, Paul Sunday, 01 Aug 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Paul Peter Biondi, a loving husband, father and friend, died Aug. 1, 2010 at the age of 87. He was born in New Jersey on May 23, 1923.

His loving ways and great sense of humor will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and were married for over 70 years.

Paul fought in World War II as a rifleman for the Army. After the war he joined the Marines as a drill sergeant. For more than 37 years, Paul worked as a computer programmer for Rockwell/NASA during the Apollo projects. He loved his work and while working with an engineer friend, Paul invented a type of rivet that is still used today.

He is also survived by his daughter, Marie (Dominick) Celebre, and sons Paul Jr. (Roberta) and Frank (Mary). Marie has three children, Dominick, Dina and Dawn. Paul Jr. has two daughters, Wendy and Bree and three-step children. Frank has three daughters, Deborah, Destiny and Nicole and a son, Anthony. Paul is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

Paul was a man of great faith, courage, and strong and tender.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 at his home on Whidbey Island at 3350 Greenbank Drive, Greenbank.

McGinty, Adele Wednesday, 28 Jul 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Adele M. McGinty, 79, of Clinton (Possession Shores), passed away on July 28, 2010 at Providence Hospital Everett from cancer.

She was born Dec. 13, 1930 in Warren, Minn.

She moved to the Bremerton area with her parents in 1950. She went to work for Pacific Bell Tel & Tel in San Francisco, Calif. and later transferred to Pacific Northwest Bell Tel & Tel in Seattle, which later became U.S. West Tel & Tel. She retired in 1986.

She and her husband of 55 years, Bob, traveled to many parts of the world, and recently had been taking numerous ship cruises to different parts of the world.

After her retirement, she and her husband moved to Whidbey Island, where they have been living since 1986.

Her sister Helen preceded her in death.

Adele is survived by her husband Bob; her son Jeffrey (Julie) of Poulsbo and their children Kerri and Craig; daughter Karen McQuillan (Chuck) of Silverdale and their children Jennifer and Jessica; brothers Ron (Ginger) of Omak, and Earl (Cathy) of Port Orchard.

Bulger, Leona Monday, 19 Jul 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Leona Margaret Bulger, age 90 of Bush Point, Whidbey Island, passed away July 19, 2010 at Stevens Memorial Hospital due to natural causes.

Leona, one of seven children, was born March 5, 1920 in Bellingham to Maud and Clyde Gilbert. Leona grew up on Orcas Island where she graduated from Orcas Island High School in 1937.

While in high school she excelled in band, where she played the clarinet, as well as in the drama club, dance club, and swim and basketball teams. As well as school, she worked full-time for Robert Moran, the famous ship builder, whose home is now Rosario resort.

After graduation Leona moved to Portland, Ore. Here she found employment as a telephone operator for Ma Bell.

After a few years she moved to Seattle where she worked at City Light as a phone operator until 1950, when she married Jack Bulger on June 10. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Prior to living on Whidbey Island they resided at 938 N. 86th St. in Seattle for 32 years.

Leona was blessed with an appreciation of God’s work. She loved to grow flowers, plants, trees, and to have a garden to plant her own food. She loved to walk on a beach or in the woods, or enjoy a beautiful day of fishing.

Good food was her passion and she was an excellent chef because of it. She loved to entertain and you never left her house without having something to eat.

Leona’s other interests included playing bingo, going to the casino to play the slot machines or a friendly card game with everyone. Animals were her soft spot and she had many cats and dogs through out her life that she loved very much.

Leona is survived by son Wayne; grandchildren Danielle and Brian; sisters Dorothy and Katherine; and the large family of nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, brothers Lynn and Joe Gilbert, sisters Erma Gilbert and Martha Bratsberg.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 Highway 525, Freeland.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2021 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98129 in memory of Leona Bulger.

Wayne would like to extend his deepest thanks to all of you who have helped and cared for his mother during her time of need.

Pierson, Thelma Saturday, 17 Jul 2010

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

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Thelma Grace Pierson, age 95, of Langley, and formerly of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, Calif., entered into rest on Friday, July 17, 2010, at Home Place Special Care Center of Oak Harbor.

Mrs. Pierson was born in Broken Bow, Neb. on Feb. 20, 1915, to William and Grace (Hitt) Kesel. She lived in Nebraska until age 11, and then moved with her family to Costa Mesa, Calif.

Thelma attended Costa Mesa schools, and graduated from Newport Harbor High School. She married Morris Reid Pierson on Feb. 26, 1933, in Costa Mesa. Thelma was a member of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. She moved to Whidbey Island in 2000, and attended South Whidbey Assembly of God and later the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Langley.

While in Orange County, Thelma owned and operated a beauty salon from her home for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed music and was a member of a band made up of members of her neighborhood.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Dawn Guild (William) of Little Rock, Calif.; her son, Morris W. Pierson (Joan) of Fredericksburg, Texas; 10 grandchildren: Deborah Tompkins (Patric) of Langley; Pamela Kletke of Santa Ana, Calif.; Kurt Muniz of Pearblossom, Calif.; Melanie Bernhard (Bret) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Anita Rodecap and Rodney Pierson (Wahida), both of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Julie Clendenen of Dana Point, Calif.; Greg Pierson (Berbice) of Costa Mesa, Calif.; and Glen Pierson (Marissa) of Eugene, Ore.; 30 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Merlin Kesel of Salton Sea, Calif.; also, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Morris on June 6, 1979; by two sisters, Bernice and Wilma; and by a brother, Edgar.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Westminster, Calif. Memorials are suggested to the church of choice, or to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon, WA 98274.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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