Faris, Gary
Gary Alan Faris, age 53, of Mukilteo, longtime former Whidbey Island resident, devoted husband and loving father, passed away in Anacortes after a courageous battle with cancer Monday, Dec. 9, 2002.
Gary was born Dec. 6, 1949, in Coupeville to Emerson and Kathleen (Clark) Faris. He graduated from Coupeville High School in 1968 and attended Western Washington University from 1968-1970. He met his wife of 32 years, Katharine Allan, at Western Washington University, and they married Aug. 21, 1970. Gary served in the US Navy from 1970-74 as an aviation maintenance administration man, second class. He settled his family in Mukilteo and went on to own two businesses, Universal Glass and later FFAB. Gary has made a name for himself in the industry for his expertise and being known by many as 'the last of the good guys.'
Along the way, Gary has made many friends and touched the lives of all he met. He will be remembered for his selflessness and love of family.
He is survived by his wife Katharine, at home; his two daughters, Melissa Anne Hutton of Shoreline, and Danielle Irene Faris of Seattle; one sister, Kathleen Faye Diemert of Anacortes; four brothers, Jim E. Faris and Foster Lee Faris, both of Amarillo, Texas Kevin Patrick Faris of Anacortes, and Emerson Alan Faris, Jr., of Coupeville; two aunts, Dorothy Keefe of Coupeville and Fern MaHood of Marysville; one uncle, Patrick Clark of Edmonds; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Graveside services will be Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, at 2:p.m., at Sunnyside Cemetery, Rev. Bill Bryan of Coupeville Community Bible Church officiating.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Herring, Carl
Carl L. Herring, 79, 31-year resident of Oak Harbor, died suddenly at his home on Dec. 8, 2002.
Carl was born in Altus, Okla., June 17, 1923, to Eddie Lankford Herring and Alma May (Williams) Herring. Carl's father died when he was eight days old. He grew up in Powell Butte, Ore., where his mother taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She met and married Allen Cook, and the couple raised Carl and his sisters. Carl later moved with his family to Selah, where he attended high school. Following high school, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he served for three years in the submarine service. His submarine was damaged by a depth charge from a German U-Boat, and had to remain on the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea until all danger of attack had ended.
Carl was married to Georgia Taylor for 24 years. He came to Oak Harbor in 1971, and worked for Lowell Harrington as a realtor for many years. He married Katherine 'Kay' (Brumfield) Banks June 6, 1975 in Oak Harbor. Carl was a member of Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed working on anything mechanical. He also enjoyed fishing and boating. He loved to give of himself to other people and was very outgoing and friendly.
Carl is survived by his wife, Kay, at home; three sons, Ronald 'Ron' Herring and Charles 'Chuck' Herring, both of LaPine, Ore., and David Herring and wife Sharon of Concrete; step-son Duane Banks and wife Margaret of Hillsboro, Ore.; two grandchildren, Jasmine Cullup and husband Jason and Daniel Herring, all of Concrete; one great-granddaughter, Saige Cullup; one sister, Gladys Barber and husband Don of Coupeville and half-sister Allene Kelsey of Albany, Ore.; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jessie Margaret Potter in Jan. 2001.
A memorial service will be Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m., at Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Ben Norris officiating. Memorials may be made to Gideons International. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Case, Mary
Mary S. Case, 86, longtime Quincy resident, died Dec. 8, 2002, at LakeRidge Special Care Center in Moses Lake. At her request, no services will be held. Arrangements are by Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.
Mary was born July 3, 1916, in Boulder, Colo., to Warren and Hilda (Engelstad) Snodgrass. Most of her early years were with her family in Montana. While in her teens, she moved with her family to Bainbridge Island. She was married June 12, 1944 to Melvin Case. They moved to the Tri-Cities area shortly after and both worked for General Electric at Hanford for several years. In the early 1950s they moved to Whidbey Island where Melvin was a contractor and Mary worked as the company bookkeeper. In the late 1950s they purchased Freeland Cafe in Freeland which they operated for several years. They later moved to Coupeville where they owned and operated the liquor store and a laundromat. They moved to Quincy in the mid 1970s and had owned and operated the George Liquor Store until retirement in the late 1970s. They have resided at Sunland Estates since that time.
She is survived by her loving husband, Melvin W. Case of Quincy; three children, Ronald Case of Quincy, Marjorie Case of Seattle and Gordon Reeve of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, by one brother, George Plessinger and one grandson, Draher Dawson.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Washington, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle 98121.
De Rousie, Diane Sophia
Diane Sophia De Rousie, 72, of Oak Harbor, died Dec. 7, 2002, in Oak Harbor after losing a tragic battle with Alzheimer's. She was born May 27, 1930, in Seattle to Malcom Dennis Lindsey and Gladys F. Jorgenson.
Diane was raised by a loving family along Lindsey Lane in Port Townsend and graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1948. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved brother Dennis, within sight of the original family home, in the cemetery that both Malcom and Dennis tended for many years.
Preceded in death by her parents and brother, Diane is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years, Norman De Rousie of Oak Harbor; sister Sandra Lindsey of Olympia; four children, Cynthia Moos of Laurel, Mont., Stephanie Petterson of Seattle, Virginia Southmayd of Port Angeles and William Russ of Puyallup; four step-children, Mark De Rousie, Mike De Rousie, Scott De Rousie, all of Port Angeles, and Lisa Carlson of Sequim; and 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
After marriage and raising four children, Diane moved to Port Angeles where she met and married Norm; they were married Aug. 6, 1977. In 1986 they built a home in Shelter Bay at LaConner where they boated happily for eight years. In 1994 they built their next home in Oak Harbor overlooking Dugualla Bay. From there they enjoyed motorhoming, gardening, entertaining, bowling and Monday nights together with good friends at TOPS.
Diane was a member of Womens International Bowling Congress, TOPS and VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Port Townsend. Diane loved working on crafts, was a homebody at heart and spent a great many happy hours just relaxing on their deck. The view was grand. Although her time was cut short, there were some truly golden years for Diane. She was greatly loved by everyone who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kosec Funeral Home, 1615 Parkside Drive, Port Townsend, followed by a service at the funeral home. Rev. Becky Anderson of Quilcene First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Townsend. Pallbearers will be William Russ, John O'Meara, Ron Moos, Ron Southmayd, Jerry Lindsey and Greg MacPherson. Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Lindsey, and Mark, Mike and Scott De Rousie. A gathering will follow at Towne Pointe Club House.
Mori, Mutsu
Mutsu Mori, 100, of Oak Harbor, died Dec. 6, 2002 at Whidbey Island Manor.
Mrs. Mori was born in Niigata, Japan, on Aug. 11, 1902, to Kimitaro Saito and Yoshie Tanaka. She moved to the United States and married Fukutaro Mori in 1921. They lived in the Greater Los Angeles area for many years. Mrs. Mori moved to Whidbey Island in February 1994 to be near her daughter.
She is survived by her daughter Kimi Shipley and husband Bud of Oak Harbor and son Bruce Sakae Mori and wife Frances of Chino Hills, Calif.; five grandchildren, Brad Mori of Chino Hills, Calif., Terri Klein and husband Mark of Roseburg, Ore., David Shipley and wife Karen of Oak Harbor, Michael Shipley and wife Kaeko of Singapore and Amy Shipley of Singapore; and two great-granddaughters, Madison and Emily Shipley. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974, and by a grandson, Bruce Mori, who died in 1968 in action in Vietnam.
Private inurnment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Jones, Richard
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 http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Short, Edward
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 from 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 http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Dunn, Deane
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 fianc' 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
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
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. This obituary is at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
