Lerlene, Whitfield Friday, 18 Oct 2002
Lerlene Elizabeth Whitfield, 94, died Oct. 18, 2002, at Home Place, Oak Harbor. She was born April 23, 1908, in Olive Branch, Miss., to William and Nina (Taylor) Owens. Mrs. Whitfield spent most of her life in Caruthersville, Mo.
Mrs. Whitfield was a member of the Church of Christ of Oak Harbor, and had been a lifetime member of the Church of Christ. She had also been a member of the Ladies County Extension Club and was a long-time 4-H leader in Caruthersville.
Mrs. Whitfield is survived by nine children: Opal Bourbon of Hillsboro, Mo.; Patricia Pirtle of Counce, Tenn.; Ronnie Whitfield of Cabot, Ark.; Barbara Bailey of Oak Harbor; Jerry Whitfield of Foxworth, Miss.; Larry Whitfield of Duck Hill, Miss.; Virginia Quinn of Caruthersville, Mo.; Vetrice Vickers of Jonesboro, Ark., and ILa Mae Whitfield of St. Louis, Mo. One brother, George Owens of Caruthersville, Mo., 26 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grand children also survive. She was preceded in death by two husbands: Charlie Bostic and Neelly Howard Whitfield and by four children: Frank Bostic, Carolyn Jo Whitfield, Howard Whitfield and Austin Whitfield.
Funeral services will be held at the H.S. Smith Funeral Home in Caruthersville, Mo., Wednesday, Oct. 23, with burial to follow at Maple Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the Oak Harbor Church of Christ at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26. Local arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary is at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Proby, Reginald Thursday, 17 Oct 2002
Reginald Granville Proby, 90, died Oct. 17, 2002, at Careage of Whidbey. He was born Aug. 4, 1912 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, to John and Lillian (Legh) Proby.
In Mr. Proby's late teenage years he left Canada and came to the States moving to Tacoma. He served with the United States Navy during World War II. On June 14, 1942, in Portland, Ore., he married Mardell Jennie Clemens. After the war ended they moved to Bend, Ore., where they resided until 1964. From 1964 to 1969 they resided in Portland, Ore. In 1969 they moved to Oak Harbor.
Reginald was an artist and had a tremendous passion for painting. He especially enjoyed painting with oils.
He is survived by his children, John C. Proby and his wife Janice of Tacoma, Janelle A. Hajek and her husband Larry of Mukilteo, and William R. Proby and his wife Marilyn of Sammamish. One brother, William O. Proby of Sequim, one sister, Joyce Rommel of Portland, Ore., and four grandchildren, Jason and Caitlin Crotts and Jennie and Tim Proby, also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife Mardell in 2000.
Cremation was entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Waller, Merton Thursday, 17 Oct 2002
Memorial services for Merton A. "Mert" Waller will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002, at Burley Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Veach officiating. Cremation will follow with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.
Mert Waller died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, from complication of an extended illness. Mr. Waller was born on Fathers Day, June 19, 1927, in Everett to Merton W. and Lois (Thompson) Waller.
Mr. Waller was graduated from Everett High School in 1945, where he was an outstanding athlete. He was the first Everett High School student to letter in five varsity sports and was named to the all-state basketball team at the conclusion of his senior year.
Mert served a short stint with the U. S. Navy at the end of World War II and then continued his education at Everett Community College. He played baseball and basketball at ECC. He completed his education at the University of Puget Sound, earning his bachelors of arts and teaching degrees and playing basketball. He was married to the former Jeanne Turco in Everett in 1949.
Mr. Waller began his teaching and coaching career in Dryden in 1951, them moved to Coupeville in 1952. He also served as principal for one year. He moved to Oak Harbor in 1956, where he taught history and coached until retirement in 1981.
Much of Mr. Waller's life revolved around athletics. His primary focus was as varsity basketball coach at the three schools, but he also coached football, baseball, track, cross-country, girls' basketball and softball at various times. He was the Oak Harbor High School athletic director for six years.
Mert's coaching went beyond the school walls. He spearheaded the beginning of youth basketball and football in Oak Harbor and coached youth baseball. He served on the North Whidbey Athletic Commission for many years and volunteered as a scorekeeper, announcer, spotter and timer for many school events. Last month he was honored by District I of the state of Washington for his lifetime of service to school, youth and community athletics.
Mert was a member of the Washington Education Association and the National Education Association, the American Legion, George Morris Post No. 129 and the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362.
Mr. Waller is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanne of Oak Harbor; by four children and their spouses: Michael and Susan Waller and their children, Jeff and Kate of Oak Harbor; Jim and Sandee and their children Brett, Bryce and Brooks also of Oak Harbor; Wendy and Mike Muzzall and their children John and David of Cle Elum and Kay and Rich Maltby and stepson Richard of Seattle. Remembrances can be made to the Oak Harbor Baseball Association in care of Whidbey Island Bank.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Mullins, Kenneth Wednesday, 16 Oct 2002
Kenneth Phillip (Moon) Mullins died Oct. 16, 2002 at Whidbey Island Manor following a lengthy illness. He was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Oct. 8, 1923. Mr. Mullins served in the U. S. Navy until 1967 and was stationed in California, Hawaii, Florida and Texas. He retired at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and has remained a resident of Oak Harbor since that time.
Mr. Mullins was a life member of the Whidby Island Lodge No. 15 F&AM of Coupeville. He loved hunting, fishing and gardening.
Mr. Mullins is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pauline; by two daughters Terri Campbell of Ojai, Calif., and Tina Weakly and her husband Bruce of Oak Harbor. Six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.
Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2805 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
White, Remedios Monday, 14 Oct 2002
Funeral services for Remedios A. 'Remy' White will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oak Harbor, with Bishop Lloyd Johnsen officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be at the church on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. Cremation will follow with private family inurnment to be held at a later date.
Remedios A. 'Remy' White died Oct. 14, 2002 in Everett; she was 50. She was born Jan. 13, 1952 in Angeles City, Philippines, to Domingo and Esperanza (Abalajen) Lagahit. She spent most of her early life in Angeles City, graduating from high school and attending college for two years.
Remy had served as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force Reserves and then worked for an insurance office in Angeles City for several years. She had applied for a passport and visa to travel to Guam to become part of a cultural dance team. While waiting for her move, she met Michael White. They were married in Angeles City on Jan. 22, 1977.
Mike's Navy duty kept them in the Philippines for six months and then brought them to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. They spent a three-year tour at Lemoore, Calif., before returning to Oak Harbor in 1988. Remy was a very talented seamstress and found work in a clothing company in Lemoore.
Remy worked in the bulb fields in Skagit Valley for a time and then for Technical Services Incorporated (TSI) in Oak Harbor. In early 1992, she began a 10- year career with Fluke Manufacturing Company in Everett, working as an assembler. At the time of her death, she was a senior assembler.
Remy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Oak Harbor. She was a longtime member of the Fil-Am Society and a dancer with Auntie Flo's Hula Group. She loved dancing, cooking and sewing.
Mrs. White is survived by her husband Michael at the family home, Oak Harbor; by five children: Jeremy White, NAS Norfolk, Va.; Jenipher White, Spangdalhem Air Force Base, Germany; Jerald, Janeen and Janavieve White, all of Oak Harbor. She is survived by her parents Domingo and Esperanza Lagahit of Everett. She is also survived by two sisters, Marilyn Bondoc of Angeles City, Philippines, and Miriam Lagahit of Everett and by three brothers: Rudolfo Lagahit of Manila, Philippines, and by Ernesto Lagahit and Edgardo Lagahit, both of Everett.
Funeral arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary may be seen at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Markham, Gerald Tuesday, 24 Dec 2002
On Dec. 17, 2002, Jerry returned to our Heavenly Father. Jerry was admitted to Providence Hospital Everett Nov. 21, 2002, needing a new aorta valve and quintuple bypass. The heart surgery was a success. Three days later his lungs started to fail him. During his three and a half week stay, he fought pneumonia and collapsed lungs. By this time he could fight no longer.
Jerry was born in Washington. D.C., Jan. 24,1931, to Preston and Marie Markham. Gruman AeroSpace in New York employed him. In 1967 he was transferred to Oak Harbor with his wife and family. Being very proud of where he lived, Jerry worked very hard to beautify Oak Harbor thus being awarded Citizen of the Year in 1982. Soon after, he and his wife, Asuncion (Shingi) were transferred to England for five years then to Germany for another five years.
Returning to Oak Harbor in 1982, Jerry retired from NorthrupGrumman. He loved to work in his yard and watch the eagles fly overhead. Jerry is survived by his wife, Shingi, of 50 years; daughters Kathy and Tonya; sons Ron, Bernie, and Jerry; thirteen grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Jerry passed away peacefully with his family at his side singing his favorite hymns.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in his name to the American Heart Association. A special thanks given to the doctors, respiratory team and Critical Care Unit Nursing Staff at Providence Everett for their tremendous effort and support.
Roberts, Valearia Tuesday, 24 Dec 2002
Valearia G. Yake Roberts, 62, of Sedro-Woolley, died Dec. 20, 2002, at Harborview Medical Center.
Val was born Mar. 14, 1940, to Paul E. and Betty G. Townsend in Yakima. She married Richard 'Dick' Yake from Coupeville in 1960. Val dedicated her life to nursing. She studied in Compton, Calif., where she graduated as a licensed practical nurse. She then returned to Washington state and worked at Mira Vista Nursing Home in Mount Vernon. In 1980 Val received her registered nurse certificate. She continued working at Mira Vista Nursing Home for a total of 25 years until she retired due to illness.
Val is survived by her dedicated husband, Lou Roberts, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley; one daughter, Paula Jean 'Yake' Holland of Mount Vernon; two grandsons, Brandon Holland of Alabama and Shane Dinning of Mount Vernon; three sisters, Dorothy George of Kettle Falls, Therese Hale of Tacoma and Urilyus Marvene Talley of Oak Harbor; one brother, John Rothschild of Las Vegas; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family and friends may gather at Burley Funeral Chapel Friday, Dec. 27, from where a funeral procession will begin at 1:30 p.m. and proceed to Sunnyside Cemetery, where graveside services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Washington, 2625 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Huffstetler, William 'Bill' Thursday, 19 Dec 2002
Funeral services for William H. 'Bill' Huffstetler were held Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Coupeville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mary Boyd officiating. Private family interment
followed at Sunnyside Cemetery.
Bill Huffstetler, 76, died Dec. 19, 2002, at Home Place Special Care Unit, Oak Harbor. His wife Lillian, daughter Willie and the loving staff had been with him.
Bill Huffstetler was born Dec. 26, 1925, in Tuckaseege, in the Piedmont area near Charlotte, N.C., to Walter Henry and Maude (Lutz) Huffstetler. He attended school in Belmont until 1943, when he joined the U.S. Navy. He went through boot camp in Bainbridge, Md., and was on to San Diego, Bremerton and finally, NAS Whidbey Island. While at Whidbey, he met his future wife, Lillian Dean.
Bill was sent back to Bremerton and assigned to the USS West Virginia, BB48. The 'Wee Vee' was one of the ships sunk in Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. The ship had been raised and was being completely renovated at Puget Sound ShipYard. It was to return to the Pacific to fight the war with Japan. Bill was married to Lillian Dean in Mount Vernon Nov. 27, 1943. They made their first home in Port Orchard.
In the summer of 1944, the West Virginia was sent to Long Beach, Calif., for its shakedown cruise and in September it returned to the South Pacific. Bill was a gunner's mate with a duty station up in the superstructure, so he saw plenty of action at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Philippines. His ship was hit by kamikaze planes, one so close that fragments hit Bill's gun tub, killing one of the gunners. The West Virginia was in Japan for the surrender. His daughter Willeta 'Willie' Huffstetler was born Jan. 24, 1945, while her father was fighting in the Pacific.
Bill was doing a kiddie cruise when the war ended, so he had another year to finish his enlistment. He was sent back to Japan on the LST 553.
Bill returned to Washington state in 1948 and worked for a time as a painter and also as a member of Island County Road Department. In 1949, the Huffstetlers shared a home in Prairie Center with the Bonnell family. On January 18 of that year, the house burned to the ground. Both families escaped injury, but lost everything. The citizens of Coupeville rallied, providing clothing, food, household items, furniture and money. What wonderful generosity!
In 1950, Bill joined the U.S. Army. His three year enlistment was spent at Fort Ord, Calif., for more basic training, then on to Fort Bliss, Texas, for the summer and finally to Fort Richardson, Alaska, for the winter. He was assigned to the 867th Bn as a supply sergeant. The members of his brigade had to build their own buildings and gun sites around Elmendorf Air Force Base. He returned to Coupeville in August 1951, picked up his family and drove the original Al- Can Highway to Fort Richardson. The family remained there until spring of 1953.
Bill Huffstetler was involved in the rescue of a downed jet fighter at Elmendorf. The plane had failed to become airborne and skidded into a snow bank. The canopy was jammed and the afterburners were ignited. Bill climbed onto the jet and extricated the pilot. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon and a parade was held in his honor.
Bill returned to Coupeville and was employed at NAS Whidbey as a painter and later in the contracts office (ROICC) inspecting the building of hangers and other buildings, renovation of the Officers Club and NAS Hospital. He also supervised construction of the waterline under Deception Pass Bridge to NAS Whidbey. Later he worked at NAS Sand Point in Seattle, at Bremerton and as an inspector for the Reserve Facilities in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah. In 1976, he spent a year on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, following a stint at China Lake, Calif.
Bill retired from civil service in 1984 after 38 years of combined military and civilian service. He worked several jobs for South Whidbey Associates, RDA Associates, the town of Coupeville and the city of Oak Harbor following his retirement. He liked hunting, fishing and trips to Reno and the Indian casinos. He also enjoyed his parrot Billy.
Bill Huffstetler is survived by his wife Lillian, at the family home, Coupeville; by his daughter Willeta 'Willie' Kerschner of Virginia City, Nev.; by one brother, G.G. 'Skip' (Betty) Huffstetler of Charlotte, N.C.; and two sisters, Evelyn Horn (Sam) and Eloise McDonald, all of Belmont, N.C. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Memorials may be made to Coupeville United Methodist Church or your favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
