Welches, Gail Mattox Allen Friday, 26 Dec 2003
Gail Mattox Allen Welches, 56, died Dec. 26, 2003, in Amherst, N.H., of cancer.
Gail is survived by her husband Shaun as well as her children Harry Allen, Chris Allen and Diane Neuman. She is also survived by brothers Roy and Gary Mattox.
Gail graduated from Coupeville High School in 1965. She attended Washington State University and later graduated from Seattle University. She was a housewife until her mid 30's and then worked as an alcohol and drug counselor.
She always loved her WSU Cougars, her hometown of Coupeville and the state of Washington.
Gail was incredibly intelligent, very independent and the opposite of a Yuppie. She was one of the people who saw the UFO that hovered over Long Point Manor in the early 1960's. She loved cats.
Gail was a tireless advocate for the right to life. She gave up her own son when she was 16. She never regretted her decision.
She and her husband Shaun loved each other with a depth of feeling that we would all like to have in our lives.
There is so much I would like to say about my sister Gail. She was a unique and fascinating person.
If there are any cat lovers reading this, I assure you Gail will know and be grateful if you could give something to one of her favorite charities, Purrfect Pals, 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington WA 9823; (360) 652-9611.
Mullkoff, Marion E. 'Peggy' Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003
Graveside funeral services for Marion E. 'Peggy' Mullkoff will be held Saturday, Dec. 27, at 3 p.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville, with Rev. Ronald Belisle of St. Augustine's Catholic Church officiating. Visitation will be at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marion Mullkoff died Dec. 23, 2003, at Whidbey Island Manor from an extended battle with Alzheimer's, one day before her 60th wedding anniversary. She was born June 11, 1924. in Detroit to Wesley and Rhoda (Zimmerman) Hunter.
Marion attended parochial school in Detroit. She met Eugene Mullkoff at a roller rink and they soon learned to skate dance. Eugene enlisted in the U. S. Navy, but returned home on leave and Dec. 24, 1943, he and Marion were married in Wyandotte, Mich.
Marion followed her husband's Navy career as they were assigned to duty stations in Glenview, Ill., Los Alamedas and San Diego, Calif., Michigan and on to Everett Naval Reserve Station. Mukilteo became home for the Mullkoff family for 30 years. Marion worked for the University of Washington for several years as an office assistant and then moved on to work for a podiatrist in Everett.
Gene retired from the Fluke Corporation and the Mullkoffs built their retirement home on the West Beach area of Coupeville. In 1990, Whidbey Island became their permanent home.
Marion loved to roller skate and to entertain friends. She had a great sense of humor and loved making new friends. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting.
Marion is survived by her husband Eugene at the family home; by five children and their spouses, David E. and Lori Mullkoff, Roberta G. Mullkoff and Camille Joy Langevien, all of Everett, Jill E. Rosell of Redmond and Roxanne B. and Gerald Bernier of Poulsbo; and by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association of Washington. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Urich, Donna Tuesday, 23 Dec 2003
Donna Urich died Dec. 23, 2003, in Coupeville. Donna was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Lila and Harry Mills. They moved to Centralia in 1935 where she attended Centralia High School and junior college.
She married Robert Urich Jan. 24, 1941. Their marriage was blessed by two daughters. Donna has lived in Island County the past 32 years. She was a proud member of Whidbey Evangelical Free Church and Greenbank Garden Club that kept her hand in flower culture.
Donna is survived by husband Robert of Coupeville; children, Robin Jones (Ed) of Victoria, B.C., and Catherine Bevington of Encino, Calif.; grandchildren, Nathan and Asher Jones of Victoria, B.C., and Mike Douglas and granddaughter Shannon, who is the mother of her great-grandchildren, Jake, Shane, Benjamin and Luke of Richland; and one sister, Mava Pearce of Fair Oaks, Calif. Family suggests remembrances to WEFC Benevolent Fund or Greenbank Garden Club.
Memorial services will be held Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at 2 p.m., at Whidbey Evangelical Free Church. The church is on Highway 525 and Rehberg Road in Greenbank. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Beck, Charles Hugh Monday, 22 Dec 2003
Charles Hugh Beck, 45, 10-year resident of Oak Harbor, died suddenly at his home Dec. 22, 2003.
Mr. Beck was born Feb. 20, 1958, to Charles Everett Beck and Nancy (Garsky) Beck in Culver City, Calif. He graduated from South High School in Torrance, Calif., and attended college for two years at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif. Charles married Michelle Evon Seely Nov. 10, 1984, in Hermosa Beach, Calif. The couple resided in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles County, where they owned and operated 7 Seas Cleaners. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1993.
Charles was owner-operator of CH Beck Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. He was a member of Oak Harbor Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He enjoyed fishing, and made numerous trips to Baja, California.
Charles is survived by his wife, Michelle Beck, at home; his daughter, Evon Michelle Beck (18) of Camano Island; his son, Brandon Hugh Beck (8) at home; his father, Charles Everett 'Chuck' Beck of Torrance, Calif.; his brother, Jack Beck and wife Mary of Torrance, Calif.; his sister, Nancy Harris and brother Don of Jerome, Idaho; also, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Beck.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m., at Oak Harbor Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Kim Berg officiating. Interment
will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Island Mental Health, 390 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Long, Jo Ellen Sunday, 21 Dec 2003
Jo Ellen Long, 78, died at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, on Dec. 21, 2003. She was born in Athol, S. Dakota on May 10, 1925 to Joseph and Eva Anna (Beavers) Tieman.
Jo Ellen resided in South Dakota until her early teens and then moved to Bellingham, WA with her family. She graduated from Bellingham High School with the class of 1943. She continued to reside in Bellingham until her marriage to Paul 'Gunner' Long in March of 1950. During the first several years of her marriage she moved with her husband to several locations to follow his naval career. In 1957 they made Oak Harbor their permanent residence.
From the time she made Oak Harbor her permanent home she also made the Oak Harbor First United Church her church home. Over the years she has been an active member of her church and was also a member of the Retired Officers Wives' Association.
In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Jo Ellen sold Avon products from the mid 1960s to the late 1970s.
Mrs. Long is survived by her son, Jay Paul Long and his wife, Suzie of Oak Harbor; one daughter, Terri Ann Langford and her husband, John Den Langford, Jr. of California, Maryland; and by two grandchildren, John Den Langford, III and Daniel Paul Langford. She is also survived by one sister, Bonita Waters of Bellingham. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Long was preceded in death by her husband, Paul 'Gunner' Long on April 20, 1979 and by four brothers and by three sisters.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Lura officiating. A family graveside service preceded at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Remembrances may be made to the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
Ely, Dessie Jeannette Saturday, 06 Mar 2004
Dessie Jeannette Ely, 59, 26-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Sonshine House in Coupeville on Saturday, March 6, 2004, following an extended illness.
Mrs. Ely was born in Whitehouse, Florida, on February 10, 1945, to Ralph C. Nolan and Florrie (Smith) Nolan, the youngest of nine children. She was married to Lawrence Vernon 'Doan' Ely. Jeannette was a caregiver/nursing assistant for years in private health care. She enjoyed cooking, flower arranging, gambling, fishing, clamming, crabbing and gardening. She was also active as a supporter of Help House.
Jeannette is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Strom and husband Dean of Kennewick; one sister, Alice Marie Brogi and husband Bob of Oak Harbor; also, four brothers, Carl, Clarence and Bill Nolan, all of Florida and Harold Nolan of Oak Harbor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doan Ely, on July 5, 1994.
A memorial service will be at Burley Funeral Chapel, Friday, March 12, 2004, at 11 a.m., Rev. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret.) officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Clayton, Laurence Anthony 'Larry' Wednesday, 03 Mar 2004
Laurence Anthony 'Larry' Clayton, CPO, USN (Ret.) age 43, died on Wed., March 3, 2004, due to injuries sustained in an auto accident on I-5 near Arlington.
Mr. Clayton was born on Jan. 16, 1961, in Perivale, Middlesex, England, to Ian Anthony Clayton and Dorothy Mary (Hughes) Clayton. He moved with his family to the United States in 1966, where they settled in Arcadia, Calif. He attended Arcadia schools, graduating from high school there. Following graduation, he entered the US Navy. After twenty years of service, he retired as a chief petty officer in 1998. His tours of duty included Japan, Adak Island and Diego Garcia, and he served during Desert Storm.
Larry came to Oak Harbor in 1994. Following his retirement, he operated the Artistic Fencing Co. He enjoyed reading and collecting football cards.
Larry is survived by his lifelong companion, Tammi Baker of Oak Harbor; three sons, Anthony, Jonathon and Timothy Clayton, all of Oak Harbor; one step-son, Matthew Baker of Oak Harbor; his parents, Tony and Dorothy Clayton of Williamsburg, Va.; his sister, Louise Clayton-Kastenholz and husband Keith of Williamsburg, Va.; two nieces, Sarah and Mary Clayton-Kastenholz. Larry was an extremely dedicated and loving father.
A memorial graveside service will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at 11 a.m., with full military honors under the auspices of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Honor Guard. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Withers, Martha Inez Monday, 01 Mar 2004
Martha Inez Withers, 101, died at Summer Hill Assisted Living, Oak Harbor, March 1, 2004. She was born Feb. 1, 1903, near Pierce City, Mo., spending 98 years in the state of Missouri.
Martha graduated from high school in Pierce City and attended college at SouthWest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. She then taught elementary school in Pierce City. Martha was married to Donald Earl Withers May 31, 1925, in Pierce City. In keeping with her teaching contract, she was forced to resign her teaching position when she married.
Martha and Don moved to Kansas City in 1936 and during World War II, she worked in an aircraft factory. She was a very active member of the First Baptist Church of Kansas City for much of her life. She was also a Girl Scout leader for several years. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great -grandchildren. She also enjoyed sewing.
Martha moved to Oak Harbor in 2001 to be near her daughter and family. Since that time she has been attending First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor.
Martha Withers is survived by her daughter Donna Grate and son-in-law Donald of Oak Harbor. Three grandsons and their spouses, Philip and Margaret Grate of Fall City, Stephen Grate of Issaquah and Thomas and Yasuko Grate of Sammamish and three grandsons, Ryan and Kyle Grate of Fall City and Michael Grate of Issaquah also survive.
Funeral services will be held in Kansas City with burial next to her husband at Floral Hills Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Lowell, William Monday, 01 Mar 2004
Funeral services for William A. Lowell will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 8, at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Pastor Laurie Johnson officiating. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.
William Arthur Lowell, 77, died March 1, 2003 at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 31, 1926, to Arthur and Eleanor Lowell. World War II began and Bill, lying about his age, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. Bill was very proud to have fought in the war in Italy. He stayed in the Army until just prior to the Korean conflict.
Bill left the service and attended college in Utica New York, receiving his bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He then began a lifelong career as a military broker, selling military supplies around the world.
Mr. Lowell was transferred to Japan for nine years. He worked with the U.S. military representing a variety of companies. He returned to New York, leaving military sales and pursued a dream of opening a bookstore in Manhattan. He had the largest paperback book collection in Manhattan. He was married to Edith Ilse Banditt in New York City Jan. 12, 1963.
Bill sold his store and returned to military sales and was sent to Germany and then back to Japan. His sales took him to Thailand, Vietnam and to most of the Orient. While in Japan, he and Edith began traveling through Asia on freighters. They enjoyed the excellent accommodations and the opportunity to visit many beautiful ports of call seldom seen by tourists.
Bill eventually returned to the states and formed his own company, Hash Mark Associates, which he operated from Dallas, Texas. After 11 years, he sold his company and retired. He and Edith looked at many locations, but eventually settled on Oak Harbor as their retirement home. Bill has a longtime member of the Nile Temple of the Shrine in Japan. He was also a member of the Oak Harbor Senior Center.
Bill is survived by his wife Edith at the family home, Oak Harbor. Two sister-in-laws, Lisa Moeller of New York and Erika Gierer of Wil, Switzerland, one nephew Ernest Moeller of Otisville, N.Y. and two grandnieces, Kristin Moeller of Otisville, N.Y. and Janet Fritzen of Bridgewater, N.J., also survive Mr. Lowell.
Memorials may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oak Harbor, 913 Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor, 98277. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Yoder, Justin Sunday, 29 Feb 2004
Justin Yoder, formerly of Oak Harbor, died Feb.29, 2004, in Murrieta, Calif., as the result of an auto accident. He was born March 3, 1981 in Oak Harbor.
Justin worked for Costco in Temecula, Calif., where he was loved and admired by his coworkers. He loved spending time with his friends riding dirt bikes in the desert and was involved in the training program at the Honda Rider Education Center in Colton, Calif. Justin loved the ocean and wake boarding with his friends at Canyon Lake.
A memorial celebration was held at the Christensen home in Nuevo, Calif., on Justin's 23rd birthday, Wednesday, March 3, with more than 100 family, friends, and coworkers attending.
Justin is survived by his parents: Jeanne and Jeff Yoder, and his brother, Josh Yoder, of Oak Harbor, his grandparents: Lois and Bob Komarek of Mesa, Ariz., John and Marie Larson of Minneapolis, Minn., Gordon and Nancy Yoder of Jacksonville, Ark., aunts and uncles: Cliff Larson of Vista, Calif., Marianne and Tim O'Gara of Mahtomedi, Minn., Steve and Deborah Yoder of Powder Springs, Ga., Scott Yoder of Geronimo, Okla., Susan and Greg Finn of Chesterfield, Mo., and numerous cousins. Justin is also survived by his extended family: Peggy and Lowell Christensen of Nuevo, Calif., and his 'brothers': Kasey, Kory and Kelly Christensen.
A memorial celebration will be held in Oak Harbor Wednesday, March 10, at 4 p.m., at Living Word Fellowship, 490 NW Crosby Ave., with Pastor Dave Veach officiating.
Justin was passionate about football, so the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Justin Yoder Memorial Scholarship Fund at any branch of Whidbey Island Bank.
Brown, Emma Elizabeth Thursday, 26 Feb 2004
Emma Elizabeth Brown died suddenly at her home in Oak Harbor Feb. 26, 2004. She was born Jan. 27, 2004, at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor to Rodney and Debbie (Taylor) Brown.
Her parents, Rodney and Debbie Brown of Oak Harbor; three brothers, Michael Dylan Harris of Oak Harbor and Kenneth and Kyle Brown of Winona, Minn., survive Emma. Her grandparents, Tommy and Lena Taylor of Hillsboro, Texas, Roger and Ardis Brown of Winona, Minn. and great-grandparents, J.C. and Georgia Mallett of Hillsboro, Texas, also survive.
Memorial services were held March 2 at Burley Funeral Chapel with Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret.) officiating. Cremation was held with private family inurnment. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Hodges, William M. Wednesday, 25 Feb 2004
Capt. William May Hodges, USN (Ret.) died in his sleep Feb. 25, 2004, in Oak Harbor, a place he loved dearly. The cause was complications from prostate cancer.
William was born in Okolona, Miss., Nov. 26, 1916, to William D. and May Lou (Hawkins) Hodges. He received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was graduated in June 1940, going directly to the Pacific Fleet. He was on the battleship West Virginia when it was sunk at Pearl Harbor.
William went through flight training in Dallas, Texas, in 1943, and went on to be a gunnery instructor in Florida. He flew Wildcats and later P2V's.
Among his duties in the Navy, William served as executive officer of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Whidbey Island from February 1957 to April 1959. He loved his time on Whidbey, where he was instrumental in forming a duck-hunting facility on Maylor Point. He retired in June of 1965. Always wanting to come back, he returned to Whidbey Island in 1997, after his wife, Nancy, retired from her job as a librarian in 1996.
William is survived by his wife Nancy at the family home, Oak Harbor; by two sons, William Clark Hodges (Sharon), a deputy with the Broward County Sheriff's Department of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Douglas John Hodges (Martha Lynn), a lighting consultant of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and a daughter, Susan May Hodges, on the staff of the University of Florida Medical Center, Gainsville, Fla., who lives in Alachua, Fla. Three grandsons and two great-grandsons also survive.
Graveside committal services will be held in the Oddfellows Cemetery, Okolona, Miss. with military honors provided by the U. S. Navy. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Waterman, Margaret Tuesday, 24 Feb 2004
Margaret H. Waterman, 99, of Oak Harbor, died at Home Place Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004.
Mrs. Waterman was born Nov. 20, 1904, in Delaware Township, Hancock County, Ohio, to Charles and Ethel (Sink) Hauman. In 1928 she married Holly J. Waterman and settled in Washington, D.C. He died April 15, 1971, in Bethesda, Md.
Surviving are her daughter Helen H. Mehelich and husband Jacob R. Mehelich of Oak Harbor; her daughter-in-law, Lois C. Waterman of Newport; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Helen Jones of Arizona and Ethelmay Headley of Ohio. Margaret was preceded in death by her son, Charles J. Waterman; her brother Leonard Hauman and two sisters, Mary Rex and Nellie Ward.
In keeping with her wishes, no services will be held. Memorials may be made to the local Christian Science Society. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Nienhuis, Margaret Helen Monday, 23 Feb 2004
Margaret Helen Nienhuis died Feb. 23, 2004, at Whidbey General Hospital. She was born Nov. 1, 1918, in Oak Harbor to Eric and Mildred (White) Tesch. She was raised in Beach View Farm area of Swantown and attended school in Oak Harbor, graduating with the Class of 1936.
Margaret was married to Howard Nienhuis Feb. 14, 1940. Margaret and Howard had four children, Eldred, Elaine, Jean and Linda. Howard died in 1966 and Margaret began work for the Oak Harbor School District in the hot lunch program. Later, she began work for the Greenhouse Florist and Nursery and remained with them from full time to part time status for about 35 years.
Margaret was an active member of First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. Her focus was on her faith and her family. She enjoyed gardening and needlework. She was and will remain an ongoing source of wisdom and strength for her children, her extended family and her friends.
Margaret's husband Howard, one daughter Elaine Nienhuis and her sister Gladys Abrahamse preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Eldred H. 'Eldy' and Kathy Nienhuis and Jean M. Nienhuis, all of Oak Harbor and Linda L. Nienhuis of Coupeville.
Graveside funeral services for Margaret Nienhuis will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. at First Reformed Church with Pastor Jon Brown and Pastor Tad Southard officiating. A reception will follow for family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Gideons or a favorite charity. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Compton, Margaret 'Peg' Friday, 20 Feb 2004
Margaret 'Peg' Compton, 78, died Feb. 20, 2004, at Whidbey Island Manor. She was born Dec. 2 ,1925, at Sandstone, Minn., to Frederick and Daisy (Hood ) Walker.
After graduation from Sandstone High School in 1943, she was employed as a long distance operator for Bell Telephone in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1945, she married Roy Compton at Sandstone. They resided at many Air Force installations until retirement on Whidbey Island in 1965.
In 1979 and 1980 she was past matron of Tula Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. She also enjoyed the activities of The Order of Amaranth, and Daughters of the Nile.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Roy, by four children; Wanda Maxey, of Blainsport, Pa.; Douglas (Erlinda) Compton, Orange, Calif.: Roy (Jackie) Compton, Jr., Lynnwood; and Myra (Stephen) Davis, Arlington: seven grandchildren; one sister, Kitty Sterling of Lafeyette, Colo., and one brother, Tom (Bea) Walker of Marblehead, Ohio.
Memorials may be directed to Whidbey General Hospital.
No services will be held at her request. Interment
will be at Tahoma National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements under the care of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Henderson, Jean Monday, 28 Jun 2004
Jean Henderson, 84, died in Freeland June 28, 2004. Jean and her husband Robert "Bob" Henderson owned and operated Henderson Holly Farm on North Whidbey for many years.
Memorial services for Jean Henderson will be celebrated at Living Hope Foursquare Church, Coupeville, Friday, June 2, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Garrett Arnold officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Home Health, 101 N. Main Street, Coupeville, 98239.
A complete obituary will follow. in the July 3 edition of the Whidbey News Times. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
