Jacobson, Carl - Tuesday, 23 Sep 2003
Carl A. Jacobson, 77, passed away Sept. 23, 2003, at his home after a short illness.
He was born March 12, 1926, in Michigan. Jake, as he was known to his friends, spent a good part of his working life in Alaska as part-owner of a general store, a commercial fisherman, a big game guide and a partner in Whaler’s Cove Lodge. He loved to grow rhododendrons and teach people to fish.
He was preceded in death by a brother, a sister and a son, Carl A. Jacobson III.
He is survived by his wife, Marguerite, or Peg; two daughters, Chris Aubertine and Viccy Schroder; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Following a brief service, his final resting place will be the national cemetery at Sitka, Alaska. A memorial scholarship is being established at the Whidbey Island Campus of Skagit Valley College for a student interested in horticulture.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Carl Jacobson Memorial Scholarship fund at any Whidbey Island Bank.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
Branigh, Nancy Ann - Friday, 13 Feb 2004 Whidbey News Times Whidbey WA
Memorial services for Nancy Ann Branigh will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m., at Family Bible Church with Pastor Ron Willis officiating. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.
Nancy Ann Branigh, 40, died at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Feb. 13, 2004, following complications from surgery. She was born July 23, 1963, in Mexico, Mo., to Wallace Dowell and Neva (Cox) Carter. She graduated from Mexico High School in 1981 and attended Central Missouri State College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1985.
Nancy taught elementary education classes in the Kansas City School District for at time. Through operation Dear Abby, she wrote letters to a serviceman overseas. The person Nancy wrote to was Ernest Branigh, stationed in Singapore with the U.S. Navy. From that letter writing, a romance blossomed and Dec. 28, 1990, she was married to Ernie in Independence, Mo.
Nancy and Ernie moved to San Diego for 18 months and then on to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Oak Harbor became their permanent home 11 years ago. Two sons were born in Oak Harbor, Benjamin and Gabriel. Five years ago, Nancy opened her own child care business, Little Hands ChildCare Preschool in Oak Harbor.
Nancy loved nature, hiking and her preschool. She was most proud of her children and her work with children.
Nancy Branigh is survived by her husband Ernest and two sons, Benjamin and Gabriel, at the family home; her parents, Wallace and Neva Carter of Mexico, Mo.; one sister, Carla Frazier and brother-in-law David of Springfield, Mo.; a niece Erin and Nephew Ian of Springfield, Mo. She is also survived by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Leotis and Yayoi Branigh and sister-in-law Patricia all of Tacoma, and brother-in-law Leotis Jr. (Linda) and nephew Leotis III of Lewiston, Idaho, and a host of loving friends.
Memorials may be made to the Branigh Family account, c/o Navy Federal Credit Union, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
McLaughlin, Dayton - Thursday, 12 Feb 2004
Dayton L. McLaughlin, 84, a 32-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Island Hospital, Anacortes, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004.
Mr. McLaughlin was born in Wellsville, Ohio, June 10, 1919, to Loys and Georgia McLaughlin. He was the eldest of 10 children. Dayton served 20 years with the US Navy retiring as an ADR3. After retiring he served as a security guard with the Brinks Corporation.
Dayton married Mildred in September of 1948 in Yuma, Ariz., They moved around the country while he served his country. He enjoyed his football, baseball and most of all his grandchildren. Dayton and his wife Mildred moved here from the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area 32 years ago. He remained active in the Disabled American Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Eagles.
Dayton was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, granddaughter, Suzan DuBois and two brothers, Walter “Skip” and Edward, “Eddie.” He is survived by his daughter, Susie DuBois and her husband Don of Oak Harbor; his grandchildren, Ralph Dayton DuBois, Caroline DuBois and Donald DuBois; 12 great-grandchildren, Robert, Kala, Brandon, Daniel, Desiree’, Rachael, Michelle, Joni, Joshua, Donald, Bailey and Breanne; one sister, Pauline Grosso; six brothers, Robert, Donald, C.J., Paul, Jim and Jack; and a number of other family and friends.
A memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station chapel. Scattering at sea will follow at a later time.
Merg, Horst - Thursday, 12 Feb 2004
Horst Merg, 73, died suddenly on Feb.12, 2004, at Whidbey General Hospital. He was born Jan. 17, 1931, in Koln, Germany, to Adam and Anna Merg. Horst was a mechanical engineer by profession but a wood carver by choice. He carved hardwoods with natural finishes and his favorite subjects were birds and animals. Horst moved to the United Stares where he met and married Lilian (Hunt) in 1958 and they moved to Whidbey Island in 1994.
Horst is survived by his wife, Lilian of Oak Harbor; children, Catherine who lives in Indiana and Michael Merg and his wife, Jen who live in California; three grandchildren, Heather, Megan and Joshua. He also leaves behind one sister and two brothers who live in Germany.
There will be a memorial walk in Horst’s memory Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11:30 a.m. The walk will begin near the family home at the intersections of West Beach and Hastie Lake roads. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never parish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28
Kerr, Darlene - Wednesday, 11 Feb 2004
Memorial services for Darlene Kerr will be held Monday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m., at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Pastor Jerry Buss officiating. Cremation was held with private family burial to follow at Hawthorne Lawn Memorial Park, Mount Vernon.
Darlene Kerr died at her home in Oak Harbor Feb. 11, 2004, at the age of 64 after a five-year battle with lymphoma, surrounded by a house full of loving family and friends. She was born in Sedro-Woolley on Jan. 23, 1940, to Allen Browning and Elizabeth LaVera (Smith) Hanson.
Darlene attended Sedro-Woolley High School and was active in cheerleading and also served as Worthy Advisor of Rainbow. Darlene graduated with the class of 1958 and attended Skagit Valley College for a time. She then transferred to Central Washington State College in Ellensburg.
Darlene met Jack Kerr, a student from Mount Vernon, at Central Washington University. Darlene and Jack were married in Sedro-Woolley Aug. 24, 1963. She attended beauty college in Mount Vernon and received her cosmetologist license.
Darlene and Jack moved to Oak Harbor in 1965. Darlene went to work as a cosmetician at Silver Scissors in Oak Harbor and then opened her own shop with her partner, Margie Ervin. Darlene eventually opened her own shop, Accent on Style.
Darlene was the past president of the Skagit-Island Cosmetologist group; The Look Good-Feel Good club; the Teachers Birthday Club, and was a long-time advisor to the Voc-Tech advisory committee at Oak Harbor High School.
Darlene enjoyed nature walks at home, clam digging, gardening and flowers, entertaining, travel, camping, cooking and hosting the Mt. Vernon and Sedro-Woolley Class of 1958 reunions on her property. She enjoyed decorating her home for all the holidays and especially for Christmas and Halloween. She loved life, her husband Jack and her sons, Bill and Bob. She was a class act person who offered absolute, unconditional love.
Darlene is survived by her husband Jack at the family home, Oak Harbor; by two sons, William "St. Croix" Kerr, II his wife Catherine and their children, Krystal Kerr, Jasmine Kerr and Jaimie Mouser, of Mount Vernon; and Robert "Bob" Kerr and Cadence Clyborne of Edmonds; and her mother, Elizabeth Joyner of Sedro-Woolley. One sister, Claudean Davis, of Oak Harbor and brother Fabyn and Pat Hanson of Pleasant Hills, Calif., and her nieces and nephews, Cheryl and Alan Perkes of Mount Vernon, Carol Reid of Burlington and Brett Hanson of Bow, also survive. In addition, she leaves a special group of friends, including Alice Ann Maxfield and family, Leonard and Gail Carlson and the entire Carlson family, Bob and Joan Green, and the Class of 1958 of Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon. Her father, Allen Browning Hanson and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, William "Bill" and Martha "Dotty" Kerr, preceded her in death.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the "Sounds of Grace" for a fantastic evening of music and love.
The family would like to recognize the excellent care provided by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Skagit-Island Hospice and caregiver, Poppy Verd, R.N.
Memorials may be made to Skagit-Island Hospice, 1971 Highway 20, Sedro-Woolley, or the Sedro-Woolley Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 509, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Jones, Richard - Wednesday, 11 Feb 2004
Richard C. (Dick) Jones went to be with his Lord on Feb. 11, 2004 after a brave and determined battle with cancer. He passed away in his own home surrounded by family.
Dick was born in Wellington, Kan., in 1942, grew up in the southern Midwest and in Lone Pine, Calif. After high school, he served four years in the United States Navy. Later Dick moved to the Pacific Northwest and worked for Hawley’s in the marine and boat division in Bellingham and Mount Vernon and for many years managed the Hawley’s Auto Parts store in Oak Harbor. Dick was married to Melody Roodzant for more than 30 years and retired from the Island County Department of Roads in 2002. He was a member of the Southern Baptist Church.
Dick was preceded in death by his mother Lorene H. (Robinson) Jones, father Leo T. Jones; brothers, Bud L. Jones, Jack Jones, and sister, Mary Alice Jones, He leaves behind his beloved wife Melody, and children Tanya Armstrong, and Bryan Jones both of Oak Harbor, and Denise Myers of Yakima, plus grandchildren Alston Armstrong, Jacob Jones, Crystal McPherson, Justin McPherson, and Dylan Myers. He is also survived by his brother, Rex Jones of Placerville, Calif.; sister, Betty Harris of Oak Harbor, sister Carolyn Owen, of Brevard, N.C., and Shirley Zackman, of Sparta, N.J., along with their spouses and children and the spouses and children of his deceased brothers. Also surviving are the spouses and children of brothers in law: Jack Roodzant, and Bill Roodzant of Oak Harbor and sisters in law: Mary Ann James, Fallbrook, Calif., and Eleanor Olson also of Oak Harbor. Numerous nieces and nephews survive.
Dick was best known for his passion for rock hounding, and his membership in the Whidbey Island Gem Club. He loved fishing, camping, and refurbishing cars, bikes and equipment. Dick loved garage sales, gardening and working in his lapidary shop where he cut and polished stones and made beautiful jewelry and decorative items. He will be remembered for his kind and gentle ways, and his loyalty to his family and his many friends.
Memorial Services will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. Southern Baptist Church,Oak Harbor, with Rev. Grafton Robinson officiating
Gowan, Talmadge Eugene - Monday, 09 Feb 2004
Memorial services for Talmadge Eugene "Gene" Gowan were held Feb. 12, 2004, at Burley Funeral Chapel. Cremation was held with burial at sea under the auspices of the United States Navy.
Talmadge E. "Gene" Gowan died Feb. 9, 2004, at Whidbey Island Manor, Oak Harbor at the age of 83. He was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Denton, Mo., to William and Artie Mae (James) Gowan.
Gene was raised in Steele, Mo. He met Maxine McCarroll in Steele. Gene entered the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Philippine Sea. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Maxine, in Blytheville, Ark. Dec. 9, 1944.
Mr. Gowan’s military career took him to Norfolk, Va., Pensacola, Fla., Memphis, Tenn., Kodiak, Alaska, California and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He retired Nov. 4, 1963, as a PR-1 with more than 22 years of military service.
Following retirement, Gene opened G & G Upholstery on Pioneer Way. After five years, he went to work for the NAS Galley as a supervisor and then worked at the NAS Hospital.
Gene loved cooking, sports, working in his yard and he especially loved people and giving to others.
Mr. Gowan was a member of the American Legion, George Morris Post 129, the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392, all of Oak Harbor.
Gene is survived by his wife Maxine at the family home, Oak Harbor; by one son, Ron E. Gowan and his wife Maja of Ferndale, and one granddaughter Tawney Gowan of Seattle. Three sisters, Opal Stewart and family of Blytheville, Ark.; Barbara Gowan of Steele, Mo., and Doris McCullum and family of Columbus, Miss., also survive.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Brown, Helen - Monday, 09 Feb 2004
Helen Patricia Brown, 79, passed away Feb. 9, 2004, in Bellingham. She was born and raised in Coupeville and graduated from Coupeville High School. She enjoyed reading fiction and having her family around her. Helen’s husband, Leonard Brown, passed away in 1985. She is survived by her children, Barry Brown and wife Marsha of Coupeville, Patrick Brown and wife Sandy of Alger, Joel Brown and wife Shelley of Coupeville and Betty Sanders and husband John of Bellingham. Two grandsons, one granddaughter, one great-granddaughter and her sister Eileen Worthington of Quilcene also survive.
She will be laid to rest in the family burial plot in Coupeville. Arrangements by Jerns Funeral Chapel, Bellingham.
Piazzon, Mary Martha - Monday, 09 Feb 2004
Mary Martha Piazzon of Coupeville passed away quietly in her home Feb. 9, 2004, attended lovingly by family and friends. She was born May 11, 1921, in Storo, Italy, to Frank and Palmira Nascimbeni. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1928 for one year, returned to Italy and then re-immigrated to Detroit, Mich. the following year. In 1939 she graduated from Southwestern High School as an honor student, having worked for the school simultaneously as a secretary.
Though academics were important to her, playing ball was what she lived to do. Upon graduating, she was hired for a secretary position by the Roman Cleanser company of Detroit, in part because of her athletic prowess. As an All Star left fielder, known by her nickname, “Mickey Beni,” she contributed to two world championships; however, she turned down an offer to turn professional. In 1946 she was hired by the United AutoWorkers and helped their team achieve a third place finish in the World Championship tournament. She retired as a ball player in 1949 when she married Anthony S. Piazzon whom she would later divorce in 1969. While at the UAW she advanced to the position of executive secretary to Walter Ruether, president and founder. She also loved singing in the UAW choir. After serving the UAW for 42 years, she retired in 1988.
Mary Martha was a lifelong Democrat, devoted Catholic and ardent environmentalist. She devoted her energy to helping others. Her efforts included work with: two Catholic outreach ministries, the Center for Domestic Abuse and the successful effort to elect a Circuit Court judge. She loved to play bocce ball at the St. Clair Shores Senior Center. She traveled extensively during this period, and visited Hawaii, China, the Holy Land, and Yugoslavia — the latter two places to experience first hand their holy sites. In 1994 she moved to Coupeville and immediately engaged in town life and immersed herself in the community at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Altar Society and a stalwart soprano in the choir, until forced to retire due to illness late last year.
Mary Martha loved baseball, her backyard wildlife, dancing, bowling, rosary and Mass services, swimming, diving, fishing and hunting, though she “could never shoot another deer or bird again.” She won recognition in any activity in which she participated. She will be remembered for her humor, daring and independence. Her motto, “Never lose your sense of humor” together with her immeasurable faith provided her the strength and ability to prevail over life’s challenges. She was truly in a league of her own. She will be forever in our hearts, and we are surrounded by thoughts of her everywhere.
Mary Martha is survived by her daughter, Toni Piazzon, now residing at her mother’s home; son, Gary Piazzon and his wife Dianne Deseck-Piazzon and their daughter Dana all of Coupeville; and her sister, Esther Beltrami of Raleigh, N.C. She was preceded in death by her sister Esther who died at age eight, an older brother, Frank Nascimbeni from Roseville, Mich., and her dear Coupeville friend, Betty Fordham.
A rosary will be recited for Mary Martha Friday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville with Rev. Ronald Belisle, celebrant. Due to Lent, a quiet and simple reception will follow at St. Mary’s Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Coupeville, the Brain Injury Association of Washington, Friends of Home Health and Hospice at Whidbey General Hospital or Whidbey Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Eerkes, Vernon Ernest - Sunday, 08 Feb 2004
Vernon Ernest Eerkes, 90, died Feb. 8, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital, Bellingham. He was born Nov. 17, 1913, in Stillwater near Fall City, the oldest of three children. As a young boy, he moved to Oak Harbor with his family. They settled in the Monroe Landing area, the current location of Oak Harbor Air Park.
Vernon was married Oct. 29, 1936 to Celia “Sally” Balda in Oak Harbor. Vernon worked for the Oak Harbor School District as a custodian for many years. He was also a farmer, well digger and water-witcher or "dowser" as they are now known. During World War II, he served as a member of the Beach Patrol.
Mr. Eerkes loved hunting and fishing. He and Sally enjoyed camping in a tent as well as in their RV. They often traveled to Okanogan County to pick cherries and apples. For many years, Vernon and Sally worked as volunteer cooks at the Oak Harbor School District sixth grade Camp Moran trips each year.
Vernon was a life-long member of Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, as well as a deacon of the church. He was also a charter member of the San DeFuca Volunteer Fire Department, an amateur rock hound and member of the Gem Club and the Fircrest Cemetery Board. He enjoyed making jewelry and making windmills from aluminum cans.
Mr. Eerkes is survived by five children and their spouses: Betty J. Embleton of Everett; Donna and Les Dams of Oak Harbor; Linda and Maynard Bos of Oak Harbor; Loretta "Cheech" and Fred Hamm of Lynnwood; and Pastor Ron and Amanda Eerkes of Oak Harbor; by his sister, Eleanor "Ellie" and Bill Shinkle; by 17 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves behind his loving care-givers, Mark and Michele McKinley from the North Whidbey Adult Family Home where he lived and his caregivers, Andrea, Amanda and Anna. His wife, Sally, and his brother, Lawrence, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Vernon E. Eerkes will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor with the Rev. Harold Veldman officiating. Graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery at 1 p.m. A reception will follow the services at the church fellowship hall. Viewing for family and friends will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Christian School Foundation. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
