Donald Ralph Ford
"Gone Scopin' Elk"
Don Ford, 47, went to Heaven April 11, 1998 after a short, but courageous battle with cancer. Born to Melvin and Evelyn Ford on January 13, 1951, Don was raised in Eatonville and lived in Elma for the last 20 years. Don graduated from Eatonville High School in 1970 and worked for the DNR, Asplundh Tree Service and most recently enjoyed working at Grays Harbor Pellet Heat.
Don lived to hunt and fish with his family and friends and spent 18 years coaching youth baseball teams. When the seasons were over Don bowled for fun.
Don is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pam; children Tracy, Jeff (Kristi) and Shonna; grandchildren Tiffany, Terilynn, Brandon and Aaron; brothers Louis (Barb), Bruce (JoNell) and Phillip (Sonja); sisters Karen (Chuck) Tyler and Colleen Ford. He will be missed very much by family and many friends.
Don's family would like to thank everyone for their care and consideration during the last few months.
A public memorial service was held on April 18 at the little league park in Elma. A potluck dinner followed. Arrangements were made by Whiteside Mortuary.
John David Magnuson
John was reunited with his brother Chris, his Grandpa and Grandma Roger, Nita Magnuson, Aunt Sue Magnuson and Grandpa Gordon Lundin.
He was born June 10, 1966, in Puyallup and was called home April 21, 1999 in Salem, Ore. He lost his battle with brain cancer, but because of his faith in his Lord Jesus, won victory over death and was welcomed into the arms of his heavenly father.
He leaves, to remember him with love and joy, his wife Suzanne and twin children Shawn and Shelby; parents Roger and Linda; brothers Steve and Eric; nephews Nicholas and Andrew and nieces Haley and Lauren and special grandma Dorothy Lundin.
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Graveside services will be held at Sumner Cemetery May 1, at 11 a.m. A memorial service will be held at Eatonville High School at 4 p.m. on May 1. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eatonville Baptist Church Missionary Fund, P.O. Box 388, Eatonville WA 98328.
Glenda L. Crumley
Glenda L. Crumley, 70, of Eatonville, died April 20, 1998. Glenda was a retired clerk for the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; children Genevieve Stevens of Kodiak, Alaska, Roger Crumley of Sheridan, Wyoming, Rhonda Krolczyk of Mineral; granddaughters Heather Krolczyk of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Harmony Krolczyk of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Hannah and Alisha Krolczyk both of Mineral.
Memorial services were held April 25 at Dryer Mortuary. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pierce County Fire District #15.
Donna L. Cox
Donna L. Cox of Seattle, Wash., died peacefully at Crista Nursing Center on Tuesday, April 24, 2001. She is survived by her loving son Chuck and his wife Chris, her grandchildren, Nathan and his wife Silvi, Chao Robert and Lamai, and by many dear friends.
Donna was born to Arthur and Dorotha Kerr in Eatonville, Wash. on May 8, 1924. She and her husband Bob shared a great sense of adventure. They traveled all over the world, even living two years in Iran. Once again they are together on a great journey.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2001 at Mountain View Garden Chapel. Memorial donations may be in her name to Ballard Ecumeni cal Homeless Project, 7706 25th N.W., Seattle, WA. 98117.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, Tacoma, (253) 584-0252.
Benjamin Joseph Kirmse
Benjamin Joseph Kirmse passed from this world on April 19, 2001. Born in Jennings Lodge, Oregon on October 9, 1910 to Charles and Julie Kirmse, he moved to Washington early in his childhood and spent the remainder of his life in Alder, Tacoma and Kapowsin.
After an enlistment in the U.S. Army where he served as a cook in the officers' mess, Ben met Lucelle Adams in late 1933...the start of a 68 year love affair. They married on June 16, 1934 and together raised a family. Ben worked as a shipfitter in the Puget Sound Shipyards and as a meat cutter for Safeway. Upon retirement, they built their dream house on Lake Whitman.
Ben enjoyed fishing on the lake, digging clams at the ocean, trips to Mount Rainier and, above all, his family. His family was his life and is now his legacy. Besides his loving wife, he leaves children Joan (Richard) of Quilcene, WA and Jack (Bonnie) of Graham, WA; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ben was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda (Omer) of Tacoma, WA, three brothers and a sister. He is survived by two sisters.
Ben's life can best be summarized by the statement: If you knew him, you liked him. His passing has left a large void in all our lives, a void that can only be filled by the memories we have...memories that must now last our lifetimes. Locked in our minds are countless birthdays, Christmases, Easter egg hunts and Thanksgiving dinners with grandchildren arguing, "My turn to sit by Grandpa." He was more than our father and grandfather; he was our friend.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held on April 23, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at Fir Lane Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions in his name are made to the American Cancer Society.
I love you truly... Lucelle.
Margaret Von Hoene Rose Painter
June 18, 1911 - April 26, 1999
Margaret Von Hoene Rose Painter was born June 18, 1911 in Seattle. She passed away April 26, 1999.
Margaret graduated from Central College and taught school in Traceyton, Wash. She later taught in the Pierce County School District.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Ethel Von Hoene; sister, Elizabeth Waters; and, her first husband, Al Rose.
Survivors: husband Bruce Painter of Eatonville; son, Bob Painter of Graham; daughter, Joyce Potts of Pennsylvania; sister, Frances Von Hoene of Bremerton; and, seven grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
To all that remember her, she remained a teacher at heart, guiding and instructing in valuable ways and will always be remembered for her kind and generous nature. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family.
Private graveside services were held at Miller Woodlawn Cemetery in Bremerton on April 28.
Memorial contributions can be made to the United Methodist Church in Eatonville or your favorite charity.
Stanley Sjoblom
Memorial Services for Stanley Sjoblom, who passed away April 30 [1998], will be held May 9 at 1 p.m. at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Eatonville. A reception will be held in the social hall following the service.
Sally Jensen
July 30, 1935 - April 28, 2001
Sally A. Jensen of Eatonville, Washington died peacefully on Saturday, April 28, 2001.
Sally was born to Paul and Myrtle Cross of Kirkland, Washington on July 30, 1935.
She is survived by her four children, Leonard and Carol Momeny of Florida; Eric and Trisha Jensen of Eatonville; Alice Fairwell of Vancouver, Washington; Dennis and Sue Mischel of Eatonville, Washington. Four step-children: Larry Jensen of Yelm; Bill and Chris Jensen Jr. of Tacoma; Kathy Jensen of Bend, Oregon and Cheryle Jensen of Grand Rond, Oregon. Sally had 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held May 4 at Evergreen Chapel on Fort Lewis, Washington.
Wilton Raymond Colyer
November 5, 1918 - April 23, 2001
Wilton Raymond Colyer, age 82, was born November 5, 1918 to Ralph Raymond and Ivy Irene (Campbell) Colyer in Granger, Yakima County. He went to meet his Lord on April 23, 2001.
In addition to a lifelong interest in hunting and fishing, Wilton also enjoyed photography, hiking, camping and a variety of crafts. He had many artistic talents, especially in woodworking and wood carving. He made much of his own recreational equipment including decoys, fishing rods and flies, bows and arrows, knives, gun stocks, pack boards, skis, snowshoes, kayaks, boats and furniture. He also enjoyed teaching others to do likewise.
Although his primary profession was high school teacher of industrial arts he was also a logger, carpenter, bartender and shake mill operator. During his last few years he managed a health food store in Ephrata.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ralph Eldon Colyer, and two sisters, Thelma McIntyre and LaVonne Gerard. He is survived by his wife, Oma, of Moses Lake. He is also survived by three sisters, Elinor Nordlund, Velora Ugles (Pete), Phyllis Porter (Jim) and one sister-in-law, Betty Colyer, all of Tacoma; four children, Grant (Patricia) of Auburn, John of Eatonville, Tamara Pearce (David) of Shade Gap, Pennsylvania, Wilton R. of Moses Lake; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Wilton will be long remembered by former students and fellow faculty members at Eatonville High School where he taught for 25 years and was a much-loved teacher. Everywhere he lived he made significant contributions to his community. He was admired and respected by all who knew him. He will be missed.
A family interment
ceremony will be held at Eatonville Cemetery on Saturday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m. A reception celebrating Wilton's life will follow at Eatonville Community Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Contributions may be made in his name to the Eatonville Lions Club.
Helen J. Mulder "Juanita"
Helen J. Mulder, born July 7, 1930 in California, passed away Feb. 2, 2000 in Tacoma. Juanita was a resident of Clearview Manor in Tacoma.
Survivors include her husband, Jacob Mulder of Tacoma; daughters Francie H. Amos of Sumner, Cheryl L. Lewis of Yakima; brother Clarence Benjestorf of Calif.; sisters Kate Brackett and Margaret Console, both of Calif.; grandchildren Stephen Lewis, Tracy Lewis and Kimberly (Brian) Boyd; and great-grandchild Mickayla Boyd.
Funeral services were held on Feb. 7, with interment
following at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup.
Arrangements by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home of Tacoma.
Les Adair
Les Adair, 75, died Jan. 29, 2000. He was born Jan. 3, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Les lived in Spanaway for 26 years and retired from his job as visitor services manager at Northwest Trek in 1990.
He was considered by all who met him as an immediate friend and by his family as a loving husband and father. He loved to sing professionally with big bands in the 40s, raising his children in the 50s and 60s and devoting his energies to the wildlife and ecology of the Pacific Northwest for the last 26 years.
He is survived by his wife Gayle; daughter Cheryl of Fort Lauderdale; son Les Jr. of Cleveland; grandson Kyle Edwards of Fort Lauderdale and stepchildren Sandy Concar of Kansas City, Pam Hasick of Roseville, Calif, Debra Schlicher of North Olmsted, Ohio, Dennis and Donna Powell of Eatonville, Bill and Marge Powell of Eatonville and David Powell of Fort Lauderdale.
Remembrances may be made to the Les Adair Memorial fund at Northwest Trek. A service will be held at a later date.
James Buford Milstid
1914 - 2000
James Buford Milstid "Jimmie" died Jan 31 of natural causes. He lived life and left life on his terms. His last words, as he sat in his favorite chair, were, "guess I'll just take five, Ma," and then he was gone.
He was a carpenter, mechanic, teacher and philosopher. He built garages, picnic tables, houses, a home and a family. He repaired cars, airplanes and hurt feelings. He taught values, work ethics and the meaning of right and wrong. He showed us the value of questioning authority, why things were the way they were and how they could be.
He always provided for his wife Evelyn, his children James, Stan, Sharon and Terry. He is survived by his wife of 55 years; his children and their spouses; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. We love him and will miss him. "Hey Pop, why don't you just take five, you've earned the rest."
A memorial service will be held on Feb. 12, at 11 a.m., at the Alder Presbyterian Church. A pot-luck lunch reception will immediately follow at the Alder Community Club Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice.
Catherine Marie Dunger Sumey
Catherine was born March 12, 1896. Her parents were Charles and Katherine Tschida Dunger. Catherine was born in Fife, where her parents were pioneer farmers. Catherine married Lewis Emerson Sumey on June 1, 1918. They lived on the family farm in Fife, in the home Lewis built. In 1931, they moved to Eatonville to a dairy farm in the Tanwax Valley, near Clear Lake. After the children were raised, Catherine and Lewis moved to the Edgewood area of Puyallup. Lewis passed away in 1971 and Catherine lived in Eatonville and Puyallup before moving back to Tacoma. Catherine attended Holy Rosary and Fife Schools. Her parents were one of the founding German families of the Holy Rosary Parish in Tacoma. Her mother recruited teaching nuns to begin the Holy Rosary School. As a young woman Catherine drove her horse and buggy to Tacoma to shop for her parents. She marveled that she lived from the horse and buggy age to the astronauts traveling in space. She had many wonderful stories to tell her children of growing up in the Fife-Tacoma areas early in the century. In addition to her husband Lewis, Catherine was predeceased by daughter Myrtle Sumey Duboiski; son Richard Charles Sumey; and grandsons Kenneth Charles Sumey and John Wesley Sumey.
She is survived by children Doris (Allan) Brown, Edward (Natalie) Sumey, Evelyn (Harley) Healy and Arlene (Charles) Rubert; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Catherine was a charter member of the St. Anne's Society of Holy Rosary Church and was the last surviving member. She was a wonderful mother, a wonderful friend and beloved by her family. You are at peace, Mom, and reunited with Dad in heaven.
Rosary was held on May 7, at Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup. A funeral Mass was held May 8 at the Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma, burial followed at Calvary Cemetery. A reception, held at All Saints Catholic Church in Puyallup, followed the graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Holy Rosary School Development Fund (253) 383-4549. Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home.
Stanley Rogers Sjoblom "Stacks"
Stan Sjoblom, 73, passed away April 30, 1998 from a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 18, 1925 in Stanwood Wash. and had resided in Eatonville for 43 years. Stan was a veteran of World War II and a 52-year member of the American Legion Storm King Post 171 at Mineral. Stan cut timber for St. Regis and Champion International at Kapowsin for 25 years.
Stan was a good husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He will be deeply missed by his family.
Stan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bernice; children Lonnie (Kathy) Sjoblom of Spanaway, Sonjia (Phil) Ford, Susan (Fred) Miller of Eatonville and Connie Sjoblom of Olympia, eight grandchilden and seven great grandchildren. Sisters Arlene Marchetti of Eatonville, Lana Osborne of Hoquiam, Carolyn Kallio of Portland Oregon, Beverly Reed of Centralia and Helen Brown of Marysville. Brothers Sherwood (Bussy) of Morton, James of Hoquiam and Kenneth of Graham.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Edna Sjoblom; brothers Richard and Allen Sjoblom; sisters Norma Lewis and Bonnie Jean Sjoblom.
The family would like to express its special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Ronald Goldberg and the staff in the oncology department at Good Samaritan Hospital for their compassionate care and support to the family.
Bobbie R. Highland
Former Renton resident Bobbie Roy Highland of Ashford died April 26, 1998, in Auburn. He was 74.
Born June 11, 1923 in Seattle, he served in World war II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and participated in the Berlin airlift and nuclear testing during Operation Greenhouse and Operation Ivy. Documentaries about Atomic Veterans in the March and April VFW newsletters contained statements made by him about ionizing radiation. He retired from the Air Force in 1965 after serving more than 20 years.
He was co-owner of Kings Tavern in Renton with his brother Tom for 15 years. He attended the Ashford Community Church. He was a member of the Newport, Ore. Elks and a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Skyway Post No. 9430. He married Lorraine "Lori" Engles in 1989 in Ashford.
Mr. Highland is survived by his wife, Lori Highland of Ashford; son Roy Highland of Federal Way; daughters Linda Vanlandingham of Auburn and Wendy Camp of Sumner; brother Thomas Highland of Seattle; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held May 1 at Faull-Stokes Mortuary, in Renton. Interment
with military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars was at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
Memorials may be made to VFW Skyway Post NO. 9430, 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle, WA 98178.
Albert Peter Gratzer
Albert Peter Gratzer, age 84, a resident of Orging since 1913, died Saturday, May 30, 1998 in Puyallup. He was born October 25, 1913 in Lakeview, Washington to Julius and Annie Gratzer. He later became manager of the brick making plant in Clay City which was owned by Mutual Material Company, retiring after 35 years of service. Albert was known for his friendly attitude, love of children, joke telling, card playing and mathematical puzzles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, in 1993, and a daughter, Annette Patterson. Survivors include 3 daughters, Bernice (Bud) Hiett of Kent, Louise (Tom) Maxwell of Black Diamond, and Alberta Heagle of Puyallup, 1 brother, Victor Gratzer of Puyallup, 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 3, 1998 at 2 p.m. in the Orting City Cemetery. Viewing Tuesday noon to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, until 1 p.m. at the Powers Funeral Home, 320 W. Pioneer Avenue.
Leon England
Leon England, 77, of Alder, formerly of University Place, died May 21 at his home.
He was born in Eatonville to Alma and Leon England. He was a 1938 graduate of Eatonville High School. A World War II veteran, he was a medic and later ran heavy equipment as part of a Fort Richardson, Alaska engineering battalion. After the war, he logged and worked for many years as a millwright for Cablecraft, Inc. in Tacoma.
He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. Throughout his life he generously shared his mechanical expertise with anyone who needed it.
He was preceded in death by the 1983 passing of his wife, Zelda "Pat."
He leaves his brother, Dave (Nora) Thureson of Alder; his sister, Thelma (Chuck) Gilmur of Fircrest; a stepdaughter, Patricia Jean Waring of Arizona and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held May 30 at Fir Lane Chapel.
Herbert James Cronk, Sr.
We say good-bye to Herbert James Cronk, Sr. of Graham. He was born January 23, 1934 in El Paso, Texas and passed away May 23, 1998 in Puyallup.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years Marie of Graham; his sons Todd of Puyallup, Richard V of Puyallup, Richard A. of Port Orchard, Roger of Tacoma, Herbert James (Jim) Jr. of Puyallup, Jonathan of Puyallup and his daughter Michelle Schmidt of Wasilla, Alaska, along with their spoused, ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Herbert enjoyed being a coordinator for foreign exchange students for the past 10 years. He also enjoyed visiting and traveling, going to sporting events and carrying on a conversation with those he loved and those who would listen to him. He was a husband, father, grandpa and friend and loved by those who knew him. Herbert was employed by Willows Medical Center for the majority of his working career, prior to that he worked for Good Samaritan Hospital as an X-ray technician. He served in the U.S. Army in the dental corps. He was involved in the Graham Business Association, the Puyallup Chamber of Commerce, the Pierce county Soccer Recreation and the Bethel Education Scholastic Tuition. Selling Amway was an enjoyable hobby for Herbert, as it enabled him to meet new people. His family sends love and the message "We will miss you and your stories of days gone by." A funeral service was held May 27, at Parkland Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in Herbert's name for the youth program at Parkland Lutheran Church.
Peter William Guertner
Peter William Guertner, "Mr. Pete," 26, formerly of Seattle and Eatonville, died on May 22, 1998. He died in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
Peter was born April 4, 1972 in Aberdeen, Wash. Shortly after birth Peter moved to Seattle where he lived until age 12. While in Seattle he was in the gifted education program and attended West Queen and Seward Elementary Schools and Eickstein Middle School. He then moved to Eatonville where he completed middle school at Eatonville Middle School. Peter graduated from Eatonville High School with honors. After high school, he joined the Washington National Guard and attended Pacific Lutheran University. Peter graduated from P.L.U. in 1994 with a degree in broadcasting and communications. While in college, Peter worked at the campus radio station. After college, Peter worked for Midcom Communications, Inc. and Entities in Seattle. In 1996, Peter moved to Japan where he taught English to Japanese middle school students at Kamigori-cho Middle School.
Peter lived his life the way he wanted, to the fullest. He traveled to Europe and lived in Germany while in college. Peter was easy going and full of mischief. He liked to say "Don't worry, be happy," and he did make you happy. He was independent and stood up for what he believed in. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Peter is survived by his mother Dianne Newsom; father William Guertner; stepparents Louis Newsom and Eva Guertner; sister Michelle Guertner and brothers Quincy Newsom and Louis Newsom III; grandparents Frank and Lois Guertner and Dice and Pattie Heaston and a host of other family and friends.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Stevenson Mortuary, Osaka, Japan. A memorial service is scheduled for June 7, at 2 p.m. at Christa Ministries Chapel, formerly known as King's Garden, 19303 Fremont Ave. N. Seattle. People wishing to contribute may do so through the Seattle Police Officers Guild at any Sea-First Bank under the name of Peter William Guertner.
