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Don Shay
Don Shay, a longtime Grays Harbor resident, died at his home in Aberdeen on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. He was 86.
He had been a truck driver for several construction companies through the years, retiring in 1994.
A graveside funeral service is being planned for next week in Fern Hill cemetery, Aberdeen.
Arrangements are by Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Ramona Wilson 1932-2015
Ramona Wilson passed away early Monday morning, Sept. 21, 2015, in Raymond, Wash.
She was born May 2, 1932, in Gackle, N.D., to Leonard and Bertha Zillmer. She married
Master Sergeant Matt Wilson in Seoul, Korea, in 1971, and enjoyed living and traveling in Korea, Germany, and Alabama before retiring to Raymond, Wash., to be close to her family. Following retirement Ramona enjoyed volunteering and serving senior citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Bertha Zillmer, brother Lloyd Zillmer, sister Dolores French, previous husband Carl W. Allison, granddaughter Sheila Romane, and husband Master Sergeant Matt Wilson.
Ramona Wilson is survived by her sister Twila Wolff of California, brother Jerry Zillmer of Nevada, brother Maynard Zillmer of Arizona, along with her children; Judy Allison Steger and husband John Steger of Texas, Sharon Allison Spurrell and husband Ken Spurrell of Raymond, and Skip Allison and wife Debbie Allison of South Bend. In addition, Ramona is survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Private family internment for Ramona Wilson will be at Willamette National cemetery, Portland, Ore.
Donations in her memory to Willapa Harbor Helping Hands would be greatly appreciated by the family:
Willapa Harbor Helping Hands
500 W. Robert Bush Dr., PO Box 597
South Bend, WA, 98586
Ivan Godfrey
Former Aberdeen resident, business owner and machinist, Ivan Godfrey, 77, passed away peacefully on Sept. 20, 2015, at his home with his longtime companion, Dyan Anderson at his side. Ivan was born in Pe Ell, Wash. and grew up in the Grays Harbor area of the state of Washington. He graduated Weatherwax High School in 1956 and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserves. Once honorably discharged, Ivan became a union machinist, working for Lambs Grays Harbor, until moving his family to California in 1977. Ivan worked at General Machine in Ventura, Calif. Ivan opened his own machine shop in 1980, “Godfrey Machine Co.” in Ventura before moving his business to Oxnard, Calif.
Ivan is preceded in death by his parents Willian Godfrey and Kay Godfrey and sisters, Arlene Pink, Charlene Hawkes and Donna Pence, and his granddaughter Vivienne Godfrey.
Ivan is survived his children, Bradley Godfrey of Los Angeles. and Brad’s daughter Gianne and husband Eugene Curry and children Charlotte, Penelope and Eve of Kansas City, Mo., Wesley Godfrey and wife Yasmin and their son Alexander of Camarillo, Calif., Lisa Youngblood and husband Todd of South Lake Tahoe and children, Brenna and Rayanne Bytheway of Gardnerville, Nev. and companion Dyan Anderson of Oxnard, Calif.
Ivan will be buried at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, Calif.
Kenneth Arthur McKay
Kenneth Arthur McKay, 78, a lifelong Aberdeen resident and retired partner of McKay &Son, LLC., died Saturday morning, Sept. 19, 2015, at his home in Aberdeen.
Ken was born in Aberdeen on May 12, 1937, to Arthur Ross and Cathryn Elizabeth (Byard) McKay. He graduated from Weatherwax Senior High School in 1955 and then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from the University of Washington in 1960.
On March 19, 1960, Ken married
Nancy Ellen Golding in Lakewood, Wash. She passed away May 28, 1997.
Ken joined his father in the logging industry in 1961 and together they formed McKay &Son. In 2005, with the addition of Ken’s son John, McKay &Son, LLC was formed. Ken retired in 2012.
He was a member of the Washington Contract Loggers Assoc. and Washington Trucking Assoc. He enjoyed fishing, stamp collecting and spending time at his summer home on Hood Canal where he enjoyed family, boating and sailing.
Ken is survived by the second love of his life, Thea Hopfer of Aberdeen, Wash.; his son, John (Carol) McKay of Olympia, Wash.; daughters: Marilyn (Rob) Hager of Tacoma, Wash. and Susie (Rick) Charbonneau of Franklin, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Emily, Ryan, Katherine, Alexis and Kelsey; one great grandchild on the way; sister, Cathryn (Jim) Click of Leavenworth, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Children’s Hospital, ATTN: Donation Dept. 4800, Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, or 1-866-987-2000.
There will be a celebration of Ken’s life on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. in Fern Hill Funeral Home’s Chapel with reception to follow in the adjacent Dorothy Mann Reception Hall.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Dona Lucille Daniels
Dona Lucille Daniels, 80 years of age and a longtime Harborite, died on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Wash. He was born on July 28, 1935, in Hoquiam, Wash., to Donald Arthur and Lucile Alice (Cournoyer) Smith.
Dona was raised and attended school in Hoquiam, attending Emerson Grade School, Hoquiam Junior High School and then graduating from Hoquiam High School in 1953.
On May 7, 1956, she was married
to Derrell D. Daniels in Reno, Nev. They were later divorced, but remained close friends until his death in 2011.
She worked at Jack’s Drive Inn, Montgomery Ward, General Tire and was working at Harbor Chiropractic Center at the time of her death.
She volunteered at her church, the Hoquiam Presbyterian Church and for the Hoquiam Grizzly Booster Club. She had traveled to Mexico with a couple of her girlfriends as well as to Disneyland and Seaside, Ore., with her sisters.
Dona is survived by her sons, Dean Daniels of Aberdeen and Les Lutton of Seattle; her daughter, Teri Moody of Hoquiam; grandchildren Bryce Moody of Los Angeles, Susan Moody of Hoquiam, Devin Daniels of Aberdeen, Rohan Lutton of Seattle, Finn Lutton of Seattle; one great-granddaughter, Madelyn Pansri of Hoquiam; her sisters, Mary Stoken of Hoquiam and Nancy Holter of Cle Elum, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sally Fulton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Hoquiam Grizzly Booster Club, PO Box 264, Hoquiam, WA 98550 or to the Bobcats Boosters, PO Box 871, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at the United Methodist Church, 520 - 5th Street in Hoquiam with Rev. Jeani Shofner officiating.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 - 5th Street in Hoquiam.
Marianna Gress Perttula
Marianna Gress Perttula was born Dec. 30, 1926 in Richardson, N.D. When she was four, her parents died and her childhood was spent living with various family members, before settling in John’s River with her brother. She attended Ocosta High School, graduating in 1945. On Sept. 10, 1946 she married
her husband of 68 years, Arnold Perttula. In 1955 they moved to Grayland and became cranberry farmers. Their family was completed in 1958 when they adopted their son Mark.
Besides cranberry farming, Mary worked at Twin Harbor Drug. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, bowling and volunteering for the Red Cross and St. Christopher House.
She was preceded in death by all ten of her brothers and sisters and her beloved husband Arnold.
She is survived by her estranged son, Mark (Sophia) Perttula of Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews who will remember her fondly.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life for both Mary and Arnold at the Westport VFW Youth Center, 211 Pacific Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.
Mildred Grace Rask
Mildred Grace Rask, a Centralia resident for the past few years, died Oct. 4, 2015 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. She was 80. Mrs. Rask was born Jan. 18, 1935 in Tuttle, N.D. to John and Lydia Weisenburger.
She married
her husband Vernon Rask at Tuttle, N.D. in 1953. They lived in Menlo from 1979 until 1986 when they moved to Randal, Wash. until their recent move to Centralia.
Survivors include her husband Vernon of the family home in Centralia, her daughter Victoria Hamrick of Shelton, and two sons; Monte and wife Gina Rask of Olympia, and Marshall Rask of Shelton. She is survived by two sisters; Gladys Clapham of Missoula, Mont., and Janice Anderson of Bismarck, N.D., and six brothers; Wilbert Weisenburger of Fesenden, N.D., Donnie Weisenburger of Tuttle, N.D., Glendell Weisenburger of Missoula, Mont., Arley Weisenburger of Selley Lake, Mont., Gary and Garold Weisenburger both of Underwood, N.D. Mildred also has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Rask was preceded in death by two sisters; Rachel and Shirley, three brothers Maynard, Stanley and Leon. She was also preceded in death by three sons; Michael, Jeffery and Mitchael (who died in July of this year) survived by wife Tracy.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. Her burial will take place at the Fern Hill cemetery in Menlo.
Eugene A. “Gene” Murphy
Eugene Adolph “Gene” Murphy, age 91, of Snohomish died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2015, joining the loving arms of his wife Nancy and son Patrick.
Gene was born Aug. 16, 1924 at the family home in Brady, Wash., the 4th of 7th sons of John Patrick and Gertrude (LaPointe) Murphy. He grew up on the family dairy farm that had been in his family since before statehood.
He attended Olympic View School in Brady while working on the farm. He married
Nancy Lee Pease on Sept. 16, 1944 in Elma. She preceded him in death on Sept. 20, 2013 after 69 years of marriage. They enjoyed Saturday night dates, dancing, gardening and travel. Together they raised a wonderful family of five children.
He continued his dairy career at Arland Dairy Farm in Montesano, the Washington State Reformatory’s Honor Farm in Monroe, and was the dairy plant manager at Walt’s Milkhouse in Snohomish. He owned the M & M Ice Creamery in Snohomish from 1974 - 1979. He was known for making the best ice cream in the whole state, winning numerous awards.
Gene especially enjoyed boating, taking long walks with his dog Spencer and gave his grandchildren a special appreciation of Lawrence Welk.
Gene and Nancy lost their only son Patrick in 1984 in a plane crash in Alaska. Besides his beloved wife and son, Gene was also preceded in death by his brothers John, Joe, Bill, Jim and Frances and their wives. He is survived by four daughters: Linda Koontz, Sheila (Jim) West, Trudi (Ron) Trewin, and Michelle (Larry) White. He also cherished his seven grandchildren: Tara and Donovan Sydow, Angie and Paul West, Aaron and Cristina Trewin, and Ryan Beauchamp. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Brielle, Teagan, Syrena, Mikayla, Dannica, Payton, Ashley, Natalie, and Patrick.
A celebration of life will be held Monday, Oct. 12 at noon at Bauer Funeral Chapel, 701 First Street, Snohomish. A reception will follow at Waltz Building, 116 Avenue B, Snohomish.
Memorial donations can be made to the Nancy Murphy and son, John Patrick Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund at Snohomish High School.
The family wishes to thank Providence Hospice for caring for Gene and his family during his last few weeks.
Joan Marie Girard
Joan Marie Girard passed away peacefully on Aug. 24, 2015 in her Aberdeen home, where she resided with youngest daughter Crystal.
Joan was born on July 13, 1942 in Chehalis, Wash., the daughter of Adam and Faye Weigant. They moved to Grays Harbor when Joan was a toddler. She attended Hoquiam Schools and graduated from Hoquiam High School with the class of ‘60. She married
Richard Russell in Sept. of 1960. They had two daughters. They later divorced.
Joan remarried
in 1978 to Eddie Girard and they had one daughter.
Joan worked for ABC Janitorial and Privatsky’s High School store. The last years of her life she was devoted to providing childcare for her great-nephews and niece, Daniel, Weston and Silver.
Joan was a very generous, loving and caring woman. She was also known for her baking and always sharing with family, friends and neighbors over the years. She also enjoyed canning, reading, crocheting and the casino. She enjoyed travels to Alaska and Montana. She especially loved her time spent with her family and her daily phone calls with sister Linda and daily coffee mornings with brother John. She will be greatly missed.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eddie Girard and son-in-law Tim Robinson.
She is survived by daughters, Tina Robinson of Westport, Faye Russell and Crystal Girard both of Aberdeen, a stepson Ole Girard of Alaska, a brother John Weigant of Aberdeen, a sister Linda (Dan) Flodstrom of Olympia and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
At her request there was no formal service.
Arrangements were handled by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home in Shelton, Wash.
Dorla L. James
Dorla L. James passed away Thursday Oct. 8, 2015 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. She was born Feb. 20, 1933 to Gustave and Christina Myhre in St. Edward, Neb. In 1958 she married
Benjamin Aronson and moved to Washington. They later divorced. She was employed for 17 years at the Aberdeen School District as a school bus driver. She retired in 1996. She married
Richard James in 1970. They later divorced.
Dorla was known for her kindness and concern for others. She was also proud of her flowers and stray cats that she took in.
Dorla is survived by three children, Don Aronson of Aberdeen, Kenneth Aronson of Hoquiam, and Connie Layng of Montesano, her grandchildren Traci of Pahrump, Nev., Krysty of Pella, Iowa, Shawn, Michael and Colton of Aberdeen, Justin of Port Orchard, six great-grandchildren, Hayden, Noah, Eathan, Ava, Hayden and Hazel, two sisters, Beverly Mynre and Melba Wilson of Nebraska. Numerous nieces and nephews in Nebraska and California. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and a grandson Tristan.
A private family service will be held and a celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary 311 W. Market Street in Aberdeen.
Joseph A. Merino
Longtime commercial fisherman, Joseph Allen Merino, passed away peacefully at his home in Westport on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. He was 64.
Joe was born Aug. 25, 1951 in Aberdeen, Wash. to Helen (Kralevich) and Francis Dionne. He was primarily raised in Westport and graduated from Ocosta High School in 1969.
Joe started in the fishing industry at a young age, cleaning fish for the tourists at the docks. He later worked as a deckhand for many prominent crab and tuna fishermen. Joe observed and learned from these mentors and later became a successful fisherman in his own right.
Joe first became a captain on his gillnet/crabber the Caphill. His other gillnet boats included the Tule, Miss Jonelle and the Berta. He saved his money and built his first crab boat, the Senora Sue. He later bought the Pacific Dream and then built his pride and joy, the Pacific Dynasty in 1989, that he owned and managed until his passing with the dedicated help of Greg Rutzer.
Joe also partnered with his brother Doug and started Merino’s Seafoods.
Joe was a successful fisherman who worked hard not only for his family, but also for the families of the men who worked on his boat. Joe felt extremely proud to sell his product to local canneries where it helped provide employment for the community.
His success stemmed from his basic beliefs … Make a plan and stick with it, keep it simple and do it right the first time — which meant “the Joe Merino way.” Joe always felt that you should love whatever you choose to do for a living and he loved fishing. He talked about wanting all his kids and grandkids to love whatever they choose in life because, “Then it isn’t just a job!” He was very proud of his daughters and grandkids.
Joe’s mom and dad taught him discipline and strength, but his mom gave him the love of laughter and telling a great story! His storytelling ways show through in Jonelle, Jollene and Kennedy, as it is not just the words, it is the way he used his hands, voice and facial expressions. It always ended up being “quite a story.”
Joe married
Suzy Ashby and they had two daughters, Jonelle and Jollene. They later divorced.
On Aug. 22, 1987, Joe married
Roberta Dzubay at the Lutheran Church in Grayland. They have a daughter, Kennedy.
Joe was very proud to live in this area and loved to support his community. The annual Ocosta Booster Club Crab feed was one of the many events he felt pride in supporting. He enjoyed supporting many civic activities to help raise money and support the South Beach communities. He was a member and participated in state and federal Fishing Advisory Boards.
Joe always looked forward to summer which included family camping trips and the Little League World Series. Hunting in the fall with his grandson Brandon was also something he looked forward to. Joe loved the fall because it was the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the holidays that he very much looked forward to.
He is survived by his loving wife Roberta and daughters Jonelle (Jason) Good of Surrey, UK and Kennedy. Joe is also survived by his parents, Jim and Helen Carter of Lake Chelan, Wash.; son-in-law Ron Miller of Steamboat Island, brothers Frank (Debbie) Merino of Graham, Wash., Doug (Kay) Merino of Olympia and sister Shelly (Steve) Stamps of Lake Chelan. Joe was proud of his five grandchildren — Madeleine, Oliver, Julian and Matilda Good of Surrey, UK and Brandon Miller of Steamboat Island, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his daughter Jollene Miller, brother Phillip Merino and nephew Tony Merino.
Services will be held at the Log Pavilion in Aberdeen at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.25.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Ocosta Booster Club or other local youth organizations.
Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
