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Dorothy Elizabeth Herrmann
June 21, 1920 -- Nov. 14, 2002
Dorothy Elizabeth Herrmann died in Port Angeles of cardiac arrest. She was 82.
She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to George Walter and Hannah Jennie (Chislett) Peacock.
She married Carl F. Herrmann in Nevada on May 27, 1950.
She was a lifetime member and past president of Psi Delta Sigma. During her working years, she was employed as an executive secretary in the aerospace sector of TRW in California.
Mrs. Herrmann lived in Clallam County for 12 years. She excelled at painting with watercolors and oils, and was a member of Sequim Arts. She also was skilled at knitting.
She was a member of Sequim Chamber of Commerce and maintained family ties to the Salvation Army.
She is survived by her brother, Doug Peacock, in Victoria; four nephews and three nieces.
Mrs. Herrmann's husband died in 1975.
Services: Celebration of Life will be announced.
Memorials: Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2229, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Gertrude Wagner
April 12, 1909 -- Nov. 23, 2002
Port Townsend resident Gertrude Wagner died in Kah Tai Care Center of congestive heart failure. She was 93.
She was born in Germany to Franz and Luise (Launus) Schroeder.
On June 30, 1932, she married Jose F. Wagner, who died in 1959.
Mrs. Wagner is survived by sons Richard of Port Townsend and Roland; daughter Senta Brody of Fayetteville, Ark., brother Erich Schroeder of Germany; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Services: None. Kosec Funeral Home, Port Townsend, is in charge.
James Arthur Wright
March 21, 1927 -- Nov. 22, 2002
Port Townsend resident James Arthur ``Jim" Wright died in Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, at 75.
His obituary will be published later.
Services: Today, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m., funeral in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 45 Redeemer Way, Chimacum, with Pastor Don Pieper officiating; Wednesday, Nov. 27, burial
in Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent. Kosec Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Townsend, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720. Please, no flowers.
ROBERT (BOB) EDWARD WITZDAM
Robert (Bob) Edward Witzdam, lifelong resident of Port Townsend, died November 23, 2002, of cancer at the age of 70.
Bob was born August 29, 1932, in Port Townsend. He graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1950. He served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton. He married Marilyn Duim in July of 1953.
Bob worked at the Port Townsend Paper mill for 35 years, retiring as a journeyman pipe fitter. He was a member of Port Townsend Elks Lodge No. 317 and the Centralia/Chehalis cribbage club.
Bob was a great friend to everyone who knew him. He was an avid card player and was known for his quick wit. He loved his time on the golf course, along with fishing, geoducking and supplying all his friends with fresh caught crab and vegetables from their garden. He and Marilyn enjoyed traveling the United States in their travel trailer.
Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, father and family man. He was known for always having something to say to everyone, especially the women. He showed great compassion in checking on his friends when they were ill or in need.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Frank.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn, he is survived by his mother, Ann Eloridge of Seattle; children Teresa Neat of Olympia, Toni Bancroft of Everett, Denise Bocek of Bellevue, Nancy Witzdam of Lynnwood, and Steve Witzdam of Ballard; sisters Sally Coleman of Seattle and Sandy Rosenberg of Edgewood, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
At Bob's request, a private family memorial will be held.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1-800-227-2345, 1551 Broadway, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98402, or to the donor's favorite charity.
DONALD GRAY PATON SR.
passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 24, 2002, in Sequim, Washington. Born February 21, 1924, in Seattle, Washington, Dad was the beloved only child of George Lowe Paton and Violet Francis Paton, who both immigrated from Scotland, met and married after Violet's graduation from the University of Washington.
George operated a storage business, and at one time stored two of Bill Boeing's airplanes. Dad was raised on Capitol Hill, and his family moved to Vashon Island in 1938, where he attended Vashon High School, graduating in 1941 while living in Cove.
His fondest stories of those days include the Cove Store, which his parents owned and operated, scallop fishing in the summer, and taking the Virginia V to Seattle. Dad continued his sponsorship for the restoration of the Virginia V, as well as support for the Olympic Game Farm and other local organizations.
He met Jean McDaniel at Vashon High School, and they were married in 1944. Their daughter, Sandra Rae Oliver-Klatt, was born in 1946 and their son, Donald Gray Paton, Jr., was born in 1951. Don and Jean were divorced in 1953.
Motivated by World War II, Dad joined the Marine Corps, retiring as a gunnery sergeant in 1974. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and the Korean War.
He began his career as a parachute rigger, serving with fighter squadrons throughout both wars. He was at the forefront of Marine helicopter operations in flight equipment, designing and building several rescue devices. Dad was also present at several nuclear detonation tests on the Bikini Atoll.
His love of ``The Corps" was true to the adage, ``Once a Marine, Always a Marine."
While stationed at El Toro Marine Base in Santa Ana, California, he met and fell in love with Dorothea Jackson. They were married in Anaheim, California, on August 7, 1954. Their love has been and will always be an example for our loving family.
In 1962 they were transferred to Fremont, California, where Dad retired in 1974. He went back to college and received his AA degree in accounting from Ohlone College, then worked at Air Filter Manufacturing in San Leandro, California.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream to return to ``God's Country," Dad and Mom fully retired to Robbins Road in Sequim in 1978, where they shared their love in the beauty and peace of the Dungeness Valley, surrounded with the steady comings and goings of their family and friends.
Dad was very proud of Don Jr., who is a 22-year veteran with the Bellingham Fire Department. He served in the Marine Corps from 1971 to 1973 as a helicopter crew chief.
He has carved out his own little piece of wilderness in the Skagit Valley, where he, his wife, Wendy, and their 7-year-old son Miles live in a warm, log home that Dad enjoyed visiting.
Dad and Sandy shared ownership and operation of Discovery Bay Restaurant and Lounge from 1983 until 1987. Dad was a proud donor to Serenity House and the Evergreen Family Village, where Sandy was executive director from 1990 to 1996, providing services for the area's homeless community. Dad also shared Sandy's love of boating.
He is survived by Don Jr. and Sandy, his five granddaughters, his grandson, two great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter, all of whom he has been infinitely proud since their births and throughout their unique and individual lives.
He took time and care to express his love and pride for his family and was never too reserved for long embraces. His ``kids" remember fondly the notes and letters he sent expressing interest in their lives; magazine subscriptions for the grandchildren, birthday cards never forgotten, relevant or humorous newspaper clippings always with Xs and Os at the bottom of the page. Dad was the penultimate Scottish Patriarch.
His family is here on the Olympic Peninsula together to share in our memories and honor his presence in our lives. On Thanksgiving morning, Don and Sandy will scatter Dad's ashes over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to join Mom's. We are grateful for this time.
Donations in his memory can be made to Serenity House of Clallam County, P.O. Box 4047, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Edna Maxine Haag
Dec. 6, 1909 -- Nov. 20, 2002
Edna Maxine Haag died of multiple system failures in Forks Long Term Care. She was 92.
She was born in Calhan, Colo., to William D. and Nellie May (Yoder) Johnson.
She married William G. Haag in 1938.
In 1940, the Haags moved from Raymond to Forks, where she was employed as a cook at Forks Community Hospital.
Mrs. Haag was active in Forks Congregational Church, Rebekkahs and Eastern Star. Into her 80s, she volunteered to tutor children in reading and had a particular interest in butterflies.
Survivors include sons Wayne V. Haag of Forks; daughter Dorothy A. Rose of Cathlamet; sisters Ruby Ladley of Port Orchard and Mary Fisher of Seattle; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Haag was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and sister Hazel.
Services: Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m., memorial in Forks Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave. The Rev. David Weddington will officiate. At a later time, cremains will be scattered. Mount Olympus Funeral Home, Forks, is in charge.
Melvin Ross McKay
Oct. 25, 1909 -- Nov. 25, 2002
Melvin Ross McKay of Sequim died at his home at age 93.
Mr. McKay was born in San Francisco to Daniel and Emma (Mills) McKay. The family moved to Seattle, where he spent most of his life.
He married Helen Hillestad in December 1934; she died in 1998.
He retired from Blake, Moffitt & Towne Paper Co. in Seattle in 1974.
He and his wife enjoyed saltwater fishing and camping, and they traveled to Arizona and elsewhere in their travel trailer.
Mr. McKay moved to Sequim in 2001 to be near his family.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Diane and Paul Wernett of Port Angeles; son and daughter-in-law Gordon and Donna McKay of Bothell; brother-in-law Eldredge Royer of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
One brother and one sister preceded him in death, as did a daughter, Marilyn.
Services: Private family service at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue. Green Funeral Home, Bellevue, is in charge.
Richard R. Milligan
April 22, 1938 -- Nov. 26, 2002
Richard R. Milligan died of cardiac arrhythmia at his home in Sequim. He was 64.
Mr. Milligan was born to William and Helen (Townley) Milligan in Seattle.
He married Carolyn Ethel Powell on Aug. 24, 1962.
He served in the Air Force.
For most of his adult life Mr. Milligan lived in San Jose, Calif., where he was a consultant for Novell Software Co. and Systems Industries.
In October he moved to Sequim from Las Vegas, where he had lived for three years.
Mr. Milligan was an avid golfer and enjoyed watercolor painting. He also loved fishing, camping and traveling on the Puget Sound ferries.
Survivors include his wife of Sequim; sons William Richard Milligan of Germany and Douglas Thomas Milligan of Denver; daughters Sandra Milligan of Long Beach, Calif., and Jessica Marie Milligan of Mountlake Terrace; parents of Lacey; sisters Diane Milligan of Bow and Linda Buchanon of South Bend; and one grandson.
Services: Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m., memorial at Sequim Valley Chapel, 108 W. Alder St., Sequim; Pastor Gisela Taber will officiate.
Memorials: National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036-4588.
Denise Althea Proper
July 3, 1955 -- Nov. 27, 2002
Denise Althea Proper died in Seattle from injuries received in an automobile accident in Port Angeles at the age of 47.
Mrs. Proper was born Titusville, Pa., to Roy and Beatrice (Mable) Proper. She attended school in Titusville and had lived in Clallam County for 1½ years. She loved her grandchildren, collecting things, and tending to her plants.
Survivors include her husband, Gerald Leroy Bish of Port Angeles; sons Mike, Travis, and Albert Bish, all of Meadville, Pa.; daughters Tonia Bish and Mary Bish, both of Port Angeles; brothers John, Dave, Joey and Martin; sisters Tammy, Debbie, Patti and Dilace; and 19 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary.
Services: Funeral service will be in Titusville, Pa. Drennan & Ford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jackie L. Shell
March 21, 1950 -- Nov. 26, 2002
Jackie L. Shell died in Port Angeles from complications from liver failure at the age of 52.
Mr. Shell was born to Robert and LaVonda (Shirts) Rodden in Oregon. His wife, Jill, died June 14, 1999.
Mr. Shell enjoyed the last 10 years of his life with sobriety and service and involvement with others in alcohol recovery. He was also involved in communicating alcohol recovery messages to those living in correction centers.
He was particularly fond of his faithful dog, LeRoy. He enjoyed working on cars and helping people fix their cars.
Mr. Shell was a member of First Baptist Church in Port Angeles.
Survivors include son Ewing, daughter Bernice and sister Jenny Rodden of Oregon.
Services: Memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at First Baptist Church, 105 W. Sixth St., Port Angeles, with a potluck reception following the service. Drennan & Ford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: Linda Beach, 435 E. Park Ave. No. 2, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Carolyn L. Sprague
March 8, 1929 -- Nov. 26, 2002
Carolyn L. Sprague died after a short illness in Port Angeles at the age of 73.
Mrs. Sprague was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Arthur and Eva Mae (McLandsborough) Cameron. She married James Sprague in Oskaloosa in October 1951. They divorced in 1973.
Mrs. Sprague received a teaching certificate in 1949 from Northern Iowa Teachers College and a bachelor's degree in education from William Penn College in Iowa in 1966. She taught at elementary schools in Iowa and Oregon until she retired in Richland, Ore., in 1992 and moved to Port Angeles.
Mrs. Sprague enjoyed traveling, daily crossword puzzles, bird watching, collecting chiming clocks, watching mysteries and Western movies and walking her dog. She was a volunteer at the Port Angeles Senior Community Center, the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Center.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law James Sprague and J'Nee DeLancey, and Paul and Dewi Sprague of Port Angeles; daughters Carol Sprague of Haifa, Israel, and Dianna Sprague of West Liberty, Iowa; sisters Margaret Schwin of Eugene, Ore., and Joyce Burtis of Hudson, Iowa; and one granddaughter.
A sister, Pauline Morrison, preceded her in death.
Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, at Drennan & Ford Funeral Home, 260 Monroe Road, Port Angeles, with pastor Eldon Officer officiating. Her remains will be scattered.
Memorials: Port Angeles Senior Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
