Family and friends will gather one week from tomorrow to remember Don Charles. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Donald Edward Charles, 2/26/1957-4/2/2018

Beloved son, husband, father, and Papa.

Don was a Navy Veteran who worked at various shipyards around Puget Sound and spent many years coaching youth sports.

Survived by his wife Lisa of 40 years, his parents Don and Marilyn, sisters Debra and Diana, and various aunts and uncles. Don had 5 children, DJ (Tara), Michelle (Mason), Kaitlin (Justin), Brentt, and Tumua. He also had 4 beautiful grandchildren, Kaleena, Mason, Kaeson, and Kailayah.

Don had an open-door policy and welcomed everyone in his home. He lived his life his way and will be greatly missed.

His memorial service will be held at The Cove in Normandy Park on April 15th @ 2 pm.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A Celebration of Life is planned May 5th for 24-year-old Ian Z. Mandt, who died last week. His family is sharing this remembrance:

Ian Zachary Mandt
First day on earth, April 2, 1993
First day in heaven, March 24, 2018

Ian Zachary Mandt of West Seattle died on March 24, 2018, just shy of his 25th birthday.

Ian stuffed a lifetime of experiences into a short span of time. He loved to dance and sing, was an active and locally well-known skateboarder, and an artist and passionate letterer. Ian was playful and lived with a joyful heart, especially in his work with children at the West Seattle/ Fauntleroy, and Meredith Matthews East Madison YMCAs. Kids looked up to Ian because he understood them and inspired them with his positive personality and unique world view. Ian was sensitive, open, and generous with his time and creative energy, with his trademark huge smile for all who knew him.

Ian attended Arbor Heights Elementary and Pathfinder schools in West Seattle and graduated from Nova High School. In addition to the YMCA, he had worked in various skate shops, Carhart, and also for the Seattle Mariners. In his work with children and adults alike Ian was known as a “millennial whisperer,” one who seamlessly connected his generation with those that came before him and after.

Ian leaves behind his beloved parents Jenny and Gordy Mandt of West Seattle; his grandmother Judy and stepgrandfather, Hugh Bishop of Marblehead, MA; his uncle Robert, aunt Bo, and children Ryder, Clara, and Robyn in Altadena, CA; aunt Kristi Mandt of Normandy Park, and Leanne and Ben Ng and children Ben and Nicole of Juneau; and uncle Bill Mandt and Kathleen of Tacoma. He also leaves his many loving cousins Rachel and Cadence Tillman of Portland, OR; Jim, Kat and Mimi Tillman of Seattle, and many more from around the country; extended family, and a huge circle of friends from his various adventures and endeavors. We all love you, Ian. Your memory will continue to light up our lives.

An open house celebration is planned for Saturday, May 5th, 3-7 pm at the Hall at Fauntleroy at 9131 California Ave SW. Gifts that support the work Ian most loved would be greatly appreciated. Please consider sending a gift in Ian’s memory to one of these non-profit organizations: Orion Center
www.youthcare.org, Vera Project www.theveraproject.org, or West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA www.seattleymca.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather tomorrow to remember Richard A. Browne. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Richard A. Browne (Sept. 15, 1948 – Feb. 5, 2018) passed away after a long illness, leaving his wife of 43 years, JoAnn; his son, Adam (Erin); two granddaughters, Kailey and Brianna; his brother, Wayne (Char); as well as nieces and nephews.

Richard enlisted in the Air Force after high school and served in Vietnam. He loved fishing, woodworking and modeling, crafting many beautiful items over the years. He found the most joy raising his son and spending time with his grand girls, who he dearly loved.

Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Seattle VA Hospital and Providence Hospice for his care over the years.

Services at Tahoma National Cemetery on March 13, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with a gathering after at Alliance Bible Church near the cemetery. Arrangements by People’s Memorial Co-op.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather one week from today to remember Susan M. Stiller. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Susan Mary (Thomas) Stiller

Sue passed away unexpectedly on February 26 at age 67. She is survived by Thomas, her husband of 48 years, daughter Mary, and brothers Paul (Pam) Thomas and Richard (Barbara) Thomas.

She was raised in West Seattle, graduated WSHS in ’68, and retired from the VAMC, where she worked as a nurse. She had been a Hospice volunteer, member of US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and an altar server at Holy Rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16, at Holy Rosary in West Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to seattlehumane.org or American Diabetes Association.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

This announcement is part obituary, part “how you can help.” It was sent on behalf of former Pathfinder K-8 teacher Chris Weaver‘s family, by a longtime friend of his who also was a Pathfinder teacher:

The Weaver Hudson Family Fund

Chris Weaver was a founding teacher of West Seattle’s Pathfinder School, bringing vision, energy, and love to establishing Pathfinder in its fledgling years. Chris deeply loved his community. He gave greatly of himself to his students, their families and the wider Pathfinder family. After teaching at Pathfinder for many years, Chris and his family moved to Asheville, North Carolina.

Three years ago, Chris was NC Charter School Teacher of the Year. In the years that followed what was a peak of his remarkable career, Chris struggled with depression and mental illness that culminated in his death on 9-20-2017. In spite of his own efforts and the profound efforts of others, this tragedy occurred. For his family, his students, his dear friends, and many, many others across the state, country, and world, Chris’s loss is felt deeply.

Chris’s warmth, intelligence, and boundless energy were renowned and he was beloved by all who knew him. His family meant the world to him and he to them. With his passing, Chris leaves behind his wife Rhett and their two sons, ages 15 and 20.

Their oldest son, who has made many films already with support from Chris over the years, is now in his junior year at the NC School of the Arts for film making. He has ongoing educational expenses including a need for equipment necessary for his burgeoning film career.

Their youngest son is a beautiful musician. Chris fostered in him a love of music, over the years helping with piano, guitar, and drum lessons. For their youngest son, these music lessons continue as will college expenses in the future.

To honor Chris’s love for both family and education in a future where he can no longer offer support, The Weaver Hudson Family Fund has been established to support his sons’ education and to facilitate their well-being over time. Their mother, Rhett, and a trusted friend will manage the funds and be responsible for monitoring expenses.

Chris’ family deeply appreciates any and all assistance to help ensure they have the resources they need. You can give through these avenues:

1. Go online to https://igg.me/at/FH5IwfnouGc to donate at our generosity.com website, or

2. Send a check made payable to “The Weaver Hudson Family Fund” and mail to: Weaver, PO Box 18344, Asheville, NC 28814

Please know what a difference this will make for the Weaver Hudson family. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

The family of Dr. Dale F. Rudd is sharing this remembrance with the community:

Dr. Dale F. Rudd, 83, professor and research scientist who spent his retirement years in West Seattle:

Many in West Seattle likely remember Dale as the friendly and always upbeat elderly man in the fedora who was a regular walker in the Seaview and Beach Drive neighborhood. He passed on in February after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, leaving behind his beloved wife, Sandra, and two children, Karen and David.

Dale was born and raised in a Scandinavian-American family in Minneapolis Minnesota. He received his BS with distinction and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. He taught at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he met and married his Sandra, before joining the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. At the University of Wisconsin, he was the Donald C. Slichter Professor of Engineering Research and became internationally known for his influential work in process engineering and computer systems. University of California Vice President and Provost C. Judson King called Rudd’s research “truly pioneering and important.”

Rudd co-wrote numerous university textbooks, including the first textbook in process engineering, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the Washington State Academy of Sciences. He won many awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Outstanding Educator in America, Byron Bird Award for Excellence in Research Publication and the Benjamin Smith Reynolds Award, and was a visiting professor at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Despite his professional accomplishments, his friends and family knew him as a kind, humble man, with a dry sense of humor and always positive view of life, who enjoyed woodworking, canoeing and the outdoors, and spending time with his family and dogs.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Joyce Carfrae, and sharing this tribute with the community:

Joyce Carfrae, 83, of West Seattle, died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease on February 18, 2018. Her daughters were with her when she peacefully passed.

Joyce was born in Seattle on September 19, 1934. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1953. She married George, who preceded her in death (2012), on April 23, 1954. George and Joyce lived most of their married life in the Alki area.

When her children were young, Joyce was active in the elementary PTA and was a Camp Fire Leader. Joyce was an avid reader. George and Joyce enjoyed walking, spending time together at their lake property, made several trips to Maui and on an Alaskan cruise. They were members of Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ. They also played an active role in the lives of their young grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Carol Pennie (Jim) and Carrie Ferrulli; her Grandchildren Victoria and William Ferrulli, Catherine and Michael Pennie; her brother Bruce Thomason (Barb); her sister-in-law Susan Thomason and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. A memorial gift in Joyce’s name can be made on www.alz.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

From the son of longtime West Seattleite Darrell Burleigh:

I just wanted you to know that my father passed away recently.

He was more than just the best dad a son could hope for. He was a great man. He led by quiet example. He touched many lives and everyone liked him.

I’m sure he will be remembered by those who worked alongside him at the West Seattle Post Office, his friends at the West Seattle Golf Course, most recently those he helped at the Granada condos, and fellow residents at DayStar Assisted Living. For all of his adult life, he was a member of the West Seattle Christian Church. His life was Christ-like.

Plans for a memorial or funeral service are pending.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Next Saturday, family and friends will gather to remember Francis “Frank” Keller. Tonight, they’re sharing the story of his life – from statewide political involvement to a woodworking hobby that inspired a public artwork you’ve likely seen:

Born on May 1, 1924, in Mitchell, South Dakota, he attended a one-room school house and worked on his parents’ farm until he left home as a teenager.  Frank hitchhiked across the country to Seattle, finally settling in Bremerton in the 1940s.  He joined the Navy at 18, during World War II, and was sent to serve in the Pacific on the USS South Dakota. 

In 1944, he returned to Bremerton and married Viola (Sally) Gonzales.  They had a child, Patricia Lee, and ran a restaurant on Bainbridge Island named The Hi Shoppe. It was the place to hang out then.
 
Frank and Sally divorced in 1945, and Frank went to work for Pepsi.  He married Betty Horton in the 1950s.  While working as a truck driver at Pepsi, he commuted to Seattle University on the ferry at night, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1961.  He had three children then, Cindy, Francine and Mary Lisa.   By that time, Frank had been attracted by the excitement of politics.  He was selling insurance to support his family, but also got involved in local election campaigns.  The family increased by one, with the birth of his son, Robert.    Betty passed away in 1964. 

At this time, Frank was elected State Chair of the Democratic Party and he relocated his whole family to the house in West Seattle in 1965.  He married Carol Grabner in 1965, and they were married until 1968. 

Frank continued his commitment to politics and was Democratic State Chairman throughout the 60’s, when he managed the reelection campaigns of US Senator Warren Magnuson, gubernatorial campaigns of Albert Rosellini and Dixy Lee Ray, as well as fundraising and doing advance work for the presidential campaigns of Robert and Ted Kennedy, then Henry Jackson.  It was an exciting life, and Frank was the chair of the Washington State delegation to the Democratic convention several times. He even attended the Presidential Inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

At the end of the ’60s, Frank tried to settle down to more stable work, first working for the newly formed Office of Emergency Preparedness, but being a bureaucrat was not his calling.  He eventually went back to Pepsi as sales manager for Glacier Beverages in Rainier Valley, where he met the love of his life, Joanne Welch.  They married in 1969, and the Keller clan became a family of 9, adding Carolann and Jim, launching Frank into his next chapter.  All the younger six kids lived in the house until reaching adulthood, then came back often with their children and even grandchildren. 

Frank got laid off from Pepsi in the ’70s.  He used his political and business experience as an opportunity to launch a consulting and lobbying venture.  He enjoyed much success with such clients as the Washington State Superior Court Judges, the beverage industry, the vending machine industry, among others.   He was named several times to the list of Top Lobbyists in Washington State.  Frank was known as a straight talking, honest person, and always told it like he saw it.

When Frank retired from politics and lobbying, he took up woodworking, reaching back to his younger days as an apprentice cabinetmaker.  He started making wooden toys, wooden ornaments, jewelry boxes, and even furniture.  All from scrap wood that he would find in different places, and has supplied so many family and friends with his amazing creations. He has given toys to many organizations that help children, hoping to bring some happiness to those who might not be as blessed.    His fire truck gift to the West Seattle Fire Station was the inspiration for the artist who created the West Seattle Fire Station 32 sculpture, unveiled just this past year. 

Frank and Joanne also did some traveling, going back and forth to Hawaii almost every year, among other places.   Frank also spent many years going to the West Seattle YMCA for his daily workout and sauna, and became somewhat of a fixture there.    

When Joanne had her stroke in 2001, Frank assumed the role of devoted caretaker.  He would be by her side daily, ever diligent to make sure that Joanne had what she needed.  They were the storybook example of love, and his world revolved around her until she left us in 2008. 

After Joanne passed, Frank was lifted up by the love of his family.  He would get joy from watching all the grandchildren grow up and celebrate their life landmarks.  He even was able to hold and play with his great granddaughter, which brought him so much happiness.  He would sit in the living room nightly, sipping his bourbon (or two), eating his chocolates and watching CNN.  He would have questions or comments about the state of the world, and would let us know what he thought. 

Frank Keller lived large — he filled up the room when he was in it.  There is a big gap in our lives now that he is gone, but the lessons he taught and the memories he made will be with us always.  Go in peace, Dad, we love you and miss you.

Frank’s memorial Mass is on Saturday, January 20th, 11 am, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, Frank’s family would ask that donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project or the Seattle YMCA

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(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Over the holidays, we reported the sudden passing of Dorothy “Dotty” Spadoni Hughes, and now, with services next Saturday, here’s the full remembrance being shared by her family:

Dotty was born in Seattle on January 5, 1952 to Henry and Dorothy (Barbour) Spadoni. She was the seventh of ten children. Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jim and Dick (Carol) Spadoni, and her sister Colleen Gannaw. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years Daniel Allen Hughes, her daughters Amy (Andy) Zottman, Bridgett (Ron) Cabiles, son Joseph Hughes, and “children by choice” Pamela Mead and Jamie Edwards. Also survived by her siblings and in-laws Jeanne (Ray) Dondanville, Kay Spadoni, Don (Judy) Spadoni, Marianne (Dan) Harden, Irene (Doug) Garvey, Betty Spadoni, John Gannaw, Steven Spadoni, Gary Hughes, Kevin (Fae) Hughes and Brian (Helen) Hughes. Dotty has six grandchildren – Malia and Eliana Zottman; Leila and Vanessa Cabiles; Ysun Mead and Rosalina Woods – as well as 19 nieces, 11 nephews, and 31 great-nieces and nephews.

Dotty attended both Holy Rosary Elementary and High School in West Seattle. Although Dan and Dotty attended the same elementary school and lived within blocks of one another, they happened to meet on the shores of Birch Bay in 1966. They fell in love and were married on June 23, 1972. The real and lasting love of Dan and Dotty laid the foundation for their beautiful family. Dotty began her West Seattle banking career in her early 20s. Honest, hardworking and intelligent, she progressed from teller at Westside Federal to Vice President at Washington Federal. Along the way, she developed lasting relationships with her clients who would loyally follow her wherever she went. Dotty was long active in the community as a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of West Seattle.

Dotty was a devoted wife, a generous mother and treated everyone as if they were family. The essence of her being was to show all she encountered love, compassion and support. Famous for hosting showers, birthdays and holiday parties, Dotty was at her happiest when her home was full of people and chaos. She loved to cook and entertain, burn her candle on both ends, and only allowed herself to relax when she travelled to her favorite place, Lake Chelan. After working all week, Dotty chose to spend her free time doting on her grandchildren and cooking elaborate Sunday dinners for her family.

Dotty passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2017, after a brief illness, leaving a hole in her family that can never be filled. Although taken too soon, we take comfort in the fact she happily lived life exactly her way.

Services will be held Saturday, January 13, at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle. A Rosary will be said at 10:00 am; the Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am; and a reception will follow immediately in Holy Rosary’s Lanigan Center. A private family internment will be held at Forest Lawn Mausoleum at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medic One.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather on January 14th to remember and celebrate the life of John Frederick William Horner. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

John Horner was born in London, England. As a child, John was part of Operation Pied Piper, the evacuation of children to the countryside during World War II. He spent several years living with families in rural England before returning to his parents in London.

John served for 8 years in the British Army “Royal Signals” in the post-war occupation of Germany and Italy. He was in an Airborne division and made many parachute jumps in training. John immigrated to America in 1954 with his first wife, Maisie, and lived on Long Island, New York until 1967, when he moved to California. He married Norma, his second wife, in 1970, and they moved to Seattle in 1994 to be close to Norma’s family.

In his early years in the U.S., John first worked in a metal-fabrication shop operating a drill press, and then through a family connection got a job in electronics assembly in the home of Saul Marantz, who had recently started his audio products engineering company. (Yes, that Marantz!) He learned electronics, and then switched to software, and became a programmer and eventually an IT Manager in the aerospace industry until he retired in the late 1980s.

In addition to computers and electronics, John had many interests over his lifetime, including art, astronomy, and firearms. He even relived his old Army days by celebrating his 80th birthday with a tandem jump from 13,000 feet! He made a few solo jumps after that, until he broke his leg on a hard landing. But John’s greatest passion was his music. He loved listening to all types of music and loved playing his autoharp every day. John was very active in the Northwest autoharp community for many years, and even wrote a song that was published in the Autoharp Quarterly magazine.

John was preceded in death by his brother Robert Horner, and is survived by his stepson Jon Diemer and wife Martha, his grandchildren Kristin Russell and Neil Diemer and their families, his sister-in-law Nan Allen, and several relatives in England. His many West Seattle neighbors were like an extended family for John, and he deeply appreciated their friendship and support over the years.

John was 89 years old when he passed away, and had achieved his goal of living independently until the very end! A memorial and celebration of John’s life is planned for Sunday, January 14th, from 2-4 PM at his house in West Seattle.

Please share memories and condolences on the online guestbook at emmickfunerals.com. Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral & Cremation Services of West Seattle.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather Saturday to remember Captain Ray Armitstead. The obituary that his daughter sent to us this morning also turns out to be a followup on an incident reported here a month ago:

On December 5, 2017, WSB published a photo sent to you of a car on the sidewalk going up Glenn Way. In that car was my dad, Captain Ray S Armitstead. He was 91, born and raised in West Seattle.The EMT were able to get a pulse and took him to Harborview, where he passed away about an hour later. My mom always said he had an angel on his shoulder. That angel was with him in his 35 years at sea and there right to the very end. The police officer, who came to our door, said no citations will be issued, no one and nothing was hit. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, InaRuth, daughter Marybeth, son Daniel, daughters Martha and Joyce.

We’d like to invite any who knew him to his Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Dakota Place Park, 2 to 4 pm.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Over the holiday, we reported the passing of Dotty Hughes, known by many for her community service as well as her management of the Washington Federal branch north of The Junction. We promised an update when there’s information on services – and a family member tells us today that they are set for Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle on Saturday, January 13 – rosary at 10 am, Mass at 11 am, and a reception in the gym at noon. Ms. Hughes was 65 years old.

Family and friends will gather Thursday in memory of Janis D. Logan. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Longtime West Seattle resident Janis Darlene Logan passed away in her home on December 27, 2017, after a long illness. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 23, 1940, and moved to Washington after WWII. She met and married the love of her life, Mead Logan, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She was blessed to have 3 children who all survive her: Kevin, Derek (Pam), and Erin Guffey (Mike). Additionally, she had 5 grand-children – Nicole (JR), Johanna, Aidan, Ally, and Annabel – along with 2 great-grandchildren, RJ and Logan.

Janis was a parishioner at Holy Rosary in West Seattle for many years and filled many volunteer roles, the most special one as a Eucharistic Minister. She served those parishioners who were homebound and in her last couple of years, participated in the sacrament in her own home thanks to other visiting Eucharistic Ministers.

Janis spent many years volunteering at Holy Rosary School as 4 of her grandchildren attended. She also ran “Granny’s” day care, providing day-to-day caregiving to her grandchildren. She was giving of herself in so many ways and has created many lasting memories for her family.

Janis was often the life of the party and loved to host gatherings in her home. She loved to celebrate all holidays and events with gusto, often embracing the décor of the season. She always had matching paper plates, napkins, and table décor. Most special are the family get-togethers she hosted over the years. There was lots of love and laughter shared as bets were placed on how late Janis would actually be to start the party.

Please join her family and friends at Holy Rosary Church for her funeral mass on Thursday, January 4th, at 9:00 am. A reception will follow in the parish reception room.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you donate to your favorite charity. They would like to thank Father Oakland and Howden-Kennedy, who have been most helpful during this time.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are mourning a beloved member of the West Seattle community. We’ve learned that Dotty Hughes died on Tuesday.

Many knew her as the longtime manager of the Washington Federal branch north of The Junction. She had been with the company for more than 20 years; her staff at the branch told us she had been planning to retire soon.

Ms. Hughes was also long active in the community, including involvement with organizations including the Rotary Club of West Seattle and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. And a longtime friend who contacted us about Ms. Hughes’ passing remembers her as “one of the most thoughtful, kind, and loving souls I knew.”

We hope to have more information soon, including memorial details; we are told that arrangements are being handled through Dignity Memorial.

(UPDATED JANUARY 8TH with Celebration of Life information)

A graveside service is scheduled Thursday, and Celebration of Life next month, for William (Bill) Carpenter. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Bill passed away December 20, 2017 at the age of 87.

Bill was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, to Mary and Gordan Carpenter and was one of 10 children. Bill attended Emmetsburg High School and Junior College and then proudly joined the US Navy and served in Pearl Harbor during the Korean Conflict from 1951 – 1955.

In 1952 Bill met and later married his soulmate for life, Alice Joy (Iden) Carpenter, and together they raised their family in Seattle.

Bill is survived by his three daughters, Kathleen, Colleen, and Maureen, and his two sons-in-law, Dan and Dave, as well as his two brothers Joe and Bob, and many nieces and nephews, who all loved him so much. Bill had 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Alice.

There will be a graveside service at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery on December 28, 2017 at 11:00 and a celebration of life later in January.

(ADDED) The celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 12-4 p.m. at the VFW hall (3601 SW Alaska St.).

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather next month to celebrate the life of Roberta C. “Bobbie” Healy. Here’s the remembrance being shared with her community:

Roberta (Bobbie) Carol Healy of Seattle passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Swedish Hospital, Edmonds, with her family by her side. She was born July 17, 1940, in Grants Pass, Oregon. She was the youngest daughter of Gordon and Cora Carline.

Bobbie lived her childhood years in Ellensburg until her family moved to Bellevue, where she graduated from Bellevue High School in 1958. She married Duane Healy in 1960 and soon welcomed their two sons Patrick and Michael. Duane’s work took them to California for a few years; then they returned to Washington State and later settled in their West Seattle home. The family enjoyed camping in their travel trailer and frequent trips to the ocean in the boys’ younger years.

Her favorite outings throughout her childhood years were those spent with her parents and Sister Jackie at Mutiny Bay Resort on Whidbey Island. The beach, salt air, and camaraderie of the resort were everlasting. During the boy’s school years, they purchased a place in the resort. It became a sanctuary away from the city life, a second home to her boys, and a world of lifelong friends and extended family.

Bobbie was exquisitely creative and had a love for design and craft. Over the years she enjoyed candle making, ceramics, driftwood collage, dried flower arranging, sewing, and scrapbooking, to name a few. If something was new and trending, you could bet that she was already making it! She especially loved doing projects with her boys and nieces, and loved making gifts for family and friends. The digital age opened up a completely new avenue and prompted her passion for document design and desktop publishing.

Bobbie’s career in the towing industry spanned decades. As a dispatcher for many of Seattle’s major towing companies, she was highly recognized as the best dispatcher in the city throughout her career. Her wit and charm reached thousands over the radio waves, and although some had never met her face to face, they knew her well. After leaving the towing industry, she went to work as the friendly operator at Honda of Seattle.

Bobbie was a dedicated member of the Business and Professional Women /WA, which she joined in 1988. Throughout her membership, she served in many capacities including Totem BPW President, BPW/WA State Corresponding Secretary (1993-94), and was instrumental in obtaining appointments with State Senators and Legislators for the BPW/USA Lobby Days in Washington D.C. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Washington State Business & Professional Woman’s Foundation for over 10 years. Additionally she served on many minutes approval committees, worked on the State Roster, and developed many newsletters, publications, flyers and programs for the organization. She was also involved (estimated time: 1990s to 2015) in the National Association of Parliamentarians, Washington State Association of Parliamentarians and the Point of Order Parliamentary Law Unit. She was instrumental in providing support for the 2005 National Convention held in Seattle, providing endless hours working on publications, signage, and materials for the 450+ convention attendees. While not a member of the National Ataxia Foundation, she did lend her expertise in support of the 2009 National Convention held in Seattle.

Bobbie cherished gatherings with family and friends and surrounding herself with love and laughter. She was a loving mother, sister and aunt. Her pride and joy were her sons and nieces, and she never passed a chance to hold a new baby in her arms.

She had a contagious laugh, quick wit, and a great sense of humor. Bobbie never met a stranger! Bobbie loved collecting old world Santas and displaying them at her favorite time of the year. She was a caring, compassionate person who touched many lives. Remember her laugh, her touch, her smile. Her love for family and friends will never be forgotten.

Bobbie is survived by her son Michael Healy; step sister Sandy Poolman; nieces Nancy (David) Brooks; Julie Griffin and Becky (Bob) Eilert, and their dad, Roger Griffin; her “Great nieces and nephews” R.J. Brooks (Kryss); Madison Brooks, Erin Grifka; Camis Eilert-Davis (Bill) and Todd Eilert; and “Great-great nephews and neice” Carter and Rylen Brooks; Hudson, Beckham, and Sailor Davis; her Griffin Family and giant circle of friends.

Predeceased by her parents, Duane Healy, Sister Jackie Griffin, and son Patrick Healy.

A Celebration of Bobbie’s Life is planned for January 27th, 2018 at Bahama Breeze Southcenter, 15700 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, WA 98188, 1-4 pm. Share memories of Roberta on the online guestbook at www.emmickfunerals.com

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather next month to remember Virginia K. Metz, and this remembrance is being shared with the community now:

Virginia K. Metz (née Strasevicius), age 68, passed away in Seattle on Monday, October 2nd. She was born January 22nd, 1949, in Hechingen, Germany to Helen and Stanley, and grew up in Chicago’s Marquette Park. She is survived by her brother Stanley, sister Mary, sons Alec and Andrew, their father Russell, daughters-in-law Tuyatsetseg and Margaret, and grandchildren Thomas and Sylvia.

Virginia worked for over two decades as a dedicated social worker in numerous Seattle schools, including for many years at West Seattle High School. She was a kind, intelligent, and incredibly funny individual, and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of her life will be held in West Seattle on January 20th. If you knew Virginia and would like to attend, please email her son, Andrew, at Andrew.E.Metz@gmail.com.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather Saturday to remember Evelyn Coy, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Evelyn Louise Coy, beloved daughter of Oscar and Ester Nilson, was called home to her Lord on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the age of 90, after a short illness.

She is preceded in death by her mom and dad, sister Gertrude Countryman (Roy), and husband Donald.

Born in Seattle in 1927, she grew up in West Seattle when there were few houses and Army Outposts along the ridge above Puget Sound. She attended West Seattle High School, graduating in 1946, and soon after, following in her Dad’s footsteps, went to work for the Sears Roebuck Company.

In 1948 she married her husband Donald, and began raising their family. They were lifelong members of the West Seattle Community. Evelyn was active in many activities including Boy and Girl Scouts, receiving the Silver Fawn award from the Boy Scouts of America honoring her tireless service to scouting; PTA at the local level, both with her own children and also with her grandchildren, receiving 2 Golden Acorn Awards for outstanding service above and beyond; and later was a King County voting assistant. Both Don and Evelyn were longtime members of First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, serving on many committees, as a Sunday school teacher, and on the church council. Evelyn was recently honored during a worship service for her 50 years of faithful of service on Altar Guild.

She is survived by her daughter Karin Van Sant (Wade), sons Stephen (Donna), Gary, Karl (Fran), Laura Coy, 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Saturday, December 16, at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle at 11 am. In lieu of flowers; memorial gifts may be made to First Lutheran Church.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends are remembering Phyllis Chesterfield, and sharing this tribute with the community:

Phyllis Jean Chesterfield (Johnson) passed away peacefully at her home on November 16, 2017 at the age of 81. She was born February 20, 1936, in Seattle. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School.

Phyllis loved her family, music, reading, history, cooking, genealogy, guitar, and so much more.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Donald R. Chesterfield, June 1, 2011.

Phyllis is survived by her six children Kris Ohanu, Kip Chesterfield, Karen Brown, Kitty Chesterfield, Karli Shanklin, Kilian Chesterfield, and their families, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Walt, Keith, Jim, and Jerry Johnson, and their families, including many nieces and nephews.

A gathering for family and friends will be held in her honor at a later date. Please contact Kris Ohanu (krisohanu@yahoo.com) for details.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

If you knew John Jones, we’re told, you’d know he would only have wanted a short and sweet mention like this one:

John was a graduate of West Seattle High and Central Washington University.

The Ol’ Man was legendary for his stories, all of which have all been independently verified by the firm Crabtree, Kavanaugh, Tervo, and Wachsmith.

We will gather at West 5 on January 8 to celebrate the King and Pops.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather next Tuesday in memory of Don Gochnour, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Donald Earl Gochnour, 83, of Seattle died on November 16th, 2017, at his home in West Seattle.

He was born in Wenatchee on August 17, 1934, to Albert Ross and Helen Gochnour. Don was a longtime West Seattle resident who worked for Boeing and retired in 1996.

Don was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as family camping trips. He loved to bring laughter to others by telling them his jokes and playing jokes on them.

Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Inge; daughters Judy, Linda (Jim Clark), and son Dan (Julie); grandchildren Eric (Cheryl), Troy, Heidi (LaMarr), Chris, Amy (Justin Fowler), and Brian; and great-grandchildren Marcell, Josiah, and Hope.

There will be a graveside service at Forest Lawn in West Seattle on 11/28/2017 at 2 pm (friends and family are welcome to attend), and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Donations in his name may be made to The American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be left in Don’s online guestbook at emmickfunerals.com. Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Family and friends will gather Friday to remember Elaine S. Breuninger. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Elaine was born in Minneapolis to Easton and Amelia, both of whose parents immigrated from Norway. They moved to Washington, D.C. when her father became employed by the U.S. Government as an architect. In her mid-twenties, she came “out West,” met and married her husband Dave. She resided in West Seattle for sixty years.

She was 96 and died peacefully at the adult family home where she received tender loving care the past eight years.

Elaine enjoyed being a homemaker and she was very good at it. She was a talented piano player and singer.

A 45-year member of the Fauntleroy Church Choir, she often sang as a soloist. She was an active member of the Seattle Music Study Club for nearly thirty years. She will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and artistically gifted lady as well as a wonderful, giving mother. Her loving presence and quiet grace will be missed by all.

She is survived by four children, three grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Harold, and husband, Dave.

A memorial service will be held at Fauntleroy Church, UCC, 9140 California Avenue SW, on November 24th at 2 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to: Evergreen Health Foundation, 12040 NE 128h St, MS5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3013; Fauntleroy Church, UCC (music program), 9140 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98136; Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA, 98145-5005.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)