Clarence "Pete" Pearson passed away March 26, 2009. He was born April 26, 1937, i Elma, Washington, to Harvey and Alta (Mowry) Pearson. He graduated from Elma High School in 1955. He earned his bachelors degree from Washington State University in 1959 and his masters degree at Wisconsin State University in 1970.He married Linda Hanson of Kelso on June 12, 1960. The marriage produced two children, Gerald and Valerie, but ended in 1965. He married Colleen Whyatt on July 24, 1970, and together they had a son, Daniel.Pete had an extensive teaching career beginning in 1959: vocational agriculture and chemistry teacher, Winlock High School 1959-62, vocational agriculture and chemistry teacher, Eatonville High School l962-74, and vocational agriculture and forestry teacher, Elma High School 1974-89. He retired from teaching in 1989 with 30 years served. He also owned and operated a family dairy farm from 1967-1993, farming 250 acres with 350 head of cattle. He sold the two dairies he owned in 1993 and went into the flower (dahlia) business with son Dan.Pete also served his community and state. He was a State Farm Bureau board member, member of the State Board for Vocational Education, president of the State FFA Foundation, master of the Sharon Grange, member of the National FFA Forestry Committee, member of the Grays Harbor County Fair Board, an American Dahlia Society senior judge, active in the Evergreen State Dahlia Association, served on the Elma School Board from 1989-2001, and served two terms on the State Commission for Student Learning. In 1984, he was honored with both the Bishop Foundation Youth Leader of the Year award and the Daily World's Citizen of the Year award.Pete was still enjoying life raising dahlias and going to garden shows in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco each spring until 2008. He lived on the family farm and was able to get his hands in the dirt on a daily basis. He died there on March 26, 2009, with his children by his side.Pete was preceded in death by his wife Colleen in November, 2006. Pete is survived by his oldest son Gerald "Jerry" (Sherrie) of Oakville, his daughter Valerie (fiancĂ© Roger Bolden) of Auburn, and his youngest son Dan (Mieke) of Oakville. Pete's grandchildren include Val's daughter, Melanie, Jerry's daughter and son, Michelle and Ben, and Dan's daughter and son, Alyssa and Collin. Pete is also survived by his uncle, Charles "Tom" (Laura) Mowry of Elma, first wife Linda Hanson of Covallis, Ore., four sisters-in-law and their families, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.A service will be held at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds Pavilion on April 6, 2009, at 1 p.m. A potluck reception will immediately follow in the Fair's exhibit hall. Donations can be made to the Elma FFA or Grays Harbor County Fair/honorary bench fund. Please visit and sign the online tribute to Clarence Pearson at http://www.whitesidefamilymortuaries.com/. (Published in The Dispatch, Eatonville, WA on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.)Helen Ethel Gordon Asplund – Born March 23, 1911 in Seattle, passed away Nove
mber 30, 2006 in Tacoma. She was a teacher for Eatonville High School for many years and was a substitute teacher until she was 84. She drove school bus for 35 years and did much community service. Helen was a member of the Ohop Grange for 72 years, charter member of Epsilon Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma, the Silver Lake Club, the Ohop Ladies Aid, and the Radio Club of Tacoma. She traveled to many places including China, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, England, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jonas Asplund, daughter, Naida Bohlman, grandson Jack Elliott and her brother, Walter Gordon. She leaves children, Sally (Ben) McKay of Eatonville, Nancy (Jack) Elliott of Naches and Nels of California; 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, December 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 26418 Mt. Hwy East, Spanaway. Contributions may be made to the Ohop Grange, PO Box 717, Eatonville, WA 98328 or Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 1155, Eatonville, WA 98328. Arrangements under the direction of Funeral Alternatives of Washington 253-863-2800. (Published in the News Tribune, Tacoma, on December 4, 2006.)
Mabel Pappajohn, 72, of Eatonville, retired elementary school teacher and former operator of Pappajohn’s Restaurant in Ashford, died August 30 (1976). She was born in Chicago and had lived in the Ashford and Eatonville area 35 years. Mrs. Pappajohn and her late husband opened the restaurant in 1955, and operated it for several years. She was a member of Zora Temple Daughters of the Nile, past matron of the Narada Chapter, Order of Eastern Star a member of Mount Star Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and past master of the Elbe Grange. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Rhoda) Miller of Eatonville; a foster daughter, Mrs. Watt (Kitty) Crow of Tucson, Arizona; three sisters, Mrs. Lillian Nelson of Portland, Mrs. Mildred Thompson of Rochester and Mrs. Cecelia Johnson of Kirkland, and four grandchildren. Services were held last Friday in the Eatonville Methodist Church. Dryer Mortuary was in charge. (Published in The Dispatch newspaper, Eatonville, Washington, on September 9, 1976.) (Note: Rhoda Pappajohn Miller updated the following: Mother was a member, and a past matron (president), of Narada Chapter located in Ashford. When she moved to Eatonville, she joined Mountain Star Chapter (a dual membership); she could almost walk to Mountain Star from our home. She also belonged to the Grange for many years and was a past master (president). And Kittie is not a foster daughter, but her niece.)
Salome R. Olson, Eatonville, Dies – Mrs. Hans Christian (Salome R.) Olson, 60, wife of the superintendent of the Eatonville Schools, died Monday, April 11, 1966, in a Tacoma hospital. She was born in Carroll, Nebraska and moved to Western Washington 23 years ago. She went to Eatonville 17 years ago from Orting. For 13 years Mrs. Olson was librarian at the Eatonville High School. She was a member of the Lutheran Church and Sweet Grass Chapter, OES, both in Big Timber, Montana; and the Washington State Librarian’s Association, the Washington Education Association and the National Education Association. She had attended the Methodist Church in Eatonville. She leaves her husband of the home, P.O. Box 97, Eatonville; two sons, Richard Leigh Olson of Minneapolis, and Robert Norman Olson of Federal Way; her father William L. Robinson of Caldwell, Idaho; a sister Mrs. Wilma Knudsen of Caldwell and four grandchildren. Services will be announced by Mountain Home Funeral Home. (Published in The Tacoma News Tribune newspaper, Tuesday, April 12, 1966.)
Alvin L. Smith, 73, died Thursday, February 24, 1983, in a local convalescent center. There will be no funeral service. Arrangements are by Selene Mortuary. Mr. Smith was born November 20, 1909, in Leland, Michigan. He was a high school teacher and was retired. He lived in the Olympia area since May 1, 1977. Among his survivors is a sister, Margaret Flora, Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Published in The Olympian newspaper, Olympia, Washington on Sunday, February 27, 1983, page B2.) A.B. Central State College of Michigan, Universities of Washington, Grenoble and Nancy, Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He taught French, English and Art.
Jesse Dawk
ins – Jesse A. Dawkins, 67, of Eatonville died Friday, July 8, 1983. He was born in Downing, Missouri and had lived in Eatonville since 1941. A retired Eatonville school teacher, Mr. Dawkins had also operated at one time the King’s Place restaurant and the Red & White grocery store, both in Eatonville. He was a member of the Eatonville Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Madora; four sons, Jesse Jr. of Salinas, California, Steve of Lewisville, Texas and Mark and Dan of Eatonville; two daughters, Mrs. Al (Suzanne) Lustie of Ellensburg and Anita Dawkins of Seattle; and eight grandchildren. Dryer Mortuary is in charge. (Published in The Eatonville Dispatch newspaper on July 13, 1983.)Leila Kathleen Gritman Osterdahl, 87, wife of Sigfrid Osterdahl o
f Eatonville, passed away October 11, 1990. She was born Lelia Kathleen Gritman in Wallace, Idaho. She spent most of her young life in Palouse, later coming to Maple Valley, where she was in charge of the Consolidated Eighth Grade in the Tahoma Consolidated School District. While in Maple Valley, she met and married Sigfrid Osterdahl. They later moved to Eatonville, where they made their home. Lelia became a teacher in the Eatonville School District, at one time being principal of Elbe School District. She retired in 1980. Leila was a member and past worthy matron of Mountain Star Chapter 1790 O.E.S., an active member and past president of the Stella Hagen Orthopedic Auxiliary, a member of Zora Temple 5, Daughters of the Nile, the Rebekah Lodge and P.E.O. She was also a past president of the Washington State Teachers Association. She is survived by her husband, Sigfrid, of the home; a sister, Ruth Ickes, Spokane and Palm Desert, California; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and one great-great nephew. A brother, Robert Goodman, preceded her in death in 1983. Services were held Monday, at Eatonville Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eatonville Cemetery Fund or the Eatonville Aid Fund. (Published in The Eatonville Dispatch on October 17, 1990, page B-3.)
James Ernest Cope, 83, left our loving arms, December 3, 1990. Born in Palmer Junction, Washington, Mr. Cope lived in this area all of his life. He was a retired coach and teacher. He taught and coached for the old Kapowsin High School for 10 years and was a teacher and coach at Eatonville High School for 22 years. He was a member of the Firgrove Baptist Church. Survivors: wife, Olive; son, Richard and daughter-in-law, Claudia Cope; daughter Marna and son-in-law Bill Unruth; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Monday, December 10, 1 p.m. at the Firgrove Community Baptist Church. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Firgrove Baptist Church, 13601 Meridian South, Puyallup, Washington 98373, in the name of Ernie Cope; or the American Heart Fund. Arrangements by Oakwood Hill Funeral Home, 473-2900. (Published in The Morning News Tribune newspaper, Thursday, December 6, 1990, page B4.)Vynor S. Fish - Vynor S. Fish, 89, died Sunday, January 20, 1996, in Tacoma. Vynor was born August 28, 1906 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to his parents, Herbert and May Fish. Vynor graduated from the University of Washington in 1929 with a BA. He began teaching at Eatonville High School in the fall of 1929. He received his MA degree in 1939. When Vynor became a teacher he extended a family tradition into a third generation. By the time he retired in 1972 he had taught three generations of students in Eatonville during the 42 years of teaching. Vynor married Irene Lundrigan, June 28, 1933. From this marriage there were two children. After Vynor retired he found time to travel and visit family. Vynor was known for having kept a daily diary for over 60 years. Many a family argument was settled when he would open his diary and produce the correct information. His favorite hobbies were socializing with people of all ages, playing cards and chipping wood. Surviving family members are his wife Irene L. Fish of the home; daughter Marjorie Castelli (Dr. Wm P. Castelli) of Marlboro, MA; son Harold Fish (Yoshie) of Eatonville; grandsons Larry Castelli and Bill Castelli of Maryland; granddaughter Allyson Castelli-Larson of MA; grandson Colin Fish of Eatonville; three great-grandchildren; and sisters Virginia Tozer of Ellensburg, Nita Green of Whidby Island and Nina Salter (Dr. Larry Salter) of Renton. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 27, 1996 at 11 a.m. at Dryer Mortuary Chapel with a tie of fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Vynor S. Fish Foundation at any br
anch of Key Bank. Arrangements by Dryer Mortuary. (Published in The Eatonville Dispatch newspaper, Thursday, January 24, 1996, Page A8.)Irene L. Fish - Irene L. Fish, 93, died Sat. June 20, 1998. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Vynor. Irene was born Oct. 7, 1904 in Farlington, Kansas to Willie and Alta Lundrigan. At the age of 4 she moved with her family to Puyallup, were she was raised and educated, graduating from Puyallup High School in 1923. She received her Normal Diploma from CPS in 1925 and taught 3 years at Puyallup's Riverside Grade School. In the fall of 1928 she began 29 years of devoted teaching at Eatonville Grade School. She loved her teaching and the hundreds of children that passed through her classes. Irene married Vynor Fish on June 28, 1933. She loved her family, her Clear Lake Home where she lived for 57 years, the Mountain, the trees, the flowers, and all the natural beauty of Washington. After Irene and Vynor retired they traveled and visited family. She was a 53 year member of Order of Eastern Star, Mt. Star Chapter 179 and past Worthy Matron. She was a lifelong member of the Mother Church Of Christ, Scientist in Boston. Surviving members are daughter, Marjorie (Dr. William P.) Castelli of Marloboro, Maryland.; son, Harold (Yoshie) of Eatonville; grandsons, Larry and Bill Castelli of Maryland; granddaughter, Allyson Castelli- Larsen of Maryland.; grandson, Colin Fish of Tokyo, Japan; 6 great-grandchildren; brother, Marion (Betty) Lundrigan of Pasco; sisters, Joy (Milton) Cole of Puyallup and Bliss (Gilman) Welcker of Port Angeles. She was also the sister of the late Carol Lundrigan, Merle Lundrigan and Clara Green. A memorial service will be held, Thursday August 6, 1998, 11:00 a.m. at Dryer Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vynor S. and Irene L. Fish Educational Fund at any branch of Key Bank. (Published in The Tacoma News Tribune, June 29 and August 3, 1998.)
Dale W. Parton, leader of the band, went to be with the Lord, June 10, 1999 in Alder,
WA. He was born March 28th, 1924 in Buena, WA. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Betty Jean Parton; 5 children, Stephen, Mark, William, Eric, Tina, 12 grandchildren and two brothers, Lynne, Harry. Preceded in death by his brother Lowell. Dale was a graduate of Whitworth College, a retired school teacher of 28 years, a veteran of WWII, serving in Patton's 11th Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge, an active member of the Eatonville Baptist Church and commander of the American Legion Post in Eatonville. Memorial services will be held at the Assembly of God Church (Former Baptist Church) in Eatonville, WA., Monday, June 14th 4:30 p.m., reception following service. Pastor Henry Hoffman will be officiating. Graveyard services will be held on Tuesday, June 15th at 7 p.m. at the Alder Cemetery, conducted by the American Legion. (Published in The Tacoma News Tribune, June 12, 1999.)
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 & 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 & flies, bows & 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, Pa., 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 twenty-five 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 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome. Contributions may be made in his name to the Eatonville Lions Club. (Published in The Dispatch newspaper, Eatonville, Thursday, May 10, 2001.)
