Obituaries

Aug 18, 2021

Antonio Gonzalez, 49, beloved husband, father, son and brother went to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior on August 18, 2021 after an unexpected illness. Born November 15, 1971 in Sunnyside, WA, to Carlos and Pam Gonzalez he spent most of childhood years growing up in the Yakima Valley which later would influence his artwork. He grew...

Aug 13, 2021

Edgar Earl Pears Sr.

Went home through the gates of heaven and into the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on August 13, 2021 in Lynden, WA at the age of 86. Edgar was born in Spokane, WA May 6, 1935 to (father) Fabian Lewis Pears and (mother) Helen Cora (Campbell) Pears. He is survived by his beloved wife...

Aug 9, 2021

Aug 4, 2021

Theresa E. Matheson passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the age of 100.

She was born April 8, 1921 in Morgan City, Louisiana, she was raised by her parents Carlo & Maime (Cacioppo) Gagliano along with 4 sisters, and 6 brothers in a two-bedroom house on the Bayou. In 1945 she married the love of her...

Aug 2, 2021

Becky M. Hunziker Smith, age 67, of Deming passed away at her home Monday, August 2, 2021. She was born to parents Leonard and Edith (Keagle) Hunziker. She married Mike Smith in Salt Lake, Utah November 4, 1968 and made Whatcom County their home. Becky was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Olsen. She is survived...

Aug 1, 2021

Cheri Elaine (Ten Kley) Johnson, age 69, met her Lord and Savior unexpectedly Sunday, August 1, 2021.  Cheri was born August 7, 1951 to her parents, Leonard and Dianne (Wellbrock) Cowden. She was raised in Deming and graduated from Mt. Baker High School with the Class of 1969. Cheri married Mike Ten Kley in February of 1971 and they enjoyed many wonderful years together until his passing in...

Jul 29, 2021

Patricia Antonia Derbeck O’Donovan Friedson, age 72, was born July 27, 1949, in California, and passed away peacefully at Shuksan Healthcare in Bellingham, Washington, on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Patricia was a wildly gifted story-teller, writer, harpist, artist and caregiver. She will be cherished for the sweetness of her soul, which was ever attuned to wonder, beauty, truth, humor and...

Jul 22, 2021

James “Jim” Albert Rhone passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Bellingham at the age of 73.    

Jim grew up in the Mount Vernon area.  He graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended Western Washington University.  He enjoyed sports, gardening and coffee.  His daughters remember the amazing garden he tended during their childhood where they could eat...

Jul 17, 2021

Christopher Joel Huff, age 39, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021 at his sister's home in Bellingham, WA.  Chris lost his courageous battle with cancer, but not without leaving his mark of faith on this world. Chris is survived by his wife Michelle Talbott Huff and daughter Savannah Huff, of Bellingham, WA; parents Bryan and Michelle Huff; sister Moriah James and her...

Jul 12, 2021

Patricia (Patty) Ellen VanDiest of Sumas, WA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family July 12, 2021, at the age of 75.  Born in Abbotsford B.C., Patty was the youngest child of Frank & Dorotha Rolls. She had a stubborn spirit that carried her through her battle with cancer. Through all the radiation & chemotherapy treatments she never once complained.

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Jul 11, 2021

Beloved husband, father, brother, and papa, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2021 in his life long hometown of Bellingham WA.

On January 6, 1954, Dave was born to Cecil and Esther Simplot. As the youngest of 8 he was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and James and sister Marlene, leaving behind sisters Patrica (Jack) Davis, Kathy...

Jun 30, 2021

Birth               February 18, 1934, Oak Harbor, Washington

Death              June 30, 2021, Whatcom Hospice House, Bellingham, Washington

Burial             Saturday, July 3, 2021, Nooksack Cemetery, Nooksack, Washington

Dorothy Louise Hackett was born in her grandmother’s cabin on Whidbey Island, Washington on February 18, 1934. She is the eldest daughter of Arthur Russell and Opal Adelle (Walter) Hackett....

Jun 28, 2021

Verda Grace Ratcliff, age 89, passed away at her home on June 28th, 2021. Verda was born in Port Angeles, WA on Oct. 22, 1931 to Frank and Lena Lindsay. She married Walt (Holm) Ratcliff in June of 1951 and started her 17-year run traveling the U.S. as a dedicated Navy wife until Walt retired in 1968 and they settled...

Jun 27, 2021

Rosalie Margaret Robey, age 79, of Bellingham passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Bellingham. She was born May 15, 1942 in Winona, Minnesota and had been a Whatcom County resident since childhood and graduated from Bellingham High School with the class of 1960. Rosalie worked as a Waitress for many years in Blaine and at the Horseshoe Café in...

Jun 26, 2021

Leonard “Jack” Balicki, age 70, passed away peacefully in his Bellingham, WA home Saturday, June 26, 2021 from long term illness surrounded by his loving wife Kathy Balicki and family.

Jack was born September 19, 1950 in Oak Harbor Island, WA to Leonard Anthony “Lenny” Balicki and Geraldine Josephine “Jerri” Linker.  He spent most of his active childhood in Sunnyvale,...

Jun 25, 2021

Merrill Embert Lewis, age 89, died at home with family after a long illness.  He was born in California in 1932 to Howard and Ida Lewis.  During the depression, the family of five moved to Baker, Oregon, where he initially lived with his immigrant Scandinavian grandparents, Hilma and Embert Fossum, growing up among a large family of aunts, uncles and...

Jun 24, 2021

Albert Frank Jorgensen, age 72, of Bellingham passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Bellingham at Alderwood Park Health & Rehabilitation.  He was born September 2, 1948 in Wyoming to parents Clifford and Gertrude (Sterk) Jorgensen. A memorial potluck will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021, 1:00 PM at the Kalsbeek Riverside Retreat, near Acme, 2503 Valley Highway. 

Jun 23, 2021

Shelly Ann Polinder, age 56, of Ferndale passed away at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital, Wednesday June 23, 2021 surrounded by her family.  She was born in Bellingham, WA June 24, 1964 to Alroy Marvin and Susie (Ashe) Polinder.

Shelly has lived the majority of her life in the Birch Bay area where she enjoyed the scenic views, gardening, the wildlife,...

Jun 17, 2021

Linda Faye Henken, age 65, of Lynden passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Bellingham.  Linda was born to Pierce and Jessie (Groen) Molendyk on October 6, 1955 in Bellingham. She is survived by husband Dale of 47 years; son Ryan and wife Shaylene; brother Dwayne and wife Carol and numerous of nieces, nephews and other relatives all of...

Jun 14, 2021

Connie Rae Simpson, age 70, passed away Monday, June 14, 2021 in Bellingham. She was born September 25, 1950 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to parents Leslie and Loretta (Miller) Shore. Connie grew up in Port Angeles, Washington and graduated from the Port Angeles High School and went on to Peninsula College where she obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse Degree....