Obituaries

Apr 8, 2019

It’s with deepest sorrow we announce that Garrett Rusing (Ace), age 22, our beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle & friend passed away suddenly Monday, April 8, 2019 in Ferndale, WA from a fall due to a Stress Seizure caused from broken heart syndrome.  He was devastated when he lost his dad, his home there and asked daily when he could...

Apr 7, 2019

Winfred Denver Reimer, age 97, of Bellingham passed away in Bellingham Sunday, April 7, 2019. He was born June 26, 1921, in Hillsboro, Kansas to parents Dietrich Cornelius and Nellie (Voth) Reimer. He married Alyce Carolyn Archer, August 23, 1946 in Newton, Kansas.  Winfred was born on the farm 6 miles East of Goessel.  He went to school for the...

Apr 5, 2019

Joann Gaulke, age 76 of Custer, Washington passed away in Bellingham, Friday, April 5, 2019.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Lilah (GoodJohn) Gaulke and her brother James Gaulke.  Joann is survived by her “Sister” Linda Ertsgaard; nieces, Lisa Gaulke Anderson (Scott Reed) and Kathy Gaulke Sieg (Jeff); great nieces and nephews, Ennisa Anderson, Regan Anderson,...

Apr 2, 2019

Sally Jo was born in Port Angeles, WA to “Stun” and Iris Bray on June 23, 1939.  At 6 years old her family moved to Bellingham, where later she attended Bellingham High School and graduated in 1957.  She went on to attend a year at WWU, having the most fun working on the yearbook staff.

In July 1962, sally was...

Mar 30, 2019

Meridale Jane Watson entered heaven March 30, 2019. Born in Detroit, Michigan on June 1, 1929, to Ottomar and Dorothy (Schmidt), she grew up in the Detroit and Rochester areas with her two sisters, Valerie {Larry) and Donna {Corky). Mom loved her family farm at Lake Orion where she developed a lifelong love for horses. She met Norman Watson when...

Mar 26, 2019

Samuel John Umbaugh, age 82, of Bellingham was born June 15, 1936 to Chas and Louella (Merrell) Umbaugh in, Apollo , Pennsylvania, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019 Bellingham, WA.  Sam Joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served as an Aircraft Jet Mechanic. He met his sweetheart, Sylvia Joan Kershaw, in New York and together they moved to...

Mar 25, 2019

Mar 25, 2019

John Michael (“Mike”) McCormick, 68, died March 25, 2019, at his home in Nooksack, Washington, surrounded by family, after a courageous 3+ year journey with glioblastoma (GBM) brain cancer.

Mike was born on July 18, 1950 in Conrad, Montana, to Rosemary (Hofland) and Neil McCormick. Mike’s early years were spent in a one-room school house on the Montana prairie, until...

Mar 25, 2019

Darlene Marie Stansfield, age 81, of Lynden passed away at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham Monday, March 25, 2019. A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, March 29, 2019 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 5977 Northwest Rd., Ferndale followed by a Celebration of her Life at 2:30 PM, at Evergreen Community Church, 6899 N. Enterprise Rd., Ferndale, WA 98248...

Mar 16, 2019

Phyllis Irene Manier was born in Cadillac, Michigan August 28, 1925 to Phillip and Irene Bashaw.  She was preceded in death by her only sister Jeanne, and her husband Emil Manier.   She is survived by her three children, Christopher Noel, Emily Jeanne, and Victoria Susan.  In addition, Phyllis was blessed with and greatly loved by her six grandchildren: Aran,...

Mar 12, 2019

Jerry A. Bajema, age 73, of Deming passed away at his home Tuesday, March 12, 2019. He was born in Bellingham, WA to parents Samuel and Dorothy Marjorie (Gatjens) Bajema on June 21, 1943. Jerry graduated from Lynden High School in 1963. Jerry served four years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.  He had quite a...

Mar 10, 2019

Swietze Vander Meulen, age 74, of Sumas passed away Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham. He was born August 17, 1944 in Artesia, California to parents Ralph and Etta (Keuning) Vander Meulen. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Pete and Andrew Vander Meulen and his sister Alyce Yonkman.  Swietze is survived by...

Mar 5, 2019

Keith Bakker, age 73, passed away at home on March 5, 2019 surrounded by his loving family, after an 8 year battle with metatastic breast cancer.  Keith was born May 21, 1945 in Sumas, WA to Charles and Hilda (VanDyken) Bakker.  He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Susan, daughters Amy (Mike) Lathrop and Kary (Rob) Smith...

Mar 1, 2019

Steven David Leigh, son of the late Doug and Doris Leigh, was born September 28th, 1953, in Montreal, Canada. Along with his 2 sisters, Lynda and Donna, and his late brother Peter, the family moved to several cities in Canada, as well as Chicago, then settled in California in 1970. Steve graduated from Del Valle High School in Lafayette, CA,...

Feb 28, 2019

On February 28, 2019, Giovannina “ Jennie” Albano Brasile, born December 29, 1927, surrendered her life peacefully to be with her family and her Lord in heaven.  Jennie was a beloved wife and aunt, fondly called “Zizi” by several generations of nieces and nephews.  Jennie will always be remembered for her gracious, generous and beautiful nature and her amazing potato...

Feb 27, 2019

Kevin Scott Arnold, age 54 passed away in his home in Maple Falls, WA on February 27, 2019. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Kevin was born December 9, 1964 in Dickenson, ND. He is preceded by his parents William and Irene Arnold, Sisters Sandra Arnold, and Wynne Martin of Great Falls, MT. Survived by his...

Feb 23, 2019

Barbara Jo (Barbie Jo) Sweet age 68 of Birch Bay, Washington, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2019, with husband and family at her side. Barb was born March 27, 1950, in Richmond, Indiana, to Morris Rife and Marjorie (Hill) Rife. Barb and Carl Sweet were married on October 17, 1977, at Rosario Beach, near Anacortes, Washington.

Barb was a...

Feb 21, 2019

Gerald Wallace Glass was born February 5th, 1939 and went to be with his Lord and Savior February 21, 2019. He grew up in the Everson area and graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1957. He married his sweetheart Janie Tjoelker in 1963 and together they had 3 children. He was a loving Father to Patricia (Allan) Beld, Tami...

Feb 20, 2019

Evelyn (Evie) Heeringa went to be with her Lord Wednesday, February 20, 2019 with her family by her side. Evie was born in Bellingham, Washington to Henry and Sadie Poortinga on February 10, 1957 to an extremely large family whom she love hosting. After her mother's passing when she was 6, Henry married Deena. Evie married her high school sweetheart...

Feb 20, 2019

Brian Jeffrey Matz passed away peacefully at 1:20 a.m. at the Hospice House on February 20, 2019, after courageously and valiantly battling cancer.  He was a real trooper throughout his chemo.  He was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1980 to John and Linda Matz in Bellingham, WA.

Brian was a very caring, loving and thoughtful young man.  He was...