The family of Cheryl Colehour, whose cancer fight ended last November with her untimely death at age 45, wanted to remind the community that her memorial is now less than a week away. Cheryl’s husband Tom Humphreys shared the flyer they have produced, which also invites those who knew and loved Cheryl to share memories online here, for a memory book that is in the works. Her memorial is next Saturday, January 21, 1 pm, at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7141 California SW, with a reception afterward.

One week from today, family and friends will gather to remember lifelong West Seattleite Jack Hanning. His family shares this remembrance:

Jack Hanning
“Maui Jack”
3/24/25-1/7/12

Jack was born in Seattle to Jack and Irene Hanning. He was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and graduated in ‘43 from West Seattle High School.

Jack joined the Sea Scouts and sailed on the Yankee Clipper; later in life, he served on the Sea Scout Foundation.

He volunteered for the U.S. Navy Submarine Service during WWII and served on the Pogy SS266 from ’43-‘46. In ‘47, Jack married Bettie McCoy, and they celebrated their 64th anniversary last June 14th. He graduated from the U of W in ’53, then worked for Benton Realty before opening Hanning Realty in ’56. Later he added Olympic Escrow. After 50 years in the business, he closed his office in ‘06.

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From the West Seattle Eagles, who are mourning their Madam President, Linda Crank:

In Loving Memory of Linda Crank.

Please join us for a memorial service to honor Linda Crank, a friend, sister, colleague, and active volunteer in her community.

The service will be held at the West Seattle Eagles Hall on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm. The service will conclude with a potluck affair.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the charities that Linda supported: Stan Murray Kidney Fund or Breast Cancer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Suzanne Gutierrez directly by phone (206.890.2461) or e-mail at k.suzannegutierrez@gmail.com

Fraternal Order of Eagles
West Seattle
Aerie/Auxiliary 2643
4426 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116
www.westseattleeagles.org

Lois Baldwin lived a life of education – given and received – as well as creativity and adventure, as detailed in this remembrance shared by her niece, Vicki Burr-Chellin:

Lois Elaine Baldwin, former English teacher and guidance counselor at Evergreen High School from 1955-1976, died peacefully on December 11, 2011 in West Seattle.

Miss Baldwin was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1920 in Winlock, WA to Lee Ernest Baldwin and Yola Barrett Baldwin, both from pioneer families. (She claimed to love pumpkin pie because her mother had been eating pie on the day she was born.) The Baldwins moved to Oregon. where their father owned timber and operated a sawmill and their mother was a career public-school teacher, and they raised 4 children.

Miss Baldwin graduated high school in Cottage Grove, OR; she received her BA in Education from the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR (1944); and her MA in Education (English Literature) from the Colorado State College of Education at Greeley, CO (1955). She was a published poet and a student and teacher of Shakespeare. Her published poem in Poems of the Beaver State 1948, A Thanksgiving Prayer follows:

God
Grant that there be
Quietness
Within my soul,
I pray –
Calm, cool strength that
Lends a peace
To this – Thanksgiving Day.

And – then – dear Lord,
Let there be
Love
And with it
Faith to know
That by this quality we live
And by this Truth
We grow.

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The family of West Seattleite Cheryl Colehour, who died a week ago at just 45, shares this remembrance, and news of her memorial service:

On November 30, 2011, West Seattle and the rest of the world lost Cheryl Colehour. She fought hard for the preceding 13 months against breast cancer, which ultimately metastasized to her liver.

Cheryl was a beautiful, talented, loving, fierce woman. Her strength and grace were exceeded only by her loving nature.

Cheryl was born and raised in Bellevue, attended college at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, and spent her adult years in Seattle – Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, and ultimately in West Seattle for the last 12 years. Cheryl studied film and video in college and parlayed those skills into a career as an Instructional Designer. She was a skilled fiber artist as well, often gifting friends and family with her exquisite knitting and sewing projects.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Tom Humphreys and their two children, Clara Humphreys (10) and August Humphreys (3); her father and stepmother, Jeff and Beth Colehour; her sister, Julie Colehour (Mitchell), husband Don and children Jessica and Jeremy; her sister, Janelle Urfer, husband Scott and children Owen and Emma. She is preceded in death by her mother Vernal Colehour (Harkness).

Cheryl was unfortunate to have inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation, which creates an astronomical risk for cancer of the breast and ovaries. Her mother and grandmother succumbed to these cancers as well. Her aunt is a breast-cancer survivor. Cheryl was always willing to participate in whatever studies she could to increase medical understanding of these conditions. In that spirit, if you are moved to contribute in her memory, please consider the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance or The University of Washington Medical Center or Gilda’s Club Seattle.

A memorial will be held for Cheryl on January 21st, 2012, at 1:00 pm, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7141 California Ave SW. We will re-announce the memorial at a closer date as well.

Cheryl’s husband Tom also shares the link for this online memorial, which includes a guestbook.

From her granddaughter Elizabeth Guzman:

Henrietta Ellen Henke, born December 31st, 1929, went to heaven on November 16th, 2011, surrounded by her loving husband of 61 years, Charles, and her family.

She is survived by her devoted husband Charles, her children Chuck (Sherry), Jeralee (James), and Steven (Kari), her seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Her funeral service is Monday, November 21st, 11:00 am, at Hope Lutheran Church. 4456 42nd Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hope Lutheran School.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

West Seattleite Maria Federici sent word that her grandfather Robert (Bob) Abel died early today. She says longtime West Seattleites would remember him as vice president of Westside Federal Savings and Loan, which she says was located where Rocksport is now. Today also happened to be the 61st or 62nd anniversary of Mr. Abel’s marriage to wife Jorene, she notes, adding, “Thank you, West Seattle, for providing a lovely home base for my Grandpa.”

Known to many for her work at West Seattle High School, Carol Wakefield will be remembered at a memorial service next month. From her family:

Carol Lynn Wakefield 04/03/1948 ~ 11/01/2011

Carol Wakefield went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2011. Carol touched many lives and will be fondly remembered.

Carol is survived by her son Scott, her sisters and their families: Cheryl, Ken, Russ and Ozzy, Sue, Ken, Heather, Kenny and Janelle.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on December 3rd, 2011, in the Banquet Room at West Seattle Golf Course, 4470 35th Ave SW.

Per the WSHS website, the school’s main office is accepting donations for flowers and a commemorative tree.

From Prudential Northwest Realty, sent tonight by Barb Joseph:

With great sadness we report the passing of David Dean Smith, a longtime West Seattle and, more recently, Burien Realtor. David died in the early morning hours of November 3, 2011.

David started his real estate career in March 1983 with Ron Turner Realty (later becoming Prudential Benton, then Prudential Northwest Realty Associates) in West Seattle and was still a very active broker with Prudential Northwest at the time of his death. David was known for his generous mentoring of new agents and caring friendship to so many of his fellow real estate associates.

Some of David’s many friends have arranged to get together to remember him Tuesday afternoon (November 15th) at 3 pm at Christos on Alki, 2508 Alki SW. Everyone is welcome.

Services will be held at 11 am on November 19th at Our Lady of Guadalupe School Auditorium in West Seattle at 3401 SW Myrtle.

Mr. Smith was 53 years old, according to his Seattle Times (WSB partner) obituary.

Richard Allen Cunningham‘s family shares this tribute:

Richard was a longtime West Seattle resident who attended West Seattle High School in 1954 to 1956, but graduated from Franklin High School in 1957. He worked for the Seattle School District as a licensed custodian from 1965 to 1989 in various schools throughout the city and at Memorial Stadium. In the mid-‘70s he was one of the adult advisers for the Seattle Police Explorers, of which his son and daughter were a part. Richard retired from the School District with a permanent disability in 1989. After his retirement, he did some traveling with his family.

Richard’s health began to decline in ’99 with congestive heart failure, and then stage III kidney disease in ’02, which turned to terminal stage 4 in ’09. In ’09 he was told he had 6 months, but with care from his family and doctors, he managed two years. In that span he was able to do more traveling with his family, which he enjoyed very much. His last good outing was in September for his wife’s birthday; after that he began to decline rapidly. He went back on in-home hospice care, but the decline was so rapid, he had to be admitted to a nursing facility. Richard succumbed to his two-year fight with kidney disease and passed at the Washington Care Center in Rainier Valley Thursday, October 20, 2011. Richard is survived by: wife of 54 years Gerry, son Frank, daughter Lauri, & two best friends Corky and Bess. No service will be held, at his request.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)

The family of Rachelle A. Schutte, gone at just 57, shares this tribute, and word that her memorial is planned for Friday:

Rachelle took her place in Heaven after suddenly passing away on October 22nd, 2011, in her West Seattle home.

Born on October 3rd, 1954, in Minneapolis Minnesota, Rachelle became a long time West Seattle resident where she lived her life to the fullest. Rachelle was a loving, kind, and caring person who loved her friends and family unconditionally and always put others before herself. When not in the bingo halls, you would most likely find her spending time with her family and enjoying her grandchildren.

Rachelle is survived by her husband Art; sister Marice; brothers Chuck and Steve; children Matt and Jodie and four grandchildren, McKayla, McKenzie, Kaya, and Kaleb, as well as many other family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Services and reception will be held on Friday, October 28th 2011 at Yarington’s Funeral Home, 10708 16th Ave SW, from 2-5 PM.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Richard Stannard shares this tribute to his late wife Elaine, who was a trailblazer in so many ways:

Elaine Viola Stannard, who died Sept. 16, 2011, was a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Washington, where she got her teaching degree.

She was a Quaker peace worker and civil rights worker in the mid-1940s in the Chicago area, when no one ever heard of such a thing. She was an activist member of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and knew many of the people who rose to prominence in the movement in the Sixties. At that time, she was married to a fellow graduate of the University of Chicago, the late Robert Davenport, the father of her daughters. They moved to the Seattle area in 1956.

She is survived by five daughters: Carolyn Benjamin, Elizabeth (Sherry) Davenport-Sanchez; Virginia (Ginger) Van Boven (husband Alan); Susan Moore and Roberta (Birdie) Davenport (husband Steve). Her grandchildren are Eric Benjamin, Thalia Ryer, Leslie Benjamin; Paula Wilson, Amber Kent; Leaf Van Boven, Lana Van Boven Hughes; Drew Moore, Brinn Moore and Rita Moore. Great-grandchildren: Phoenix and Griffin; Elena; Caleb and Anna, Elliot.

For seven years, she taught elementary school in Renton, a job that was plainly her first love. At that time, she was a resident of the pioneering housing cooperative, May Valley Co-op Community, and owned property there for many years after she moved away. She was one of the founding members of a food cooperative there which became Puget Consumers Cooperative (PCC), one of the leading retail food co-ops in the nation.

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A memorial service is planned September 24th for Brian Zombro, whose sister Kara shares this tribute:

Brian Zombro died unexpectedly on September 4, 2011 at the age of 30. Brian was a lifelong West Seattle resident who was a son, brother, and a great friend. He will be missed by many.

Brian was born on June 17, 1981. He attended Schmitz Park Elementary, Madison Middle School, and West Seattle High School. He was also a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 282. He was a skilled carpenter and electrician and a gifted musician and artist.

With his outgoing personality and ability to make everyone around him feel accepted, Brian was well known around West Seattle. Anyone who met him would know his big smile, easy laugh, and willingness to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Brian is survived by his mother Janet, father Jim (Nancy), sisters Kara (Louis) Erickson and Leah, maternal grandmother Betty (Andy) Nielson, his cat Blue (arguably his favorite family member) and his best friend and honorary brother Tony Hamilton. He is remembered and loved by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins and close friends he considered family. He is preceded in death by maternal grandfather Stan Miller and paternal grandparents Ann and Walter Zombro.

Brian will be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery as his final resting place. The family will be hosting a public memorial on September 24, 2011 at 3pm at The Georgetown Stables at 980 South Nebraska Street. For further information, please contact Kara Erickson at klzombro@yahoo.com.

“They shall not grow old as we who are left to grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn… In our hearts and in our minds, their devotion and acts will always be remembered. To us, they have found immortality.”

A memorial service and reception are planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattleite Debbie Numoto, whose family shared this tribute:

Deborah Dawn Numoto passed peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from cancer, at the age of 49. She is survived by her husband Phil Numoto, father Harold Willard; mother Janice Mize; children; Jorge Muratalla (Ginny), Tami Oden (Tony), and grandson A.J.; sister Sharon Nark (Joel), nephew Conrad and niece Julia; Uncle Chuck Mize (Kathy) and Aunt Nadine Geister (Don). Jorge Muratalla, James Sansburn and family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her good friend Steve. Our family and her friends miss her so much. It is too early for her to join the angels.

Debbie was born in Yakima, WA and was raised in West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1980. She has been a manager/gift buyer at West Seattle’s Northwest Art and Frame for 26 years. Many have stopped there to enjoy special gifts to share with others.

Her passion was creativity and art, and her compositions expressed her love of nature, flowers, the ocean, and her connectedness with special friends; there were many.

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Shared by Karen:

Longtime West Seattle resident David Brachtenbach passed away on August 9th in Federal Heights, Colorado. Those who knew David best will remember him for his kind heart, irreverent sense of humor, creative intellect and love for his dogs. He will be missed by his family and friends and those who saw him on his regular walks around West Seattle. Born in 1962 in Selah, Washington, David lived most of his life in Seattle. He was loved and will be missed. Donations in his name to the Seattle Humane Society are appreciated.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)

A memorial service is planned tomorrow for 86-year-old Chris Holm, one of West Seattle’s real-life “Rosie the Riveters.” (We featured her in Christopher Boffoli‘s report on one of the local “Rosie” gatherings in 2009.) Her family wrote this obituary:

Clarissa Elizabeth Holm (Sherbon)
September 23, 1924 – July 31, 2011

Chris Holm passed away unexpectedly while leading the social-hour discussion at her West Seattle Church on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Chris was a vibrant woman, still living life to its fullest and enjoying her many day-to-day activities with zest and utter enthusiasm. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister and friend. Everyone was surprised by her death and feel deeply saddened to lose the cornerstone, centerpiece, rock and foundation for our family and her community of friends.

Chris was born in Sioux Falls, SD, moving immediately to Walnut Grove, MN. She lived the quintessential “Little House on the Prairie” life, growing up in the famous Olsen store, working hard on the farm, and spending any free time playing on the banks of Plum Creek. She moved to Seattle and in her early twenties during WWII and worked hard at Boeing as one of the famous Rosie the Riveters.

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From the family of Joe Butzerin, a longtime West Seattleite known for many endeavors:

A Requiem Mass will be held for Joe Butzerin at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Monday, July 11th. Starting Friday, July 8, at noon, Joe will be in repose at the Butzerin home at 4903 SW Hill Street, where visitors will be welcome at any time. A wake will be held on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Joe passed away peacefully on July 5th at his home, surrounded by family after complications from heart failure. Joe was born July 25, 1931 in Minneapolis, but he had resided in West Seattle since shortly after his marriage to Kathryn Freitas-Fox in 1958. Joe served as a first lieutenant in Korea after ROTC at Gonzaga University. He started his civilian career in Seattle as a math teacher, first on Vashon Island and later at Chief Sealth High School. To help support his growing family, Joe worked summers as a meter reader at Seattle City Light, where he eventually became a full-time lighting consultant. Joe retired from City Light in 1997 after more than 35 years of service.

Joe served as Chairman of the 34th District Democrat Club for two terms. He was an exuberant activist in both local and national political campaigns, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1980 [photo at right]. He greatly enjoyed his service on the King County Fair Board. Joe also served as Chair of the Holy Rosary Conference of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

Joe always said he was most proud of being a father to his six children: JoAnne, Teresa, Carla, Peter, Robert, and Mary; and his 14 grandchildren. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

(WSB photo of Jim Ercolini with then-Mayor Greg Nickels at Ercolini Park dedication, 7/12/08)
A Funeral Mass is planned at 11 am Wednesday at Holy Rosary for Jim Ercolini, who died last week at age 76, three years after his family-homestead site west of The Junction became home to Ercolini Park. As shown in our photo above, Mr. Ercolini participated in the park dedication in July 2008. When the Parks Department agreed in late 2007 to the community request to name the park after the Ercolini family, he had said that he was the last descendant with that surname – so the park now carries it on. The city bought the park site with money from the 2000 Pro Parks Levy, and community volunteers took it from there to muster the money, material, and labors to turn it into a park. The full obituary for Mr. Ercolini, a longtime Boeing engineer and native West Seattleite, was published in today’s Seattle Times. (Thanks to Wendy for the tip.)

If you knew “Coach” Brown – you’re invited to his service on Friday. His family shared this tribute:

Grant D. Brown, 68, lifelong resident of West Seattle and tireless volunteer for the youth in our community, passed away June 14, 2011, after a long struggle with cancer.

Grant was the first child of Don and Margaret (Crosby) Brown. He grew up with his siblings Alan and Donna on the hill overlooking Alki, attending Alki Elementary, James Madison Junior High and West Seattle High School, graduating in 1960. He served in the National Guard in the mid-1960s, stationed out of Camp Murray.

It was early in his schooling that he discovered a penchant for technical drawing, which served him well as, at age 18, he went to work for Boeing as a drafter. He worked in commercial, military and aerospace, including the Dash-80, 727 and 737, SST, Minuteman, ALCM, Wind Turbines, B-2 and finally the F-22. He retired from Boeing after 48 years of dedicated service. Boeing was also where he met his wife Cathy, to whom he was married for 40 years.

The most memorable and greatest passion of Grant’s life, however, was his commitment to youth sports, volunteering as a coach, manager and mentor for more than 40 years.

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Katie Parker, gone at just 31, was a longtime West Seattleite, says Matt, who shared her obituary and photo:

Katie Parker, 31, of Arlington, WA, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011. Katie was born September 22, 1979, the daughter of James and Mary Margaret Parker, in Seattle.

Katie had a warm heart and generous spirit. Katie was an accomplished Irish Step Dancer and won international awards. She loved books, and when not reading, she enjoyed spending time outdoors and visiting with friends and family.

Katie graduated from Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle and went on to graduate from Holy Names Academy in Seattle. She also attended WWU at Bellingham. Katie had an eye for beauty and style, and when she graduated from Gene Juarez Academy, she found her calling.

Katie is preceded in death by her brother Neil Parker, cousin Kevin Monahan, uncles Terry Monahan, John Parker and George Parker, grandparents, George and Victoria Parker, Jack and Veronica Monahan.

Katie is survived by her parents, James and Mary Margaret Parker, her sister Nora Parker and her nephew Riley Parker. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins survive Katie as well.

Viewing will precede the saying of a Rosary. The Rosary will be on Friday, June 17, 2011, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arlington, WA. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 with internment at Eden’s Cemetery on Guemes Island, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www.nami.org or Catholic Community Services.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. E-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

On the Sustainable West Seattle website, Kate Kaemerle has just published an obituary remembering Dale Roose, a former West Seattleite who died at age 55 in Tucson after a long fight with cancer. Kate’s writeup recalls Mr. Roose’s participation as a West Seattle Tool Library founding member. He and wife Tina Roose also had been WSB participants while living here, and you may also remember them for two West Seattle Crime Watch reports – he was the cancer patient whose car was stolen twice, including this past February, just as he and Tina were about to move. The first time, their story also was picked up by KING 5 TV, and both cases drew community offers of help. According to the obituary on SWS’s site, no funeral is planned, but donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Mr. Roose’s memory.