On August 31st, friends and family will gather to remember Ray Sargent, a longtime West Seattleite who died at home in Arbor Heights last week at age 84. They tell us he was known as “the Mayor of Luna Park Café,” where he was a regular, and where he made news in October 2011, saved after a heart attack. He recovered from that, but then was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. The staff of Luna Park was part of a celebration of his life that he was able to attend before he died – that’s when the photo at right was taken. (And the family hopes that those touched by Ray or by the café’s support will go to Luna Park for a meal in his memory.) We have a formal obituary for him, followed by a few more thoughts from his daughter – read on:

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Ada Hallberg will be remembered September 16th at Alki UCC, where, as her family says in this remembrance announcing her death, she was a lifelong member:

“There is a joy in holding close to our inheritance, but even a greater pleasure in continuing the feelings of community” – Ada Hallberg

Ada Hallberg, Alki girl, loving wife, wonderful mother and tireless grassroots activist died peacefully on June 22, 2012 at the age of 87, three and a half months after the passing of her husband, Robert.

Born in Seattle, Washington on August 6, 1924 to Grace and John Woodhouse, Ada was raised at Alki Beach with her two siblings, Neal and Nancy, attended Alki Elementary, James Madison and West Seattle High School. She graduated from the UW where she was a member of Sigma Kappa. She was a lifetime member of Alki Church since 1941 and this is where she met Bob. Together they built a life of love, laughter, family, and commitment to their heritage.

Inspired by her love for the neighborhood where she was raised, Ada gathered stories about the area and the people; “The combination of these places on the land and in the woods beside the bay was vital to our lives …. Most of us who went to Alki School were firmly grounded … when we grew up and left Alki, we knew who we were, where we belonged and where we wanted to return.”

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(WSB photo from 2007 West Seattle Grand Parade)
WSB’er Kathleen just sent e-mail to make sure we had seen the sad news that Chris Wedes, best known as J.P. Patches, has died, at the age of 84 – just one day after this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade, a parade in which he had appeared more than a few times, with his final appearance in 2010. Here’s a short story on The Seattle Times (WSB partner).

Checking WSB archives: In February 2008, West Seattle’s then-State Senator, now County Councilmember, Joe McDermott introduced a resolution honoring Mr. Wedes on the 50th anniversary of his TV show.

That picture was shared from Olympia by then-Sen. McDermott, and featured him with Mr. Wedes – who was not in his J.P. makeup – and with McDermott’s cousin Emmett Blake (“Patches Pals and West Seattleites both,” the then-senator noted at the time).

Three months later, in full J.P. Patches regalia, Mr. Wedes appeared at the Admiral Theater – here’s our coverage (with video). By then, he was already fighting the cancer that has now taken his life.

So far as we can find in our five-plus-years of archives, his final appearances in West Seattle were in 2010. He was at the May 2010 Westwood Village Street Fair. We covered his appearance, but the best photo came later, from Karen, whose friend Kristi got him to pose with her pugs:

He also rode in the 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade:

(July 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)

ADDED 7:15 PM: The Times has now published a full obituary – read it here.

One more note from here: Back in May, Mr. Wedes’s wife Joan Wedes was an honored guest at the dedication of the new South Transfer Station in South Park. Since JP Patches was also known affectionately as “Mayor of the City Dump,” the city promised a tribute to him at the new building that is about as close as you get to a “dump” these days. (The dedication got little to no coverage in local media [us included] because it was overshadowed by breaking news – shortly after the ceremony ended, Ian Stawicki‘s deadly rampage began.) She’s at right in this photo we took during the dedication:

Though you can’t tell since our photo is a wide shot, Councilmember Jean Godden, sitting next to Mrs. Wedes, was wearing a J.P. Patches button.

8:14 PM: Another West Seattle-raised politician who was a Patches pal, King County Executive Dow Constantine, remembers J.P.:

Several generations of Seattle kids owe a bit of their personality and sense of humor to J.P. Patches. Chris Wedes, sidekick Bob Newman, and director Joe Towey created a remarkable world of improvised comedy that enthralled children and, with an occasional wink or double-entendre, let parents in on the backstage hilarity.

I knew this day would come, but cannot believe that it has. Good night, sweet clown.

ADDED 8:19 PM: Cynthia Reid, who knew Mr. Wedes for many years, also was responsible for bringing him to the West Seattle parade – 1996 was the very first time. She told us, “Even though Chris has been so ill, I just wasn’t prepared for the news today.”

We contacted her after reading her Facebook comment about his death, in which she explained that she was just 5 when Chris Wedes came into her family’s life, visiting her cousin at Children’s Hospital while he was recovering from open-heart surgery. “They told us Craiger wasn’t going to make it after his open-heart surgery, he’d just given up. J.P. came and spent the whole day with him, and even brought his favorite treat, Fudgesicles! Craig found the strength that day to pull thru and we’ve felt indebted to Chris ever since. … Chris was told countless times how much he helped kids who were going thru a hard time with their families. Divorce, abuse, etc, he knew he was the only constant in their lives. And every year during the parade these folks would approach him and thank him. Every story meant so much to him. He KNEW how important it was to the kids, all the kids, and especially the ones who were hurting. Please know how much he cared about each and every kid out there.”

ADDED: Patches Pal Jeff Jones shared memories too, and a photo:

A huge shoutout to my great Patches Pal friend Eric Wiseman for having JP as his special guest for BBQ a few years ago.

I have a Boris S. Wart second-meanest man in the world t-shirt my Mom gave me back in the day.

Coaching girls’ hoops at the rec center, the kids would always ask me who the meanest man was, I said me!

The … picture is me asking JP who the meanest man is, he said, Jonesy, it’s the Principal.

A memorial is planned July 29th for Bob Nohl, a native West Seattleite. From his family:

Robert Ross Nohl
Born May 20, 1942
Died July 13, 2012

Robert Ross Nohl, 70, passed away peacefully on July 13th after a valiant battle with cancer.

Bob was born in West Seattle to Robert G. and Dorothy Nohl on May 20, 1942. He was a proud graduate in the West Seattle High School class of 1960. He then served in the US Army in Taiwan. Bob loved being a commercial fisherman from Alaska to San Francisco before he started a landscape business in the Seattle area.

In his heart, Bob was always a farmer. Bob and his wife Colleen loved to travel and relished in the culture and diversity they discovered. Bob loved people and loved to talk.

He had a gift that made one feel as if they were the only person in the world. He made everyone feel welcome. Bob was happiest when he was entertaining friends with his excellent cooking in his gourmet kitchen. He always loved a party. Building an off-the-grid home in Port Townsend was his passion for the last 15 years.

He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Bob had many friends because he was such a welcoming, kind, and loving man. He will be missed by all who knew him. People far and wide will miss his smile, sense of humor and his friendly, easy-going manner.

A memorial will be held July 29, 2012, at the West Seattle Golf Course, 1:00 – 4:00.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bob’s name to the West Seattle Food Bank.

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

Jane Church Lange, 94, mother of longtime West Seattleite Kip Lange, will be remembered this Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church. From her family:

Jane Church Lange passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 13th in Seattle, Washington. Jane had a zest for life from birth to death. She grew up during the depression era with her sister Peggy, and brothers Dwight, Fred and Floyd.

A beautiful and feisty young lady, Jane had many prospective beaus. She married Leo A. Lange on March 29, 1937. They moved to Bellingham and then Sequim as Leo started his teaching career. They settled in North Seattle where Jane and Leo raised Laurale, Kip and Marcia. When Leo retired, he and Jane moved permanently to Carlyon Beach which became the place for numerous family gatherings.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Jane will be fondly remembered for her humor and caring heart. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Leo A. Lange. She is survived by her children Laurale Lange (Jean), Leo ‘Kip’ Lange (Sheila), and Marcia Rugg (Morrie); her grandchildren Janni, Jon, Jimmy, Cheryl, Jay, Elliott and Lance; 11 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; the daughter and son of her heart Marilyn Kettle and Bill Rideout; and her adopted Tam family.

Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW, on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The viewing will start at 2:00 pm, memorial service at 3:00 pm, and the reception will immediately follow. Please visit washelli.com/obits for an online memorial and to send condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be given to the American Heart Association in Jane’s name.

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

From her family:

Esther Faye Franks, 94, died of natural causes in West Seattle on July 10, supported by her extended family and friends.

Faye was born February 10, 1918, in Lakeview, Kansas, a small farming community. She was the second of five children born to Mattie and Ebon Anderson. Faye graduated from the University of Kansas in 1941 and taught high-school home economics, where she met Kermit Franks, teaching at the same school. They were married in February 1942, ten days before he was drafted into the Army. His service was in Alaska, and when the war ended the couple decided to live in Seattle. They started a family and Kerm began a 30-year career with Seattle Public Schools. Faye spent many years involved in PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Euthenics – an organization for Home Economics graduates.

From 1961 to 1975, Faye and Kerm co-managed the Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal. They are remembered fondly as “Auntie Faye” and “Uncle Kerm” by the many former staff members, who were high-school and college youth at the time.

For more than 25 years beginning in 1963, Faye and Kerm hosted a series of exchange students from Europe, Asia and Central America. She was the regional International Christian Youth Exchange coordinator and served on the national board. They also traveled to a number of countries, visiting the families of their student guests.

The couple built a cabin at Lake Cushman, near Hoodsport, Washington, in 1976. They spent summers there, encouraging visits from family and friends. Faye enjoyed square dancing, hiking, swimming, and berry and mushroom picking well into her 80s. She was skilled at sewing, rug-making and other needle arts. She was our bread-baker supreme and taught bread baking classes for many years.

Faye was an active member of Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle. One of her favorite volunteer jobs was helping oversee the annual church rummage sale. She was known for “rescuing” many sale items to ensure they would have a good home, even if it meant in her home. Faye taught the AARP safe driving course for many years and also served as course coordinator.

Faye and Kerm celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends at an open house on February 26 at The Kenney residential community in West Seattle.

She is survived by husband Kerm; daughters Marsha (Mike) and Candace (John); sons Dean (Cynthia) and David; sister Doris Stubeck; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four nephews and three nieces.

A memorial service will be held in September. Donations may be made to Seabeck Conference Center or Tibbetts United Methodist Church.

12:09 PM: We’ve learned that a man killed in a one-car crash near the Southworth ferry dock on the Kitsap Peninsula yesterday was a 20-year-old West Seattleite. Ben Huppe graduated from Garfield High School just two years ago. According to this Kitsap Sun report, his car veered off the road around 7:30 am Friday and went down a 30-foot embankment. A friend who e-mailed us with the sad news describes Mr. Huppe as “a truly amazing young man.”

ADDED 6:38 PM: As commenters have mentioned, Mr. Huppe was a coach at the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, where a memorial is growing. C.D. sent the photo we have added above, explaining it’s “a little memorial that we set up on the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis courts; we encourage members to write their thoughts and prayers.” The AHSTC website has this tribute:

Ben has been the heart of the tennis team for years, joining the team at age 9 and twice voted “most inspirational” by his teammates. Ben coached for 4 years and has been a great role model for all the kids at the club, teaching them to love the game of tennis. He will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family

ADDED 9:54 PM: A story in The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has more details about Mr. Huppe’s achievements, including how he helped found Technology Services Corps.

An accomplished musician who lived in West Seattle is mourned tonight by family, friends, and colleagues. Chelan County authorities say 43-year-old Monty Carter drowned on Sunday after wading into the Wenatchee River to cool off after a day of hiking. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) reports on the drowning, and on some of Mr. Carter’s background, including his work at The Northwest School, coaching basketball and teaching music over the years, which is also mentioned in this Wenatchee World story. Paul Dolejsi, pastoral assistant for music at Holy Rosary in Seattle, tells WSB that Mr. Carter worked for him as an accompanist until 2006, and remembers him as “an incredibly gifted pianist (who) was always kind and helpful with our singers and musicians.” He adds, “It is a terrible tragedy that someone so kind and talented should slip from our grasp at such a young age. He will be greatly missed.”

AUGUST 5th NOTE: Received word today:

His students and friends are getting together to pay tribute to him at 3 pm today(Aug. 5).The service and reception will take place at St Nicholas Hall at the upper campus of Lakeside School.

A memorial service is scheduled Tuesday for Anne Hollister, who spent 20 years of her life in the West Seattle/Burien area. Her family shares this remembrance:

Anne K. Hollister (Frederiksen)

Anne was born to Danish immigrant parents, Soren and Margrethe Frederiksen, in Granite Falls, WA on May 7, 1928. She died peacefully at the Norse Home in Seattle on June 18, 2012.

She was proud of her Danish heritage and was active in the Danish community in Seattle for more than 50 years. She was a long-time member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church and the Danish Sisterhood and gave many hours of service. Her greatest joy was her family—especially her nine grandchildren.

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Shakura Kanye‘s dad passed away recently; she says he was “a very active member in the West Seattle community and I would like to spread the word about his funeral service.”

Honoring Mark Christopher Adams

When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury)

Please join family and friends at Freedom Church in West Seattle at 11 am for a funeral service honoring Mark Adams- a loving brother, father, husband, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly.

(Photo courtesy ArtsWest, whose Kongsgaard-Alhadeff Award honored Ms. Ceis in 2005)
Friends, family, and political/civic leaders around the area are remembering longtime West Seattle activist Margaret Ceis today. She passed away yesterday at the age of 86. Her community service included being a founding member of the ArtsWest board, serving on the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners – for which she was honored in this 1996 City Council resolution – the Alki Community Council, the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees, and more.

Her leadership skills and perseverance were legend; when former mayor and current Secretary of State candidate Greg Nickels spoke at the memorial last year for another longtime community activist, Vivian McLean (WSB coverage here), he mentioned Ms. Ceis as, along with Ms. McLean, one of the local activists “you never say ‘no’ to.” Ms. Ceis was the mother of former deputy mayor Tim Ceis. We asked King County Executive Dow Constantine, one of many local leaders that she inspired, for his thoughts:

Our community lost a genuine champion with the passing of Margaret Ceis.

A lifelong community organizer and political activist, Margaret led the 34th District Democrats, the Alki Community Council and the League of Women Voters, among many other groups. She helped to create and promote the landmark 1989 King County Open Space bond issue, chaired the Seattle Parks Board, co-founded ArtsWest, and co-chaired the Three Projects/One Community campaign in Delridge.

It was Margaret who introduced me to grassroots Democratic politics. Her endorsement was without question the most coveted in West Seattle. In 1996 she was the co-chair of my successful campaign for the State House of Representatives. Without the coaxing and mentorship of Margaret Ceis I might never have sought or been elected to public office, and I will be forever grateful to her.

My condolences to Margaret’s family and friends, and to the entire West Seattle community, which she changed time and again for the better.

No word of memorial arrangements for Ms. Ceis yet, but they are expected to be made through Howden-Kennedy. We expect to add more to this story as the day goes on.

ADDED 11:38 PM: The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has published a story tonight about Ms. Ceis, for whom a memorial is planned at 2 pm June 2nd at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

The family of Mimi Feisst says her memorial service is planned for 1:30 pm this Sunday (May 20th) at The Sanctuary at Admiral (2656 42nd SW). Here’s their remembrance of her:

Mimi (Marilyn Jean) Summersby Feisst passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, on the 29th of April after battling cancer for several months. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Annette and H. Samuel (Sam) Bartel, and husband Allan Feisst. Mimi is survived by son Scott Summersby and granddaughter Taylor of Florida, daughter Kristen Summersby, daughter Dana Brooks, son-in-law Jim Brooks, grandchildren Zachary, Zahn and Allyson, foster daughter Susan Tekola, son-in-law Fasil Tekola, grandchildren Tanesha, Sarra, Sophie and Nataly, sister Janet Deardorff and husband Jerry Deardorff, niece Molly, nephew Christopher, all of Washington, sister Susan Bartel and partner Lorraine Tarrant (of New Zealand), nephew Ian MacDonald (of Washington), and niece Sarah Bartel (of New Zealand).

Mimi’s first love was her family.

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Thanks to the WSB’ers who sent word of these two passings, both announced in the obituaries section of our partners at the Seattle Times:

BOB OCHSNER, 1920-2012: The funeral Mass for Mr. Ochsner is planned for this Friday morning, according to the Times obituary, which you can read in its entirety here. He grew up in West Seattle, graduating from WSHS, and owned Bob Ochsner Cars for 55 years at locations including WS, and was active in organizations including the Rotary Club of West Seattle. His surviving family members include his wife of 59 years. The Friday morning Mass is at 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima, 3218 W. Barrett. You can sign the online memorial guestbook here.

GARY PUTMAN, 1954-2012: It’s been about a year since Mr. Putman’s fight against cancer led to the closure of his West Side Import Repair in The Triangle. Now, this week, comes word that he passed away. According to his Times obituary, Mr. Putman moved to Seattle in 1978 and worked at West Side for 33 years, starting as a mechanic before taking over the business. No memorial service is mentioned; instead, “a gift to your favorite charity or to cancer research” is suggested.

Services are planned this Saturday for George Carfrae, whose family shares this remembrance:

George Carfrae, 77, of West Seattle, passed away from complications related to Parkinson’s disease April 9, 2012. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family. George was born in Seattle January 2, 1935.

He graduated from West Seattle HS in 1953 and received an Associate’s degree from South Seattle Community College.

George married Joyce Thomason April 23, 1954. He worked as a cost estimator at Todd Shipyards and Foss Maritime and served in the US Army from 1957-1965. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and playing cribbage.

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The family of longtime West Seattleite Angelina Marie Fuda shares this remembrance, on the eve of her memorial:

Angelina Marie Fuda passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, on 4-8-2012 of a cancer-related illness. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, 4-16, 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle. There will be a private burial at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.

Angelina was born 1-21-1930 in Brookside, Colorado, to James and Mary Madonna. She moved to Seattle in the early 1940s, went to St Mary’s grade school, and on to Immaculate Conception for high school. While there, she met the love of her life, Felix Fuda, who she married in 1951. She left her job at the Mission Macaroni Factory in the early 1950s, when she was expecting her first child.

As the family expanded, they moved to West Seattle, to the same residence that they’ve been in for the past 56 years.

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From the family of L. Nadine Heinz-Brongil:

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a beloved wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

Nadine died unexpectedly on Friday, April 6th, 2012 at her home in West Seattle. She left her family and friends at the young age of 47.

Nadine was born in Spokane, Washington, but moved to Bothell, Washington, a short time later. At age 26, she married and would have been married 21 years this July.

She leaves behind her husband Bob Brongil, daughters Brita Brongil and McKenzie Walsh (Chris Walsh), parents Elke and Edward Heinz, brother David Heinz (Lisa Heinz), and several other loving friends and family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Sunday, April 15th at 2 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Seattle Humane Society.

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

Family and friends around West Seattle and beyond are mourning 48-year-old Lisa Mills, the motorcycle rider killed in the crash that closed southbound Highway 99 for hours last Sunday night. We are reporting her name now that the county Medical Examiner has finally formally released it. Ms. Mills, who lived in Sunrise Heights with her wife, was well-known as lead singer of Swamp Mama Johnson, a Northwest-based band that was popular in the ’90s (see a 1997 clip here).

She worked as a hypnotherapist and life coach, with her own business, Heliotrope Hypnosis Services. A friend shared the photo at left, showing Ms. Mills with her dog Ruby, who until Ruby’s recent death assisted her in volunteer therapy work, according to her website. Another friend of Ms. Mills tells us she also was studying to become a mixologist, adding, “Lisa lived life to the fullest and loved riding her motorcycle with her friends.” The preliminary report from Seattle Police says investigators think she “failed to negotiate a curve” at the Viaduct’s south end.

We have no information yet on a celebration of life or memorial fund, but have asked friends who contacted us to please let us know if and when those details become available, so that we can share it with the WSB community. (This mention on a news site in Bellingham, where Swamp Mama Johnson often played, says memorials will likely be held there and in Seattle.)

A memorial is planned April 13 for Lou Tice, founder of the Harbor Avenue SW-headquartered Pacific Institute, which announced his death today:

The Pacific Institute is saddened to report the passing of its Chairman and co-Founder, Lou Tice Sunday evening, April 1st, after a brief illness. Surrounded by his wife, Diane, and loving family and friends, Lou spent his final days challenging those around him to carry on with his life’s work – educating and empowering individuals all around the globe to an ever-greater commitment toward making “a better world.”

A memorial service celebrating the life of Lou Tice is scheduled for Friday, April 13th, at 10:00 am at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 4212 S. Mead St., in Seattle.

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The West Seattle Eagles‘ Aerie is where a Celebration of Life will be held for member Diane Laxton this Sunday (April 1) at 3 pm. WSE Madam Vice President Amy McGrath shares this remembrance of Ms. Laxton:

Diane Amalea Laxton, born May 18, 1957 in West Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully March 23, 2012, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Diane was born and raised in West Seattle, attending Gatewood Elementary, Madison Middle School and graduating from West Seattle High, class of 75. After graduation, Diane held numerous jobs, most notably at Pemco Insurance, where she spent thirty-two years. Recently, Diane was employed at Butter London.

Diane’s most challenging, yet rewarding role, was caring for others. Over the years, Diane cared for her grandfather, spent twelve years caring for her two nephews, and would be at a friend’s side in a moment’s notice. Compassionate, gracious, loving, warm hearted and generous are just a few adjectives that exemplified who Diane was.

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The family of Dorothy Campbell Hansen, gone at age 93, shares this remembrance:

Dorothy was born March 6, 1919, to Alexander and Catherine MacKinnon. Dorothy moved to West Seattle on her marriage to John in 1945. She lived on Chilberg Avenue SW for 66 years. She entered into the presence of her heavenly Father on March 9, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, and 3 brothers: Allister, Jack and Donald. She had 3 children: Catherine (James), John (Carolyn), and Heather (James). She had 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service is planned at First Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Details to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to First Presbyterian Church, Missions Fund, 1013 8th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, or Washington State Services for the Blind.

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

Family and friends will gather Tuesday to remember longtime West Seattleite John W. Nitkey. From his son Larry:

At the age of 91 on March 15, 2012, surrounded with the love and care of his family, John peacefully passed away.

He was born in Wallace, ID in 1921 and raised on a farm in Harrison, ID. His family lived in a log cabin his father built from trees felled on the farm. John was graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Business and Accounting. It was in Spokane where John met the love of his life, Frances Fagan, a nursing student from Sacred Heart (Spokane). After John’s graduation, he and Frances were married, and shortly thereafter in 1943 he shipped off to Army Basic Training in service to his country. He qualified as a Marksman with the M-1 rifle and received the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. After WW II ended, John was stationed at Fort Lewis. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. He and his young bride then decided to make their home on Alki Avenue in West Seattle.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, John began work for a nationally recognized accounting firm, but soon opened his own accounting office in White Center above the Roller Rink. It was through that business that he met his lifelong friend, mentor, and fellow Holy Family (Seattle) parishioner AJ, a real estate developer. John first did accounting work for AJ and then entered the building business himself. A recent card from AJ touched on their 60-year-long and devoted deep friendship for each other by stating, “the teacher learned from the student.”

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One week from Sunday, family and friends will gather at the West Seattle Eagles‘ aerie to remember a longtime member, Geraldine “Pat” Haddenham. Her family shares this remembrance:

Geraldine Patricia Haddenham (81) passed away peacefully February 27, 2012, at the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil. Pat was born in Seattle on November 20, 1930, to Laura (Evans) and Walter Everts. She grew up in West Seattle, and stayed in West Seattle until 1990, when she moved to Bremerton.

She married Edward Haddenham on November 8, 1951. She was preceded in death by her daughter Penny and her stepson Larry, her parents, sisters Mary and Jessi, and brothers Walter and George. Pat loved to play bingo and loved to “WIN,” and hated to lose! Pat belonged to West Seattle Eagles for over 40 years. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Edward; children Linda (Lester) Dent, Terry (Susie) Haddenham, Ray (Barbara) Haddenham, Wayne (Tina) Haddenham, Lyle (Kay) Haddenham, Cathy Haddenham; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and her sister Adele (Everts) Taylor.

A memorial will be held at the West Seattle Eagles, March 25th at 2 pm, with a private internment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.

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