Larry Joe Hines, age 76, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, in Issaquah.

He was born and raised in Issaquah Hobart area, where he lived all his life. He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1955, and then enlisted in the Navy for three years in the late ‘50s. He was a merchant seaman from 1963-1996 and enjoyed a long retirement.

Larry Joe Hines

His hobbies include cooking, gardening, fishing and traveling.

Larry is survived by his sons Steven (Isabelle) and Mike Hines; daughter Anna Hines-Gottman (Chris); grandchildren Mike and Michelle Hines, Chris Jackson and Aiden Hines-Gottman; two great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Talton, Evelyn Armstrong and Helen Morrison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sons Thomas J. and John Hines.

Viewing is at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 with services to follow at 11 a.m. at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac.

Please sign the guest book at www.bonneywatson.com.

Beverly Jeanette Reeves, born Jan. 2, 1934, passed Jan. 12, 2014.

Beverly was a third-generation resident of Issaquah. She was the Issaquah Labor Day Queen in 1950. Bev graduated from Issaquah High School in 1952.

Beverly Reeves

On Oct. 29, 1954, she married Robert Bryan Reeves Sr. In 1965, Bev fulfilled a dream when she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Bellevue School of Nursing. She worked at the Issaquah Villa for 20 years.

Even after her retirement, she continued her legacy of being a kind, compassionate and caring soul through the actions she showed to her family, friends and neighbors. Beverly was an active member of the Issaquah Senior Center, and volunteered at the Hutchinson House. She enjoyed a long, amazing and beautiful life in the city of Issaquah.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ross and Siama Wright, her brother Bill Wright, her husband Robert Reeves, her son Randall Reeves and her sister Brenda Carlisle.

She is survived by her sister Bonnie Sharp, and her children Shelly and Steve Croney, Robert Bryan Reeves Jr. and Denise Reeves, and Roslyn Reeves. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Jake and Christina Powers, Debi Croney, Josh Reeves, Shanna Croney, Kirk and Alyssa Reeves, Amanda Reeves, Tanna Reeves, Taylor Reeves, Leah Reeves, Travis Reeves, Lexi Powers, Tiffani Reeves and Makayla Powers. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cherished friends.

May we all take peace in knowing that this loving mother, wife, grandmother and friend is watching over the people she loved so much. Beverly was surrounded with love as she took her final journey.

Friends are invited to view photos and share memories in the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.

— Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 392-6444

Ernest Milton “Milt” Swanson, was born March 29, 1918, in Newcastle, to Ernest and Esilda Swanson; he passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, due to complications from a fall.

Milt, a lifelong resident of Newcastle, lived his entire life at the family home — a former mine company house just off Lakemont Boulevard. Frequent travelers on that road will remember the coal car in his front yard and the railroad semaphore he installed at the end of his driveway, rigged to light up and signal when anyone came down the drive.

Ernest Swanson
2014

Milt Swanson
1944

Milt attended school in Newcastle until the Newcastle kids were transported to Issaquah in the eighth grade, graduating from Issaquah High School in 1936. After high school, he spent three years in Alaska, and then spent five years in the U.S. Coast Guard and received the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a combat aircrewman.

When he left the Coast Guard he worked in the Newcastle mines for the B & R Coal Co. for 17 years until the last mine closed in 1963. He then worked for more than 20 years at Boeing before retiring to enjoy life in Newcastle.

Milt was a founding member, and past president, of the Newcastle Historical Society, and for many years was one of a small group of “old-time” Newcastle folks who took care of the Newcastle Cemetery. He was thrilled as interest in the history of Newcastle grew and younger members stepped into leadership roles, but he always participated and loved sharing his knowledge about the “old days” with anyone interested.

Milt was there, rain or shine, to talk about Newcastle during the annual Newcastle Days celebration, too. He especially enjoyed working with Vicki Baima Olson and Mike Intlekofer of the historical society who talked with him for hours developing a living history, and recording information about mining and life in old Newcastle that only Milt still had in his head and heart.

Milt had a “mini museum” in his back yard, where he displayed all kinds of mining artifacts from Newcastle and for several years had students from the Issaquah School District visit his museum for a tour when they studied local history. He loved having the students visit, and their thank you letters were treasures of his.

He was named the Newcastle Citizen of the Year in 1997, and in 2008 he was given the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award for Community Involvement by a Senior. Both awards he proudly displayed in his home.

Milt was also a lifetime member of Tyee Masonic Lodge No. 115, the Renton Elks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Many things kept Milt young at heart — probably mostly his very inquisitive mind. He was interested in everything and everyone he met. He read voraciously until declining eyesight in his 90s made that impossible. If something had an engine, he could fix it or make it better than ever. He was a recycler long before it became common practice. After he retired, one of his loves was taking railroad speeder trips with a great group of friends; they traveled all over Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and made a very memorable trip to the Yukon as well.

He loved going to Starbucks in Newcastle and having “his usual” — a single tall latte with a shot of caramel. The baristas knew him by name and his order when he walked in the door. Susanna and Bill Stratford and their boys Liam and Declan were very special to him, as were his other neighbors, extended family and friends.

Milt lived independently in the family home until last November, when he moved two miles away into Regency Assisted Living in Newcastle. He said he was glad he was just moving from one side of Newcastle to the other.

Milt is survived by his sister Ruth Parrott, nephew Craig Parrott (Anna), nieces Karen Wick and Lorraine Morton, great-nephews Martin and Brian Wick and great-nieces Allison Thompson (Dan) and Lesley Parrott. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Esilda, his sister Frances Callaghan, and brothers John Swanson and George Swanson.

Services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Greenwood Memorial Park with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Renton.

Robert Ray Sippola, 71, of Maple Valley, died Jan. 30, 2014.

“Bob” Sippola, son of Leland and Olive Sippola, brother of Richard Sippola and Betty Woolery, father of Leah Brazo and Bryan Sippola, and grandfather of Asher and Olivia, passed away with his children by his side at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue.

Bob was raised on the family farm in Vader, and graduated from Toledo High School in 1960. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from Central Washington University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Washington.

Bob retired in 1995 after teaching and coaching in the Issaquah School District for 30 years. He loved sports of all kinds and was a passionate Seahawks season ticket holder since 1976. Sadly, Bob missed cheering the Seahawks toward their first Super Bowl championship.

At Bob’s request, no services are planned.

— Flintoft’s Funeral Home 392-6444

Jeannette Vermette LaCelle, 103, formerly of Allen Park, Mich., died peacefully Feb. 4.

At her request, no service will be held.

Jeannette loved life, family and friends, and danced on her 103rd birthday.

Survivors include her son LeRoy LaCelle, of Issaquah; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to Downriver Arts and Crafts Guild, c/o Judy Nelms, 22260 Balmoral Drive, Grosse Ile, MI 48138.

Grace Pierce Longton, age 86, died Jan. 6, 2014.

Grace Longton

She was born in Worthington, Minn., on July 13, 1927, to Edith and Rev. Albert Dahlby. She was the youngest child and had three older brothers: Steve, Jack and Phil. Grace spent her childhood in Kansas City, Mo. until the age of 12, and then the Dahlby family moved to Elgin, Ill., and later moved to Seattle, in 1943, before settling in Issaquah, where her father served as the pastor of Issaquah Community Baptist Church.

After graduating from Broadway High School in Seattle, Grace attended the University of Redlands in California. She married Master Sgt. Roy Pierce in 1946, and lived in Hawaii, Oklahoma and Newfoundland before moving back to Issaquah, where she raised her children Karen, Steven and Marty. Roy died in 1978.

Grace was employed at Boeing for 32 years, first as a reference librarian, and later as a member of management. While at Boeing, she met Dave Longton, whom she married in 1991. Together, they have enjoyed an adventurous life, traveling extensively throughout Europe, Mexico and the U.S.

Grace is survived by her husband David M. Longton; children Karen Pierce, Steven Pierce and Marty (Rick) Steinmetzer; and grandsons Luke and Shane Steinmetzer. She is also survived by her brother Philip Dahlby.

Grace embraced life with enthusiasm. She enjoyed wonderful friendships at church, with “Group,” and meeting new friends in her travels near and far. She was a woman of faith, and always thankful, especially for Dave and his love for her.

There will be a memorial service for Grace on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Living Hope Bible Church, 205 Mountain Park Blvd. S.W., Issaquah, WA 98027.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

Ann F. Dennis was born Dec. 7, 1931 in Syracuse, N.Y., to Frank C. Foose and Grace Roe Foose. They moved to Harrisburg, Penn., in 1935. Ann graduated from John Harris High School, class of 1949.

She attended Gettysburg College, in Gettysburg, Penn., where she completed majors in social science and physical education, graduating in 1953. She was chosen one of the several outstanding seniors and was in “Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities” in 1953.

After graduation, Ann worked for two years at People’s Settlement House in Wilmington, Del., and then taught school for two years. In 1957, she went to Germany as a civilian and worked for two years for the Department of Army in recreation. After she was married in 1959, she came to Seattle and lived in the Renton area from 1960-1983, where her son Scott was born in 1968.

She earned her Master’s in Education degree from the University of Washington in 1983. She taught special education at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, from 1983 to 1996, when she retired.

She is one of the founding members of Life Enrichment Options (LEO) a local nonprofit organized in 1989 by parents of children with disabilities, to foster services for these families in education, recreation and employment in the Issaquah area. (The LEO group now owns three adult family homes in Issaquah). Ann was also an active member of the Issaquah Senior Center.

Ann is survived by her beloved son Scott, of SeaTac, her brother Alan, as well as extended family. She will be missed by many friends.

By her request, a private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Friends are invited to share memories, view photos and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations to LEO would be greatly appreciated, but not required. (LEO website: www.lifeenrichmentoptions.org).

Margot Ann Baglen, of Snoqualmie, loving wife to Don and abiding mom to Lori, passed Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014.

A private celebration of her life will be held.

Margot Baglen

Please view photos, share memories and sign the family’s online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.

Arrangements are by Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home, 392-6444.

Linda Maria Hire

Linda Hire

Passed: Feb. 10, 2014

Service: Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at 1 p.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Issaquah, WA

See www.dignitymemorial.com for more information.

7/28/1931 – 2/9/2014

Shirley I. Jahnke-Johnson

Shirley was born in the small town of Seiling, Okla., raised in the small town of Ontario, Ore., and raised her children in the small town of Issaquah … but there was nothing small about Shirley! For more about this “world citizen,” go to www.flintofts.com.

Another Angel joins Heaven…

John Norbert Price was born in Effingham, Ill., on April 19, 1921, and lived 93 years, until Feb. 12, 2014.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He earned a master’s degree from Colorado College. After retiring as a U.S. Navy pilot, his second career was as a college administrator.

John possessed a genuine talent for bonding with others. He was blessed with great stamina. He was a terrific dancer, a low-handicap golfer, a Master Gardener and a stained glass artist.

He leaves behind in this world Joyce, his loving wife of 67 years; a son, Stan; daughters Cheryl and Andrea; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, all missing him but knowing this is not the end.

Memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

C. Noreen McBride, of Issaquah, passed away at home on the evening of Feb. 7, surrounded by her family. She was 91 years of age.

Noreen McBride

Noreen was born April 18, 1922, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Francis and Helen Keegan. In 1923, Noreen and family immigrated to the United States, settling on the Issaquah Plateau. She grew up in a family of seven girls on a farm near Pine Lake. Noreen was a 1940 graduate of Issaquah High School.

On July 18, 1942, Noreen married Ralph J. McBride at St, Anthony’s, Renton, and then moved to Pasco, where Ralph was stationed in the Navy until 1943.

Noreen became the mother of 11 children and as my brother Jim stated, was the” CEO” of a small business near Pine Lake. She kept the entire farm on Southeast 48th Street financially solvent with a meager budget and very little help.

Noreen enjoyed spending time with her family, and memorable camping trips throughout the Pacific NW. Traveling to Europe was a highlight in her life. She loved expanding her knowledge by reading books of all sorts. There were late nights of knitting, puzzles and Scrabble competitions.

The neighborhood of her youth became the neighborhood of her adult life and her childhood friends became her adult friends. Noreen was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for most of her 91 years and served on the Altar Society for many years.

Noreen is survived by her husband Ralph of 71 years; and her children Joe, of Carnation, Margaret Dineen (Don), of Osburn, Idaho, John (Naomi), of Seattle, Greg (Sharon), of Issaquah, Tim, of Issaquah, Celia (Ken Winslow), of Issaquah, Matt (Ada), of Hobart, Jim (Angie), of Issaquah, T. Brendan, of Carnation, Megan Dodge (Brian), of Olympia. She had 25 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son Kevin and grandson Michael.

A celebration of life Mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 250 Mountain Park Blvd. S.W., Issaquah.

Family suggests remembrances to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Seattle Children’s.

Vernon S. Weber, age 94, of Issaquah (Hutchinson House) passed away on Feb. 23, 2014.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara.

A funeral Mass will be held at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sammamish.

For service information, call Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home 392-6444.

Charles Winslow Lee was born Sept. 12, 1955, in Port Townsend, as the eldest son of Larry J. and Betsy McCurdy Lee, of Seattle.

Chuck was a graduate of Roosevelt High School (1974) and the University of Washington (1980). He was a Beta Theta Phi and an ardent Husky supporter, and his deep and abiding friendships with his Beta brothers and a few lucky Fijis endured throughout his life.

Charles Lee

Chuck leaves behind Lisa, the love of his life of 30 years, and his sons Winslow and Turner, who are his proudest legacy. His family joyously and playfully shared their life together in Sammamish. Chuck dearly loved his parents and his sister Cassandra (McGee) and his brother Jason, who preceded him in death. The family created incredible memories together in Port Townsend and Glacier Park, Mont., where they have deep family roots.

Chuck is widely known as an educator and as a coach of basketball and lacrosse. No one loved going to “work” more than he did. He taught with the perfect balance of passion, discipline and a caring spirit, and he inspired students to value effort over everything else. His other passion was basketball, and he played in many leagues, including one of his own creation, “The Sunday Morning Church of the Hardwoods.”

Chuck’s perpetual optimism carried him and his family through his heroic battle with cancer with more dignity than is imaginable. He passed away on Feb. 6, 2014.

A celebration for friends and family will be held Saturday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island, where the Marshall Tucker Band will be played loudly, as this was, in Chuck’s opinion, the only band worth listening to. See www.caringbridge.org for more details.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support Chuck’s passion for kids with donations to the Redmond/Sammamish Boys and Girls Club of King County, 825 228th Ave. N.E., Sammamish, WA 98074.

Barry Reisman

Barry passed away peacefully Feb. 20, from cancer. Born in 1945, in Los Angeles, where he met his wife Sandy and had two children, Sam and Amy. He was the owner of Soundsations, Issaquah’s record store. Barry retired in 2010 to enjoy his favorite pastime: poker. Online guestbook at www.seattletimes.com.

Passed: Feb. 10, 2014

Service: Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at 1 p.m.

Linda Maria Hire

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Issaquah, WA

See www.dignitymemorial.com for more information.

Cheryl (Donlan) Linville was born Dec. 19, 1943, in Seattle, to Dan and Evelyn (Evans) Donlan. Siblings to follow, sister Danella Donlan (JD), brother Leonard Donlan (Paula, Amy and Zeb), sister Maureen McKinney (Buck), brother Larry (Buddy) Donlan and cousin/brother Tim Young (Paula and Tom).

They lived in a modest house in Issaquah, later moving out of town to a farm in the May Valley area. The family enjoyed their summers down on Lake Sammamish at the property of dear friends the Flintofts.

Cheryl Linville

Cheryl graduated from Issaquah High School in 1962 as valedictorian of her class. She was also a SeaFair princess during the Worlds Fair, and received a full engineering scholarship to the University of Washington (that didn’t happen in 1962 for women). I did have the only mom that could help me through calculus and physics in high school (got me into college).

Cheryl came from true Northwest pioneer families. Her father Dan Donlan’s family emigrated from Ireland in the 1800s, homesteading in Issaquah. The family built the first Catholic church and fire department in Issaquah. When a new church was built in 1965, Cheryl and Larry were the first to be married there, and were given the lantern from the old church as a heritage memory.

Cheryl’s mother Evelyn Evans’ family also emigrated from the Northern Isles in the 1800s and settled in Prosser. There are amazing accounts of the hardships of passage to America and making a life in Washington. Her family has a rich recorded history of pioneering the Northern Territories. As unassuming as Cheryl may have seemed, she had the true grit of pioneer stock.

First and foremost, family mattered to Cheryl. Through the good times, she was a devoted wife, a mother that is too close to my heart to explain, a grandmother, so natural and beautiful Piper would not know an ounce of separation between their souls.

Larry and Cheryl married in 1965 and enjoyed traveling through retirement, appreciating America’s beauty together. Through the hard times, battling cancer, her tough-as-pioneer-stock prevailed, quietly. Cancer ultimately took her life after a couple of tries and not without an amazing battle. Cheryl fought for every last moment to watch her granddaughter Piper grow up.

Grandma went to every life event; Camp Fire, music, sports, school, dance…she did not miss a thing…as it was when I was growing up. She introduced me to so many wonderful things — arts, music, sports — and was there to watch how it all turned out.

Camp Fire was a long tradition in our family. My mom was my leader and I passed that down to my daughter. Cheryl always helped me with crafts for my group; that wasn’t my thing. She also taught me the value of volunteering and appreciating nature and inspiring girls to be anything they wanted to be.

One of Cheryl’s true joys was to listen to Piper’s school concerts; she had an amazing ear for music and could hear every note (good or bad). She was always impressed by the Sacajawea Middle School Band high-level performances, Piper and her French horn and clarinet (the same one Cheryl played).

Cheryl was the truest soccer Mom and Grandma that existed, never missing a game, even traveling with the team out of state. Soccer became a way of life for Cheryl starting in 1973, when I started playing. Cheryl learned the beautiful game; it helped that her mind was so “intelligent,” she could watch the game and know exactly what should be happening, the flow, the beauty of soccer…she could see it all. Not only did Cheryl learn how to see it…she played it…why not! Twenty-five years of women’s soccer!

When she wasn’t playing, she was watching, including Sounders’ women first amazing season, and the Sounders of course. Piper and I both swam, played basketball, softball, tennis and track. Piper also played volleyball. There was hardly a day or week went by without “something” to go watch. Cheryl wasn’t going to miss a thing.

I think back again to Camp Fire, where Cheryl shared her artistic side. She could draw, paint, sew, throw pottery; she was so gifted, artistically. Gardening was another natural gift that Cheryl shared. Every neighbor that walked by was happy to stop and admire, inquire and enjoy the beauty and artistry that is the yard of the home she shared with Larry in Marine Hills, Federal Way.

The garden she created was crafted with an artistic and brilliant eye, plenty of hard work and a green thumb, methodical and beautiful…just like my Mom. As spring arrives and the plants bloom, my Dad will have the fortune to walk outside daily and enjoy and remember the beauty that is Cheryl.

A reception will be held at the Beach Park Founders Lodge on Saturday, March 8, from 6-9 p.m. The street address is 22030 Cliff Ave. S.,
Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone: 206-870-9370.

Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.

Carl A. Ficker, 71, slipped into heaven on Feb. 11, 2014.

Born Aug. 29, 1942, in Seattle, Carl’s family moved to Pine Lake in Issaquah in 1946. He graduated from Issaquah High School, class of 1960, and the University of Washington.

Carl owned Eastside Roofing Supply in Bellevue from 1973 to 1998, when he retired due to Parkinson’s disease.

Carl Ficker

Carl married the love of his life, Wanda, and they made their home on Cougar Mountain, where they raised their three sons.

He is survived by his wife; his sons and daughter-in-law, Scott, Ryan and Kristin (and expectant granddaughter), and Randy; and his brother and sister-in-law Al and Patty Ficker, who make their home in Kauai.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother Albert and Evelyn Ficker.

Memorial service is at 3 p.m. March 6, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1024 Monroe Ave. N.E., Renton, WA 98056.

Read more at www.cascadememorial.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/967952.

Earle G. Bluher passed away Jan. 25, 2014, in Yuma, Ariz.

Born Sept. 27, 1928, in Bellingham to Leverne and James Bluher, raised in North Bend, lived in Issaquah 50 years.

Married Micki Adams on Aug. 13, 1949. Had four children, Randy, Craig, Dawn and Shawn; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Served in the Air Force.

Former Preston resident Charlotte (Erickson) Sandusky, 89, died Feb. 4, 2014, at Ida Culver House Broadview in Seattle.

A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the University Christian Church in Seattle.

Charlotte Sandusky

Charlotte was born June 26, 1924, in Seattle, to Charles and Lucille (Kelton) Erickson. She grew up in Preston, where her father ran the Preston Mill. She graduated from Issaquah High School in 1942, and from the University of Washington Nursing School in 1947.

On Sept. 5, 1952, she married the love of her life, Charles Sandusky, a Boeing engineer originally from Covington, Ky. The couple was wed at the University Christian Church in Seattle. They had three children: Elizabeth Louise “Libby,” William Edward “Bill” and James Patrick “Pat.”

Charlotte gave love and care to others throughout her life. She worked as a nurse at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for more than 30 years. She was a member of the University Christian Church until her passing, and loved singing in the choir there. In her retirement, she volunteered at ROOTS Young Adult Shelter for homeless teens in the University District, and wrote a book about her father, with whom she was very close, titled “Now Tell Me This.”

She is survived by her daughter Libby, son Bill, son Pat, grandsons Mark and Shawn, stepgranddaughter Joanne, and stepgreat-granddaughter Emma. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many friends.

Memorial gifts may be designated/made out to ROOTS Young Adult Shelter and sent to University Christian Church, attn: Suzette, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105. For more information about the service, please call the church at 206-522-0169.