Edward H. Wittmers Jr., 80, passed away peacefully in Gig Harbor, Washington on March 12, 2019 at Cottesmore of Life Care.  He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 9, 1938 to Edward Sr. and Vera Wittmers.  Edward is deeply loved and will be missed every day by his family and friends. He attended and graduated from Holy Cross High School in the year 1956.  He later completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Louisiana State University and Troy State...

Darlene J. Clark, 72, a University Place resident since 1997, passed away March 10th, 2019 from heart failure. Darlene was a cancer survivor, who enjoyed volunteering at the local food bank, and her love of cooking will always be remembered by her signature bean dish. Darlene was a foster parent. When asked once “what would be considered your life’s work,” her response was “raising children.” Called many things in her life, her favorite thing was to be called...

John Defenbaugh Long was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 3, 2019 in Gig Harbor, Washington. John was born on November 15, 1929 to Anna Pauline and James William Long in Plainfield, New Jersey. He attended Blair Academy High School and graduated from the University of Vermont. During his school days, John received many medals in both track and field and tennis. In college, he bought a drum set and was part a 4-piece band that played...

Joanne M. (Lidstrom) Brown, 81, a Gig Harbor resident, died on February 25, 2019.Joanne grew up in Tacoma where she met her husband Robert Brown at Jason Lee Middle School. She graduated from Stadium High School where she was crowned Daffodil Princess. Joanne was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed her daily crossword puzzles. She also was a Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy enthusiast. Joanne loved to spoil her grandchildren. Joanne is preceded in death by her husband Robert Brown. Surviving...

Jerry Hentschell, dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many, passed away on February 23rd, 2019 at his home in Gig Harbor, Washington.  Jerry was born September 8, 1945 in Seattle, Washington to Gerald and Lorene Hentschell. He was a 1963 graduate of Roosevelt High School. After serving in the US Marine Corps, he graduated from Seattle University. He started his career in the insurance industry working for LaBow Haynes. Jerry followed his...

Fern E. Bolyard, 88, Gig Harbor, Lived in Yakima till 1970 when her family moved to Gig Harbor. Ferns career started in Yakima at the Telephone and Telegraph Company. Later, to the Montgomery Wards credit Department. She worked her way from bank teller to manager working for Peninsula State Bank, Puget Sound Bank, and Key Bank, in Gig Harbor, Tacoma and Parkland prior to her retirement. Fern loved her garden, flowers and traveling.   Fern was always willing to help her family friends...

Vester “Ray” Elkins, born 3/9/35 in Frenchburg, KY, beloved father, husband, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, of Gig Harbor, passed away February 23, 2019. Ray is survived by wife of 61 years - Judy Murrell; Children Kevin (Mary), David, Paul (Kathy), and Carla; Grandchildren Kevin, Matt, Hannah, and Sam Elkins, Scott (Marissa) and Kathryn Crane, and Ann (Abram) Thigpen; Great-Grandchildren Eli and Oliver; and Elaine (Mark) Mathieson, Alyssa (Nick) Armesto, and Jason...

Patricia A. Reeves, a Pullman resident, passed on February 21, 2019 Family Members include her son Alex Reeves of Gig Harbor, brothers Eddie (Candace) and son Iver Swanson of Gig Harbor, Kris Reeves of Shelton, father Ed Swanson of Shelton, mother Peggy Reeves of Miami, stepmother Jessica Beem of Puyallup, stepsisters Jenessa Beem of Marysville, Jennica Beem of Shelton, Jenelle Beem of Shelton, Jillian Beem of Puyallup, stepbrother Jared Beem deployed in Iraq, Grandfather Richard...

Connie Marie Johnson went home to be with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ on February 17, 2019. She was born in Tacoma, Washington on March 8, 1950 and raised in Minneapolis by her loving parents, John and Pauline Vanderhoof. Her sister Julie and her parents preceded her in death and are currently celebrating her entrance into heaven.   Connie was an intelligent woman and gifted with many talents. She was a creative writer, a voracious reader, and lover of many art forms. She became...

Matthew “Matt” Philip Glass, 28, of Vaughn, Washington passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019, in Seattle, Washington.  He was born November 3, 1990 to Bob and Joy. Matthew Glass was a creative writer and novelist. He graduated from Biola University, and worked in the creative department at Boeing. He was up for any adventure, loved people dearly, and his humor lit up the room. He will always be missed. Matt is survived by his father and mother; his brother, Nathaniel...