Obituaries

Death Notices

Avon Anderson

Avon Anderson passed away peacefully on the 4th of July 2019, in Alpine, Utah. For full obituary: https://www.walkersanderson.com/obituary/avon-peterson-anderson
Avon’s viewing will be held Saturday July 20, 2019 from 9:30 am-10:30 am at the Shelton 1st and 2nd Ward Building located at 916 North 12th Street in Shelton, Washington. The graveside service will occur at 11:00 am at Shelton Memorial Cemetery: 1605 Van Buren Street, Shelton, WA.


Gregory Lee Mowers

Long time Quilcene, WA, resident Gregory Lee Mowers passed away, surrounded by family and friends in Port Townsend, WA, on July 4, 2019. He was born January 7, 1945, in Belvidere, Illinois. There will be a graveside inurnment July 18, 2019, at 2:00 pm in the Shelton Memorial Park Cemetery. There will also be a memorial service at the Quilcene Assembly of God July 20, 2019 at noon.
September 7, 1918-
July 10, 2019


Evelyn Sells

“I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me”  
ABBA (1975)


Evelyn Sells was born in the family home in South Dakota just over a century ago. Her family was composed of second and third-generation immigrants who eventually settled as farmers in South Dakota and Minnesota. Norwegian was commonly spoken at home and in the fields, but learning and speaking English was not just encouraged by the family, it was mandatory. Evelyn spent her early years in primary school in Minnesota, but returned to the South Dakota farm every summer, where she took part in all of the maintenance and care of a working farm; experiences and fond memories she cherished her entire life.
In the mid-1930’s Evelyn’s mother, Alma Opsahl, moved to Seattle with Evelyn, who graduated from what was then Broadway High School in 1937. That same year she married Karl Sells and accompanied him to his family’s farm in Mason County. As she would often say, she was welcomed to the family with open arms, due to her knowledge of how to milk a cow and her willingness to always lend a helping hand. She was certainly not afraid of getting dirty after growing up on the farm in South Dakota, and it was greatly appreciated by her new husband’s family.
Karl was employed with the Army Corps of Engineers as a surveyor and engineer and he and Evelyn traveled the county together for his job. She made a home for them in Florida, Montana, Yakima, Everett, Oak Harbor, and Richland, Washington, to name a few of their stops along the way, eventually returning to Mason County and settling down on the family property on Little Skookum Inlet, where they built a home and raised their two sons, John Michael and James Karl. 
Evelyn’s marriage to Karl ended in 1964, and a few years later she remarried and was again traveling with her husband, Jack, for his job as a plant manager with the State of WA. They lived at Medical Lake, Everett, Monroe and eventually back in Mason County. It was during her time as a volunteer at the Eastern State Hospital library, in Medical Lake, that she was able to share her lifelong love of reading and of books in general. Evelyn logged over 6,000 volunteer hours, introducing the hospital patients to the joy and satisfaction that simply reading a book can bring. 
In 1995 Evelyn returned to the family home in Mason County after having lived in Olympia for a time while caring for her aging mother and working for the legislature during session. Upon her return to Mason County, she lived with her son John and two grandsons, Nick and Doug. She spent many happy and peaceful hours in her favorite chair, reading a book and enjoying the view out the window. This was a wonderful period of spending time with family and making memories that all will cherish. Her last few years were spent at the Shelton Rehabilitation Center where she was well cared for by the kind staff, and visited regularly by family, including her four great-grandchildren.
Evelyn was the proudest of her family, and the fact that both of her sons and all four of her grandchildren (and their spouses) are college graduates. The emphasis she placed on reading and education paid off, and nothing pleased her more. 
Evelyn is survived by her two sons, John Sells of Shelton, Jim Sells (Barbara) of Gig Harbor; grandchildren Nick Sells (Nicole) of Shelton, Doug Sells (Sarah) of Shelton, Elizabeth Simmons (Mike) of Gig Harbor, Jeff Sells (Layla) of Redmond; and four great-grandchildren.
Evelyn was truly a woman who accepted everyone as they were, and never had an unkind word about anyone, even when it was probably warranted! She was admired and loved by her family and friends, and will be greatly missed. She will rest in peace.  At Evelyn’s request, there will be no service. The family suggests that anyone wishing to do so make a donation in her memory to the Mason County Historical Society. 



​Robert S. Fay

Robert S. Fay was born in Cleveland, Ohio, August 23, 1932, to Mary Theresa (Gergely) Fay and James Edward Fay, both immigrants from Budapest, Hungary who preceded him in death. After the early death of his mother at age five, Robert’s life circumstances became even more challenging for him, his two older sisters and younger brother; the late Irene (Fay) Balog, the late Mary (Fay) Toma and late Steven J. Fay. Much of their childhood was residing in a Catholic orphanage in Cleveland, Ohio, being raised by nuns.
Robert enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and successfully completed a four-year tour of duty which also included serving on the USS Chipola. Called into battle and just entering into enemy territory, word was received that an agreement was signed to which they gratefully returned home. 
After the Navy, Mr. Fay served briefly for the Merchant Marines sailing the Great Lakes. From there, Robert attended college at Ohio University in Athens where he met and eventually married Helen (Easter) Stearns from Ripley, WVA, and the mother of his five children. Shortly after meeting Helen, they moved to Los Angeles where he joined the Los Angeles police department. He was thrilled to embark on such a distinguishing first detail in law enforcement. He spent the majority of his life as a police officer, serving the public passionately and honored to do so. After a couple of years on the LAPD, the decision was made to move back to grassroots to raise their family. 
Robert raised his five children in Madison, Ohio as a single parent while continuing to serve as a police officer on a variety of law enforcement teams such as the Mentor (Ohio) Police Department, Lake County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Department and holding the office of Chief of Police in Ripley, West Virginia. Additionally, he held the distinguished honor of graduating second in his class from the FBI National Academy under J. Edgar Hoover in Washington D.C. Mr. Fay also held the Supervisor of Security position at the Perry (Ohio) nuclear power plant for a number of years. He ended his career as a correctional officer at the Washington (State) Correctional Center in Shelton, Washington. 
Robert was a devout Catholic all his life and knew Jesus Christ as his lord and savior. He also was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and a supportive member of the American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars. The only thing in his life he was more passionate about was his family. He deeply loved and cherished being a father to his five children; Mark S. Fay (Cross Lanes, West Virginia), Theresa M. Fay(Shelton, Washington), Michael J. Fay(Norwalk, Ohio), Rebecca Fay Roadman (Hoodsport, Washington), Mary H. Fay (Kenna, West Virginia/Tulum, Mexico) in addition to his stepson Stephen M. Gandee (Evans, West Virginia). Whenever and wherever possible, he joyfully engaged as Grandpa (aka “Grumpa”) to his 13 grandchildren who span across the entire country. As G-Papa, he also adored his three great-granddaughters whenever he had the opportunity. He was always a man of humor and kept this trait to the very end. He usually would end a conversation with any of his loved ones with, “Remember me always, as loving you.” 
Mr. Fay passed peacefully with his family present on July 10, 2019. Services are open to all who would like to attend and celebrate his life, a life filled with honor, service, commitment, loyalty and love. Services are scheduled for Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m. at Hood Canal Community Church on 81 North Finch Creek Road in Hoodsport, WA.  
A light reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Fay would be honored for any donations made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. An additional service is expected to occur in the Cleveland, Ohio area where numerous nieces, nephews and relatives reside just prior to reaching his final resting place at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio. For any questions please contact Rebecca Roadman rroadman1212@gmail.com.


Daniel Wayne Owens

Daniel Wayne Owens, born November 7, 1955 – died, July 10, 2019.
Danny, a resident of Shelton, died in an automobile accident.
Danny was born to Paul Pointer and Clara Ann (Lawson) Pointer. His father served in the US Army as an infantry officer, and as a US Army pilot. He was killed in an airplane accident in 1957.
Clara married Jerry Owens in 1960. Jerry adopted Danny and his brothers and sisters. Danny was married for 26 years to Jeanette Owens. Danny has one son, Ryan Owens, and six grandchildren.
You’re invited to come celebrate Danny’s life, Sunday, July 21, 2019, 2:30 p.m., at the New Horizon Church, 305 East F Street, Shelton, WA. 

Adell Reid, 80, a resident of Lacey, died July 8, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Bertha Bernice Anderson, 81, a resident of Union, died July 9, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Ricky Lee Golden, 53, a resident of Mason County, was found dead on July 5, 2019, in Shelton. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery. Relatives please contact funeral home at 360-427-8044.


Eleanor Naea Hollister, 45, a resident of Lacey, died June 25, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Leonard Blauvelt, 78, a resident of Yelm, died July 11, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


National Guard Veteran William Dean Freytag, 74, a resident of Shelton, died July 11, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Heather Renee Morgan, 32, a resident of Shelton, died July 8, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Richard J. Coombes, 78, a resident of Olympia, died July 8, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


John A. Hutchinson, 70, a resident of Hoodsport, died July 10, 2019, in Seattle. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Danette L. Crowne, 52, a resident of Gig Harbor, died July 14, 2019, in Gig Harbor. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Cecil R. Puderbaugh, 71, a resident of Shelton, died July 12, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.