Obituaries

Death Notices

Samuel (Sam) John Smith

Samuel (Sam) John Smith, passed away September 6th 2018, at his home “the ol’ shack on the creek” with his wife Cindy by his side. Sam was born February 2nd 1945 in Graceville, MN to Earnest and Beula Smith. He had three sisters, Lois, Mary Kaye, Bonnie and a brother Denny. 
Sam was preceded in death by his sister Lois, brother Denny, his step-son and best friend Tom Creekpaum.
Growing up in the “old country” Sam spent time helping on the family farm and playing baseball. Though he did not attend college, he was sent to a boarding school for farmers six months out of the year starting in the eighth grade.
Sam volunteered for military service in 1963 to 1966, and bravely fought for our country in the Vietnam War. After his service he moved to Washington State to work in the timber industry. In 1978, Sam married Marta Marie (Holman) Creekpaum. They traveled the country in their motor home meeting new friends along the way. They were married for 27 years before Marta passed away. After retiring from Port Blakely Timber Co., Sam started “playing” at Kennedy Creek Rock Quarry. “Playing” at the pit was a Godsend for Sam as he thoroughly enjoyed his co-workers and “playing” on the “big toys”.
In 2011, Sam married Cindy Sanderson. They enjoyed honeymooning in Alaska with friends, traveled to Montana, Arizona and several trips to Minnesota to visit family and friends. Sam and Cindy enjoyed hosting gatherings at their home on the creek. It is the third marriage for them both, and as the saying goes “third time’s a charm” and for them it truly was.
Sam was an avid storyteller who had many unique Life experiences. A ten minute story could easily last for hours, but were so detailed and engaging that listeners felt as if they knew everyone involved. Sam had such a positive outlook on Life, despite some tough experiences. When asked how he was, the reply was always “If I was any better I couldn’t stand it”. Sam will always be remembered for his strengths, kindness and sense of humor.
Sam is survived by his wife, Cindy, her three sons, a daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 
He will be greatly missed but often remembered. At Sam’s request a formal service will not be held. However, please have a drink and tell family and friends your favorite story. 
Donations may be made to: Assured Hospice, 2102 Carriage Dr. SW, Suite “H”, Olympia, WA 98502.




Peggy Jean Robertson

Peggy Jean Robertson (McConnell) passed away at age 67 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup from complications of breast cancer treatment. She was a resident of Shelton for 42 years. Born in Spokane, Peg moved around as her father changed jobs. She graduated from Wooster High School in Reno.
Peg married Joe Robertson February 14, 1975 (Valentine’s Day) in Reno. She had previously worked in Seattle for the Bon Marche. After marriage she was a stay at home mom helping raise son Joe Robertson and daughter Tanya Robertson. Peg was very active with her kids, being a “soccer mom” before there were such people. She helped as a volunteer in school and hauled the kids and many friends’ kids to practices and games. Many of her kids’ friends still call her “mom” today.
Peg’s husband was a manager at Simpson (later Our Community) Credit Union and Peg accompanied him to many state and national conferences where she was so friendly that people didn’t care if Joe showed up as long as Peg was there. She was also active in the community with sports golfing in the women’s club at Bayshore and playing in tournaments around the state with friends and winning her fair share of tournaments. She bowled in leagues with her mom and other ladies, again winning her share of events and league championships. And she played in the coed softball leagues with Hunter Farms.
Peg never met a person she didn’t like and was so friendly that when she would take a girls trip her friends couldn’t believe how she made friends with total strangers. They would ask, “do you know that person?” and she would say “no but I do now.” But yet as she always told us, “I’m street smart; I grew up in Reno, Nevada.”
Peg is survived by her husband Joe, her son Joe (Sarah), her daughter Tanya, and her brother Bob (Konnie), and four granddaughters and one grandson and nephews, nieces, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Bill McConnell; her mother Agnes McConnell (Brodin) and her brother Bill McConnell.
A Celebration of Life will be held November 3rd from 2:00-5:00 at the Little Creek Casino Hotel.  Peg’s dad, brother, and son and many of his friends are hunters... that’s why we are waiting until after October hunting season! A block of rooms are available under Peg Robertson.
 In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund at Mason General Hospital in Peg’s name.



Emerson Bruce Moore

Emerson Bruce Moore, age 56, lost his fight with cancer on September 25, 2018 in Olympia, WA. 
He was born in Astoria, OR on November 13, 1961. He spent his earlier years in the Shelton/Olympia area.
He is survived by his wife, Tamala, step-daughter Karrin Tennyson, sister Elva Huff and her husband, Charles Huff. Grandchildren A’Shaia and Sean Nicholas. Nieces Amy, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Nephews Douglas, Jr. and Charles.
Memorial services will be held at St. Hugh Episcopal Church, 280 E. Wheelwright, Allyn, WA 98524 on October 20, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.


William “Bill” Schultz

Bill, 71, died September 26th at his home in Redmond, OR. 
He was born in Long Beach, CA. The first nine years of his life were spent in many different states while his dad was in the Navy. His parents moved to Vancouver, WA in 1956 where he graduated from Evergreen High School. During Bill’s time in the Air Force, he spent two tours in Thailand and Vietnam. Upon his return home, he attended Western Washington University, graduating as a Math major. 
Bill taught high school for two years. He then joined New Your Life Insurance sales and financial planning.
 He retired as a life-time member of the Million Dollar Roundtable after 40 years with New York Life. Bill was active in his church and community. He spent countless hours in sports and scouting with his sons. Bill is survived by his wife, Alma (Barnes); sons, Geoff (Anne) and David; two grandchildren, Ella and Emmett; and sister Judy (Mickey). 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Doris (Jean) Schultz. 
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday October 27th at 11:00 am. At Faith Lutheran Church, 1212 Connection Street, Shelton, WA 98584.
His remains will be interned at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to HOPE Dementia Support Groups. www.HOPEdementiasupport.org; or Partners in Care Hospice, www.partnersbend.org Please sign his guestbook @ www.columbian.com/obits.


Ruth Louise (Beggs) Tooley

After a two year battle with breast cancer, long time Mason County resident, Ruth Louise (Beggs) Tooley, 88, died September 7th 2018 in Olympia, WA. Ruth had been living at her granddaughter, Lisa Metzler’s house for the past 9 months and was surrounded by loving family.
Born near Ensign, Kansas to Walter and Ethel (Lighter) Beggs, Ruth began her education in a one-room school. She completed her Bachelors degree at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, where she was recruited by the Methodist Board of Missions and taught for three years at Vashti School in Thomasville, GA. Ruth then earned her Master’s Degree from Scarritt College in Nashville, TN and became a Methodist Deaconess. She served as a Director of Religious Education over the next years in Salina, KS, Yakima, WA and Seattle, WA.
On December 31st 1965 Ruth married Vern Tooley, a Methodist minister, widower and father of four. In addition to working as a public school teacher and helping Vern in his ministerial duties, she helped raise the two youngest children. In 1987 Vern and Ruth retired from the ministry and moved to their beloved Mason Lake property, which they had worked hard to develop over many years. During this time Ruth volunteered in the Grapeview School District’s reading program and served on the school board. In 1999 the couple sold their property and moved to Shelton. They attended the Shelton United Methodist Church, where Ruth continued her life of service by joining committees, circles, and a book club.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ethel Beggs, her brother and his wife, Gene and Marcheta Beggs, and her husband of 46 years, Vern Tooley. She leaves behind her four children: Patricia Constantino, Sharon McCarter, Michael Tooley, and Wendy Hulbert. She also leaves none grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, her sister, Lena Bradley and several nieces, nephews and cousins living in Kansas.
Throughout her life Ruth worked to fulfill her college goal to “do something special with her life.” She also enjoyed sewing, traveling, and staying connected with her many friends and family.
A memorial service will be held at Shelton’s United Methodist Church, 1500 King Street, Shelton WA, 98584 on November 3rd 2018 at 2:00 pm. 
Memorial gifts may be made to The United Methodist Committee on Relief, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA  30308.

Clarice Parr, 93, a resident of Shelton, died October 8, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


James R. Berger, 79, a resident of Bremerton, died October 7, 2018, in Bremerton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Lenore Glover, 79, a resident of Montesano, died October 3, 2018, in Grays Harbor. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Patricia Harrison, 58, a resident of Shelton, died October 7, 2018, in Harrison Medical Center. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Tommy Duniho, 83, a resident of Shelton, died October 5, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Katherine Irene Stolz, 70, a resident of Olympia, died October 8, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Clifton David Austin, 75, a resident of Olympia, died October 7, 2018, in Lacey. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Esther Patricia Keith, 101, a resident of Olympia, died October 5, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Jerry Foster Jones, 81, a resident of Shelton, died October 11, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington.


Patricia Turner, 63, a resident of Olympia, died October 11, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Nathan Mattheis, 21, a resident of Olympia, died October 10, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Norma Carol Comalander, 75, a resident of Yelm, died October 10, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Michael Eldon Knight, 43, a resident of Elma, died October 10, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Tommy L. Duniho, 83, a resident of Shelton, died October 6, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Juan Zacarias Rodas, 74, a resident of Shelton, died October 12, 2018, in Seattle. Service is October 20 at St. Edward Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Viewing until 2 a.m. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


LaDonna Michelle Harrison, 50, a resident of Shelton, died October 5, 2018, in Olympia. A service will be held October 27 at 1 p.m. at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Thomas Albertus Smith, 90, a resident of Allyn, died October 14, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Sylvia Ann Nelson, 58, a resident of Belfair, died October 10, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Paula Swan Krise, 70, a resident of Shelton, died October 12, 2018, at home. A service will be held October 19 at 12 noon at the Squaxin Island Gym. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Doloras Jean Drinville, 86, a resident of Olympia, died October 14, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Virginia L. Wallace, 92, a resident of Shelton, died October 12, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.