Obituaries

Death Notices

Ruth Nadine Rowe Turner

Ruth was born on April 23, 1926, the fourth child of Thomas R. and H. Gladys (Hopkins) Rowe.  She passed away on August 9, 2019, at Cedar Hills, UT.
Ruth was graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton, WA.  In 1946 she married Robert Allen Turner.  They were married for 70 years before his passing in 2017.
She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church for many years and in her later life became an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is survived by their four children: Terri (John) Keene of Deadwood, SD, Diane (Tom) Marshall of Arco, ID, Bob (Hiroko) Turner of Saratoga Springs, UT and Janine (Kris) Henry of Klamath Falls, OR.  She will also be missed by her fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was devoted to her family and loved them all unconditionally.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date.



​Thomas Buckley Taylor

Thomas Buckley Taylor, 86, passed away August 12, 2019, at his home on Old Belfair Highway, where he had lived since 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Truly Taylor, and his best friend, Jesse Wood. 
He is survived by his wife, Linda, children; Shirley, Chris, Kevin (Angie), Tom, Jr. (Lori), Paula (Hal) and Matt (Julie); grandchildren Joe (Jodie), Andrea, Nicole (Emi), Zachary, Amy, Cassandra, Jacob, Elysah, Dylan, Bella, Marko, Olivia, and Jaxon. He had five great-grandchildren. He was a much loved and respected husband, dad and grandfather.
Tom had a productive, varied work career, beginning when he was a young teen. He bundled kindling, cleared land, pulled nails, cut meat at the local meat locker, picked oysters, drove a log truck (at the age of 15 with no driver’s license), owned his own logging business, worked for the Mason County Road Department, served as a Mason County commissioner from 1977 to 1980, and retired from the Washington State Attorney General’s office in 1982. Following his retirement, he drove a log truck until 1990. He loved to work, to create, move dirt, collect and drive vintage tractors and equipment. He loved motorcycles and was a competitive flat tracker, hill climber, street, and backcountry rider. He rode a motorcycle to school at South Kitsap High, where he graduated in 1954. He loved the community of Belfair and found local history compelling.
Tom was a founding member of the Bremerton Cruisers Motorcycle Club, and a lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association. He was a charter member of Olympic Peninsula Antique Tractor & Engine Association. He was a commissioner for Mason County Fire District 2 (now North Mason Regional Fire Authority) for 22 years. He felt privileged to participate in the district’s evolution from an all-volunteer fire district to a professional, modern district with exemplary EMS services. Tom was an unapologetic, unrepentant ambulance chaser. Tom’s recent community contribution was heading a daily coffee klatch at Bear Creek Store, where he is survived by his friends Steve Cagwin, Janet Harris, Suzan Kimber, Ron Harmon, Don Carstensen, Dave Rahm, Herbie Feulner, Jimmy Alexander, Curtis Timmerman, Doug Harris, Bob Bacon, Harry Fredricksen, Howard Lindsey and a lot of other wonderful part-time coffee drinkers. Together, they ate maple bars, caused and solved automotive, equipment, agricultural and world problems and gave driving directions to strangers.
Memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted by North Mason Firefighters Association, PO Box 994, Belfair WA 98528. Please designate “Scholarship Fund”.
Please come help celebrate Tom’s life Sunday, August 25 (noon until the last guest goes home) at the family home, 1880 Northeast Old Belfair Highway in Belfair. 



​James J. “Jimmy” Kelley

James J. “Jimmy” Kelley, age 68, passed away, at his wife and daughter’s home in Olympia, WA, on Friday, August 2, 2019. He had been surrounded by his children, grandchildren and sister, with many visits over this past year.  
Jimmy was a lifelong resident of Kamilche. He was born to Avery and Betty Kelley on September 18, 1950.
Jimmy served in Vietnam, with the United States Marine Corp. During that time, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two stars; Rifle Expert Badge; Combat Action Ribbon; RVN Cross of Gallantry, with Palm and Frame; Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged as Sergeant James J. Kelley.
Jimmy married Carol (Miles) Kelley in 1972, and had two daughters, Andra and Jamie.
After the Vietnam war, Jimmy struggled with PTSD, and developed a substance abuse disorder. For the last 10 months of his life, he was drug free and reconnected with close friends and family. Prior to this, Jimmy was a Marine, who was and always will be, a proud US Marine.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Carol, of Olympia. Daughters; Andra Kelley-Batstone and Jamie Kelley of Olympia; granddaughter, Kaetlyn Batsone, and grandson Cole Batsone of Olympia. Grandson Iverie and grand daughter Olivia, of Olympia. Sister Kathy Dorcy of Shelton, WA.
There will be a graveside service on Saturday, August 24 at 1 p.m. at the Shelton Cemetery.


​Virginia “Ginny” Gail Knittel

Virginia “Ginny” Gail Knittel, loving wife and mother, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2019, in Bremerton, WA. 
She is survived by her husband Mel Knittel, her children; Heather Davis and Andrew Knittel, and her three grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 24 at noon, at North Mason Bible Church in Belfair, WA.


Micheal Ellis Gaskill

On August 3, 2019, a long-time Shelton resident, Micheal Ellis Gaskill, passed away at Harborview Medical Center of injuries sustained from being hit by a car. Micheal was born September 8, 1939, to Ellis and Mary (Johnson) Gaskill in Bremerton, WA. 
He enlisted in the Washington National Guard where he served his time. After the National Guard he became a truck driver. That was the only occupation that he had. He later retired from driving truck. 
Micheal loved hunting, fishing and anything to do with the outdoors. His first love was his family. He will be greatly missed by his children and grandchildren. 
The family is asking for donations to help with funeral costs. Donations can be made directly to McComb & Wagner Funeral Home.

Arlene G. Dahl, 87, a resident of Rochester, died August 13, 2019, in Centralia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Robert C. Cole, 68, a resident of Bothell, died August 9, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Herrick Higson, II, 74, a resident of Olympia, died August 14, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


U.S. Army and National Guard veteran Bruce Baker Corr, 78, a resident of Lacey, died August 12, 2019, in Lacey. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Jane DeVries, 89, a resident of Lacey, died August 12, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


LaVerne Marie Lamoureux, 71, a resident of Olympia, died August 12, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.




Lt. Col. David Anthony Chester Shephard, 82, a retired U.S. Army veteran and resident of Shelton, died August 9, 2019, at Madigan Army Hospital in Pierce County. A memorial service and reception will be held August 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church. An inurnment will be held at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 27. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Vincent Costanzo, Sr., 89, a resident of Shelton, died August 16, 2019, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Robert Burpee, 80, a resident of Shelton, died August 14, 2109, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Robert H. Deel, 75, a resident of Shelton, died August 15, 2019, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Melvin K. Carter, 75, a resident of Olympia, died August 14, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Kenneth Andrews, 43, a resident of Hoodsport, died August 16, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Susan Lou Knaver, 75, a resident of Yelm, died August 8, 2019, in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Carol Anne Mary Byerly, 75, a resident of Olympia, died August 18, 2019, at home. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


U.S. Army veteran James Herbert Gray, 83, a resident of Lilliwaup, died July 7, 2019, at home. A ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on September 9, 2019, at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 Southeast 240th, Kent WA 98042. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Richard “Dick” McNamara, 80, a resident of Olympia, died August 18, 2019, at home.