Obituaries

Death Notices

Joan (Joanie) Marie Kantas-Fursman

Joan (Joanie) Marie Kantas-Fursman, 75 passed away on November 24, 2018 at her Shelton home surrounded by her friends and family.  Joan was born on December 23, 1942 to Edward and Stella Fursman in Lake Oswego, OR and attended St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, OR.  Joan was an X-ray technician for almost 50 years and worked at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia for 35 years.
Joanie was known as a dedicated mother (to many), 100% Irish Catholic and for taking care of everyone else without ever considering herself.  Throughout Joanie’s life she was devoted to helping others by means of cooking meals at homeless shelters, working at food banks, finding homes and programs for homeless families and individuals, volunteering in many medical programs for the disadvantaged, and participated in the No One Dies Alone program at St. Peter’s Hospital and always comforting those in need. 
Joanie was preceded in death by her beloved youngest son Steve Kantas in May, 2015 to whom she was excited to see again in heaven.  She is survived by her sister Pat (Fursman) Floerech of Portland, her brother Jim Fursman of Seattle, daughter Mia Kantas of Shelton, son Tony Kantas of Olympia, daughter-in-law Sonja Cady of Olympia, grandsons and granddaughter Noah of Shelton, Alex and Gabby of Olympia.
A rosary will be said at 12:30, prior to the funeral mass at 1 p.m. on December 15th at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Shelton with a reception to follow. 
In lieu of flowers, please just try to live your life with great love to others by smiling, not judging and helping others when in need. 



​Earl G. Pilgrim

Earl G. Pilgrim passed away on November 12th 2018 in of natural causes, in Shelton, Washington where he was a resident for 30 years. He was 93. 
Earl was born on March 25, 1925 in Seattle, Washington to Glenn and Anne (Hofmeister) Pilgrim. 
Earl was previously married to Mary Allerton (Gregory), Jeannine (Backen) Lentz and Betty Morrow.
Earl served in the US Army Air Force as a first lieutenant from August 1944 to July 1946. As a proud WWII veteran, he was passionate about politics, an avid private pilot, flying his own plane until the age of 91! He enjoyed pleasure boating, tennis, (until age 88) snow and water skiing, bird hunting and local area fishing. Earl loved his many dogs. He was opinionated and feisty, and enjoyed enthusiastic conversation with friend and foe.
He was also a small business owner in industrial products, sales and manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest.
He is survived by daughters Colleen A. Fite, New Rockford, ND and Christine L. Lentz, Woodinville, WA. Sons Fred C. Lentz and Michael D. Lentz, both of Bellevue, WA. 
There will be a celebration of Earl’s life at his residence on Sunday, December 9th 2018 from 1 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: pugetsoundhonorflight.org.


​Lois (Mom, Grandma, Grandma “G”) Maxine Rice

Lois (Mom, Grandma, Grandma “G”) Maxine Rice, left us on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
Born to Donald and Melvina McCulloch in Hoquiam, WA on July 17, 1928, Lois was the eldest of two daughters (Donna Mather [d. 1987] was the youngest). She attended Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, WA, where the story goes that she pointed out a handsome young man to one of her friends and said “I’m going to marry him.” Sure enough, she married that young man, Lee Rice (d 2012), on August 31,1946.
From their first residence, a tent in a logging camp, to their first houses in the West Seattle and Arbor Heights neighborhoods of Seattle, WA (first on Austin Street and then on 32nd SW - both built by Lee), to their cabin on Mason Lake (built by Lee), home was wherever they were together. Over the years, Lois worked different jobs including working at the Tupperware warehouse, clerking for the SPEAA and clerking for King County Elections from which she still enjoyed meeting former co-workers for monthly lunches (“Over 80 Lunch”). But she will probably be best remembered for her craft and baking skills: everything from sewing her own square dance dresses and knitting to baking the best coffee break “goodies” and pies ever made. 
She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Rice of Shelton, WA; son, Donald and daughter-in-law, Sarah Rice of Seattle, WA; grandson, Jesse Rice and granddaughter-in-law, Pari Shah of Redmond, WA; granddaughter, Nikki Rice and grandson-in-law, David Malki of Hawthorne, CA and her great grandson, Benjamin Lee Malki of Hawthorne, CA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. 
Donations can be made to American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org). No service will be held but we ask you to celebrate her life at every coffee break with the best “goodie” you can find.


John William Wiechert

John William Wiechert passed away of cancer November 23rd, 2018 at the age of 85 in Shelton. He was born in Randolph, NE on July 27, 1933 to William and Esther Wiechert. John is survived by his wife Ruth LaDell Wiechert of Shelton, sister Isabelle Lowe, (Scott) Buckeye, AZ. Sons William Willis Wiechert, Auburn, WA. Eric John Wiechert, Raymond, WA. daughter-in-law Jen, Raymond, WA, granddaughters Chelsea of New Mexico, Katelyn and Amanda, Raymond, WA. Grandsons Eathen and Cameron, also from Raymond.  
John married Ruth Williams on November 25, 1959 in San Bernadino, CA. John and Ruth celebrated 59 years of marriage before John passed away from cancer. He served in the US Army for 2 years, (16 months in Korea) 1953-1955.
John was very mechanically inclined. He worked for the National Cash Register Company for 25 years as a field technician and 10 years at Mervyns Department store as a point of sales technician.
After retiring they moved to Belfair, WA in 1993 where he resided until 2002. Then they moved to Shelton.  John soon joined the Mason County United Methodist Church. He was chairman of the building committee when we built our new church. John was always there for family and friends. He was involved with the annual rummage sale and was always amazed at the money they made. John also volunteered with the Mason County Sheriff Department for 20 years.
A celebration of John’s life will be held December 9, 2018 at 2 p.m. at North Mason United Methodist Church. 25140 St. Rt. Highway 3, Belfair, WA 98528.

Joan Lorraine Lopshire, 85, a resident of Tacoma, died November 19, 2018, in Tacoma. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


JoAnn Donna Raben, 79, a resident of Lacey, died November 28, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Jerry G. Hill, 89, a resident of Grapeview, died November 25, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Gerald L. Stoddard, 67, a resident of Shelton, died November 28, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Ermie “Bobbe” Emerson, 80, a resident of Union, died November 23, 2018, in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Rose-Marie Helen Miller, 84, a resident of Hoodsport, died November 29, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Alina Marie Chavez, 28, a resident of Olympia, died November 23, 2018, at home. A service will be held December 15 at 2 p.m. at Shelton Christian Church.


David Joseph Chance, 64, a resident of Portland, OR, died November 21, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home - Lacey.


Irma Petersen, 87, a resident of Olympia, died November 30, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Homes & Cemetery.


Annette Marie Latta, 55, a resident of Chehalis, died November 20, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Lynsey Sara McGrath, 27, a resident of Elma, died November 24, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Robert Joe Coumerilh, 91, a resident of Olympia, died December 1, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Patricia MaGee, 75, a resident of Shelton, died December 2, 2018, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.


Catherine Spalding, 62 a resident of Elma, died November 30, 2018, in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.