Obituary Listing

Apr 15, 2025

Thomas William Hayes, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025. Tom was born March 5, 1945, to Thomas William Hayes and Viola (Hannon). He graduated from Nampa High School in 1963 and married Susan Stephenson in 1967. The newlyweds moved to Ontario, OR, where they attended TVCC.  In 1968, they moved to Union County for the first...

Apr 9, 2025

Gerald Jacob Baker, affectionately known as "Bake," left this world on April 9, 2025, at the age of 71. He passed at his home, surrounded by memories that only a life well-lived can bring. Born on January 1, 1954, in Billings, Montana, to Martin and Lillian "Marie" Baker, Jerry was an extraordinary man who touched the lives of everyone...

Apr 9, 2025

George Franklin Soper, 94, of Walla Walla, Washington, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, in his home. Born on December 4, 1930, in Edgemont, South Dakota, George moved with his family to Kennewick in March of 1935. At just four and a half years old, he helped his family begin a new life, breaking sagebrush to start a...

Mar 31, 2025

Dale Roy Smelcer, of Walla Walla, died peacefully on March 31, 2025, surrounded by his wife, son, and family.

Born in Spokane, Washington, on January 29, 1932, to Roy and Ruth (Fackenthall) Smelcer, Dale was raised on a ranch close to the family homesteads on the Spokane River near Nine Mile Falls, Washington, with younger sisters, Joanne...

Mar 29, 2025

Brian “BJ” Jones, 51, passed away unexpectedly with his wife Michelle by his side at Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

Brian was born to loving parents Larry and Cynthia (Simoni) Jones on September 5, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He grew up in Visalia, California, where he attended Crestwood Grade School and graduated from Redwood...

Mar 26, 2025

Virginia Ragsdale Gregg passed away peacefully at her Walla Walla home on Wednesday, March 26th, surrounded by loved ones. She was 90 years old. Virginia suffered a debilitating stroke in December. She had resided at her home for 70 years.

Virginia was born at home in LaGrande, Oregon. She was the last of five children born to...

Mar 24, 2025

Janene Kay Michels of Walla Walla, Washington, passed away peacefully at her home on March 24, 2025, at the age of 74, after a short battle with Stage 4 liver cancer.

Janene was born on September 1, 1950, in Walla Walla to Leo and Evelyn McCracken. She spent the first 3 years of her life in Umatilla,...

Mar 17, 2025

Dr. Ronald Lee Tokar died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 17, 2025. He was 81 years old.

Ron was born in Dearborn, Michigan to Helen Boissineau and Alfred Tokar on March 14, 1944. Growing up in the Detroit area, he found his passions early in life. Foremost among them was falconry. In high...

Mar 17, 2025

Kristen Nicole Sumerlin died peacefully in her home on March 17, 2025. She was born on May 1, 1987, in Walla Walla, Washington, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center to Jody and Vicki Sumerlin.

She is survived by her five children: Jaidyn Michael Mendoza, Marley Jayne Sumerlin, Ruger James Sumerlin, Ryder Wesley Sumerlin, and Deina Evelyn Sumerlin....

Mar 12, 2025

Benjamin Ernest Vegors passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 102, surrounded by those who loved him, each holding his hand as he took his last breath and peacefully went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ben was a long-term resident of Walla Walla, once remarking to his beloved wife Betty of...

Mar 10, 2025

Andy was born July 10, 1966, to Victor and Eloise Phillips in Portland, Oregon. They moved to Walla Walla in 1979.

Andy attended Pioneer Junior High School, where he received academic honors. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1984 with a scholarship to attend Washington State University. He returned home and did cannery work at...

Mar 8, 2025

Buddy Heimbigner, 84, Beloved Husband, Father, and Educator

Our beloved Buddy passed away peacefully at home March 8, 2025, with his family by his side.

Buddy was born to Carl and Vernice (Braden) Heimbigner on January 30, 1941, in Susanville, CA. The family, including sister Donna, moved to Walla Walla, where sister Carlene was born....

Mar 1, 2025

Albert “Al” Sydney Skoglund died on March 1, 2025, after living a long, full life, and dealing with the effects from Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on October 13, 1935, as the oldest son of Albert Sydney “Syd” Skoglund and Edna Mae Brownell Skoglund. He grew up in Spokane with his brother Rod and sister Donna.

Feb 26, 2025

Robin Lundwall was born May 27, 1942, in Muskegon, Michigan to Albert and Marcella Lundwall. He attended school in Muskegon and Venice, Florida. Upon graduating from the University of Florida, Robin worked as a journalist in Florida daily newspapers and the United Press. From 1966 to 1969, he was a Navy destroyer officer in the Pacific Fleet and served...

Feb 24, 2025

Charles (Charlie) Allen Cottingham, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old. Born on July 24, 1936, in Independence Missouri, Charlie was the youngest of three siblings and possessed a vibrant personality that made him a friend to everyone he encountered....

Feb 17, 2025

Melvin Eugene Stringham Jr., lovingly known as "Bud," passed away on February 17, 2025. Bud was born on March 20, 1937, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Melvin Eugene Stringham Sr. and Sylvia Vera Stoddard. He was the second of three sons and grew up in a loving home. Bud graduated from high school in Sheridan, Montana.

Bud faithfully...

Feb 15, 2025

Theresa Ann [Savage] Alexander passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Bend, OR. Theresa was born at St. Mary Hospital on June 25, 1949, in Walla Walla, WA, to her parents, Vincent Louis Ruzicka Sr. and Mary Jane (Hays) Ruzicka.

She completed her senior year of high school at Kennewick High in 1967. While living in Kennewick,...

Feb 11, 2025

Lucille “Lucy” Tiedemann passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on December 31, 1935, in Walla Walla, Lucy lived a life deeply enriched by the love and support of her large, close-knit family.

She was known for her cherished relationships with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, creating a...

Feb 4, 2025

Loleta Haas, aka Toots Haas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members, on February 4, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1927. Toots resided at the Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington. Toots was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Melvin E. Haas, who passed away in June 2015; her parents, Adelbert Robert...

Feb 3, 2025

Lawrence Price, 90, of College Place, died on February 3, 2025, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. He was born in Walla Walla on July 6, 1934, to Clarence and Vera (Harter) Price. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1955. On August 13, 1955, he married Patricia Blize, his best friend and Partner. He was a farmer...