Rush Lane Slater
Feb 3, 2026
Rush Lane “Butch” Slater, 78, of Touchet, was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on February 3, 2026. He passed away at home surrounded by his family. Rush was born on July 20, 1947, to Elmer “Buck” and June (Higginbotham) Slater in Walla Walla, Washington. He was raised in Touchet, Washington, where he developed a strong work ethic...
Stanley Eugene Klassen
Feb 3, 2026
Stanley Eugene Klassen, age 83, went to be with the Lord on February 3, 2026, in Walla Walla, Washington. He was born on August 11, 1942, to Otto and Eunice Klassen in Aberdeen, Idaho. The oldest of eight children, he grew up on a dairy and potato farm where he learned diligence and responsibility from an early age.
At about age...
Judy Simmons
Feb 1, 2026
Judy Simmons passed away on February 1, 2026, at the age of 72.
Judy was born on July 18, 1953, in Dayton, Washington, to Morrison and Linda Groom. One of eight siblings, Judy’s early life shaped her resilience, and over time, she developed close, meaningful relationships with her brothers and sisters. In 1966, she moved with her family to Walla Walla,...
Cecelia Fisher Blue
Jan 31, 2026
Cecelia Fisher Blue, of Walla Walla, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at the age of 83. She was born on July 29, 1942, in Seattle, WA, where her father worked at Boeing during World War II. After the war, her parents returned to Walla Walla, where she would reside nearly all her life.
Her childhood days were spent running...
Rebecca Susan Thomas
Jan 29, 2026
Rebecca Susan Thomas passed away on January 29, 2026, after an extended illness.
Rebecca was born in Prosser, WA, on October 15, 1942, to Frank and Berenice Payne. Becky loved growing up in Grandview, WA. After high school, she married Harry Thomas and had two sons. She helped manage some business ventures with her Father and Mother. She decided to move...
Sharon Lee Renick
Jan 27, 2026
Sharon Lee Renick was born on June 25, 1932, and passed away on January 27, 2026.
Born to Dale Hastings and Madeleine (Crosby) Hastings, Sharon and her two sisters were raised near the Hastings homestead on Locher Road. Hers being one of the last classes to graduate from grade school at the Valley Chapel School, she then graduated from Wa-Hi in...
Teri Lynn Durfee
Jan 25, 2026
Creative spirit, quilter extraordinaire, friend to many, Teri Lynn Durfee, 68, of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, died Sunday, January 25, 2026, after a battle with multiple myeloma blood cancer.
Teri was born April 6, 1957, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the first child of Elbert and Helen (Booth) Durfee. Teri grew up in Dayton, Washington, and graduated from Dayton High School with the Class...
Lloyd Dewey Rutherford
Jan 24, 2026
Lloyd Dewey Rutherford, 90, died January 24, 2026, at his home.
Lloyd was born on May 3, 1935, in Browning, Montana, to Dewey and Annie (Eagle Ribs) Rutherford.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose...
Carl Lee Depping
Jan 24, 2026
Carl Lee Depping, 85, passed away at Kadlec Regional Medical Center after fighting a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease since 2007. Carl was born on January 14, 1941, in Walla Walla, WA. To William and Arletta Depping.
He grew up in the Walla Walla Valley and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1959. Carl was an avid basketball and baseball...
Mary Ann Cole
Jan 22, 2026
Mary Ann Cole, 88, of Walla Walla, was gently called home on January 22, 2026, cradled in the love of her family at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. She departed in an atmosphere of profound peace, leaving behind a life that was a beautiful testament to quiet faith, gentle resilience, and a spirit that illuminated all who knew her.
Mary Ann...
Joseph Roy Poirier
Jan 20, 2026
Joseph Roy Poirier passed peacefully into heaven on January 20, 2026, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, surrounded by his family. Roy bravely fought Stage 4 cancer for two years.
Roy was born to Joseph and Bertha (Bates) Poirier at the old St. Mary’s Hospital. He grew up on Blue Creek outside of Walla Walla, attending Sharpstein Elementary and Walla Walla...
Dale Steven Higgins
Jan 18, 2026
Dale Steven Higgins, 72, passed away at home in Walla Walla, WA, after fighting a courageous battle with colon cancer, from April 1, 2024, to January 18, 2026.
Dale Steven Higgins was born July 10, 1953, at an Army base in Richland, WA, to Albert and Ilene Higgins. Dale is the oldest of his siblings.
Dale has lived in Richland, Kennewick, Seattle,...
Ronald Eugene Brookshire
Jan 14, 2026
Ronald E. Brookshire, 89, passed away peacefully at home on January 14, 2026. He went to be with His Lord and Savior.
Ron was born to Ernest and May Brookshire on November 28, 1936, in Edgar Springs, Missouri. He joined his older brother, Gilbert.
Ron graduated from Newburg High School in 1954 and started his career immediately after, working for the United...
Jesus "Jesse" Briones
Jan 14, 2026
Jesus “Jesse” Briones, 71, entered into rest on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in College Place, WA. He was born in Edinburg, TX, on December 24, 1954, to Maria and Justino Briones.
Jesse grew up in the Walla Walla Valley and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1974. He attended Eastern Washington College (University) on a Track/Cross Country Scholarship and graduated...
Shelly Dee Watson
Jan 14, 2026
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Shelly D. Watson, age 67, of Waitsburg, WA. After a short but hard-fought battle with cancer, she passed at home on January 14, 2026, surrounded by her devoted husband of 46 years, their three sons, daughters-in-law, and her grandchildren.
Shelly was born to Jim and Velma Gilliam of Walla...
Patricia Wilma Largent
Jan 12, 2026
Patricia Wilma Largent, 95, died January 12, 2026, at Eagle Springs, College Place, WA.
A Memorial Service will be held on January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at the Waitsburg Christian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Waitsburg Christian Church through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign...
Janet Alene Gehlhausen
Jan 7, 2026
Janet Gehlhausen, 86, of Camas, Washington, passed away on January 7, 2026, with family by her side. Waiting to greet her are her husband, Larry; her brother, Floyd; her sister-in-law, Carol; her nephew, Dale; and her parents, Floyd and Hazel.
Janet is survived by her three children, Pamela Hanger (Jay), Steve Gehlhausen (Cathy), and Marla Capra (David); three grandchildren; numerous nieces,...
Darlene Ann Norman
Jan 6, 2026
Darlene Ann Norman, 86, Esmond, ND, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at The Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND.
Darlene Ann Peck was born on July 22, 1939, in Bottineau, ND, the daughter of Lyle and Louise (Lauckner) Peck. She graduated from Bottineau High School and obtained her teacher’s certificate. On June 11, 1961, she was united...
Evelyn Frances Sherrod Fletcher
Jan 4, 2026
Evelyn Frances Sherrod Fletcher, 102, passed away on January 4, 2026, at her home at Wheatland Village in Walla Walla, Washington.
Evelyn was born July 31, 1923, in Tekoa, Washington, to Roy and Zoe Briggs Sherrod. She attended school in Tekoa, graduating as Salutatorian from Tekoa High School with the class of 1940. She then enrolled at Whitman College, where she...
Gilbert Edwin Cunningham Jr
Jan 2, 2026
Gilbert Edwin Cunningham Jr. passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on January 2, 2026, in College Place after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. Gilbert was born on December 26, 1942, in Dayton, Washington. His grandparents, Harry and Mary Cunningham, helped watch him while his dad, Gilbert Edwin Cunningham Sr., had joined the Navy and his...
