Obituaries (Norm's Family)

This is my husband's family obituaries page. Here you will find obituaries, death and funeral notices, and the occasional biographical or news article about deceased family members. They are all listed alphabetically by last name (surname). Women's obituaries are listed under their maiden name. My husband's direct ancestors (including some step-ancestors) are marked with an asterisk (*). I have hyperlinked the names of those survivors who later died, and who also have an obituary listed on this page.

Obituaries are printed exactly as found in the newspapers...with bold fonts, indentations, and all spelling and grammatical errors. These errors, along with any other necessary information are noted in [italicized brackets]. It seems to be typical about a hundred years ago and earlier that proper nouns were not fully capitalized, i.e. "Kalamazoo avenue", "Greenwood cemetery", etc. Street names were also hyphenated: "Livingston-blvd.", "Jefferson-av.", "Cedar-st.", etc. To protect the privacy of living persons, I have edited some of the modern obits to omit the names of survivors who are known to, or may possibly, be living.

(Click on any graphic of this bouquet of roses to bring you back to this table.)

A	B	c	d	e
f	g	h	i, j	k
l	m	n	o	p
q, r	s	t	u, v	w
		X, Y, Z

CHAPLIN--Emma Alice, 6224 SE 111th; mother of Mrs. Nellie Rice, Mrs. Velma Southard, both of city [Portland, Oregon]; J. W. Chaplin, LaMar, Colo.; Charles C. Chaplin, Glenview, Wash.; Glenn A. Chaplin, Plymouth, Wash.; F. L. Chaplin, Outlook, Wash.; 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren. Remains will lie in state at JACOBSEN FAMILY SOUTHEAST FUNERAL HOME, 88th and SE Foster, until Saturday noon, thence to Yakima, Wash. for services and interment. (from The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Saturday, 25 July 1959, section 2, pg. 6)

    A private family service was held Saturday for Leona M. Chaplin, a Vancouver, Wash., homemaker who died of causes related to age Monday in a Vancouver nursing home. She was 86.
    Mrs. Chaplin was born Dec. 17, 1906, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and attended schools there. Her maiden name was Martin.
    She worked as a waitress and a cook and spent much of her adult life in the Tri-Cities area of Washington.
    Her husband, Frank L. Chaplin, died in 1977. She is survived by her son; [two] daughters; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
    Burial was in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, Wash. (from The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Sunday, 17 October 1993, pg. B7)

MRS. ELIZABETH SNOOK DIED LAST SATURDAY
--
    Died at her home in our city Mrs. Elizabeth Snook, aged 75 years. Impressive funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the family residence after which all that was mortal of this grand old mother was tenderly conveyed to our Silent City, where interment was made by the side of her husband who had preceded her to the grave.
    The deceased was the other of a large family. She ran the journey of her life in 75 years. It is a path marked with deeds of kindness and cheer. Flowers not thorns, sunshine, not shadow, did she scatter everywhere. With these she was lavish. Truth was the inspiration of her life and by kindness she exemplified its great worth.
    She was born in Pennsylvania in 1845 and with her husband moved to Forsyth in 1883 and lived on what is now part of the Lakin Ulm ranch near Howard. Later they moved to what is known as the Arnold ranch just west of the city and then moved into the city where she has since resided. She raised a family of five boys and three girls, Mrs. Anna Armstrong, Misses Elizabeth and Margaret and William Snook of this city and Howard Snook of Mosby, Montana and three other sons who reside in other parts of country.
    Rev. H. G. Klemme who conducted the funeral services said in tribute to her memory, "We have heard a great deal of the courage and hardihood of the pioneer men who braved the dangers of the unknown to bequeath us this klorious [sic] land. Today we pay homage to one of that great number of women who came with the men and braved their dangers and their trials. Women who were timid, but devoted, who shuddered at shadows yet stayed and because they did, we live here in contentment and peace.
    "A tribute to her worth from the lips of one of her children is perhaps the highest praise one might give, 'She did all she was put here to do.' The Master's highest praise is strikingly similar when he said of the woman who annointed [sic] him, "She hath done what she could."
    The floral offerings from friends and loved ones were in profusion and all that could be done by loving hands was done in the memory of her who [at this point, a printing error occurred and the last two lines of the previous paragraph are repeated] man who annointed [sic] him, "She hath done what she could.'" (from Forsyth [Montana] Times Journal, Thursday, 24 June 1920, unknown page)

Unconscious Woman in Home Dies
   A 94-year-old Salem woman found unconscious in her home Friday died Saturday morning.
    She was Mrs. Rebecca Westaby, 1585 Winter St. NE, a Salem resident about 30 years. Widowed before she came here from Montana, Mrs. Westaby worked in laundries and until four years ago she made quilts for friends and customers all through mid-Willamette Valley.
    She walked downtown and had her hair set Wednesday. She was found unconscious by a neighbor who was concerned because she hadn't seen her Friday. Mrs. Westaby who lived alone had fallen against a bathtub, possibly following a stroke.
    (Add'l details on page 3.) (from The Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, Sunday, 29 May 1960, Front Page)

Mrs. Westaby Services Set
(Story also on page 1.)
    Funeral services for Mrs. Rebecca Westaby, 1585 Winter St. NE, who died Saturday at the age of 94, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Howell-Edwards mortuary, Rev. Luther G. Baker officiating. Burial will be in Belcrest Memorial Park.
    Mrs. Westaby was a long-time member of Jason Lee Methodist Church.
    Survivors include two sons, George Westaby, Wapato, Wash., and Charles Westaby, Kamiah, Idaho [omitted are sons Guy Steven Westaby and Reuben Wohlford Westaby]; one daughter, Mrs. Izna [sic - Izma] Corbin, Leonia, N.J.; one sister, Mrs. Sadie Kenealy, Brookings [Oregon]. (from The Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, Sunday, 29 May 1960, Section 1, pg. 3)

Deaths
Rebecca Westaby
Former resident of 1585 N. Winter at a local hospital May 28th, at the age of 91 [sic - 94] years. Survived by son[s], George Westaby, Wapato, Wash., Charles Westaby, Kamiah, Idaho, [omitted are sons Guy Steven Westaby and Reuben Wohlford Westaby], daughter, Mrs. Izna [sic - Izma] Corbin, Leonia, N. J. Late member of Jason Lee Methodist Church. announcement of services will be made later by Howell-Edwards Funeral Chapel. (from The Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, Sunday, 29 May 1960, Section 1, pg. 5)

City Obituaries
Rebecca Westaby
Former resident of 1587 [sic - 1581] N. Winter at a local hospital May 28th, at the age of 91 [sic - 94] years. Survived by son[s], George Westaby, Wapato, Wash., Charles Westaby, Kamiah, Idaho, Guy Stevens [sic] Westaby, Missoula, Mont., and Ruben [sic] W. Westaby, Weippe, Ida.; daughter Mrs. Izna [sic - Izma] Corbin, Leonia, N. J., sister, Sadie Kaenely [sic]. Late member of Jason Lee Methodist Church. Services will be held Wednesday, June 1st at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Howell-Edwards Funeral Home. Rev. Luther Baker will officiate. Interment, Belcrest Memorial Park. (from The Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, Wednesday, 1 June 1960, Section 1, pg. 5)

DEATH OF R. W. SNOOK
During the past week this community has suffered a distinct loss in the death of R. W. Snook, an old and respected citizen of this city. Mr. Snook had been suffering for some time with cancer and this week the dread malady reached a fatal termination. A extended notice of the value of Mr. Snook to the community and the loss occasioned by his death will be given as soon as the necessary data can be obtained. Mr. Snook was laid to rest in the Forsyth cemetery. (from Forsyth [Montana] Times Journal, Thursday, 3 October 1912, unknown page)

Clifford I. Tucker
Smith Funeral Home
    SUNNYSIDE -- Clifford I. Tucker, age 87 [sic - no punctuation] longtime Sunnyside resident [sic - no punctuation] passed away on Sunday, June 29, 1997 at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Sunnyside, WA. Clifford was born on November 10, 1909 at Ione [Jewell County], Kansas the son of Melvin F. and Daisy (Walker) Tucker. Clifford received his education in Phillips, Nebraska. In 1928 he with his family moved to Sunnyside, WA. On May 18, 1956 he married Helen Westaby in Lewiston, Idaho. Following their marriage they made their home in Sunnyside, WA., where Clifford worked for the Yakima Hiway [sic] Department until his retirement in 1972. Clifford loved to fish, hunt and go camping.
    Clifford is survived by his wife, Helen Tucker of Sunnyside WA. Four sons [including two stepsons]. One [step} daughter. 17 grandchildren [including 7 step grandchildren] and 35 great-grandchildren [including 13 step great-grandchildren]. Two sisters. Four brothers. One sister-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, and step mother, Vera Tucker, one son Elgie Tucker, one daughter Joann Tucker and one brother, Harley.
    Graveside funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 3, 1997 at 1:00 P.M. at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside under the direction of the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. (from Yakima [Washington] Herald-Republic, Tuesday, 1 July 1997, unknown page)

RICE WESTABY PASSES FRIDAY
--
RESIDENT OF MONTANA FOR 43 YEARS. COWBOY, RAILWAY FIREMAN, AND RANCHER.
--
    George Rice Westaby, a resident of Rosebud county for 43 years, died at the hospital in Forsyth Friday evening at 6 o'clock, following an illness of several days. He had been in poor health for the past few years. Funeral services were conducted from Booth's funeral parlor Monday afternoon, the Rev. Fred Whitford, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Interment was made in the Forsyth ceretery [sic].
    Mr. Westaby came to Montana in 1884. He was employed two years as a cowboy, after which we was a fireman on the Northern Pacific railroad for a number of years. He then engaged in ranching, making his home in Forsyth where he has been for the last 35 years.
    Mr. Westaby would have been 64 years of age on his next birthday, having been born March 8th, 1963 [sic], in Joe Davis [sic - Jo Daviess] county, Illinois.
    The deceased is survived by his wife and six children, George Westaby, Yakama [sic], Wash.; Guy Westaby, Grennought, Mont.; Chas. Westaby, Everett, Wash.; Lynn Westaby, Garibaldi, Ore.; Chas. [sic - Reuben] Westaby of Forsyth and Mrs. W. J. Leland of Billings, and by two brothers, William and Tom Westaby. (from Forsyth [Montana] Times Journal, Thursday, 24 February 1927, pp. 1, 8)

GEORGE R. WESTABY
(Smith Funeral Home)
    SUNNYSIDE -- George R. Westaby, 81, a resident of Sawyer, since 1923, died Wednesday in his home.
    Mr. Westaby was born and reared in Missoula [sic - Forsyth, Rosebud Co.], Mont. He was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad there and came to Washington in 1920. He also was a refrigeration engineer for the Big Y for 25 years, and later was employed at the U&I sugar plant in Toppenish. Following his retirement, he continued to live in Sawyer.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Clifford (Helen) Tucker of Sunnyside; three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Charles of Kamiah, Idaho, and a sister, Mrs. Irma [sic - Izma] Leland of New Jersey. (from Yakima [Washington] Herald-Republic, Saturday, 29 January 1972, unknown page)

Helen M. Tucker
Smith Funeral Home
    YAKIMA - Helen M. Tucker, age 82, longtime Sunnyside resident, died Saturday, November 8, 1997 at Providence Medical Center, Yakima, Wash.
    Helen was born October 28 [sic - no punctuation] 1915 at Glendive [Dawson County], Montana, the daughter of George and Rena (Larfald) [sic - Lerfald} Westaby. She spent her early years in Montana, and at the age of 8 moved with her parents to the Sawyer area where she received her education and later graduated from the Wapato High School with the Class of 1932.
    In 1932 she married John F. Midkiff. Following their marriage they made their home in the Lower Yakima Valley. On May 19, 1956, she married Clifford I. Tucker at Lewiston, Idaho. Following their marriage they made their home in Sunnyside where Helen was employed at Valley Cleaners for 25 years.
    Her husband, Cliff Tucker [sic - no punctuation] died June 29, 1997. Helen had continued to make her home in Sunnyside until the time of her death.
    She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Sunnyside and enjoyed bird watching and crossword puzzles.
    Helen was preceded in death by her [step] son Elgie W. Tucker [sic - no punctuation]
    She is survived by five children [including two stepchildren]; 17 grandchildren [including 10 step grandchildren]; 35 great-grandchildren [including 22 step great-grandchildren]; and a number of [step] nieces and [step] nephews.
    Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday [sic - no punctuation] November 13, 1997 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Sunnyside, Wash. Burial will be in the Lower Valley memorial [sic] Gardens under the direction of the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, Wash. Viewing will be held Wednesday [sic- no punctuation] November 12 from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Thursday, November 13 from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside. (from Yakima [Washington] Herald-Republic, Tuesday, 11 November 1997, unknown page)

WESTABY, Reuben Wilfred [sic] -- Passed away June 6 in Spokane. His home, Rt. 4, Orofino, Idaho. Brother of Charles Westaby, Kamiah, Idaho [omitted are his siblings George, Guy and Izma]. The HAZEN & JAEGER FUNERAL HOME, N1306 MONROE ST., is announcing funeral arrangements. (from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, 7 June 1968, pg. 25)