Obituaries
Gust G. Mandelas
April 15, 2026
Gust “Gus” George Mandelas, 81, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, at the Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 28, 1944, in Ellensburg, Washington, the youngest of five children born to Gust and Mary Mandelas.
Gus married the love of his life, Victoria Ducharme Walker, on August 10, 1963. Together,...
Jerry Ann Gleason
2026
Jerry Ann Gleason, 84, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love. Jerry was born in January 1942 in Ellensburg, Washington, to Opal and Fred Farrell. She grew up in Ellensburg alongside her sisters—Deanna, Donna, Erma, and Jean—forming lifelong bonds that remained important throughout her life.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest joy came from her family....
Sandra Lee Martindale
February 10, 2026
Sandra (Sandy) L. Martindale, age 80, went home to be with the Lord on February 10th, 2026, after a battle with progressive heart failure.
Sandra was born on August 24, 1945 in Bremerton, Washington; she was the daughter of the late Marcel and Harriet Maloney. Sandy grew up moving and going to school back and forth between Bremerton, WA; San Diego,...
Mary Ann Morgan
April 11, 2026
Mary Ann Morgan passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2026. Mary Ann was born in Fort Collins, Colorado on August 7, 1946 to Charles and Dorothy Riggs. She graduated from Sweet Water High School in National City, California in 1964.
Mary Ann married Robert C. (Bob) Morgan in Ellensburg, Washington on August 10, 1964. Mary Ann worked at Mann...
David W. Adams
April 2, 2026
David Ward Adams was born on July 7, 1970, in Sitka, Alaska, to LeRoy Adams and Rayanne (Duffey) Adams. He never really knew his father, and as a child he moved around with his siblings before eventually settling in Kittitas County with his mom, stepdad, and family. Despite the odds stacked against him, Dave graduated from Ellensburg High School in...
Betty E. Butcher-Benjamin
March 31, 2026
Betty Ethel Butcher-Benjamin, 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at Virginia Mason Hospital on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Betty was born on January 21, 1948, the only daughter of four kids to Jack and Bette Butcher in Livermore, California. From the very beginning, she lived a life marked by determination and compassion for people. Over the course of her...
Douglas Ray MacArthur
March 27, 2026
Noted local photographer Douglas Ray “Doug” MacArthur died Friday, March 27, 2026 at his home on Umptanum Road west of Ellensburg. He was 82.
Born Dec. 16, 1943 in Ellensburg, Doug was the second child of Donald and Dorothy (Young) MacArthur. When he was a child, the family moved to Sunnyside.
As a young man, Doug was a ranch cowboy and also...
Mary D. Belbeck
March 22, 2026
Mary Belbeck, 87, longtime Upper County resident, passed away on March 22, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. There will be no formal services and she will be laid to rest next at the Roslyn Masonic Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum.
David D. Dillard
March 16, 2026
David Dwight Dillard, 59, of Yakima, passed away March 16, 2026 in Seattle following a brief illness. His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026 in the Evenson Memorial Chapel at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg. He will be laid to rest at High Valley Memorial Park.
Dave was born on August 2,...
William E. "Ed" West
March 16, 2026
William E. “Ed” West, 96, a longtime Ellensburg resident and retired Chief of the Ellensburg Fire Department, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2026. In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held. He will be laid to rest at the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg.
Ed was born on May 14, 1929 in Boone County, North Carolina, to...
Shirley G. Strausbaugh
March 13, 2026
Shirley G. Strausbaugh, 85, of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Kittitas Valley Hospital. Her family will honor her life in a private gathering at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg.
Debby Klein
March 10, 2026
Debra “Debby” Jean Graber Klein was born October 1, 1958 at Caldwell, Idaho, the oldest of four children born to Ansil and Norma Graber. Debby passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026 of heart failure at the family’s farm home near Wilder, Idaho.
Growing up on the family homestead, playing and working in her family’s apple orchard gave Debby a love...
Leesia Ann Puckett
March 9, 2026
Leesia Ann Puckett, 61, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026 at the Kittitas Valley Hospital. Her memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 in the Evenson Memorial Chapel at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg.
Leesia was born on March 3, 1965 in Blackfoot, Idaho to Blake Hone and Mary Ann (Johnson) Trahant. She grew up...
Sam M. Krahenbuhl
February 24, 2026
Samuel Marvin “Sam” Krahenbuhl, 85, lifetime Upper County resident and retired Chief of the Cle Elum Police Department, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Viewing will be Thursday, March 5 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Johnston & Williams in Cle Elum. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Cle Elum...
Alicia Gutierrez Miller
February 22, 2026
With love, we share more about our beautiful mother, Alicia Gutierrez Miller, who passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at the age of 98.
Born on August 9, 1927, in Hills Prairie, Texas, our mother was truly the matriarch of a loving family and a large extended family. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and colleague,...
Kay A. Miles
February 22, 2026
Kay Ann Miles, 80, of Ellensburg, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Kay was born on August 24, 1945 in Hutchinson, Kansas to W. Joe and Patricia (Skog) Lindgren. Shortly after she was born, the family moved to Valier, Montana before eventually moving west and settling down in the Sacramento area. Kay attended school in Sacramento and graduated from high...
Forest Racheal Windham
February 21, 2026
Forest Racheal Windham, lovingly known as Racheal, passed away on February 21, 2026, surrounded by her husband, Ron, of 35 years. She leaves behind a legacy defined by strength, resilience, humor, and unwavering devotion to her family and the community that she cherished.
Racheal was born on February 24, 1969, in Portland, Oregon. In her earliest years, she lived briefly in...
Duane M. Skeen
February 19, 2026
Duane Skeen passed away at the age of 88 on February 19, 2026, peacefully in the comfort of his recliner, with his wife and daughter by his side. He is survived by his wife, Marge; daughter, Julie; much loved grandsons, Trevor and Nathan; and his sister, Delsie Gilpin.
Duane’s family lived in Kennewick until he was 5 years old when the...
Carolyn J. Sandage
February 16, 2026
Carolyn Janette Sandage (Coughlin), aged 83, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, in Roslyn, Washington, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on August 21, 1942, in Big Timber, Montana, Carolyn lived a life filled with devotion to her family and a strong work ethic that left an enduring legacy.
Carolyn was the beloved wife of Dennis Sandage, with...
Jean W. Garrison
February 15, 2026
Jean Wrisley Garrison was born on May 8, 1930 in Milton, Massachusetts, the second child of Luke Carlton Wrisley and Marion Esther Power. Her beloved elder brother, John Ernest Wrisley, continues his life journey in South Carolina.
Jean and her brother were abandoned by their mother when she was only two years old. For a few years, they were raised by...
