Obituaries
Robert G. Diefenbach
January 30, 2025
Robert G. “Bob” Diefenbach passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025. He was born in Seattle, Washington on October 30, 1925, to Fred Diefenbach Sr. and Hilda Diefenbach.
In 1933, Fred moved the family to the Kittitas Valley under the homestead for Ex-Servicemen Act. As part of this Act, he received one of the twenty-two farm tracts that the Bureau of...
Olga K. Newton
January 28, 2025
Olga Kathleen Newton was born November 21, 1933 in Ronald, Washington, to Olga and Slava Gregorich. She passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, in Cle Elum, Washington. Olga grew up in Ronald and lived there most of her life. Olga was the youngest of four children, Dorothy, Joseph and Angeline, and her Niece Janice Jarvie Williams, who was raised...
Donna R. Willette
January 22, 2025
On a beautiful sunny day with the snowy Mt. Stuart Range shining, our beautiful Mom and Grandma, Donna Willette, 89, peacefully passed away January 22, 2025 surrounded by God’s love, her family and the love of her friends. The family will greet friends at a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Johnston &...
Sue Briggs
January 19, 2025
Sue Denney Briggs, 81, of Ellensburg, WA passed away at her home on Sunday, January 19, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.
The family invites all to a memorial service held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Ellensburg United Methodist Church. Sue will be laid to rest later in a private family ceremony at the Mountain View...
Virginia Mack
2025
Virginia Beverly Elena Mack, beloved matriarch and literary scholar, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family in Ellensburg, WA, on Friday, January 17, 2025. Born in the small town of Lilesville, North Carolina, the daughter of Ellen Humphrey Beverly, a teacher, and James Neal Beverly, a sawmill owner, Virginia grew up the eldest of six siblings. Over the course...
Marjorie M. McKenzie
January 14, 2025
Marjorie “Marge” McKenzie, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home on January 14, 2025, at the age of 95. Born on May 9, 1929, in Ellensburg, Washington, to Alice and Marion Champie, Marge married Howard Kaynor in 1947. They remained together until his passing in 1993. In 1994, Marge married Alfred McKenzie, and they were...
The Honorable Scott R. Sparks
January 10, 2025
The Honorable Scott R. Sparks, Kittitas County Superior Court Judge, passed away peacefully at his family home on January 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A lifelong resident of Ellensburg, Judge Sparks was 61 years old. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Mercer Creek Church in Ellensburg.
Scott was born on...
Sherry L. Osmonovich
January 8, 2025
Sherry Osmonovich, 82, loving wife of Louie Osmonovich, caring mom, foster mom, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend to many, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 8, 2025, in her home. Sherry was born on December 22, 1942 in Seattle, Washington.
Sherry loved her family, hiking, her animals domestic and the wild ones that would visit the farm. Sherry devoted herself...
James F. Bannister
January 7, 2025
James Francis Bannister was born on September 24, 1937 in Cle Elum, Washington to Francis & Philipine (Francisco) Bannister. Jim, 87, a lifetime Kittitas County resident, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
Jim grew up in Roslyn and graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1955. The winter after high school Jim...
Benjamin Goldie
January 2, 2025
Benjamin Goldie, 85, longtime Cle Elum resident and business owner, passed away at his home on Thursday, January 2, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20 at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Cle Elum. Ben’s funeral will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21 at...
Tommy L. Hillis
January 2, 2025
Tommy Lee Hillis, 66, of Ronald, Washington, danced his way to heaven on January 2, 2025, with his children and his ever-loyal cat, Grace, by his side. Grace, true to her name, stayed with him through it all providing him with love and comfort.
Born in Seattle, Washington, to Joanne and Warner Hillis, Tommy grew up in a complicated household that...
Dr. Kris W. Brain, DDS
December 25, 2024
Kris W. Brain, age 61, died unexpectedly on December 25, 2024 in Thorp, Washington.
Kris was the youngest of three sons born to Gene and Lillian Brain on June 20, 1963 in Bellevue, Washington. He grew up in Bellevue, spending all his summers and most of his weekends at the family ranch in the Taneum Canyon of Thorp, Washington. Kris was...
Ronald T. Anderson
December 23, 2024
Ronald T. Anderson passed away in Ellensburg on Monday, December 23, 2024. Born December 31, 1930, Ron was the firstborn child of Clarence and Hazel Anderson, early Kittitas County residents.
Growing up in Ellensburg, Ron worked with his father, raising crops and livestock and delivering hay and feed to customers in Western Washington from an early age. He graduated from Ellensburg...
Bruce Alan Sully
December 18, 2024
Bruce Alan Sully, 76, of Ellensburg was called away on December 18, 2024. His wife Judy of 44 years preceded him, and their journey together now continues in Heaven.
He is survived by four children - Jeanie Lynn Jennings, Bruce Frank Sully, David Hal Sully all of Ellensburg and Jonathan Alan Sully of Colville; 24 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, two great-great...
Glenn Ford Covey
December 14, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Glenn Covey, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and great-uncle. Glenn departed this earthy world on December 14, 2024. Glenn’s kind soul and gentle spirit touched the lives of many, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
A lover of classic rock, Glenn...
Joseph M. Gehlen
December 12, 2024
Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph M. “Joe” Gehlen will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Ellensburg with burial and military honors to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening, December 27, at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home. Mr. Gehlen, a lifetime...
James C. Harrison
December 10, 2024
James C. “Jim” Harrison, 79, of Lauderdale Junction, passed away at his home on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. A military honors service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Laurel Hill Memorial Park in Cle Elum.
Jim was born on April 30, 1945 in Tacoma, Washington and graduated from high school in 1963. He enlisted in...
Frank P. Silva, Jr.
November 30, 2024
Frank Paul Silva, Jr., 82, left this earth on Saturday, November 30, 2024 after a long battle with COPD. His memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the Good Hope Lutheran Church on Brick Road in Ellensburg. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December...
Janet Shoudy Warford
November 22, 2024
Janet Shoudy Warford was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington, on April 21, 1941, to Paul Alden and Ann Ferguson Shoudy. As a young girl, her family moved from the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle across Lake Washington to the small, rural Eastside community of Medina. She attended Medina Elementary, Bellevue Junior High, and graduated in the class of 1959...
Robert da Silva
November 20, 2024
Robert da Silva was born on February 25, 1939, and passed away after an extended illness on November 20, 2024 at the age of 85. Even though he contacted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1985, followed by over 20 years of horrendous migraines, he just never gave up doing the best he could do.
He was known by family and close friends...
