Obituaries
Richard C. Smith
December 17, 2025
Richard “Dick” Carl Smith was born on July 22, 1934 in Yakima, Washington to Helen and Bill Smith. He spent most of his youth in Ellensburg, graduating from Ellensburg High School in 1953. After graduation he joined the National Guard and worked at a sawmill. In 1954, Dick married Nancy Anne Norling and together they had three daughters - Ramona,...
Donna Jo Read
December 20, 2025
Donna Jo Read passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025 in Yakima, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Bremerton, Washington, to parents Donald and Josephine Rodger (Griffith), she spent the majority of her youth in Phoenix, Arizona. When she reached her teens, the family relocated to Poulsbo, Washington, where she graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1961.
After graduation, she...
John N. Conshafter
December 24, 2025
John Nelson Conshafter, 79, of Wenatchee, Washington, passed away on December 24, 2025. He was born on June 12, 1946, in Santa Monica, California to John Nicholas Jr. and Jean Ruth (Willard).
John is survived by his loving wife of over 30 years, Diana; his daughters Jana Craft (Richard) and Jackie Johnston; his stepsons Scott Davidson and Alex Davidson (Julie); nephews...
David Luke McCaslin
December 23, 2025
David Luke McCaslin, was born October 12, 1944, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and passed away on December 23, 2025, in Yakima, Washington.
David was a longtime resident of Ellensburg, Washington. He was an active USMC soldier and a Vietnam veteran. David worked and retired from The Boeing Company. As an avid outdoorsman and sports fan, David played semi-pro football prior to his...
Larry L. Tritt
December 22, 2025
Larry Layton Tritt peacefully passed away at his home in Roslyn, Washington, on December 22, 2025. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sue; his daughter, Kelley; his son, Dylan; his brother, Wade; his sisters, Terri, Tammy, and Tina; as well as his nephew, many nieces, and cousins.
Larry was born on February 1, 1961, in Tacoma, Washington, to Arnie and...
Melva M. Schmidt
December 15, 2025
Melva Mae (Grube) Schmidt passed away on December 15, 2025, at the age of 91, following a recent fall. For the past two years, she had been a resident of Fieldstone Memory Care in Yakima, Washington where she was well cared for and known for being independent.
Melva was born on March 11, 1934, in Auburn, Nebraska. Her parents were Justus...
Joe H. Schomer
2025
Joe Schomer, 88, passed December 12, 2025, in his home surrounded by family. Joe was born in Washington DC, graduated from Wenatchee High School and was a long-time resident of the Kittitas Valley. Dr. Schomer taught at Central Washington University for 28 years, serving as a professor of education, reading specialist, and chair of the education department. Dr. Schomer had...
Roberto Sanchez-Rizo
December 6, 2025
Mass of Christian Burial for Roberto "Berto" Sanchez-Rizo will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Memorial Park. Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening, December 29, at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Cle Elum. Mr. Sanchez-Rizo,...
Kenneth E. Jensen
December 3, 2025
Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth Ervin Jensen will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Ellensburg with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12 at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg. Mr. Jensen, 84, a longtime Kittitas...
Mario B. Todd
December 2, 2025
Mario Brendgen Todd was born on June 24, 1952, to Hans Joseph Brendgen and Katharina Jakobine Douven in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
Mario moved to the United States and graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1970. He enlisted in the United States Army where he met and married the love of his life Mal Yon Todd in 1972 where they would begin a...
Matthew T. Sedlickas
November 15, 2025
Matthew Thomas Sedlickas, 40, of Ellensburg, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025. A celebration of life will take place next summer.
Matthew was born on March 24, 1985 to LouAnn (Brune) Sedlickas and Russell Sedlickas. He was a son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend to many. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved going up in the hills, hunting, camping,...
Tylene Carnell
November 15, 2025
Tylene Diane Carnell, 63, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at her Ellensburg home. Her memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21 at the First United Methodist Church of Ellensburg. The service will also be livestreamed on the Ellensburg UMC Facebook page.
Tylene was born on August 18, 1962, in Boise, Idaho to Gerry and...
Lori Jean Lembke
November 11, 2025
Lori Jean Lembke, age 65, of Ellensburg, WA, passed away unexpectedly at her home on November 11, 2025.
Born on July 1, 1960 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa; she was the beloved daughter of Don (Brick) and Lois (Madsen) Wilson. She graduated from Rolfe High school, Rolfe, IA. After graduating from high school, she worked in both the retail and insurance industries,...
Da'el Anne Hauer
November 7, 2025
Da’el Anne Hauer, 41, was reunited in Heaven with her identical twin sister, Audra Hauer, on November 7, 2025 at 11:15 p.m. She left with the angels, peacefully unto Jesus, her Lord and Saviour and lover of her soul, with her mom Valerie by her side, along with close friends until her last heartbeat on earth.
Da’el graduated from Ellensburg High...
Deanna Rae Kidder
November 2, 2025
Deanna Kidder passed away peacefully in the home that her dad had built on Tuesday, November 2, 2025. At her request, her life will be honored privately by her family.
Deanna was born July, 5, 1947 in Ellensburg, Washington. She graduated from Ellensburg High School, and then went on to receive her bachelor's in education from Central Washington University.
Deanna started her...
Kenneth W. Eaton
November 1, 2025
It is with deep love and sorrow that we share the passing of Kenneth Wayne Eaton, who went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 1, 2025, after courageously battling pulmonary fibrosis for five years.
Ken was born on October 9, 1950, to Jack and Beneitta Eaton. A hardworking and dedicated man, he spent over 30 years...
Dolores M. Kanyer
October 30, 2025
An angel has left us to join her husband, her ancestors, and her God. On October 30, 2025 our beloved mom, Dolores May Kanyer, left this world exactly five years to the day after our dad, Darwin, preceded her. She is now free from a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mom was born in Cle Elum, Washington on May 1, 1929...
Ann Taylor (Howison)
October 24, 2025
Ann Howison Taylor was born on May 16, 1937, to Harry and Charlotte Howison in Long Beach, California. Ann would be joined two years to the day later by younger sister Carol.
Ann’s childhood was spent in Long Beach where she was a true California girl, enjoying the beaches of the Pacific Ocean, and countless fishing trips to the family cabin...
Nicholas C. Henderson
October 22, 2025
Kittitas County Coroner Nicholas C. “Nick” Henderson, 68, lifetime Upper County resident, passed away unexpectedly at his South Cle Elum home on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Nick was born on January 8, 1957, the first of two children born to Charles & Jennie (Osmonovich) Henderson. He grew up in the Ducktown part of Roslyn and graduated from Cle Elum High School...
Robert Gordon
October 15, 2025
Robert “Bob” Gordon, 90, longtime Ellensburg resident, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at the KVH Hospital in Ellensburg. His family will honor his life privately.
Bob was born on March 19, 1935 in Montrose, South Dakota to James & Edrie (Miller) Gordon. The family moved to the Kittitas Valley when Bob was young and he completed his schooling...
