Henry J. "Hank" Bongiorni

Henry J. "Hank" Bongiorni, 90, of Othello, died on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006.

Henry was born on Aug. 14, 1916, to Joe and Theresa Ratti Bongiorni in Wilson Creek. He attended school in Wilson Creek until the ninth grade when the family moved to a farm in Ellensburg, where he graduated from Ellensburg High School. After high school he alternated between work and college. He attended Central Washington College (University) for 2 years then Washington State College (University) for 3 years and graduated with a bachelor's degree in dairy husbandry.

Henry went to work for the Kittitas Dairy Herd Improvement Association, testing milk for butterfat content. During this time he passed the necessary civil service exams and began applying for a position in the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). He worked with the SCS from 1948 until retiring in January of 1979. His career with the SCS took him throughout Eastern and Central Washington: Union Town, Ephrata, Wilson Creek, Warden and finally Othello.

Henry married Newlyn Fincher in Ellensburg on Aug. 6, 1955, they settled in Othello in 1957 where they raised their family and were involved in many local organizations and activities. Henry was a member of the Othello Odd Fellows and the Othello Kiwanis. As the president of Kiwanis he oversaw the development of Kiwanis Park. He devoted many hours to The Campfire Girls and received an award for his devotion. He was active with the food bank and will be remembered by many for all the trees he donated throughout Othello.

After retiring Henry and Newly became snowbirds, traveling to California every winter where they started square dancing, He also enjoyed his time at his cabin in Leavenworth and all of his travels with the Good Sam's Club. He was an avid reader especially of Old West history.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Joanne McDonald.

He is survived by his wife Newlyn of Othello, a son Thomas and wife Debbie of Tum Tum, Wash., a daughter Elizabeth and husband Don Price of Mt. Vernon, a daughter Maxie and husband Dick Guild of Lynwood, as on Doug and wife Mary McDonald of Yakima; 15 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

A final visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Thursday, Dec. 21, beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. and then on Friday from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Graveside services will be held at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens on Friday at 11 a.m. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello.