New law aims to help WA funeral homes overwhelmed with unclaimed bodies

(The Center Square) – Washington funeral homes and coroners are now allowed to dispose of unclaimed human remains after 45 days. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed House Bill 1974, which reduces the length of time that funeral homes must hold onto unclaimed bodies from 90 days to 45 days.

Martin Gering

Martin Leroy Gering, 94, died Dec. 26, 2024, in Ritzville, Washington. Final visitation will be held 2-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 in Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville. Funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville. All are welcome to attend.

Janea Fowles Pixton

Janea Fowles Pixton, 70, died May 14, 2024, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Visitation will be Friday, May 31, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Visitation will continue Saturday June 1, 2024, from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. funeral service at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 477 E Honeysuckle Ave., Hayden, Idaho. Graveside service will be held at the Hooper Cemetery in Hooper, Utah.

Francese Hall

Family and friends of Wayne Hall are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service in loving memory of Francese Kay Hall, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Sug. 20, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1020 S. A St., Moses Lake, Washington. A reception will be held immediately after at Pillar Rock, 1373 Road F.2 NE, Moses Lake, Washington.

Tom Thomas

Tom Thomas, 76, of Moses Lake passed away April 3, 2024. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.

Clayton Dick Crook

Clayton Dick Crook, 82, of Moses Lake passed away March 11, 2024. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.

James Nganga

James Wamatu Nganga, 34, passed away June 7, 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.

Donald Eugene White

Donald Eugene White of Moses Lake passed away Dec. 21, 2024 at the age of 75. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.

Dean M. Owen

Dean M. Owen, 86, of Moscow, Idaho, died Monday, March 4, 2024 at Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman, Wash. Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements.

Edward Harry Dawson

Edward Harry Dawson, 92 of Soap Lake, Wash., passed away at McKay Healthcare on Sunday, May 12, 2024. No service is scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home in Ephrata, WA.

Janea Pixton

Janea Pixton, 70, died May 14, 2024, in Hayden, Idaho. Janea was born July 10, 1953, in Sandpoint, Idaho. A full obituary will appear in a later edition. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of arrangements.

Gary Duckworth

Gary Duckworth, 80 of Moses Lake formerly of Quincy passed away on January 20, 2024. Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is in charge of arrangements. Services to be held January 27 at Quincy Free Methodist Church at 1 p.m.

Esther Olson

Esther Gladys Olsen, 100, passed away Feb. 24, 2024, in Othello, Wash. Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Warden, Wash., March 5 at 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Nathan L. Jones

Nathan "Papa John" L. Jones has passed. Service will be held Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 1905 W. Basin Street with a viewing Feb. 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Pioneer Funeral Home Chapel, 14403 Road 2 NE, Moses Lake and on the morning of service at Galilee Church from 10-10:45 a.m.. Flowers may be sent to the church.

Gloria Evans

July 26, 1940 — July 23, 2024

Gloria Jean Evans (née Lee, Falls, Loman, Heintz), 84, was born on July 26, 1940, in Spokane, Washington to Earl and Ruth (Muto) Lee. She was later adopted by Harvey Falls in 1947. She passed away in her sleep at Sacred Heart Hospital on July 23 after a years-long illness, just three days short of her 84th birthday. Gloria graduated from Richland High School in Richland, Washington and was a proud Bomber. She went on to attend Kinman Business College. She worked in bookkeeping and as a teacher’s aide.

Janea Fowles Pixton

Janea Fowles Pixton, 70, was a loving wife, a devoted mother, a favorite among grandmas, a caring daughter/sister/aunt, a loyal friend, and a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What more can be said of a great woman who left an undeniable imprint upon the hearts of everyone she met? Born on July 10, 1953, in Sandpoint, Idaho to proud parents LaVelle and Evona Fowles, Janea was the youngest of six children. While her family didn’t have much in material possessions, they more than made up for it with love in their home. Undoubtedly, Janea knew she had parents and siblings who loved her and that was enough.

Ronald Delore Grandpre

Ronald Delore Grandpre, 74, passed away February 27, 2024.

Aurora M. Moncada

Dec. 18, 1931 — Jan. 10, 2024

Aurora “Gloria” M. Moncada, 92, long-time Moses Lake resident, passed away on January 10, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 19 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, with Fr. Edwin Lozadaofficiating. Rosary at 10 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake. After the burial, a luncheon and gathering will follow at the Fatima Center (formerly the CCD Center).

Nominations open for Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards

OLYMPIA — Nominations are being accepted for Washington state’s Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The award honors volunteers, service officers, community members, Tribal veterans, National Guard members, or others who day in and day out go above and beyond the call of duty making sure veterans and their family members are cared for, according to the announcement. Whether they submit claims for benefits, arrange funeral honors for grieving families, coordinate events or donate countless hours in veteran’s hospitals or nursing homes, this is an opportunity to nominate them for one of seven Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards. This awards program is sponsored by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, the announcement said. Award winners are invited to participate in the Auburn Veteran's Day Parade, followed by recognition at a special luncheon.

Blake Chandler Marcusen

April 18, 1997 – May 12, 2024

Blake Chandler Marcusen, 27, of George, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake due to complications with pneumonia. Blake was born on April 18, 1997, to Allan and Linda Marcusen and spent his early years playing on the family farm with his two older brothers. He participated in 4-H and enjoyed sports, especially football. He had a love for fast cars and was always thrilled to drive his mother's Hellcat. He attended Royal High School. Blake was devout in his faith and passed away while serving the Lord as a service missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He thoroughly enjoyed his time and the friends he met as a missionary. Blake was loved by all who met him. He was well known for his good-natured humor and his ability to make lasting friends, of which he had many. His rib-crushing, heartfelt hugs, quickness to smile and laugh and resolute faith will be greatly missed. His absence will be deeply felt by all.