Tommy Dye

Oct. 28, 1937 – April 19, 2024

Tommy J. Dye, 86, of Othello, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, after battling a long illness. Tommy was born on October 28, 1937, to George Washington Dye and Marinda Athalina Roberts in Busch, Arkansas. Tmmy enlisted in the United States Navy in 1956.

Diane Dunbar

Oct. 11, 1932 — April 20, 2024

Diane Patricia Donhoff Dunbar passed peacefully to be met by the loving arms of our Lord surrounded by family at her home April 20, 2024. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 11, 1932, and raised by loving parents Wayne and June Donhoff, Mom enjoyed a truly happy childhood with her younger brother Ron and grandparents Fred and Grace Wells. Slated to be a concert pianist, Mom dashed her parents' dreams by marrying her first love, John Beatty, in December 1949 before the Air Force transferred him out of the area. Their first son, John Richard (Rik), was born in September 1950 and the three were sent to Alaska. Mom loved to recount stories of life in Shemya, the second-to-the-last of the chain of Aleutian Islands. Gary followed in May 1953, born at Donaldson Air Force Base in South Carolina. Retiring from the Air Force, John and Diane returned to Los Angeles where Steven Jay joined the family in August 1956. A daughter, Michelle Diane (Shelley), was born in February 1960 and Lori Patricia completed the family in January 1965.

Afton Reynolds Richards

Nov. 26, 1985 – April 11, 2024

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Afton Reynolds Richards, 38, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Born November 26, 1985, to Layne and Elaine Reynolds in St. Anthony, Idaho, Afton grew up on the family farm in Echo, Oregon.

State Veterans Cemetery to hold Forgotten Heroes interment

MEDICAL LAKE – The State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake has announced that it will hold a Forgotten Heroes interment ceremony April 29 at 2 p.m. to put to rest the remains of veterans not claimed by family members.

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.

Eldon J. Clark

Nov. 21, 1934 – April 2, 2024

This obituary was written by Eldon before he died. Eldon J. Clark, 89, went the way of all living and died, April 2, 2024, at his country home in Moses Lake, Wash.

Jason Aaron Connor Finke

Jason Aaron Connor Finke, 31, of Ephrata Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Jason was born on Sept. 13, 1992, in Wenatchee, Washington to Jake and Jeanne Finke. He was a man of faith, a vibrant spirit, a beloved son, a father who adored his son Waylon, a friend and a cowboy. He attended primary school in Ephrata, Washington and went to Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. Jason loved the rural small-town life, growing up on the family farm, and following in his grandfather’s footsteps as a volunteer fireman with the Grant County Fire District 3. He transitioned from 4-H, Future Farmers of America and the Smokiam Washington State High School Equestrian Team to the hard life of a professional rodeo cowboy in the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association.

Annis "Ann" Smith

Feb. 19, 1937 — March 21, 2024

Annis (Ann) Smith, 87, passed away peacefully March 21, 2024, in Ephrata, Wash. She was born Feb. 19, 1937, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Harold and Thelma Hutton.

Dean Mallory Owen

Aug. 24, 1937 – March 4, 2024

Colonel Dean Mallory Owen, 86, was born August 24, 1937, in Pullman, Washington to Frank Dean Owen and Stella Amanda (Farley) Owen in the family home located on South State Street across from the old Pullman High School.

‘78 years of prayers’

Memorial Christian Church to sing last hymn, but considers a seed of Hope

EPHRATA – After more than 70 years, Ephrata’s Memorial Christian Church will soon shut down after decades of service to the community, Pastor Don Dunn and church elders said in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald last week. “It’s an aging thing…,” Dunn said. “One of the people in another church in town says that they’re aging out, and I think we’ve kind of aged out and the ministry has changed.”

Barbara June Engleman

Barbara June Engleman, 75, left her earthly body and went home to her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 18, 2024. Barbara was born in Boulder, Colorado, and spent her earlier years in Colorado, before moving with her family to Canada, when she was 8 years old. She returned to the States for college, where her cousin Pete, introduced her to the love of her life, Homer Dee Engleman. They had a wonderful courtship, writing letters back and forth, while Homer served in the Navy. They were married on July 6, 1969. Both shared a love for children and lived a full life raising their four kids in Selah, Washington.

Dean Ford

December 7, 1940 – March 12, 2024

Elliott Eudene Ford was born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, on Dec. 7, 1940, to Iva and Elliott C. Ford. He passed away on March 12, 2024, at the age of 83. Dean, as he was known, grew up in a family of eight children. He moved to Washington state, where he married Colleen (née Stokes) and joined the Air Force in 1959. After his service, he returned to Washington to join his wife, and they raised three daughters together: Debbie, Terri and Deanna. Dean was an independent businessman and owned and operated Dean Ford RV and I-90 RV in Moses Lake, Washington.

Rosemary Triche

July 7, 1940 – March 11, 2024

Rosemary Marjorie Triche, 83, formerly of Moses Lake, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, of natural causes. Rosemary was born July 7, 1940, in Chelmsford, Essex, England to James and Marjorie Fisher, and was raised in Maldon (known for its sea salt). The eldest of five children, Rosemary enjoyed a childhood of memories with her siblings as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins whom were dear to her. However, Rosemary was a spunky teenager with dreams of marrying a GI from the United States. Her dream came true when she met Wilson (“Buck”) Triche from Louisiana, stationed at Wethersfield Air Force Base in Essex. They were married in January of 1963, and Rosemary was proud to attend Air Force events on the arm of her handsome staff sergeant. In 1968, they welcomed Jason Lee Triche into their family, and life was never the same. Jason was Rosemary’s pride and joy. She loved sharing stories of his childhood as well as his accomplishments with anyone she met. Jason was blessed with a deep love from both of his parents and is appreciative of all they did for him.

Robert Henry Padilla

Aug. 25, 1956 — March 6, 2024

Robert Henry Padilla, a compassionate, loving, spirited father, friend, spouse and world's greatest Papa, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024, at home, at the age of 67.

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.

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.

Ronald Delore Grandpre

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

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.

James 'Jim' W. Hutton

James “Jim” W. Hutton passed away suddenly on December 3, 2023. Jim was born October 19, 1967 to James “Skip” and Patricia Hutton in Spokane, Washington.

Clyde Charles Andrews

Jan. 31, 1935 — Feb. 5, 2024

Clyde was born on Jan. 31, 1935 to Clyde (CC) and Alice (Lewis/Haines) Andrews in Sunnyside, Washington. His mother died tragically in a farm accident in 1938, and in 1940, his father CC married Cora Smithwick (Buddy) who raised him as her own. Clyde was raised in the Yakima Valley, graduating from Prosser High School in 1954 and marrying his wife of 69 years, Bonnie Lenhart, that same year. In 1958, along with their first two children, Clyde and Bonnie moved to Othello with Clyde's father, CC, to start Othello Ice and Cold Storage (today's Simplot potato processing plant). Clyde was active in the community as they raised their three children as members of the Othello Christian Church. He was a dedicated Gideon, personally handing out thousands of Bibles throughout his 50-year membership. In 1975, the family moved to Bruce to restore and preserve the 1918 Rayburn farmhouse at their farm on Foley Road. Clyde then built Sun Country Storage in 1977, operating it until his retirement in 1998. His passion for historical preservation continued, playing an instrumental role in the restoration of the 1910 Pullman executive railroad car, The Abraham Lincoln, and maintaining his own collection of over a dozen World War II military vehicles.