Ron PuFahl

Oct. 9, 1951 – Dec. 1, 2025

When asked how he was doing, Ron's answer was always the same: “Better than Most.” It wasn't just a phrase, it was how he lived. Throughout life Ron chose humor, connection, optimism and gratitude. Ron PuFahl – a deeply loved husband, dad, papa, brother, son-in-law, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to all who knew him – passed away Dec. 1, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to William and Lina (Montreuil) PuFahl on Oct. 9, 1951, Ron lived a mischievous childhood in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He grew up in the big pink house across the street from the convent. There were so many things for kids to do in the ’50s and ’60s, and Ron tried them all, including many shenanigans with his brother and cousin. Ron attended St. Thomas Elementary and I.H.M. Catholic Academy, graduating in 1970.

Shellie Ann Morse

Oct. 23, 1961 — Dec. 3, 2025

Shellie Ann Morse, 64, died Dec. 3, 2025, in Ellensburg, Washington. Shellie was born on Oct. 23, 1961, in Everett, Washington. Services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for the family.

The Floral Cottage opens in Ephrata

Local shopkeeper helps celebrate special moments with floral flair

EPHRATA — The Floral Cottage, a new floral design shop owned by Liz Graaff, held its open house Monday, drawing members of the community to celebrate the launch of the store. Located in the heart of Ephrata, the shop provides flower arrangements, plants and locally sourced gifts inspired by Graaff’s passion for floral arrangement. "I absolutely love flowers," Graaff said as she welcomed each guest into her shop with a smile.

Steven L. Gilbert

1958 – 2025

Steven L. Gilbert, devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025. Steve lived heroically with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s for 18 years, but it never daunted his loving spirit and sense of humor. Steve was a gentle giant and leaves a legacy of strength during trial, humor in hard times and an enduring love of God, family and ice cream.

Coffey Anderson brings laughs and tears for Veterans Day

QUINCY — Probably at least half the audience had never heard of Coffey Anderson before his concert began Tuesday night. An hour later, he had a whole auditorium’s worth of new best friends.

Linda Hermeone Taylor

1936 – 2025

Linda Hermeone Taylor was born on December 14, 1936, in Havre, Montana, to Leo and Edith Wall. Linda did not meet her father, Leo, as he died the day before she was born.

Irvin 'Dean' Callahan

Nov. 10, 1945 — Nov. 1, 2025

Irvin “Dean” Callahan, 79, of Royal City, Wash., passed away while on vacation in Butte, Mont., on Nov. 1, 2025.

JoAnna Jean Thompson

April 29, 1931 – Oct. 27, 2025

JoAnna, 94, passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington. She was born on April 29, 1931, in Nampa, Idaho to Earl and Elda Arzt, though everyone remembers her loving stepfather Orval Lyle as her dad. She married Clinton (Bud) Thompson on Nov. 12, 1949, in Colville, Washington. They moved to Odessa, Washington in 1953 and became part-owners of Empire Electric with Bud as an electrician and JoAnna the bookkeeper. She also kept busy being a homemaker, florist, caterer and decorator extraordinaire. JoAnna was a member of the Heritage Church and their women’s group, helping with countless church dinners, receptions and funerals.

Robert Bunday

1942 — 2025

Following a year of failing health, Robert Arthur Bunday, a longtime resident of Bend, Oregon, passed away at the age of 83 on October 3, 2025. He answered to many names that included Bob, Buzz, Honey, Dad and Gramps.

Clarence Hamilton

Sept. 25, 1935 — Oct. 17, 2025

Clarence Edward Hamilton, 90, a longtime Colfax, Washington resident, passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. He went by many names: Dad, Pops, Papa, FP (i.e. Favorite Person), Gramps, Grandpa, Sweetheart and Honey. Clarence passed very peacefully from this life into eternity, surrounded by Laura (his wife of 19 years), his three children, their spouses and his faithful dog Buddy. Clarence had dealt with the effects of dementia for approximately seven years. He was always fearful of ending up in a nursing home, and the family is eternally grateful for his loving caregivers who made his wish of passing at home possible. His caregivers were his daughter-in-law Soni Hamilton, stepdaughter Denise Beck and family friends Molly Overby and Rindy Waldo, as well as several of his other family members and Gentiva Hospice.

Harvey Heer

June 4, 1952 — Oct. 16, 2025

Harvey (Rick) Heer, 73 of Ephrata, Washington passed away on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, peacefully at his home. Harvey and Shirley Heer. Rick graduated from Ephrata High School in 1970. He attended Yakima Valley College, playing on their basketball team. In 1972 he married Nancy Youngers. They lived in Ephrata, Washington and had two sons together, Kevin and Allan Heer. In 1990 he married Sylvia Meulman and moved out of town to the farm on Road 9 and had two daughters, Lorna Bailey and Leah Johnson. Rick was a maker and farmer at heart. He grew many types of crops including wheat, cherries, alfalfa, corn, peas and hazelnuts. In his spare time he enjoyed riding his 1966 Shovelhead Harley Davidson, fishing, photography, sailing and welding. He was always ready with a joke or a story and will be dearly missed by his family.

Ephrata PD blotter

EPHRATA – The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Eliseo Rangel Salazar

March 5, 1983 — Oct. 1, 2025

Eliseo “Pancho” Rangel Salazar, a cherished husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away tragically at the age of 42, on Oct. 1, 2025, in Ephrata, Washington. Born on March 5, 1983, in Cuerámaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, Pancho was a man whose laughter and warmth filled every room he entered. Pancho is survived by his loving wife Dayna Rangel; his adored children Destiny Rangel and Francisco Rangel-Hersel; his stepdaughters Giavanna Chapman and Lily Gonzalez; his devoted mother Ma Teresa Salazar Canchola; his father Eliseo Rangel Pérez; and his caring sisters Lupe and Adilene Rangel. His life was further enriched by the joy of many nephews, nieces, chosen brothers and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

Mark Murray Wilson

Feb. 8, 1961 – Aug. 18, 2025

Mark Murray Wilson, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, husband, and friend, passed away on Aug. 18, 2025, at the age of 64. He was born Feb. 8, 1961, to Geraldine (Murray) and Jerry Wilson. Raised in Moses Lake, Mark was known for his adventurous spirit and his love for life. As a young man, he was a bit of a wild child who loved baseball and loved his friends, always exploring and making memories that would last a lifetime. He married his junior high sweetheart, Lisa Gibson, in 1982 and together they raised four daughters Tiffany, Nichol, Courtney and Brittney. Throughout his life, family was at the heart of everything he did. He worked hard to provide for his family and was a proud and dedicated father.

Josephine Hoff

Nov. 22, 1924 – July 4, 2025

Jo Hoff, 100, passed away peacefully in her home in Ephrata on July 4, 2025. She was born to Ralph and Mary Walker in Burke, South Dakota, on Nov. 22, 1924. She met the love of her life, Jacob Hoff, and married him on Sept. 27, 1942. After the war, they adopted Mary Jo and Michael. They raised them in South Dakota and Soap Lake. They moved to Grant County, Washington, in 1968. Jo was a lover of animals. She is survived by her son Michael Hoff of Ephrata and grandson Tyson, grandchildren Michele Deems (Aaron) of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, great-grandchildren Jacob Riddle of Del Rio, Texas and Jared Broyhill of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Brandon Mccann of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Jacob Deems of Carmichael, Pennsylvania, Jody Forrest and great-granddaughter Lily of Ephrata, Beth Ries (Jonathan) and great-grandchildren Isaac, Jacob, Josephine and Cecilia of East Helena, Montana, and grandsons Robert Wilkinson of Bakersfield, California, and Justin Adreniran of Selah, Washington. She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jacob Hoff; siblings Ann Marie Hullinger, John Walker, and Lilian Peters; daughter Mary Jo Wilkinson; grandsons Michael Yount and Derek Adreniran; and several relatives.

Josephine Hoff

1924 — 2025

Jo Hoff passed away peacefully in her home in Ephrata on July 4, 2025, at the age of 100. She was born to Ralph and Mary Walker in Burke, South Dakota, on November 22, 1924. She met the love of her life, Jacob Hoff, and married him on September 27, 1942.

Thi Sahn Ayers

Jan. 1, 1936 — Sept. 23, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thi Sanh Ayers, who peacefully departed on Sept. 23, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington, at the age of 89, after a long battle with various illnesses. Born on Jan. 1, 1936, in Can Tho, Vietnam, Thi Sanh moved to the United States in 1975 and dedicated the last 50 years to making Moses Lake her beloved home. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sanh will be cherished for her fierce fighting spirit, her incredible survivor mentality, and her deep passion for gardening, cooking, and fishing.

Merlin D. Jones

Jan. 12, 1948 — Sept. 26, 2025

Merlin Daniel Jones, 77, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Othello Care. He was born Jan. 12, 1948, in Ephrata, Washington to Clifford and Evelyn Salkield Jones of Mae Valley. He went to school in Moses Lake until he joined the Army in 1966. He was in transportation in Germany which gave him the opportunity to travel much in that country which he grew to love. He served in Vietnam then return to Germany where he met and married Suse Knoedler in 1972. He was transferred to the U.S. about 1975 and retired from the Army in 1981. He moved back to Moses Lake. He retired from Basic American Potato around 2013 due to advancing Parkinson’s.

Patricia "Pat" Ledbetter

1940 – 2025

Patricia "Pat" Ann Ledbetter, age 84, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington. She was born on September 22, 1940, in Elgin, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Phyllis (DeGaris) Gerber.

Mariners increase win streak to nine

SEATTLE (AP) — Mariners increase their win streak to nine straight after their weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels.