All Obituaries

Dan Lee Barron, age 87, of Bellingham, WA passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. He went home to his wife of 61 years, Vivian Olive Barron, who passed away in 2017. He was born November 23, 1931 to parents Orie and Kathryn Barron in Portland, OR. Dan graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle, WA with the class of 1950. After graduation, Dan began an apprenticeship as a Sheet Metal Worker. In the fall of 1951, he enlisted in the United States...

Joan Ilene (Barnhardt) Strotz, age 83, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018. She was born April 28, 1935 in Bellingham, to Merle and Ione Barnhardt. Joan was a 1953 graduate of Ferndale High School and on August 6, 1954 was married to Bert Strotz whom she met at the Friday night dances at Rome Grange. Together, they raised three children, Dee Ann (1958-2015), Jeff, Alison and a very special niece Mary Lou Moreau. With a heart the size of Joan’s, she had much love to share. Aside...

Marlene M. Waters Dukes, age 70, of Bellingham passed away at her home Saturday, December 1, 2018.  She is survived by her husband Jack; son, Matthew; her daughter Lynette and numerous other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at Whatcom New Life Assembly, 2290 Main St., Ferndale, WA 98248 with Pastor Andy Fox officiating. 

On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, Jeremy Scott Haws, much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away in Bellingham, WA. He bravely fought a long battle against cancer, and in his last moments was surrounded by family and love. Jeremy was born on April 26, 1975 in Upland, CA and later moved to Ferndale, WA. His careers in the airline industry and insurance field allowed him to work in several cities and resulted in friendships throughout the country. He lived a life full of adventure,...

Robert “Bobby Lee” McMurray, 72, of Maple Falls, was freed from his painful battle with cancer on Nov. 24, 2018. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  He was born Sep. 5, 1946 to Sofia and Benjamin McMurray in Cebu City, Philippines. He came to the U.S. in 1965, joined the Navy, and did two tours in Vietnam before leaving in 1972.  He then worked at Boeing in CA until he decided to pursue music.  He had a very successful career performing in Las...

Donald Eugene Houtchens, age 69, of Bellingham passed away at his home Thursday November 22, 2018.  He was born June 10, 1949 in Oakland, California to parents Hershel Newton and Rose Marie (Andrus) Houtchens. Don graduated from Kelso High School in Kelso, Washington and received his Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. He worked in the Oil Refinery Industry during summers while he was attending High School and College. He retired 5...

Doris Lenore Yost entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 19, 2018.  She was born November 16, 1931 in Billings, Montana to Dan and Martha Walter.  There she grew up and on June 25, 1950, she married the love of her life, Louis Yost, also of Billings.  She joyously served beside her husband as a Pastor's wife for 28 years, first in Hamilton, Montana, then in Mossyrock, Washington and finally at the Rome Community Church in Bellingham,...

Longtime Bellingham resident Richard “Dick” Nolan passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 in Bellingham. He was born in Tacoma, Washington on Oct. 6, 1925.  Growing up he enjoyed playing the saxophone in different bands.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma and also graduated from the University of Washington.  He met and married the love of his life JoAnn. He was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Nolan and his wife JoAnn.  He is...

Frances Marion (Colby) Forhan, age 95, a lifetime resident of Bellingham, WA, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2018 surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her sons, Doug (Cara) Forhan and Craig (Tammy) Forhan, and grandchildren Andrew, Matthew, Samantha and Alex Forhan. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Lou (Joe) Orluske and Charlene (Bernie) Dorcy, and many nieces and nephews.  Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Forhan. Frances Forhan was...

Jon Donnellan was born June 5, 1940, in Olean, NY, second-to-last of 9 children born to Frank and Esther Donnellan.  He moved to Ferndale with his family in 1955 and attended Ferndale High and Western WA University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science and elementary education.  He and Joanne met at Western and were married August 24, 1963, and moved to Oakland, CA, for a year so he could attend Mortuary College in San Francisco while Joanne taught...