WALTER C. GALLATIN II

Blanchard-Strabler Funeral Home

Walter Gallatin, age 65, of Maumee, OH, and formerly of Tri-Cities, WA, and Clairmore, OK, passed away peacefully with family and loving friends at his side, August 22, 2012, at Swan Pointe Care Center. He was born January 12, 1947, in Clairmore, OK, to Mr. & Mrs. Walter (Marion) Gallatin. He was a decorated U.S. Navy Veteran and was employed many years as a firefighter/paramedic at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in WA, until his retirement. He enjoyed NASCAR, caring for his lawn and later in life enjoyed arts and crafts, especially Sugar Gliders.

Survived by sons, Michael David (Ledonna) Gallatin and Daniel Aaron Gallatin, both of WA, Daryl (Wendy) Gallatin of Perrysburg; daughter, Laura Jeanette Gallatin of WA; mother, Marion Gallatin of OK; brothers, John and Clint of OK; many grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and wife Betsy LaVerne Gallatin in 2000.

Services will be private, for the family. Blanchard-Strabler Funeral Home (419) 269-1111. Online condolences: blanchard strabler.com.



LANCE FERG WENDT

Prosser Funeral Home

Lance Ferg Wendt, age 43, of Pasco, WA, passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, August 19th, 2012, in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Lance was born October 10, 1968, in Prosser, WA, to H.C. "Ferg" and Joanne (Backer) Wendt. Lance, most commonly known as "Fergie," graduated from Prosser High school in 1987. He was a colon cancer survivor.

Fergie was a fuel distributor for Bleyhls, Cenex, and most recently, R.E. Powell. He had a passion for MOPARs, especially his 1963 Fury, "RED." He was an avid fan of NASCAR, Seahawks, Cougars, and Prosser Mustangs. He even coached Grid Kid football. He spent many summers in Curlew, Cle Elum, and Salmon La Sac with family and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors including fishing, hunting, camping, four wheeling, boating, and most recently snorkeling. He also enjoyed car shows, cooking, especially BBQing and smoking on his grill.

Fergie reconnected with his lifelong childhood friend, Chrissy, and were married on 11/11/11 in Pasco, WA, with 11 witnesses and were pronounced man and wife at 11:11 a.m. and recently celebrated their union with family and friends on August 3, 2012.

He is survived by his mother, Joanne (Backer) Wendt and son Landen Ferg Wendt, his loving, lifelong friend and wife Christine Rumsey Wendt, mother of Javier, Jesselynn, and Miranda Lobos. Fergie is also survived by Preston and Joshua VanVelkinburgh, sons of Melinda (Gunder VanVelkinburgh) Wendt; brother Mike Chilton; his uncle Bud (Dortha) Backer Sr., uncle Lowell (Betty Jean) Wendt; and numerous cousins, friends, family, and two granddaughters. Fergie was preceded in death by his sister Misty Joy Wendt, father Ferg Wendt, grandparents Elmer and Ethel (Thomas) Backer and August and Ella Wendt.

The Celebration of Life Memorial service is Thursday, August 30th, at 11:00, in Prosser, at the First Presbyterian Church with lunch to follow. A gathering at the Prosser Cemetery at 2:00 and final get together at the Prosser Eagles to begin at 5:00.

Memorial contributions to assist with medical expenses are welcomed and can be made at any U.S. Bank. Make reference to Lance Ferg Wendt Memorial account. Donation containers will be available at the First Presbyterian Church and at the Eagles on the day of the service. Christine Wendt and her family thank all of the family and friends for the tremendous support, prayers and outpouring of help during this difficult time. You may sign the guest book and leave a message of condolence at www. prosserfuneralhome.com.



GREGGORY LEWIS RICHARDS

Prosser Funeral Home

Greggory Lewis Richards was born April 20, 1961, at Kennewick General Hospital, the oldest child of Bill and Sandy (Spence) Richards. He passed away at home on August 23, 2012, after injuries sustained from a tragic heavy machinery accident on Rattle Snake Hill. Gregg grew up in Grandview, WA, at his parents Gravel Pit. He loved to work on the equipment with his family. He was always telling his kids stories of the fun they all had playing and building tunnels and forts. After graduating from Grandview High School in 1979, Gregg married the love of his life and best friend, Clari Gehrke-Storm, in Yakima, WA, on January 31, 1981. Three years later they had their first child Ashley Adair, and shortly thereafter they moved to California, where they met and made more friends than they could count. While in California, Gregg became a skilled finish carpenter. He also spent several years working at one of his greatest loves, operating heavy equipment. While in California, Gregg and Clari welcomed their son Lukas Greggory. They had a lot of fun taking their kids to the beach and Disney Land. Ashley still has happy memories of learning to ride her bike in the long driveway with her dad and sitting around the camp fire in the yard singing songs by The Judds and Garth Brooks with her parents, while baby Luke slept nearby.

In 1990, Gregg moved his family back to Grandview, to live at the old family homestead at the gravel pit. Upon his return to Washington, he started Precision Builders and constructed many beautiful custom homes throughout the Yakima and Columbia Valley's. At home with his family, Gregg loved taking Luke and Ashley on walks around the property, telling them stories of his childhood, picking fruit from the trees and sledding in the winter. Luke is especially fond of the memories he has with his dad, such as finding an owl's nest and inspecting all of the owl pellets they found down below.

Gregg loved to be outside, he loved to go boating, scuba diving, skiing, going to the Drag Races with Luke -- you name it, he would try it. And more often than not he'd come home with some kind of injury. You could almost guarantee that at any given time you would see him with a bruise or cut on his bald head. But he never let that stop him. And he always pushed his kids to try new things. His favorite motivating statement was to tell them, it'll put hair on your chest!

There were so many things that Gregg loved. He loved seeing his wife Clari drive his trucks, saying how hot she looked in the driver's seat. Gregg loved the hot weather -- the hotter the better -- but he knew how much Clari loved the cold, so he always said he would have to find the perfect place for them to retire. Somewhere that they could have a nice hot beach for him and cool snowy mountains close by for Clari. But most of all he loved being a member of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was baptized in 1980. Volunteering was his favorite thing to do, whether it was within the Congregation, during meetings, in the preaching work or working with the Regional Building Committee, building new Kingdom Halls all throughout the state. He loved to help out in any way that he could.

Gregg met and studied the Bible with many people, all of whom he cared for and treated like family. One of the things Gregg loved to share with people was the resurrection hope. (Acts 24:15) All of his family and friends that love him look forward to one day seeing him in the paradise on earth, after the resurrection. (Luke 23:43)

Gregg had so many friends. Everywhere he went he collected them. There was never a person who met Gregg that didn't immediately like him. He was always the first to help anyone. Everyone knew they could call him anytime, for anything, and he would be there. He had a unique ability to sense when someone needed a friend. More than one person could tell stories of being sad or depressed or simply in need of a good venting, and then out of the blue Gregg would call just to see how they were doing. He had the ability to say just the right thing, in just the right way that would leave a person feeling so much better. He was an amazing man; he touched so many people's lives. Some people would even say he was, Legen ... wait for it ... dary!!

Gregg is survived by his Wife of 31 years, Clari of Grandview, WA. Daughter Ashley (Felix Jr.) Barrera of Sunnyside, WA. Son Lukas Richards of Richland, WA. Grandchildren Xiomara and Felix III (aka Trae). Parents Bill and Sandy Richards of Grandview, WA. Brothers Brent Richards of Lovell, WY; David (Michelle) Richards of Prosser, WA; Aaron (Jill) Richards of Prosser, WA. Sisters Billie (Doug) Nance of Spokane, WA; Brenda Richardson of Port Ludlow, WA; Rita (Jeff) Moore of Prosser, WA; and Robin (Dave) Ryan of Kennewick, WA. His closest Cousin Tammy (Dirk) Nicks of Fox Island, WA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the staff of the Kadlec ICU, especially Joy, who made Dad's stay as easy and peaceful as possible. And a special thank you also, to all those with the Lower Valley Hospice who took special care to make sure Dad's final hours at home were as comfortable as possible.

A memorial service will be held in the Silver Bronze Room at the Red Lion in Pasco, WA on Saturday September 1, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

Please feel free to sign the Guest book online at www. prosserfuneralhome.com.



RUBY MAY WILSON-CROWLEY

Ruby May Wilson-Crowley was born on October 18, 1916, in Plymouth Washington, to Roy Mitchell and Nellie Carl Brooks Klinefelter. She passed away peacefully on August 10, 2012, at her home in Roseburg, Oregon, with her daughter Susan by her side. She was 95 years old.

Ruby spent the early part of her life in Canada before moving to Benton City, Washington, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Loin Wilson (deceased, 1967). In 1968, Ruby moved to Canyonville, Oregon, with her second husband Emmett Crowley (deceased, 1980). She lived the rest of her life in Southern Oregon, but always spoke of returning home to the family farm in Benton City.

Ruby is remembered by everyone who knew her for generous heart and loving smile. She is survived by her sister Ruth Marlin of Bremerton, WA; son Terry (Sharon) Wilson of Benton City; daughter Susan (Robert) Melvin of Myrtle Creek, OR; daughter-in-law Fran Wilson of Benton City; daughter-in-law Carole Wilson of Benton City; grandchildren Sandy Wilson, Lynne Griffiths, Mark Mc Gilvery, Paul Lathim, Jay Wilson, Dustin Wilson, Troy Wilson, Todd Wilson, Teri Geeting, Tyler Wilson, Traci Wilson, Brian Melvin, Shawn Melvin, Krysten Melvin; step daughters Carolyn Rice, Marilyn Brock and Linda Taylor. She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and

4 great-great-grandchildren.

Ruby is preceded in death by her sons Grady Lee Wilson and Walter William Wilson; sister Irene Affleck; brother William Klinefelter; and granddaughter Wendy Lathim.

A memorial service to celebrate Ruby's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 1 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Benton City - 1101 Fay Avenue.



JAROD JOHN MATHESON

Jarod John Matheson, 35, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 19, 2012, at his home in Cleburne, Texas.

He was the only child born to Jack Matheson and was the beloved son of Jack Matheson and Vikki Robinson. Jarod will forever be remembered by his devoted brother Lance, his children Dayshon and Jaeda and the many friends who were blessed to know him. Jarod loved making music, laughing, being with children and having fun with friends.

Jarod touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity. Friends and family will remember Jarod at a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, September 8th, at 2 in the afternoon in Bellevue WA.

The family requests remembrances be made in Jarod's name to Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 987-2000.