Lower Columbia Area neighbors: Recently published obituaries
Read through the obituaries published in The Daily News
AREA SERVICES
TODAY
Gendron — Gene Stewart, 1 p.m., New & Living Way Church, 215 Academy St., Kelso, WA 98626. Hubbard Funeral Home
AREA SERVICES
TODAY
Dietz Duke — Magdalena "Lena", 12:00, Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park
Swett — Susan Melanie (Comstock), 3 p.m. at Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park, reception following at the Kelso Elks Lodge.
SATURDAY
Gendron — Gene Stewart, 1 p.m., New & Living Way Church, 215 Academy St., Kelso, WA 98626. Hubbard Funeral Home
Berry — Sierra Nicole, 25, of Kelso died Nov. 17 in Kelso. Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel
Kangas — Rose Ann, 66, of Longview died Nov. 22 at home. Steele Chapel
McPherson Sr. — Walter Fred, 70, of Kelso died Nov. 22 at home. Steele Chapel
Slyter — Irene, 95, of Longview died Nov. 24 at home. Steele Chapel
Whitcomb — Doris Jean, 90, of Longview died Nov. 24 at St. Johns Medical Center. Steele Chapel
FRIDAY
Dietz Duke — Magdalena "Lena", 12:00, Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park
Swett — Susan Melanie (Comstock), 3 p.m. at Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park, reception following at the Kelso Elks Lodge.
SATURDAY
Gendron — Gene Stewart, 1 p.m., New & Living Way Church, 215 Academy St., Kelso. Hubbard Funeral Home
Jan. 1, 1940—Nov. 14, 2019
Jack Lawrence Faling was delivered to the Lord on Nov. 14, 2019. An Angel came down and with loving arms lifted him home. We will miss him deeply and look forward to the time we will all be reunited as family. In Jack’s 79 years of life on this earth, he was a kind, gracious and loving example to all that knew him. He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Theresa Faling; three daughters, Kelly Sill (Mike Wallace), Erica Herington (Chris) and Jackie Faling; and a son Michael Faling. He also leaves behind a brother Leroy Faling (Sharon), and a sister Margie Cartwright (John). Jack had numerous grandchildren whom he all adored. We will celebrate Jack’s Life on Jan. 4, 2020, at The Bridge Church located at 1448 11th Ave., with a reception to follow.
DEATHS
Arthur — Rheta Joyce, 74, of Longview died November 24 at home. Steele Chapel.
Hall — William Carl, 76, of Longview died November 21 at Community Home Health & Hospice. Steele Chapel.
Parkhill — Virginia Dean, 91, of Longview died November 22 at home. Columbia Funeral Service.
AREA SERVICES
TODAY
Wallberg — Marjorie Bernice, 3 p.m., Evangel Christian Fellowship, 1335 11th Ave, Longview. Viewing 12-4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, Columbia Funeral Home, 1105 Maple St., Longview.
FRIDAY
Dietz Duke — Magdalena "Lena", 12:00, Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park
Swett — Susan Melanie (Comstock), 3 p.m. at Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park, reception following at the Kelso Elks Lodge.
SATURDAY
Gendron — Gene Stewart, 1 p.m., New & Living Way Church, 215 Academy St., Kelso, WA 98626. Hubbard Funeral Home
Nov. 4, 1950—Nov. 21, 2019
“And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” Kalil Gibran
Susan Melanie (Comstock) Swett, the daughter of Charles and Genevieve (Closner) Comstock, was born on Nov. 4, 1950, at St. John’s Hospital in Longview, WA. Her life came full circle, as she passed away at the age of 69 on Nov. 21, 2019, at the same hospital in which she was born.
She attended Mark Morris High School, and after graduating in 1968, she attended Western Washington University. She married Grant Swett on Aug. 20, 1981, in Reno, NV.
As a homemaker, Susan was able to volunteer at Olympic Elementary and Monticello Middle School. She was generous with her time and financial assistance to a variety of charities, including the Longview Junior Service League. There, she served as president, chaired the annual Cabaret Follies of Lower Columbia and helped plan the Festival of Trees. She was also active in Kelso Kiwanis, and for two years served as the chairperson for their fundraiser, Got Talent. She was also a member of Ducks Unlimited.
A consummate entertainer, Susan took great pride in opening her home to extended family and friends. She was an avid reader, and loved gardening, music and attending auctions to support charitable causes.
Susan loved with all of her heart, made friends with everyone she met and surrounded herself with family. She cherished her grandsons, who were the light of her life, and supported all of their activities. She was known for her selflessness, her strength and positive attitude through all of her many health issues, and expressed gratitude for the outstanding care she received at St. John’s Hospital.
Susan will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all those who benefited from her many acts of kindness.
She is survived by her husband, Grant; her children Michael Swett (Ola), of San Francisco, Samantha Riddle Prociv (Matt), of Seattle, Douglas Swett (Gina), of San Francisco; and her grandsons, Alex and Nate Prociv. She is also survived by her sister, Kathleen Comstock McKnight (Scott) of Bothell, with whom she shared a very close bond, and her closest friend, Carol Reynolds of Longview.
She was embraced by her extended family who also survive her: Her mother-in-law Elsa Swett and sisters-in-law Teri Weedman of Longview, Cindy Murray-Tow (Guy) of Kelso and Linda Mathis of Apache Junction, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chuck and Genevieve, and both of her grandparents.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Longview Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park with a reception following at the Kelso Elks.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Program. Checks can be made payable to KDCCP and mailed to KDCCP, 2041 Rae Road, Bend, OR 97702 or donations can be made online at www.KDCCP.com.
April 6, 1947—November 23, 2019
Joyce Ann Bates, 72, died Saturday at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
She was born April 6, 1947, in Portland. Her parents were Eldon and Ethel Conn Sloop. A graduate of Mark Morris High School, she also graduated from Lower Columbia College and Western Washington University. Her first job after college was for The Daily News.
In the early ‘70s she joined Up with People, an educational and performance group for young adults that travels the United States and internationally. After aging out of the program, she served as a liaison for three years.
In the mid-‘70s she returned to The Daily News, where her career spanned classified and retail advertising, circulation, and assistant to Publisher Ted Natt.
An avid photographer, she freelanced for community events and did the photography for the Business Journal. Joyce enjoyed gardening, travel, the theater, and outdoor adventures, including white-water rafting and hiking. She participated in several volunteer community development projects in Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Doran, and her parents. She is survived by her brother and his wife, Allen and Betty Epperson; four nieces; two nephews; and two great-nephews.
DEATHS
Greenwood — James Charles, 88, of Kelso died November 20 at St. Johns Medical Center. Steele Chapel.
Maas — Teresa Eleanor, 59, of Portland, OR, died November 21 at St. John Medical Center. Columbia Funeral Service.
Swett — Susan M., 69, of Longview died November 21 at St. Johns Medical Center. Steele Chapel.
AREA SERVICES
TODAY
Clark — Gilda Pastrana. Viewing Monday, 12- 3 p.m. November 25 at Groulx Family Mortuary, 25381 Wonderly Rd. Rainier, OR 97048. Funeral Mass, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 26 at Nativity of BVM Catholic Church, 204 East C Street, Rainier, OR 97048
Joplin — Dwight Allen, 1 p.m., Kelso Elks. Columbia Funeral Service
WEDNESDAY
Wallberg — Marjorie Bernice, 3 p.m., Evangel Christian Fellowship, 1335 11th Ave, Longview. Viewing 12-4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, Columbia Funeral Home, 1105 Maple St., Longview.
FRIDAY
Dietz Duke — Magdalena "Lena", 12:00, Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park
Swett — Susan Melanie (Comstock), 3 p.m. at Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park, reception following at the Kelso Elks Lodge.
SATURDAY
Gendron — Gene Stewart, 1 p.m., New & Living Way Church, 215 Academy St., Kelso, WA 98626. Hubbard Funeral Home
September 3, 1920—November 20, 2019
Magdalena “Lena” Meuchel was born to German immigrants Alexander and Margaret (Judt) Meuchel in St Joseph Parish, Morton County, North Dakota along with seven brothers and sisters.
Due to the depression and the dust bowl, the family lost their farm and moved to Hamilton, Montana when Lena was in her mid-teens.
In 1941 she married Peter J Dietz. They lived in Montana and had five children, then in 1951 moved to Longview, Washington where they later had their 6th child.
Lena worked from home as a seamstress making drapes and most of her children’s clothing. After 35 years and raising their family together, Pete and Lena’s marriage ended.
Soon after, she met and married Leland “Lee” Duke, the love of her life and they spent 14 happy years together. They visited family, took cruises, went on road trips with friends and just enjoyed life and each other. One of their favorite activities was going out dancing. On December 12, 1992 their journey together ended with Lee’s death.
Lena continued to live alone in her home, enjoying reading, crocheting, knitting, quilting and other crafts. She did jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, played board games and for many years played cards and visited with friends at the Longview Senior Center. She greatly enjoyed visits with her children and grandchildren and their families.
She was very active until age 98, when she suffered a fall that required her having a caregiver at home. Thanks to the wonderful, compassionate care from her granddaughter Shelli Cleveland, she was able to remain in her home of 68 years, where she passed away peacefully on November 20th, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones.
She was preceded in death by Peter Dietz, Leland Duke, daughter Donna Elder and grandchildren Seth Brown, Dennis Dietz, Bret Thompson and Kallie Dietz.
She leaves behind her children Darlene (Gary) Cleveland, Darold (Evalyn) Dietz, Duane “Butch” (Vicki) Dietz, Diane (Frank) Peterson, Daniel “Dan” (Teri) Dietz, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Linda Rheaume for her companionship and care for Lena during the last few years, as well as Community Home Health and Hospice; for without them, remaining in her home would not have been possible.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Community Home Health and Hospice or the Longview Senior Center would be appreciated.
Services will be held at Longview Memorial Park, Steele Chapel, at 12:00 on Friday November 29th, 2019.
