Obituaries

Recent Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Bellingham, WA, Whatcom County & Surrounding Areas

Linda Streitfeld

Linda Streitfeld

Jun 29, 2024

Linda Brown Pearce Streitfeld, longtime resident of Bellingham, Washington, died June 29, 2024 in Lynden, Washington. She was born in 1928 in Chicago and, although she was born in Chicago, she spent her early pre-school years in Hungary, so the first language Linda learned was Hungarian. When her family returned to the US and she entered kindergarten, English was her...

Roman Raphael Oropeza

Roman Raphael Oropeza

Jun 25, 2024

In loving memory of Roman Raphael Oropeza, a cherished soul who graced this world on June 17, 2022, in Houston, TX, and passed on June 25, 2024, in Seattle, WA. Roman's time with us was brief but impactful.

From the moment he arrived, Roman was a beacon of joy and determination. His infectious smile and vibrant personality left an indelible mark...

Shirley Ann Gallagher

Shirley Ann Gallagher

Jun 24, 2024

Shirley Ann Gallagher, age 83, passed away on June 24, 2024, after a long illness.

Shirley graduated from Central Catholic High School in Toledo, OH. She spent most of her adult life in the airline industry as a reservationist, travel agent, and station manager for World Travel at the Knoxville, TN airport. She was also a travel agent at a small...

Mary Etta Foster

Mary Etta Foster

Jun 23, 2024

Mary Etta Foster passed away on June 23, 2024, in Bellingham, WA.

Born to Cecil and Nova (Hanger) Abrams in Van Buren, MO, Mary moved to Ferndale in 1944 with the extended Hanger family. She always owed her faith in God to her first-grade teacher Miss Gunderson.

Mary was born a true “Diva” and a talented artist. Her entire life was consumed...

Moy Tai Wong

Moy Tai Wong

Jun 20, 2024

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Moy Tai Wong, who was born in Bentong Pahang, Malaysia on February 24, 1941. Moy passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Moy attended the Methodist School of College, where she trained to become a teacher. She dedicated her career to educating young minds at...

Margaret T. Nowak

Margaret T. Nowak

Jun 20, 2024

Margaret “Maggie” Nowak of Bellingham, WA passed away on June 20, 2024.

She was born on July 25, 1931 in Albuquerque, NM to Miguel and Stella (Candelaria) Rey, Sr. Maggie graduated from Western Washington University and was a charter member of the Whatcom Arts Guild.

Maggie is survived by her sister, Stella Nilles, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to...

Scott Herbert Melnick

Scott Herbert Melnick

Jun 20, 2024

Scott Herbert Melnick, age 60, passed away on June 20, 2024. He was a brother and a best friend – a very special person. He struggled through life, but despite injuries and illness, he never let adversity hold him back. His indomitable will and spirit, and his ability to soldier on, should be an inspiration to anyone who knew him....

Walter Schwede

Walter Schwede

Jun 19, 2024

Walter Schwede, a distinguished violinist, teacher, husband, and father, passed away surrounded by family on June 19, 2024. Walter's life was marked by a passion for music, a commitment to education, and a profound impact on the communities he served. 

Born in 1949 in North Dakota, Walter began violin studies at age eight. He graduated from music school at the University...

Richard "Dick" Duane Garnick

Richard "Dick" Duane Garnick

Jun 13, 2024

Richard “Dick” Duane Garnick was born June 7, 1946, in Boulder, Colorado to Dale and Rose Garnick. He attended Campion Academy, graduating in 1964. He would often share his fond school memories and attended homecoming as often as he could to visit with his lifelong friends. He joined the Army after high school and was a medic while serving in...

Paul David Hookham

Paul David Hookham

Jun 8, 2024

Paul David Hookham, age 87, a 60-year resident of Whatcom County, died June 8, 2024. Paul was known for his strong work ethic, his Christian faith, and his abiding love of family. He is survived by his wife Susan, son Daniel (Carol), daughters Julie (Ron) and Laura, nine grandchildren, and eight (soon to be nine) great-grandsons. Blessed be the memory...

Douglas Edward Buck

Douglas Edward Buck

Jun 7, 2024

Douglas “Doug” Edward Buck, age 74, passed away on June 7, 2024 in Bellingham, WA. Doug was born on September 8, 1949 in Bellingham and was a lifelong Whatcom County resident.Shortly after graduation from Bellingham High School, Doug enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed on the USS Enterprise CVAN 65 where his primary duty was payroll.After his time...

Nolan A. Dennett

Nolan A. Dennett

Jun 6, 2024

Born in Ontario, Oregon to parents David and Myla Dennett, Nolan passed away on June 6, 2024 in Bellingham, Washington.

Nolan had fond memories while growing up of spending much of his time outdoors where he developed his lifelong love of fishing and camping and witnessed the beauty of nature. He was also introduced to the performing arts while watching his...

Patricia M. Longueira

Patricia M. Longueira

Jun 5, 2024

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, 6/18 at Church of the Assumption in Bellingham. She will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in New York.

Claudia J. Laplante

Claudia J. Laplante

May 30, 2024

Claudia Josephine (Jester) LaPlante, 85, passed away peacefully on May 23rd, 2024. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Beth Jester; sisters, Charlotte Vail and Karen Dorland; husband Paul Davis, husband, Donald Rogers; and grandson, James Van Loon. She is loved by her survivors, husband, Leonard LaPlante; son John Davis and his wife Kelly; daughters, Kathleen Van...

Samuel "Frank" Stapleton

Samuel "Frank" Stapleton

May 28, 2024

Samuel Frank Stapleton, age 89, was an awesome soul who blessed us with his existence. He left our world on May 28, 2024. Frankie was born on November 12, 1934 in Paintsville, Kentucky and lived a life full of adventure from a young age. He was a beacon of light and hope in the world and touched the lives of...

Laurie Anne Kuehnel

Laurie Anne Kuehnel

May 26, 2024

Laurie Anne Kuehnel was born on September 3, 1958, and passed away on May 26, 2024. Laurie was born to Pete and Irene Kuehnel in Bellingham and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1976. Laurie worked at Johnson’s Fine Food, Ferndale Drugstore, and Ferndale Family Medicine. She met many people throughout her career and cared very much for her patients,...

Duane Clinton Schenck

Duane Clinton Schenck

May 26, 2024

Duane Clinton Schenck, lifetime resident of Bellingham, WA, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the age of 86. He was born in Bellingham on March 17, 1938, to Margaret (Stoddard) and William “Win” Schenck. He married Gloria Pederson, his lifelong love, on November 14, 1959. Duane served on the Bellingham Police Force for 36 years. He started as a...

Flordelisa "Inday" Comerford

Flordelisa "Inday" Comerford

May 25, 2024

Born on December 28, 1950 in Kananga, Leyte, Philippines, Inday, passed away on May 25, 2024 in Bellingham, WA. Inday attended Abellana Elementary School in Cebu, Philippines and National Heroes Institute in Kananga, Leyte, Philippines where she enjoyed stage acting/drama as an extracurricular activity. Inday held a degree in Chemical Engineering from Cebu Institute of Technology and worked as Quality...

John Belafonte Newmon Iii

John Belafonte Newmon Iii

May 23, 2024

John Belafonte Newmon III, age 58, passed away on May 23, 2024, in Bellingham, WA. The youngest of three children, John was born on March 30, 1966, in Los Angeles, CA to parents William and Velma Newmon. As a young child, he learned to read early on and enjoyed reading for the rest of his life. By the age of...

Ronald James Marshall

Ronald James Marshall

May 21, 2024

Ronald “Ron” James Marshall passed peacefully in his sleep at Whatcom Hospice House on May 21, 2024. Ron’s birth on December 9, 1941 was very eventful! It was two days after Pearl Harbor was bombed and a blackout was ordered. Ron’s parents, James and Jean Marshall, lived on the far end of Lake Whatcom in a small area called Park....

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