Charles Adema

03/28/1923 – 04/30/2013
Frank Adema, of Bellingham, WA, passed away on April 30, 2013, at the age of 90 years. Frank was born March 28, 1923, in Burlington, WA to Eva and Floyd Adema. His youth was spent on the banks of the beautiful Skagit River in Clear Lake, surrounded by his family and extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was a graduate of Sedro-Woolley High School. Frank served two years (1944-1946) in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines and Japan during a period of bombing, clean-up, and “showing the flag.” In 1945 his family relocated to Lummi Island, and when Frank returned from the service he made Lummi his home. In 1958 he married Geraldine Parberry, and they had two children. Frank loved and cared for his children and enjoyed all the many happy times spent with his grandchildren. Frank moved to Bellingham in the mid-60s and was a rural letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for approximately 25 years. Over the years, he provided mail service to patrons on Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point, Lummi Indian Reservation, and Marietta communities. Frank valued his autonomy and had a forward-thinking view of politics. He enjoyed the news and the History Channel and kept current on local and global events. He loved all things mechanical, whether it was an automobile or an old wrist watch. He loved to spend hours tinkering in his shop fixing things. Above all, Frank was a kind and generous man who would drop anything to go to the aid of those he knew well and those whom he didn’t know. He leaves behind his family, including sister Lucille Miller and brother Donald Adema of Lummi Island; his children, son Jim Adema and daughter Suzanne Baker, both of Bellingham; his grandchildren Maggie (Jack) Sheldon and Lucas Baker of Seattle; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins and friends. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at the Lummi Island Grange on Saturday, June 22nd at 3:30 PM. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Bellingham Food Bank, Special Olympics, or to a charity of your choice.