Obituaries - June 3, 2010

Versa Marcus Beachler

A graveside service for Versa Mattingley Marcus Beachler, 95, was June 1, 2010, at the St. John Cemetery. She died May 27, 2010, at the Cheney Care Center.

Born Oct. 2, 1915, at St. John to George Allen and Alice Gertrude Nelson Mattingley, she was orphaned at an early age and raised by her uncle, Jim Mattingley. She attended St. John schools and graduated with the class of 1934. She married her high school sweetheart, Glenn William Marcus June 8, 1935, in Moscow.

She attended Kelsey-Baird business college, graduated with a major in office practice and accounting. She worked for St. John Caterpillar Co., owned by Ralph McConnell and for the St. John Cafe owned by the Bafus family. During Glenn’s illness they moved to Spokane, where she worked for the Grange Supply. After Glenn’s death, she moved to Seattle and continued to work in accounting.

At a dance she attended with her neighbor and sister, Millie, she met Ken Beachler. They were married Dec. 8, 1972.

She greatly enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by Mr. Beachler, and two grandchildren, Robert Wagner and Brian Erickson.

She is survived by her children, Darlene (Fred) Wagner, Cheney; Gary (Judy) Marcus, Spokane and Kathleen (William) Adams, Spokane Valley; her sister, Gertrude, St. John; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

E. Beryl Kinzer

Funeral services for E. Beryl Kinzer, 85, were at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Palouse Federated Church with the Rev. Corey Laughary officiating. A private family interment followed at Colfax Cemetery. She died at her home Friday, May 28, 2010.

She was born in Seattle, Nov. 28, 1924, to Carl C. and Anna S. Scott King. Her parents farmed in Canada and moved to the Palouse Country when Beryl was a youngster and purchased the farm on Parvin Road. She attended the Albion School and graduated from Pullman High School. She attended WSC in Pullman then worked as a secretary with the 319 college training detachment at WSC.

Beryl met Jim Kinzer when they both attended Albion School. They were married Oct. 16, 1943, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was stationed during World War II.

After the war the Kinzers returned to her childhood home on Parvin Road and farmed with her parents, forming King & Kinzer Corporation.

Beryl was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at WSC, Parvin Grange, Chapter AE of P.E.O. at Palouse and longtime organist at the Palouse Federated Church.

Beryl’s hobbies included working hard on the farm, raising her children, playing organ and piano for numerous functions around the community and all the years of ballroom dancing with her husband. Beryl has been unable to dance since her injury when she was struck in a crosswalk in Moscow in 1988. Her son Scott Kinzer provided extra hard work, tireless and selfless efforts which allowed Beryl to remain in her home. Julie Schultheis cared for Beryl since Jim’s death until May and Beverly Yates, private care givers, provided care and support during the past month.

Beryl was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in August of 2008.

Surviving are her four children, Steve (Debbie) Kinzer of Dresser, Wis., Karen (Howard) Rode of Rochester, N.Y., Scott (Laurie) Kinzer of Pullman, and Kimberley Kinzer of St. Paul, Minn .; 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Norma Stejer of Spokane.

The family suggests memorial donations go to the Palouse Federated Church, PEO-AE, Whitman Home Health & Hospice or charity of the donor’s choice.

Kyla Rice Hungerford

Kyla Jeanne Hungerford, 42, Colfax native, died unexpectedly, May 27, 2010, in Spokane. A graveside service will be Friday, June 4, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Colfax Cemetery.

She was born March 18, 1968, in Pullman, to Harvey S. (Pete) and Barbara Rice. Kyla graduated from Colfax High School in 1986 and from Washington State University in 1994.

She enjoyed time in the outdoors, fishing and her two special animal friends, Maggie and Hope.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara Jeanne Rice of Spokane; her brother, Newel S. Rice (Tina) and her beloved nephew Colton Rice of Monroe.

Her father died in 2008.

On-line condolences:

http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Joel Porter

Graveside Services for Joel E. Porter, 79, a lifelong resident of Rosalia, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 4, at the IOOF cemetery in Rosalia. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rosalia with the Rev. Stewart Nereim officiating.

Mr. Porter died last Thursday, May 27, 2010, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax.

Born April 11, 1931, near Plaza to third generation pioneers Elmer and Hazel Layton Porter, he attended Plaza Grade school and then Rosalia High School where he graduated with the class of 1949. He played in the school band and played on baseball, basketball and football teams. He served in the Air Force with duty at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Trier, Germany, 1950-54. Joel married Patty Littleton in 1952.

He was employed for 30 years with the State Department of Transportation and retired as a section leader in 1981. Mr. Porter was known for his volunteer work. For years he put up the Rosalia Christmas decorations and assisted at admissions for the Rosalia rodeo. He was honored for his years of service as a grand marshall in the Battle Days Parade. He enjoyed farming, playing sports, flying, raising birds, hunting and fishing. He was also a member of Rosalia IOOF. His great joys were his wife of 58 years, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and many friends around the Palouse.

He is survived by his wife Patty, his sons Tracy (Traci), SeaTac; Andy (Sally), St. Maries, Idaho; and Matt (Natasha), Spokane; one brother, Duane, and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Rosalia Ambulance & Fire Department, PO Box 251, Rosalia, or to the Performing Arts Building roof fund.