Obituaries for July 26, 2018

PAID PRINTED OBITUARIES

Donnie Fermenick
July 18, 1972 ~ June 28, 2018

Donnie Fermenick passed away suddenly and unexpectedly June 28th, 2018, while on a business trip in London, England. He was 45 years old. Donnie was born in Hillsboro, Oregon, to Mark and Lori Fermenick. As the oldest brother, he is survived by sisters Keri, Kati, Tara, and brother Jordan. His first wife Terena proceeded him in death in 1996. He married Mandy (Higgins) in 1998, and this December would have been their 20th wedding anniversary. They have 3 beautiful girls: Regan (22), Sydney (17), and Lexi (10).

Much of Donnie’s life revolved around his family. They are a close-knit family who loved traveling and going on many exciting adventures together. One of their favorite places to travel was Disneyland, and they have many happy memories of their time spent there. Donnie was passionate about many things in life, but none more than taking care of and having fun with his girls. One of the best lessons he taught his kids was that the greatest thing a parent can do is love his spouse. A lesson he lived, as was evident in the way Donnie and Mandy continuously grew closer over their years of marriage.

Donnie was also a very spiritual man who deeply loved God and desired to know Him more. He was very active in the Church and especially loved to lead singing. He put his whole heart into serving God, and for the past 7 years, he was a member of the Washougal Church of Christ, where he went above and beyond to help with whatever was needed. He didn’t stop there, for his faith went beyond just a building and he looked for ways to live in a Christ-like manner. He worked as a counselor and director of a youth summer camp. He fed people in need, gave to those who had less, spent time reasoning with people who did not believe in God, and strove to model Christ to his co-workers and friends in this world.

Donnie had many personal interests, remembering that time with his family was #1. He loved playing golf, watching college football (especially the Miami Hurricanes), rooting for his favorite soccer team (Arsenal), and of course cheering on the Camas Papermakers. He enjoyed nights cooking on the grill, game night with the whole family, relaxing at home watching a movie, or listening to music.

Donnie leaves behind a legacy of being a strong family man and leader. He loved & led his family. He loved & led others to know more about God. He had a passion for life and he learned to make the best out of some very bad situations.

Mandy, Regan, Sydney, Lexi, all his nieces & nephews, his siblings and sibling-in-laws, his parents and parents-in-law, his co-workers, his church family, and his community are mourning his early passing. They will however, keep his memory alive and will always be comforted by treasured memories and the time they had together.

“So, with you: now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:22
Until the time comes for us to meet again, goodbye Donnie!

(A celebration of life will be held at Camas High School North Commons starting at 4PM on Friday, July 27th)

Deborah (Debbie) Reneé Kitchen
July 13, 1950 ~ July 17, 2018

Deborah (Debbie) Renee’ Kitchen, a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to anyone who crossed her path, peacefully passed at her home in Washougal on July 17, 2018 after a three-year courageous fight against ovarian cancer.

Debbie was born July 13, 1950, in Portland, Oregon, to Clarence and Elizabeth Turner.

She met her husband, Garry, in 1970 and they married on March 4, 1972. Their love and unity to one another was unique and special. Together they built their home in Washougal and raised three wonderful children that she was so proud of. She was able to stay at home and raise their three children out in the country, always showing them the beauty of nature. She spent her time while the kids were in school working and volunteering at their school and later worked at Camas-Washougal Animal Hospital and Vancouver Veterinary Hospital. Debbie was grandma to a total of seven grandchildren that she adored with all of her heart. She made sure when the grandkids were born that she always had Wednesdays off so she could have “grandma’s” day. She’d teach them her love of gardening, baking, walks around the property and so much more. She shared with them all of the beauty in life that she shared with her own children.

Her passions were her dahlia garden that would grow beautiful flowers every year, her vegetable garden and fruit orchard that she and Garry worked on together and enjoyed year after year. Debbie also had a special love for birds that she liked to sit in peace and watch. She always had an appreciation for nature’s beauty and the small things in life. She loved to travel, but never wanted to stay gone too long from the kids and grandkids. The love for her family and the time that was spent together was what brought Debbie the greatest joy in life. She and Garry spent vacations scuba diving as well as relaxing at their getaway up at Hoods Canal making so many memories of their own. The love that she gave her husband and family was never ending and always constant. Debbie’s soft, kind and always caring nature was a gift to so many people that crossed her path. She touched so many lives through her 68 years just by being herself. She was a gift on this earth and her love and kindness will always be remembered and cherished.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Garry; her three children, Paul (Sara), Angela, Jennifer (Tye) Crandall; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Reneé, Levi, Keely, Brooklyn, Kody and Brandon; her mother, Elizabeth Turner; her sisters, Pam Kruger and Deena Rourk; her brothers, Mark and Tim Turner; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Clarence “Tex” Turner; her brother, Paul Turner; and her nephew, Tye Kruger.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance or the charity of your choice.

Mary Jean Malfait
May 14, 1924 ~ July 4, 2018

Mary Jean was born May 14, 1924, in Chewelah, Washington, to Joseph D. McPherson and Eva C. Ochs McPherson. She was delivered into this world by her grandfather Doctor Samuel P. McPherson. She was the oldest of five siblings. When she was twelve, her loving Ochs uncles came and got the family and brought them to Camas. She graduated from Camas High School and attended one year of art school in Portland.

She married Raymond Malfait in 1947. They bought the farm in Washougal from Ray’s parents. Those were the days of no indoor plumbing and a wood cookstove. Mary Jean dedicated herself to being the accommodating wife in his adventuresome life.

They leased Government Island in the Columbia River to raise cattle. A venture which involved travel by boat and barge. For many years, she packed her portable kitchen to the island to cook for haying crews and round ups. For some years, Ray was a stock contractor for amateur rodeos and Mary Jean was the secretary. Ray also became interested in the ranching country of British Columbia. That took her back to a wood cookstove and an outhouse. She cooked for large groups of hunters and fishermen, often times over a campfire.

Her hands were never still. If she wasn’t cooking, she was working in her garden, knitting slippers, crocheting doilies, painting, or sewing.

She loved to dance, sing and whistle. She loved music. She loved babies. She had healing hands, and “was a wonderful care giver.” As her memory failed, she was moved to a safer and better environment at the Hampton Ashley facility in Vancouver, where she became a special person to the loving caregivers who were always willing to dance with her.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her brothers, Daniel and Donald McPherson; husband, Raymond; and children, Arthur Raymond, Lynette Arlene and David William.

She is survived by a sister, DeEtte Ford; brother, Dexter McPherson; daughter, Laurene (Tom) Eldred; grandchildren, Daniel (Suzanne) Eldred, Abbie Eldred, Jacob (Gina) Eldred and Tye (Melissa) Eldred; great-grandchildren Tanner, Caleb, Nahaleigh, Isabel, Sophia and Thomas.

Burial was Sunday, July 8, at the Washougal Cemetery.

Thank you to Davies for providing the funeral services.

Read the following complete obituaries in the July 26 print edition of the Post-Record.

Ed and Charla Keen

A memorial service will be held for Ed and Charla Keen at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 4, at Bethel Community Church, 1438 “B” St., Washougal.

Ed died April 15, 2017, from cancer, and Charla died May 12, 2018, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Cliff Allen

Cliff Allen died Saturday, July 21, 2018. He was 71. Cliff was born Nov. 10, 1946, in Camas.

Services are pending at this time. A complete obituary will appear in next week’s paper. Straub’s Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements.

William D. ‘Bill’ Burrese

William D. “Bill” Burrese, of Camas, died Friday, July 20, 2018. He was 78.

A full obituary and celebration of life information will be published in next week’s paper. Arrangements are under the care of Brown’s Funeral Home.

Michael L. Chavez

Michael Lelis Chavez died Saturday, July 21, 2018. He was 56. Michael was born July 7, 1962, in Orange County, California.

He was a Camas-Washougal resident for more than 12 years. He worked as a laborer.

Michael is survived by his brother, Daniel Jose Chavez, and sister, Cassie Marie Hendrix.

Lawton A. ‘Chic’ Hull

Lawton Alder “Chic” Hull, musician and teacher and resident of Washougal since 1962, died in his Washougal River home on July 15, 2018, surrounded by loved ones including his wife of 69 years, Wanda Beatrice “Bea” Jordan Hull.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to VancouverSymphony.org. A celebration of life in music was held July 21 at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas.

Melville J. ‘Skip’ Byers

Melville Jay “Skip” Byers died June 19, 2018. He was 69.

A memorial service is being held 1 p.m., Saturday, July 28, at Skyview Baptist Church, 9914 S.E. Sixth St., Vancouver.

Read the complete obituaries in the July 26 print edition of the Post-Record.