Obituaries

Calvin E. Claughton, II passed away March 5, 2006 at age 81 in Portland, Oregon. We miss him very much. Born in San Francisco on November 5, 1924 to Calvin E. and Margaret R. Claughton. He grew up in Seattle, attending area grade schools and West Seattle High School. He married Margaret Frankson in Walla Walla, Washington in 1947 and had two children, Margaret Diane (born November 4, 1952) and Calvin III (born May 10, 1955). In the late 1940's and early 50's, he worked as a theater manager for Fox Theaters, Sterling Theaters, Hamrick-Evergreen, and Mid-State Amusement Corp.

Cal was born August 4, 1926 at Chaska, MN. He died March 9, 2006 at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle. Cal received a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1950. He was a long-time Boeing engineer; his specialty was new business proposals. Cal is survived by his wife of 55 years Joyce; son Tim (Marie); daughter Mary (Mike Wakeman) Abel; granddaughter Kelsey; two sisters in Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 1 pm, March 15 at Hope Lutheran Church, 4456 42nd Avenue SW in West Seattle.

Eugenia Cook "Cookie" Duffy passed away peacefully at home Feb. 20.

She was born Nov. 12, 1920, to Clement Allen Cook and Fannie Wall Cook in Belle Fourche, S.D. Raised in Sedro Wooley, she graduated valedictorian of her class. After graduating from Cornish School of the Arts, she worked as a window dresser for Best Clothing Stores.

She met and was swept off her feet by Gilbert L. Duffy Jr. They were married on Valentine's Day, 1943, and were married for 53 wonderful years. Cookie and Gil enjoyed boating, classic car meets and traveling.

Born in Yakima on May 2, 1915, she was the daughter of Harry and Arta Barnard. She passed with grace and dignity at 90 years on March 8, 2006.

Helen is survived by three siblings: brothers Jimmy and Harland and sister Marie. She married Kenneth L. Binkley on Dec. 22, 1945. All four of their daughters were born while Ken attended Washington State University.

After receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, the family moved to the Burien area. After all the girls reached school age, Helen worked at various sales jobs.

July 19, 1945 to March 3, 2006

Jon passed away following a brief illness from complications of diabetes. He was preceded in death by his father Charles, and is survived by his mother Ruth Nelson and brother Allan, both of Burien, as well as numerous cousins and their offspring.

Jon attended the old Lake Burien School for one year and was in the first class of the new Gregory Heights Elementary. He graduated from Highline High School in 1963. His first jobs, while still in high school, were with the Hi Line Tin Shop and then with C&C Paint Co.

At age 79, Bill died peacefully in his sleep of heart failure at his home on Monday, March 6, 2006. 

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Bill is survived by his wife Geraldine "Gerri"; daughters Linda Oviatt and Janis Thor and her husband Roger; granddaughters Toni Candiello and Tammy Hand and her husband Glen; sister Bea Nutting; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was a career employee and retiree of the Boeing Company.

No services will be held. Remembrances should be sent to Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle.

Sunrise: September 25, 1925

Sunset: February 22, 2006

Jennie was born in Sansego, Italy, She came to West Seattle at the age of four, where she resided all of her life, She attended Holy Rosary Catholic School. Beloved wife of Dominic for almost 60 Years. Loving mother of Janice Caso, Jimmy (Janet), and Mitch (Prescilla). A caring grandmother and great grandmother to Dominic (Kerma), Jimmy (Kelli), Gina, Krista (Collin), Jeff, Devan, Ryan, Tori, Taylor, Jacob and Jimmy. Jennie is also survived by her sister, Nellie and her husband Jim Atwell of Sunnyvale CA.

Dale Eldon Widner Sr., age 71 of Ronald, WA, died February 23, 2006 at the VA Hospital in Seattle. He was a former resident of West Seattle.

Dale was born March 25, 1934 in Seattle to Floyd and Gudrun (Gunderson) Widner. Dale grew up in the Seattle/Tacoma area and in Portland, OR. He graduated from Washington High School in Portland in 1952. Dale was an active minister of Jehovah's Witnesses for nearly 50 years.

Dale was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother.

James William Chidgey, our father, grandfather and friend left this life on December 25, 2005. He will be remembered by his family as a father who loved us deeply throughout all our lives.

Jim was born on June 24, 1927 in Clark Mills, New York. He and his family moved to Seattle in October 1942. He graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1947 after spending two years in the Navy during WWII.

Martha Jean ("Marty") Van Buskirk passed away quietly at the age of 82 on February 22, 2006 in Portland, Oregon after complications from a hip fracture and surgery. Marty was born in Seattle on October 11, 1923, grew up in her beloved West Seattle neighborhood, joined the Navy after graduation from High School in 1942, and married the love of her life, "Van" in 1946. Marty loved people, fashion, and travel!! For sixteen years Mary was a salesperson in the former Frederick & Nelson Silver Department in downtown Seattle.