Obituaries - B Surnames
Benton & Franklin Counties
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Dixie M. Bass (1948-2019) -
Dixie was born April 5, 1948 in Pasco, WA to Hamilton Warren Cloud and June Marie Klink. She grew up in Pasco. She met the love of her life, Terry K Bass when she was in 8th grade. They dated until 1963 when Terry went to Vietnam. When he got out of the Air Force, they married March 7, 1967. They lived in many small towns around the area including Othello, Dusty, La Crosse, Pomeroy, Mesa, Eltopia and Kennewick before permanently moving back to Pasco.
Dixie attended Pasco Schools, graduating in 1966. During Dixie’s life she had many jobs including roller skating car hop at the Triple X Drive-in, roller skating waitress at the Mesa Café, Pasco School District kitchen staff then took a break until Buttrey-Osco opened where she worked until Food Pavilion took over and continued until that store finally closed. Then she went to the Pasco School District where she worked as an aide on the buses. She loved her special kids and all her co-workers. She worked for many years suffering from many auto-immune disorders including Lupus, Sjogerns and Raynards but never had “pity parties.” She retired and enjoyed her time with her close friends including Bernie Maloy and Sydnie Mason and their many adventures to Wild Horse, Legends and Northern Quest. Finally, she succumbed from a rapid Cancer.
She is survived by: her husband, Terry Bass; son Ricky (Evelyn) daughter Ronda; and grandchildren: Nick, Grace, Stewart, Madeline and Samantha. Brothers, Archie (Debbie), & John, sister Laura (M Joe Schmidt), sister-in-law Agnes Reithmayr, numerous nephews and nieces. Also loved by her pups: Charlie & Daisy Mae.
She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Francis & Cledia Bass, brother-in-law: Larry Bass sister-in-law: Kitty Cloud. There will be no services. Memorials may be made to Tri-Cities Animal Shelter, 1312 S 18th Ave, Pasco, WA 99352 or the charity of your choice.
Information kindly provided by Laura Schmidt.
Billy Gene Bruce - See full obituary and consecutive articles at Billy Gene Bruce.
Frank George Bresko, 93, Pasco, died Sunday in Pasco. He was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, and lived
in the Tri-Cities 74 years. He was a retired railroad ticket clerk. Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel is in charge
of arrangements.
Tri-City Herald, 5 January 1993, Page A9
Waldemar "Walt" A. Benson, age 85, died Nov. 9, 1993, at Hillcrest Convalescent
Center. He was born Juy 15, 1908, in Fergus Falls, Minn. He had lived in Pasco since 1944 and was a retired fire chief
for Franklin County District 4. He was co-owner of the Spic & Span Cleaners, owner of Walt's Rug Cleaners, and
a member of the First Baptist Church. Walt is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marie, of Pasco; daughter,
Betty J. Hatcher, of Richland; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mabel Caliebe, of
Greenwood, Wis. He was preceded in death by six brothers and six sisters. The funeral service will be held at
1:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, 1993, at Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Kennewick.
Friends may call between the hours of noon and 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions
may be made to The Neurological Center, Alzheimer's Support Group, P.O. Box 1238, Richland, Wash., 99352.
Tri-City Herald, 11 November 1993, Page A10
Anne Marie Bennett, 19 months, of 700 N Louisiana Place, Kennewick, died Thursday at
her home from congenital heart problems. She was born in Pasco and was a member of Catholic Church. Survivors include
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Bennett; sister, Tricia Bennett; grandparents, Loretta Levno, Kennewick, Carl and Shirley Bennett,
Richland; great-grandparents, Maryetta Liggett, Kennewick, Mildred and Dale Soapes, Spokane, Jack and Dorothy Bennett, Fresno,
Calif. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in St Joseph's Catholic Church. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m.
in Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home until 8 p.m. today and until service time
Saturday.
Tri-City Herald, 29 February 1980
Lillie L. Berger, 90, Kennewick, died Saturday at her home. She was born in Harrison, W. Va.,
and lived in the Tri-Cites since 1980. Meuller's Chapel of the Falls is in charge of arrangements. Lillie L. Berger, 90, died
Saturday, May 30, 1987 at her home in Kennewick. She died of infirmities of old age. She was born in Harrison, W. Va., and her
occupation was homemaker. She moved to Lewiston, Id., in 1918 with her parents and moved to Kennewick in 1980 to be closer to her
son. Survivors include one son, Don Berger of Pasco; one granddaughter, Janet Goucher, Vancouver, Wash., and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, in 1932, and by a sister, Mary Offutt. Services will be held Thursday, June 4,
at 11:30 a.m. Private graveside services will be held at Lewiston City Cemtery, Lewiston, Id.
A picture accompanies this obituary.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 3 June 1987, Page C9
Robert E. Brown, age 71, died Monday, February 29, at his home in Richland.
He was born December 13, 1918 in Townsend, Montana and spent most of his youth in Snohomish, Washington. He
attended St. Martina College in Olympia, then graduated from the University of Washington in 1939 with a
degree in Chemical Engineering. During World War II he served as a lieutenant in the Navy and was stationed
in Alaska. He and his wife, Virginia, had been residents of Richland since 1955 where they raised their family.
'Bob' Brown worked for 35 years as a Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance agent. He received many accolades
during his career including recognition as a Chartered Life Underwriter, a lifetime member of the Million
Dollar Round Table, an active member and former president of the Tri-Cities Association of Life Underwriter,
through which he received the National Quality Award and as a member of the Tri-Cities Estate Planning Counsel.
He also was past president and life member of the Kiwanas Club. He was a devout Catholic and is best remembered
for his humor, quiet charity, and relentless energy. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Virginia, seven
children, Michael H. Brown, Seattle, Jeffrey E. Brown, Tacoma, Janet M. Dudra, Renton, Richard J. Brown, Puyallap,
Kathryn A. Breanshan, Richland, Constance D. Haines, West Germany and Charles T. Brown, Alaska, and nine grandchildren.
Catholic Mass will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday, March 3 at the Holy Spirit Parish in Kennewick. Burial will be at
Sunset Memorial Gardens at 9:00 am on Friday, March 4. Visitations may be made Wednesday from 8:00 am until 8:00
pm and Thursday from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm at Einan's Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Hospice Program c/o Tri-City Chapliancy, 7514 W Yellowstone, Kennewick, WA 99336 or to the American Cancer Society,
PO Box 7046, Kennewick, WA 99336.
A photo accompanies this obituary.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 2 March 1988, Page C9
Robert Emmett Brown, 71, Richland, died Monday at his home. He was born
in Helena, Mont., and lived in the Tri-Cities for 34 years. He was a retired special agent for Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company. Einan's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 2 March 1988, Page C9
Thomas R. Baxter, 84, of Benton City, died Monday at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice
House. He was born in Nampa, Idaho, and lived 14 years in Benton City. He was a retired government worker.
Columbia Memorial Chapel, Pasco, is in charge of arrangements.
Tri-City Herald, Friday, 7 January 2005, Page B5
James Madison Brown, Sr, 80, of Kennewick, died Tuesday, February 16, at
Kadlec Medical Center. He was born October 16, 1907, in New York, New York. James owned and operated as an
consulting engineer. He came to Kennewick after the death of his wife, Jeannette Elizabeth Brown, in 1984.
He was a member of the Parish of Holy Spirit church in Kennewick. He is survived by one daughter, Jean Witt
of Kennewick; two sons, Jim Brown Jr and Richard Brown, both of Freeport, New York; four grandchildren, Ray
Witt, Laura Schmidt and Chris Witt, all of Kennewick and James Madison Brown III of New York; one great-granddaughter,
Megan Schmidt; one sister, Muriel Newell, San Francisco, California, and one brother, William Paul Brown of Albany, New York.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 18, 1988, 6 p.m. at the Parish of Holy Spirit Catholic
Church with graveside services to be held Friday, February 19, 1988, 9 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Barbara Linn, PO Box 277, Richland, WA, 99352.
Visitors may call at Einan’s Funeral Home from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, February 18.
Tri-City Herald, Thursday, 18 February 1988, Page A10
Bernice Baker, of 542 C Avenida Seville, Laguna Hills, Calif., died March
22 in Laguna Hills following a lengthy illness. She had lived in Richland from 1943 until 1965. She worked
for General Electric. Survivors include her husband, Evan. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in McCormick
Mortuary, Laguna Hills, with burial to follow in El Toro
Memorial Cemetery.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 25 March 1987, Page C6
Leonard W Bailie, 90, Connell, died Monday at his home. He was born in Terry
County, Mo., and moved to Lind with his family in 1903. In 1905 they homesteaded at the present site of the Bailie
Youth Ranch. He was a farmer and veteran of World War I. He married Nell Meiser in Pasco in 1938. Survivors
include his wife, Nell; son Roger, Connell; brother Loen, Basin City; and three grandchildren. Memorial services
will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Connell Church of the Nazarene under the direction of Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 25 March 1987, Page C6
Henry J Bailie, 95, of 431 Bull Lane, Roseburg, Ore., died Monday in Myrtle Creek,
Oregon Hospital. He was born in Jennins, Mo., and was a longtime Connell resident. Survivors include granddaughters
Coral Gadway, Roseburg, Ore., Cynthia McKassome, Malibu Beach, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Margaret,
died in 1983 and sons William and Wilbur preceded him in death. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the
Connell Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Connell Church of the Nazarene under the direction
of Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 25 March 1987, Page C6
Paul F Betker, 72, Kennewick, died Monday in Kadlec Medical Center. He was
born in Benton County, Minn., and moved to the Tri-Cities in 1945. He married Corinna Blair in Pasco in 1949.
He was a carpenter in construction and had worked for Modern Homebuilders and then Garrison Construction. He
was a member of Carpenters Local No. 1849, St Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Parish of the Holy Spirit. He
was a veteran of World War II who served in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Survivors include his wife,
Corinna; daughters Sharon Colley, Gig Harbor, and Laurie Stone, Kennewick; son Dwight, Pasco; sister Irene
Litchy, Avon, Minn.; stepbrother Ed Zyulla, St Cloud, Minn., and four grandchildren. One grandson preceded
him in death. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls. Mass will be at noon Friday
in the Parish of the Holy Spirit. Burial will follow in Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at the
funeral home Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the
Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, N 820 Summit Blvd., Spokane, 99201.
Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 25 March 1987, Page C6
Catherine Mary Blumer, 53, of ? E 45th Ave., Kennewick, died Tuesday at her
home. She was born in Big Sandy, Mont., and had lived in the Tri-Cities 23 years. Survivors include husband
Eldon; sons Terry Blumer, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Randy, Tim and Robin Blumer, all of Kennewick; sisters Joyce
Rodriquez, Chicago, Laurel Petersen, Kodak, Alaska, brothers Douglas Arndt, Portland; Charles Arndt, Thousand
Oaks, Calif.; Gary Arndt, San Diego; and four grandchildren. Private services will be conducted by Mueller’s
Chapel of the Falls.
Tri-City Herald, Thursday, 17 November 1983, Page C5
Laura M Butler, 61, of 312 Armistead Ave., Richland, died Thursday in
Kadlec Hospital. She was born in Fairfield, Ill., and had lived in the Tri-Cities for 29 years. She was a
housekeeper at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; a member of the Richland Lutheran Church, Rebecca Lodge 319,
Golden Age and Senior Citizens Club. Survivors include son William, Sumner; daughter Susie Housley, Richland;
sister Rosa Mason, Albian, Ill., and four grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Einan’s Funeral
Home with the Rev Palmer Gedde officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call at the funeral home until 8 p.m. today.
Tri-City Herald, Friday, 7 August 1972, Page 18
Victor E Bailey, age 59, died Aug. 27, 1990, in Lewiston, Idaho. He was born
June 23, 1931, in Garden City, Kansas. He married Ann Scheihing on Feb 14, 1953, at Florence, Colorado. They
raised and trained horses for many years. He was in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1952. He moved to California
for a period of time and lived in Yakima, Moses Lake, TriCities, WA., and Hermiston, Ore., where he was involved
in the office machinery industry business. He and his wife went into the motel management business in Wenatchee and
Kennewick, WA. Victor’s health forced him to retire and they moved to Moscow, Idaho, in May 1990.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Bailey, of Moscow, ID.; 4 sons, Michael E of Wenatchee, WA., David N of Yakima,
WA., Thomas C of McMinnville, OR., and Donald W of Cubic Bay, Philippines; brother Claude Bailey of Sacramento, CA.;
2 sisters, Christine Biassulo of Vacaville, CA., and Deana Donahue of Denver, CO.; and 10 grandchildren. Graveside
services will be held in the Moscow City Cemetery Aug. 31, 1990, at 2:00 p.m., Cards and memorials may be sent to
Ann Bailey, PO Box 9511, Moscow, ID 83843.
Tri-City Herald, 29 August 1990, Page A9
Kenneth C Burkhart, was born Dec 26 1910 to Ralph and Myrtle (Wells) Burkhart.
Kenneth grew up and received his education in Washtucna. Having lived in Prosser he moved to Lacrosse, Wa in 1940,
and moved to Ritzville in 1942. Returning to Prosser in 1945, Mr Burkhart maintained a tractor repair shop for
several years and then began farming on Horse Heaven. Kenneth C Burkhart passed away Dec 20, 1992 at Kadlec Medical
Center at the age of 81 years. Survivors include 1 daughter, Susan Cox of Holy Oke, Co.; 1 son, Keith Burkhart of
Prosser, WA; 3 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter, 1 brother, Ray Burkhart of Yakima, WA.
Preceded in death by his wife, Amy Burkhart in 1983 and an infant son,, Allan Burkhart. Funeral Services will be held
Tuesday, Dec 22, 1992 at 1 p.m. at the Meyer Funeral Home, Prosser Interment will be at the Prosser cemetery. Friends
may call Tuesday, Dec 22, 1992 at 9 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be made to the Horse Heavens Community
club and may be left in care of Meyer Funeral Home.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Meyer Funeral Home, Prosser.
Tri-City Herald, 22 December 1992, Page A11
Jessie M Bateman, 87, a longtime resident of Kennewick, died Saturday,
December 11, 2004, at the Life Care Center of Kennewick. She was born September 22, 1917, in Maple Creek,
Saskatchewan, Canada, to George W Kirk and Ella Anna Strand. Her family came to the United States in 1927,
where they lived in Seattle, Weston, Oregon, and Yakima, and later moved to Kennewick. Jessie graduated from
Kennewick High School in 1936, and was always known to be a gracious and kind individual. She married Robert V
Kinney (died 1961) and Charles W Bateman (died 1989). She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and
Rebekah Lodge. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Daniel (Bud) and George W (Billy) Kirk,
and sister Vera (Babe) Chase, Jessie is survived by her sister Maxine Long of Yakima; nephews Bob Martin of
Seattle, Gene Mace of Kennewick, and Allen Waits of Yakima; and niece Darlene Mason Wade of Spokane. Funeral
services will be held at the Kennewick First United Methodist Church, 421 W Kennewick Ave. Wednesday December
15 at 2 pm A dinner will be provided for family and friends following the services. Interment will be at Desert
Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
Tri-City Herald, 15 December 2004, Page A13
Beulah B Bates, 61, of Benton City, died Tuesday at her son’s home in Kennewick.
She was born in Barb Orchard, Neb and lived in the TriCities since 1947. She married Laurie V Bates Sr in 1941
in Rock Port, Mo. She enjoyed China painting. Survivors include her husband, Laurie; sons Laurie Jr, Kennewick
and Roger, Benton City; daughter Judith Neylon, Longview; brothers Delvin Lunsford, Wichita Falls, Texas, Dick
Lunsford, Brownsville, Ore, Reaford Lunsford, Benton City, Ira Lunsford, Turner, Ore, Leland and Raymond Lunsford,
both of Boring, Ore, Ed Lunsford, Talent, Ore; sisters Vanora Smith, California and Valetha Johnson, Wasco, Ore,
and seven grandchildren. Services will be at 1 pm Saturday in Einan’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunset
Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 8 am until noon.
Tri-City Herald, 25 December 1986, Page C5
Roy C Blakeley, 79, of Burbank, died Wednesday in Hillcrest Nursing Home, Pasco.
He was born in Lemoore, Calif. He trained and raced horses in the Yakima Valley for many years. He
lived in the Toppenish and Yakima area from 1961 until he moved to Burbank 10 years ago. Survivors include sons Roy,
Portland, James, Burbank; daughters Margaret, California, Betty Jean Ball, Boardman, Ore, Dixie Ellen Schaefer,
Stanfield, Ore; brother Ray, Redmond, Ore; sisters Dorothy Steines and Ada Henry, both of California; seven grandchildren
and nine great grandchildren. Mueller’s Chapel of the falls made arrangements.
Tri-City Herald, 25 December 1986, Page C5
Maria Frances Billingsley, 85, of 614 S Alder St., Kennewick, died Monday at home.
She was born in Liberty Township, White County, Ind, and lived in Kennewick since 1928 and in Washington
since 1909. She married Walter Billingsley in 1922 in Colfax. She was a retired licensed practical
nurse and past president of Women’s Auxiliary American Legion Post No 33 of Kennewick. Survivors include
daughters Mildred Skinnell, Pasco, Donna Fisher, New Carlisle, Ohio; son James, Kennewick; sister Emma Ray,
Richland; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Services will
be at 9 am Saturday in Muellers Chapel of the Falls. Burial will follow in Riverview Heights Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 3 to 8 pm.
Tri-City Herald, 25 December 1986, Page C5
