Hillcrest Cemetery Obituaries

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Fred Ramey, a well known young farmer of near Mohler, died at the hospital in Spokane Wednesday of appendicitis, and was buried in the Harrington Cemetery yesterday afternoon under the auspices of Court Harrington No 85, F of A, of which lodge in life he was a member. The deceased was only 21 years old, and had been sick but a short time, the news of his death coming as a shock to his many friends. He was taken to the hospital last Friday. An operation was performed shortly after his arrival there, but was too late to save his life, death coming as a relief from his sufferings. (Citizen-8 Sept 1905)

Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Ray of Ritzville were held Wednesday, Jan 14 in Ritzville. Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington. Mrs. Ray was born Feb 13, 1903 at Downs, WA and had lived in this area all her life. She operated the Ralston store for 35 years until ill health forced her retirement two years ago. She was a graduate of Harrington HS. She attended Eastern WA State College and Western WA State College and taught school. She is survived by 3 sons, Gene L., Charles F. and Gerald; and one brother. Dav. Times-22 Jan 1970)

The body of John Reed, who died in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane Sunday morning, was brought to Harrington Sunday evening. Interment was made in the Harrington Cemetery Monday afternoon after funeral services at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev I S Leonard. A large number of friends and relatives were present at the funeral, among them being the father, who resides at Addy, WA; a brother, Frank Reed, who resides in Stevens Co; Mr. & Mrs. Dick Markwick, who reside in Colville; Fred Rehm, of Spokane; Mr. & Mrs. Lee Long of Lord’s Valley. Mr. Reed had been suffering since Christmas with pleurisy, caused, it was thought, by an old hurt received from a horse kick. He was a brother of Mrs. J. J. Cormana and Mrs. Ella Rehms of this city. (Citizen-19 Apr 1907)

Life slipped quietly away from Mrs. Emma Reker early Monday (Apr 3, 1944) at her home here. Emma Obrock was born Apr 14, 1872 at Bentan, Carver Co, MN. She moved with her parents to Cleveland, OH in 1882. Oct 21, 1897 she married Henry Reker, who preceded her in death in Oct 1942. The Reker family moved to this district in 1907 and farmed west of town. In 1917 they moved into town. Surviving Mrs. Reker are 3 daughters, Mrs. Boyd Fink (Hilda), Mrs. Paul Walters (Edna) and Mrs. Sam Levy (Florence); 2 sons, Walter and Raymond. Two children died in infancy. (Citizen-7 April 1944)

John Henry Reker passed away Monday following a stroke several weeks ago. Born in Hanover, Germany, he came to the US in 1883, with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Christian Reker. They settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where 12 year old Henry received his education… On Oct 21, 1897 he was married and in 1907, with his wife and two small daughters, he came west to WA, buying the farm 9 miles southwest of Harrington. In 1917 he purchased the Graff residence in town. All of the five Reker children graduated from Harrington high school. Mr. Reker loved his adopted country and in his words, “The first thing I did when I became 21 was to take out my citizenship papers.” Funeral services were held Wednesday from the Evangelical church. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery. Mr. Reker is survived by his wife, Ema, and Ray, at the home; 3 daughters, Mrs. Boyde Fink (Hilda), Tekoa; Mrs. Paul Walters (Edna), Berkley, CA; Mrs. Sam Levy (Florence), Douglas, AZ; and another son, Walter, of Spokane; one grandchild, Betty Fink; one brother and one sister of Cleveland, Fred Reker and Mrs. Mary Melber; and a nephew at Reardan, Elmer Reker. Two children of the Rekers died in infancy. (Citizen-16 Oct 1942)

Raymond H. Reker—Passed away March 3, 1980 in Spokane. His home Walla Walla; formerly a longtime resident of Harrington, WA. Survived by one brother, Walter Reker of Ephrata; one sister, Mrs. Sam Levy (Florence). Memorial services March 7 at the Oddfellows Home, Walla Walla. Cremation. (Spokesman-Review)

Albert Cecil Richardson, pioneer of the Lamona district, passed away at his home Dec 1, 1932. He was born in TN, Aug 20, 1875. As a boy he moved with his parents to KS. Later they followed the frontier to Indian Territory where he spent his youth. In 1901 he came West, locating at Lamona, WA. Here he engaged in farming, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was married to Miss Emma Kunz of Lamona in 1905. In failing health the past two years, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Surviving him are his widow, one daughter, Lenora; 3 sons, Elroy, Marion and Weldon; his father, Mr. A. M. Richardson of Long Beach, CA; 4 sisters, Mrs. Frank Johnson, Mrs. Hannah Gentry, Mrs. Phil Baxter and Mrs. Lucy Hilton. Burial was in Hillcrest. (Citizen-9 Dec 1932)

E. L. “Pete” Richardson—Passed away Feb 8, 1992 at his home in Spokane. He is survived by his wife, Mirlinda; 2 daughters, Linda Beshore and Beverly Witt; one brother, W. M. (Bill) Richardson; one sister, Lenora Ring. Preceded in death by one brother, Sam Richardson in 1987. Graveside services at Hillcrest Cemetery. (Spokesman Review)

Funeral services for Emma A Richardson of Odessa were held Monday (Aug 18) in Odessa. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Lenora Ring; 3 sons, E L Richardson, M E Richardson and w M Richardson. (Dav. Times-21 Aug, 1969) (Edit: She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert C Richardson in Dec 1932.)

Helyn E. Richardson, 77, of Harrington died Feb 3, 1990 in a Spokane hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Richardson was born Sept 24, 1912 in Harrington, a daughter of Ann and Hal Turner. After graduation from high school she worked in her father’s insurance business in Harrington until her marriage to Buster Talkington in 1936. The couple had 3 children. Following the death of Mr. Talkington in 1960, she married Sam Richardson of Odessa in 1963. Mr. Richardson died in 1987. She then returned to Harrington. Survivors include two sons, Gene and Steve Talkington; one daughter, Marilyn Schmaljohn; a step-son, Jim Richardson; a step-daughter, Nancy Hoffman; one brother, Harold Turner. Strate’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (Dav. Times) (Edit: The Spokesman Review version adds: Cremation to follow, with inurnment in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington at a later date.)

Marion E. (Sam) Richardson—Passed away July 7, 1987 at his home, Odessa, WA. Survived by his wife, Helen; one son, James Richardson; one daughter, Nancy Jo Hoffman; two brothers, E. L. (Pete) and W. M. (Bill) Richardson; one sister, Lenora Ring; 3 step-children, Gene Talkington, Steve Talkington, and Marilyn Schmaljon. Interment Hillcrest Cemetery. (Spokesman Review) "Marion Elsworth (Sam) Richardson of Odessa, born in Lamona Dec 5, 1914 to Albert and Emma Richardson, passed away July 6. He attended school in Lamona and graduated from Odessa High School in 1931. While farming the family ranch at Lamona during the 1930s, he also held a number of other jobs, and maintained the ranch work until his retirement in 1977. In 1939 he married Virginia Carstens, and to that union were born two children. After he was widowed in 1961, Mr. Richardson was married in August, 1963 to Helen Turner Talkington, and when he retired, the couple moved to Spokane for a time, then returned home to Odessa in 1983. A lifelong member of the English Congregational church, he was baptized there in 1933. He served on the church governing boards, on the Odessa town council, and as a director of Odessa Union. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge an of the Shriners. In addition to farming, Mr. Richardson worked for the State Highway Department and ran several businesses, including a lumber yard in the present post office building. Survivors include his wife Helyn, at the family home; a son, James Richardson of Harrington; a daughter, Nancy Hoffman of Ritzville; two brothers, Pete Richardson of Spokane and Bill Richardson of Odessa; a sister, Lenora Ring of Spokane; three grandchildren and a great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service was held July 9 at the English Congregational Church, Pastor Robert Shofner officiating. Concluding service and vault interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Harrington, Strate Funeral Home was in charge. Casket bearers were E. W. Oestrich, Art Winter, Henry Michaelsen Jr., Paul Schafer, Gale Salo and Greg Young." (Odessa Record: 7-16-1987)

Richardson, Mirlinda M 2006

"Graveside service for Mirlinda M Richardson, 94, a long time area resident, will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov 30, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington, WA. Memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Spokane. Mirlinda died Tuesday, Nov 14, at the Blue Hill Care Center in Blue Hill, Nebraska. Mirlinda M Richardson was born to Rev John and Bertha Gihring on Nov 9, 1912 at Krupp (now Marlin), WA. The family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1918. In 1927 her father was called to Rockford, WA where he was pastor of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. In 1930 Mirlinda graduated from Rockford High School and for the next three years attended Cheney Normal (now EWU) in Cheney, WA. She taught school at Mohler, WA for two years and on Sept 1, 1935 married Elroy L (Pete) Richardson. In 1942 the family moved to Spokane, WA, where Pete was employed in various defense projects. For several years after the war, Pete owned and operated Richardson’s Plumbing on North Monroe and Mirlinda helped out by doing the bookkeeping and manning the shop. In 1955 she went to work in the plumbing department of Marshall Wells transferring to Jensen Byrd Co when they purchased Marshall Wells. She retired from there in 1974. Mirlinda was a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church since 1957 and was the church organist and a member of the LWML Joy Circle for a number of years. She also was a member of the Tawanka alumnae group. In August 2006, Mirlinda moved to Nebraska to be closer to her daughters. Mirlinda is survived by two daughters: Linda Beshore and her husband, Robert (Arvada, CO) and Beverly Witt and her husband, James (Blue Hill, NE); 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Feb 8, 1992), four brothers and one great grandson." (Spokesman)

Virginia Carstens was born Nov 30, 1919 at Spokane, the daughter of James A. Carstens. The family moved to the Lamona district in the late 20’s. On Sept 17, 1939 she was married to M. E. (Sam) Richardson. Survivors include her husband, James, a daughter, Nancy Jo, at home; a son, James of Cheney; parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Carstens, and brother Robert. Burial was in Hillcrest. (Citizen-8 June 1961)

“Funeral services were held from the English Congregational church on Saturday afternoon for Virginia Richardson, 43, who died last Wednesday after a prolonged illness. The Rev John A Birchard officiated. Burial was in the Harrington Cemetery with Strate Funeral Home in charge. Pall bearers were close neighbors and family friends, including Lloyd Stannard of Davenport; Ed Salo, Ray Schorzman, Henry Michaelsen Jr, Harold Hoefel and Ab Davies. Milton Sackmann of Ritzville was the soloist, accompanied by Mrs Orville Moeller. Virginia Carstens was born Nov 30, 1919, at Spokane, the daughter of Mr and Mrs J A Carstens. The family moved to the Lamona district in the late 20’s, where Virginia attended the Lamona and Odessa schools, graduating from high school here and then attending EWCE at Cheney. On Sept 17, 1939, she married M E Richardson, also of the Lamona area. They operated the Richardson farm there and made their home in town, where she was an active community worker. In addition to memberships in various social clubs, she held membership in the English Congregational church and was a past matron of the Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, M E (Sam) Richardson, a daughter, Nancy Jo, both at the home; a son, James, Cheney; her parents, Mr and Mrs J A Carstens, a brother, Robert Carstens, all of Harrington.” (Odessa Record: 1961 scrapbook item)

Death claims second child. Little Violet Ricketts, second child of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ricketts, who has been very ill with scarlet fever, died this morning. This is the second child to succumb within the past two weeks. Mr. Ricketts and his wife both were down with the same malady, but are able to be up a little at this writing. (Harr. Cit. 8-23-1918) (Purchase of the lot in Harrington Cemetery by Henry Ricketts occurred on 8-13-18; the family plot has two early unmarked graves, one is Violet and the other is Wyatt.)

Wyatt Ricketts, the three year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ricketts, died Tuesday (Aug 13, 1918) of scarlet fever after a brief illness. Mr. Ricketts and family had been visiting in Marcus, WA, when scarlet fever broke out in the town and they hastened to come home. It was too late and both of their children took the disease which resulted fatally for the boy. The other child is in critical condition. Mrs. Ricketts is also ill with the scarlet fever. The funeral of the child that died was held privately and burial occurred in the Harrington cemetery. (Citizen-16 Aug 1918)

Bessie B. Robertson—Passed away Nov 7, 1997 in Davenport, WA, her home, Harrington. She is survived by two sons, Donald and Leonard; one daughter, Darlene Robertson. Member of Harrington Nazarene Church. Interment Hillcrest Cemetery. (Spokesman Review)

Lester Robertson was tragically killed in a freak accident Dec 15, 1964. He was employed on the farm by Duane Timm. He was backing the tractor into the corner of the implement shed, and got too close to the harvester; he was crushed and death came very soon. Lester was born Aug 11, 1902, to Mr. & Mrs. Ezra Robertson (Mary Grant) at Forbes, MO. There were 14 children. Lester came to Harrington in 1930 and was employed by the Timm Bros. April 27, 1937 Robertson and Bessie Ray were married. Interment was in Hillcrest. Surviving Lester are his widow; children, Donald, Leonard and Darlene; 5 brothers and 6 sisters. (Dav. Times-31 Dec 1964)

Pete Wikoff Rose passed away at the Lacey home north of Davenport Tuesday and funeral services were held Wednesdy under the direction of Gunderson Funeral Home. Interment was in Hillcrest. Born Oct 25, 1861 at Salt Lake City, UT, he later went to Walla Walla and came here in 1911 where he worked on many farms. He has no known relatives. He was a member of the Odd fellows order about 25 years. (Citizen-19 Dec 1941)

Funeral services were held Tuesday from the Community church for Mrs. Mary Ross, sister of Mrs. Hattie Ewing of the Rocklyn area. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery on Feb 9, 1954. Mrs. Ross and her husband were pioneers in southern Alberta, Canada, later returning to the US. Mrs. Ross, who was 85, is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ewing and Mrs. Kate Collins; and one brother, Henry Stransky, in MN. She had been in very poor health for many years. Mrs. Ewing went East to care for her several years ago, then brought her to her own home. (Citizen-12 Feb 1954) "Mary T. Ross. Died: 2-05-1954 at Harrington. Father: Anton Stransky. Widowed. Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery." (Lincoln Co Health death card)

“In memory of James Louis Roth. Born Nov 22, 1949 in Spokane. Passed away Sept 13, 1970, Mt Adams Ranger Station, Trout Lake, WA; Funeral United Methodist Church, Harrington, Wa; Interment Hillcrest Cemetery.” (Funeral Bulletin)

John Roth, Jr..—Entered into rest on Oct 20, 1997 in Spokane after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie; one son, Stanley Roth; one brother, Bill Roth; and three sisters, Lydia Loeffelbein, Ruth Pitner, and Josephine Roth. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Pauline Riehle. He was a 1936 graduate of Harrington HS and 1940 graduate of Whitworth College. He worked for the Wash. State Employment Security Dept. for 25 years, and he farmed for 8 years. Concluding services will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery. (Spokesman Review)

Passed away April 8, 1979 in Spokane. Formerly of Harrington. Survived by his wife, Louise Roth, Spokane; two sons, John Roth Jr. and William G Roth; 4 daughters, Lydia Loeffelbein, Pauline Riehle, Ruth Pitner and Josephine Koch; one brother, Adam Roth; two sisters, Katherine Trautman and Christine Richter. Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery. (Spokesman Review- April 1979)

Mrs. John Roth, Sr., 97, passed away Dec 12, 1986 in Spokane. Born Louisa Mueller (Miller) Dec 8, 1889, in McIntosh Co, ND. She arrived with her parents in Grant Co, WA in 1903. She married John Roth on Dec 6, 1908. They farmed in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties until 1942 when they moved to Harrington. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979 and by a daughter, Pauline Riehle in 1984. Survivors include 3 daughters, Lydia Loeffelbein, Ruth Pitner, and Josephine Koch; two sons, John Roth, Jr., and William Roth; 3 sisters, Lydia Roth, Eva Glover and Clara Jingling; 3 brothers, Henry Miller, John Miller and Abe Miller. (Davenport Times-Dec 1986)

(St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church death ledger: Martha Runyan, wife of Isaac, resident of Harrington, died on Nov 4, 1922 at the age of 69 years. Cause of death is listed as cancer. She was born in Tennessee and buried in Harrington Roman Catholic cemetery. Harrington City Hall records show that Sarah Martha Runyan was buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Block 2 Lot 62 with I. L. Runyan, presumably Isaac. )

A fatal accident happened Monday afternoon when Ed Russell, in driving a six-horse mule team hitched to a wagon loaded with feed, fell from his seat and was crushed by the front wheel which ran over his body. The accident happened about 7 miles south of town. Russell was working for Tobe Lakin and had come in for a load of barley and was on his way home when the accident occurred. Shortly before the accident a similar occurrence happened and Bill Amundson went out and tried to get Russell to let him have the team as it was evident that he had been drinking. Russell refused, only to sacrifice his life a few moments later. He was taken to Hotel Fallert and a nurse put in charge, but he died that evening, without his ever having regained his senses. Deceased has lived in this district for a good many years and has worked for many of the established ranchers here. He is thought to have been about 60 years of age but was strong and capable at farm work and a good man with a team. He was once a sailor and was familiar with most of the world ports which he had visited while on shipboard. The trade-mark of his former “profession” was indelibly marked on his body in the form of elaborate and beautiful tatoo designs on his arms and chest. Little is known of his relatives. The men who have worked with him remember his having said something about a mother, sister and a brother. Marshall McKinnon sent a wire to Chelsey, Massachusetts to the police force in an effort to locate the relatives who are suppose to live there. (Citizen-22 Apr 1921) All efforts to find relatives of Ed Russell, who died here last week, having been ineffective, the body was buried in the Harrington Cemetery last Monday morning, the Rev E. C. Scott officiating. Through the efforts of Marshal Jim McKinnon a subscription list was passed around and $85 was collected which together with the $35 allowed by the county mad a total of $120 for burial expenses. N. Bordin contributed the digging of the grave. (Citizen-29 Apr 1921)

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