September 11, 2013 - The Relector - Page A13

David Richard

GrindleJanuary 12, 1978 ~ September 1, 2013

The sound of his voice, the smile

on his face, his big heart, and

willingness to help everyone will

greatly be missed.

David R. Grindle, 35, of Vancouver, WA, left us unexpectedly

from complications of liver failure. Dave enjoyed 4x4-ing,

camping, hunting, hanging with his friends and family. Dave

was a can do person, can't was not in his vocabulary, which

would sometimes get him into some pretty interesting

predicaments. Nothing was too hard or too big for Dave to try.

He would always say, " ‘You can't’ isn't an option. You just

don't want to try!”

Dave will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We

will be having a Celebration of Life for Dave at his mom's

house on Saturday, September 14th from 2-6 p.m. for family

and friends. The family is asking that you bring your favorite

dish and favorite memories of Dave.

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Harold Peter “Pete”

PaladeniSeptember 22, 1915 ~ August 28, 2013

Pete Paladeni was born in Yacolt, WA, on September 22, 1915, to Ottavia (Mentessi) and Michele “Mike” Paladeni. He lived his entire life in Yacolt with the exception of the two years spent in Italy when his family returned there when he was �ve years old, and the time he spent serving in the Navy.

As a young man, Pete spent several years working for the Civilian Conservation Corp, mostly out of the Hemlock Camp. During WWII, he spent 2-1/2 years serving his country in the South Paci�c with the Navy Seabees.

On July 20, 1947, Pete married Margaret Heidegger. �ey raised their four children on the farm they bought from his parents in 1949. Pete worked for the Department of Natural Resources for 22 years, and a�er retirement, spent many happy years working on his tree farm, picking huckleberries and cutting �rewood. He was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church and enjoyed visiting with his many friends. His love, kindness and storytelling will be missed by all, especially by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were so dear to him.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Margaret of Yacolt, two sons, David and wife Mary of Battle Ground, WA, and Michael and wife Patsy of Marengo, WI, daughter Cecilia and husband Joe Erickson of Upper Michigan, son-in-law Mark Levanen and wife Dinah of Battle Ground, 21 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, sister Marjorie Paladeni of Vancouver, WA, and brother Bob with wife Pat of Washougal, WA.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kathleen Levanen in 1999 and siblings Mike, Joe, Flora, Cecilia and Quinn.

Services were held at the Lewisville Old Apostolic Lutheran Church on Monday, September 2, 2013. Remebrances can be given for the O.A.L.C. building fund.

Genevieve Marie White ByerlyGenevieve Byerly was born September 8, 1914, in Elbe, WA, and

passed away August 28, 2013, in Vancouver, WA. As a baby, she moved with her parents, Charles and Grace (Boling) White, and her older brother, Franklin, to Ridgefield, WA, where she lived most of her life. While attending and after graduating Ridgefield High School in 1932, Genevieve worked as one of the switchboard operators in town. On July 14, 1937, she married Lester Byerly in what was then the Ridgefield Methodist Church. She worked as a receptionist in Ft. Smith, AK, while her husband was stationed there in 1944. During his time in the European theater during WWII, Genevieve helped to run her family's restaurant in Amboy, WA. Upon her husband's return in 1946, they moved to the Seattle area where their only child, Pam, was born.

In 1949, the Byerly's returned to Ridgefield and ran Byerly's grocery and dry goods store until selling it in 1968. Her smile greeted every customer. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. Genevieve's hobbies included dancing, boating, golfing and gardening. She often spoke of the Ridgefield Dance Hall, Lotus Isle Peacock Ballroom and Portland's Crystal Ballroom she enjoyed in her "earlier days." During her illness this past winter when physical therapists asked what she liked to do just for fun, she always answered “Dancing!”

Gardening was the one hobby that continued through Genevieve's 97th year. The yard and garden she and Lester maintained between the Ridgefield schools on 5th Street from the late 40's until 1995 was a real showplace. Teachers from the grade school next door would take their classes to the Byerly's in order to show the students what a real palm tree looked like. In recent years neighbors kiddingly complained that Genevieve was coming into their yards to rake leaves. Genevieve's response was those leaves probably came from her trees and she was responsible for them! Younger generations were always amazed at her vitality and energy.

While Genevieve traveled through all 50 states and many foreign countries from Thailand to Russia with her husband after retirement, her real joy was in her family and friends and what she could do for others. She cared for her own parents for many years, as well as for her brother. She loved being a mother and grandma. Together she and her husband helped raise her nephew, Gary White, who eventually became the caregiver of his beloved wife. She also was an influence in her other nieces' and nephews' lives. Ultimately though, her husband, Lester, was the one who most benefited from her caring, giving, generous spirit. Genevieve rarely left his side. That is the picture most friends and family will remember. Lester and Genevieve together again.

Genevieve is survived by her daughter Pam and son-in-law Don Evans; grandson Matthew Byerly Michener; great grandson Logan Michener, and great-granddaughter Byerly A. Michener. Her husband, Lester, pre-deceased her in 2006.

Services were held at the Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church on September 10, 2013.

Viola Jane SlonikerVi, at 80 years old, passed away in Vancouver, WA,

on August 17, 2013. She was born January 5, 1933 and had resided in

Casa Grande, AZ, and Yacolt, WA.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Sloniker and

brother Al Roske. She is survived by three sisters; Helen L. of Colorado,

Evie I. of Minnesota and Edith H. of Wisconsin, and one brother, Glenn

R. of Nevada. Her surviving children are Kathy Howell of Concrete,

WA, Bruce Sloniker of Vancouver, WA, and Peter Sloniker of La Center,

WA. Vi also has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Vi was a loving mom, grandma and great-grandma, she loved family

get togethers and spending time with friends. She was a teacher at

Lewisville Middle School in Battle Ground for 15 years, retiring in 1993.

Vi probably did everything on her bucket list including travels to all

seven continents. She enjoyed traveling and had begun to take trips

back to the places she loved the most. She was a member of Highland

Lutheran Church and enjoyed their quilting group. The quilts are

given to homeless shelters or people in need. She loved her time in

Arizona, golfing and hiking with friends. Walking on the beach,

exercising and gardening were also some of her favorite activities.

Raymond John Henderson

Raymond John Henderson, 82 years, of Hockinson, passed away at the Ray Hickey Hospice House on August 31, 2013.

Ray was born on July 13, 1931, in Aitkin, MN. He served in the U.S Army for eight years. On Aug. 7, 1958, he married Dorothy Lassen of Aitkin and they moved to Vancouver, WA, in 1959.

A Teamster for many years, Ray drove truck until he retired from Lakeside Industries in 1984. Hunting, camping, working on old cars, and traveling were things Ray enjoyed. He liked sharing Scandinavian jokes and willingly lent a helping hand where needed.

Survivors include Ray’s children, Bret Henderson, Doreen Kolmodin (Todd), and Ray Henderson Jr. (Carrie), and his grandchildren, Christo-pher Sandmel, Marie Derrickson, Jamie Henderson, Jenna Henderson, and Joseph Henderson. He was preceded in death by Dorothy on Feb. 7, 2009. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Ray Hickey Hospice House at 2112 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. A celebration of life is being planned.

ANDEN SAYLER WELLSAnden Sayler Wells, infant

son of Vance and Verdalee Wells, was stillborn Tuesday, September 3, 2013 in Vancouver, WA.

He is survived by his parents and siblings Briel, Jory, Jonah, Ryland, Emberlee, Avelyn and Vera Wells at home in Battle Ground, grandparents Roger and Tina Wells of Brush Prairie and Marilyn Rotschy of Yacolt, several great-grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Anden was preceded in death by uncle Connor and aunt Alina Wells, and grandfather Pierre Rotschy.

A graveside service was held Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at Elim Cemetery in Brush Prairie, WA.

Stipe (Steve) KruzeSteve Kruze, a strong-willed,

tough-as-nails Croatian, loved

everyone and instructed others to do

the same. He was born Jan. 1, 1949 in

Srinjine in the district of Split, Croatia.

Steve served in the Croatian navy

special forces as a skin diver. He

traveled the world as a diesel

mechanic on large ships, before

coming to America in the 1970’s. His

occupations included working at Vancouver Portland Bus Co.,

Southwest Delivery and Yellow Freight System. He loved to

spend his free time �shing, hunting and being with family.

He died August 18, 2013, after being diagnosed with lung cancer

on July 27. He is survived by his partner and girlfriend of 14 years,

Maria Siladic, and his children Roko Kruze and Natasha Hirtzel.

Please join us in celebration of Steve's life on Saturday, Septem-

ber 21, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E.

Main St., Battle Ground, WA 98604.

Ridgefield High School senior perishes in single-car accident Devin Higgins staff reporter

The new school year in Ridgeield began on a tragic note after a single-car accident on the evening Wed., Sept. 4, resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tanner Trasko.

Trasko was riding as a pas-senger in a 1960 yellow Ford F25 pick-up truck driven by classmate Lucas Cory Wells. The two were traveling near the Ridgeield National Wildlife Refuge on N. Main St. at ap-proximately 7:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.

According to the Clark Coun-ty Sheriff’s Ofice (CCSO), Trosko was declared dead at the scene, while Wells was trans-ported to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries. At the time of publication, the exact cause of the accident had yet to be de-termined.

Wells’s father is the owner of TLC Towing of Ridgeield,

which has a contract with the CCSO, so the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has assumed the investigation. The VPD Public Information Oficer was unavailable for comment.

Ridgeield high school coun-selors met with teachers and students regarding the tragedy and further counseling options was also available for Trosko’s friends.

A memorial fund has been established in Trosko’s name at the downtown Ridgeield Ster-ling Savings Bank and dona-tions can be made at any Ster-ling Bank branch.

TANNER TRASKO

Noel and Nancy (Wiedmann) Johnson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a party hosted by their oldest daughter. They were married Sept. 1, 1953 in Portland.

Noel worked for Steins Bak-ery, then served in the US Army for three years. After Army service, Noel resumed his bak-ing career for 17 years. Noel decided to try for a position in Bakers Union Local 114. He was elected and served as Busi-ness Agent for 10 years, then as Chief Executive Oficer for 10 years.

The Johnsons moved to Woodland in 1990 to live in their newly-built home on the Lewis River. After retirement, Noel established the website, www.

LewisRiver.Com, spotlighting local community events.

Nancy worked at Franz Bak-ery for several years, then at Thriftway as a bookkeeper. In 1984, she enrolled at Portland Community College to become an alcohol and drug counselor, graduating with honors. She worked in the ield for several years retiring after moving to Woodland. In retirement, Nancy enjoys sewing, quilting, reading and selling her decorator pot-holders at local bazaars.

The Johnsons have four chil-dren, David, Carolyn (Steve) Lehl, Kathy Schreiber, Susan (Alan) Cameron, six grand-children, and six great-grand-children, and one Siamese cat “Sweetie.”

Woodland’s Noel and Nancy Johnson celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

NANCY AND NOEL JOHNSON of Woodland, WA, commemorated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family on Sept. 1. The couple has lived in Woodland since 1990, and were married in 1953.