OBITUARIES

Oct 18, 2023

Kathleen Joanne Matthews came into this world, the first surviving child of William E. and Helen F. Fitzroy, on April 7, 1944, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She departed to join her Heavenly Father and many loved ones on Oct. 18, after a three-year battle with cancer. She would like to have stuck around longer. However, she couldn’t really begrudge the...

Oct 15, 2023

John F. Jensen Jr. passed away in Astoria on Oct. 15.

John was born on June 6, 1938, to Fred and Esther (Wicks) Jensen in Coquille. While his father served in World War II, his mother moved the family to Astoria to be closer to her parents, John and Marie Wicks, and extended family.

After...

Oct 5, 2023

William Carl Abraham, of Astoria, passed away on Oct. 5 at the age of 89.

Carl, as most people in Astoria knew him, was born Feb. 20, 1934, in Ryderwood, Washington, to Opal and Albert Abraham.

Carl is survived by his wife, Carol Abraham; his three children from a previous marriage, Brian Abraham, Lori Halverson...

Oct 5, 2023

Gordon Leonard Smith, 91, of Elsie, died on Oct. 5 in Seaside. Gordon was born in Astoria on Jan. 13, 1932, to Frank Albert Smith and Elizabeth (Larson) Smith. Gordon was raised in the Vinemaple region of Jewell, where his father was a logger and his mother was a homemaker. Gordon was one of four children, and was the...

Sep 25, 2023

Darryl Douglas Bergerson was born on Aug. 17, 1937, to Wally and Frankie Bergerson on the family farm in Vernonia. The family settled in Warrenton, where Darryl was raised and graduated from high school. Darryl was an all-conference football player in high school. After graduating, he was offered a full scholarship to play football at Eastern Oregon College. After...

Sep 24, 2023

Samuel Gordon Breitenbauch, age 37, passed away on the morning of Sept. 24 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. Samuel was born in Astoria, where he spent his life.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Breitenbauch. He is survived by his father, David; brother, Max; stepmother, Debi; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

A...

Sep 19, 2023

Sylvia Ann Betts, born on Jan. 4, 1942, in Higginsville, Missouri, peacefully passed away on September 19. She was the youngest of four children, born to Joseph and Eleanor Piontek. Sylvia’s childhood included many an adventure in Higginsville, where she grew up on a farm and developed a strong work ethic and a sense of the importance in family...

Sep 15, 2023

Max Foss Hemmert, 83, of Astoria, died on Sept. 15. He was born Jan. 4, 1940, in Spokane, Washington, to Beryle and Lewis Hemmert. Max is survived by his stepchildren, Janet Gau, of Clarkston, Washington, and Penny Olsen (Art Olsen) of Astoria; and a daughter-in-law, Toni Wilson, of Astoria. His grandchildren are Lisa Broche and Lance Gau, of Clarkston, and...

Sep 10, 2023

Barbara Jane Blue, a well-known certified public accountant, passed away quietly at home on Sept. 10 after a five-year battle with colon cancer. She worked as an accountant, tax preparer and municipal auditor for 50 years. She started her career after graduating from Oregon State University in 1973, and moved to Astoria. While working at Edwin L. Luoma CPAs,...

Sep 2, 2023

Judy M. Kettleson was a happy girl, and enjoyed people. Although, if you crossed her, she would certainly let you know. She attended Sellwood Kindergarten in Portland. At age 7, she was transferred to the Portland Children’s Center for special needs children. When she turned 18, she was sent to Fairview Training Center in Salem. When Fairview closed, she...

Aug 17, 2023

Carol Marie Sheker was born on Dec. 15, 1948, in Astoria, to Joe and Jean (Gilbert) Melvin. The family lived in various places between Astoria and St. Joseph, Missouri, finally settling in Astoria in 1957. Carol attended St. Mary, Star of the Sea School until 10th grade, and then transferred to Astoria High School.

She married Clifford...

Aug 17, 2023

Cyrus James Kekoa Kanoho, of Warrenton, was born on April 13, 1999, in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. He had the most infectious laugh and was such a caring soul. Anyone who met him loved him right away. Although he was here for such a short time, he left a huge impact on everyone’s life with so much positivity. His passion...

Jul 28, 2023

John Albert Zorich was born in Ketchikan, Alaska. His father, Nick, who married Marguerite Baker, was a fisherman and had family there.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, April; and a grandson, Evan.

When he was 8 years old, his dad, mom and John came to Astoria and lived in Olney.  ...

Jul 21, 2023

James Dennis “JD” Wells had the good fortune of being present at a days-long celebration of his own life during his final time on this planet.

With his family sitting bedside in a loving circle, he heard of the many ways in which he was cherished by friends during the many phases of his full life, listened...

Jul 19, 2023

Jon D. Hartill, 68, of Astoria, died July 19 in Astoria.

He was born in Madera, California, on May 18, 1955, to Donald E. Hartill and Marian E. Hardie.

Jon graduated from high school and went on to mechanic’s school.

Jon married Lisa K. Tate in Reno, Nevada, in 2003.

Jon...

Jul 3, 2023

Julie Kathleen (Burke) Parnes, 83, passed away at peace among loving family in the early morning of July 3 in Salem. Julie was known for her optimistic, infectious and caring personality that brought cheer in her life and to those around her. The first time her husband, Larry, met her it was her beautiful smile that captured his heart....

Jun 30, 2023

Gary Richard Towne passed away peacefully at Clatsop Care Memory Community in Warrenton on June 30 after a short illness. Gary was born in Astoria to William and Marian Towne. He attended Astoria schools and graduated from Astoria High School.

He is survived by his brothers, Dennis Towne (Penny), of Wilsonville, and David Towne (Patricia), of Portland....

Jun 28, 2023

On June 28, we lost LindaLou R. Hellberg, the daughter of John and Frances Roby. She was born in Alaska and was raised in Washington state. She spent the rest of her life in Oregon, where she raised her family. In her own words from a song she sang and wrote, “Outback In America,” her loves were her husband,...

Jun 16, 2023

Judith Mary (Palmberg) Kujala passed away at Clatsop Retirement Village in Astoria on June 16. Judy was known for her kindness, compassion and her beautiful smile. Judy had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer weeks before she passed away. She was 85 years old.

Judy was born on Dec. 21, 1937, in Scappoose, to Herb and Alma...

Jun 15, 2023

Dr. James Charles Cartwright was born in Seaside on Jan. 13, 1938, to Charles and Okema (Heckard) Cartwright. He passed away peacefully at his home in Astoria on June 15. He spent his childhood and early adult life on the family golf course in Seaside, which led to his avid love of golf his entire life. He attended Seaside...