Joe L. Hilario Jr. (57) of Toppenish died on Monday September 29, 2008 at Yakima Regional Hospital.
 
He was born in Toppenish on October 18, 1950 to Joe and Frances (Beltran) Hilario; and graduated from Toppenish High School in 1969. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Joe moved back to Toppenish where he started his career as a laborer working mainly on the Hanford project.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of Toppenish; three sons, Riko Hilario of Toppenish, Joe LaClair of Selah and Scott Sampson of Toppenish; one daughter, Angela Hilario of Toppenish; two brothers, Richard Hilario of Granger and Alex Hilario of Toppenish; two sisters, Angie Hilario of Toppenish and Margaret Salazar of College Place, WA.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2008 from 12-7PM at Colonial Funeral Home, with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday October 2, 2008 at 6PM at Colonial Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday October 3, 2008 at 10AM at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Ann Austin McDaniels of Escondido, California passed away at the Escondido Care Center at age 70 after a long illness.

She was born at Toppenish on September 8, 1937 to Wilma and Bert Austin, both f whom preceded her in death.

She attended Lincoln Grade School, and graduated from Toppenish High School.  Patricia later attended classes in California, learning computers. She later attended Yakima Valley Jr. College, earning her credentials as a beauty operator.

Mrs. McDaniels and her husband moved to California in 1985.

Pat is survived by her husband, Dennis McDaniels; sister, JaDean Thomas of Spokane; brother, Dale Austin of Zillah; Pam and Glem Tomson of Rowland Hgts., CA; JaAnn Thomas of Spokane; Kathy Thomas Kinderman of Olympia; John Thomas of Spokane; Laurie Tomas of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Mary Marshall of Eston; Linda McCracken of Selah; and great-neice, Sheila Ibarra of Spokane; and many other nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be announced at a later date. Donations on behalf of Patricia, may be made to your local 911 services.

Robert Matthew Williams born October 25, 1973 to Janet (Choate) Williams and Robert (Skip) Williams in Burns, Oregon, died Friday, September 26, 2008 at Coulee Community Hospital.

Rob was raised in Coulee Dam and attended school at Wright Elementary, Grand Coulee Dam Middle School and Lake Roosevelt High School. During his junior year in high school Rob moved to Oregon. He graduated from Lebanon Union High School in 1992.

He attend the U of O and played football from 1992 until 1997was part of the team the as they played in the 1992 Independence Bowl, the 1995 Rose Bowl and the 1996 Cotton Bowl.

Rob was employed in Albany, Oregon from 1998 until 2002. He was active in the Lebanon Mennonite Church as well as coaching sports at both the high school and youth levels. 

In November of 2002 Rob returned to the Coulee Dam area and dedicated his time and efforts to supporting his little brother Michael while their mother received cancer treatments. He expanded his coaching to include Special Olympic sports. Rob was employed at the Nespelem and Grand Coulee Dam School Districts.

After spending a brief time working for the Toppenish Funeral Home and coaching football at Toppenish High School. Rob returned again to the Grand Coulee Dam Area in 2008.

He was presently employed by Strate Funeral Home as the Funeral Director.

Rob is survived by his mother, Jan Williams, Coulee Dam; his father Robert  (Vicki) Williams, Lebanon, Oregon; his girl friend, Sandi Brazinha Penticton, B.C., his brothers, Michael Williams, Coulee Dam, Nicholas and Benjamin Williams, Lebanon, Oregon; Grandmothers, Jackie Witzel, Burns, Oregon and Phyllis Williams Sparks, Nevada as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Keith & Clara Choate, Gus Williams and Del Witzel.

A memorial service will be held at the Lake Roosevelt High School football field Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 3:00 PM. A graveside service will be held in Burns, Oregon on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 10:00 AM.

An account has been opened at the Coulee Dam Branch of Bank of America for those individuals wishing to make donations.

Norman “Jeff” Harris (73) of Toppenish died at his home on Sunday September 28, 2008.

He was born in Elma, WA on November 22, 1934 to Charles and Levina (Wimer) Harris.

Jeff was raised on the Satus and graduated from Granger High School.

He farmed and ranched for years and was the plant manager at Western Packing. He also owned and operated Mid Valley Cycle in 1969 which later became Mid Valley Cycle and equipment where he had a John Deere Dealership along with numerous other businesses in Toppenish, most recently Mid Valley Mall and Mini-Storage.

Mr. Harris married MaryAnn Sybouts in Enumclaw on August 7, 1973.

Mr. Harris was on the Toppenish Rodeo Association, and belonged to the Toppenish Lions Club and the Toppenish Eagles.

He is survived by his wife, MaryAnn of Toppenish; four daughters, Diane Harris of Sunriver, OR, Denise Harris of Yakima, Darla Kichler of Chandler, AZ and Kristy Castilleja of Granger; two sons, Dan Harris of Richland and Tim Kilthau of Granger; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Melvin Harris of Mabton, Gene Harris of Dayton, OH, Dale Harris of Spokane and Benny Harris of Selah; three sisters, Barbara Buitenbos of Granger, Juanita Dobbs of Yakima and Frances Jordan of Blaine.

Mr. Harris was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Delbert Harris and his first wife, Doreen.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 1, 2008 from 10-4, and Thursday from 10-12 at Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Toppenish on Thursday October 2, 2008 at 1PM with interment to follow at the Zillah City Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Memorial Hospice House 1019 S. 40th Ave. Yakima, WA. 98908. Friends may send condolences at www.toppenishfunerals.com.

Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cleo A. Voorhies (92) of Selah died on Monday May 19, 2008 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. She was born in Datto, AR on August 28, 1915 to Steve and Louvenia (Moore) Harper. She was raised and educated in Arkansas and in 1950 moved to the Yakima Valley. In 1965 Cleo and her husband moved to Zillah where they owned and operated an orchard. She enjoyed cooking, spending time with her family, picnics and bbq’s. She was part of a gospel singing group that sang on the radio on Sunday mornings. She was a member of the Church of God. Cleo is survived by three children, Jim Voorhies of Naches, Linda Stillwaugh of Selah and Jerry Voorhies of Paterson; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1981; one son, Denny in 1971 and nine siblings. Graveside services will be held on Friday May 23, 2008 at 10AM at the Zillah City Cemetery. Friends may send condolences to www.toppenishfunerals.com. Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James J. Peter Jr. of Parker

Richard Tom George, 67, of Toppenish died May 13, 2008 in Toppenish.   He was born July 22, 1940 in Toppenish to Kelly & Lena Totus George.  He was raised and educated in Toppenish.   Richard served in U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War.  He was a cattleman and also worked for Yakama Nation as a carpenter.  He was a member of the Yakama Nation and the Washut Religion.  He is survived by one sister Elsie George of Toppenish and one granddaughter Lena Selam.  He was preceded in death by one sister Alvina George Meninick.  Dressing services were held at Colonial Funeral Home at 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday.  He was then transported to Satus Longhouse for overnight services.  The funeral procession will leave the Longhouse at 8:00 A.M.  Thursday, May 15, 2008 for burial in Wa la la kite Cemetery in Union Gap.  Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gloria Zaragoza

July 27, 1930-May 4, 2008

Loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma and great-grandma. She was married to Roger Zaragoza for 50 years.  She enjoyed gardening, dancing, and family gatherings.         

Gloria was born in Worland, Wyoming to Lus and Victor Gonzales.  She was raised in Wapato, WA and moved to Seattle, WA in 1956.  She left behind her husband Roger Zaragoza, children Manuel Valenzuela, Roger Jr. Zaragoza, Rachel Zaragoza, grandchildren Miguel Valenzuela, Roger III Zaragoza, Maria Valenzuela, Christopher McGee, Riley Zaragoza, and great grandchild Neveah Zaragoza.                

She also has a numerous amount of brothers and sisters from the Gonzales family of Wapato, WA.

She is preceded in death by her parents Victor and Lus Gonzales, siblings Molly Perez, Phyllis Arevalo, Lupe Marquez, Jerry Gonzales, and son Michael Valenzuela.     

A memorial was held on May 10, 2008 in Seattle, WA.    

Dana K. Smith, 63, of Zillah passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Memorial Hospital in Yakima.

Dana was born July 17, 1944 in Vancouver, WA to Earl and Rosella Smith.

Her family relocated to Toppenish, WA where Dana attended Lincoln Elementary then later graduating from Toppenish High School in 1962.

It was then that Dana met and married Richard Thompson and together had Warren, Rhonda, Richard Jr., and Kristie.  She later divorced in 1995.

Soon after graduation Dana began working for Del Monte Corp. in Toppenish until her retirement in 2000.

Dana leaves behind her four children, Warren Thompson of Zillah, Richard Thompson of Grandview, Rhonda Thompson of Zillah, and Kristie Albaugh of Yakima, her mother Rosella Smith of Zillah and her brother Ronnie Smith (and wife Virginia) of Hayden, Idaho, eight grandchildren, Evan, Austin, Zachary, Joseph, Robert, Cody, Nick, and Josh, and one great grandchild, Brandy.

The family would like to express great thanks to all the care providers of North Star Lodge and Memorial Hospital.

Valley Hills Funeral Home of Zillah is in charge of arrangements for a private family gathering at the Zillah Cemetery.

Evelyn M. Gorham, 81, of  rural Wapato, died Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Garden Village Nursing Home in Yakima.

Evelyn was born January 18, 1927 in Spokane, WA to Homer and Myrtle (Abrams) Bramlet. 

Myrtle later married Art Tyrrell, and together, they raised Evelyn and her three brothers, Mike, Roger and Arthur Tyrrell.  Evelyn graduated from Wapato High School     

She married Bob F. Gorham on January 27, 1945 in Yakima, WA. 

She and her husband worked in area canneries, until establishing R. F. Gorham Beekeepers in 1946.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Robert J. Gorham of Toppenish, WA; daughter, Carol Gorham Woodall of Wapato, WA; three brothers, Mike Tyrrell of Spokane Valley, WA, Roger Tyrrell of Napa, CA, and Arthur Tyrrell of Spokane, WA; four grandchildren, Melissa DeVault, Jamie Gorham, Amanda Gorham, and Jachelle Gorham; and three great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) F. Gorham.

Graveside services were Saturday, May 10th at the Reservation Community Memorial Park, west of Wapato.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Heart Center in memory of Evelyn, in care of Merritt Funeral Home.

Merritt Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.