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Page 30 Shelton~Mason County Journal — Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023
Riley Benjamin Hightower
Riley Benjamin Hightower, beloved
son, brother, and friend, of Shelton, WA,
unexpectet‘lly passed on October 12, 2023.
Riley was a lifelong Shelton resident,
born at Mason (ieneral on June 8th, 2000.
Riley was the second child born to Jean
lloxx. He grew up attending Bordeaux
elementary and was a Choice High School
graduate. Riley had many jobs in the
community and beyond throughout his
life. Riley worked at the Shelton Les Schwab
for several years during high school. Alter
leaving Les Schwab, Riley worked in many
automotive and construction roles with
different companies, through the years,
including Maples Excavation and (ioldy
Construction & lixcavation, trying out
everything that interested him. Riley had
a passion for building vehicles and operating heavy machinery. Riley was a
family
man, he enjoyed spending time with his family and those closest to him as
often as
possible. He was well known within the con'nnunity for his contagious
spirit and
willingness to help others. Riley will be remembered as a warm, generous,
and loving
individual who always had a smile on his face and made friends with
everyone,
everywhere he went.
Riley was preceded in death by his great grandmother Maxine Rhodes of
Shelton,
who he loved very much. Riley is survived by his mother, Jean Hiedeman, his
sister,
Jenna 'I‘tii‘nbow, niece Penelope, grandparents Beverly and William
Lopez, all of
Shelton, Father Kenneth l'lightower and family ofAnacortes,
grandparents Shirley
and lrl Peterson of Puyallup, grandfather Jim Hightower and family ofPort
Orchard,
and many aunts, uncles. cousins, extended family members, and friends whose
children lovingly called him “Uncle Riley.”
Riley had made a commitment to sobriety and was working hard to maintain
his new lifestyle choiCe. His family asks that loved ones refrain from
drinking and
partying in Riley’s memory to honor him and his commitment to a sober
life.
Services in Riley‘s honor are still being carefully and lovingly prepared
by family
members. Details to follow.
“Riley was a light that will always be missed!”
EARLY DEADLlNE
Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving
holiday, the deadline for the Thursday,
November 23 edition will be 5 pm.
Thursday, November 16. The usual 5 p.m.
Monday deadline will resume November
27 for the November 30th edition,
Recently Passed
Judy Moon, 78, a resident of Aberdeen, passed
away October 29, 2023, at St. Joseph Medical
Center in Tacoma. Arrangements are by McComb
Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. and Crematory
Ms. Stormy, 72, a resident of Grapeview, passed
away November 1, 2023, at Mason General
Hospital. Arrangements are by McComb 8 Wagner
Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Deanna Rae Kilmer, 84, a resident of Shelton,
passed away November 1, 2023, at Alpine Way
Assisted Living. Arrangements are by Forest
Funeral Home and Crematory. ClemalOFY-
Billie Ballard, 91, a resident of Olympia, passed
away November 1, 2023, at home. Arrangements
are by McComb Wagner Family Funeral Home
George McDonald, 94, a resident of Shelton,
passed away November 1, 2023, at Firlane Health
and Rehab. Arrangements are by McComb
Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
David Lahti, 78, a resident of Shelton, passed away
November 2, 2023, at home. Arrangements are
by McComb 8 Wagner Family Funeral Home and
Bruce Cowan
Bruce (L‘owan was born January (3, 1944,
in Shelton, WA. He lived all his life in the
Shelton—Unirm area and attended Shelton
High School graduating in 1962. Bruce was
an avid hunter and trap shooter, but most
of all he loved his black labs, especially his
dog Rock.
Bruce served in the United States Air
Force from 196441969. He was a disabled
\v’ietnam Veteran. Bruce worked several
jobs including the Union (fiarage, and as
a Welder supervisor at Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard. He also had a small welding
and repair business in Union. He spent
numerous hours Working on the New
Community Church of Unions property
and helping with many fund raisers,
especially the salmon dinners.
Bruce enjoyed his old car: 1963 ]/2 Ford (ialaxie 500. He had a lot of fun
restoring it
and taking it to car shows. He had many stories to tell about his car, and
his dog Rock,
which he was always willing to share.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Karen, daughter, Jennifer (husband Ronnie),
and
son, Jerry. His five grandchildren were his heart’s delight: Megan and
Sarah Riggs,
Natalie and Jake Mathews, and Josh Riggs. Sisters: Connie Adams, and Bette
Morton.
Brothers: Scott Metxler, Brad Cowan and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Dorothy and Eddie Metzler, Norman
and
Merle (Iowan. Bruce’s Sister: Sally Stacy, and brothers~in~lawz Don Stacy
and Gordon
Adams.
A Memorial Service will be held at Shelton Presbyterian Church, Wednesday,
November 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm.
John C. Pelkey
1949-2023
John C. Pelkey, 74, of Allyn, Washington,
died on November 5, 2023. He was born
in Bremerton, Washington on January
18, 1949, to David and Maxine Pelkey
(Nordquist‘).
John graduated from Central Kitsap
High School in 1967. After high school, he
attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle,
Washington where he met his wife of 54
years, Cheryl. He spent six year};,in the
U.S. Navy and then 30 years working for
the State of Washington, several of which
were in Olympia. Later in life, he earned a
bachelor’s degree in creative writing from
Evergreen State. During retirement, John
enjoyed spending time with his family and
friends, hiking, working on genealogy, writing novels, traveling, and
taking care of
his dogs.
John was preceded in death by his parents, David and Maxine, and is
survived by
his wife Cheryl, brother Bill, sister Louise, sons Erin and Briscoe,
daughters—in~law,
Sarah and Veronica and his four grandsons, Corbin, Jack, Luke and Miles.
There will be a memorial service at North Bay Lutheran Community Church —
221
Lakeland Dr. in Allyn, WA on December 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.rn. Arrangements
entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton, Washington.
Kathryn Balzer, 62, a resident of Shelton, passed
away November 4, 2023, at home. Arrangements
are by McComb Wagner Family Funeral Home
and Crematory.
Robert Baca, 36, a resident of Shelton, passed
away November 5, 2023, at St. Peter Medical
Center in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb 8
Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Day Ben, 87, a resident Lacey, passed away
November 5, 2023, at Providence St. Peter Medical
Center in Olympia. Arrangements are by McComb
Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory.