A memorial graveside service for Walter E. Roach, 80, long-time resident of Garfield, was Tuesday, May 31, at the Garfield Cemetery. The Rev. Forrest Miller officiated the service with a United States Army honor guard and Potlatch Post and Garfield American Legion participating. Mr. Roach died May 24, 2011, at his Garfield home.

Born Dec. 2, 1930, at Ewan to Arthur L. and Pauline Bentley Roach, he attended schools at Ewan and Elberton until the eighth grade and graduated from Garfield High School with the class of 1949.

He joined the U.S. Army Nov. 3, 1949, and served in the Marshall Islands. He received his discharge as a sergeant Dec. 16, 1952.

He married Dixie L. Dailey June 5, 1956, at Garfield, and they made their home at Genesee where Walt worked as a field man and manager for Palouse Ammonia. They later moved to Moscow where he worked as a carpenter building elevators for Emery Trautman for several years.

They then moved to Garfield, where Mr. Roach worked for Glen Gildea Building Supply in Garfield. In 1969 Walt was employed at McGregor Company in Garfield as a field man and truck driver until he retired in 1996.

He was a member of the American Legion in Garfield for more than 50 years, and helped with the Garfield float committee for several years. He enjoyed gardening, farm work and taking care of animals.

Survivors include his wife, Dixie, at the Garfield home, three sons, Mark Roach and Corey Roach, both of Garfield, and Troy (Jennifer) Roach, Brock, Texas; one daughter, Darby (Damon) Vassar, Garfield, and five grandsons.

Memorials may be given to the Garfield Cemetery in care of Jim Storms, Box 235, Garfield, WA 99130, or to the Friends of Hospice, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd., Suite 850, Pullman. 99163

A memorial graveside service for Dorothy (Susie) Barnes, 87, former Garfield resident, was May 28 at the Garfield Cemetery. The Rev. Peggy Ray officiated. Mrs. Barnes died Dec. 30, 2010, at Salem, Ore., where she had resided for many years.

Born June 28, 1923, at Farmington, to Lee and Viola Crabb Wheeler, she attended Garfield schools and was valadictorian of the class 1941. She attended Kinman Business College in Spokane and worked as a bookkeeper at the Garfield Pea and Lentil plant.

She married Vernon (Bud) Barnes Nov. 26, 1944, at Garfield. They made their home at Garfield and worked at the Garfield Pea and Lentil plant until they moved in 1961 to Astoria, Ore. where they purchased a cattle ranch on Green Mountain. The couple later sold the ranch and purchased a motel in Salem, Ore.

After the couple retired they enjoyed traveling in their motor home. One favorite activity was digging clams at the beach. She also enjoyed traveling, camping, panning for gold, gardening and baking cookies.

Mr. Barnes died in May of 1977.

Survivors include four sons, Gary (Tami), Spokane; Terry, Robert (Kathy) and Dean Barnes (Brenda), all of Salem, one daughter, Penny Barnes, Salem, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lora Barnes.

Funeral Services for Lydia Helt, 99, long time Colfax resident, will be Friday, June 3 at 1 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax. Burial will follow at the Colfax Cemetery. Pastor Philip Misner will officiate.

Mrs. Helt died May 29, 2011, at Whitman Health & Rehab in Colfax.

Born May 2, 1912, in Endicott to Alex and Catherine Rudy Reich, she grew up on the family farm near Winona and graduated from Winona High School. Lydia married Jacob L. Helt Feb. 23, 1934. He worked on the family wheat farm near St. John until 1945 when they moved to Colfax.

She worked at the St. Ignatius Hospital for a while. She also picked peas and later worked as a cook at Colfax High School for several years in addition to being a busy homemaker. She was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax. She did quilting and loved to read. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and doing family activities. In later years she and Jake loved to go fishing.

Lydia was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, and two grandsons, Dean Helt and Ronald Hill.

Surviving are her five children; Barbara Henderson of Colfax, Mary Konkol, Orofino, Idaho; Marian Hill, Sun City, AZ., Jack Helt of Pittsburgh, Pa .; and Raymond Helt of Tacoma; one brother, Don Reich of Pomeroy; 14 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax.

On-line guest book:

http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

CORRINE VARNES DIES AT 87

Corrine Varnes, 87, former Clear Creek area farm woman, died Monday, May 30, 2011, at Colfax. Mrs. Varnes moved to Spokane but returned here to make her home about two years ago. The family plans a June 18 service in Spokane. Bruning Funeral Home is making arrangement and a full obituary will follow.

Silzel rite June 13

Patricia J. (Patsy) Silzel, 74, a longtime Oakesdale resident, died Sunday, May 29 at Pullman Regional Hospital. A memorial gathering will be Monday, June 13, 2011, at the Harvester Restaurant in Spangle. Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa is handling the arrangements.