Johnston & Williams Funeral Home

Grace Alberta (Patton) DeFoor, 92, longtime resident of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Mountain View Nursing Home after a battle with cancer and challenges from a stroke in September of 2024. Grace was born on December 9, 1932 in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. She was an excellent student and excelled at the piano. She met her husband, Alec DeFoor, at a wedding and they married on October 7, 1950. In 1960, the family moved from Alberta to Seattle. Grace traveled with all five kids on the train by herself - the oldest was 8 and the youngest was 18 months. Grace graduated from the University of Washington at the age of 36 and was a...

Grace Alberta (Patton) DeFoor, 92, longtime resident of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Mountain View Nursing Home after a battle with cancer and challenges from a stroke in September of 2024. Grace was born on December 9, 1932 in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. She was an excellent student and excelled at the piano. She met her husband, Alec DeFoor, at a wedding and they married on October 7, 1950. In 1960, the family moved from Alberta to Seattle. Grace traveled with all five kids on the train by herself - the oldest was 8 and the youngest was 18 months. Grace graduated from the University of Washington at the age of 36 and was a...

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mom, Janis Bland. She passed in her home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Janis was born in Cle Elum on October 30, 1939 to William & Mary Smergut. Except for a couple years that Dad was in the Army, Mom lived her entire life in Cle Elum. After graduating from Cle Elum High School in 1957 she started college at Central Washington University. Mom and Dad were married on June 26, 1959 and brought four children into the world; Bryan, Baby Terry, Jana and Brett. After all us kids were in school mom went back to college and got her teaching degree. She taught third grade, then second grade, in Cle Elum for...

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mom, Janis Bland. She passed in her home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Janis was born in Cle Elum on October 30, 1939 to William & Mary Smergut. Except for a couple years that Dad was in the Army, Mom lived her entire life in Cle Elum. After graduating from Cle Elum High School in 1957 she started college at Central Washington University. Mom and Dad were married on June 26, 1959 and brought four children into the world; Bryan, Baby Terry, Jana and Brett. After all us kids were in school mom went back to college and got her teaching degree. She taught third grade, then second grade, in Cle Elum for...

Mass of Christian Burial for David "Dave" G. Diefenbach will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Ellensburg with committal and military honors to follow at the IOOF Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside back at the Church. Mr. Diefenbach, 75, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025 at his home surrounded by family. Dave entered this world on August 25, 1949 in Ellensburg, the first of eight children born to Robert G. Diefenbach and Janeice Ann Jump. He grew up in Ellensburg, helping his dad on the family farm, attending Lourdes Academy then graduating from Ellensburg High School with the class of 1967. Following graduation, Dave...

Patricia Sue "Pat" Jackson, a longtime Ellensburg resident, passed away at her home on April 7, 2025. Pat was born on February 11, 1934, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and was raised in DuBois, Pennsylvania by her parents, Lester and Ethel (Nelson) Brown. She graduated from Sandy High School in DuBois in 1952. After high school, Pat worked in her hometown for a few years before heading west. She settled in Denver, Colorado where she met Robert "Bob" Jackson who resided in the same boarding house. Pat and Bob married in 1960. They were blessed with three children?Tracy, Robert, Jr. and Michelle. The family later moved to Beaverton, Oregon when Bob was transferred. In 1978 the family moved...

Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry L. Morris will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum with burial to follow at Roslyn Memorial Gardens. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4 also at St. John's. Viewing for family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Cle Elum. Mr. Morris, 80, a lifetime Upper County resident, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at the Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue. Jerry was born on February 16, 1945, in Cle Elum, Washington, and was a beloved member of the Roslyn/Cle Elum community. He graduated from Cle...

Evelyn Mae (Leaf) Kohler, age 92 of Ellensburg WA, passed away on March 15, 2025, with her family by her side. Evelyn was born on December 13, 1932, on the family's farm in Custer, WA to Charles Albin Leaf and Esther Dagmar Johanson. Her family moved to Bellingham in 1934 and settled in the York district. She attended Lincoln Grade School, Whatcom Junior High School, and Bellingham High School, graduating in 1950. Evelyn attended Western WA College and Bellingham Business School. In 1955, Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Donald Kohler. Evelyn and Don were married for 62 years, prior to Don's passing in 2018. They had 4 children, David (Karen) Kohler of Bothell, Ronald...

Evelyn Mae (Leaf) Kohler, age 92 of Ellensburg WA, passed away on March 15, 2025, with her family by her side. Evelyn was born on December 13, 1932, on the family's farm in Custer, WA to Charles Albin Leaf and Esther Dagmar Johanson. Her family moved to Bellingham in 1934 and settled in the York district. She attended Lincoln Grade School, Whatcom Junior High School, and Bellingham High School, graduating in 1950. Evelyn attended Western WA College and Bellingham Business School. In 1955, Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Donald Kohler. Evelyn and Don were married for 62 years, prior to Don's passing in 2018. They had 4 children, David (Karen) Kohler of Bothell, Ronald...

Evelyn Mae (Leaf) Kohler, age 92 of Ellensburg WA, passed away on March 15, 2025, with her family by her side. Evelyn was born on December 13, 1932, on the family's farm in Custer, WA to Charles Albin Leaf and Esther Dagmar Johanson. Her family moved to Bellingham in 1934 and settled in the York district. She attended Lincoln Grade School, Whatcom Junior High School, and Bellingham High School, graduating in 1950. Evelyn attended Western WA College and Bellingham Business School. In 1955, Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Donald Kohler. Evelyn and Don were married for 62 years, prior to Don's passing in 2018. They had 4 children, David (Karen) Kohler of Bothell, Ronald...

With deep sadness and yet with profound joy, we share the passing of Rodney Dean Schrag, who is now celebrating with the Lord in his eternal home. Rodney left his earthly body on March 10, 2025 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Rodney was born on October 3, 1937, in Seattle, Washington, to Silas S. Schrag and Delight Iola Schrag. From an early age, it was clear that Rodney was a lifelong learner. He graduated from high school in Winnemucca, Nevada, and went on to Creighton University, majoring in history and minoring in education, political science, philosophy, and psychology. He later earned a master's degree from Southern Oregon College in social studies with an emphasis on...

Roy W. Kincaid, 80, of Ellensburg, Washington, passed away on March 8, 2025 at the Mountain View Nursing Home in Ellensburg. A celebration of Roy's life will be held from Noon-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025 in the Creekside Picnic Shelter at the Gene Coulon Park in Renton, Washington. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg. You are invited to read Mr. Kincaid's complete obituary and leave condolences for the family at www.johnston-williams.com

Roy W. Kincaid, 80, of Ellensburg, Washington, passed away on March 8, 2025 at the Mountain View Nursing Home in Ellensburg. A celebration of Roy's life will be held from Noon-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025 in the Creekside Picnic Shelter at the Gene Coulon Park in Renton, Washington. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg. You are invited to read Mr. Kincaid's complete obituary and leave condolences for the family at www.johnston-williams.com

Mass of Christian Burial for Edward H. Browitt will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Roslyn, Washington with burial and military honors to follow at Roslyn Memorial Gardens. Rosary will be prayed Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. also at the Church. Mr. Browitt, 89, a retired educator and coach from Lake Stevens High School, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025 in Yakima, Washington where he had been residing for the last several years. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams Funeral Home of Cle Elum. www.johnston-williams.com