William "Bill" Gant

August 12, 1940 - July 26, 2021

Richland, Washington - William "Bill" Gant, loving husband, father, grandfather (Papa), and great-grandfather – truly the quintessential family patriarch – passed away Mon., July 26 at Chaplaincy Hospice House, Kennewick, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Bill was born on August 12, 1940, in Outlook, WA, where he grew up and attended school. It was there he met Ray Johnson, Mac Chambers, and Bob Thomas, with whom he established lifelong friendships. He graduated from Sunnyside High School as a proud member of the class of 1959. After graduation, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Hoff, and attended Western Washington University, obtaining his undergraduate degree in Education. He went on to earn his Graduate Degree from Eastern Washington University. A lifelong athlete, during this time, Bill was very active in many community basketball and softball leagues. Most of Bill's life was spent in Sunnyside, until 2013, when he and Juanita relocated to Horn Rapids in Richland, to be closer to family and golf.

Bill lived an extraordinary life. Professionally, some of his proudest moments were the many rewarding years he spent as the Principal of Sunnyside High School, and especially those spent as Athletic Director, and his years serving as the WIAA District 5 Executive Director, achieving his goal of providing opportunities for all kids to participate in extracurricular activities. He also had the honor of serving as a public member of the Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as serving as an elected member of the Sunnyside City Council.

As recognition for all of his years of service, Bill received a number of awards, most notably the Sunnyside High School Wall of Fame, and the WIAA Hall of Fame.

Extraordinary professional achievements aside, Bill's greatest accomplishment was family. He was married to the love of his life, Juanita, for 59 blessed years. During that time, he basked in the joy of watching his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids (the "littles") grow and flourish. He is survived by wife Juanita Gant, Richland; children: Laroy Gant (Jenni), North Bend; Stacey Stearns (Ed), West Richland; Caryn Slack (Steve), Puyallup; Casey Gant (Becky), Richland; 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and sister, Judy Rand.

As a devout member of Christ the King Catholic Church, there will be a Rosary at the Chapel at Einan's Funeral Home (915 Bypass Highway, Richland), on July 30, at 6:00. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 31, at 1:00, at Christ the King Catholic Church (1111 Stevens Drive, Richland) immediately followed by graveside services at Einan's Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow at the Chapel at Einan's.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chaplaincy Hospice House (the MOST amazing people in the world), 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

E. Anita “Susie” (Berk) Doncaster, 78, passed on to her heavenly home with a smile on her face on May 9, 2019 at her house in Yakima after a valiant battle with brain cancer.

Anita was the ninth child born to Louis and Rose (Koss) Berk in Sunnyside, Wash. on January 13, 1941. Susie was the name her siblings called her from birth, and it became her family nickname for the rest of her life. Sunnyside was her home and she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior as a child. Her life was full of activities on the family farm and full of laughter. She graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1959 with honors and she was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from Evangel University in Springfield Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education.

She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Doncaster on November 26, 1966 in Sunnyside, Wash. After teaching in several cities in Washington State they settled in Yakima where she made her home for 49 years. In 1973 they were blessed with a son Kelsey James Doncaster. Anita was an educator at heart who taught for 29 years of which nearly all of them were teaching kindergarten. She was kind and caring teacher who provided an enriching program in which children could learn. She earned the Golden Acorn Award in 1992 for her work in the West Valley School District

She loved to travel. In 1966 she toured Europe through Temple University. She and Bill took many trips around the United States by car, boat and train. She shared her love of learning, entertaining, history and Americana with her son, and later her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. They often found her outside in her yard, listening to the radio, weeding, and tending her flowers and shrubs. She loved to shop and decorate her house for every holiday and season. She was so blessed by her son, daughter-in-law Karla, and loved her grandchildren so very much.

Anita is survived by her dear husband, Bill Doncaster; her son Kelsey (Karla) Doncaster; and her three grandchildren: Millicent, Violet and Lillian Doncaster, all of Yakima. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mercedes Dormaier, bothers Delbert Berk, Dick Berk, Wendell Berk, and Harland “Skip” Berk, along with some dear sister-in-laws. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Creator.

A family graveside service  will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019  at  Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA. A Memorial Service will be held that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Stone Church in Yakima, WA.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Union Gospel Mission, Stone Church Missions, Life Choices or a charity of your choice. Those wishing to sign Anita’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements. 

Gary Charles Riel

1941

2026

Gary Charles was born on January 14th, 1941 and passed away on April 14th, 2026 at the age of 85

Richard B. Valandry, 84, of Blaine, Washington, passed away November 12, 2022.

Richard was born in 1938 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Paul and Eleanor Valandry. He is survived by daughters Lauri Walter (Brendan), Tammy Allen (Guy) and Brenda Valandry (Scott Jonas), granddaughter Sabrina Bemrose (Tony), grandson Brett Allen (Vanessa), two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy Culver (1960-2008), parents Paul and Eleanor, two brothers Spot Valandry and Cotton Valandry, two sisters Alyce Redwin and Pauline Gander, nephew Ronnie Gander and niece Carmen Potter.

Family has fond memories of Richard's laugh, and his smoked salmon and banana bread. He loved talking about his fishing trips to Alaska and helping with his Jolly Boys Crew. Whenever he was done talking, he would always say "Well, that's about the size of it!"

Richard had many favorite recreational activities. He loved hunting and watching football. He loved watching Gonzaga. He loved western movies, taking naps. He went on many fishing trips with the Church group and was always up for a game of cribbage.

Richard attended Sunnyside High School and worked at Intalco's cast house in mission control. He can be described as friendly, loving, and funny – he was a prankster.

He will be dearly missed by his surviving family and all who knew him. 

Van De Wege, David M. 75 July 08, 1939 Nov. 08, 2014 David Van De Wege, 75, passed away Nov. 8, 2014. He was born July 8, 1939, in Sheboygan, Wis., to Jake and Jane Van De Wege. He grew up in Sunnyside, Wash. David was married to Geraldine Wack in 1964. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years, after which he worked at Esco Steel for 37 years. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; sons, Michael (Tammy) and Marc; grandchildren, Michael Shawn, Kenzie and Tayler; and siblings, Barbara (Peter) Grathwohl, John (Mitzi) and Kathy (Jack) Greenhalgh. He touched the hearts of all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Per his request, no service will be held.

Walker, John Wurth 70 July 02, 1941 March 19, 2012 John Walker died of natural causes at his Gladstone home. Born in Chico, Calif., to James and Helen Walker, John was raised and graduated high school in Sunnyside, Wash. He joined the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves. He loved music and was a band drum major during his time with the Guard. He later worked as a surveyor and truck driver; he loved to work on his Datsun Z cars. Survivors include son, Brian Walker of Sandy; daughter, Heather Walker Allison (husband, Carey) of Tigard; siblings, Victor Walker (Dolores) of Walla Walla, Wash., Sharon Walker of Hillsboro; sister-in-law, Joanne Walker of Hillsboro; two grandchildren, Joshua and Ryan Allison of Tigard. He is predeceased by parents, James and Helen Walker; and brother, Daniel Walker.