Obituaries

Ronald R. Bennett was born in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 15, 1931. He was the son of Al and Beryl Bennett.

Ron and his family moved to White Salmon in the mid-1930s. Ron had two older brothers, Kirk and James "Bud"; two younger brothers, Robert and Russell, and one younger sister, Joanne, all of whom preceeded Ron in death.

Ron joined the Army in 1952. After returning home, he married Lucille Huskey of Mosier, Ore., on Sept. 4, 1954.

Ron is survived by his wife, Lucille Huskey Bennett, of White Salmon; their three daughters, Rhonda and Bob Hicks of Camas, Cindy and Scott VanGelder of Vancouver, and Kathy and Larry White of Carnation; 10 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Over the years, Ron and Lucille added two more daughters to the family -- Becky and Ed Powell of Trout Lake and Bridget and Ruel Suazon of Toronto, Canada. They also "adopted" many other children and grandchildren.

Ron worked for SDS Lumber Co. for many years as a road grader operator. He then worked for the Klickitat County Road Department, retiring in 1994. He was known by all as a fine "blade man."

Ron loved helping others, whether it was plowing someone's driveway, helping with the local food drive, or helping out at his local church or senior center. He also enjoyed gardening, spending time with friends and family, and dancing. He and his wife, Lucille, danced together for over 60 years.

Ron went home to be with his Lord on March 5, 2011, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 West Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 2 p.m.

Donations may be made to Hospice Southwest or The Ray Hickey Hospice House, both of Vancouver.

EDIE BARKER

Edith Jeannette Barker passed away in White Salmon on March 9, 2011, at the age of 74.

She was born to Erma (Iverson) and Glen Harrington on Jan. 19, 1937, in Emmitt, Idaho. Edie attended schools in Hermiston and The Dalles, graduating from The Dalles High School in 1955.

She married Richard Allen Walker and the couple moved to Parkrose, Ore., where they raised their family before settling in Underwood in 1979.

On July 7, 1988, Richard died and Edie later married Bill Barker in Long Beach on Sept. 19, 1990.

Mrs. Barker was an avid reader and artist, accomplished in oil and acrylic painting. She loved flowers and was a great homemaker, cook and a wonderful mother and grandmother.

Survivors include her husband Bill Barker of Underwood; sons Bill Walker of Vancouver and Gregg Walker of Corbett, Ore.; daughters Julia Gayle Walker of Redmond and Joni Martinez of Underwood; stepchildren Vickie Julien of Ocean Shores, David Barker of Puyallup and Donald Barker of Spokane; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon with a reception to follow at the Elks Lodge.

Condolences may be sent to the Barker family at www.columbiagorgefunerals.com.