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Obituaries - L Surnames

Benton & Franklin Counties


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Sudden Death Comes to Mrs. Longmeier—Suffers Heart Attack While in River Water

Death came suddenly to Mrs. C.A. Longmeier July 4 when she fell into the Columbia river just above Ringold about eleven o'lock. She is thought to have died from heart failure since no water could be found in her lungs when she was taken out of the river after floating for a half hour. The fact that she had recently been treated for a heart condition was also given as reason for belief that death came from that cause instead of drowning.

The accident happened when she sat down on the bank of the river to take off her shoes in preparation to going into the river for a swim. The bank is believed to have been undermined by the action of the water and to have given away when she added her weight to it. She slid into the deep pool and went under but came immediately to the surface, according to her husband who was with her. He said that she made a few strokes and he called to her to swim toward shore where he was trying to reach her. But then she ceased her efforts and floated out from the bank about 50 feet, making no signs of life.

He stated that he could not swim a stroke, altho Mrs. Longmeier could swim fairly well. He said that he realized that it would be suicide for him to try to get her and so went to the Jack Munson home to secure help. Mr. Munson came immediately and swam out to her and towed her in after she had been in the water about half an hour. No sign of life was evident.

In the meantine a telephone call had been put in to Pasco for Dr. C.W. May and for Sheriff Grover C. Russell. The latter found her son, Clair Phillips, at Kennewick and drove immediately to the scene of the drowing. Dr. May found that she had been dead for some time and that efforts at revival would not be effective. The body was then brought to Pasco where funeral services were held Saturday from the undertaking parlors and burial made in Oakesdale where she was born on April 18, 1893. She is survived by her husband and one son.

Mr. and Mrs. Longmeier had gone to the Steve Szekfu farm, formerly the Hall ranch, for the day. Mrs. Longmeier picked cherries in the early morning and the husband helped put up several loads of hay. About eleven, o'clock, being hot, they decided to go for a swim in the slough that runs along that side of the river. It was then that the accident happened.

The deceased had lived for some ten years in the Mesa district, operating a store and being post-mistress for a considerable part of that time.

The Pasco Herald, 11 July 1940, Front Page


Minnie Webb Luth

Minnie A. Webb was born Sept 22, 1875 in Colorado. She came with her family to Washington in 1880 and to Kennewick in 1907 where she homesteaded in Horse Heaven. She was married to Albert M. Luth in 1910. They were on the wheat farm for 20 years then moved to Kennewick where they have lived for the last 18 years.

Mrs. Luth passed away at the Pasco hospital on Aug. 26, 1946 at the age of 70. She is survived by her husband: one son, Clarence Roberts of Miami, Florida and three brothers, Edgar Webb of Alberta, Canada, George Webb of Everett and Charles Webb of Battle Creek, Mich., and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Golland of Spokane and Mrs. Effie Willard of Klamath Falls, Ore.

Funeral services were held at the Mueller chapel with Rev. John Coan in charge. Interment was in Riverview Heights cemetery.

The Kennewick Courier=Reporter, Thursday, 29 August 1946, Page Seven


Bernard Max Lingschiet, 62, of Route 1, Pasco, died Thursday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. He was born in Filer, Idaho, and lived in Pasco 22 years. He owned and operated a farm on Route 1 and was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, McMinnvile, Ore. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; brothers, Wayne Lingschiet, Pasco, Leslie Lingschiet, Medford, Ore; sisters, Verda Klyn, Hillsboro, Ore., Carol Wheeler, Yreka, Calif., and father Frank Lingschiet, McMinnville. A daughter Saundra died in 1958. Services were today in Greenlee Funeral Home. Services also are scheduled Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Macy and Sons Funeral Home, McMinnville, with burial in Greencrest Cemetery, Sheridan, Ore.

Tri-City Herald. 29 February 1980


Gladys Vera Lingscheit, 79, Pasco, died Tuesday at her home. She was born in Gaston, Ore., and lived and farmed in the Columbia Basin north of Pasco since 1954. Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, Friday, 20 November 1992, Page A10


Gladys Vera Lingscheit, 79, a long-time Columbia Basin resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1992, at her home. She was born Dec. 27, 1912, at Gaston, Ore., to Edgar and Luella Miller. On Sept. 5, 1936 she married R.W. Lingscheit at McMinneville, Ore. In 1954, the Lingscheit family moved to the Columbia Basin north of Pasco, where they farmed. She was a member of the Country Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church. Gladys Lingscheit is survived by her husband, R.W. Lingscheit of Pasco; three sons, Frank Lingscheit of Puyallup, and Rodney and Roger Lingscheit, both of Kennewick; and three daughters, Emma Derting of Anacortes, Helen Heavirland of Milton-Freewater, Ore., and Hazel Burns of Pasco; and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 23, 1992 at 10 a.m. in the Riverview Seventh-day Adventist Church. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday at Mt. Hope Cemetery in College Place. Visitation for friends will be Sunday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the church. Those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to the Christian Record Braille. Memorials may be left at the church at the time of service.

Tri-City Herald, Sunday, 22 November 1992, Page A10


Beulah E. Langston, age 80, of Pasco, passed away on Friday, October 13, 1995. She was born June 30, 1915 in Foyl, Missouri, to Elmer and Maggie Osborne. She married Cleo Langston on July 22, 1937 in Missouri. She was a member of the Eagle Auxiliary 2577 and served as a past president in Grand Coulee, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo in 1986, and is survived by her sons, C. Leory, his wife, Dorothy, Leland, Lonnie, his wife, Terry; and daughter, Delores Campbell; brother, Cecil and wife, Nancy Osborne; nephew, Ed, and his wife, Cathy Osborne; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at City View Cemetery. Arrangements have been made by Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel.

Tri-City Herald, Sunday, 15 October 1995, Page D6


Mae Mount Lewis, 90, of 615 Birkshire Pl., Richland, died Friday at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Pasco. She was born in Evansville, Ark., and had lived in the Tri-Cities for 25 years. Survivors include sons Gus E., Robert M., both of Richland; daughter Mrs. Oleta L. Cowan, Richland; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Services will be at Einan's Funeral Home Monday at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Friends may call today from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Tri-City Herald, Sunday, 21 July 1974, Page 35


Georgia Mae Lee, 96, Kennewick, died Monday in Life Care Center, Kennewick. She was born in Endicott, and lived in the Tri-Cities since 1965. Einan's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 2 March 1988, Page C9


Ethel R. Lamphere, 76, Kennewick, died Tuesday in Hillcrest Convalescent Center. She was born in Schenectady, N.Y. and lived in the Tri-Cities since 1948. She was a store manager for the Import Market and the Highland Bowl. Mueller's Chapel of the Falls is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, Wednesday, 2 March 1988, Page C9


George William Lilly of Burbank died Tuesday at Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle. He was born in LaJuanta, Colo. and lived in Burbank for 16 years. He was a retired truck driver and route salesman. Columbia Memorial Funeral Chapel, Pasco is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, Thursday, 2 November 1995, Page A9


In loving memory of George William Lilly, born on August 31, 1924 to W. Elizabeth and George C. Lilly in LaJunta, Colo. Died in the VA Hospital in Seattle on October 31, 1995. He was raised in Los Angeles, CA from the age of 11 with two sisters and one brother. He joined the Army in 1943 and was discharged in 1945 after serving in the Philippines and Okinawa. After returning from the war, he became a truck driver for the Teamsters in California for 31 years. He married Leona Mae Preusch on June 3, 1943 and lived in California until 1979 when they moved to Burbank, WA after retiring. George enjoyed camping, fishing, and playing pinochle at the Pasco Senior Citizen Center. He worked part time at TriCity Auto Auction until his death. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Leona Mae, three daughters, Dianne McDonald of Burbank, WA, Karen and Dan Christeson of Provo, Utah, Janet and Dale Bronniman of Pasco, WA and two sons, Don and Diane Lilly of Modesto, CA and George and Kathy Lilly of Finley, WA. At his request there will be no services.

Tri-City Herald, Friday, 3 November 1995, Page C7


Augustus E. "Gus" Lewis, 85, died Thursday in Kennewick. He was born in Evansville, Ark., and lived in Richland 50 years. He was a retired manager and vice president of Lord Electric Co. Einan's Funeral Home, Richland, is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, Sunday, 14 November 1998, Page A11


Gus Lewis died on November 12, 1998 at his residence in Kennewick, WA. He was born on May 2, 1913 in Evansville, Arkansas, to father Alvis E. and mother Clara Mae Mount Lewis. He graduated from Sallisaw High School in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Gus pursued a career as an electrician and spent several years in the early 1940s in Alaska. He had many fond memories of his experiences while working in Seward and other Alaskan locations. His job as a construction electrician took him to many locations throughout Alaska, Washington State and elsewhere. Not long after settling in Richland in 1950, he started the local office of Lord Electric, of which he ultimately became vice president. Gus managed the Lord office for thirty years before retiring in 1984. He had been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) since 1942, and recieve his 50- and 55-year service pins in 1992 and 1997, respectively. He also was a Mason and a member of the Elks Lodge for many years, and was a former member of the Richland City Council. Gus was highly respected by those who worked with and for him through his 34 years as a businessman in the Tri-Cities. Gus enjoyed golf for more than fifty years; he and his wife Eva were among the first members of Meadow Springs Country Club. Another of Gus' joys was hunting with his long-time friend Tom Logston in the Blue Mountains. He introduced his children to, and particpated in, a number of recreational and outdoor pastimes including hunting, fishing, golf, horseback riding, travel and more. Gus was a man of good humor and enjoyed sharing memories of his early days in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Those close to him knew, however, that it was the people in his life - his family and friends old and new - that meant more to him than anything else. Gus married Janice Corrine Davis in 1939. He is survived today by their four children and seven grandchildren, Michael G. Lewis of Seattle, WA., Peggy Johnson and her family of Mt Vernon, WA., Steve Lewis and his family of Kennewick, WA., and Sean Lewis and his family of Puyallup, WA, as well as his sister, Oleta Cowan and brother Robert Lewis, both of Richland, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and his second wife of 21 years, Eva Mae, next to whom he will be laid to rest. A graveside ceremony will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland on November 16, 1998 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a gathering of friends and family at Northwest United Protestant Church, 1312 Sacramento, Richland, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any branch of the Tri-Cities Food Banks.

Tri-City Herald, Sunday, 14 November 1998, Page A11


Hermiston - Services were held 3 p.m. today in Burns Mortuary Chapel for George D. Leach, 73. He was born in Kansas and died in his home here Friday. He was a millwright. He moved here from Kinzua 12 years ago. Survivors include a daughter Mrs. Edwin Beebe, Pocatello; brothers Edgar and Miles Leach, both Kamiah, Idaho, and Frank, Eagle, Idaho; sisters Mrs. Rose Stein, Vancouver, Wash., Zella Foster, Portland and one grandson. The Rev. Steve Funk officiated and burial was in Hermiston Cemetery.

Tri-City Herald, Monday, 17 February 1975, Page 11


Grandview – Sarah M Letourneau, 97, Route 1, Cherry Lane, Grandview, died Tuesday at the Hillcrest Nursing Home, Grandview. She was born in Larimore, ND and moved to Seattle in 1910 where she worked in a millinery shop and also had an art studio. She married Edward Letourneau in 1920 and they moved to Deer Lodge, Mont., where her husband was a shoemaker for many years. They later moved to Prosser and in 1963 following her husband’s death she moved to Grandview. She was preceded in death by two sisters, two brothers and one grandson. She was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church having attended both the Sacred Heart Catholic church, Prosser and the Blessed Sacrament Catholic church in Grandview. Survivors include daughter Marie Wall, Grandview; son Edward Letourneau, Prosser; one grandson, and two great-grandsons. Rosary is to be recited today at 7 p.m. in the Smith Funeral home, Grandview. Graveside services are scheduled at 10 .m. Friday and burial in the East Prosser Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the services may meet at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m.

Tri-City Herald, Thursday, 17 November 1983, Page C5


Sunnyside – James Lanctot, 54, of 715 San Clemente Ave., died of an apparent heart attack at home Thursday. Survivors include his wife Patricia; four sons, Thomas, Time, Steve, and Eddy; and two daughters, Marjorie and Mikki. Arrangements are pending at Smith Funeral Home.

Tri-City Herald, Friday, 7 August 1972, Page 18


Lonnie G Lundberg passed away Sunday, December 20, 1992, at his home in Prosser, at the age of 84 years. He was born November 23, 1908, at Hartford, WA, and lived at Colville and Pasco before moving with his family to the Whitstran area in 1918. On January 27, 1937, he and Frances Sharp were married in Yakima. They bought a farm on McCreadie Road where they lived for the next 35 years, raising fruit. In 1971 they sold their place and lived in Grandview for 11 years before moving to their present home in Prosser. Lonnie was a member of Prosser Senior Citizen club, AARP and Buena Vista Grange. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Frances of Prosser; 1 son, Ronald and wife Deb of Edmonds, WA; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Riley Campbell of Sunnyside, WA; and Linda and Bruce Burpee of Deming, WA; 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 1 sister, Dorothy Schmidt of Prosser, and 1 brother, George Lundberg of Naches, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, 1 brother and 1 grandson. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, Dec 23, 1992 at 2 p.m. at the Meyer Funeral Home, Prosser. Interment will be at the Prosser cemetery. Friends may call, Tuesday, Dec 22, 1992 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Prosser Senior Center and may be left in the care of Meyer Funeral Home, Arrangements entrusted to the care of Meyer Funeral Home, Prosser.

Tri-City Herald, 22 December 1992, Page A11


TriCitian Dies in Love Triangle Row

A 21 year old Pasco man died early Sunday morning from gunshot wounds to his chest after he was involved in an argument at a residence near the Benton Franklin County Fairgrounds.

And police arrested a Kennewick man whom witnesses say shot Delbert Lathim Jr in the chest with a sawed off .22 rifle, said Kennewick Police Chief Bob Farnkoff.

The suspect, John P Nordby, was being held at the Benton County Jail for investigation of homicide, the chief said. Nordby, 28, of 1108 S Irby St, Kennewick, was expected to make his first court appearance this morning.

Lathim—known to friends and family as “Junior” - died at Kennewick General Hospital at 1:46 am—about 1 1/2 hours after the shooting outside the residence at 834 S Ivy St.

The shooting apparently followed a dispute between Lathim and a third man, 20 year old Terry R Eldhardt of Pasco, Farnkoff said.

The argument began when Lathim and Eldhardt’s girlfriend, Tiffany C Stiles, returned from a drive to Finley to talk, Farnkoff said. “Apparently, they were gone for longer than he (Eldhardt) thought they should be,” Farnkoff said.

Junior Lathim had been romantically involved with Stiles previously, said his brother, Michael Lathim. But 19 year old Stiles recently gave birth to a son by Eldhardt.

When Lathim and Stiles pulled up to the house at about midnight, Eldhardt and Nordby were just leaving the residence in Nordby’s jeep, according to the police report. Eldhardt got out of the jeep, went over to Lathim’s pickup and began questioning the pair.

“Lathim took a swing or two at Eldhardt and missed,” Farnkoff said. “As he was doing this, Eldhardt went back to Nordby’s jeep.” Then Nordby apparently pulled the altered rifle from the jeep and pointed it at Lathim, witnesses told police. “Lathim saw it and went over to him,” Farnkoff said. “He allegedly grabbed it (the rifle) and apparently two shots were fired, both striking him in the chest area.”

The victim fell to the ground at the curb in front of the residence, which is just across 10th Avenue from Eastgate Elementary School. Nordby fled the scene, and police were called, Farnkoff said.

A Richland police officer saw Nordby driving on Columbia Center Boulevard near the Highway 240 overpass at about 12:30 am, pulled him over and detained him until Kennewick police arrived, the chief said.

People at the Ivy Street residence declined to talk to a Herald reporter.

Some of Lathim’s family members described the victim, the oldest of six children, as a young man who was devoted to his family. “He loved all of us,” said 15 year old Michael Lathim. “He wanted the best for us.”

Michael said his big brother was protective and always was there for him and his brothers and sisters. Last week, Michael went to Junior with a personal problem.

“We were crying for about an hour together because he wanted to understand my problem,” he said. “Then he wrote me a letter just the day before he died, saying he would be there for me and to go with my dreams.”

Junior Lathim, who was the cousin of Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim, was unemployed at the time of his death but had worked as a maintenance man for a Kennewick janitorial service, said his father, Delbert Lathim Sr. Junior attended Kennewick High School but never graduated.

The elder Lathim saw his son Friday when he came over to his apartment complex to use the weight room, a daily habit.

“He could bench press 350 pounds,” Lathim Sr. said of his son. “He was tremendously strong—the strongest guy I ever knew.”

Lathim said his son was a happy go lucky young man, who loved his friends and family.

“He maybe loved life too much,” his father said. “He loved to party, but he was loyal to the death to his friends.”

Funeral service had not been scheduled as of Sunday.

Tri-City Herald, 27 August 1990, Front Page


Delbert Lewis Lathim Jr, 21, Kennewick, died Sunday in Kennewick General Hospital. He was born in Pasco and lived in the Tri-Cities all his life. He was a maintenance laborer. Greenlee Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Herald, 28 August 1990, Page A7


Delbert Lewis Lathim Jr, of Kennewick, died Sunday, August 26, 1990, at Kennewick General Hospital. He was born on July 7, 1969, in Pasco, WA. He was a graduate of Kennewick High School and worked as a maintenance laborer. He is survived by his father Delbert L Lathim of Kennewick; his mother Janie Perez Carrillo of Pasco; brothers, Dean and Marty Lathim both of Kennewick and Michael Lathim of Pasco; sisters Christina and Melissa Lathim both of Pasco; maternal grandparents Joe and Rosa Perez of Basin City, WA; paternal grandparents Arthur and Okal Lathim of Kennewick; and a host of aunts and uncles. Services will be held Saturday, September 1, 1990, at 1:00 pm at Faith Assembly Christian Center, 1800 Road 72, Pasco, WA. Burial will be at Riverview Heights Cemetery, Kennewick, WA. Visitations will be Friday from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm at Greenlee Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Delbert Lathim Jr Memorial Fund at Ben Franklin National Bank, 3525 W Court, Pasco WA 99301.

Tri-City Herald, 30 August 1990, Page B7

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