The Splash
28 • MARCH 2014
COMMUNITY
Obituaries Thelma Mellick Thelma Bernice (Bateman) Mellick, 94, entered into rest on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Spokane. She was a lifetime resident of the area. She was born Oct. 5, 1919, to William and Pearl (Seichepine) Bateman in Spokane. Thelma graduated from Rogers High School in 1937, where she was the salutatorian. She was queen of the first “Spokane Stampede” Rodeo in 1939. She married Fran Mellick in 1941 in Spokane, and they were married for 59 years before Fran passed away. She worked for Tull & Gibbs department store early on and part time at James J. Williams Trucking Company where Fran worked. She worked as a volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital Gift Shop for more than 35 years. She and Fran enjoyed playing tennis and square dancing and were both avid travelers, having crisscrossed the United States numerous times. Thelma was known as the pink lady as she always was wearing pink and she was a fantastic pie maker. She and Fran lived their whole married lives in the Spokane Valley, with Liberty Lake being their home since 1975. Thelma is survived by sons: Jerry Mellick, Will (Angel) Mellick, John (Kori) Mellick; daughters: Susan (Randy) Jewett, Patty (Jim) Ewing — all from Spokane; 13 grandchildren: Scott Mellick, Chad Mellick, Joeli Mellick, Kailyn Mellick, Holli Mellick, Chris Mellick, Thomas Hale, Justin Hale, Loren Mellick, Sherrie Orvik Stradley, Steven Orvik, Eric Ewing, Angela Ewing Hubbard; and 19 great-grandchildren. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Fran Mellick, her sister, Wilma Moffatt, and her parents, Will and Pearl Bateman. A funeral service was held Feb. 3 at Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane. Interment followed at Riverside Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Gift Shop — P.O. Box 2555, Spokane, WA 99220.
Stephen E. Bennett Stephen E. Bennett, 83, United States Air Force, retired, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at Holmes Regional Medical Center. He was born in Dansville, N.Y., and moved to Brevard Country, Fla., in the 1980s from Weeping Water, Neb. He and his wife, Beatrice Van Amburg-Bennett, spent summers with their daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Odin Langford in Liberty Lake. Steve was a veteran of the Korean War and served as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Stephen was a former commander of the American Legion and a previous member of Wally Byam Air Stream International. Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, Beatrice Van Amburg of Melbourne, Fla.; children, Jackie and Allen Bauers of Weeping Water, Neb.; David Bennett of Kansas; Jill and Odin Langford of Liberty Lake; Wm. D. and Beverley Van Amburg of Tempe, Ariz.; Craig and Beverly Van Amburg of Fairbanks, Alaska; Bruce Van Amburg of Richmond, Va.; daughterin-law Renee Sheehan of Weeping Water, Neb., and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Carol, in 2005. A memorial service was held Jan. 27 at Peace Lutheran Church in Palm Bay, Fla., with arrangements by Life Event Center at Florida Memorial. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Disabled American Veterans.
Obituary Policy The Splash prints obituaries of people with ties to the Liberty Lake community. Obituaries 350 words or fewer are free of charge, and a small head shot photo is included. Longer obituaries or special photo requests can be accommodated using Splash advertising rates. Please ask the funeral home or service making arrangements to send obituaries to editor@libertylakesplash.com.
Relay for Life kicks off LL event with party Annual fundraiser to take place in July By Tammy Kimberley SPLASH STAFF WRITER
With a desire to help people celebrate more birthdays as well as get in the spirit of the upcoming summer event, the Liberty Lake Relay for Life committee is inviting community members to an informational celebration this month. The kickoff party will be held 5:30 p.m. March 18 at Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway. “We’ll have activities for kids while their parents are finding out info, as well as some light refreshments,” American Cancer Society representative Jennifer Kronvall said. “We hope to answer any questions about Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.” Funds raised through Relay for Life go toward cancer research, programs and services, Kronvall explained. This includes making sure cancer patients receive their treatments by providing rides and lodging, when needed. The first Liberty Lake Relay, held in 2011, started with four committee members who managed to pull together an event that raised $12,000. Kronvall said last year’s event raised $27,000.
“It’s grown a lot, especially when the trend has been going down for a lot of events,” she said. “This Relay has gone the other direction.” The fourth annual Liberty Lake Relay for Life will be held July 1819 at the Meadowwod Technology Campus. The theme for this year’s event is “Once Upon a Relay: Everyone Deserves a Happily Ever After.” Jean Simpson, co-chair for this year’s events, said a common misconception is that the event is an actual run. She emphasized the goal is to have fun while honoring survivors. “The event itself is a culmination of everybody raising money. It’s a big party where we celebrate everyone’s efforts as well as celebrate the survivors,” Simpson said. “That’s why we do it — so people can celebrate more birthdays.” The event will begin 6 p.m. Friday evening with a full night of ceremonies, entertainment, games and kids activities. Simpson encouraged cancer survivors to sign up for the event so they can be recognized during the ceremonies and also be honored with a free dinner. While forming teams is encouraged for fundraising purposes, Simpson said you don’t have to be part of a team to at-
RELAY KICKOFF PARTY March 18 at 5:30 p.m. Liberty Lake Community Theatre 22910 E. Appleway The event will include games, prizes, snacks and information about how to be a part of the American Cancer Society’s 2014 Liberty Lake Relay. For more: www.facebook.com/ libertylakerelay tend the event or to help out. The committee is still in the planning stages and is recruiting members for everything from team development to staffing the parking lot the night of the event. She also said she would like to see local companies come on board to challenge others in their industries with fundraising goals. “We’re all in it for the same reason—we want a cure,” Simpson said. “There are so many volunteering their time, there have got to be more people who want to do the same.” For more, go to www.relayforlife.org/libertylakewa or www. facebook.com/libertylakerelay.
Education Briefs Liberty Lake culinary student graduates Jacqulyn Fletcher of Liberty Lake graduated from the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at Spokane Community College in December 2013. Fully accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, this program prepares graduates to work alone or as part of a team in a wide range of positions in the culinary industry.
Colleges honor local students The following Liberty Lake residents were recently recog-
nized by colleges for their Fall 2013 academic performance. Information was provided via press releases submitted from schools.
Spokane Community College Honor roll (3.0+)
Emily Orenstein
Gregory Benzel, Elena Blackburn, Kelsey Bliss, Rachel Butler, Danielle Cosper, Chris Cote, Chanse Cramer, Jared Fincher, Jacqulyn Fletcher, Brandon Garcia, Rebecca Grealy, Jamee Hart, David Hunton, Mallory Jones, Alexandra Kelly, Matthew Kienbaum, Michael Marcus, Paula Mcewen, Sara Mower, Sheena Moya, Stefanie Obrien, Stephanie Ofarrell, Chad Ohl, Allie Oleynik, Randy Paul, Taylor Pippenger, Kevin Ruiz, Stephanie Scheurer, Joseph Staples, Heather Sutton, Sarah Vogel, Michael Weimer
Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.) Dean’s List (3.5+)
Spokane Falls Community College Honor roll (3.0+)
Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) Dean’s List (3.5+) Sydnee Scofield, Mackenzie Via
Carroll College (Helena, Mont.) Dean’s List (3.5+)
Nicholaus, Johnson
Gonzaga University Dean’s List (3.5 to 3.69)
Taylor Kelley, Matthew McCauley, Parick McNeil
President’s List (3.7+)
Christina Davis, Lucas Schneidmiller, Ande Seines
North Idaho College Dean’s List (3.75+) Kellie Watson
Bryan Aguilar, Brianna Beckwith, Nathan Brown, Shawn Buck, Trevor Cook, Chris Dixon, Stephen Ertel, Alyssa Garro, Ronda Gimlen,Fay Hulihan, Aaron Kennedy, Natoine Lively Ii, Brittni Ludington, Alexandria Mc Laughlin, Zelpha Miller, Jessica Neihoff, Jordyn Sandford, Micah Seale, Kendyl Spencer, Rosharon Swank, Alex Sweeney, Cody Tibesar, Brooke Wayman, Shayla Williams
Whitworth University Honor roll (3.75+)
Nicole Kallestad, Dakota Kliamovich, Karly Rasmussen