Roberta Jean Khile

Roberta Jean Khile, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Jefferson County Hospital July 28, 2020. After 10 years of fighting, Bobbi finally succumbed to cancer. Bobbi was born on January 25th, 1945 to Robert B. Coryell and Bettie Alward Coryell. She was immediately nicknamed Bobbi Jean. Soon after, her parents divorced. Her mother married Robert R. Duncan in 1947. Her brother James Duncan was born in June 1955 and her sister Chris Lykins was born in July 1956. In March 1961 Bobbi married Ron H. Khile. In October 1961, their son Ron E. was born, followed by Don D. born in July 1963. Their daughter, Deanna J., came in September 1965. Unfortunately in 1972 after 11 years of marriage Ron & Bobbi divorced. She received her GED that same year, and went to work for the State of Washington. In 1974 she remarried, and in 1975 she moved to Selah, WA. She was a stay at home mom until the kids all graduated from high school. In 1985 she divorced. She enrolled in Yakima Valley Community College in 1986 to get a degree in Alcohol and Drug studies and became a counselor. In 1989 she and Ron reunited and they remarried in 1991, settling in Port Townsend, WA. Ron had also remarried after their divorce and he helped raise 3 step sons (Dan, Scott & Terry) who are members of their extended family. Bobbi enjoyed checking items off her bucket list which included seeing all the Hawaiian islands, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding on the beach, touring the islands via helicopter, sunset cruises, catamaran snorkeling trips, eating fine food and drinking fancy umbrella drinks. She also was able to see the Grand Canyon, visit Sedona and Las Vegas, and ride in a hot air balloon. Bobbi had a love for her flowers, gardening, cooking, and canning. Bobbi is survived by her husband, Ron; children, Ronnie (Lori), Donnie (Sheryl), Deanna (Steve), Dan (Katherine), Scott (Jorge), and Terry (Amy); grandchildren, Kory (Sarah), Carsten (Nina), Keaton, Austin (Alycia), Keegan, and Kirsha. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here . To those I love and those who loved and cared for me. When gone, be thankful for our years together. Thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a time that we must part. So bless the memories within your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on. So, if you need me, call me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see me or touch me, I will be near, and if you listen with your heart, you will hear all my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile, and say, “welcome home!” - Anonymous Bobbi would like to thank the Jefferson Oncology Department: Dr. Ann Murphy, Rebecca Kimball, as well as Carolyn Woods, Rick Fourmont, and Kalie Fountain.

Roberta Jean Coryell-Duncan Khile

Written by Bobbi Jean in 2012 I was born January 25, 1945 in Port Angeles, WA., at the Port Angeles General Hospital (YMCA) to Robert B. Coryell and Bettie Alward Coryell. I was immediately nicknamed Bobbi Jean. My parents divorced soon after. Mom married Robert R. Duncan in 1947, who owned a tavern in Dungeness, and milked cows on the McAlmond farm, a few years later went to work at the Rayonier Mill. He also started his own herd of dairy cattle, renting the Casselary farm. Growing up in Dungeness was a great childhood experience. Attending Dungeness school was an unforgettable time. We had grades 1 thru 3 in one room and 4 thru 6 in the other. I started going to school before I was old enough, about 3, 4 and 5, my Mom ran the Tavern and slept late, so I’d get up, get dressed and walk to school with the neighborhood kids. Everyone knew me, the teachers etc, they’d let me stay, have lunch, then my Mom would come and get me. By the time I was old enough to start school, I could already read and write. Mrs Page was the lower grade teacher, she advanced me from the 1st to the 3rd grade. When I passed to the 4th Mrs Leach wanted to put me in the 6th but my Parents said no. When I was 7 Dad gave me a Shetland pony, named Nancy. We lived in the back of the Tavern, Dad brought her right through the Tavern into the living room! I spent many hours on the pony riding with Carol and Jeanne Russel. We’d ride on the beach from Dungeness to Jamestown. On a warm day we’d go swimming on the horses. Sometimes the Brownfield Boys would be at the beach and they’d grab onto a tail and we pulled them through the water. Luckily no one drowned. Every summer was spent at the beach swimming and playing on the old dock. Tom, Jerry & Keith Brownfield, Rychlik kids and every kid that lived in Dungeness would be there. We’d wait for the tide to come in. Uncle Frank Duncan, who was the Brownfield’s Grandpa, had boats anchored out in the bay. When they began to float we’d get on them and wait for the water to get deep enough so we could dive or jump in, great fun! Until Uncle Frank showed up and chased us off. Of course the minute he left we’d go right back. Around 1952-53 Dad bought the Dungeness Creamery. Of course I didn’t know he’d bought it. A group of us kids walking to school had to pass by, and we had a great time throwing rocks and breaking the windows, until I heard my Dad yelling about someone breaking windows. Guess you know we stopped! Then he remodeled it in 1955 into a milking parlor. While attending Dungeness school, I was enrolled in Ethyl Clark’s dancing classes. Learning to tap dance, ballet, gymnastics and baton twirling, where I met Terri Schneriger and Lona Silverhorn. Lona’s Mom, Florence took us to Wenatchee to march in the Apple Blossom Parade. I think we were about 8 yrs. We also had many performances for friends and family. Dungeness School closed in 1955 and we had to go to Sequim. Wow! What a scary time. I was 10 1/2 yrs. old. Mom was home now, the Tavern was leased and my little brother Jim was born that summer of ’55, on June 20th. We had moved up to the corner now, Dad was milking cows in the old creamery, and the office was remodeled into our house. I had to have my appendix out and my biological father died. What a summer! Then in the fall it was off to Helen Haller Elementary for grade 6. Ride the bus, meet new kids, some I already knew, big change. There were as many kids in the one class as there was in all of the Dungeness School. By now age 11, I’m helping Dad milk cows. I’ve learned to drive all the machinery, so I’m cutting, raking and baling hay. I’m his right hand Girl! Summer of ’56 my Sister Chris was born on July 12th. Between helping Mom and Dad, it was a busy time. 1957 - Junior High, what an exciting time. Poodle skirts, starched under skirts (the bigger the better!). After school bowling (Alley’s are still there) Alan Shepard was the Pin Setter. ’58 - ’59 School dances, Sock Hops in the music room and gymnasium and “Macleay”, Jerry Brownfield and I won a dance contest on Valentines Day. What an exciting time! Friday afternoon football games, we were allowed to wear pedal pushers (Capris). One Halloween Jeanne Russell and I put a dead skunk in the trunk of Gene Strickland’s car. He never knew who did it until we told him at an all school reunion, several years ago. I remember going on a hayride, sponsored by Betty Robins parents. Had a great time. 1959 was also the year Lyle and Lloyd Brown introduced me to my future husband Ron Khile. 1966 arrived and high school. Drill Ream and school dances, lots of studies and of course Boys and dating. In 1961, I left school in the middle of my Junior year and married Ron, who was in the Coast Guard, stationed on the Winona. Our Sons Ron and Don were born in Port Angeles. Ron was transferred to Seattle in 1964, where our Daughter Deanna was born in 1965. In 1966 Ron was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 6 months later the Children and I followed. We’d survived a 6.5 earthquake in Seattle and then 3 days after arriving in Gitmo, hurricane Inez hit. What a mess it made of the Base. Then we had to deal with all the mosquitoes. That was miserable. Donnie got staph from scratching the bites. All in all the experience there was interesting to say the least. We returned to the states in 1968 and were restationed in Port Angeles, Ron was the Executive Officer on a 95’ Patrol boat and then was assigned to Group Port Angeles overseeing the light houses from Destruction Island to Point Wilson along with the Lifeboat stations at Neah Bay and La Push. He decided to leave the Coast Guard in 1971. Unfortunately in 1972 after 11 years of marriage Ron & I divorced. I received my GED that same year, and went to work for the State of Washington. In 1974 I remarried, and in 1975 moved to Selah, WA. I was a stay at home Mom until the kids all graduated from High School. In 1985 I divorced. 1986 I enrolled in Yakima Valley Community College to get a degree in Alcohol and Drug studies and became a counselor. In 1989 Ron and I reunited and remarried in 1991. Ron had also remarried after our divorce and helped raise 3 step Sons (Dan, Scott & Terry) who are members of our extended family. I joined Ron in Alaska in ’89, I found myself managing the mail room at the fish cannery and driving the transport van back and forth to the air strip on a gravel road, snow and ice in winter, actually it was fun for a change. In 1991-92 I went to sea with Ron on a fish processor, which he was the Captain of. The ship had a helicopter landing pad, I’d never flown on a helo before, so I asked the pilot if I could go up with him some time. He said “I’d have to check it out with the Captain”, I replied, “no problem, I sleep with him!” I’ll never forget the look on his face. I got my ride! Ron continued to go to sea, Captain of a crab vessel used for tendering salmon and delivering to canneries throughout Alaska. We live in Port Townsend, Ron’s semi retired, he manages an office building. I’m retired and fighting terminal Cancer. It’s been over 2 yrs. and I’m still here! I've got a long Bucket List, have several things marked off, next on the list is hot air balloon ride, then 50 year class reunion. Daughter Deanna and I just returned from a trip to Hawaii in February. I swam with a Dolphin! Son Ron & Daughter-in-Law Lori live in Everett, WA., Ron has two Son’s Kory, 25 and Keaton, 17. Don & Sherl live in Gleed, WA. Steve & Deanna live in Vancouver, WA, they have a Son, Carsten, 19.