Obituary of Ellen Deon Shiflett

Ellen Deon Shiflett graced this Earth with her presence on August 11, 1936, and departed to begin her new adventure on May 18, 2014. Born to Newell and Opal Behunin in Vernal, Utah, Deon often shared her fond memories of growing up in a small town. Many of her life adventures began when she married William H. Shiflett on January 27, 1954. After a short stint in the San Francisco area, Deon and Bill began raising their family. Everybody got a geography lesson while growing up in various places, including Texas, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and Eastern Washington, eventually planting roots in Grays Harbor County. Deon spent the last several years a resident of Olympia, Washington. No matter what Deon was doing, she was happiest when she was doing it with family. From the time the kids were young, bowling was a family way of life. Deon’s talent won her many awards, and she treasured passing along her knowledge to those her shared her passion for bowling. When the arthritis in her right hand thought it had gotten the better of her, she merely switched to bowling with her left hand! Another family tradition that gave Deon great joy was the annual family campout at Schafer State Park. She and Bill delighted in playing cribbage with the kids, spending time around the campfire, and fishing in the river. Of course Deon always managed to catch the largest fish! Carrying on the campout tradition with the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, meant the world to her. Deon welcomed every new member to the family with open arms and a warm heart. She would tell humorous stories of the trouble the kids had gotten into when they were younger, and stories illustrating her independence and strong-will as she endured raising the kids alone for extended periods of time while Bill provided for the family as a long-haul truck driver. Her warmth and compassion carried over to her volunteer work with the Olympia Food Co-Op, and her dedicated involvement with the Olympia Senior Center. Additionally, Deon was very active in the Montesano, Elma and Olympia VFWs and Eagles. Deon came from a very musically talented family with her father Newell being the leader of a band and playing saxophone and banjo. She became smitten with the accordion and played it for the pure enjoyment. In earlier years she even taught some of her grandkids how to play. Of the many attributes Deon possessed, her wit, sense of humor, and ability to tell a great story are the qualities for which she will be remembered the most. Her positive attitude while battling cancer is the characteristic for which she will always be admired. Her beautiful smile, her sparkling eyes, and the mischief lurking behind them, will be with us forever. Deon is survived by her favorite son, Bill Shiflett (Jennifer) of Fort Worth, her favorite son, John Shiflett (Judy) of Olympia, and her favorite daughter, Barb Ferrier (Edgar) of McCleary; her sister, Nola Durall, of Mapleton, Utah, and her brother, Kehl Behunin, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and her 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom she treasured with all of her heart. For those wishing to make donations, they can be made to The American Cancer Society in Deon Shiflett’s name at the following link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/deon_shiflett Please leave memories of Deon or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.