Max Ray Haller, age 87, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Tacoma General Hospital following a brief illness. During this time, he showed all those around him tremendous courage and strength. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and maintained his trademark sense of humor and “charisma” all the way to the end. He leaves his six children, Pamela (Haller) Rang, Larry Haller, Daniel Haller, Richy Haller, Cathy (Haller) Jacobson and Randal Haller; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Born in North Dakota, his parents Alice and Ray Haller, brought him to Tacoma in 1925 when he was one year old. Max spent his childhood and adult life in the Manitou and South Tacoma area. After serving with the Army and the Merchant Marines during World War II, Max had the opportunity to join The Washington Gas and Electric Co. of Tacoma which later became Washington Natural Gas Co. where he served as a Field Representative for forty years. Over the years of service, his expertise and reputation led him to train many of the new Field Representatives for the Washington Natural Gas Co. Max had a passion for his family, his little dogs he named Pepper I and Pepper II, spending time with his loved ones and friends at BJ’s Bingo and attending Manitou Park Presbyterian Church, which was the church of his childhood. The family would like to express its deepest appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at Tacoma General Hospital. In particular we would like to thank Dr. Eller Manlapaz for the compassion, care and respect given to our father as he left this world, in the arms of our Lord, to join our mother Amelia Haller, brother Patrick Haller, sister Christine Haller, grandson Keith Haller and Pepper I. Memorial services Friday, May 6, 2011 at 12:00PM at Mountain View’s Celebration of Life Building. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.
Margaret (Marge) Jane Schweitzer, age 82, of Tacoma, passed away on May 1, 2011. She was born on March 3, 1929 in Lafayette, CO to Tatiana (Tillie) and Alex Shapowal. Margaret was a sweet, loving, caring woman and wonderful wife and mother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She married Harry Schweitzer on October 16, 1954 in CO and moved to Tacoma in 1974. They later retired there after Harry’s life-long career with the Air Force after living in TX, IN, NE, Guam, NY, and family in KS while Harry was in Iceland. Margaret was a dedicated employee for 18 years at Point of Sale Company in Gig Harbor, working full-time until 2005. Margaret is survived by her children Laura (John) Robertson and Karen Schweitzer (Gerald French), sister Betty Beranek, grandchildren Christie (Seth) Haskins and Kyle French, great-grandchildren William, Patrick, and Aaron, nephews Mike (Sandy) Beranek, Mark (Darlene) Beranek, and Alex Shapowal, nieces Patty (John) Hester, Susan (Will) Whiteley, and Oanh Forbes. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, CMSgt Harry Schweitzer, in 1985, sisters Pauline (Frank) Stamm and Anna Paulley, brother John (Edith) Shapowal, brother-in-law Joseph Beranek, sister-in-law Edith (Bob) Beisel, and nephew Don Forbes. The funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Friday, May 6, 2011 in the Mountain View Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood, with visitation on Thursday, May 5 from 5-7:30pm. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.