Philip Daniel Whanger
1936 – 2021
Philip Daniel Whanger, 85, went home to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 8th, 2021. He was a life long believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. He read the Holy Bible every day and always had a small Gideon Bible at the ready to share with others. He loved traveling, seeing new sights, hiking, camping, and the great outdoors.
Phil was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia to Viva Madge and Jesse Jacob Whanger, the second of four children. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1955, performed his undergraduate studies at Berry College in Rome, Georgia graduating in 1959, then pursued his masters at West Virginia University graduating in 1961. Finally, he received his doctorate at North Carolina State University in Biochemistry.
While there, he met his future wife, Lois Jones, from Sutton, West Virginia. They married in 1964 and moved to East Lansing, Michigan, where he completed his post-doctorate at Michigan State University.
In 1967, the kid from the ‘holler’ took the next step in his career by accepting an assistant professor position in Nutrition and Biochemistry at Oregon State University where he would spend the next 39 years of his career. During that time, he would rise to associate and full professor positions as his research delved into trace elements such as Selenium, Cadmium, Zinc, and Vitamin E, resulting in over 200+ publications, discoveries of the protein Selenoprotein-W and cures for those afflicted by White Muscle and Keshan’s Diseases.
He is recognized as an expert around the world for his research on Selenium and has spoken at several international conferences over his career. He mentored dozens of graduate and doctorate students from countries around the world: Korea, China, Nigeria, Australia, Egypt, Germany.
He leaves behind his wife, Lois, and their two children- son, Darren (Nancy), of Corvallis, OR and daughter, Dawn (Tom), of Fresno, CA. He has 6 grandchildren, Loretta Ruby Moate, Daniella Sara Whanger, Kimberly Morgan Whanger, Christian Nikolus Whanger, Dane Thomas Moate and Rachel Brooke Moate.
Phil will be missed for his quirky sense of humor, his colloquial mannerisms, his love of ramps, his faithfulness to his beliefs, and his ability to converse with any and everyone. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the purchase of Gideon Bibles. Thank you. REST in PEACE, our dearly beloved.
Elene Duncan
December 1, 1926 – October 27, 2021
Elene Vivian (Hanson) Duncan of Sequim, Washington, passed away October 27, 2021 from natural causes, amidst the loving care of those at Sequim Health and Rehab, with family by her side. She was 94.
A Celebration of life will be held December 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Sequim Community Church. There will be a private interment at 1:00 pm at the Dungeness Cemetery.
Elene was born December 1, 1926 in McGregor, North Dakota, one of six children to Edwin and Mary Jane (Wylie) Hanson. Her parents owned and operated a restaurant and survived the depression by having a large garden and some livestock.
After graduating high school in 1944, she along with her family moved to Seattle, where she worked bucking rivets at Boeing Aircraft to earn money to attend Griffin-Murphy Business College. She worked as a medical secretary bookkeeper for some years before marrying Dr. William R. Duncan, an orthopedic surgeon. They were married at Lake Crescent Lodge December 31, 1948.
They started a family in Seattle and moved to Sequim in 1961. That same year Elene got her Pilot’s license and became a charter member of the Far West Chapter of the Ninety Nines International Organization of Women Pilots. The following year she flew as co-pilot in the Powder Puff Derby, a race from Oakland, CA to Wilmington, Delaware.
Two years later she earned her Real Estate and Broker’s license and was manager of the Dungeness Condominiums, for three years, along with bookkeeping for condo owners. She became a charter member of the Dungeness Golf Course and Women’s Association and served as President. She also served as President on the board of the Roncalli Girl’s Home in Port Angeles and Bay View Boy’s Home in Sequim.
In 1979 she and Bill served with Care-Medico in the Dominican Republic. The following years were spent in service to her family, her church, her neighbors and her community. Throughout her life, she enjoyed skiing, hiking, golf, gardening, boating and her grandchildren.
Elene is survived by her son Thomas E. (Rhonda) Duncan of Burien, WA; daughter Carolyn (Chuck) Rice of Sequim, WA; stepdaughter Adah (Kate) Duncan of California; daughter-in-law Mary Jane Duncan of Sequim, WA; grandchildren, Alec Duncan, Danika (Mick) Dempsey, Clara Duncan, Will Duncan, and Carl Graves and one great grandchild Mira B. Dempsey. Other survivors include a brother Jim Hanson (Midge) of La Conner, WA.
She was preceded in death by her husband William R. Duncan; son Robert R. Duncan; stepson William B. Duncan; brothers Oliver and Irwin Hanson and sisters Fern Barkley and Pearl Bjodstrup.
Memorial Contributions in Elene’s memory may be made to Sequim Community Church.
Sequim Valley Funeral chapel is honored to serve the family. (360) 683-5242. Please visit our online register book at sequimvalleychapel.com to leave treasured memories for the family.
