Obituary of John E. Rathvon John Edgar Rathvon passed away after a sudden illness on November 16, 2012, in Mount Vernon, WA at the age of 87 years. He was born March 3, 1925 at home in Birdsview, WA, the second of nine children born to Edgar and Rosie Lungren Rathvon. John spent most of his lifetime in the Skagit Valley. He was a member of the last graduating class of Hamilton High School in 1943. The following year he joined the U.S. Army, was assigned to the Calvary and served in the Philippine Islands. He was discharged in 1946. Among his awarded medals was the Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster. On February 8, 1956 he married Carolyn Mickelson at First Baptist Church, Sedro-Woolley. They established their first home in Burlington, living there 39 years before moving to Mount Vernon in 1994. They raised one daughter, Barbara Ellen. Much of John's work life was spent in lumbering and construction. In 1990 he retired from a 26-year career with the Department of Transportation, State of Washington. He was member of First Baptist Church, Sedro-Woolley and had served many years as a church trustee. He also was a member of Retired Public Employees, Chapter #08. Mr. Rathvon is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ray Pickens of Mount Vernon, three grandsons, one daughter-in-law and 2 great grandsons, Andrew Pickens and Sean Pickens both of Mount Vernon, Grant and Dana Pickens and sons Aedon and Graeson of Sedro-Woolley. He is also survived by four brothers, Roy and Glen both of Arlington, WA, Mark of Sedro-Woolley, WA and Richard of Longview, WA and 2 sisters Dorothy Hughes and Violet Aiken both of Sedro-Woolley, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carolyn, sister Ethel West of Mount Vernon, and brother Howard of Dallas, Texas. At his request there will be no local services. Internment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA with full military honors at a later date. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.