On June 2, 2011, Carole DeClerk went to Heaven after a five-year battle with colon cancer. She is survived by her husband, Gary; two children Mike DeClerk and Suzanne Harkness; a sister, Anne Shriner of Bremerton; and seven grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the Federal Way United Methodist Church where she enjoyed hand bells and Bible study. She was interred at Tahoma National Cemetery on June 7 and had a memorial service at Federal Way United Methodist Church on June 9.