Justin Lee Michael Underhill graced the world with his colossal presence Aug. 20,1975, in St. Charles, Ill. After many years of battling diabetes and related complications, Justin gracefully and peacefully left this world for the next, while surrounded by his loving family Dec. 15, 2019, in Longview, Wash.
He lived in the St. Charles, Ill., area until 1989, when his family relocated to Winlock, Wash., to begin a new life along with many other uncles, aunts and cousins. A 1994 graduate of Winlock High School, Justin had many friends and a large family based in the small town. He attended Centralia Community College after high school. Downtown Video, Metal Industries, Spiffy’s and Powersports Northwest are just a few of the places he held employment.
Coming from the Midwest, he was a very avid Chicago sports fan, but no team more than his beloved Chicago Bears. The middle of three boys, Justin was small but scrappy and had a black belt in Karate early on in his childhood to prove it. He had many obstacles in his lifetime from his diagnosis of juvenile diabetes and he took each one in stride. His optimism and level head always seemed to bring him through and yet he worried that someone, somewhere else had it worse than him. Grateful for life and the ability to give and receive love for 44 years, he was the epitome of strength during his hardships.
Justin’s final days were spent at Community Hospice Center in Longview, in the amazing care and compassion of the staff there with family and friends all around him. He was very well loved by all and he will be missed terribly.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Jackie Barnett and grandmother, Jeanette Kaija; great-grandfather, Lee Underhill; and great-grandparents, Dewey and Lula Perdue.
Justin is survived by his loving parents, who cared for him fiercely until the very end, Cat and Pat Underhill of Chehalis, Wash.; grandfather, Richard DeMar of St. Charles, Ill.; grandparents, Jay and Jean Underhill of Batavia, Ill.; brothers, Neil Underhill of Seattle, Wash., and Lance Underhill of St. Charles, Ill.; nephews, Chase Underhill of Yelm, Wash., Keaten Underhill of Napavine, Wash.; Dylan Henderson of Centralia, Wash., and Blaze Underhill of Onalaska, Wash.; neices, Trinity Underhill of Rochester, Wash., and Leighton Underhill of Onalaska, Wash.; many uncles and aunts, Trish (Underhill) and Scott Karll of Carol Stream, Ill., Tim and Lori Underhill of Magnolia, Texas, Becky (Underhill) and Bill Hoye Batavia, Ill., Cheri (DeMar) and Danny Voie Winlock, Wash., Dawn (DeMar) and Ned Eversole of Winlock, Wash., Tami (DeMar) and Gus Voie of Acton, Calif., Mike and Linda Voie of Napavine, Wash., Tim and Page Voie Olympia, Wash.; cousins, Scott Voie, Missy (Voie) Rollins, Misty Boreen, Charrie (Voie) LaFarr, Jason Hoye, Jameson Voie, Russ Voie, Chris Purdy, Michelle (Purdy) Jacquez, Tommy Voie, Aaron Hoye, Wes Hoye, Jake Voie, Jolene (Voie) Babka, Kayla Underhill, Rikki (Voie) Hill, Ashley (Ekstedt) Cordner, Matt Voie, Jeremy Karll, Dane Ekstedt, Cassie (Voie) Culotta, Ryan Underhill, Jordan Voie, Jaylin (Voie) Lopez, Sean Karll, Tristan Voie, Britnee Voie, and many other second cousins and bonus aunts and uncles.
A celebration of life for Justin will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, at the Winlock Community Building. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a monetary donation to the Almost Home Coalition, a no kill animal shelter that Justin supported, P.O. Box 1421, Chehalis, WA 98532, or http://almosthomeproject.petfinder.com/
