System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Annie Johnson
Annie Marie Johnson, 92, a longtime Baker County resident, died Sept. 11, 2003, in Baker City.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Sister Kay Marie Duncan of Pathway Hospice will officiate.
Annie was born near Salmon, Idaho, on Dec. 4, 1910, to John and Lizzie Bohannon. She moved with her family to Baker County in the late 1920s.
Annie loved the mountains surrounding Baker City. She spent much of her time hunting, fishing and gold panning in the mountains. During her later years, her daughter, Charlotte, would take her for drives through the mountains so she could still enjoy them.
Annie loved music and dancing. This is an activity that she was able to enjoy up to the last year of her life. Annie also enjoyed watching her favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves.
Playing pinochle with her family and friends was something she could do for hours. One of her grandchildren's favorite memories is of her exclamation "for crying in a bucket, " when she would lose a hand of pinochle to them.
In her early teens, Annie taught herself how to crochet. The vision of her sitting in her recliner crocheting is one of the most vivid memories that her family and friends share.
She would make large tablecloths, jackets, doilies and many other items. She was also able to sell many of these items in local stores. Annie shared her talent by teaching crochet to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lizzie Denny Bohannon; her brothers, Oscar, Floyd and Earl Bohannon; her sisters, Olive and Ivy; her son, Everett Bryant; and her granddaughter, Michelle Shankle.
Survivors include her daughters, Dorothy MacDaniel of Richland, Wash., and Charlotte Thomason of Baker City; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Frank Sibley
Frank Clarence Sibley, 90, a former resident of Bates, Austin and Richland, died Sept. 12, 2003, at a Redmond residential care center.
At his request, there will be no memorial service. His cremated remains will be scattered over a special place he chose.
Mr. Sibley was born on April 22, 1913, at Price, Utah. As a youngster, he remembered living at Cove, The Dalles, Portland, Donald, San Francisco, Spokane, Wash., and around Las Vegas, Nev. He rode the rails and worked on the Hoover Dam. He said he was a hobo, but never a bum. He loved the sound of a trail whistle.
He met Mable Tracy in 1936 while she was visiting her mother at Bates. They were married on Sept. 8, 1936.
They lived at Bates, Knuteville and Austin for many years before moving to Richland. "Papa, " as the grandkids called him, was an avid rockhound. He and Mable spent many winters at Quartzsite, Ariz., gathering and trading rocks and jewelry. He designed and made silver jewelry and in his later years he focused on fire opals.
Papa loved the outdoors: fishing, hunting, cutting wood and exploring new territories. He also played harmonica and was a great whistler.
Survivors include his two daughters, Donna Stimson of Beaverton and Shirley Ludlow of Fossil; six grandchildren, Donna McIntosh of Condon, Michael McIntosh of Salem, David Krigbaum of Beaverton, Max McIntosh of Kent, Wash., James Krigbaum of the Seattle area and Monty McIntosh of La Grande; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Mable, his wife of 57 years; all eight of his brothers and sisters; and his parents.
Leo Frericks
Leo James Frericks, 81, a former Baker City resident, died Sept. 13, 2003, at Chico, Calif.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Chico. The rosary will be said at 7 o'clock tonight at the church. Burial will be after the Mass at Chico Cemetery.
Mr. Frericks was born July 6, 1922, at Garrison, Neb., to John and Anna Frericks. He grew up on a cattle ranch.
He lived in Baker City during the 1930s.
He moved to Burbank, Calif., in 1940 to work at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. building fighter planes. There he met his future wife, Rita. They were married on July 10, 1943, at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Burbank, Calif.
He served in the U.S. Navy Air Force during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he obtained a position at Clark Buick Motor Co. at Compton, Calif. He later built and operated his own Automotive Service Center at Fullerton, Calif.,
In 1969 he moved his family to Chico, Calif., to give his four children the opportunity to obtain a college education. He was very active in real estate for many years and served as president of the Oroville Board of Realtors in 1975.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 40 years and served as grand knight in the Third Degree and as faithful navigator in the Fourth Degree, as district deputy, and he later served as chapter president of the Northern California Chapter Knights of Columbus.
He also was a life member of the Chico Elks Lodge and was active in parish projects for Our Divine Savior Catholic Parish.
His wife, Rita, died in 2001.
Survivors include three daughters, Jane A. Frericks, Joanie Frericks and Kathleen Terrell; a son, Steve Frericks; one brother; three sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Divine Savior Catholic Church or Knights of Columbus in care of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico, CA 95926.
Esther Walker
Esther M. Walker, 65, of Baker City, died Sept. 17, 2003 at her home.
Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. There will be a reception for family and friends after the service at the home of Esther's daughter, Carri Noble.
Esther was born Feb. 16, 1938, at Yreka, Calif., to Josephine Inskipp and Walter Aubrey. She grew up at Happy Camp, Calif., and was a 1957 graduate of Happy Camp High School. That same year she met and married Al Walker.
The couple moved to Lincoln City in March of 1968, then to Molalla in 1969, settling in Baker City in 1970. Esther worked at the Truck Corral for 13 years, at Jimmy Chan's for eight years, and at the Inland Cafe for six years for her good friends, Don and Sharon Orr.
She loved working with the public and enjoyed all the people she served.
Esther was a registered member of the Karuk Indian Tribe in the Northern California Klamath Region. She was very proud and involved with her Indian heritage.
Esther loved spending time with her family, especially attending her grandchildren's sporting events.
She was an avid bowler and a member of the Women's International Bowling Conference for many years, bowling in several different leagues and traveling all over the Northwest to bowling tournaments.
She loved softball and managed her husband's co-ed tournament softball team for 17 years, which also involved traveling to many tournaments.
Esther also enjoyed crocheting and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Janet Cannon and Carol Erskine.
She is survived by her husband, Al, of Baker City; daughters Carri Noble and her husband, Todd, Sheryl Payton and her husband, Vince, and Teresa Walker and her friend, Bram Novak, all of Baker City; sister, Arlene Hansell of Happy Camp, Calif.; grandchildren, Tia, Bo, Jason, and Justin Gibbs, and Kristie Payton, all of Pendleton, A.J. Noble, Josephine Payton, and Walter, Frank and Ande Ramsey of Baker City; and great-grandchildren, Gavin Willingham, Denise, Madison and Avery Gibbs, and Aubrie Bacher, all of Pendleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association or The Billy Payton Trust Fund through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Margaret Dinger
Margaret Hack Smith Dinger, 84, of Ontario, died Sept. 9, 2003, at her home after an illness.
At her request, there will be no funeral. Burial is under the direction of Ontario's Lienkaemper Chapel.
Margaret was born on Jan. 20, 1919, at Jasper. She was the fourth daughter of Loyal R. and Frona Hills Hack. She graduated from high school at Springfield and later attended the University of Oregon at Eugene.
She married Goff M. Smith in 1938. She worked in accounting for the U.S. Forest Service for many years, retiring in 1981. Goff died in 1975.
She married Lloyd E. Dinger in 1981. He died in 1993.
Survivors include a sister, June Lloyd Awbrey of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.
She also was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Wilma Jozwiak and Shirley Hedlind.
Grace Aldrich
Grace L. Aldrich, 94, of Union, a former Baker County resident, died Sept. 10, 2003, at her home.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Union United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jerry Peters will officiate. Committal and interment will be at the Haines Cemetery.
Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande.
Mrs. Aldrich was born on Jan. 2, 1909, at Rock Creek to John W. and Bertha George Blize. She attended schools at Muddy Creek, Haines and Baker City.
She married Everett Aldrich on July 21, 1924, at Baker City. They moved from Haines to Island City in 1946. They later moved to Union and then to Hermiston and back to Union.
Mrs. Aldrich was a member of the Union United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She also was a senior meals helper.
She was a member of the Jewel Rebekah Lodge and had been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary at Union since 1952. She enjoyed dancing, fishing and playing cards. She loved bingo.
Survivors include her children, Kenneth Aldrich and Glen Aldrich, both of Union, George Aldrich of Cove and Betty Ann Griffith of Prineville; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, John Blize of Winlock, Wash.; sister, Emma Graves of Weiser, Idaho; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Wilma, in 1928; a son, Elmer, in 1949; her husband in 1970; and a son, Frank, in 2001.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice through Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Keith Simonis
Keith Lorin Simonis, 78, of North Powder, died Sept. 7, 2003, at his home.
His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the North Powder Cemetery. Mr. Jimmy Larkin will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by Co. A3-116th CAV Oregon Army National Guard. Vault interment will be after the service.
Visitations will be today until 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home.
Keith was born June 9, 1925, at Baker City, a son of Ernest and Olena Johnson Simonis. He was raised at North Powder and Union, receiving his education in Union.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II on March 11, 1942, at Portland. He achieved the rank of sergeant and was very proud of having served in the Leading Night Fighter Squadron. He was honorably discharged at San Diego on April 2, 1946.
On Sept. 26, 1969, he married Margalee Putman at Winnemucca, Nev. They made their home in North Powder. Keith worked as a heavy equipment operator all over Oregon.
He loved to fish, hunt, and tell a good story. He loved to play his guitar and accordion for his family and friends. He wrote many of his own tunes. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and was a pinochle playing fool.
Keith was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Eagles Lodge and the 701 Union.
Survivors include his wife, Margalee of North Powder; sons, Randy Simonis, Bobby Simonis, and Dusty Simonis and his wife, Nancy; daughters, Vickie Simonis, Linda Burnside and her husband, Wayne, Suzie Travis and her husband, Ted, Jeanna Valencia, and Kim Larkins and her husband, Chris; stepchildren, Danny and Carla Putman, Mark Putman, and Shawn Schisler; brother, Elvin Simonis; 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Vernon Simonis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice, 1904 Resort St., Baker City, OR 97814, or in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Juanita Leep
Juanita Leep, 86, a lifetime Halfway resident, died Sept. 5, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Pine Valley Christian Center in Halfway. Vault interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception after the interment at the Christian Center.
Lena Juanita Bowerman was born on Jan. 4, 1917, at Halfway to Floyd and Esta Thompson Bowerman. Juanita attended schools at Sunny Del and Halfway.
Juanita married LaVerne Leep on March 22, 1940 in Halfway. The first five years they lived at North Powder where LaVerne worked for the Shady Lane Dairy Farm. They lived the rest of their lives at Halfway.
Juanita was a member of the Pine Valley Christian Center. She had a great love of flowers, gardening, crafts and cooking.
Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Hansen of Portland and Kay Boncquet and her husband, Clark, of Canby, Ind.; a sister, Aleta Fraser and husband, Paul, of Bend; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne; two grandchildren, Kenneth Higby and Trinia Bonequet; and a brother, Jarold Bowerman.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pine Valley Christian Center or the American Cancer Society through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
‘Tiny' McClurg
David W. "Tiny" McClurg, 46, of Baker City, died Sept. 3, 2003, at the Central Oregon Community Hospital in Redmond.
At his request, there will be no funeral.
Tiny was born on Dec. 24, 1956. He worked as a long-haul truckdriver.
Survivors include his parents, James W. and Dolores McClurg of Baker City; two sisters, Mary Centre of Bishop, Calif., and Laurie McClurg of Baker City; three brothers, John McClurg of Baker City, and Paul McClurg and James McClurg, both of Big Piney, Wyo.; his nieces, Jovanna Centre of Walla Walla, Wash., and Lana Nguyen of Pendleton; his nephews, William Centre of Bishop, Calif., and his son, Ricky, and daughter, Gwen, and Timothy Nguyen of La Grande and Justin McClurg of Baker City; his best friend, Marcus Montgomery of Culver; and his dog, Brownie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Daryl Steenhard
Daryl Roger Steenhard, 52, of Richland, died Sept. 5, 2003.
There will be a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Grange Park, on the left just as you come into Richland from Baker City. Those attending are invited and encouraged, but not required, to ride their horse to the celebration.
Daryl was born on Aug. 4, 1951, to Fred and Trenetta Wessels Steenhard at Mason City, Iowa.
He spent his youth in Iowa. After high school graduation, he attended college at Ames and majored in pre-veterinarian medicine.
His life dream of being a cowhand began in 1974 with a job on the Jewett Ranch at Big Piney, Wyo. In 1975 he met his wife, Anna, while visiting family in the nearby town of Pinedale. Their journey together took them to Northern California and then to Richland. They enjoyed 27 years as partners in everything.
Daryl worked for 10 years for the Lovell Charolais Ranch in upper Keating Valley, honing his training skills under the tutelage of "Tex" Newsom. Over the years, Daryl attended many training clinics given by numerous trainers. After attending a Ray Hunt clinic, he began to develop his own horse philosophy.
Without saying, he loved horses (his second passion). Recently he trained his first buggy horse for Warren and Betty Whitnah, where he had worked for the past three years. Daryl loved training and working horses so much it could hardly be called "work."
He was a skilled welder and carpenter. He could shoe a horse and diaper a baby. He learned to juggle and enjoyed surprising people with that talent. Daryl loved a good practical joke and was feared on April Fools Day!
He loved to dance and competed throughout the Pacific Northwest with his wife and members of the "Baker City Rocky Top Dancers, " a swing-dance club. He had been an avid bow hunter for the last 12 years, and was looking forward to bow season this year.
Daryl became a volunteer EMT at Richland several years ago. He received a lot of personal joy in helping others, whether it was as an EMT or as a friend.
Daryl loved the wilderness and a trip by horse into the mountains was one of his greatest pleasures. An excerpt from a favorite book of Daryl's sums this up: "See the heavens, smell the air, hear the wind, and the wild, feel the motion of your horse — On a good day, that's all you need. On a bad day, that's all you need. (Texas Bix Bender)
Daryl will be deeply missed and his memory truly treasured by his loving family, friends and the countless people whose lives he touched.
Survivors include his wife, Anna; sons, Kyle, Brandon, Cody and Matthew; a grandson, George; his mother, Trenetta Smith; a brother, Fred; and a sister, Suzzette Jacobs.
He was preceded in death by his father and an older sister, Cheryl.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Valley Ambulance EMTs through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
