System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Marjorie Churchill
Marjorie Bethene Dye Churchill, 90, a longtime Baker City resident, died March 18, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Interment will be April 9 in Grants Pass.
Marjorie was born on Feb. 18, 1914, in Arcadia, Neb., to Arthur Simeon and Millicent Pearl Vincent Dye.
She married Raymond Leonard Churchill on Oct. 16, 1932. They had five children. During her life she enjoyed running a dairy with her husband in Woodburn. They loved working together and being together. During her life she was also a bookkeeper.
Her greatest love was that of her children and grandchildren. The grandchildren best remember her teaching them to write their names, how to stir pancake batter and to color inside the lines. She loved to crochet and enjoyed rock hounding with her youngest son.
Survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Bethene and Donald Alderson of Bozeman, Mont., and Alice and Raymond Dooley of Gresham, and Judith Churchill of Baker City; sons and their wives, Russell and Young Churchill of Castlerock, Wash., and Orville and Ardell Churchill of Baker City; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, and by two brothers and one sister.
For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Marjorie you may do so to a special fund for the hearing impaired in Baker County in care of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Harold Sutton
Harold L. Sutton, 91, a La Grande resident and a former longtime Elgin resident, died March 22, 2004, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
His funeral will be Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Elgin United Methodist Church. Vault interment and concluding services will follow in Summerville. Pastor Kay Garver will officiate.
Visitations will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 Fourth St. in La Grande.
Mr. Sutton was born March 10, 1913, at Bethlehem, Iowa, to Robert and Viola (Hancock) Sutton. His father died when he was 9-years-old, and he moved with his mother to the Farewell Bend area near Huntington. The family later moved to the Milton-Freewater area where he continued his schooling. He worked at various jobs in that area.
Mr. Sutton married Kathleen Winn on Dec. 2, 1932, at College Place, Wash. In 1935, he moved to Elgin where he began working for the Pondosa Pine Mill. He had worked at various positions at the mill, working there through its sale to Boise Cascade, and working his way up to millwright. He retired from Boise Cascade in 1978.
He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling and camping. He was a longtime member of the Elgin United Methodist Church, the Good Sam Club, and had volunteered for the Elgin Fire Department and ambulance for many years.
Mr. Sutton is survived by his wife, Kathleen of La Grande; two daughters, Barbara Beickel and her husband, Elmer, of La Grande, and Cynthia Gibson of Portland; four foster children, Shirley Taylor of Baker City, Linda Smith and her husband, Leo, and Dennis Swalberg, all of Lebanon, and Robert "Bob" Swalberg of Elgin; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in his death by his parents and by two brothers, Vernon and Orville Sutton, both of whom died during the Bataan Death March of World War II.
Contributions in Mr. Sutton's memory may be made to the Elgin United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7, Elgin, OR 97827.
‘Tillie' Merritt
Matilda "Tillie" Merritt, 79, a longtime Baker City resident, died March 20, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Dennis Marttala of the First Lutheran Church will officiate.
Matilda was born Nov. 25, 1924, to Thomas and Amy Barry of Venice, Calif.
On Oct. 27, 1951, she married Clarence "Don" Merritt of Baker City, whom she met while they were both employed at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. She later spent several years working for Ralph's Supermarket in Southern California until the couple moved to Baker in 1972 where they spent several years in motel and restaurant management.
Matilda loved camping and family outings. Her other hobbies included cooking, sewing and crocheting.
She is survived by a sister, Mary Meyers of California; a foster daughter, Tammy Marie of Baker City; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers and her husband of 53 years, Don Merritt.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Merritt's memory may be directed to Pathway Hospice, 1904 Resort St., Baker City, OR 97814, or through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.
Donald Hickerson
Donald Kent Hickerson, 81, of Baker City, died March 18, 2004, at Ashley Manor Care Center in Baker City.
His graveside funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Baker Elks Lodge No 338 and the American Legion Club No 41 will officiate. Military auspices will be by the National Guard Armory. Honorary pallbearers are Pat Guyman, Joe Ryder, Bill Cassidy, Hershel Wood, Don Christy and Ron Nelson. Visitations will be today until 6 p.m. at Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Don was born Nov. 2, 1922, in Baker City to George C. and Viola Merle (Lonzway) Hickerson. He attended Baker High School where he played the saxophone in the school band. After graduation he worked at the local Safeway store.
In 1943 Don joined the U.S. Army, and he served during World War II as a paratrooper in the Pacific Theater. Don earned many medals for his service, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Don returned to Baker City after his time in the Army and opened his own small grocery store, The Table Supply. He soon after gave up the grocery store business to work for Pacific Fruit, where he worked as a produce salesman. Don traveled with his job, spending time in Pendleton and all over Eastern Oregon. In his free time back home in Baker City, Don continued playing his saxophone in a local band.
In his later years he enjoyed watching sports and was not afraid of a friendly wager. He also enjoyed fishing, and he would take his boat to the coast or up to Phillips Reservoir. Don loved his friends and met for coffee every morning with the "Metamucil Bunch" to talk and tell stories.
Don is survived by his cousin, Johannah Lyon of Payette, Idaho, and her children, Pat Lyon of New Plymouth, Idaho, Jim Lyon of Fruitland, Idaho and Jodell Barber and her husband, Dennis, of McCall, Idaho. Don also is survived by many wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and George Hickerson; and his brother, Craig Hickerson.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Baker Elks Lodge No. 338 or to the American Legion Club No. 41 in care of Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Bill' Searles
William C. "Bill" Searles, 79, of Union, a former Baker City resident, died March 17, 2004, at his home.
His graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery with vault interment afterward. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., in La Grande.
Mr. Searles was born on Oct. 25, 1924, at Fort Collins, Colo., to Archie and Augusta Massengale Searles. He was raised and educated at La Grande.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged in 1945. He returned to La Grande and worked for the City of La Grande public works department for several years.
He married Vernitta Harmon on April 8, 1952, at Pendleton. After the marriage, the couple moved to Baker City where he worked for the City of Baker City public works department for about 10 years. He owned and operated several businesses afterward, including the Spudnut Doughnut Shop and Dad's Cafe in Baker City. He later owned and operated the Fix-It Shop in Baker City.
He had a special talent for being able to fix almost anything. He also was a skilled carpenter who enjoyed buying and remodeling houses, doing the work himself with the help of his wife and kids. He had been retired for many years.
In his younger years, he was a very talented musician and had his own local band. He was offered the chance to play for Riley Shepard at the Grande Ole Opry, but turned it down to stay with his family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and playing music.
He had been a past member of the Baker Elks Lodge and the American Association of Retired Persons. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Vernitta Searles of Union; four daughters and their spouses, Janet and Lloyd Coffman of McMinnville, Kathleen Searles-Brown and Charlie Brown of Seal Rock, Lorraine Andregg of Pendleton and Margie and Gary Rick of Baker City; two sons and their spouses, William A. and Dawn Searles of Union and Kenneth and Kristi Searles of McMinnville; his sisters, Fern Homan, Thelma Hull and Joan Petry, all of Baker City, Darlene Martin of Port Orchard, Wash., and an adopted sister, Ileen Holman of Beaverton; 15 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Gloria Jean Searles; and two baby sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. The Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Scott
Betty Frances Scott, 62, died March 17, 2004, at her home in Haines.
As Betty's wish, there will be no funeral. A celebration of her life will be scheduled later.
Betty Frances Chandler was born on Dec. 2, 1941, to Russell and Margaret Hendren Chandler at Council, Idaho. She was the oldest of three children, with younger brothers Tom and Jay. The family lived at Bates prior to moving to Baker City in the late 1940s.
She married Paul Raymond Scott on Feb. 6, 1959, at Baker City.
Betty had two children, James Emery, born on June 10, 1960, at Baker City, and Joseph Earl, born on Feb. 23, 1963, at Provo, Utah. The family moved home to Haines in 1965.
Betty worked over the years at several different positions, as a nurses aid, restaurant cook, at the Sell-Rite store in Haines, and as a professional tax preparer. Her most important work was as a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Her family and friends were her top priority in life.
She always had a big heart and an open door for children and animals of all sorts. Betty had a habit of placing everyone else's needs before her own. If anyone needed help with something, all they had to do was ask, and she was there. She always remembered birthdays and holidays; you could rely on receiving a card from Betty on your special day.
In her younger years, she enjoyed the frequent family snowmobile trips, fishing and camping excursions, and gatherings with good friends. She always enjoyed the outdoors, especially in the spring. Later, she enjoyed time spent with family, grandchildren and animals. She was active in the Neighborhood Watch, and looked forward to her Friday night duties.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Scott; son, Jim Scott, and grandson Justin Scott; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Noel Scott, and granddaughter Riana Lee Scott; her mother, Margaret Chandler; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Maxine Chandler, and nephews, Tom and Robert Chandler; brother, Jay Chandler, and nieces, Maureen and Michelle Chandler; granddog, Rowdy, and cat, Lucy.
She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Chandler; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Lea Scott.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Haines Neighborhood Watch through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Darlene Newell
Darlene Newell, 68, of Haines, a former Halfway resident, died March 13, 2004, at her home.
Her memorial service will be scheduled later in Idaho.
Darlene was born on June 15, 1935, at Harper, Idaho, to Ben H. and Sara Goff Young. In the winter of 1953, Darlene married Buck Newell in Nevada. They made their home in various locations following Buck's work in logging and construction. She loved to go and was Buck's parts person, traveling to various cities getting parts for him.
She especially enjoyed living in Idaho and Halfway. She loved to cook and the family loved her cooking. She enjoyed being with babies and kids.
Survivors include her husband, Buck Newell of Haines; children, Brennon Kirk Newell of Portland, Donald Grant Newell of Boise, Deborah Irene Newell of Burns and Cammeron Garrett Newell of Baker City; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and one son.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Joni Nichols
Joni Lee Nichols, 50, of Gresham, a former Baker City resident, died March 8, 2004, at Gresham.
A private service will be scheduled later.
Joni was born on Oct. 5, 1953, at Portland to John Nagel and Mildred Wayne. She was raised and educated at Portland and continued her education at Central Oregon Community College at Bend where she studied photography and computer science. She later worked as a secretary for many companies and industries, including Trimet, a medical office and a construction company.
She lived at Baker City for a few years before moving to Gresham in 2002. She enjoyed crafts, bead work and candle making and she loved people. She was of Catholic faith and was a member of the Native American community.
Survivors include her son, Joshua Miller of Portland; her daughter, Theresa Miller of Baker City; her mother, Mildred Short of Baker City; brothers, Larry Short and Calvin Elliot, both of Baker City, and John Nagel Jr. of Portland; a sister, Chelle of Pendleton; and three grandchildren.
Arrangements were under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Chapel.
Orel Aldrich
Orel Norma (Ensminger) Aldrich, 89, a longtime resident of Rock Creek near Haines, died March 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
The Rosary will be said Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets in Baker City. Her funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., with Deacon James Watts, Cliff Cole and Father Rob Irwin officiating. Vault interment will follow at Haines Cemetery, with a reception afterward at Haines United Methodist Church.
Visitations will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gray's West & Co.
Orel was born July 9, 1914, at Muddy Creek, the third of four daughters of George and Amy (Savage) Ensminger. She lived most of her life near Haines, a community she dearly loved. She attended schools in Haines and Muddy Creek, and graduated from Muddy Creek High School. In recent years she lived among new friends at Elkhorn Village in Baker City.
In 1934 she married Dorrell F. Spence, and they ranched in the local area for many years. They became the parents of two sons, Dorrell F. Spence Jr., and Dennis R. Spence.
She married George Aldrich in 1957 and continued to ranch and live in the local area.
Orel loved her family dearly and very much enjoyed farming, gardening, cooking and family reunions. She loved life and the people and things that were a part of it. She enjoyed outings. She loved rodeos, horse racing, picnics, the Oregon Coast, and just a friend or family member stopping by to visit. She continued to enjoy crossword puzzles, keeping her mind active. She loved to watch "Jeopardy!" each evening.
Orel is survived by her sister, Norma Walker of Baker City; sons and daughters-in-law, Dorrell F. Spence and his wife, Toye, of Baker City, and Dennis R. Spence and his wife, Kathleen, of Haines; grandsons, of whom she was proud and loved dearly, Dorrell III, Patrick, Jonathan, Jason and Matthew, and their families; as well as seven great-grandchildren. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Orel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; sisters, Myrtle Aldrich, Mae Vande Vanter and Belva Ensminger; and a beloved niece, Clarice Beach.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Eastern Oregon Museum in Haines or to a charity of one's choice. This may be done through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, Or 97814.
‘Mike' Whittington
Christopher Michael "Mike" Whittington, 31, a former Baker City resident, died March 13, 2004, at Pendleton.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Pendleton.
Mike was born May 13, 1972 at Lodi, Calif., to Larry and Alice Whittington.
Mike was a lover of the outdoors, and an avid hunter and fisherman.
He had lived in Eastern Oregon since 1979. He graduated from Baker High School in 1990. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of Desert Storm.
Afterward he returned home where he enjoyed Monday Night Wrestling and many friends. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Survivors include his parents, Larry and Alice Whittington of Pendleton; his wife, Amanda, of Baker City; daughter, Chelsey, of southern California; sister, LeAnne Hightower of Lodi, Calif.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews from California and Oregon.
Memorial contributions can by made in Mike's name to Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, 336 SW Dorion, Pendleton, OR 97801.
