System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Mary Jean Morris
Mary Jean Morris, 78, of La Grande died Feb. 19, 2004, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
A service in celebration of her life was at 11 a.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery.
She was born on May 7, 1925, at La Grande to Easton and Maurine Thompson Metcalf. She spent her early childhood in La Grande. The family moved to Telocaset and later to Durkee following her father's career with the railroad. She was a Baker High School graduate. After graduation, she went to work for Woolworth's in Baker City.
She married Robert "Chuck" Morris on Nov. 9, 1945, at Baker City. They moved to Seattle when Chuck joined the service. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and they returned to Baker City.
They moved to La Grande in 1950. In 1965, they purchased property at Wallowa Lake and started to build their dream cabin. Mary Jean and her husband were proud to say that they did all the construction, except the electrical work. Once completed they spent all their free time enjoying a job well done with family and friends.
Mary Jean enjoyed cooking, bowling, playing bridge, walking, gardening, golfing, reading, knitting, waterskiing, and most of all spending time with family at the lake.
Survivors include her husband, Robert "Chuck" Morris of La Grande; her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Jim Rygg of La Grande; her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Gayle Christensen of Baker City; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Phyllis Chase.
Loveland Funeral Chapel of La Grande is in charge of arrangements.
Florence Wendt
Florence Wendt, 88, a former Baker County resident, died Nov. 15, 2003, at San Rafael, Calif.
There will be a memorial service celebrating her life with family and friends this summer.
Florence was born at Carbondale, Pa., on April 24, 1916, to Mary and Charles Gillen. Florence moved to New York City during her adolescence and lived with her Aunt Kitty. Upon graduating from high school in New York City, she immediately entered medical school to pursue nursing.
Upon her completion of Kings County Hospital's nursing program, she received her credentials as a registered nurse and was stationed at Panama. It was in Panama City that she met and married Harlan Wendt.
After the war, Florence moved to the Baker area. She spent time during her early married years on the Wendt Brothers cattle ranch at Bridgeport. She then moved the household to Baker City in 1958 where she spent the majority of her years. During her later years she moved to San Rafael, Calif., to be closer to her children.
Florence was dedicated both as a mother of five children and a grandmother, who all have great love for her. One of her great joys was baby-sitting for the neighborhood children. She always felt blessed with having many dear friends from all walks of life, they were a joy to her.
Being a devoted Christian, she had an uncompromising love for the Lord Jesus Christ. "Should there ever be an angel on earth and soldier of God, Florence would be that angel, " her family members say.
Survivors include her children, Eric Wendt, Kereen Stohl and her husband, Richard, and son, Sasha, Mary Wendt and Henry Wendt, all residing in the San Francisco Bay area, and Charles Wendt and his wife, Darlene, of Federal Way, Wash.; grandchildren, Jared Wendt of San Francisco, Monique Montgomery and her husband, Michael, of Lakewood, Wash., and Clare Bruce and her husband, Patrick, and two great-grandchildren, Hailey and Connor Bruce all of Cove.
Frances Baggerly
Frances Rae Baggerly, 95, a longtime Baker County resident, died February 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a short illness.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil and Bob Whiteman will officiate. There will be a reception afterward in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be until 8 o'clock tonight at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Frances was born on Sept. 4, 1908, to Frank and Mary Bown Bamford of Junction City. The family moved to a homestead on Happy Valley Road near Nampa, Idaho, in 1909. Frances attended grade school at Happy Valley and was a Nampa High School graduate.
She married Richard Dean Baggerly on Aug. 2, 1926, at Nampa. They farmed in the Treasure Valley for many years while raising four children.
In 1946, Frances and Dean moved to Oregon where they ranched for many years in the Keating Valley. Frances was a hard worker and could often be found working right alongside Dean. Although the ranch kept her busy, she was involved in many other interests as well.
She enjoyed vegetable gardening and raising flowers and was involved in 4-H as a leader. She also participated in Home Extension programs, the Grange and exhibited many items in the local fairs.
Frances spent several successful years selling Bee Line Clothing. She even managed to make enough money in this venture to purchase her own automobile, which she used to travel for her sales. In all these efforts, it was the people she had contact with who brought her joy.
After retiring and moving to Baker City, Frances enjoyed spending time at her ceramic shop and teaching classes. Fishing and camping with her family were also among her favorite things to do. She will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Frances was very active in her church, which she loved very much. She was involved in the Mary Marthas for many years along with many other church activities. She was devoted to reading her Bible daily. In her later years, with failing eyesight, she read the New Testament through a magnifying glass. She read just a couple of words now and then and still managed to complete the reading in less than a year.
Survivors include three sons, Richard "Dick" and his wife, Bonnie, of Echo, Don and his wife, Barb, of Baker City and Gaylord and his wife, LaDonna, of Baker City; two sisters, Zelda Moore of Junction City, and Lucille Case of Seattle, Wash.; and one brother, Bud, and his wife, Byrl Bamford, of Cheshire; 18 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 39 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Dean, who died in 2001 just three months shy of their 75th wedding anniversary; a daughter, Evelyn; a son-in-law Ken Stewart; three sisters; and one grandson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Baker City Christian Church Building Fund through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Gib' Walker
Roland Gilbert "Gib" Walker, 77, of Nampa, Idaho, died Feb. 14, 2004, at his home after battling multiple myeloma cancer for two years.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Meridian United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Finnish Cemetery near Lake Fork, Idaho. The Heikkila Funeral Chapel of McCall, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements.
Gib was born on Jan. 8, 1927, on a 30-degree day at Winthrop, Wash., to Clarence and Goldie Walker. He was the middle child in a rambunctious family of five boys and one girl. He attended Winthrop schools and entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17.
After World War II, he worked at various jobs and roped calves in rodeos, including the Calgary Stampede. Gib married Dora Fink in 1947. They had a daughter, Karren, and a son, Brad.
He worked as a lumber grader in Pilot Rock for several years. In 1969, he went to work for the Blue Mountain District Council of Lumber and Sawmill Workers and moved to Baker City.
Gib married Bernice Heikkila Eldridge on June 7, 1980, at Emmett, Idaho. They lived in Baker City until 2001 when they moved to Nampa. During their 24 happy years together, they enjoyed traveling together, not only with Gib's work, but also after his retirement in 1991.
Together they enjoyed fishing, camping, landscaping a beautiful garden and flowers. Gib loved to hunt and and especially enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to ski. Gib was a busy, caring person, always willing to help others.
Survivors include his loving wife, Bernice of Nampa; daughter, Karren, and her husband, Dennis Hiiranen, of Milton-Freewater; children by marriage, Kim Pancheri of Emmett, Idaho, and Nancy and Rick Husfloen and Dale and Angela Eldrige of Emmett, Idaho; brothers, Allen Walker, and his wife, Jeanette, of Omak, Wash., and Bill Walker and his wife, Ann, of Winthrop, Wash.; a sister, Marguerite, and her husband, Hugh Adams, of Anacortes, Wash.; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Brad; a grandson, Adrian; and three brothers.
Charles Wood
Charles Douglas Wood, 59, of Odell and a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 10, 2004, at Providence Hood River Memorial hospital.
His funeral was Feb. 14, at Anderson's Tribute Center in Hood River.
Doug was born on Oct. 2, 1944, in Baker City to Harold Jack Wood and Olive M. Boling Wood. He was raised in Baker City and graduated from Baker High School in 1963.
In 1965 he married Rita Gordon. They had two children, Tracy Lockwood and Camille McCafferty, both of whom live in Las Vegas.
In 1972 Doug was married to Catherine Clement. They had two children, Lisa Wood White of Appleton, Wash., and Paul Robert Wood of Spokane, Wash.
Doug married Sandra Martin in the mid 1980s, and they lived at Odell until 2000, when Sandra died.
In 2000 Doug found the love of his life, Melanie Lyons Fortner. They were married at Rockaway Beach and lived at Odell. Doug and Melanie spent the last three years together enjoying the peace and serenity of visiting the ocean. Doug was a very dedicated and hard-working man, never tiring to pursue perfection with his duties.
Doug joined the National Guard in Baker City while still attending high school, and he soon became the administrative supply tech. Doug later transferred to Hood River, where he continued full time service with the National Guard for 11 years. While working with the National Guard part time, he was employed with Krieg Miliwork along with his brother, Ves Wood. They enjoyed a family tradition working together as craftsmen in the woodworking industry.
Doug worked for Diamond Fruit Growers at Hood River and Odell for a short time before he became an employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Bonneville Dam, where he worked until his retirement in 2003. Doug loved wood-working and yard landscaping. His special love was a cabin in Boulder Gorge on the Powder River just a few miles from Sumpter.
Doug enjoyed road trips where he could fish and share his experiences with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Hood River Masonic Lodge and the Hood River Shriners.
Survivors include his wife, Melanie Wood of Odell; four children, Tracy, Camille, Lisa and Paul; four grandchildren, Danielle, Alyssa, Courtney and Seaera; three brothers and one sister, Jack Wood of Newberg, James Wood of Graham, Wash., Barton Wood of Pendleton, and Sharon Chubb of Brogan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Olive Wood; and two brothers, Sylvester "Ves" Wood and Danny Wood, who died as a baby.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Odell Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team or the American Cancer Society through Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
Leonard Valentine Jr.
Leonard William Valentine, Jr., 80, of Baker City, died Feb. 14, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Bruce Smith of the Victory Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of God will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by the Oregon Army National Guard. Visitations will be until 7o'clock Friday at the funeral home.
Leonard was born on June 17, 1923, in Baker County, the oldest child of Leonard and Lola Morin Valentine. He attended schools in Hermiston, Sandy, Oregon City and Richland.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1944 and served in Europe during World War II, specifically in France, Germany and Austria. During his tour of duty he received the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation (Germany) Medal, European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Victory Medal.
After his discharge from the military, he was a traveling evangelist, among other things, and eventually went to work for Baker City on the maintenance crew, where he worked until he retired in 1988. He was well known for his hard work.
He married Mildred Phillips in 1949 and they had one daughter. He married Nora White in 1951 and together they had five children. After Nora's death, he married Bonita Boesch in 1975. They were together for 21 years.
Leonard loved to sing, play guitar, fish and he enjoyed the outdoors. He attended church regularly and often expressed his faith in the Lord.
Survivors include his daughter, Marsha, and her husband, David Doud, of Porterville, Calif.; son, Greg, and his wife, Trudy, daughters, Vicki Walthall and LeNora Valentine, all of Baker City, and daughter, Debbie Valentine of Ontario; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Darel Valentine of Baker City, LeRoy Valentine of Huntington and Don Valentine of Ferndale, Wash., and a sister, Velma Blando, of Baker City
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Mildred in 1950, Nora in 1974 and Bonita in 1996; a son, John; a great-granddaughter, Felicia Jones; two brothers, Gilbert (Sam) and Leo; and his sister, Cleo Olp.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Victory Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of God through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Doris McKim
Doris J. McKim, 94, a longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 7, 2004, at Ashley Manor Care Center.
Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. The Rev. Susan Barnes of the church will officiate. Private inurnment will be later at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mrs. McKim was born May 25, 1909, at Sumpter, to Frank and Julia Demro Gardinier, the seventh of eight children. Doris married Dr. Charles Palmer McKim in 1936 at The Dalles. Mrs. McKim worked as the secretary at Baker High School from 1964 until retirement in 1976.
She was a member of PEO, the First Presbyterian Church, and also volunteered with the Red Cross Gray Ladies.
All who knew her can attest to the fact that she loved to stay busy. Her joys in life were her family, her friends and little children. Her family will always remember their mom and grandmother's warm and caring ways and what a treat it was to get to sleep over with her. She enjoyed playing bridge and making a pleasant home, which included cooking wonderful meals.
Doris loved the outdoors and working in her yard, especially with flowers. She always looked to be helpful to others, giving a lot and asking little in return.
Survivors include her children, son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sharon McKim of Baker City, son, John McKim, of Juneau, Alaska, daughter-in-law, Edie McKim of Baker City, and daughter and son-in-law, Julie McKim and Randy Russell of Portland; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Menzie and Betty McKim of Baker City; grandchildren, Robert McKim Jr. of Boise, Kate Rohner of Baker City, Richard McKim of Baker City, Julie Gentry of Booneville, Ind., Erik McKim of Baker City, Mark McKim of Woodburn, Jennifer Still of Corvallis, and Annie and Charlie Russell of Portland; also 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her seven brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, PEO Chapter AX or Pathway Hospice through the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Albert Smith
Albert Smith, 85, of Baker City, died Feb. 13, 2004, at the Boise Veterans Hospital.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mr. Lynn Shumway will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by the Oregon Army National Guard. Private interment will be at the Summerville Cemetery in Summerville.
Albert was born at Cambridge, Idaho, in 1918 and worked on the farm until he finished school. He then worked for a neighbor tending cattle at New Meadows, Idaho, for three years.
In the spring of 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas. It was there that he married his wife, Lorene.
The family spent years at Hereford, where he worked for 33 years logging. He trapped in the winter months and always enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In 1989, he was widowed, so he moved to Baker City. It was there that he met and married Marjorie Thomason in 1996.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, and her family, and his two children, Donna and Bill Hern of Port Orchard, Wash.; his son, Marion, and his wife, Dale, of La Grande; four grandchildren, Julie, Brian, Debbie, and Tammy; and numerous great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothea Cook of Wenatchee, Wash., and Donna Baer of Fruitland, Idaho.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seventh-day Adventist Church through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Barney Kilborn
Barney E. Kilborn, 85, of Baker City died Feb. 7, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
At his request, there will be no service.
Barney was born to Lloyd and Ethel Knowles Kilborn at Weiser, Idaho, on June 10, 1918. He was raised in the Weiser area. Growing up in the Snake River Basin, he developed a long-term love of hunting and outdoor activities.
During World War II, Barney worked on the railroad, which eventually brought him to Eastern Oregon where he lived in the La Grande area. In 1946, Barney married and moved to Redmond where he raised his family. In 1992, he returned to Eastern Oregon, settling in the Baker City area.
Barney worked as a heavy construction mechanic/welder. He worked as the project manager for two large dams in Oregon: Lake Billy Chinook and Blue River Reservoir.
In addition to hunting, Barney enjoyed camping, fishing and boating. He had been a member of the Operating Engineer Association, Local 701 Union, since 1963.
Survivors include his two children, Chris, and her husband, Tom Van Camp of Brookings and Gary Kilborn of St. Helens; seven grandchildren, Jake and Lacey Kilborn of La Grande, Kaleb, Damien and Colby Van Camp of Brookings and Melissa and Gregory Kilborn of St. Helens.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Terry Kilborn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
