System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Betty Lethlean
Betty E. Lethlean, 79, a long-time Baker City resident, died May 5, 2004, at her daughter's home.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 p.m. tonight at Coles Funeral Home.
Betty was born on Nov. 21, 1924, at St. Louis, Mo. She was a daughter of Gordon and Esmerilda Tippett Bennett. She married William Ivan Gilliland and they moved to Baker City in 1944. He was killed in a logging accident in 1960.
In September 1965, she married Carl "Bill" Lethlean at Prineville. In 1972, they moved to Roseburg, where they lived until Bill retired. They then moved to Waldport, before returning to Baker City in 1991 where they made their home together until his death in 1998.
Betty loved gardening and being outdoors. She enjoyed being with her family and reading. She was a member of Baker City Christian Church.
Survivors include her children, Bonnie Jean Gentry, and her husband, Homer, of Haines, William R. Gilliland and his wife, Nancy, of Waldport, Kenneth "K.C." Gilliland of Pendleton, and June Marie Coller of Hermiston; stepchildren, Merle L. Lethlean and Gary Wallace Lethlean of Newport; brother and sister-in-law, Burton and Mescal Paine of Hermiston; sister, Donna Moore of Washington; 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; and special friends, Mary and Don Plumber of Richland and Alfred and Elenor Glenn of Boise; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, William Gilliland and Carl "Bill" Lethlean.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Clarence Ruddell
Clarence Wilber Ruddell, 82, of Baker City, died at his home May 2, 2004. Pathway Hospice made it possible for Clarence to spend his last days with his friends and family near him.
His graveside service was at 10 a.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Ed Niswender of Calvary Baptist Church officiated.
Clarence was born in Baker City, on June 22, 1921. He spent his first years living with his parents on their ranch along Burnt River near Hereford. After the death of his mother, Nellie, Clarence's father Byron Ruddell eventually remarried and moved the family to Independence. There Clarence finished his schooling and "learned" farming along with his new brothers, Ron and Glen Hardman.
During World War II, Clarence joined the U.S. Navy where he became a combat engineer and served in the Pacific. While on leave in the Los Angeles area, he found the woman he would treasure for the rest of his life. He married Sylvia Munoz on Dec. 19, 1945. They had two sons, Byron Jim, and Maurice.
Jesus Christ became very important to Clarence at an early age and this relationship produced a life of service and ministry that often extended to the Hispanic community. Clarence left a legacy that can be seen in the people he spent time with. He left behind an example, wise words, and changed lives.
Clarence's life was marked by variety and activity. His work history included farming, aircraft mechanics, logging, highway construction and mining. Years didn't seem to slow him down.
He was still hunting deer and elk, camping, fishing and mining into his 80s. Clarence was a long-term member of the Eastern Oregon Mining Association and served on its board of directors.
Survivors include his wife, sons, seven grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruddell family or to New Tribes Mission through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Gregory Groshens
Gregory Allan Groshens, 42, of La Grande, and a former Heppner resident, died recently of natural causes at his home in La Grande.
A memorial service will be scheduled later at Heppner. Disposition was by cremation.
Mr. Groshens was born on Dec. 23, 1961, at Heppner to Victor L. and Judy Darnielle Groshens. He was a 1981 Heppner High School graduate. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy to begin a 17-year career as a Seabee. He was proud to serve his country and received several meritorious commendations while he was stationed at Adak, Alaska; MuMurdo, Antarctica; San Jose, Calif.; and Corpus Christi, Texas. As a Seabee he operated heavy equipment, which helped with the relief effort after Hurricane Andrew in Florida as well as another project involving a natural disaster in the Philippines.
After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Oregon in 1998 where he drove truck for Swift Transportation and Hale Trucking in Hermiston, Gary Smith Trucking in Baker City and Eastern Oregon Fast Freight of La Grande until the time of his death.
He enjoyed spending time in the mountains and he loved to fish. He was an avid watcher of old movies and was very good at trivia on the subject. He liked to spend time with his extended family and will be greatly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy; brother, Scott W. Groshens; paternal grandfather, Vic Groshens; and maternal grandparents, Burt and Eunice Darnielle.
Survivors include his father and stepmother, Vic and Wanda Groshens of Baker City; brother, Harry Groshens, and his wife, Laura, of Pendleton; niece, Nicole Groshens of Pendleton; nephew, Brandon Groshens of Pendleton; stepbrothers, Steve and Lynne Hawkins and Scott Hawkins of Baker City; grandmother, Virginia Groshens of Hermiston; stepgrandmother, Mary Boyd of Baker City and special aunt, Jo Irvin of Irrigon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
Bettie Beal
Bettie Cook Beal, 74, a former Baker County resident, died May 1, 2004, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Nadine and Milt Rantz, in Oregon City.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Crown Funeral Home in Milwaukie.
She was born Jan. 15, 1930, at Oxford, Kan., and moved to Halfway with her family at the age of 10. She moved to Baker City as a teen-ager.
Survivors include her daughters, Nadine, Wardean and Jeanette, and a son, Bill, all living in the Portland area; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd R. Cook, and sister-in-law, Iona Cook, and a sister and brother-in-law, Nita and Robert Hendriksen, of Baker City; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Grace Ward Cook; four brothers, Ralph, Fred, Carl and Glenn; and two sisters, Marie and Ruby.
Donny Murrell
Donny Eugene Murrell, 62, of Baker City, died April 26, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His memorial service was today at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Ed Niswender of the Calvary Baptist Church officiated.
He was born on June 13, 1941, at Frogville, Okla., to Edgar and Inez Arnold Murrell. He grew up in the Red River bottoms of Oklahoma.
At 17 he left home and joined the U.S. Navy. Enchanted by the Pacific Northwest, Donny moved to the Portland area after his discharge. He continued to remain active in service to his country through the National Guard.
At this time he also re-entered the work force, first with the Army Corps of Engineers and then with the Veterans Administration. Donny retired from the VA after 35 years of service, bridging positions from union president to management.
After his retirement, Donny began the first of many more adventures, including an energy consulting business, a sub-sandwich shop that turned into an Italian food carryout, partnership in a tile business and maintenance work for an assisted-living community. Throughout these trials, he was bitten by gold mining. He was finally able to relocate nearer his claims and back to a more common-sense way of life.
A member of the Eastern Oregon Mining Association, he was an avid gardener, and most recently had enrolled in square dancing lessons. Past enjoyments included hunting, fishing, farming, raising animals, home winemaking, teaching Sunday school, holding Bible study, and acting in community plays.
While on a trip to Milwaukee, Wis., Donny met his soul mate, Elizabeth Naparlinski, and the two began a whirlwind romance. "Esa" moved to Portland in February of 1994, where the couple were married. They moved to Baker City in October of 2002.
Donny touched the hearts of many as a dear son, brother, husband, father, mentor, friend, and neighbor and will long be remembered by those who knew him, his family said.
Survivors include his wife, Esa; his son, Jacob Murrell of Vancouver, Wash.; his daughter, Jessica Poffenroth, and her husband, Thomas, of Vancouver, Wash.; his mother, Inez Cochran, of Hugo, Okla.; five brothers, Larry Murrell and his wife, Ann, of Dallas, Texas, Ronnie Joe Henderson of Dallas, Louis Ray Henderson of Hugo, Okla., and twins, Joe Cochran, and his wife, Sondra, of Dallas, and John Cochran of Missouri; three sisters, Vernie Faye Smart, and her husband, Oscar Lee, of Rosebud, Texas, Johnny Kay Rosenthal and her husband, Jack, of Hugo, Okla., and Donnie Lois Burk of Missouri; his aunt, Lydia Burnett of Paris, Okla.; and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Nellie Vannice
Nellie Delia Vannice, 94, of North Powder, died April 29, 2004, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the North Powder Methodist Church. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Alford Cemetery, near Harrisburg. Pastor Sally Wiens will officiate.
Nellie was born at Halsey on Dec. 21, 1909, to Henry and Esther Nemchick Falk. She married Kenneth Vannice on June 29, 1929, at Halsey. They were married for almost 72 years.
Nellie was noted for her cooking and sewing abilities. She graduated from Halsey High School, raised three sons and then returned to college studies.
She attended 13 consecutive summer sessions to achieve her bachelor's degree. She was a music educator.
Nellie was a longtime member of the Rebekah Lodge, the Grange and the Methodist Church.
She will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Vannice, who died on May 22, 2001; two sisters, Pearl Boots and Grace Thompson; one brother, Everett Falk; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Jr. and his wife, Holly, of Lillooet, British Columbia, Donald and his wife, Bonnie, of Halfway, and Vernon and his wife, Martha, of Lacey, Wash.; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association through Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. S.W., Albany, OR 97321 or Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
Mary Yoder
Mary M. Weir Yoder, 46, of Sandy, died April 11, 2004, after a multi-year battle with cancer.
There will be a celebration of Mary's life at the Richland Grange Hall from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Friends are invited to stop by to visit with her parents and family. At Mary's request, her body was cremated.
Mary was born on Oct. 22, 1957, at Baker City and grew up at Richland. She was a 1975 graduate of Pine-Eagle High School at Halfway. She then moved to the Portland area where she became a successful businesswoman.
Mary began her professional career with First Interstate Bank (later Wells Fargo Bank) in 1975. She worked her way up through the company to become division vice president. She took an early retirement in 2001 when her medical challenges began.
Mary traveled extensively and loved working for Wells Fargo. She had many friends within the banking industry and was a respected employee and manager at Wells Fargo.
Mary was generous in every way to family and friends. She made special efforts to help and mentor her nieces and nephews in any way she could. She loved to travel and spent winters in Arizona with her parents. Mary was the center of attention when in Arizona, and made many new friends wherever she went.
Mary loved to garden and to shop. She had many unique items, which always made her home and garden a delight to explore and experience. She was well known for her style and flair in decorating.
She was bold yet sophisticated. Mary loved everything about home decorating, both inside and out. She was an avid gardener and master of finding that odd, yet tasteful item that would absolutely set the tone for her creative decorating.
Mary's stylish manner and unique humor were well known to her family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, but will remain in their hearts and minds for eternity.
Survivors include her parents, John and Donna Weir of Richland; sister, Judi Grantz, and her husband, Ron, of Sandy; brothers and sisters-in-law, Neil and Cindy Weir of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Jerry and Mary Weir of Halfway; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
James Donald
James Cleveland Donald, 75, of Acton, Mass., a former Baker City resident, died April 11, 2004.
He was a third-generation citizen of Baker County. His father, James Donald, was a member of the Baker City law firm, Nichols, Hallock, Donald, Banta, which is now Silven, Schmeits and Vaughan.
James attended Baker schools until he was 16 when he transferred to Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. He kept close to his classmates at Baker High School and attended every reunion of the Class of 1946. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service during his college vacations.
He was a 1950 graduate of Stanford University where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. After serving two years with the 2nd Infantry Division, which saw action in Korea, he graduated from Harvard School of Business.
His working career spanned 45 years and seven companies, including DuPont and Almy, where he achieved the Daran patent. His last job was as president of his own company, Six States Engineering. He was active in community affairs in Acton and traveled twice to Romania to help support the church people who had suffered during the dictatorship.
He was an early feminism enthusiast, encouraging his wife to continue her medical practice and civic activities. He kept in close touch with his friends and classmates in Baker County and always was proud of his Baker County heritage.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Donald, M.D., of Acton; sister, Jane Creighton of San Rafael, Calif.; and three children, James Wylie Donald of Fair Haven, N.J., Amy Donald Pualwan of Greensboro Bend, Vt., and Lt. Commander Elliott Judson Donald of the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Va., and his wife, Olivia Cole of Haines; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Judy.
Baker City friends suggest memorial contributions to the Crossroads-Carnegie Project since James Donald spent many happy hours in the Carnegie Library and would take great pride in seeing its restoration as a cultural center.
Martin Smolich
Martin Smolich, 77, a Baker City native, died April 21, 2004, at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338, 1896 Second St. Members of the Elks Lodge will perform the ceremony. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the lodge.
Martin was born on Aug. 15, 1926, at Baker City to George and Mandy Lulich Smolich. He attended St. Francis Academy and worked for the Oregon Lumber Co. for quite a few years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Baker Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include four brothers, Emil Smolich and his wife, Kay, George Smolich and his wife, Janet, and Paul Smolich and his wife, Helen, all of Milwaukie, and Bob Smolich and his wife, Patty, of Seattle, Wash.; one sister, Helen Cardinal, and her husband, Jerry, of Gig Harbor, Wash.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Luke, John, Jim, Raymond and Tommy Smolich; and by one sister, Leona Stoddard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338, through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Otie Snode
Otie Bell Yeager Snode, 92, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 22, 2004, at Baker City.
Her graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the North Powder Cemetery.
Otie was born July 25, 1911, to Henry and Lily Lancaster Yeager. She attended school in Baker County. Her family came to America from Germany.
Her husband, Howard Snode, died in 2001.
Otis was a wife and homemaker all her life. Her home was immaculate and she also took pride in her cooking. She made the most delicious pies.
She was a good neighbor and was loved by many. Otie was a very positive person and always saw the good in others. She never complained and even said, "I'm fine, " the night before she died.
Otie was preceded in death by her parents, a twin sister, two older sisters and three brothers.
Survivors include her nephews, Ernest and Everett Scrivner of Baker City, Virgel Scrivner of Ontario and Bill Knowles of Kennewick, Wash.; nieces, Helen Marconi of Portland, Glenda Purvine of Baker City, Shirley Clark of Elko, Nev., and Sandi Preuss of Reedsport.
