System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Ruth Koplin
Ruth L. Koplin, 74, of Oreana, Idaho, a former longtime Bridgeport resident, died Aug. 12, 2004, at home with her family at her side.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Nyssa's Lienkaemper Chapel in Nyssa. Burial will be at Hilltop Memorial Cemetery in Nyssa. Visitations will be until 8 o'clock tonight at Nyssa's Lienkaemper Chapel.
Ruth was born on March 26, 1929, at Winchester, Idaho, the daughter of Otto Schubert and Edith Zimmeyer Schubert. She married Donald Koplin on July 3, 1946, and became a homemaker. She worked right alongside her husband and never considered herself too good to help him with ranch work. They ranched at Bridgeport for more than 20 years. Ruth and Donald had been married 58 years.
Ruth enjoyed making handmade quilts and selling them at local bazaars. Because of her excellent craftsmanship, people would come by the house just to buy a quilt. She also loved to can the fruits and vegetables she raised in her garden.
Ruth was always willing to help a neighbor, family and friend. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Ruth leaves behind her husband, Donald Koplin of Oreana, Idaho; son, Clint Koplin, of Parma, Idaho; daughter, Evelyn Birkeland, of Washougal, Wash.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice for the care given Ruth and the many friends and neighbors who lent a helping hand the last days of her life.
Memorials contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice through Lienkaemper Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Ontario, OR 97914.
‘Gene' Duncan
Roscoe E. "Gene" Duncan, 65, a lifetime Baker County resident, died Aug. 11, 2004, at his home.
His memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. The Revs. Jim Stephens, Robert C. Irwin and Camillus Fernando will concelebrate the Mass.
Gene was born in Baker City on Oct. 12, 1938, to Rock and Ruth Duncan. He spent his childhood in Keating Valley and attended the Keating School as the only student in his grade level.
He then moved to the Baker Middle School and attended high school at St. Francis Academy. Gene then attended Oregon State University at Corvallis, Gonzaga University at Spokane, Wash., and Eastern Oregon University at La Grande.
In 1961, Gene was drafted into the U.S. Army. He married Mary Claire Montgomery on Nov. 15, 1961. After his discharge, he returned to the ranch in Keating Valley where they lived for a couple of years.
In 1964, they moved to Baker City where they raised their four children. Gene was a born salesman. He eventually started his own business, Duncan Wholesale, a food wholesale family run business.
In his last working years, he worked in the agricultural department at Farmterials and Lumbermen's, until his health conditions forced him into early retirement.
Gene enjoyed life and played as hard as he worked. After a 14-hour workday, he would spend hours coaching kids in the evening. He was very involved in youth sports and spent 25 years refereeing basketball from B league up to the 4A boys and girls state tournaments. He loved the Eagle Cap Mountains and the family spent quality time hunting and camping there.
Gene was a 44-year member of the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338, and for several years he was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also a Knights of Columbus member for 44 years.
He served as president of both baseball associations, Little League and Babe Ruth. He was a lifetime member of the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Claire Duncan of Baker City; his children, Hugh Duncan, Colleen Downing and her husband, Ken, and Matt Duncan and his wife, Jennifer, all of La Grande, and Kathy Duncan-Casper and her husband, Donald, of Wallowa; sisters, Sister Kay Marie Duncan of Baker City and Emmy Ann Bellows of Ontario; an aunt, Mildred Williams of Portland and an uncle, Robert Hermsen of Palo Alto, Calif.; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Ruth Duncan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association or St. Francis de Sales Choir Loft Fund through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Pat' Gentry
France P. "Pat" Gentry, 80, of Baker City, died Aug. 6, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Her funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 o'clock tonight at the funeral home.
She was born in 1924 at Stuttgart, Ark., to Frank and Anna Sanders Guy. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Horce and Minnie Jackson, at Mound City, Ill., where she attended school. She was a 1942 Mound City High School graduate.
She married Robert P. Gentry in 1943. They settled at Baker City in 1947. She worked as a housekeeper for the Baker Hotel from 1948 through the 1960s.
She worked at numerous motels and retired from housekeeping after working at the old St. Elizabeth Nursing Home in 1987 after 13 years.
Survivors include her sons, Homer Gentry and his wife, Bonnie, of Baker City, and Carl Gentry and his wife, Trina, of Benton City, Wash.; daughters, Katherine Gentry of Baker City and Sheila Esquibel and her husband, Wayne, of Gillette, Wyo.; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ruby Lawrence; her husband, Robert P. Gentry; daughter, Pamela S. Haggard; and grandson, Dennis E. Allen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to to the Humane Society through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Metta Pitman
Metta D. Pitman, 85, a longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 8, 2004, at Haines.
Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St., after the service.
Metta was born on June 8, 1919, to Elva Carl and Rosella Lewis Perry at Nampa, Idaho. She graduated from Meridian High School at Meridian, Idaho, and went on to Albion Normal School, Albion, Idaho. She received her teaching certificate in 1939.
Metta married Chester W. Sater in 1939. They were later divorced. She married John Pitman on Aug. 19, 1949. She was a teacher in Baker schools from 1945 until her retirement in 1981, having taught at Brooklyn, Churchill, North Baker and South Baker elementary schools.
Metta enjoyed traveling with Eastern Star and in her RV, and spending time with family. She liked to read, tend her flower gardens, pick huckleberries, do needlework, and play cards. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Esther Chapter, and was very active at both the local and state levels.
Survivors include her two sons, Chester Sater and his wife, Linda, of La Grande; Jack Sater and his wife, Arlyne, of Lolo, Mont.; her stepdaughter, Marilyn Brinkerhoff, and her husband, Kendal, of Pangutich, Utah; her two brothers, Jack Perry and his wife, Pat, of John Day, and Earl Perry and his wife, Joann, of Lowman, Idaho; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Metta was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1996; her parents, Elva and Rosella Perry; and a brother, Everett Perry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., PO Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Michael Ellis
Michael Hugh Ellis, 58, of Pendleton died on Aug. 6, 2004, after a short stay at St. Alphonsus Critical Care Unit in Boise.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception after the services.
Visitations will be until 8 o'clock tonight at Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave.
Michael Hugh was born on June 17, 1946, to Charles E. and Nellie Mae Colton Ellis at Baker City. He worked as a superintendent of the Pendleton Flour Mill.
He married Gail Van Sickle on March 4, 1987, at the Ioloni Palace in Oahu, Hawaii.
Mike enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Gail, and their son, Jarrod, 14, of Pendleton; his sons, Michael and his wife, Tara, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Randal and his wife, Julie, of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter, Suzy, and her husband, Russel Poole of Louisville, Ky.; 14 grandchildren; his mother Nellie Mae Colton Owen of Baker City; his two brothers, Gregg "Pat" Flint of Baker City and Timothy J. Flint of San Francisco; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Baker County and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice or to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Irene Stuart
Irene DeVos "Tu-Tu" Stuart, 79, of La Grande, died Aug. 5, 2004, at her home after a short illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Grande. The Rev. Father Hank Albrecht will officiate. Private interment will be later.
Irene was born on July 29, 1925, at Baker City to Edgar and Maria DeVos. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Belgium in 1921.
Irene was a successful businesswoman for many years, a world class cook and homemaker. She took great pride in her flowers and yard. She loved to decorate for the Christmas holidays, inside and out.
Irene was a devout Catholic. Her faith was her foundation and her family was her fortress.
Irene was an avid animal lover. She fed and found homes for all stray cats and dogs that were lucky enough to land on her doorstep. Her favorite charity was the Blue Mountain Humane Association.
"Irene leaves a large hole in the hearts of everyone she touched. She was a hard act to follow, " her family said.
Irene was married to the late Dr. Robert L. Stuart, who died in 1983.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Linda Danes and Rick Snyder of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, Robert A. and Stacey Stuart of West Linn; grandson, Ricky D. Snyder of La Grande; a very special nephew, Dr. Gary DeVos and his wife, Shirly, of Baker City; niece, Debby DeVos Cantrell of Aloha; nephew, Tony DeVos of Astoria; stepdaughters, Joetta Stuart Smith of La Grande and Theresa Stuart Kennedy of Maui, Hawaii.
She also was preceded in death by her mother and father and an infant sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Blue Mountain Humane Association through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.
Erma Guyer
Erma Gladys Guyer, 93, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 4, 2004 at Boise after having lived a long life filled with simple pleasures.
Her funeral will be Monday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. PDT at the Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave. in Boise.
Interment with graveside services will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery on Monday at 2:30 p.m. PDT.
Erma was born Oct. 23, 1910, at Richland. She grew up on her parents' sheep ranch on the Powder River and attended Sunnyside School in Eagle Valley.
As a teenager, Erma worked as a cook at the Sass and Schneau Sheep Ranch in Richland. There Erma met Louis Guyer. After a two-year courtship, Louis and Erma were married on May 18, 1928.
As newlyweds, Erma and Louis moved into their own little home within the Buffalo mining camp in the Blue Mountains, west of Baker City, where Louis worked.
Erma loved to ride horses, and she owned dogs and pet canaries. She especially enjoyed going fishing with her husband.
Later Erma and Louis moved to Baker City where they raised two sons. Erma also worked at Hotel Baker as a salad chef. In 1971 the couple moved to Boise.
Her sons remember Erma as an outstanding caregiver. During the Great Depression, Erma fed hobos, took in single mothers and their children for several years, took in one young man for years, as well as taking in several others for short periods of time. Then, when Erma's husband was disabled from a mining accident, she took care of him for 41 years. Erma also took care of her aging mother for several years.
Erma will be missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include her two sons, Dale and his wife, Donna, and Vernon and his wife, Cynthia; one sister, Anita Smith of Grangeville, Idaho; two brothers, Joe Wilson of Slate Creek, Idaho, and Harold Wilson of Gooding, Idaho; five grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Boise Rescue Mission or to the charity of one's choice.
Corlynn Wilson
Corlynn Elaine (Trindle) Wilson, 31, a former Baker City resident now of Nampa, Idaho, died on Aug. 3, 2004 in Canyon County, Idaho.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will officiate.
Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St., following the service.
Corlynn Elaine was born on Nov. 6, 1972 in Portland. She was the oldest of Mike and Ann Trindle's three children.
Corey was raised in Baker County, attending kindergarten in Haines and grammar through high school in Baker City. She graduated from Baker High School with the class of 1991.
After graduation, Corey attended Treasure Valley Community College. Although she only attended college for one year, she was able to accomplish two years of fun.
After college, Corey started working at a bank in Lewiston, Idaho, and then another bank in Payette, Idaho. She then got a job in Nampa with Micron Technology working as a secretary and had worked her way up to working in the Information Technology Department as a N.O.F. administrator.
She started playing softball in high school on a women's league and had continued to play in many leagues ever since — sometimes on three teams in one season.
Corey was always there to help work cattle on her family's ranch. She loved spending her time with her family and friends. Corey was a wonderful and caring mother, daughter, sister, aunt and person. We all loved her so much and will miss her.
She is survived by her two daughters, Ashley Trees and Baylie Wilson; her parents, Mike and Ann Trindle of Baker City; her brother, Chad Trindle of Haines; her sister, Laurel DeCarli and her husband, Steve, of Baker City; her nephews, Cody and Wyatt DeCarli of Baker City; grandfathers Bill Trindle of Haines and Raymond Rademacher of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Ashley Trees and Baylie Wilson Trust, established for Corey's two young daughters Ashley Trees, 10, and Baylie Wilson, 3, in care of Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Jim' Robbins
James Wade "Jim" Robbins, 66, of Baker City, died at his home on July 31, 2004.
The family will be host for a gathering at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Baker United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Friends are invited to join family members for cake and punch while they honor Jim's life.
Jim was born on Nov. 2, 1937, at Banner Elk, N.C., to Robert Pell and Margaret Estelle Pritchard Robbins. He grew up and attended school in Avery County, N.C. James was one of 13 children.
In 1958, James left North Carolina and moved to Santa Maria, Calif. He got a job working for General Motors as an automotive repairman. While working for GM, Jim received six years of trade school training for automotive repair.
Arranged by his landlady, Jim started corresponding with a young lady at Caldwell, Idaho, named Linda Vernholm. After several letters, Linda agreed to visit Jim in California.
They were married a year later in 1966 at Caldwell. Linda joined Jim in California, and in 1968 their son, Robert James, was born.
In 1972, the family relocated to Baker City where they have lived for 32 years. Their daughter, Lynn Marie, was born in 1973.
In Baker City, Jim worked at the Chevrolet Dealership, Poe Motors and had his own automotive repair shop. He then worked for Don Giles until he retired in 1993.
He was a teacher and a mentor to many local mechanics. He also taught automotive repair for Treasure Valley Community College.
Jim was always willing to help people out with their car troubles. Even up until his last days he still received calls from people asking questions about how to fix their cars, which he was more than happy to answer.
He was an honest and giving man. He was so giving, that when he had his own shop, he had a hard time charging people for fixing their cars.
Jim loved his family very much. He enjoyed woodworking and made furniture for his wife and children.
He also was a hunter and a fisherman. Even though he couldn't read music, Jim played the guitar, learning all songs by ear.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Linda; his son, Robert, and his girlfriend, Sandra Miller, of La Grande; his daughter, Lynn Weems of Baker City; a brother, Grant Robbins of Sedro Wooley, Wash.; three sisters, Florence Evans of Pismo Beach, Calif., Elizabeth Hartley of Charlotte, N.C., and Margaret Ann Calhoun of Newland, N.C.; six grandchildren, AliAnne, Alastair, and Aidan Weems and Jennifer, Michael, and Daniel Altherr; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and six brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
