System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Virgil Aikey
Virgil Aikey, 66, of Sumpter, died Oct. 16, 2004, at the Boise Veterans Hospital.
There will be a wake in honor of his life at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Elkhorn Restaurant in Sumpter.
Virgil was born on Aug. 7, 1938, at Canadaqua, N.Y. He moved to Southern California in 1960.
He served in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne. He was the youngest journeyman in the heating and sheet metal business in the 1960s in Southern California.
After that he became a swimming pool contractor for Bee Sunny Pools in Chatsworth, Calif. In 1988, he moved to Bend, and then to Sumpter in 1993. He spent the winters at Yuma, Ariz.
In 1986, he married Jo, his best friend.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Virgil and Robert; daughter, Becky; stepson, Keith; stepdaughters, Tammy and Mary Jo; four grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and last, but not least, his very special friend, Lil Bit.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Lyle Rasmussen
Lyle Lillian Shelton Rasmussen, 90, of Salt Lake City, died Oct. 17, 2004, at her home.
Her funeral will be at noon Thursday at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, in Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. just prior to the service. There also will be a viewing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway.
There will be a graveside service at noon Saturday at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Dale Bingham of the Valley Ward will officiate.
Lyle was born on Jan. 2, 1914, at Bear, Idaho, to Earl and Jane Shelton. During her childhood, Lyle's family lived several places in Idaho and Washington. By the time Lyle was a teenager, the family had made a permanent home in Halfway.
After high school, Lyle attended beauty college and later worked as a beauty operator in Boise. After World War II, Lyle moved to Salt Lake City where she attended business college and worked as a secretary.
In 1947, Lyle married Keith Rasmussen in Salt Lake City. In the early 1950s the couple moved to San Francisco where Keith established a dental equipment company, and Lyle was an executive secretary for the Libby-McNeil company.
For 40 years Lyle and Keith lived on Russian Hill with a great view of San Francisco Bay. Over the years, Lyle's love of San Francisco became a legacy that touched the lives of countless family members and friends who came to visit.
Lyle also loved to travel with Keith on business trips whenever she could. They collected artifacts from their world travels and included beautiful music and literature among their most treasured possessions.
In the early 1980s, Lyle and Keith established a second home overlooking Temple Square in Salt Lake City. They eventually moved the manufacturing company to Utah and Keith continued with that until his death in 1988.
Lyle deeply missed her companion and the wonderful life they had together. She worked hard and carried on with his business, retiring at the age of 84.
Lyle made a profound impression on all who knew her. Her elegant style and grace became her trademark.
The twinkle in her eye was one indicator of her great sense of humor and keen wit. She was generous and down-to-earth, always appreciating those who demonstrated integrity and kindness.
Lyle passed through extremely difficult challenges at times in her life. Lyle's dear and loyal friends, Parley and Ann Lloyd, have offered tremendous love and support to Lyle for the past 14 years. The three of them share a unique and eternal bond of friendship.
Lyle was a lifetime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had strong faith and willingly served in various capacities as a church member.
The last three years Lyle has shared a special and close companionship with Aaron and Sherie. Together with them, Lyle has been assisted by wonderful caregivers.
Her family expressed sincere appreciation to them for their loving care in Lyle's final years.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three sisters, Orpha Buchanan, Cora Bradford, and Laura Brunelle; two brothers, Hyle Bradford and Boyd Shelton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Arrangement are under the director of Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel.
‘Pete' Peyron
William "Pete" Peyron, 82, of Baker City, died Oct. 3, 2004, at his home.
There will be a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Community Connection Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St. There will be a luncheon afterward.
Pete was born Adrian Rene Peyron to Henry Benjamin Peyron and Louise Marenthier Peyron on Aug. 10, 1922, in the original farmhouse on the Peyron Ranch east of Baker. Pete was also known as "Bill, " and was affectionately called "Unky" by his nieces, who adored him.
His parents came to America in 1908 from France and settled in the Baker Valley in 1917. Pete was the youngest. His brothers, Henry, Gaston and Paul, and his sister, Rose, all attended the one-room schoolhouse, Sunnyslope School No. 69.
While growing up, Pete worked on the ranch, milking cows, watering livestock and herding sheep and hogs. He quickly developed a love for ranching.
When Pete was drafted early in World War II, his father told the Draft Board, "You've taken three of my sons — you're not taking the last one!" Pete stayed with his family working the land, and helped other families in the area whose sons were serving in the war to bring their crops in as well.
He remained on the ranch, making it his lifelong career. He took care of his parents in their later years. At the age of 50, he married Elizabeth Huntington Peyron on Jan. 18, 1973.
Those who knew Pete said he had a "passion for water, " which was the lifeblood of the ranch, and Pete took it very seriously. He spent countless hours working on local irrigation projects. Pete was on the Baker Valley Irrigation Board from 1963 to 1990 and was involved with the completion of the Mason Dam irrigation project in 1968 with other directors Alvin Ward and Charles Colton.
He also worked on the maintenance and upkeep of the Smith Ditch, which irrigated the Peyron Ranch property. The Ranch was the last property on the ditch and in the earlier years before Mason Dam was put into operation, it was a daily struggle to get water to it.
The original ranch was a combination of rocks, hillsides, sagebrush and alkali. The family bought their first John Deere tractor in 1941 for $1, 000, and Pete got busy turning the ground into pasture and hay land.
Pete's brother, Paul, said not only was Pete his brother, he was his best friend and they shared many activities together including playing on the Missouri Flat baseball team. The team practiced on Lindley Lane in a cow pasture and Pete played first baseman.
Pete was a contented, peaceful man who accepted life, and whatever circumstances arose, with courage and dignity. He never once looked at a difficult situation and asked, "Why me?" Even when he was diagnosed with adult-onset hydrocephalus in 1987, he accepted his condition and went on with his life as best he could. Through it all, he never lost his wonderful sense of humor.
"Playing Kid, " was one of his favorite sayings and his good friend, Babe Deardorff, who began working on the Peyron Ranch at the age of 10, said it was something he also liked to do. He recalled the time years ago when he was on the power buck and Pete was driving the farmhand. It was quitting time and the two decided to have a race while driving the machinery back to the house. Pete hit a fence and broke all but one tooth off of the farmhand.
Even though he took time to play, Babe said Pete was an extremely hard worker. "If you ever got into a ditch and had to shovel with Pete, you had better keep up."
For several summers Pete's nieces, Sue, Pam, Nancy, Laurie and Donna, worked on the ranch as his all-girl hay crew. Pete said, "Even though they couldn't fix machinery, they weren't as hard on the machinery as boys."
Pete loved raising sheep and cattle, and knew all of his cows by name as well as their lineage. He enjoyed attending the local cattle sales and always looked forward to bumping into neighbors and friends for a cup of coffee and a doughnut.
He also had a fondness for dogs and cats and befriended many over the years. If a stray dog wagged his tail or a lost cat mewed at him, they undoubtedly became permanent residents of the Peyron Ranch. And he never went anywhere without a few of these faithful companions bouncing beside him.
Although Pete was baptized as an infant, he felt that church was best experienced outside in the midst of God and nature. He hunted and fished in his younger years, but later on he couldn't bring himself to kill a deer, he said they were too beautiful to destroy.
Pete spent his entire life, except two years from 2002-2003 when he was being cared for at St. Elizabeth Care Center, on the Peyron Ranch. Even when his illness prevented him from doing many things, he continued to enjoy nature from his window and remained awed by the beauty of it all.
"Memories of this gentle giant among men will continue to touch the hearts of many for generations to come, " his family said. "As he passes from this world, he leaves behind a legacy of environmental stewardship and kindness to humanity that will continue to benefit those who knew him."
Memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Center for the Community Connection bus or the charity of one's choice through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Emily Burnside
Emily L. Burnside, 89, a long-time Baker City resident, died Oct. 21, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mrs. Burnside was born Oct. 30, 1914, at Saskatchewan Providence, Canada, to Albin and Anna Cerkonck. The family moved from Canada to Fall City, Wash., when she was a young girl. She received her schooling there.
She married Elmer Lloyd Burnside in 1935 at Yakima, Wash. They lived in several locations until settling at Richland working on a farm. In 1942, they moved to Halfway where they owned and operated a restaurant, bar and hotel, now known as Stockman's.
They divorced in 1946 and Mrs. Burnside moved with her children to Baker City where she had lived since.
In Baker City, she took care of her children as well as many others as a certified foster parent for Children Services. She also ran a day care center for many years.
She loved her family and taking care of children. She enjoyed cooking and always had a large garden. She will be very missed by her children and grandchildren who loved her very much.
Survivors include her children, Deannie Burnside Wirth, and her husband, Wayne, of Spokane, Wash., Patricia Burnside Brooks of Pine City, Wash., Wayne Burnside and his wife, Linda, and Daryl Burnside and his wife, Tammy, both of Baker City; sisters, Helyn Edwards of California and Mary Frost of Grants Pass; grandchildren, Randy, Rhonda, Andrea, Theresa, Susan, Lynda, Kevin, Christopher, Jeromy, Benji, Todd, Angel and Travis; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Curtis; and her former husband, Elmer Burnside.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Health Care Center through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Charles McAlary
Charles McAlary, 86, of Baker City died Oct. 13, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services with his family at his bedside.
His graveside service was today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Sister Kay Marie Duncan of Pathway Hospice officiated. Friends joined the family after the service for a reception at the family home.
Charles McAlary was born at Vici, Okla., on Feb. 23, 1918, to Thomas S. McAlary and Ethel Lea Speck McAlary. He attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse at Price Creek, Colo., and high school at Collbran, Colo.
He married Hazel Maxine Bowman on Nov. 19, 1939, at Vici, Okla. They spent the majority of their married lives at Collbran and on the family ranch at Rifle, Colo., where they raised their seven children.
In 1967 Charles, Hazel and three of their children moved to Baker City where they purchased and operated a coin-op laundry until their retirement in 1980.
Charles enjoyed traveling with his children, woodworking, mechanics and especially reading.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Hazel; daughter Joyce; four brothers; one sister; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Survivors include six children and their spouses: Edris Moore and her husband, Norlin, of Big Piney, Wyo., Betty Johnson and her husband, Fred, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Melvyn McAlary of Baker City, Ralph McAlary and his wife, Janet, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Chad McAlary and his wife, Shelly of Clarkston, Wash., and Bruce McAlary and his wife, Nancy, of McMinnville; two sisters, Leta Malm of Bakersfield, Calif., and Lena Maddux of Myrtle Creek; sister-in-law, Agnes McAlary of Rifle, Colo.; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; and many more relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Oregon Chapter of The American Red Cross or to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Wanda Havlik
Wanda Helen Havlik, 82, of Baker City, died Oct. 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon at the church after the service.
There will be a second funeral at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Rockwood Church of God in Portland. There will be a reception afterward at the church.
Vault Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Wanda Helen Clark was born on Oct. 31, 1922, to John A. Clark and Jessie Gilkison Clark. She was born at a home on Hunt Mountain Lane on what is now the Buckner Ranch.
She attended Baker schools and was a 1940 Baker High School graduate.
She worked through the war years at the Baker office of the Oregon Employment Service. She moved to Tillamook in 1947 to work with Bell Telephone where she met Frank Havlik. They were married on Sept. 28, 1947, at Portland.
Frank and Wanda settled in Gresham, where they watched their two children, Linda and Dale, grow up, marry and raise their families.
After Frank's death in 1989, Wanda remained in Gresham until 1994 when she returned to Baker City to be near her family and lifelong friends. Everyone was happy to have her close again, especially her sisters, Eva VanLeuven, Enid Pedersen, and her daughter, Linda Webb.
Wanda was quiet and loving, strong in her convictions and never desired to be in the spotlight. Friends admired her strong faith in God which gave her a wonderful and positive outlook on life; a happiness which she generously spread to her family and all those around her.
Three years of failing health didn't shake her outlook and strength in Christ. Amazed at her bravery, family members said they watched her face medical test after test seemingly unshaken and joking about each. A wit not to be equaled.
When told after two weeks in the hospital that nothing more could be done to improve her failing health she was jubilant, "ready to go to heaven." Of course, she made sure everyone, especially her grandchildren, understood how much she loved them; for them not to be sad and to always do their best.
"Those last days of her life were such a wonderful blessing for all who cared so deeply for her, " her family said. "God truly did love her as much as she so often expressed."
"Thank you, Mother, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Friend for being so very much a part of our lives. We will see you over there, " they added.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents, John and Jessie Clark; brothers, Charles and Vernon Clark; and sister, Eva Clark VanLeuven.
Survivors include a son, Dale Havlik, of Redmond; a daughter, Linda Webb, and her husband, Gary, of Baker City; granddaughter, Kelsey Stitzel, and her husband, Travis, of Cove; grandson, Jesse Webb, and his wife, Mechell, of La Grande; granddaughter, Amber, and grandson, Gabriel Havlik, of Redmond; great-grandson, Bryson Stitzel of Cove; sisters, Jessie Harrison of The Dalles and Enid Pedersen of Baker City; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker City Christian Church through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Gladys Davidson
Gladys Davidson, 89, of Baker City, died Oct. 13, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
There will be no service. Burial will be at Lawncrest Memorial Park in Redding, Calif. Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys was born on Oct. 19, 1914, at Pima, Ariz. She had lived at Baker City for the last 14 years.
She previously had lived at Redding, Calif., for 40 years. She was a homemaker and a mother of five. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening.
Survivors include her children, Edward Davidson of Baker City, Shirley Stephens of Placerville, Calif., Joanne Thompson of Hughson, Calif., and Gary Davidson of Antelope, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernie Davidson; and son, Thomas Davidson.
