System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Rosa Sargent
Rosa Marie Sargent, 85, of La Grande, a former longtime Pine Valley resident, died Dec. 7, 2004, at a La Grande care home.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for her at 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel in La Grande. Visitations will be until 7 o'clock tonight and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.
There will be a memorial service at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway on Memorial Day of 2005. Family and friends are invited. The ceremony will be announced again at that time.
Rosa was born on Oct. 3, 1919, at North Pine to Italian immigrant parents Lorenzo and Margherita Falcinella Del Curto. She attended grade school at North Pine and then attended high school at Halfway. She completed her college education at Eastern Oregon Normal School in La Grande and at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
She first taught school at Adrian and then at Cornucopia, a gold-mining town near Halfway.
Rosa married and moved to the Portland area where she taught for 10 years before returning to Halfway. She taught Grades 1-8 at the one-room school at Pine Town and then at Halfway Elementary School until 1960.
She then moved to Oregon City where she finished out her teaching career. She held a lifetime teaching license in Oregon and was a life member of the Oregon Education Association.
She had been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7847, in Halfway since 1956. She also was a member of the Catholic Church.
Rosa moved to La Grande in 1997 to be closer to her daughter. For the last 2Ž years she had lived at Country Rose Manor, an adult foster care center, where her family said she was wonderfully loved and cared for.
Survivors include her daughter, Carol Wilhelm of La Grande; her sister, Catherine Wilson of Eugene; her sister-in-law, Courtney Del Curtis; her granddaughter, Joni Wilhelm of Durango, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews and relatives still living in Italy.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, John, Reno, Lawrence and Jerry Del Curto, Rita Motley and Lena Wyatt.
Delbert Smith
Delbert Ray Smith, 56, a lifetime Sparta resident, died at his home Dec. 6, 2004.
There will be a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Friday at the Richland Christian Church. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Richland Christian Church.
Delbert was born on April 5, 1948, at Baker City to Earl Albert Sr. and Elta Louise Burchell Smith. He was actually in Baker City just long enough to be born, then immediately taken home to Sparta. He was raised at what is termed the "rock house."
Delbert went to school in Sparta until the fifth grade. It was then that he went to the Richland Elementary School. He graduated from Richland High School.
His first marriage was to Marilyn in 1970. They had two children together, Jimmy and Malaina. In 1995 Delbert married Jacqueline Marshall at the ranch in Sparta.
Delbert always felt that there was no place like home. His family on occasion convinced him to take small vacations, but that was the extent of his travel.
His life's work was as a logger and cattle rancher. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Delbert was best known for his practical jokes and his infectious laugh.
Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline; daughter, Malaina Smith of Ontario; son, Jimmy, and his wife, Heather, of Wellington, Utah; stepchildren, Dale Corcoran, Lisa and her husband, Mark Cottrell, Peggy Corcoran, Brian and his wife, Cindy Marshall; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bill and Wanda Holcomb; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Margaret Holaday; grandchildren, Christian, Caitlin, Colton, Zack, Harley, Amberlee, Katie and Jazmin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jonn and Elmyra Mitchell; and numerous nieces, nephews and more friends and acquaintances than the family ever imagined.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Earl, who died in 1993.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Keating Quick Response Unit through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 532, Halfway, OR 97834.
‘Bill' Miller
Willis Gordon "Bill" Miller, 80, of Portland, and a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 28, 2004, at Friendship Nursing Home in Portland.
His memorial service was Dec. 4 at the St Johns Christian Church in Portland. Arrangements were by the Killingsworth Little Chapel of the Chimes.
His ashes will be placed at Tehoma National Cemetery near his son's home because Willamette National Cemetery's Columbarium has no available space.
Bill was born June 17, 1924, at Baker City to William F. and Josephine D. Miller. After graduating from Baker High School in 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force. He served in Italy and Brazil, earning numerous medals.
While in school, he began playing trumpet, which became a lifelong hobby and vocation.
He met Joy Lethlean and married her in 1949. They moved to La Grande, where they became parents of two children, Randall and Kay.
Several years later they moved to Portland. Bill happily helped with the children's activities. This ranged from serving as Cub Master of Pack 52 and working with Boy Scout Troop 52, Little League, hunter safety, Junior Rifle Club and James John PTA. He also assisted with many of Kay's Campfire Girls activities.
Upon retirement from Fred Meyer Variety Warehouse in 1986, Bill traded his trumpet for a trombone and got down to some serious music entertainment. He and Joy created the Melody Express Band.
They played music in numerous nursing homes, retirement homes, the Oregon State Fair, and the Rose Festival. He loved playing music and felt great satisfaction in providing happy, foot-tapping music that made people smile.
After his children finished high school he got serious about his fishing. He caught a 35-pound king salmon in Waldport. (The minister said the fish kept growing in size over the years.)
After retirement he had much more time for his hobbies, which included making wooden toys for grandchildren and for various charities. He particularly loved making beautiful wooden rocking horses.
Over the past 12 years Bill and his little brown dog enjoyed walking through St. Johns, talking with everyone they met.
Survivors include his wife, Joy, and daughter, Kay, both of Portland; his son, Randall, of Kent, Wash.; his sister, Beverly Giles of Auburn, Wash.; grandchildren, Amanda and Kyle Miller of Kent; and a brother-in-law, Dale Lethlean of Baker City.
Memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a local Humane Society or a charity of one's choice.
Richard Duckett
Richard E. Duckett, 51, of Elgin, died Nov. 30, 2004, at his home of a brain tumor after a long illness.
There was a celebration of his life Saturday at the La Grande Baptist Church. Loveland Funeral Chapel of La Grande was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Duckett was born on Nov. 15, 1953, at La Grande to Richard L. and Doris Duckett. The family moved to Bates in 1959. He was a 1972 graduate of Prairie City High School where he was a member of the Order of DeMolay and played baseball and football.
He served in the U.S. Navy, and on Dec. 30, 1972, he married Debra Frazier at Prairie City.
The couple lived at Antioch, Calif., and Canyon City before moving to Elgin in 1988. He worked as an electrician for John Day Lumber Co., Malheur Lumber, Boise Cascade and Marvin Wood Products in Baker City.
He was a member of the Canyon city Masonic Lodge and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family. He was quick with a smile and always had a joke to share.
Survivors include his wife of Elgin; children and their spouses, Missy and Jason McKinnon, and Rick Duckett and his fiance, Nikki Stark of Island City; one grandchild; one stepgrandchild; his mother of La Grande; sisters and their husband, Georgia and Jim Boethin of Canyon City and Debbie and Shane Horrell of Elgin; and other relatives.
His father died earlier.
Contributions to help the family pay for medical expenses incurred during his illness may be made to any branch of US Bank.
‘Butch' Hammer
Loren D. "Butch" Hammer, 35, died in an aviation accident while serving his country in Afghanistan.
His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Butler Aircraft at the Redmond Airport. Chaplain Vern Arledge of the Redmond Fire and Police departments will officiate.
He was born on Nov. 26, 1969, at Needles, Calif., to William "Mike" and Barbara Hammer. He was very active as a youth in Boy Scouts and attained the level of Eagle Scout.
He was a 1988 graduate of Redmond High School and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard.
While employed at Butler Aircraft at Redmond, he received his pilot's license and eventually flew DC-7 tankers and various other aircraft, supporting firefighting and smoke-jumping operations.
His latest assignment was as a contractor for Presidential Airways, piloting Casa 212s in support of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. His interests included aviation, scuba diving, music, skydiving, kayaking and hiking.
Survivors include his father, William "Mike" Hammer of Granite; his mother, Barbara Hammer of Redmond; sisters, Holly Shima of Sacramento, Calif., and Kristy Holcomb of Redmond; and brother, Daniel Hammer of Bend; five nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
Contributions may be made at any branch of US Bank in memory of Loren "Butch" Hammer for scholarships for young student pilots.
Autumn Funerals of Redmond is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Williams
Mildred E. Williams, 96, of Hermiston, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Dec. 5, 2004, at Ashley Manor in Hermiston.
Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Burial of her cremains will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
She was born at Brookings on Feb. 16, 1908, to Lester and Nettie Robison Hawkins. She was a member of the Baker City First Christian Church, the Missouri Flat Grange and the Order of Eastern Star, Baker and Sumpter chapters.
She married David R. Williams on Sept. 17, 1935, at San Diego.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David R. Williams; a brother, Lester Hawkins; and a sister, Delores Moragne.
Survivors include her son, Michael R. Williams of Umatilla; a daughter, Carol Evitts of Hermiston; three grandchildren, David Ego of Hermiston, David Williams, living in Cuba and Susan Yraguen of Ontario; five great-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one niece and five nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital.
Keith Schuchardt
Keith Gayle Schuchardt, 71, of Haines, died Dec. 3, 2004, at his home.
A private family memorial will be scheduled later.
Keith was born on Sept. 19, 1933, at Elgin, Neb., to Raymond David and Ada Marie Keiser Schuchardt.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
More than anything, Keith loved to go fishing with his dog. He never was without his dogs.
Survivors include his ex-wife, Anna Deloris Schuchardt of Haines; sons Bruce Schuchardt of Newburg, and Ron Schuchardt of Walla Walla, Wash.; sisters, Donna Dillin of Vancouver, Wash., Karen Carmichael of Hillsboro, and Geraldine Lasniewski of Turner; his brother, Gerald Schuchardt, and twin brother, Kenneth Schuchardt; and his special niece Kathie Gilmore.
"Keith was able to stay in the comfort of his own home with his friends and family and loving dog, Horse, because of the special people at Pathway Hospice, " family members said in expressing their thanks to the organization.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Mary Bremmer
Mary Margaret Bremmer 74, of Baker City, died Dec. 3, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Her funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Jon Privett of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Graveside services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at City View Cemetery in Salem, and interment will follow the services.
Mrs. Bremmer was born Dec. 25, 1929, in Orrick, Mo., a daughter of Louis E. and Ellen (Taggert) Townsend. The family came to Oregon in 1935. She spent most of her life in Salem and lived for a short time in Kennewick, Wash., before returning to Salem. She moved to Baker City in 1998.
Mrs. Bremmer is survived by a son, Gary McIntosh of the Portland area; a grandson, Billy Gottfried of Keizer; great grandchildren, Corey, Sean and Lisa, and a step-great-grandson, Eric; brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Doris Townsend of Baker City; nephews, Paul Townsend and Doug Townsend, both of Baker City, Dean Townsend of Corvallis and Raymond Townsend of South Dakota.
Mrs. Bremmer was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; a son, Ron McIntosh; and a daughter, Linda Coy McIntosh.
Contributions in Mrs. Bremmer's memory may be made to Pathway Hospice in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Bessie Hickman
Bessie A. Hickman, 97, died Nov. 15, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Jon Privett of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Bessie was born on March 10, 1908, in McDonald County, Mo., to Franklin and Agnes Sims Lee. She attended school in Missouri and Kansas. She married Daniel Hickman on Dec. 21, 1927.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; four sisters; her husband, Daniel, who died on Feb. 15, 2002, after 74 years of marriage; and an infant son and daughter.
Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Charlie' Brooks
Charles Walter "Charlie" Brooks, 72, of Baker City, died Nov. 15, 2005, at his home.
His graveside memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Richland Grange Hall.
Charlie was born on June 13, 1933, at Richland to Paul and Olga Miller Brooks. He was raised at Richland, graduating from high school there in May of 1951. After graduation, Charlie went to work for his uncle Eagle Bennehoff, on his ranches at Halfway and Richland.
In 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served most of his time in Germany and France. His job was transporting troops and pilots. He was discharged in 1955.
Charlie went to work for the Morrison-Knudsen Co. in 1956 at the Brownlee Dam and worked on the highway from Richland to Halfway in 1957. It was during this time that he met his "true love, " Mary Lee Fitchett. They were married in September of 1958 at the Christian Church in Richland. They had two boys, Donald and Clyde.
He then went to work for Standard Oil for six years driving tanker truck delivering fuel. Next he purchased the Bennehoff Dairy from his uncle Eagle and operated it with his family for 14 years.
They had the first Grade A Dairy in Richland. They sold it in 1978. Charlie worked a few years for farm implement dealers in Baker City, four years for the Baker County Road Department operating a road grader, one year hauling mail to Salt Lake City and three summers working on a road crew.
In 1991 Charlie enjoyed working with a contractor building the family's new home in Baker City. He swore that they would never do it again. It's amazing what you can agree to disagree on!
During Charlie's life, he enjoyed packing up into the high mountains, hunting and fishing, playing cards with his family and friends, watching his grandson, Cooper, play sports and watching bull riding and sports on TV.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lee of Baker City; sons and wives, Clyde and Melody Brooks of Baker City and Donald and Judi Brooks of Dayton, Wash.; his mother, Olga Brooks of Baker City; brothers and wives, Stanley and LaRue Brooks of Richland and Dwight and Donna Brooks of Union; grandchildren, Cooper, Kody, Jessica, Rachelle and Scott; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Brooks.
Memorial contributions may made to the Eagle Valley Ambulance or the Eagle Valley Cemetery through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
