System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Jacob Buttram
Jacob Amos Buttram, 62, died Oct. 24, 2005, at his home in Durkee.
His memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Huntington Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. Bill Burly of the Huntington Christian Center will officiate. There will be a reception by the Huntington Sorority afterward at the VFW Hall.
Amos was born on April 8, 1943, at Madera, Calif., to Ira and Gladys Buttram.
He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 1, 1967, to Oct. 8, 1969. He spent 13 months in Vietnam where he received a Bronze star. When he left the Army he was a master sergeant. He served in the National Guard from 1974 to 1976 as a master sergeant.
On Jan. 10, 1972, he married Beverly Burshem from Arcata, Calif. They moved to Florence in 1972. Their son, Jake, was born while they lived there. In 1981, they moved to Houston, where he worked as chief engineer for Ramada Hotel for three years.
Amos then worked as head maintenance man for 28 apartment complexes. From there, they moved to Yachats and he managed the Landmark Restaurant & Lounge.
Amos and Beverly then moved to Weatherby where he worked for Nelson Construction and Idaho Sand & Gravel until he retired on April 30, 2005.
He loved to hunt, fish and prospect for gold. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing with the Snake River Opry band in Huntington. He also loved gospel music and playing it at church.
He and Beverly led the Praise and Worship service at the Pentecostal Church of God in Baker City and the Huntington Christian Center.
Amos was a loving dad, a wonderful brother and uncle. He was always a happy man and so full of life. All those who knew him will miss him.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Buttram of Burnt River Canyon, Durkee; daughter, Sherri Madison, and her husband, Mark, and grandson, Hunter, of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter, Lori Monaghan, and her husband, Pat, and grandson, Jason, of Watertown, N.Y.; son, Jacob "Jake" Buttram, and his wife, Sherry, and granddaughters, Heather and Kelsey, and grandsons, Nicholas and Brandon of Swiss Home; brother, Darrell Buttram, and his wife, Janice, of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Edith Bromagem, and her husband, Jerry, of Medford, Lorraine McReynolds, and her husband, Dennis, of Arcata, Calif., and Martha Keener and her husband, Larry, of Baker City; uncles and aunts, James and Virginia Cornelius of Baker City, Lucille and Olin Hubbard of Porterville, Calif., Laura Fincher of Stockton, Calif., and Juanita Cornelius of Anderson, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Gladys Buttram; daughter, April Buttram; grandsons, Justin Madison and Matthew Monahan; and a sister, Alta Marie Buttram.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Wildlife Federation through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Virginia Coen
Virginia Bertram "Ginny" Coen, 89, died Oct. 20, 2005, at her home near Baker City.
Virginia's love of the Friday night jam sessions inspired her family to have her memorial service in the format of a jam session at her home, 14803 Mill Creek Lane. The service will be on Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. All those who would like to celebrate her life with the family are welcome. There will be "open mike" opportunities for those who would like to speak. Those attending are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert if possible.
Virginia Cromwell Bertram was born on Nov. 11, 1915, to George Murray Bertram and Ella Skinner Bertram at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As a young girl she cherished summers spent with her family at a summer cottage in the Muskoka Lakes region north of Toronto.
It was there that she developed a love of the natural world and the quiet rural life. After graduating from Havergal Girls School she attended the University of Toronto receiving both her bachelor's and her master's degrees in early childhood development.
On Dec. 21, 1942, Virginia married Michael McPharlin, an American fighter pilot serving with the British Royal Air Force (RAF). She lost Michael on D-Day as he fought air battles over France. Five days later, on June 11, 1944, their daughter, Carleen Anne, was born at Toronto, Canada. Virginia and Carleen lived with family at Toronto and Ottawa throughout the war years.
During this time Virginia supervised the preschool program and taught at Creighton Street Public School. Around this time she also spent one season as head of the Vassar Summer Institute program for young children in Poughkeepsie, NY.
After the war, Virginia met Oscar Hoffman Coen. Oscar had been an American fighter pilot with Michael McPharlin in the RAF's 71st Eagle Squadron. The two men supported each other in many air battles and loved to fight together.
After the war Oscar traveled to Ottawa to take Virginia some of Mike's personal items. He brought yellow tulips and eventually a marriage proposal.
They were married on Jan. 14, 1951, at Otis Air Force Base, Falmouth, Mass. As an Air Force couple they moved frequently. At Edmonds, Wash., their daughter, Tymera Lynn, was born in 1954. Then in Minneapolis, Minn., daughter, Robin Kay, was born in 1956. Then they lived at Derry, N.H., and later Kinchloe, Mich.
Oscar retired from the Air Force in May 1962, and the family settled on a cattle ranch outside of Baker City. The family loved the outdoor ranching life, which was quite a change for Virginia who had spent most of her life in the city.
She was determined to become a rancher. Overcoming her fear of horses, she secretly rode the family's big buckskin bareback. Her bravery was revealed to her family, much to her chagrin, when the large bruises she received from her fall off the horse were inadvertently displayed.
Despite challenges, she came to love the beauty and serenity of her home at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains.
The family moved to Tacoma, Wash., in 1966 where Virginia was active in Common Cause and the Democratic Party. The family continued to spend summers at the ranch outside Baker City.
In 1977 Oscar and Virginia realized their dream of moving back to Baker City and retiring to the pleasures of country life. With the help of friends they designed and built a log home looking out over the valley.
Virginia was a member of the Baker County Democratic Party and a strong advocate for the environment. She attended local meetings regularly and loved to challenge the established point of view.
She preferred to root for the underdog or anyone that she felt the world had turned its back on. As many of you know, Ginny saw the very best in her friends and insisted that they believe in themselves.
"Thank you to Virginia's many friends and caregivers, especially to Rose Blue Bird, for the years of compassion and companionship given to her, " her family said.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Oscar.
Survivors include a sister, F. Elizabeth Bertram of Ottawa, Canada; daughters, Carleen Baily of Pennington, N.J., Tymera Coen of Portland, and Robin Coen Sasso of Boise; grandchildren, Alec Baily and Jacob Baily, of Pennington N.J., and Elizabeth and Abigail Sasso, of Boise.
Myrtle Hacker
Myrtle Christian Hacker, 86, of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join Myrtle's family after the service for a potluck reception at the home of Debbie Clelland, 1336 Valley Ave.
Visitations will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave.
Myrtle was born on Dec. 23, 1918, at Whitney. She was the youngest of the five children born to Edward Ridgeway and Sarah Elizabeth Hanby Borman.
Myrtle was a very caring person and was liked by everyone and touched everyone's heart. She enjoyed attending church and church functions. Myrtle loved to cook and entertain large family gatherings. When Al was alive, the couple enjoyed hunting and fishing. Myrtle also had fun with the occasional trip to Reno, Nev. She loved flowers and, when she was younger, she loved to dance.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin H. Hacker; her parents, Edward and Sarah Hanby; brothers, Floyd Albert, Richard Ridgeway and Louis Hershal; and a sister, Thelma Virginia.
Survivors include her son, Charles Couzens; grandchildren, DaVon Marie Spellman and Daniel Richard Couzens; great-grandchildren, Kiya May Dee Couzens, Keisha Roe Couzens, Monica Marie Spellman and Jessica Kristin Spellman; and many nieces and nephews.
Marty Jo Thompson
Marty Jo Thompson of North Powder died at birth at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise.
Her graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at North Powder Cemetery. Bishop Allen Bingham of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will officiate.
She was born on Oct. 24, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise. She was so loved and will be missed by all, her family said.
Survivors include her father and mother, Colby and Erin Thompson of North Powder; her twin sister, Jacee Ann Thompson of North Powder; grandparents, Doug and Nanette Winkelman of Elgin and Brent and Jeanette Thompson of Haines; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents.
Harvey Witham
Harvey Edward Witham, 89, a fourth-generation Baker City resident, died Oct. 19, 2005.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate.
Harvey was born on April 30, 1916, in Baker City to William and Maud Moeller Witham.
He attended Brooklyn Elementary School and was a 1934 graduate of Baker High School. Thereafter he worked for his uncle, Ed Moeller, in Baker City.
As a young man he worked on many of the projects of Baker City. He was hod carrier for the brick masons who built Helen M. Stack Middle School. He was married on July 26, 1941, to Hertha E. LaBrier. In 1941 he was drafted by the U.S. Army, and served as a carpenter in Hollandia, New Guinea.
When he returned home from the service he and his brother, Fred, started Witham Bros. Construction. His brothers, Bill and Tom, also worked in the construction industry. They built several buildings including the Lutheran and Methodist churches, Baker Bulldog Memorial Stadium at Baker High School, the Ellingson plywood plant in south Baker and the Levingers building after the fire, the Production Credit building, bridges in Durkee and Halfway, and many residences.
His hobbies included wood working, carving, and stained glass. He built many pieces of furniture for each of his children and grandchildren. He was involved in the restoration of several stained glass windows at the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. He worked to complete the stained glass windows at Calvary Baptist Church.
He was a 50-year member of the Elks Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He served on the St. Elizabeth Hospital Board, the Baker County Fair Board, and the Civil Service Commission.
Survivors include his daughters and their husbands, Evelyn and Bob Ryan of Pennsylvania, Jeanne and Terry Schumacher of Baker City, Reba and Kenny Sharp of Beaverton, and Anna and David Baum of La Grande; his brother, Tom Witham, and his wife, Carol, of Baker City; his grandchildren, Mike Ryan, Mollie Peiren, and Mitch Ryan, all of New York, Thom Schumacher of Texas, Jacki Adams of Baker City, Carolyn Reagan of La Grande, Shad Sharp and Silene Rush of Portland, Regan Baum of Kentucky, Aleck Baum, Karl Baum, and Leigh Baum, all of La Grande; five great-grandchildren, Brendan and Alyson Ogan, Ashley and Josie Reagan and Jada Rush. He also has a great-grandson who is to be born in December.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Will and Maud Witham; his brothers, Fred and Bill Witham; his sister, Evelyn Grant; and his loving wife of 61 years, Hertha Witham.
Memorial contributions may be made through Gray's West, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR, 97814, for the Honduras Medical Team. Make checks payable to the Nazarene Church.
Ferdinand Boesch
Ferdinand Boesch, 103, of Haines, died Oct. 18, 2005, at Settlers Park in Baker City.
His funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Robin Harris of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in North Powder will officiate.
Visitations will be Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gray's West & Co. Vault interment will be at Haines Cemetery.
Ferdinand was born April 23, 1902, in West New York, N.J., to Frdiolinus "Fred" and Anna Wichser Boesch. The family left New Jersey when Ferdinand was three months old, residing in Salinas, Calif. They moved to Baker County in 1912 and lived in the Lone Pine district near Hunt Mountain.
Ferdinand farmed in the Muddy Creek community for many years. He enjoyed photography, music, hunting and fishing. He was the first bow hunter in Baker County.
He married Bertha Warfield of Haines in 1932. The couple had four children, AnnaBelle, Bonnie Lee, Donald Glen and Dora Mae. Bonnie died in 1979. Bertha died in 1998.
Survivors are AnnaBelle Boesch of Beaverton, Donald Glen of Pendleton and Dora M. Gourley of Durham; grandchildren, Brenda Deskin of Tualatin, Melissa Paradis, Melinda Dickson, and Michele Cason, all of Texas, Jeff Boesch of Hermiston, Jerry Boesch of Walla Walla, Wash., and Janell Leake of Helix; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness or to the American Heart Association through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Bessie Attaway
Bessie Attaway, 102, of Baker City, died Oct. 16, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her memorial graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate.
Bessie was born on Nov. 7, 1902, at Attica, Ind. She was the fourth of nine children born to James and Stella McCulley. As a young girl she moved with her family to Phoenix, Ariz. She spent most of her childhood and school years there.
Bessie met and married her high school sweetheart, Alford Attaway, at Phoenix. They were married 61 years. Their married life was spent in Southern California.
Bessie was known by her family and friends affectionately as "Grandma Bessie." She loved knitting, crocheting, fishing, gardening and camping.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, who died in 1981 and was the last surviving sibling.
"We all will miss our Grandma Bessie. For almost 103 years she cared for all, without a complaint, " her family said.
Survivors include her son, Jim Attaway, and his wife, Connie, of Baker City; four grandchildren, Cathy Blankinship, Johnny Attaway, Susie Cassidy and Danny Attaway; six great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Center through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
L. Dawn Reddick-Bowman
L. Dawn Reddick-Bowman, 80, of Eugene, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 7, 2005, of chronic leukemia.
American Burial & Cremation alternatives of Springfield was in charge of arrangements.
Reddick-Bowman was born on June 6, 1925, at Baker City to Harry and Catherine Washburn. She was married to Ronald Bowman in Idaho. He later died.
Previously, she was married to Wilson "Bill" Reddick of Grants Pass. He died in 1993.
She graduated from high school and worked in retail sales. She had lived at Eugene for four years and previously had lived at Grants Pass and Baker City. She enjoyed fishing, gardening and cooking and was an artist.
Survivors include two daughters, Debra Blixseth of Eugene and Lisa Millett of Tampa, Fla.; two sons, Gary Reddick of Portland and Tom Reddick of Junction City; two sisters, Varene York of Baker City and Patty Stockdale of Roy, Wash.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker City Fire Department and the Baker City Food Co-op.
Beaulah Henry
Beaulah E. Henry, 92, of Baker City, died Oct. 14, 2005, at her home.
At her request, there will be no local funeral service. Family graveside services and burial will be in Rohnerville, Calif. Coles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Beaulah was born Feb. 16, 1913, in DeQueen, Ark. She married Robert W. Henry on March 22, 1931, in Mineral, Ark. They lived in many locations, moving from place to place with Mr. Henry's work. In 1980 they moved from Fortuna, Calif., to Baker City, where they enjoyed their retirement years.
Beaulah loved to fish and oftentimes out-fished her husband. They had many good times fishing at the reservoir and Snake River. She enjoyed gardening and had a huge vegetable and flower garden. She enjoyed quilting and made many lovely quilts for family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Mildred "Sue" Storzbach, of Baker City; a son, Robert Henry and his wife, Judith, of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a brother, Pat Burns of Deloris, Colo.; a sister, Tollie Kramer of Washington; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Beaulah was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Henry; her daughter, Bessie Mae; and her son, Kenneth Earl Henry.
Contributions in Mrs. Henry's memory may be made to Guardian Hospice in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
