System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!‘Gene' Hale
Eugene Vaughan "Gene" Hale, 92, a longtime Baker County resident, died May 31, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Christian Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 o'clock tonight at Gray's West & Co.
Gene was born on May 20, 1913, at Baker City to John "Sam" Hale and Mallie Mary Vaughan Hale. Gene's father bought the Whitney ranch in 1903 and went from working in the gold mines to ranching. Sam died in the flu epidemic of 1929.
Gene, with his brother, Piper, and mother, Mallie, continued ranching, first with cattle and later raising sheep. In 1935, the family moved the sheep ranch to Alderdale, Wash. With the outbreak of World War II, they sold the sheep ranch for use as a bombing range.
Gene met and married Charlotte Davis. He and Charlotte returned to Whitney by train with only three cows to their name. They worked long, hard hours and were often isolated due to deep snowfall in the winters.
Gene told how they lost their entire calf crop the first year, so to make ends meet he hauled supplies and mail to Greenhorn by wagon. Their determination and grit paid off and they successfully ranched for another 50 years.
Gene was one of a kind and his passing marks the end of an era. He lived to see ghost towns in their prime and talked fondly of his memories prior to motors, pavement and electricity.
In 1989, the Hales moved to Baker City because of health problems. Life in town was an adjustment. They had to get used to things like electric stoves.
Gene had a big heart and always loved to help animals and people in need. He loved to entertain people by playing his harmonica and was always ready to listen to a good joke. He had a contagious laugh and smile that will be deeply missed by his friends and family.
Gene had three sisters, Myrtle Coleman Hansen of La Grande, Doris Seale of Condon and a baby sister, Mina Marie Hale, who died at the age of 3. He had one brother, Piper Hale of Wapato, Wash. Gene and his brother and sisters went to school at Whitney where they graduated from the eighth grade. They walked the two miles to school all winter, sometimes in 3 feet or more of snow.
Surviving family members include Sam and Doris Seal of Condon, Hamley and Adele Hale of Wapato, Wash., Susan Erickson of Yakima, Wash., Katie Hale of Virginia, John and Mary Hale of Toppenish, Wash., and Elaine Livingston of La Grande.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society or the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
John Dean
John Thomas Dean, 22, of Kennewick, Wash. and a former North Powder resident, died May 27, 2005, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Cabbage Hill.
His funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at North Powder High School. Interment will be at the Haines Cemetery.
John was born Feb. 25, 1983, to Jerry and Eydie Dean. He attended grade school in Imbler and Ketchikan, Alaska. He moved to North Powder during his seventh-grade year and he graduated from Powder Valley High School.
While attending high school, he played football and was an active member of FFA. He began his pipefitter apprenticeship at Pasco, Wash., with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #598 in the fall of 2004.
He was extremely mechanical, had a quiet but quick wit and always brought out the best in those around him. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved farming, fishing, hunting, camping, water sports, snowmobiling and motorcycles.
John was a loving son and brother, a caring and considerate companion and a true friend to those he cared about. His quiet nature often hid his love for pushing life to its fullest and he could not live his life just standing outside the fire. John was seldom considered a mere acquaintance, but always a friend. He will be loved, missed and always remembered by those he touched during his full but short life.
Survivors include his parents, Jerry and Eydie Dean of Pasco, Wash.; a brother, Levi C. Dean of Kennewick, Wash.; fiancee, Kaela Curtis of Baker City; his fiancee's parents, Dale and Joyce Curtis of Baker City; grandparents, Gene and Nicki Hiner of North Powder and Jesse and Ruth Hall of Grandview, Wash.; great-grandparents, George and Ruth Deal of North Powder; uncles, Joe and Jeff Dean, Diehl Hiner, Doug Forman and Kenny Brickey; aunts, Joan Brickey, Jessica Hiner, Deana Forman, Lori El-Hajj and Karen Dean; cousins, Angel Flieger, Teak Brickey, Janette McGinness, Cody, Ryan, Kiley, Patrick and J.J. Dean, Tyson Hiner, Justin and Colby Forman and Tiffany Carlson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John Dean North Powder High School Football Memorial Fund and can be sent to Gene Hiner, P.O. Box 109, North Powder, OR 97867.
Richard Lansdon
Richard Thomas Lansdon, 19, of Payette, Idaho, and formerly of Baker City, died May 28, 2005, as the result of a vehicle accident on Anthony Lakes Highway.
A traditional funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane.
Following the service, friends and family will gather near the Baker County Library, 2400 Resort St., where Richard will be taken in a horse-drawn hearse around Geiser Pollman Park with family and friends walking behind in tribute of all the fond memories he leaves behind. At the conclusion of the walk, there will be a procession to Payette where Richard will be laid to rest at the Riverside Cemetery.
In addition, a "Window of Reflection" for Richard will be on display Friday at 1719 Main St. in Baker City, next to Elkhorn Title Company.
Richard was born Dec. 27, 1985, in Sacramento, Calif. He was raised and educated in Baker City and Payette, Idaho. Richard attended the Baker Nazarene Church and the Salvation Army Church and Youth Center.
He enjoyed being involved in sports, especially baseball. Richard was an avid archery hunter. In 1997 and 1998 he won first place at a National Shoot in Redding, Calif. He received recognition at that time that he qualified for the world championship, which was being held in New York City. Although he didn't attend, he was proud that he had placed that well.
Richard experienced a lot of ups and downs during the short time that he was here on earth. He tried very hard to embrace being an adult. Richard never met a stranger and he made friends easily.
Two years ago, he met the love of his life, Sasha Thompson. There was not a day that went by that he did not express how much he loved her.
Richard just this last month had received his drivers license, had gone to work in La Grande for Nash Trailers and purchased a car. He was proud that he had a "man's job." He was excited about his life and where he was going.
Richard dearly loved his family and never missed an opportunity to tell or show them.
Richard is survived by his parents, Ronald and Grace Lansdon, former Baker City residents and now of Payette, Idaho; sisters, Jill Sprinkle and her husband, Brian, and Anna Curtis and her husband, Jason; brothers, Scott Lansdon, James Lansdon and John Lansdon; nieces, Shataeu Lansdon, Malibu Sprinkle and Alexa Curtis; nephews, Dalton Curtis and Harley Letts Jr.; fiancee' Sasha Thompson; aunts and uncles, Ben and Dorothy Likens, Harley and Hopie Letts, Hermes Brown and Chuck Seeley and cousins, Ben Likens Jr. and Hogan Letts.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Richard may do so to Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834 to help defray the cost of funeral service.
Erma Hixson
Erma V. Hixson, 95, a former Baker City resident, died May 27, 2005, at a foster care home in Perry.
Her graveside funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Harvest Church in Baker City will officiate.
Mrs. Hixson was born on Oct. 5, 1909, at Paradise, Kan., to Abraham Fredrick True and Artha Jane Kidd True. The family lived in several places, including Colorado and South Dakota.
They moved to Oregon in the 1930s, living at various times at La Grande, North Powder and Baker City.
Erma married Ernest A. Hixson on March 5, 1949, in Baker County.
Much of her life was spent on the farm.
She loved horses.
She loved riding in the car, and in later years took her exercise walking in downtown Baker City. She was a longtime member of the Assembly Of God Church.
Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Willard and Marie True of La Grande and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest, who died on May 23, 1990; brothers, Enard True, Ira True and Glen True; and a sister, Effie Severns.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Harvest Church, 3720 Birch St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Coles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Connie Hayes
Connie Rae Hayes, 46, of Durkee, May 26, 2005, at her home.
Her graveside service will be at 9 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. MDT) Wednesday at the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Idaho.
There will be a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. PDT at the Durkee Grange Hall in Durkee.
Connie was born on Aug. 5, 1958, at Council, Idaho, to Don Howard and Lois Lawson DuPree. She was educated at Council, New Meadows and Kooskie, Idaho.
When she was 9, the family moved to Seattle, Wash., and then to Vancouver, Wash., where Connie remained for several years.
Connie had worked as a waitress, worked in nursing homes and was a bingo caller at the Moose Lodge, which she really enjoyed. At the age of 20, Connie had twin girls, Amie and Kassie. Four years later, she had a son Adam. She moved to Virginia Beach for a short time, returning to Cambridge, Idaho, to be near her family.
Connie met her husband, Gary, on a blind date, having dinner at the Yacht Club in McCall, Idaho. They immediately clicked and were married on May 22, 1997 at Baker City.
After their marriage, they traveled following Gary's work in construction. They returned to Durkee in September 1998 where Connie worked at the Wagon Wheel cafe and as a postal clerk in Durkee.
Connie loved to play bingo and would look up a bingo place wherever they were. She liked to cook and thoroughly enjoyed a great bargain at garage sales.
She could out-fish her husband, winning quarters for the "first, most and biggest fish" from many family members. She, her husband and daughter, Kassie, attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Baker City.
Survivors include her husband, Gary Hayes of Durkee; her mother, Lois DuPree, and her father, Don Howard, both of Cambridge, Idaho; her children, Amie Kennick of Weiser, Idaho, and Kassie Pickett and Adam Hicks, both of Baker City; stepchildren, Taylor and Hannah Hayes of Imbler; brothers, Dave Howard, and his wife, Colleen, of Battle Ground, Wash., and Bill DuPree and his companion, Rachel, also of Battle Ground, Wash.; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; a brother, Norval Howard; and a sister, Donetta Howard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Professionals, Family Resource Center, through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Oregon 97814.
Larry Dove
Larry Allan Dove, 58, of Baker City, died May 25, 2005, at his home.
Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Sunday at the American Legion Club, No. 41, 2129 Second St. and a potluck brunch afterward.
His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Kamiah, Idaho. He will be laid to rest with his parents.
Larry was born on Oct. 27, 1946, at Orofino, Idaho. He was the only child of Vernon D. and Gladys L. Dove. He grew up at Kamiah, Idaho, and was a 1965 Kamiah High School graduate. He proudly served his country through two tours of duty in the Vietnam War as a member of the U.S. Army.
Throughout his life, Larry worked in and around the logging industry. He started with the purchase of his own logging truck upon his return from the service.
He enjoyed the job of woods boss because he loved being in the mountains, but Larry's true calling was that of mechanic. If it was a truck or a piece of heavy equipment, Larry could fix it for you, as anyone who ever knew him would attest to.
Larry married Tinna Kaiser in December 1985 at Asotin, Wash. Together they had a daughter, Lacey Lynn Dove. Larry also had a son, Ervin Dove, from a previous marriage.
Larry, Tinna and Lacey moved to the Baker City area from Lewiston, Idaho, in the summer of 1989. He worked as woods boss for Western Fiber in the Granite area until 1995 when he went to work for Gary N. Smith Trucking as head mechanic. He enjoyed that position until illness forced his retirement in 2002.
Larry's pride and joy was his family. His daughter, Lacey of Baker City; his son, Ervin, and daughter-in-law, Sonja, and his three beautiful grandchildren, Constance, Katelyn and Luke, all of Spirit Lake, Idaho, were all the subjects of frequent brag sessions.
Larry unwittingly became a mentor to many people, especially the kids Lacey brought to the house and the boys to whom he taught his trade.
He had fun being a member of the Idle Hour's Old Timers' shuffleboard team. He also was a member of the American Legion. Larry had two constant shadows, his dogs, Peewee and Squeaker, who were always at his side (or in his lap!).
Larry was a big man with an even bigger heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. He will be greatly missed by many people.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Van, 2129 Second St., Baker City, OR 97814, which helped him so much during the last three years.
Marjorie Erskine
Marjorie Erskine, 83, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 22, 2005, in Grants Pass at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Her graveside memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward in the Oregon Trail Room of the Rodeway Inn, 810 Campbell St. Marjorie will be interred next to her husband Wayne E. Erskine, who died in December 2000.
Marjorie was born on July 25, 1921, at Stuart, Iowa. She married Wayne Erskine on June 8, 1941. Marjorie enjoyed her family and many friends.
She was an avid book reader and loved working crossword puzzles, fishing, gardening and baking her famous chocolate chip cookies. She also enjoyed sports, playing pool and being a member of the Sumpter Women's Club.
Marjorie was the treasurer for the Baker City Pool and Shuffleboard Association for several years. Most of all, Marjorie will be remembered for her smile and love of life.
Survivors include four children, Karen L. (Erskine) and Joe Jaramillo of Grants Pass, Bob and Carmen Erskine of Baker City, Chris and Rhoda Erskine of Newhall, Calif., and Jim and Beverly Erskine of Whitebird, Idaho; grandchildren, Margie Hartman, Susie Jaramillo, Marty Jaramillo, Lori (Erskine) Curtis, Bob Erskine Jr., Chris John Erskine, Wesley Erskine, and Codi Eckert; stepgrandchildren Brian, Brandon, and Shawn; great-grandchildren, Matt Roden, Bre', Ashley and Alexa Jaramillo, Katie Stout, Kristen, Kim and Kyle Curtis and Aiden Erskine; sisters, Gladys Robinson and Dorothy Rich, and a brother, Howard Arrasmith, all of California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; a sister, Pauline Caldwell; and a brother, Donald Arrasmith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Association or the Marjorie Erskine Memorial Trust through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Ralph Rhea
Ralph Rhea, 78, a longtime Baker City resident, died May 20, 2005, at Providence Hospital in Portland, from complications of acute pancreatitis.
Visitations will be today until 5 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. today at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. The Most Rev. Thomas J. Connolly and the Rev. Robert C. Irwin will concelebrate the Mass. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Honor Guard will be by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. There will be a luncheon reception at the church Parish Hall after the graveside service.
Ralph was born at John Day on Nov. 6, 1926, to Ralph and Stella Keerins Rhea. He was a descendent of an earlier homestead family, the Keerins, who built a home and began a long ranching business.
The Rhea family originally came to colonial America, settling in Tennessee. Family members included a prominent congressman. A county in Tennessee bears the family name (Rhea County).
Raised in Grant County, Ralph spent much of his childhood at the family homestead at Izee. At the age of 15 he moved with his family to Baker City. He was a Baker High School graduate.
After high school, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II and again in the Korean conflict.
He met Mary Frances Gibbons on the dance floor of the Covered Wagon Dance Hall outside Baker City in 1947. He proposed to Fran on Valentine's Day 1948, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1948, at St. Francis Cathedral. They raised three children and were married 51 years until Fran's death in 2001.
Ralph was employed by Pacific Northwest Bell from 1948 until 1982. He specialized in the installation of PBX systems.
He was instrumental in the building of the now-defunct Air Force Base on Beaver Mountain near Dooley Mountain and maintained the systems until the base closed. After his retirement from Pacific Northwest Bell, he opened his own telephone business, Rhea Communications, which ably served the many communities of Eastern Oregon. Much to the dismay of his loyal customers, he closed this business at the age of 73.
Ralph was a very generous individual who gave freely of his time and attention to his family, church and community. He cherished Eastern Oregon and enjoyed a good get-together with his many friends.
Ralph was well-known and treasured by everyone who took pleasure in his kindness, wit and warmth. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and good friend.
Among his activities, he was a member of St. Francis de Sales Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council where he served as financial secretary and grand knight. He was elected several times to be Oregon's representative for the Knights of Columbus national convention.
Additionally, Ralph was a member of the Baker Elks Lodge, Telephone Pioneers, Communications Workers of American, AFL-CIO; Boy Scouts of America; the American Legion; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and the Baker Jaycees.
Ralph was a graceful and noted athlete who enjoyed sports competition his entire life. He and Fran won many trophies for their dancing skills. Ralph was such a good dancer that every woman, no matter the skill level, could magically whirl around the dance floor.
Ralph will be sorely missed and warmly remembered.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fran; daughter Mary Elizabeth; parents, Ralph and Stella; brother, Bill; and sister, Rosemary.
Survivors include three children, Julie and her companion, Arthur Redman, of Portland, Daniel of Washington, D.C., and Patrick and his wife, Alana, and their three children, Adam, Sydnie, and Samantha of Vancouver, Wash.; his sister, Theda Boyer of Baker City; sisters-in-law, Eileen LaFay of Eagle, Idaho, and Barbara Jean Gibbons of Boise; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Nancy Gibbons of Salinas, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knight's of Columbus local scholarship fund through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
