Bessie Dollard
Bessie Dollard, 92, of Rogue River, died Thursday, February 26, 2004 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Private memorial services were held at Hull & Hull Chapel with Pastor Mark Skudstad officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
She was born on January 12, 1912 outside Hindman, KY. She moved to Washington state in 1942, where she met and married Russ Davis, who preceded her in death. In 1979 she relocated to Rogue River, where she met and married the late Harold Dollard.
She enjoyed planting flowers, watching the birds in her yard and spending time with her family.
She is survived by five children, Bob McCarty of Tacoma, WA; Don McCarty of Grants Pass; Ron Davis of Yelm, WA; Jeanette Wooten of Rogue River; and Fay Lawlis of Long Beach, WA; a brother Carl Combs of Puyallup, WA; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
George Doty
George Hilbert Doty, 74, of Rogue River, died Wednesday April 7, 2004 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
No services are planned. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Remembrances may be made to the Lions Eye Bank of Oregon, 228 North Holly Street, Medford, OR 97501 or to the Eagles Lodge FOE No. 2146, 130 SE J St., Grants Pass, OR 97526.
He was born on January 5, 1930 in Orange, CA. He attended and graduated from Long Beach High School in 1949. He served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1953. He attended Chaffey College in Claremont, CA. On May 1, 1965 in Long Beach, CA he married the former Judith Lynn Harding, who survives. He worked in Milwaukie, OR on the Detroit Dam. He moved to Southern California working in sales until he moved to Rogue River in 1977 where he co-owned Four Seasons RV Supplies in Grants Pass. He retired in 1984.
He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Grants Pass, the Elks Lodge in Florence, the National Rifle Association and Duck's Unlimited.
He enjoyed collecting guns, cars, and watches. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time on the coast.
In addition to his wife, Judy Doty of Rogue River, survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Cesilia Doty of Grants Pass; and two grandchildren.
Dale Flesner
Dale Donald Flesner, 86, of Rogue River died Wednesday February 4, 2004 at Three Fountains Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 9 at Hope Presbyterian Church in Rogue River with Pastor Brian Boisen officiating. Private burial was at Woodville Cemetery. Chapel of the Valley-L.B. Hall Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.
He was born March 7, 1917 in Rockwell City, IA. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 until 1945. He married Gertrude Swearingen on November 27, 1947 in Anchorage, AK. She preceded him in death in 2000. He worked as a general contractor and retired in 1979. He moved to southern Oregon in 1988 from Paradise, CA.
He was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge. In San Diego he was involved with Little League Baseball. He enjoyed woodworking.
He is survived by one daughter, Sandra Beals of Butte Falls; one son, James Flesner of LaJolla, CA; two sisters, Doris Nelson of Coronado, CA and June Johnson of Escondido, CA; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers.
Joan Ford
Joan E. Ford, 66, of Rogue River, died Saturday, April 3, 2004 at Fair View Transitional Health Center.
A memorial graveside service was held Friday, April 9 at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens with President Mark N. Sorenson conducting. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
She was born Elsie Joan Cowie on June 30, 1937 in Vancouver, Washington. As a child she had polio and also when she was little she backed into an old cook stove, burning her fanny and had to lie on her stomach for two weeks. In 1955 she married Wade H. Ford, who preceded her in death in 1989. While traveling through Grants Pass to Portland in 1968, her son Danny got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital in Grants Pass for three days. During that time Joan and her husband went looking for a home to buy and found the perfect home in Rogue River, which they purchased. She worked in the Rogue River Thrift Store for 28 years. She also worked for Litton, Inc. and the Champion Shirt Company. Prior to moving to Rogue River in 1968, she had lived in Washington, Texas and Arizona.
She collected lady bug memorabilia of all kinds and had over 100 items. She also loved to garden and had two "green thumbs."
Survivors include her son, Dan Ford of Rogue River; her daughter, Sue Hoffman of Bakersfield, CA; three brothers, Gerald Cowie of Cave Junction; David Cowie of Black Canyon City, AZ; and Steve Cowie of Phoenix, AZ; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Ilia Ordway Cowie and her sister, Anita Cowie.
Ruth Halcomb-Baker
Ruth Frances Halcomb-Baker, 82, of Rogue River, died Saturday, April 3, 2004 at her home.
A visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2004 at Rogue River Assembly of God Church, 270 W Evans Creek Road with Al Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Remembrances may be made to Chuck Wagon Ministries, 522 E Overland, Scotts Bluff NE 69361.
She was born May 6, 1921 in Amsterdam, Missouri. On March 25, 1939 in Butler, Missouri she married Roy Phillip Halcomb and in the same year they moved to Grants Pass. Together they operated Halcomb Dairy first in the Jerome Prairie area and later in 1960 moved to Rogue River. She also worked at the Golden Rule Department Store for 22 years. After the death of her first husband in 1987, she later married Nelson W. Baker on September 1, 1994 in Medford.
She especially enjoyed her family; roses; the smell of fresh cut hay; and sitting on the porch on a summer evening.
She attended the Foursquare Church while living in Grants Pass. After moving to Rogue River, she attended the Assembly of God and Foursquare Churches in Rogue River.
In addition to her husband, Nelson Baker of Rogue River; she is survived by a son, Larry Halcomb and his wife, Ferrill of Grants Pass; a daughter, Judy Wilson and her husband, Al of Mitchell, Nebraska; a stepson, Tom Baker of Rogue River; a sister, Mabel Neiderkofler of Fremont, Nebraska; two brothers, Marvin Ferry of Byers, Colorado; and Harold Ferry of Raytown, Missouri; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, a granddaughter, and a great-grandson.
Mary Jones
Mary Frances Jones of Gold Hill died Feb. 21, 2004 .
She was born Mary Frances Higgins to O.C. Higgins and Lelia Upchurch in Tulsa, Okla. She was a resident of Rogue River for 25 plus years. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include a son Frank Jones & his wife Peggy; daughters. Clydene Snyder & husband Jim of Reno, Nevada, Gerry Avera and husband Mike of Napavine, Wa., five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. She was preceded in her journey by her husband Clyde Jones in 1996, three brothers and a sister.
Private services have been held.
Johnie Verdier Keech
Johnnie Verdier Keech, 76, of Rogue River died Saturday, February 21, 2004 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at Grace Baptist Church of Rogue River with Pastor Larry Johnson officiating. Private interment will be at Woodville Cemetery in Rogue River. Chapel of the Valley L.B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born June 3, 1927 in Little Rock, AR. She married Warren Keech on June 6, 1942 in Forth Smith, AR. He preceded her in death in 1993. They moved to Buena Park, CA in 1947 and to Rogue River in 1986 from Buena Park. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Rogue River.
She is survived by one son, Dr. Ronald V. Keech of Iowa City, IA; two sisters, Emma Jean Hicks of Rogue River and Clarice Wooten of Arkansas; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Warren "Dennis" Keech in 2003.
Melody Laskey
Melody Jessica Laskey, 47, of Rogue River, died Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Visitation was Saturday, May 8 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors. No other services are planned.
She was born on January 30, 1957 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She grew up in Anaheim, CA and in 1999 moved to Rogue River from Seligman, AZ. She worked as a waitress for many years. On June 15, 2002 in Rogue River, she married Bryan Laskey, who survives.
She was a member of the P.T.A. in Evans Valley Elementary School.
She enjoyed woodworking, crafts, gardening and planting. She especially enjoyed helping to raise two of her grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Bryan Laskey of Rogue River, survivors include her two sons, Jeremy Samples of Marlow, OK; and David Coons of Gilbert, AZ; four daughters, Jennifer Mendick and Melissa Mendick, both of Rogue River; Rachael Mendick of Seaside; and Jessica Melody Mendick of Tucson, AZ; three sisters, Lisa Barker of Portland; Debbie Mendick of Seaside; and Michelle Kuhns of Medford; her brother, Rodney Mendick of Boerne, TX; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother Gregory Mendick on September 16, 2002.
Dolores Lucas
Dolores (Dee) Ann Lucas, 64, of Rogue River, died Friday, February 13, 2004 at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Private services will be held. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Dee was born November 19, 1939 in Garberville, CA and grew up in the Oakland-Berkeley area of California where she attended school at Providence School of Nursing. For over 25 years she worked at several Bay Area hospitals. In July 1984 in Reno, NV, she married Robert Lucas, who survives. In 1990 she moved to Rogue River and worked at Josephine Memorial Hospital. She owned and operated Southern Oregon Ostrich Ranch with her husband. In 1998 an illness forced her to retire.
She was an animal lover and throughout her life had many dogs and cats. She also had a special bond with a large orange cat named Pumpkin.
Dee will be missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Lucas of Rogue River; two daughters, Susan Hamlett of Mantica, CA; Cheryl Burns of Pleasanton, CA; two sons, Thomas Christian of Houston, TX; Johnny Christian of Austin, TX; and five grandchildren.
Helen Mahan
Helen Reiff Mahan, 73, of Rogue River, died Friday, May 7, 2004 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
A graveside service was held Wednesday May 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Woodville Cemetery with Lyn D. Stanger conducting. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
She was born July 21, 1930 in Wooster, OH. She attended Santa Monica City College. On January 21, 1951 in Riverside, CA she married Paul Mahan, who survives. She owned and operated Tinderbox Gift Shop for 15 years in the financial section of San Francisco, CA. In 1985 she moved to Rogue River from San Francisco.
She was a painter and has paintings in many of her sons' and friends' homes. Her hobbies included painting landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and seascapes. She also loved to travel in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in her motorhome.
In addition to her husband, Paul Mahan of Rogue River; survivors include four sons, Thomas Mahan of Hawaii; James Mahan and Peter Mahan, both of California; and Steven Mahan of Texas; a sister, Hazel Reiff of Santa Monica, CA; and ten grandchildren.
Carolyn Minegar
Carolyn Mae Minegar, 72 of Rogue River went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2004. She was born on June 22, 1931 in Fayetteville, NC.
She enjoyed playing Bingo, cards and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeannie, sons Mark and Richard, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Neil, Allen and Michael; and her dog, Mugzy.
A memorial service was held on Friday, April 30 at Rogue Valley Community Church.
Carolyn leaves behind loving memories of life and friendship with her family and numerous friends. She will be missed by all, but is in a better place with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Roger Olson
Roger "Ole" Olson, 81, of Gold Hill, died Saturday, April 3, 2004 at his home.
Private services were held. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
He was born November 27, 1922 in Alma Center, Wisconsin. He grew up and attended school in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He met his future wife, the former Sharon Helgeson at an early age while in kindergarten. Later, on January 19, 1946 after his service in the United States Navy, the two were married in Viroqua. He attended Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles, CA. He began his career as a photographer in Oakland, CA and lived in Orinda, CA until he retired and moved to Oregon in 1970. He has lived in Gold Hill since. For 15 years he owned Rogue River Self Storage until three months ago when he sold the business.
He belonged to National Rifle Association, Rogue River Kiwanis Club, and Josephine County Sportsman's Association.
He enjoyed shooting, antique gun collecting, and restoring and repairing guns. He also loved and enjoyed his home in Gold Hill and his dog, Bastian.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Olson of Gold Hill; a son, Eric Olson of Rogue River; two daughters, Nancy Wooster of Tucson, AZ and Ellen Klaassen of Elgin, AZ; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mary Owen
Mary K. Owen, 82, of Rogue River died Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at the Medford Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
Chapel of the Valley L.B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of private cremation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist School, 2250 NW Heidi Ln., Grants Pass, OR 97526.
She was born Mary Kathryn Johnson on December 21, 1921 in Corona, CA. She grew up in Norco, CA. From 1953 to 1962 she was a resident of Grants Pass. She moved to Rogue River in 1991 from Sacramento, where she had lived for nearly 30 years. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Rogue River Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed reading, the Bible, needlework, and in her later years, coloring.
Survivors include one son, Michael Owen of Medford; two daughters, Susan Garcia and Kathy Hulbert both of Rogue River; three sisters, Bertie Johnson and Maureen Wardlaw, both of Roseburg, and Goldie Gaska of Salem; five grandchildren, Jennifer Owen, Eric Hulbert, Timothy Hulbert, Jonathan Johal and Kathryn Johal, and one great-granddaughter, Doria Mary Hulbert. Her husband, Ralph V. Owen, and four brothers died before her.
Steve Reed
Steven Michael Reed, age 49, died on April 28, 2004 at his home.
Steven was born on December 31, 1954 in Redmond, OR to Earl L. and Ellen R. (Crowley) Reed. He attended University of Oregon in 1978 with a B.S. in History, Portland State in 1983 with a Master's Degree in Education. Steven also received additional training at Western Oregon State in 1984.
He married Susan Reed on November 8, 2002.
He has been the Principal of Rogue River Middle School for the past eight years. Steven enjoyed outdoor activities, he enjoyed sail boating, and traveling. He enjoyed history, he had a wonderful talent teaching and helping children to grow and learn the world around them. Education has been his love and his life.
His greatest love was his family. He was a member of the New Hope Church in Phoenix, OR.
In addition to his wife, Susan of Medford, he is survived by his father, Earl L. Reed of Culver, OR; children Sara McKenzie Poling of Hollister, MO, Scott Reed of Medford, Monico Reed of Keizer, OR, Rebecca Pruitt of Eugene, Claudia Reed of Medford, Cindy McElroy of Bakersfield, CA, Christopher Isaac Reed of San Diego, Lupe Reed of Phoenix, OR, Marie Reed of Medford, Anthony, Benjamin and Jessica Kaiserman of Medford; sisters Debbie Baller of Ottis Orchards, WA and Kim Reed of Medford. Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen R. Reed.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 8, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Perl Funeral Home, 2100 Siskiyou Blvd., Medford. Family will greet friends form 10 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Siskiyou Memorial Park following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to the Rogue River Middle School Technology fund. Donations can be made at any Umpqua Bank.
Joseph Strite
Joseph Strite, 84, of Gold Hill, died Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at his home.
At his request, no services will be held. Southern Oregon Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Remembrances may be made to a charity of choice.
He was born March 3, 1920 in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1970 he moved to Gold Hill. In 1974 he married Frances K. Klein, who survives. He was a machinist who operated his own saw filing business, S&S Saw Service where he serviced mills in Oregon and Northern California.
Vivian Ward
Vivian L. Ward, 95, of Rogue River, died Thursday, February 5, 2004 at a Grants Pass adult foster care home.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Chapel of the Valley Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rogue River Library.
She was born Vivian Louise Davis on December 2, 1908 in Battle Creek, MI. She attended Redlands Jr. High School and graduated from Alhambra High School, both in California. She was a licensed beautician in Alhambra. She lived in Grants Pass and Sunny Valley, but moved to Rogue River in 1978 from Junction City. For 15 years she worked for the Oregon State Welfare Dept. in Eugene and Grants Pass.
Ward was a member of the Rogue River Assembly of God. She enjoyed walking, reading, crocheting and ceramics.
Survivors include two sons, David O. Scott of Central Point and Wayne Scott of Happy Camp; a step-son, Richard Ward of Phoenix, AZ, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Hugh James Scott in 1976 and Harvey Ward in 1988, and a granddaughter, Peggy Scott.
Lois West
Lois E. West of Rogue River, died Sunday, April 11 at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford. She had suffered severe brain injuries as the result of a fall at home.
Mrs. West was born in Polson, MT on July 29, 1942 to Ed and Ethel Williams. She lived in Montana, Washington and California before moving to Wimer in 1969 and to Rogue River in 1980. In 1964 she married Stephen West, whom she met while attending Western Baptist Bible College in El Cerrito, CA. Lois graduated from college in 1964 and received a masters degree in religious education in 1965. A son, Kenneth, was born in 1969.
She worked as a teller and escrow clerk for Valley of the Rogue Bank from 1981 to 1997 when she retired due to diabetic disabilities. She was at various times an accomplished pianist, a capable seamstress and a bookstore manager. She was an active member of Rogue Valley Community Church, where she served as a treasurer, Pastor's wife, Sunday School teacher, and in many other ministries. She loved to encourage people with hospitality and food, greeting cards and personal friendship.
She is survived by her mother, Ethel Williams, her husband, Stephen, and her son, Kenneth.
Public viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, at Perl Funeral Home, 2100 Siskiyou Blvd., Medford. A graveside service for family and close friends will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 16 at Woodville Cemetery in Rogue River, and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Rogue River Assembly of God church. Pastor Dan O'Donnell of Rogue Valley Community Church will officiate.
Phyllis Zempel
Phyllis A. Zempel, 80, of Rogue River died Thursday, April 29, 2004 at her home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Chapel of the Valley - L.B. Hall Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Rogue River, with Pastor Norman Nibblett officiating. Committal will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 West Sixth St., Medford, OR 97501.
She was born Phyllis Ann Webber, August 31, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN. On November 22, 1941 in Minneapolis, she married Charles Ray Zempel, who survives. They moved to Southern California in 1949 and came to Rogue River in 1980 from Kernville, CA. She was a homemaker.
Phyllis was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and was active in Bible Study and Vacation Bible School. She was also a charter member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino, CA. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting, camping, fishing and walking. She was dedicated to her family.
In addition to her husband of 62 years, survivors include one daughter, Pam Struck of Palmdale, CA; four sons, Craig Zempel of Conroe, TX, Chuck Zempel of Wimer, Gary Zempel of Rogue River and Mark Zempel of Moorpark, CA; one sister, Arlene Webber of Minneapolis, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
