Thomas Walker
Thomas Lee Walker, 58, of Gold Hill, died February 5, 2005 at Three Rivers Community hospital.
No services are planned. Southern Oregon Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
He was born March 11, 1946 in Martinez, CA. During Vietnam, he served in the U.S. military. In 2000 he moved to Grants Pass from Concord, CA. He then moved to Gold Hill one year ago.
Survivors include two brothers, Lemond Walker of Gold Hill; Ken Walker of Antioch, CA; a sister, Joyce Myllykangas of Jacksonville, FL; a half-brother, James H. Horton; and two daughters, Jacinda Walker and Ashley Walker both of Selma.
Billie Hogue
Billie Lucille Hogue, 71, of Grants Pass, died February 6, 2005 at Three Rivers Hospital. A memorial service will be held February 10 at 2:30 pm at Rogue Valley Community Church in Rogue River, with Pastor Levi Manitsas officiating. Chapel of the Valley-L.B. Hall Funeral Home of Grants Pass is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Mishwaka, IN to Hugh and Oral Bowman. She was the youngest of four children. Her family moved to San Francisco in 1943.
In 1950 she married her high school sweetheart, Edward James "Mac" McCarthy. They had four children. He died in a car accident in 1957.
On December 4, 1962 in Carson City, NV she married Charles Hogue, who survives. They moved to the Illinois Valley in 1969 from San Jose, CA. In 2000 they moved to Grants Pass.
She loved to go fishing and picnicking. Before illness she spent time serving her church and working with the Jackson County Gleaners Association.
She is survived by her husband, Charles "Chuck" Hogue of Grants Pass, 3 sons, Michael McCarthy of Chesterton, IN, Kevin McCarthy of Birmingham, AL and Eddie McCarthy of Cave Junction; a daughter, Maureen McCarthy of Grants Pass; two brothers Clifford Bowman of San Leandro, CA, Lewis Bowman of Santa Clara, CA; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Neal Foreman
Neal Foreman, 69, of Rogue River, died February 6, 2005 at his home.
A memorial service will be at 10:00 am February 11, 2005 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Southern Oregon Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 W. 6th Street, Medford, OR 97501.
Neal was born December 1, 1935 in Ludlow, MO. During the Korean Conflict he served in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Lance Corporal. He moved to Rogue River from Honcut, CA four years ago.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Missouri.
He enjoyed golfing and traveling. He resided in Phoenix during the winter and Grants Pass/Rogue River area in the summer.
In addition to his wife, Arlene Green of Rogue River, he is survived by five children, Ron Foreman of Patterson, CA; Don Foreman of Angels Camp, CA; Barbara Stisser of Highlands Ranch, CO; Shirley Foreman of Vista, CA; and George Foreman of Riverside, CA; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Velma Sommerer
Former Rogue River resident, Velma Lee Backes Sommerer, 73, of Central Point, died February 6, 2005 after a two week battle with lung and brain cancer, taking her to our Lord above so quickly.
A celebration of life will be from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm February 20, 2005 at her home, 206 Kings Way, Central Point.
She had lived in Rogue River for a number of years and graduated from Rogue River High School. On March 15, 1950 she married Arthur Backes, who died in 1975. They had three children, Eugene Backes of Sutherlin; Questa Knight of Sams Valley; and jay Backes of medford. In 1979 she married Henry Sommerer of Medford, who died in 2002.
Velma loved the woods and enjoyed hunting deer and elk, fishing and mushroom hunting.
She dearly loved her three children; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The love of her life were here great-grandkids Kaytlyn and "Two Bits" Brandon Tyler, whom she saw daily. Also surviving are two sisters, Katherine Hall and June Diess.
Ann Joyce
Ann M. Joyce, 94, of Rogue River, died Thursday, February 10, 2005 at her home.
A celebration of life was held Sunday, February 13 at her home in Rogue River.
A memorial mass was held Feb. 14. Southern Oregon Cremation Services were in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross.
Ann was born in Scranton, PA, daughter of the late John and Anna Jennings. She married Michael P. Joyce in 1938, who died in 1954.
Ann lived in Forty Fort, PA for 40 years prior moving to Rogue River in 1989. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church and its women's club.
Survivors include two sons, Michael and his wife, Marily of Palm Desert, CA; and John of San Francisco, CA; a daughter, Mary Alice Spooner and her husband, Tom of Grants Pass; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
William Cook
A memorial service for William H. Cook will be at 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at the Rogue River Assembly of God. Pastor Paul West of the Rogue River Assembly of God will officiate.
Mr. Cook, 93, of Grants Pass, died Feb. 6, 2005 at Rogue Valley Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.
He was born on May 18, 1911 in Sterling, KS to Clarence Herbert Cook and Mae Dawson. He had lived in the Rogue Valley most of his life.
Mr. Cook served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater.
He worked as a loader operator in construction until his retirement.
Mr. Cook enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading and traveling.
Survivors include his daughters, Marilyn Vickers of Banning, CA and Gwendolyn Perry of Rogue River; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Two brothers, four sisters and one daughter preceded him in death.
Richard ‘Rick' Christiansen
Richard Deane "Rick" Christiansen, 47 of Wimer, died Thursday, February 10, 2005 at his home.
Private family services were held. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
He was born on September 13, 1957 in Victorville, CA. He moved to Wimer 30 years ago from California.
He enjoyed gardening, NFL Football and old westerns.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda of Wimer; three daughters, Angela Christiansen of Wimer; Teresa Owens of Williams; and Christina McVeigh of Norco, CA; six brothers, Carl Christiansen; and Dennis Christiansen both of Rogue River; David Christiansen of Gold Hill; Dan Christiansen of Big Bend, CA; Basil Christiansen of Torrance, CA; and Kevin Christiansen of Yoncalla, OR; his sister, Karen Christiansen of Grants Pass; six grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Thea Swanson
Thea Swanson, 82, of Rogue River, died Thursday, February 17, 2005 at her home.
A funeral service was held Monday, February 21 at Rogue River Assembly of God Church with Pastor Ron Swanson officiating. Interment followed at Woodville Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
She was born October 19, 1922 in Caney, KS. On February 28, 1942 in Maywood, CA she married Samuel Swanson, who preceded her in death on December 15, 2004. She moved to Rogue River from Long Beach, CA 16 years ago.
She was a member of Rogue River Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include four children, Sam Swanson, Thea Sternberg and David Swanson all of Grants Pass, and Jerry Swanson of Bend; a sister, JoAnn Kirkwood of Downey, CA; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Larry C. Elledge
Larry C. Elledge, 66, of Rogue River, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at his home.
Family services will be held. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Larry was born October 8, 1938 in Palmdale, CA. In 1941 he moved with his family to Rogue River and graduated from Rogue River High School in 1957. He worked and lived most of his adult life in the Seattle area in the roofing business.
He was an avid fisherman.
Survivors include his two daughters, Julie Moffett of Grants Pass and Linda Olson of Keizer; three grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Gregg of Bandon and Betty Gay of Rogue River; and a brother, Harry Elledge of Grants Pass.
Frederick Diess
Frederick Diess, born and raised in Rogue River, died on February 20, 2005 at the age of 78. He is survived by five children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his wife Betty Jane who lives in Scappose, his sister, June, a Rogue River resident, and several nieces and nephews in the Roseburg area.
Louie Willems
Louie Willems, 99 of Rogue River, died on February 24, 2005.
No services are planned.
Born on July 24, 1905, Louie loved farming and animals. He was looking forward to being on Willard Scott's 100th birthday announcement in July. He enjoyed walking around the community of Rogue River and making friends whereever he went.
Alvin Krohn
Alvin V. Krohn, 74, died on Sunday, February 27, 2005 at Providence Hospital in Medford.
Al retired to Rogue River in 1988 from Kronenberg Lumber in Denver, CO. He wa a rancher, an avid gardener and was always finding new ways to keep the deer away. He enjoyed his Sunday Pinochle games with family, fishing, a good chess game, Euchre and debating politics with anyone.
Survivors include sons Daniel (Stephanie) of Rogue River, Richard of Channahon, IL and Terry of Montrose, CO; daughter Patti (Ron) Failing of Parthenon, AR and Ruth (Gus) Juricic of Lockport, IL; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was scheduled for March 2 at 3 p.m. at the Rogue Valley Community Church with Pastor Dan O'Donnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
Velma Coyle
Velma A. Coyle of Rogue River died on February 20, 2005, at the age of 90. A private interment at Woodville Cemetery in Rogue River has been held.
She is survived by her three children, John Hatcher of Medford, Verna Dounias of Rogue River, and Fay Bradley of Grants Pass; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Velma was an active member of Daughters of the Golden West, Moorpark Historical Society, Rogue River Civic Club, and the Live Oak Grange No. 655. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any of the above organizations.
Lottie Lines Martin
Lottie Lines Martin, 89. died at her home in Wimer on Sunday, March 6, 2005. A private service has already been held.
She was born September 30, 1915, in Redlands, California, to William and Lydia Lines. As a young girl she played the violin with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, loved to ride her horse, and learned to fly planes at the Tri-City Airport which was founded by her father.
In 1931 she married the love of her life, James Hallam Martin. They bought a ranch in Wimer in 1937 and named it the J-Diamond-L. There they raised cattle and registered quarter horses. Lottie and James had 4-H clubs for many years that introduced hundreds of children in the valley to the joys of horsemanship and high-country hiking.
Lottie was a member of the Enterprise Grange of Wimer and Evans Valley Bible Church. She was a lifelong supporter of the Wimer and Rogue River Schools. For 10 years she was the cook at Evans Valley Elementary School where
She was famous for her homemade cinnamon rolls and other baked goods.
She is survived by five sons and their spouses, James and Juanita Martin of Baker City, OR; Fred and Jeanne Martin of Wimer, OR; Carl and Geri Martin of Heppner, OR; Donald and Mary Martin of Albany, OR; Lawrence and Sharon Martin of Wimer, OR; two daughters and their spouses, Don and Sharon Poole of Grants Pass, OR; and Bruce and Cheryl Sund of Wimer, OR. She had 30 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James, brother, Fred Lines, three grandsons, and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in April.
Contributions may be made to Evans Valley Bible Church, 7924 East Evans Creek Rd. Rogue River, OR 97537
Altha LeRoy
Former Rogue River resident Altha S. LeRoy, 90, of Medford died Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at a Medford adult foster care home.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday at Our Lady of the River Catholic Community in Rogue River, with Fr. Jim Clifford presiding.
She was born Altha Barbara Lucille Stuckey to Simon Stuckey and Harriett Eastman, April 30, 1914 in Wyndmere, ND. In the period surrounding World War II she worked in the aircraft industry in Los Angeles. There she met Eugene LeRoy, whom she married October 11, 1941. Altha graduated from Montana State University at Missoula, where she was a tennis and diving champion. She and Eugene moved their family to Rogue River in 1947, where they were residents for over 50 years. She spent 35 years in the teaching profession in Missoula, MT, in Rogue River schools, at Riverside Elementary in Klamath Falls, and finished at Fruitdale Elementary in Grants Pass. During those years she wrote a textbook titled, "Basic English in a Nutshell."
Altha was a member of the Rogue River Catholic Community for many years. After retirement she tutored and was an active volunteer for St. Rita Retreat Center in Gold Hill. She enjoyed swimming, tennis, dance band, gardening, playing cards and animals.
Survivors include her three sons, Dr. Jeffrey LeRoy of Klamath Falls, James LeRoy of Medford and Dr. John W. "Jack" LeRoy of Lake Oswego; one daughter, Barbara Jean Newcomb of Ashland; one brother, Peter Stuckey of Missoula, MT; 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Her husband, Eugene, died in 1987. Her four sisters, Agnes, Mable, Thelma and Viola, also preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502.
