Miscellaneous Curry County, Oregon Obituaries

CEMSEARCH - OBITUARY CENTRAL - OBITUARY LINKS PAGE - MORTALITYSCHEDULES.COM - SURNAME SEARCH UTILITY


First Name:
Last Name:
Howard J. Newhouse
Howard J. Newhouse was born November 22, 1928 to Corinne and Sewell Newhouse in Portland. He arrived in Curry County in 1935 at 7 years of age.
He spent his formative years roaming and playing in the Wedderburn Hills, and attending the one room school in Wedderburn. Thence he attended Gold Beach High, where he lettered in track and basketball, played in the school band, acted in school plays, co-wrote, directed and acted in the minstrel show, and was student body president during his senior year. 
Thence he went to Oregon State College, majoring in Chemical Engineering. His junior year he was president of Delta Chi Fraternity. He played the French horn in the marching and concert bands where he met his future wife, Jane Drew. They were married in June 1952. 
Howard graduated from college in 1951 and worked for Shell Chemical until he was drafted into the Army in 1953. He was discharged from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey at 1 p.m. February 23, 1955 and was out of New Jersey by nightfall, headed to Oregon with his wife and infant son. 
He went into the surveying business with his father S.O. Newhouse. Howard was a Professional Land Surveyor for 47 years, 32 of which he served as Curry County Surveyor. He was a member of the Oregon Historical Society, American Congress of Surveying and Mapping, and the Oregon Tuba Association. He served as past president of the Curry Historical Society, Gold Beach Rotary Club, Association of Oregon County Engineers and Surveyors, Professional Land Surveyors SW Chapter, and chairman of the Elementary School Board. 
Howard will be remembered for his love of Curry County and its history, his extensive knowledge of the Civil War, his love of boats, black powder guns and the Rogue River. 
Howard lives on through the lives of his family which include his wife, Jane; son, Hal Newhouse, his wife, Pam and their children, Harrison and Haley; daughter, Nancy Emerson, husband, John and their children, Zachary, Jenna and Ari-Anna; daughter, Liz Newhouse, husband, Phil Broome and stepchildren, Melanie and Jason; daughter, Susan Hinton, husband, Steve and their son, Samuel; son, Russell Newhouse, wife, Michelle and their daughter, Cierra. 
Those wishing to commemorate Howard through memorial contributions can donate to the Curry County Historical Society or to a charity of their choice. 

Helen Postal Johnson
Helen Postal Johnson, 72, died Tuesday, August 15, 2000 at St. Catherine’s in Coos Bay after a very lengthy illness. She was born on July 20, 1928 in Gold Beach. No funeral will be held. 
Harold Lee "Pat" Reese, 77, of Port Orford, died August 12, 2000, in Coos Bay. Graveside services are planned for Thursday, August 17, at 11 a.m. at the Port Orford Cemetery. 
Full obituaries will appear in a future edition of the Curry County Reporter. 

Taylor D. Trowbridge 
Taylor D. Trowbridge, born August 12, 2000, passed away at the time of her birth. She is survived by her loving parents, Jimmy and Terri Trowbridge, and her big brother J.J. Trowbridge. 
Taylor is also survived by her paternal grandparents, Jim and Laurice Trowbridge; maternal grandmother Naomi Dummitt, all of Gold Beach and Great Grandmother and Grandfather Novak of Lusk, WY. 
Aunts and uncles include Crisy Trowbridge; Connie Higgins and cousins, Chris and Rachelle Higgins of Gold Beach; Betty and Peter Eltink and cousin, Shauna Eltink of Whiting, NJ; Roberta LaFleur and cousins, Rusty, Daniel, Lance, Leslie, Eric and Travis of Hummelstown, PN. 
Other survivors include great uncle, George Cripe and cousins, Frank and Jeff Cripe of Medford; great uncle, Bob and aunt, Olga Koory, great uncle, Mick Koory, great aunts, Linda Williams and Lynette Siegenthaler of Omaha, NB; great-great aunt, Pat and uncle, John Boham of Ft. Collins, CO and 25 loving cousins, all of Omaha, NB. 

Alexander P. Cerepa, Jr. 
Al Cerepa, 63, of Gold Beach, was diagnosed with leukemia on January 25, 2001 and died at home on February 6, 2001. His memorial service was held on Saturday, February 10, 2001, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, Gold Beach. The audio portion was transmitted live to services in Alaska, Hawaii, and California. Cremation was at Port Orford Funeral Services, Port Orford. 
He was born May 31,1937, in Chicago, Illinois to Alexander P. Cerepa, Sr. and Monica Zelinski Cerepa, both of whom emigrated from Poland. He was the youngest of 10 children. 
His family moved to Redding, California, in 1947. He attended Union Elementary School and graduated from Shasta Union High School in 1955. He attended Seminary in Menominee, Michigan. He continued his education after raising his family and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1994, just before he retired. 
He married Faye Grammer on July 17, 1964. He was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness in 1965. In 1969, he moved with his wife and two daughters from the San Francisco Bay Area to Kenai, Alaska. He worked for Tesoro Refinery at Nikiski, Alaska from 1970 to 1977 and worked for Atlantic Ritchfield Company at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, from February 1977 to January 1995. He and his wife owned Peninsula Nutrition Center in Kenai from January 1991 to January 1997. They moved to Gold Beach in November 1997 to enjoy their retirement. 
He loved reading and listening to classical music. He enjoyed building model cars, planes and trains. He liked to fly kites, ride bikes, and comb the beach for agates with his wife. During his 28 years on the Kenai Peninsula he enjoyed hunting, fishing and gold panning. He always believed there was nothing more important than family. 
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Faye; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Ray Merritt of Soldotna, AK; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Jeff Patsey and grandchildren, Nicole and Connor of Fair Oaks, CA; siblings, May, Violet, Winnifred, John, Jerry and Annie, and countless nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander, Sr. and Monica Cerepa, and his siblings, Stella, Phil, and Richard. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Curry County Hospice, P.O. Box 746, Gold Beach, OR 97444. 

John F. Bassett 
John F. Bassett, 68, Gold Beach, died on January 26, 2001 in Gold Beach. No services are planned. 
He was born on January 24, 1933 in Gosport, United Kingdom to parents Jane Lillian and Francis Alfred Bassett. 
John became an American citizen in 1967. 
He moved to Gold Beach in 1990 and worked at Curry General Hospital until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of Elks Lodge #1934. 
He was preceded in death by his parents. 
Survivors include his sons, Neville Bassett, Beaverton and Noel Bassett, Central Point, as well as his constant companion, Maxine Parks of Gold Beach and four grandchildren. 

Richard R. McLeod
Richard R. McLeod, 62, of Gold Beach died February 7, 2001, in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131. 

Mae Jones
At her request, no services will be held for Ida "Mae" Bell (Gilmore) Jones, 83, of Gold Beach. She was born February 6, 1918 in Richland, Iowa to Earl and Vida Gilmore. She died March 29, 2001 in Gold Beach. 
Cremation was held at Myrtle Crest Crematory. Inurnment will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California, near her son and granddaughter. 
Her brother, Lowell, was born when she was two. The family made a lot of rough road trips west during their early years, as their mother's health was bad. When Mae was six, her mother died in Iowa. Her dad remarried and Mae got another younger brother and two younger sisters. The family traveled around and ended up in Oregon. 
Mae went to school for a time in Rosalia, Washington, until her eyesight became too bad. She went to work until she married Delmer Jones on September 20, 1937 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Delmer and Mae worked harvest in Washington, then moved to Oregon where Delmer worked in the woods outside of Medford. Their daughter and three sons were born in Medford. 
In 1950 they moved to Corning, California, where Delmer commuted to work in the woods outside Paskenta. Mae went to nursing school and worked in the hospital in Corning for awhile. She was also very active with the Cub Scouts as a Den Mother. 
After her children were raised Mae traveled a lot. She made many trips to Oregon and Alaska to visit her sons and also to Maryland to visit her daughter. 
She spent eight years caring for George Wurster, throughout his battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She lived in Alaska from 1990-1996, when she moved to the Oregon coast to be near her daughter and family. 
She is survived by her brother, Bob Chapman of Waco, Texas; her sisters, Earlene Dunbar of California and Bess Jones of Monroe; her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Sonny Jones of Gold Beach, and sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Kellie Jones of Petersburg, Alaska, and Darrell and Graceanne Jones of Portland; grandchildren, Ed Kreps, Terri Aldridge, Jamie Jones, Sherri Shelman, Dennis Jones, Jr., Shane Jones, Sara Jones, Jessie McBride, and Jenni Bodine, as well as 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. 
Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Delmer Jones; her son, 
Delwin Jones; and her brother, Lowell Gilmore. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Port Orford Funeral Service, 1-800-396-3158. 

Charles L. Chapman
A memorial service for Charles Lathrop Chapman, 75, of Gold Beach will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2001 at the Gold Beach Senior Center. Reverends Jerry Dean of the Church of Christ and Ann Richards of the First Presbyterian Church will lead. Family and friends are welcome. 
He was born January 20, 1926 in San Francisco, California and died April 2, 2001 in his home following a stroke. 
Chapman was a Gold Beach resident for many years. He was a decorated hero of World War II, holding the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals. He belonged to the Rotary Club, First Presbyterian Church, was a life member of the Hospital Auxiliary and Senior Center. 
He enjoyed playing his mandolin, playing golf, cards, fishing, and visiting with his many friends. 
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Weber Chapman of Gold Beach; brother, Paul Chapman of Pismo Beach, CA; son, Rick Chapman of Sontana, CA; grandchildren, Tom Chapman of Tacoma, WA and Jamie Goolsby of Santa Rosa, CA; and four great grandchildren. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Amling and Schroeder Funeral home in Bandon 541-347-2907 and the Eagle Point Veterans Cemetery. 

Tuuli T. Bailey 
Tuuli T. Bailey of Gold Beach died on Tuesday, August 7, at the Life Care Center in Coos Bay. No services are planned. 
Tuuli was born on November 11, 1928 in Finland. An avid artist, her childhood efforts in sculpture were snow bears, dogs and cats. Plasteline was shaped into small bears, horses, moose and tigers. Ten years later she had a chance to work in the sculpture studio of Alpo and Nina Sailo during weekends over three academic years. She majored in art history at the same time. 
To keep her out of mischief as a child, Tuuli’s mother arranged home-grown fruit and flowers into still life settings for Tuuli to create watercolors. 
Tuuli had started painting oils in Finland and after she moved to the United States, she continued to paint oils on extensive trips arranged by her husband. On those occasions, she had the chance of putting up her easel in places like a Mexican mountain, a Japanese village or temple area, as well as the Monument Valley and other parks in North America. 
Tuuli had lived in Gold Beach since 1994 and was active in Curry Arts. 
She is survived by her daughter, Dee Bailey of El Cajon, CA. 
Memorial donations in Tuuli’s memory may be made to Curry Arts. 

Debra Edwards 
Debra (Waksdale) Edwards became ill on Wednesday, July 25. The trained first responders of Pistol River Fire Department arrived immediately for which the family is very grateful. The Gold Beach ambulance transported Debra to Curry General Hospital. 
After evaluation, Dr. Williams directed that she be flown to Providence Hospital in Medford. After treatment for seizures and a stroke, she was flown to OHSU in Portland. Sunday night she suffered a massive stroke and passed away at age 37 on Monday, July 30. 
A memorial tribute will follow the regular 11 a.m. worship service at the Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Chapel at the Pistol River Friendship Hall on August 12. A potluck lunch will follow. 
Debra leaves her husband, George Edwards, and their three children, Breona and five year old twins, Georgie and Jimmie. Also her mother, Mary (Sponaugle) Waksdale of Martinez, California; her father, Don Waksdale and his wife, Sheila and his sister, Linda; her grandmother, Ella Sponaugle who resides in Pistol River as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 
Debra and her family moved to Pistol River about a year ago from Martinez, California . 
Debra was descended from pioneer ancestors William and Hannah (Michaels) Forgey who crossed the plains in 1847 settling in Pistol River in 1875. Her great grandparents were Elmer and Iva (Murry) Miller who owned the Miller ranch under the shadow of Snow Camp mountain. 

Glenn W. Moore 
Glenn W. Moore, went to the arms of our Lord August 4, 2001. Born July 26, 1925 in Oak Grove. Glenn is survived by his dedicated and beloved wife, Vivian Moore, of 55 years. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial service at Bethany Lutheran, Friday, August 10 at 4 p.m., 5th and Ellensburg Avenue Gold Beach. 
He was lockmaster on the McNary Dam in Umatilla, until they moved to West Sacramento, CA in 1960 to become the first Lockmaster (navigation locks) in California. He worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 35 years and retired at 52. Glenn had a second career for 10 years as a commercial fisherman and skipper of the Sponge. He loved to fish! One of the biggest fish he caught was a 48 pound King Salmon! 
Glenn was a kind, generous neighbor and friend to anyone who knew him. He loved to garden and he shared the bounty with many. He loved to observe and feed the birds. Glenn and Vivian moved to Gold Beach in 1985 and have had many wonderful years on the Rogue River. They traveled with family and friends for many years RV'ers. 
Glenn served his country in W.W.II as Seaman 1st class on the USS Leonard Wood, U.S. Coast Guard. He was a member of the VFW Post 4439 of Gold Beach and Elks Lodge #4942 of Brookings. Glenn loved to take part in parades and church activities. While living in Hermiston, Glenn enjoyed many years of Scouting with Troop 379, as assistant Scout Master. He also assisted with Sea Scouts in West Sacramento, CA. 
Glenn was able to celebrate and enjoy the Moore's family reunion at Huntley Park, Gold Beach, in July. 
He was the loving father of Annette Thompson and her husband, Fred of Sacramento, CA, Christi Harrington and her husband, Ken of Santa Rosa, CA, Marlene Placencia of Sacramento, CA. He is also the loving grandfather of Darrel and Derek Thompson, Corrie and Jillian Harrington, and Michael and Jamie Placencia; beloved great-grandfather to Justine Chavez, Isaiah, Juliann and Benjamin Thompson; brother of Elmer and Mary Moore, Virgil and Lucy Moore (deceased) Charles and Donna Moore, Donald and Peggy Moore and John and Peggy Moore and brother-in-law of Mary Arrowsmith. 
Memorials in Glenn's name may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Building fund, Box 1197, Gold Beach, OR 97444 or the Home Health Hospice, P.O. Box 776, Gold Beach, OR 97444. Glenn will be interned at Willamette National Veterans Cemetery, Portland, OR. 
It's not good-bye, it's only so long until we meet again. We love you! 

Jessie B. Mastin 
Jessie B. Mastin, 80, of Gold Beach died Sunday, August 5, 2001 of acute Leukemia. Service will be a burial at sea off the island of Maui, Hawaii. 
Jessie was born July 14, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York. She had a BA degree and teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She taught El School for 22 years in Santa Rosa, California. Jessie was a Japanese P.O.W. in the Philippines during World War II as an employee of the State Department of Shanghi, China which was her family's residence. 
She had lived in Gold Beach for five years and was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary. 
Survivors include: husband, Robert Mastin of Gold Beach; sons, Stephen Mastin of Oakland, CA, James Mastin of Ukiah, CA; grandson, Spencer Mastin, of Ukiah, CA and cousin, Laura Thurner of Honeoye Falls, N.Y. 

Mary Eleanor Zumwalt 
Curry County native Mary Eleanor Zumwalt died of cancer on July 26, 2001 at her home in Portland. No formal services are planned. 
Born on the Bailey Ranch north of Gold Beach on March 13, 1917, Mary El was the daughter of County Judge Charles H. Bailey and Kate Lehnherr Bailey. She attended Gold Beach schools, graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Education from the University of Oregon in 1939 and taught high school in Port Orford in 1939 and 1940. 
Mary Eleanor and Leslie C. Zumwalt were married in October 1941. She taught high school in Coburg for two years and worked for the Railway Express in Portland for five years during World War II. Mary E1 got her Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Oregon and taught high school English at Lake Oswego High School and Lake Ridge High School until she retired. Her husband of sixty years, Leslie Zumwalt, daughters, Kimberly Rae and Lori Ann of Seattle, Washington, and daughter, Lesley Sue Peters of Bend survive her. Other survivors include her sister, Alice Mather of Eugene; niece, Johanna Mather of Eugene; nephew, John Mather of Gold Beach, several grand nieces and nephews and cousins. 

Mary Boyd Seger
Mary Seger died of ovarian cancer on Saturday, October 6, 2001 at her home in Keizer. A memorial service was held at the Keizer Funeral Chapel on Saturday, October 13, at 1 p.m. 
Born on December 2, 1928, in Gold Beach, Mary was the youngest of Ray and Neva Boyd's three children. She graduated from Gold Beach High school and then enrolled at Oregon State College for the fall term of 1947. In December, 1947, she married Charles (Chuck) Seger. 
After returning to the Willamette Valley in 1946, Mary re-enrolled at OSU. She graduated with honors in 1968. She subsequently received her Master's degree from Oregon College of Education after completing her program of studies with a perfect "straight A" grade average. Mary taught in the Monmouth-Independence schools until her retirement in 1985. 
Following several retirement years spent in Gold Beach, she and her husband returned to the Willamette Valley in 1993, where they lived at McNary Estates in Keizer. 
Mary enjoyed golf, book discussion groups, her volunteer work with the Make A Wish Foundation, and the many friends she made at McNary. She also enjoyed watching football, basketball and gymnastics at Oregon State. 
Mary is survived by her husband; her children, Lesly Jarvi, who lives near Corvallis; and Rosemary Nichols, who lives in Bend; and her two grandchildren, Valerie and Adam Nichols. 
Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to the Curry Historical Society, P.O. Box 1598, Gold Beach, OR 97444, where she was a life member. 

Eugene Marshall Smith 
Eugene Marshall Smith died Friday, October 5, 2001. 
Eugene was born October 24, 1928 in Seth, West Virginia to Arrah Dale Reed Smith and John Westly Smith. 
From Eugene's first marriage he fathered seven children; Marshall, Patty, Russell, Juanita, Ellis, Joan and Eugenia. He had 19 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. 
In 1975 Eugene married Carol Voss Jenkins. He then had six step-children; Rhonda, Ronald, Wanda, Robert, Kevin and Linda. He had 21 step-grandchildren and 1 step-great-grandchild. 
Eugene and Carol moved to Gold Beach in October 1986 from Missouri. He worked for the forest service from 1990 until retirement in 1995. Eugene enjoyed ocean fishing for bottom fish with his favorite being Ling Cod. Eugene also enjoyed a passion for music, knowing how to play several instruments and listening to country and western music. Eugene sang and played on Friday's at the senior center where he was a member. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. 

Sharon Kay Turnow
Graveside services for Sharon Kay Turnow, 64, of Gold Beach was held Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach. Reverend Don McKay and Pastor Ward Honey officiated. 
Sharon was born June 2, 1937 in McPherson, Kansas. She died October 12, 2001 in Gold Beach. 
Sharon had worked at Curry General Hospital for some years as a nurse. She enjoyed being outdoors, playing music and spending time with family and friends and playing with her grandkids. 
She is survived by her son, Jeff Turnow of Gold Beach; daughter, Renee Turnow of Lapush, WA; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Justin Turnow of Gold Beach and Tyler and Hailey Woodruff of Lapush, WA; brothers, Darrell Allen of Gold Beach; Merle Allen of Cottage Grove, Dennis Allen of Wasilla, AK and Jerry Allen of Gold Beach; sister, Darlene Colby of Gold Beach. 
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 West 6th Street, Medford, OR 97501. 

Eugene Everett Traglio
Eugene Everett Traglio, 72, died October 10, 2001 in Coos Bay after a long battle with emphysema. Services were conducted by the Amling/Schroeder Funeral Home in Bandon. 
Eugene was born June 15, 1929 in Salem to Wilbur and Mamie Traglio. After spending his childhood in Salem and Portland, Eugene entered the US. Army in 1953. Eugene served in both Korea and Vietnam. After 25 years of distinguished service he retired after receiving the Army Legion of Merit, the highest award given during peacetime. 
Eugene's main passion besides his family was his love of little league baseball, which he spent time coaching, umpiring, and just enjoying as a true fan. 
After Eugene retired from the Army he started his new life in Port Orford. Eugene has a great love for the Port Orford community. After being a small business owner for several years in Port Orford, Eugene retired for good. 
Eugene is survived by his wife, Yvonne Traglio of Port Orford; two brothers, Walter Traglio of Portland, and David Traglio of Salem; three sons Richard Traglio of Portland, Steve Traglio of Levenworth, Kansas, and Allen Traglio of Portland; one grandchild and one great-grandchild. 

Toni Marie Wilson
Toni Marie Wilson died October 9, 2001 of lung cancer in Coos Bay. Services were officiated by Pastor Ray Gustafson on October 14 at the Sixth Street Baptist Church. 
Toni was born January 6, 1923 in Decatur, Illinois. She grew up in Carmel, California and graduated from San Luis Rey Academy in June of 1937. After graduation she finished her education abroad. She moved to the Gold Beach area in 1985 from Grand Marias, Minnesota. Following the death of her first husband she married Allingsworth Wilson in Nevada. 
Toni is survived by her husband, Allingsworth Wilson; daughters, Dona Mitchell, Shari Pate (Delane), and Marti Escandon (Ruben); son Donald Mitchell; step daughters, Beverly Daugherty, Rosie Lawerence; daughter-in-law, Helene Wilson; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren; 27 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by husband, Donald Mitchell; father, Raymond Stoner; mother, Mary Alice Todd; an infant son; step-son, Mervin Wilson; and step-son, Ruee Harp. 
Donations may be made in Toni's name to the American Cancer Society. 

Mel Baum
Melvin D. Baum, 67, passed away on November 30, 2001 at Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland. Mel was born January 31, 1934, in St. Albans, New York. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Mathews Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 4 p.m. 
As a young man, Mel earned the rank of Eagle Scout, ran in the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden, and later served in the U. S. Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Campaign. In New York, he earned a degree in education from New York State University. Mel taught auto mechanics in a technical high school, while co-owning a successful dairy and oil business with his brother Ed. 
Mel and Nancy moved to Gold Beach in 1978, where he did just about everything. Career adventures included commercial fishing, home building, cattle and sheep ranching, and his own heavy equipment mechanic business. 
Mel was known for his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to do or fix anything. The thing he did best was to make it very easy to be his friend. 
Special times for Mel included: flying, sailing, football officiating, trapshooting with his grandson, walks with Merc, and a single-malt scotch at the end of the day. 
Mel is survived by his wife and best friend, Nancy. Other survivors include: two children from his first marriage, Deborah Clarry and husband, Peter, of East Moriches, NY, and Donald Baum, DVM, and wife, Alice of Bandon. Also surviving are his three step-children, Jeffrey Lightcap and wife, Jane, of Manhasset, NY, Jill Miller and husband, Bill, of Andover, NJ, and Scott Lightcap and wife, Deb, of Coos Bay. He was the proud grandfather of 12 including Kim and Chris Clarry, Dustin, Cassi, and Travis Baum, Brad, Megan, and Brian Lightcap, Grace and Carly Miller, and Katie and Jacob Lightcap. 
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Curry Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1274, Gold Beach, OR, 97444. 

Vena Camilla "Cam" Drury Allard
Vena Camilla "Cam" Drury Allard, 85, of Coos Bay died January 12, 2002 of kidney failure. Services will be held Saturday, February 2, at noon at Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens, 4810 Willamette Street, Eugene. 
Vena was born December 22, 1916 in Gold Beach to parents Willis and Mabel (Overton) Moore. She married Robert "Bob" Drury in Reno, Nevada on December 22, 1979. Robert passed away December 10, 1994. Vena lived in McKenzie Bridge for more than 40 years prior to moving to Coos Bay when she married Albert C. Allard in Eugene on May 17, 1997. 
Vena is a sixth generation descendant of Major Watson who fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. 
She retired from Weyerhaeuser in Springfield. 
Vena was a great shot, an avid hunter, and enjoyed taking her grandson deep sea fishing. She was a member of the Oregon Hunters Association, National Rifle Association and McKenzie River Christian Church. 
She is survived by her spouse, Albert Allard of Coos Bay; and sons, John Robert and Donna Long of Springfield and Willis Allen and Kay Long of Carson City, NV; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. 
She was proceeded in death by husband, Bob Drury and a son, Joseph, who died at the age of 12 years in a swimming accident. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the South Coast Hospice, Coos Bay. 
England's Eugene Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. 

Donna C. Scheel
Donna C. Scheel, former Gold Beach resident, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at Mercy Hospital in Oregon, following a massive stroke. At Donna's request, no formal services will be held, but the family is planning an informal celebration of her life later this summer. 
Born on October 6, 1932 in Dayton, Washington, Donna was one of five children born to Ted and Mary (Foster) Kenworthy. The Kenworthy family moved to Gold Beach, back to Walla Walla, Washington, then back to Gold Beach where Donna worked at the Chinook Theater and graduated from Gold Beach High School in 1951. Donna was a drum majorette for the Gold Beach band. 
She married Roy Wagner in 1951, they divorced and on October 18, 1952, she married Don Dettmer. They helped Don's parents operate a private airport on the beach north of the Rogue River and in 1957 moved their family to Alaska where Don worked as a bush pilot and Donna worked a variety of jobs, including cab driver, waitress and a job with the Small Business Administration. Don died in 1968 and Donna brought her young family back to Seattle for a time, then moved back to Gold Beach in 1969 where she married Bob Scheel. 
Donna worked for Curry County for a number of years in the Assessor's Office, the Commissioner's Office and the switchboard. She also worked at the Rod n Reel, Wedderburn Store, Transamerica Title and as a private caregiver. While in Gold Beach, she was active in the Emblem Club, Legal Secretaries, and local CB Radio club. Moving to Portland in 1988, she worked and went to business school. She was called to be the caregiver for an invalid cousin in Baker City, then relocated to Eugene in 1996 to take care of Alice Mather. Moving to Roseburg in 1999, she continued to care for Alice in Eugene up to the time of her death. 
Donna is survived by son, Ted Wagner of Sutherlin, son, Doug Dettmer and daughter, Sharon Mather of Gold Beach, and son, Brian Dettmer of Eugene; grandchildren, Ray Wagner of Eugene, Jamison Dettmer of Gold Beach, Alison Dettmer of Eugene, Dawn Wagner of North Bend, Dustin Dettmer of Gold Beach, Brady Wagner of North Bend, Christine Mather and Taylor Mather of Gold Beach; and great grandchildren, Justice Wagner of Bandon and Martika Wagner of North Bend. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, a large extended family and many friends. 
Her parents, brothers and sister all preceded her in death. 
Remembrances or memorial donations may be made in Donna's name to the Oasis Shelter or any local youth sport organizations. 
Chapel of Roses in Roseburg is in charge of arrangements. 
 

William "Bill" Durrell 
William "Bill" Guy Durrell, 87, Brookings, died Sunday, May 26, 2002, in Coos Bay at a care facility. Bill and his wife, Marian Durrell had been recent residents of Shore Pine Assisted Living Community in Gold Beach. A Memorial Service will be held at the Grace Bible Church, Saturday, June 1, 2002 at 2 p.m. 
Bill was born August 9, 1914 in Taunton, Massachusetts to Guy Melcher and Margaret Durrell. His father died when Bill was nine and he left school at the end of the 8th grade to work for the family. As a teen he joined the CCC and traveled the east coast extensively. 
Bill married Marian Leach, October 17, 1937 in Whitman, Massachusetts, and raised only one daughter, Linda, and had one son, William Guy Durrell, Jr., who died in infancy. He worked most of his life for Walter Baker Chocolate Factory/General Foods as a chocolate sampling technician, retiring in 1977. He followed Linda and her family first to Sacrament and then Brookings in 1978. 
Bill was an avid reader, liked to study and was active in Senior Citizen issues. He enjoyed garage sales, sports on TV and frequented the local McDonalds as his daily breakfast spot. He was strong in his religious beliefs, a member of the Grace Bible Church, and donated many volumes of scriptures to others. 
He is survived by his wife, Marian; daughter, Linda and her husband, Bill Eller of Brookings; grandchildren, Kevin and his wife, Barbara Eller of Medford, Lynette and husband, Jose Hernandez, Jill and her husband, Julio Cesar Zebadua of Brookings, and Nathan and his wife, Chandra Eller of Salem; and eight great-grandchildren. 
He is proceeded in death by his parents, a brother, Roy Durrell and a sister, Mary Durrell, and his son, William Guy Durrell, Jr. 
Memorials may be donated in Bill's name to The Gideon Society, contact Earl Breuer, (541) 469-2885, or the Salvation Army, 409 B Hillside, Brookings, OR., (541) 469-9577, and specify for the Summer Camping Program for children. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel. 

Jerry Gray 
Services will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 2 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church for Graydon (Jerry) Gray of Gold Beach who died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 25. Burial will follow at Rogue River Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with his wife, Dot, following the services. 
A complete obituary will be published next week. 

Jack McLeod
April 24, 1919 – Nov. 15, 2002 
Former Gold Beach resident, Jack McLeod, 83, of Grants Pass, died Friday, November 15, 2002 at Oak Lane Retirement Center in Grants Pass. 
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 21 at the Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach with Pastor Tim Brueckner officiating. 
Jack was born April 24, 1919 in Bandon, Oregon to Alex and Syble McLeod. During WWII he served in the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant, Flight Engineer on the B-29s. 
He married Glennis Finley on August 1, 1953 in Coquille, Oregon. She preceded him in death in May of 1982. The couple moved to Gold Beach in 1956, where they started Rogue River Sand and Gravel. He was a member of the Coquille Valley Elks and was past Exalted Ruler. He enjoyed hunting, clam digging and fishing. 
Survivors include: a daughter, Judith Donald, Lakeside, OR; grandsons, Bill Thorp and wife, Sara, Grants Pass, OR, Tim Thorp and wife, Nanauq, Barrow, AK; 5 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lucille McLeod, North Bend, OR; nieces Delores Barkley, Arago, OR and Marta McLeod, Oakland, CA; nephews, Bruce McLeod, and Craig McLeod, all of Walnut Creek, CA. 
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Derry Thorp, in March of 1996 and brothers, Donald McLeod and Bruce McLeod. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Providence, 1660 McAndews Rd. Medford, OR 97504 
Lundberg's L. B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

L. Phillip Paris
Jan. 11, 1943 – Nov. 15, 2002
L. Phillip Paris of Bend, Oregon died Friday, November 15, 2002. Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 23 at the Nativity Lutheran Church in Bend.
Phil was born in Albany, Oregon and lived there from 1943 to 1952. He then lived in Port Orford from 1952 to 1964, then moved to Salem in the early 70s until1985. He resided in Bend with his wife, Pat, since 1985.
After graduating from Oregon State University in 1973, he had been in the accounting profession and owned his own CPA practice since 1976. He was a Vietnam Vet, and served from 1964 to 1965. Phil and his wife, Pat, loved to travel, boat and fish, work in the yard and visit with family and friends.
Survivors include: wife, Patricia “Pat” Paris, Bend, OR; son, Rodney Paris, Portland, OR; daughter, Jennifer Paris, Newport, OR; step-daughter, Debbie Sumption, Medford, OR; step-son, Dan McCleery, Bend, OR; Mother, Cecile Paris, Salem, OR; sister, Judy Disbrow, Salem, OR; and three grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Central Oregon Hospice or any charitable foundation helping children.

Marjorie Betty “Marj” Paxton
Feb. 14, 1919 – Nov. 15, 2002
Marjorie Paxton, 83, of Gold Beach, died November 15, 2002 at Curry General Hospital of natural causes. 
Marj was born February 14, 1919 in Grand Junction, Colorado, a daughter of Fredrick and Hazel (Capron) Coe. She was raised and educated in Ord, Nebraska, and following high school, attended a technical business college. 
During World War II, Marge was employed by a Colorado company on contract to the U.S. government in the war effort. She was employed in various clerical positions during the years she raised her children. 
Following a divorce, she met Gayle Eugene Paxton in 1968, and they were married in Lincoln City, Oregon on September 2,1970. They lived briefly in Lincoln City before following Gayle's work to Honolulu, Hawaii where they resided for four years. During this time, Marge worked for the Bishop Trust and for the Del Webb Corp. 
The couple then moved back to Oregon, where they resided in Portland, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Marge was a homemaker during these years, and enjoyed traveling extensively with Gayle as he worked in a fourteen state area of the Western U.S. 
The couple retired to Gold Beach in 1986, and have made their home at the Four Season’s RV Resort. 
Marge was a lovable person and was easy to get to know. In earlier years, she enjoyed fishing, and loved to travel to new fishing spots. After retirement, she found enjoyment in painting. She attended the St. Charles Catholic Church. 
She leaves behind her husband Gayle, of Gold Beach; twin children, Judy Lamberson of Kennewick, Washington and Steven Richardson and wife Connie, also of Kennewick; a brother, Capron Coe of Nice, France; stepsons, Dennis Paxton, Lonnie Paxton and wife Jody, of Portland, OR; step-daughter, Renee' Bundy and husband Brian, also of Portland; four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Evelyn; and one step-grandchild. 
In memory of Marge's love of cats, memorial donations may be made to Gold Beach's 
North Jetty Cats plus, 94013 Wedderburn Loop, Gold Beach, OR 97444. 
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel in 
Brookings.

Polly Storey
April 7, 1916-October 31, 2002
Mary Pauline Forbes-Johnson Storey formerly of Essex, Massachusetts, Cranberry island, Maine, and a recent resident of Gold Beach, died on October 31, 2002 in Bandon. She was 86.
Born in Milo, Maine in 1916, she was adopted by Harriet Forbes and Harriet Johnson of New York City and attended the City and Country School and Bennington College. She was a graduate of the Clarence White School of Photography in New York City and worked as a professional photographer for a number of years.
At age nineteen she made a solo trip by motorcycle from New York City to Guatemala City, Guatemala where she was received by the President and feted at a state reception given in her honor.
She married Dr. Charles Moorfield Storey of Boston and resided in the Boston area. While working at Sylvania Electronics, she assembled the timer which put the first Lunar Excursion Module into and out of orbit. Later she lived on Great Cranberry Island, Maine, where she served as a public official and as the President of the Cranberry Island Ladies Aide Society.
She had a lifelong interest in land and forest management; as a Maine state tree farmer she undertook her own reforestation project in Maine and devoted the later years of her life to Wild Island Seeds, a cottage industry dedicated to the propagation of island wildflowers. 
She leaves three children; Susan Veronica Aspinwall and her husband, Peter, of Gold Beach; Anderson Storey and his wife, Joan, of Essex, Massachusetts; and Elizabeth Moorfield Selim and her husband, Tarek, of Cairo, Egypt. Also, five grandchildren; David Aspinwall of Campbell, CA; Samuel Aspinwall and his wife, Margaret, of Lewistown, PA; Sarah Tarek Selim of Cambridge, MA; Laila Tarek Selim of Cairo, Egypt; and William Anderson Storey of Essex, MA.
A memorial service is planned for summer, 2003, on Cranberry Island, Maine.

Don G. Clark
Don G. Clark of Gold Beach passed away on November 21, 2002. He was born on March 28, 1935.
No services are planned. A celebration of Don's life will be held at a later date.

Brownie Coldiron
Howard Jesse "Brownie" Coldiron, 79, died at his home in Gold Beach November 22, 2002.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 27 at the Bethany Lutheran Church 
in Gold Beach. Memorial Donations can be sent to Curry Anadromous Fisherman in Gold Beach. 
A complete obituary will follow at a later date. 

Donald C. Hogue 
Donald Charles Hogue, 74, longtime Gold Beach resident, died on Monday, November 11, in Coos Bay. 
He was born on September 5, 1928 in Rogue River, Oregon. Recently, he had been residing at the Life Care Center in Coos Bay. 
No further details were available. Coos Bay Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Dan O. Long
Donald "Dan" O. Long, age 87, of Camas Valley passed away May 31, 2002 in a Roseburg care center. Dan was born November 8, 1914 in Long Beach, California to the late Ira and Carrie (Newkirk) Long. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. 
On October 11, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada he married Betty Jean Lee who preceded him in death in October 1997, after 50 years of marriage. Dan and Betty made their home in Norwalk, CA. where they raised two children. 
Dan worked for Los Angeles County for 30 years. He began as a machinist and made many of his own tools that he used as a mechanic. Later he was promoted to Assistant Automotive Equipment Coordinator for Parks and Recreation, Transportation Divisions. He enjoyed ordering the fleets of trucks and cars along with the Parks and Lakes equipment needed for the entire county. Dan also helped in the engineering of Legg Lake and other man-made lakes. Dan and Betty moved to Gold Beach where they enjoyed watching the Mailboats and the Jerry's Rogue Jets tour up and down the river. Dan spent many happy hunting seasons with his nephew Jim Schafer. He helped out in repairing heavy equipment at Knox's Building Supply. 
Dan and Betty moved to Camas Valley to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Among his hobbies were beer and wine making. He made some of the best beer ever. He was an avid reader, enjoyed deer hunting, traveling and tinkering around and fixing things for family and friends. Dan was always a good neighbor, a real gentleman and a loyal friend. He loved his family fiercely, and told them so not by word, rather by action and the way he lived his life. He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor and wit. 
Dan is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Dana and David Malayny of Camas Valley, Oregon; five grandchildren, Chuck Sanders, and Tanya Sue and husband, Ameed Taylor, Jason Malayny, James Malayny, Nicole and her husband, Gene Wafer; three great grandchildren; Sofiya Taylor, Elijah and Lauren Wafer; one sister, Virginia Bertram; daughter-in-law, Barbara Sanders Mendez; and a special niece and nephew, Marlyn and Jim Schafer. 
One son, James "Barry" Long, and a granddaughter, Amber Christine preceded his death. There has been a family scattering of his ashes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mercy Hospice of Roseburg, in his name. Funeral Alternatives of Roseburg are handling the arrangements and may be reached at: (541) 672-5836.

Donola S. Odermann
A graveside service was held on Saturday, June 29 at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem for Donola Swan Odermann who died on June 18, 2002. She was born on March 17, 1920 in Mill City where she was raised. 
Donola lived in Gold Beach for over 40 years, retiring from First Interstate Bank. 
When she resided in Gold Beach, she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a volunteer with the food bank. Donola will be remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother. 
Survivors include her daughter, Kathie Scott of Salem; son, James Odermann of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren, Brandi Bailey and Rhonda Kerner of Salem, Jeena Graham, Jaime Ferruzca and Jay Odermann of Vancouver; and four great-grandchildren. 
Arrangements were under the direction of Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service of Salem. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brookstone Alzheimer Special Care, c/o Daryl Larson, 5881 Woodside Dr., Salem, OR 97306.

Ralph Lorne Reas
Ralph Lorne Reas, 74, Gold Beach, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford. 
Ralph was born on April 16, 1928 in Spencer, Wisconsin, to Earl and Lillian (Jones) Reas. He attended elementary and high school in Mellen, Wisconsin. At fifteen he started working in the summers in the Merchant Marine shoveling coal on freighter ships on the Great Lakes. In his senior year of high school, he joined the Air Force and became a Radio Signalman and, later, a Staff Sergeant. Ralph initially spent time as part of the Allied Forces that liberated Germany. He was also a proud veteran from the frontlines of the Korean War. 
While in Germany, Ralph met his first wife, Hilda Mueller (now Price) and lived at various time in Milwaukee, Biloxi, San Diego, and Olympia. They later divorced. From this marriage Ralph had three children. He met and married Simone (Serenwood) and lived at Bremerton, Arlington (Texas), Vancouver, and, finally, Gold Beach. He had two step-children through this marriage. After the military, Ralph worked as a Machinist and Shift Supervisor for aviation and defense contractors in California, Washington and Texas in private industry and for the federal government including the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. There were also detours into other trades and professions, such as plumber, roofer, and appliance repairman. He had been a member of several chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 
Among his loves and greatest joys: the mountains and the ocean, hunting deer and elk, ocean fishing and freshwater fishing, reading, (he devoured westerns, adventures, and spy novels), vegetable gardening, watching Wheel of Fortune, picking (and eating) berries, good coffee, and making award-winning pies for friends and family. He also enjoyed, and was good at, playing cribbage and solitaire. Ralph treasured all of his family and was especially proud of his children and grandchildren. 
Ralph is survived by his wife, Simone; his son, Brian Reas, wife Loye and their children Christina and David of Kent, Washington; his daughter, Cindy Lerch, husband Bob and their daughter, Meghan, of Olympia, Washington; his sisters: Ramona Hochstetler and husband, Ben, of Frederic, Wisconsin, and Juanita Gerber and husband, Maynard, of Hayward, Wisconsin; his step-daughter Chris Alstrom, husband, Al, and their children, and step-son Ty Simmons; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Bruce, and brother, Earl. Ralph will be remembered as a kind man with a great sense of humor who could tell stories and jokes like nobody before or since. People were easy in his presence, and gentled by his good soul. His surviving family and friends will miss him very much. 
Private family services will be held when he is interred at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please extend kindness to all who are in need.

Francis (Frank) Edward Rogers
Francis (Frank) Edward Rogers was born August 3, 1924 in Brooklyn, NY; he died June 19, 2002 in Gold Beach, OR 
Frank Rogers always cherished beauty. He sought it in the music he played on the trumpet, in the perfection of the drinks he prepared when bartending, when arranging the memorable meetings for large numbers of people in the agricultural or petrochemical business. He always loved the beauty of the natural world, and shared this interest with his family. 
Frank was enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served mostly in the Pacific aboard wooden subchasers. For people reading this in Gold Beach, those subchasers were only 12 feet longer than the Mary D. Hume. His most memorable experiences involved his service on the subchasers, and the time he spent in the Philippines. 
He chose homes that offered many opportunities to see natural beauty. These included his Malibu, California location, overlooking what was then a colorful blanket of geranium fields, and beyond that, the ocean. Next he chose a beautiful lakefront location in New Jersey. This was followed by a transfer to southern California, where he chose a home in an area where you could smell orange and lemon blossoms in addition to eucalyptus. At night, the lights of the lower areas were a lovely sight. After this, he and his wife decided to retire to an area of low population and the spectacular scenery of the Oregon Coast in Gold Beach. He and Evelyn were not only surrounded by tall Douglas fir trees, foxglove, deer, raccoons, and many hummingbirds, but also by the love of caring friends and neighbors. The warmth we felt from their concern during his illness has helped his wife and daughters deal with the loss of a husband and father. 
Frank is survived by his wife of 51 years, Evelyn; his daughters, Nancy Rogers of Santa Barbara and Susan Grella of Cherry Hill, New Jersey; he is also survived by his grandchildren, David, Peter, and Catherine Grella. He will be missed. 
A funeral mass will be said at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Ridgewood, NY. Internment will be at St. John's Cemetery in Queens, NY.
Anyone wishing to make contributions honoring his memory may send it to:
Curry County Home Health and Hospice
29984 Ellensburg
Gold Beach, OR 97444

John Edward Thomas
A celebration of life will be held for John Edward Thomas at the Milwaukee Elks Lodge #2032 in Portland, at 2 p.m., July 21. John passed away June 30 in Portland. He was 74 years old. John was the proud parent of 5 children, who drove truck most of his life, delivering oil to service stations all over Oregon and Washington. He retired with his wife Mary in 1984. They picked Gold Beach to set-up home for summer's and loved to winter in Arizona. He did enjoy his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Milwaukee; three sisters, Phyllis, Carol and Pam; daughter, Nancy Streeter of Milwaukee; sons, John of Vancouver, WA., Mark of Milwaukee and Troy of Gold Beach. John has 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren with one more due in February. Family suggests contributions to a favorite charity.


Search this massive database of obituaries, cemeteries, and death records:


CEMSEARCH - OBITUARY CENTRAL - OBITUARY LINKS PAGE - SURNAME SEARCH UTILITY