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Billy Jo Bell
Billy Jo Bell was born April 16, 1936,
in Lamesa, Texas, and raised in Lubbock, Texas. At the young age
of 18, Billy enlisted in the Marines, where he was a military
police officer.
After his enlistment was over, he got a
job as a carpenter, and then went on to work at Sonoco, where he
worked for more than 30 years as a machine tender. While having
a passion for baseball cards with his son, Husty, he opened the
Batter’s Box in Perris, Calif.
Billy retired early for medical reasons,
and got into gardening; growing all types of veggies and selling
as a certified market producer at farmers markets. When that got
to be too much for him, he enjoyed traveling, going to movies
and just spending time with his family.
Ever since Billy was little he had a
passion for singing gospel and country music. Everyone knew him
as “the honky-tonk man.”
Billy passed away Feb. 9, 2009, with his
daughters, Robin and Allyson, and niece, Edie, by his side at
the Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, Calif. He died of
heart failure, but also had cancer of the liver and kidneys.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara
Bell, of California; his daughters, Robin Brewer, of California,
and Allyson Struzan, of Cascade Locks, Ore.; sons Andrew, Robert
and James Asendorf, all of California; six grandchildren and
nine great-grandchildren.
Billy joins his late son, Husty, in his
final resting place at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside,
Calif.
Colleen Jepson
Colleen Hollis Jepson passed away
Sunday, March 15, 2009, at her home in Hood River surrounded by
her family. She is the beloved mother of Nathan, Tanner and
Allie, who were the center of her life. She is also survived by
Ron Jepson.
Colleen was born April 19, 1964, in
Aurora, Minn. After graduating from Lutheran High School in
Gresham, Ore., she served in the U.S. Army and went on to pursue
a career in wildland fire with the U.S. Forest Service. She had
earned an associate’s degree in psychology and was working
toward a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology. Until
she passed, Colleen was a dispatcher with the Rocky Mountain
Coordination Center in Denver, Colo.
She is deeply missed and will forever be
remembered in our hearts. There will be a Celebration of Life at
Colleen’s home from 1-5 p.m. March 21.
In lieu of flowers the Jepson Family
Education Fund has been established at the Bank of America.
Cards for the family may be sent to 2677 Dee Highway, Hood
River, OR 97031.
Arrangements are under the direction of
Gardner Funeral Home, (509) 493-1323.
Deloris York
Deloris York passed away peacefully at
home on Friday, March 13, 2009, with her family by her side.
Deloris was born in Essex, Iowa, on March 08, 1925, to Ray and
Dorothy Smith. She was the eldest of five.
In 1946 she married Olvirn York and
together they had two children, Michael and Pamela. Because Vern
worked in construction they traveled around the Northwest, where
the work was. Vern passed in 1983 to cancer.
Deloris worked as an apartment and motel
manager for 20 years and when growing up worked as a grocery
store checker.
Deloris was the most proud of her
family. She loved them all very much, and in her eyes they could
do no wrong. With them is where she was the happiest. She so
enjoyed the trips that she and her daughter, Pam, went on,
whether it was across the United States and back, up to Canada
or a trip to the “big city.” It didn’t matter as long as they
were together.
When she wasn’t traveling she loved to
go over to Michael’s house and watch the grass grow and the deer
running in the yard. A cancer survivor herself in 1987, Deloris
and the other three generations of girls in the family
participate in the Relay For Life yearly.
Deloris moved into Down Manor in
February 2000, where she was known as “Sarge.” Never was a
person happier than Deloris was at the “manor.” While there she
was the paper delivery and on-call person if someone needed
assistance. This is where “her other daughter,” Teresa, worked.
She will leave behind her brother, Bud
Smith; daughter, Pam Hawkins and son-in-law, Al; son, Michael
York, and daughter-in-law, Marjorie; grandchildren Suzy Coreson
and her husband, Darin, James Monroe and his wife, Julie, Kasey
Jones and her husband, Dan, and Jeramie York and his wife,
Shelly; and great-grandchildren Sara, Joseph, Spencer and Annie.
She is preceded in death by twin sisters
Jean Melhorn and Joan Bloom; brother Fred Smith and
great-grandchild, Mikey Monroe.
Deloris has touched many lives, and her
quick wit and tells-it-like-it-is attitude will be dearly missed
by those who knew her and loved her. You never had to wonder
what she was thinking. She let you know without being asked.
A Celebration of Life at Down Manor,
where her other family lived, will be at 3 p.m. on Wednesday,
March 18. .The family asks in lieu of flowers please make
donations to the Heart of Hospice in Deloris’ name in care of
Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations),
1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Please
visit
www.andersonstributecenter.com to sign the family guest
book.
David Miller
David Eli Miller passed away peacefully
at his home March 13, 2009, following a long battle with
Multiple System Atrophy. A longtime resident of Wasco, Ore., he
had moved to Hood River with his wife, Rose, so that they could
be near family.
Graveside services will be held
Saturday, March 21, at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. A time
of remembering, food and fellowship will be held afterward at
the Miller-Griffin home on Seventh and Eugene streets.
He was born in Goldendale, Wash., Jan.
31, 1925, the fourth child of Eli and Luella (Beeks) Miller. His
father passed away before his birth. He grew up and attended
school in Goldendale and then entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and
became an aircraft mechanic. He was stationed in the Philippine
Islands as an Aviation Machinists Mate 2nd Class until his
discharge in 1946.
His parents, one brother, Franklin
Miller, and two sisters, Lucille Kappel and Iona Keil, as well
as one stepson, Bill (Jude) Crown, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years,
Rose Crown Miller, of Hood River, Ore.; one son, Scott Miller,
of Wasco, Ore.; one stepson, John Crown, of Sherwood, Ore.; and
two stepdaughters, Denise VandeBruggen, of Damascus, Ore., and
Martha Griffin and her husband, Don, of Hood River, Ore.
David considered himself to be the
luckiest man in the world with his 12 step-grandchildren. This
love was returned many times by his family. It was said by all:
Having Grandpa Dave was the best thing that ever happened to
them: K.C. Crown and his wife, Doreen, of Rochester, Wash.,
Julia Crown and her husband, Matt Lowery, of Portland, Ore.,
Jennifer Crown, of Walla Walla, Wash., Annie Griffin Service and
her husband, Tristan Service, Aaron Griffin, Abbey Griffin
Wanzek and her husband, Tom Wanzek, of Corvallis, Ore., Amber
and Amy Griffin, of Hood River, Ore., Pieter VandeBruggen, of
Vancouver, Wash., Hans VandeBruggen, of Portland, Ore.; Mathys
VandeBruggen and his wife, Erica, and Hendrik VandeBruggen, all
of Inglewood, Calif.
He had one step-great-grandson, Michail
Crown, of Rochester. He is also survived by one niece, Charlene
Vanverveldon, of Salishan, Ore., and two nephews, Ron Keil, of
Vancouver, Wash., and Doug Keil and his wife, Connie, of
Stayton, Ore.
He had a life-long talent and love for
mechanics and had owned and operated Miller Motors in Wasco,
Ore., for more than 50 years. He was highly thought of in
Sherman County and many of the ranchers used to talk about the
creative repairs he had made during harvest season, referring to
them as “Miller Specials”!
David went to Wasco in the early 1950s
to work as a mechanic. After awhile the man he worked for went
out of business and he found himself on his own. When the lease
ran out on the building he rented, it looked like he would have
to move elsewhere.
At that point 15 Sherman County ranchers
banded together and loaned him the $15,000 to build a shop
building. Another person provided the land and many others
helped in other ways, donating materials and time to help him
start operating. He started in business with a “captive”
clientele; the lenders needed to be sure he succeeded!
He was always respected for his
dedication and honesty.
Dave was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed
teaching many young people how to shoot and handle firearms
safely. Dave used his GI school benefits to learn to fly. He
owned three airplanes during his flying “career.” One was a 1928
Lincoln Page, which is one of only six remaining in the world.
He was thrilled to be able to “visit” it in a California museum
a year ago.
He also owned a “J-3” and a Piper Super
Cub which he would fly out to a ranch on service calls if an
opportunity presented itself. He loved any engine operated by
steam, and he collected antique gas engines and other historical
equipment.
He was a member of the Antique Airplane
Club, the Early Day Gas Engine Club, the Oregon Steam Fiends and
the Sherman County Historical Society, and was a life member or
the N.R.A.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the Sherman County Historical Society, the Klickitat
County Historical Society, Hospice of the Gorge or the charity
of your choice in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals,
Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR
97031; (541) 386-1000. Please visit
www.andersonstributecenter.com to sign the family guest
book.
James ‘Jimmy’ Maher
James William “Jimmy” Maher, 48, a Hood
River, Ore., resident, died March 14, 2009, at Providence Hood
River Memorial Hospital.
A Celebration of Life service will be
held on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at Anderson’s Tribute
Center.
Jimmy was born Aug. 5, 1950, in
Lancaster, Calif., to Francis and Beryl (Ballas) Maher. He was
raised and educated in Lancaster, graduating from Antelope
Valley High School in 1978. He played high school football,
winning the district championship in 1977 and was awarded Player
of the Year.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1980
until 1984 and was stationed in Germany. Following his discharge
from the Army, Jimmy lived in Bend, Ore., for several years then
in Tehachapi, Calif., coming to Hood River in 2007. He enjoyed
bicycling, his black Labrador, sports and listening to music.
He was preceded in death by his father,
Francis Maher, in August 2007.
Survivors include his mother, Beryl
Maher, of Hood River, Ore.; brothers Michael Maher, of
Lancaster, Calif., and Joseph Maher, of Lompoc, Calif.; and two
sisters, Rebecca Quinn, of Tualatin, Ore., and Theresa Brogna,
of Hood River, Ore. Several nephews and two nieces also survive.
Interment will be at Willamette National
Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to
VFW Operation Uplink, a charity to connect active-duty troops
and hospitalized veterans with their loved ones, in care of
Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations),
1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Please
visit
www.andersonstributecenter.com to sign the family guest
book.
Avanell Miller
Avanell Miller died March 6, 2009, in
Hood River, Ore. She was born Aug. 3, 1915, in or near
Battleground, Wash., to Mae Ricketts Beer and Samuel Beer.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Clyde H. Miller; son, Clyde W. Miller; daughter, Judy,
and granddaughter, Lorrie, as well as her brothers, Woodrow,
Ivan, Harold and Richard Beer.
She is survived by her daughter, Ruth
Eileen Herring, of Bremerton, Wash.; son, Raymond E. Miller, and
his wife, Connie, of Husum, Wash., as well as numerous
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and
great-great-grandchildren.
During her lifetime Avanell lived in
Manor, Battleground, Hockinson and Snowden, in Washington; also
in Vernonia, Portland, Milwaukee, Oregon City, Mapleton,
Florence, Springfield and Hood River, in Oregon, as well as in
Yuma, Ariz.
Jan Hastings
Janice Kay Hastings went home to her
Lord and Savior on March 12, 2009. Jan was born on Sept. 15,
1940, in Kingman, Kan. She was the youngest of eight children
born to Alva Dutton and Laota Belle Winfrey.
After graduating from high school, Jan
attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., where she
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She
then taught in several different school districts in Johnson
County, Kan., and her favorite grade to teach was second grade.
In June of 1976, Jan moved to Hood
River, Ore., with her family when her husband, Bob, accepted a
position with United Telephone Company. She enjoyed her
involvement with Beta Sigma Phi sorority — especially in
adopting a family for Christmas each year. Jan also worked for
the Hood River County Elections Board.
Other activities Jan enjoyed were
gardening, sewing, cooking, crafts and going to garage sales
with her friends. An avid sports fan, you could often find Jan
rooting for her favorite teams, including the Portland Trail
Blazers. She also spent time managing her husband’s home
business.
Most important to Jan were her family
and friends. Always there with a kind ear, a sense of humor, or
a special little treat and hug for her grandsons, she will be
deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.
Jan is survived by Bob, her husband of
47 years; her son, Bryan; daughter, Robyn; son-in-law, Randal;
grandsons Evan and Alex; and her beloved cats, Oreo and Mabel.
She is also survived by her sister,
Thelma, and brother-in-law, Bernard Morisse, of Richfield, Kan.;
sisters Louise Herrera, of Denver, Colo., and Anita and her
husband, Jim Evans, of El Dorado, Kan.; and brother Eugene
Dutton and his wife, Virginia, of Kingman, Kan.
Jan is also survived by her brother- and
sister-in-law, John and Marlys Patton, of Emporia, Kan.,
brother- and sister-in-law, Dave and Carol Honza, of Columbia,
Md.; her mother-in-law, Viola Hastings, of Emporia, Kan.; and
many nieces and nephews.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents
and brothers, Wilbur, Lester and Charles Dutton.
A public viewing will take place at
Anderson Tribute Center on Thursday, March 19, from 3-6 p.m. A
family viewing will take place beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday,
March 20, with a graveside service to follow at Idlewilde
Cemetery at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m.
at Valley Christian Church with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be
made in Jan’s name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in
care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions,
Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541)
386-1000. Please visit
www.andersonstributecenter.com to sign the family guest
book.
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