Jerry Lee Coleman, age 95, a resident of Rufus, OR, passed away February 11, 2023. A Family Interment will be held at the Methodist Cemetery in Wasco, OR at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Oleta Fern (Whittenberg) Hackett, age 97, passed away on January 23, 2023. A resident of The Dalles for nearly 70 years, Oleta was born in Elk City, Oklahoma to parents William Lester and Essie (Freels) Whittenberg. At an early age, the family fled the dustbowls of Oklahoma to settle on farmlands near Yakima. Oleta was the only girl in a family with three brothers. During Word War II, she did her share by working in a military plane factory.
After the war, Oleta married Lincoln Hackett. They were married for 72 years, until Lincoln’s death in 2019. They had one child, Gary Hackett, a current resident of Goldendale.
The family moved to The Dalles in 1954, after purchasing a sheet metal shop. Until their retirement in the 1990s, they were involved in a number of sheet metal businesses, culminating in Link’s Custom Sheetmetal. Oleta attended to the business end, while Lincoln operated the shop. She also held positions in doctor and accounting offices in The Dalles. She was regularly involved in charitable endeavors helping cancer patients.
Following retirement, the couple traveled extensively throughout the continent in RV caravans with their friends. They spent many winters camping in Arizona.
Oleta valued her family above all else. She is survived by her son Gary, grandson David Hackett and granddaughter Tamra Greig, as well as six great-granddaughters. She also kept in regular contact with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Oleta was one of the last of her generation. She cherished her friends, old and new.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation directly to the Red Cross Cascades Region in Oleta’s memory. You may do so online at https://www.redcross.org/donate. Just below the area where you can choose a designation you should see a box you can select to “Dedicate this gift to a friend or loved one”, you would then just enter her name there. If you prefer to send a check, you should mail it to: Red Cross – Cascades Region; Attn: Lily Gurnavage, Development Office; 3131 N. Vancouver Ave.; Portland, OR 97227. The family has decided not to schedule a Memorial Service. Her cremains will eventually be located next to Lincoln at the Tahoma Cemetery, in Yakima, Washington.
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Kaarin Lind Brown was called home to be with her Lord and Savior after a long-fought battle with cancer. Kaarin was born on May 4th, 1954, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Astrid Lindson-Brown and Frank Brown, joining her older sister Kris. While born on a Naval Base in Norfolk, she would spend several years in Great Lakes, Illinois, before her family was transferred to the housing unit in National City, California as Frank served at the San Diego Naval Base. Kaarin graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1972 and later attended Southwestern College, graduating in 1975.
Following her sister, Kris, Kaarin moved to The Dalles in the late 70s. She worked at Young’s Sporting Goods and Williams Clothing Store before beginning a job at R&R Sytech, staying with the company until it was sold in the early 2000s, and continued working for TerraSpacial Technologies until 2009. Kaarin was an expert AutoCAD operator, often being sent to other states around the country to assist with training.
Kaarin was an active member of Gateway Presbyterian Church, before that was an active member of Zion Lutheran teaching Sunday School. Kaarin loved life and never knew a stranger. She loved sewing and making crafts with her grandkids and taking care of her “mom” Rosemary.
She is survived by her daughter, Maegin Buchanan and husband Stewart, grandchildren Aela, Arden, and Addy, The Dalles. She is also survived by her extended family, the LeSollens and their spouses. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Brown and mother Astrid Lindson-Brown, and sister Kris Petroff.
A Memorial services will be held at Gateway Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 pm.
Molly Ann Mengis, age 58, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 4, 2023. Mass Will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church in The Dalles, OR, on February 17, 2023 at 2:30pm followed by a Celebration of Life at The Dalles Discovery Center at 4:30pm, 5000 Discovery Dr The Dalles, OR. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Eileen Ruth Gurley, beloved mother, nana and granana sadly passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, in The Dalles, Oregon with her daughter by her side at the age of 89. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She was born to Kenneth Emmet Cook and Lois Virginia Hines in Mountain Home, Idaho in 1933. In 1938, her parents divorced, and she lived with her grandparents until her mother married Roy Luther Duncan and the family moved to California, living on Balboa Island. Her father Kenneth married Lillian Jennie Rogers. Kenneth and Lillian had four children, Jennie, Phil, Roger and Ron. Eileen would not meet these siblings until she was and adult and was overjoyed to do so.
She had many happy memories of her grandparents George and Anna Hines on their farm in Mountain Home and of grandparents Myron and Helen Cook. She loved to help with chores on the farm and get into mischief, being quite good at the latter. She once covered the entire floor of her grandpa Hines workshop floor with cat tail fluff, jumping into it off his workbench.
One day she excitedly told her grandma and grandpa Hines that she was in the school Christmas play and got to hold up one of the letters to spell Christmas. Her grandpa Hines asked her which one and when she told him H, he said that must be for hellion. Her grandpa Cook always told her that her middle name of Ruth stood for ruthless.
In the early 1950s, the family moved to Grass Valley, Oregon to be near Roy’s family. Eileen attended Moro High School, home of the Huskies. While in high school she was on the staff of the Huskey, the school’s newspaper and annual staff, the glee club, student council, Future Homemakers of America, and was in the senior class play as Mrs. Logan in Pure as The Driven Snow. She graduated in 1953 with a graduating class of 14.
Eileen was a spunky teenager and told stories of her life in Grass Valley. She and her friends kept quite busy in school and in numerous other activities to include putting sheep in the high school gym and returning with hay to feed them. Disassembling a piece of farm equipment and reassembling it in the hotel lobby and painting the town of Wasco red literally, by painting the sidewalks red.
After high school Eileen went to work at the truck stop in Biggs Junction, Oregon, where she met the love of her life Clifford Gurley. They eloped and were married in Goldendale WA. September 22, 1958.
Clifford worked in road construction and building power lines across Washington and Oregon. Working in different locations meant that the couple traveled a lot and lived in several cities including Wenatchee, WA., and Baker City and Cascade Locks, Oregon. They finally settled down buying a small house in Wood Village, Oregon where their only child Wendy was born.
In the early 60s Eileen and Clifford moved to The Dalles, to settle down and make a home. Clifford would go on to travel for his job, leaving Eileen and Wendy to stay in The Dalles so Wendy wouldn’t have to change schools with moving around. Even with working away from home, he was always home on the weekends.
Eileen stayed busy making friends and doing activities. She was on a bowling league for several years, was the leader of her daughter’s brownie group and spent time with the Home Extension group learning skills including home canning. However, one of her favorite pastimes was fishing for steelhead on the Deschutes River with her friend Loraine every summer.
Eileen went to work for Stadelman Fruit in the 70s and started as a sorter, then became one of their first female forklift drivers which at that time was not well accepted. She took great pride in her work, finally retiring as a plant supervisor. Her years spent there were some of the happiest of her life, meeting many of her dearest friends.
After retiring, Eileen kept busy with yard work and doing projects around the house. When she wasn’t busy with that she was volunteering in the community. First as a victim’s advocate for the elderly, CASA, and later helping at Chenoweth Elementary. The children all loved her very much for her kind but firm manner and her sense of humor. However, her biggest joy was loving her family. Her husband Clifford, daughter Wendy and husband Jim, grandchildren and then great grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter Wendy of The Dalles, OR (husband Jim and daughter Chelsea), brother Ken of Oro Valley, AZ (wife Coleen), sister-in-law Ida Duncan of Eugene, OR, sister Jennie Lane of Clatskanie, Or (husband Dave), brothers Ron, Robert and Phil cook (wife Eliene). Granddaughter Kyra Shoptaw of Milwaukie, OR (spouse J), Grandson Duncan Shoptaw of Vancouver, WA (wife Amanda, sons Jamesen, Andrew, and Fletcher and daughters Chloee and Ella), and many extended family and friends.
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Gurley, older sister Barbara Cantrall, baby brother Harold Duncan, and beloved niece Chrissy Cantrall.
Funeral arrangements are with Spencer, Libby, and Powell, The Dalles, Oregon. Memorial service with be at 11 am, Friday February 17th in the chapel. Private burial will follow.
Potluck gathering for family and friends will follow the burial from 2-5 at Eileen Gurley’s home in The Dalles, Or.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Betty Marie Middleton, age 82, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 5, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall February 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Janice Lola Satanus, age 83, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away February 3, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Clarence Coyne VanderJack, age 74, a resident of Juneau, AK, passed away February 4, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Siniivao M. Punefu, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 2, 2023. A Viewing will be held March 9, 2023 at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home at 12:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall March 10, 2023 at 10:00 am. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Richard Allen Harmon, age 78, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away January 31, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Mary Ruth Lingo, 93, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 29, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Eulalie May Morehouse Welk, 97, died Jan. 25, 2023, at her home in Pendleton, Oregon, with daughters and granddaughters at her side. She was born July 31, 1925 at Klondike, Oregon. A family service was held at Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home. Interment was at Odd Fellows Cemetery in The Dalles. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Paula Joyce Wharton, age 80, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 24, 2023. A family Graveside Service will be held at the Kelly Cemetery in Maupin, OR January 28, 2023 at 10:00 am. A Memorial Service will be held at the Covenant Church in The Dalles, OR February 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Hildegard Reinertsen, age 92, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 22, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Clarence Eugene Turner passed away peacefully at home on January 24, 2023, at the age of 91. He was born at Longview, Washington in 1931, the first of three sons born to Delbert and Esther (Grandbois) Turner.
Clarence attended elementary school in Rose Valley. In 1950 he graduated from Castle Rock High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force, being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clarence served as an airplane mechanic, being one of only a few servicemen at the time qualifying for a license to taxi fighter jets. As he enjoyed being productive and making good use of time, Clarence spent weekends working on a cattle ranch during his time at Nellis.
Upon his honorable military discharge, Clarence returned to Castle Rock and was employed by Rupley Chevrolet as a mechanic and tow truck driver. He was later promoted to service manager.
After completion of building their first home, Clarence and Patricia Root were married in December 1959. As an example of his dedicated work ethic, over the years during evenings and weekends Clarence built three more houses, including remodeling an abandoned grainery into a home, plus the adaptation of a dairy barn into an automotive repair shop.
Upon closure of the auto dealership in 1975, Clarence and Pat began their next successful venture, opening Clarence’s Auto Repair. In 1999 they retired and moved to Wasco, Oregon to be closer to family. After retirement Clarence became an avid collector of rocks and minerals, with a special interest in Yogo sapphires. Clarence and Pat spent many summers in Montana mining for sapphires and spending time with numerous friends and acquaintances there. Although by nature he was reserved, Clarence always enjoyed visiting with folks about rocks and gems, and it was not unusual for him to share specimens from his collection, to the delight of the recipient.
Over the years Clarence and his family enjoyed many outdoor adventures together, including raising livestock, fishing, clamming, crabbing, shrimping and shucking oysters. The family spent time at locations on the Cowlitz River, Washington Coast and Hood Canal. In later years he enjoyed following the adventures of his grandchildren including their participation in sporting and 4-H events, school activities, and all of their milestones and accomplishments.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ray and Thomas. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia; daughter Jenine (Ron) McDermid; son Jeffery (Kelly) Turner; grandchildren Dan McDermid and Daryn (Tylor) Reynolds.
A graveside service has been scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2023 1:00pm at Sunrise Cemetery, located near Wasco, OR. The family expresses their appreciation for the care provided by the fourth-floor staff at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in making it possible for Clarence to spend his final days at home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Sherman County Ambulance, PO Box 139, Moro OR 97039 or Sherman County Community Transit, PO Box 365, Moro OR 97039.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Michael David Shinnick Jr., age 52, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 23, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Wallace Alan Sprenger, age 70, a resident of Lyle, WA, passed away January 22, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Daniel Joesph Wright
February 8th, 1964-January 21, 2023
Daniel “Dan” Wright passed away at his home surrounded by his wife Angela Wright and family. He was born in Boise Idaho to Thomas Todd Wright and Sandra Jean (Turnipseed) on February 8th 1964. He grew up in Boise with his two siblings Curt Wright and Corey (Wright) Whipps and attended Franklin Elementary and then went on to Capital High School.He developed many life long friends and many wonderful memories. They often refer to him as Danny.
He Graduated in 1982 and went on to attend college which he followed that with a job in laying wallpaper, he eventually found a life long career as an electrician. He worked for Romar Electric in Boise Idaho until he made the decision to start his own company Contact Electric. He was well known in the industry and served residents and businesses well throughout the Treasure Valley.
He resided for many years in Nampa, Idaho and enjoyed riding horses, which he shared that passion with his daughter Haylie. He also volunteered and helped with High School Rodeo. His Hobbies also include bird hunting, camping, gardening, fishing and boating. Angela and Dan enjoyed traveling together and took many trips together local and far such as Greece, Costa Rica and one of their favorite places the San Juan Islands.
In 2019, Dan changed directions in his career with an opportunity to use all he has gained in a more managerial position at Whiting and Turner which landed him in The Dalles Oregon to work on a large construction project. In 2021 he was hired on at JE Dunn from Kansas City working in Hillsboro, Oregon and he quickly became an integral part of the team and project and an important person at JE Dunn.He was not only the point man to go to when they needed an answer, he also showed his coworkers his appreciation for their efforts and contribution. They loved working with Dan.
Dan had an infectious smile, laugh and dazzling blue eyes. He made many friends, and was always there when someone needed him. Bold and forthright you knew where Daniel Wright stood. He was a real friend and you were a lucky person if you knew him.
Dan will be missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his wife and best friend Angela, hIs children Haylie Wright from Fort Worth Texas and Cody Melby from Washington State. His mother Sandra Jean (Turnipseed) Wright from Eagle Idaho, his father Preceded in death Thomas Todd Wright and sister Corey (Wright) Whipps from Eagle Idaho and Brother Curt Wright from Montana, Sue Kohls from Boise, Idaho, Vicki (Turnipseed )Russell and Uncle Tim Russell from Cottonwood Idaho and Sister In-law Vivian Wright and many nieces, nephews, step children and step grandkids who all loved him and last but not least his hunting dog and pal Cisco his one year old Llewellin Setter.
We invite you to share a story and bring all your joy to commemorate this wonderful man Daniel Wright. His Celebration of life will be held on March 4th at Riverside Hotel starting 5 p.m.
Michael Timothy Antonowicz, age 70, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 23, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Oleta Fern Hackett, age 97, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 23, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.