System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!William Stevens
William Odell Stevens, 54, of Baker City, died July 2, 2004, at his home.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop Thomas Brock of the Valley Ward will conduct the service. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 o'clock tonight at Coles Funeral Home.
Bill was born July 29, 1949, at McNary, Ariz., to Robert Odell and Geneva R. Pettyjohn Stevens. He married Nancy Jefferies on Nov. 9, 1974, at Phoenix, Ariz. They moved to Baker City in 1981 from Abilene, Texas.
Bill worked with the Americans With Disabilities Act in special programs such as hearing aid, wheel chair issues and many others to help people with disabilities. When he had time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gold panning. He was loved by many and will be missed.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Stevens of Baker City; his mother, Geneva Ball; his sister, Jackie Hodge and her husband, Ronnie; brothers, Jimmy Ball, Danny and Becky, Doug, Jennifer and Daryl, and many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Odell Stevens, and a younger brother, Lee.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Primary Children's Hospital through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Steve' Wulk
Steven C. "Steve" Wulk, 37, of Baker City, died July 4, 2004, of natural causes at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
There will be no service. Cremation was held.
Steve was born May 1, 1967, at Bend to John H. and Sharon Williams Wulk. He received his elementary education at Bend and was a graduate of Waldport High School at Waldport.
Steve enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving 9Þ years and traveling all over the world. After his discharge, he came back to Baker City where he had worked for Radford Trucking.
Steve loved to hunt, fish and camp and never missed a chance to do those activities. He also enjoyed competition target shooting and varmint hunting. And he enjoyed taking his daughter four-wheeling.
He loved his dog, "Willy, " and was very much a people person, enjoying whomever he talked to. He was a member of the Powder River Sportsman club.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Wulk of Baker City; parents, John and Sharon Wulk of Baker City; a sister, Kelly Capasso of Bend; his grandmother, Jackie Wulk of Baker City; nephews, Chris, Cody and Cam Capasso; and numerous friends from all over the globe.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bud Wulk.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Powder River Sportsman Club through the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814.
Jerry Green
Jerry Green, 63, a Baker City resident for 34 years, died June 13, 2004, at Phoenix, Ariz., where he was waiting for a liver transplant.
His funeral was June 19 at Rupert, Idaho. There will be no memorial service in Baker City.
He was born on Nov. 5, 1940, at Rawlins, Wyo. He worked as a serviceman for Oregon Trail Electric Co-op and was a collector of Lincoln cars. He was the owner of a 1957 Premier.
Survivors include his wife, Beth Green of Baker City; and a daughter, Millie Miller of La Grande.
‘Ted' Morin
Theodore O. "Ted" Morin, 97, of Baker City, died July 6, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Gene Saunders of the Blue Mountain Foursquare Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 8 o'clock tonight at Gray's West & Co.
Ted was born on Jan. 16, 1907, at Hereford to Lewis C. and Laura E. Morin. He married his soul mate, Emma Marie VanCleave, on Aug. 16, 1930, at Weiser, Idaho. She died in September 1986.
Ted lived his entire life in Baker County. He was employed as a mail route driver for the U.S. Postal Service and also drove the Pondosa and Medical Spring school bus. He loved gardening and enjoyed his church and helping others.
Survivors include his sister, Gladys Ward of Baker City; a brother, Claude Morin of Utah; a sister-in-law, Juanita VanCleave; caregiver, Mildred Winward; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and four brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Babe' Andrew
Wilma LaRee "Babe" White Andrew, 80, of Baker City, died July 7, 2004, at her home.
Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. The grave site will be dedicated by Bob Brady of Baker City.
Babe was born on Oct. 9, 1923, to William Thomas Hickey and Emile Cole Hickey on the family farm near Ontario where she grew up with 11 brothers and sisters.
She married Jack White on June 22, 1939. They made their home in Baker City where they raised eight sons and one daughter. Babe was a loving mother who enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and family functions.
Survivors include her daughter, Sherri White of Baker City; son, Gary White of Baker City, son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Debbie White of Baker City, son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Claudette White of Waitsburg Wash., son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Cecilia White of Baker City, son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Sharon White of Pasco Wash., son, Monty White of Baker City, and son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Carole White of Waitsburg Wash.; a sister, Sally Down of Pasco Wash.; 26 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack White; and a son, Richard White of Portland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children's Hospital through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Oregon 97814.
Wayne Roath
Wayne Allen Roath, 70, a former Baker City resident, died July 8, 2004, at Parker, Ariz., after a three-year fight with cancer.
He was born in August of 1933 and had lived in the Baker County area from 1971 to 1989.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Roath; a son, Allen Roath, and daughter-in-law, Bridgette; and Patty Nee Roath.
Gerard Blair
Gerard Blair, 70, a longtime Baker City resident, died June 25, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
There was a vigil service for Mr. Blair at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. A Memorial Mass was at 11 a.m. Monday at the cathedral. The Revs. Robert C. Irwin and Camillus Fernando concelebrated the Mass. There was a reception in Gerard's memory at the Baker Elks Lodge after the service.
An outpouring of both grief and hope marks the passing of Gerard Blair, born in Baker City in 1933. He was an athlete at St. Francis Academy; letterman, captain of the basketball team, and member of the football team. He graduated from high school in 1951. He was a war veteran who served in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1960.
At Basche-Sage, John Day Hardware and Blair's Coast to Coast, among others, Gerard showed an exceptional knowledge in his field of trade and tireless dedication to helping and advising his customers. He was an accomplished outdoorsman who loved to go hunting and fishing with his friends.
He also was a handyman, woodworker, a crafter of fine violins and a gardener with a green thumb (just like his father before him). He was a past trustee of the Benevolent Order of Elks. He was named Elk of the Year in 1986 for his loyal and meritorious services. He was a member of Bishop Leipzig General Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a supporter of Baker City athletes.
Gerard will be remembered for a number of things: He was a man of impeccable integrity, a believer in the principles of ethics, a Catholic of firm belief in our Lord and hope of resurrection of the saints.
More than all this, however, Gerard will be remembered as a father of six children who he loved with unflagging devotion and a grandfather and great-grandfather of many children who he cared for with an abundance of patience and kindness. Gerard will be remembered as an affectionate brother with a sense of humor that kept everyone laughing.
He also was the neighbor who watched over those around him — from widows needing a helping hand to children needing popsicles on hot summer afternoons.
How many friends has Gerard asked to go first or offered his hand for support? How many travelers has he pulled out of snow banks or given directions on remote roads? Nobody knows. As a humble man, he quietly went about his business bringing us closer to God by example.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Helen Foster
Helen E. Foster, 92, a longtime Baker resident, died June 25, 2004, at her home.
At her request cremation was held and there will be no services.
Helen Elizabeth Foster was born Oct. 22, 1911, in Poland, one of seven children. She attended Catholic schools in the Chicago area.
Upon graduation from high school, she packed her bags, got on a train and ventured out West to Sun Valley, Idaho, where she was employed as a personal maid to the movie stars who vacationed there. She proudly told stories of meeting many of the big screen actors and actresses and became friends with many of them.
While working at Sun Valley, she met Marvin L. Foster, a bellboy at the same resort. They were married on May 26, 1940. After staying in Sun Valley awhile longer, they moved to California where their first two children were born.
They eventually moved to Boise, where they stayed for several years. In 1959, on a trip to Portland, they stayed overnight at the Tower Motel and a few months later moved to Baker City as the new owners of that establishment.
They went on to purchase the Green Gables Motel in Baker City and made that their home for many years. In 1988, they sold the motel and bought a residence in Baker City to retire to. Mrs. Foster was always very active and truly enjoyed being with people.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Marvin; a daughter, Gail Foster, and her husband, Bruce Stofer, and a daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Tim Pope of Baker City.
She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Allan, in 1988.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Oscar Coen
Oscar Hoffman Coen, 87, of Baker City, died June 23, 2004, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise.
There will be no funeral. His wife, Virginia, will be happy to receive friends and relatives at her home in a few days.
Oscar Coen was born at Hannaford, N.D., on May 11, 1917, to Archie and Mary Coen. He grew up in Pound, Wis., and received his bachelor of science degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Shortly thereafter, Col. Coen crossed into Canada to take basic training in flying aircraft with the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was a short time before he found himself in England, flying with the British 71st all American Eagle Squadron, where World War II was in pursuit of victory for the allies.
In 1941 he took a long detour through France, after his fighter plane was damaged by debris from an ammunition train he attacked. Two months later he was back in England, where he proceeded to fly again with the 71st Eagle Squadron. Col. Coen returned to the United States after the war, and flew with the U.S. Air Force until he and his wife, Virginia, retired in 1962 and came to live in Baker City.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, and three daughters, Carleen Baily of Pennington, New Jersey, Robin Coen of Boise, Idaho, and Tymera Coen of Portland, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marilyn's Music's Friday Night Sessions, 1821 Main St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Madeline Pifher
Madeline Josephine Pifher, 79, of Baker City, died June 21, 2004, at Avondale, Ariz.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the American Legion, 2129 Second St., after the services.
Visitations will be Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. at Gray's West & Co.
Madeline was born on Feb. 10, 1925, at Baker City to Elbert and Alma Bernice Baisley Luster.
In February of 1941, she married Francis L. Pifher in Weiser, Idaho, just before he was leaving to join the U.S. Navy. The couple later were remarried at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral.
After Francis returned from the war, he and Madeline lived at North Powder. The family later moved to Hermiston and then back to Rock Creek.
Madeline was a member of the Ground Observer Corps, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and the Moose Lodge.
In her later years, Madeline kept her home in Baker City, but would travel to her children's homes spending time with them.
Survivors include her sons, Darl Pifher, William Pifher, and Tom Pifher, all of Baker City, Wayman Pifher and his wife, Karen, of Verona, Va., Louis Pifher and his wife, Tacy, of Boise, and Richard Pifher of Pendleton; and daughters, Marjorie Leary and her husband, Mike, and Marilyn Williams and her husband, Don, all of Phoenix, Ariz.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Francis; a son, Elbert "Dude" Pifher; and an infant daughter, Jean Pifher.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Robert White
Robert Monte White, 63, a longtime Baker City resident, died June 22, 2004, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
A private service is planned. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert was born on March 1, 1941, at Minneapolis to Robert Albert White and Nona Lucille Reese White. He moved to California at the age of 7.
After he graduated from high school, Robert joined the U.S. Air Force and served time overseas at Guam. After his discharge from the service, Robert worked for Shelby Corp. testing racing prototypes.
Robert loved being a mechanic and being part of a racing crew. He also worked for L.A. City Water and Power and then for the City of Los Angeles as a general services mechanic.
He retired in 1991 and moved to Oregon where he met his wife, Ronda Myers. They were married on Nov. 5, 1994, at Lake Tahoe, Nev. In April of 2004 they relocated to Post Falls, Idaho.
Robert enjoyed classic car shows, air shows, building and flying RC planes, fishing, camping, and especially watching Nascar and going for lattes with Ronda.
Survivors include his wife, Ronda White of Post Falls; sons, Robert A. White and Michael White of Santa Clarita, Calif.; stepchildren, Gail Searles, Aimee Searles and Jason Searles of Post Falls; grandchildren, Ricky, Lucas, Jordan, Micki, Wesley, Tyler and Madison; a brother, Marty Keegan of California; and three sisters, Kathleen Pena, Nancy Hill, and Alta Morgan of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his uncle, Monte Reese; and two nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 270 S. Orchard St., Suite B, Boise, Idaho 83705.
