K2
Appeal Tribune Wednesday, September 20, 2017 3B
Obituaries
Gennady “Gene” Michael Novichihin
Maria Eurilda Ruef
June 9, 1954 — Sept. 7, 2017
Gennady “Gene” Michael Novichihin, 63, passed
away on Sept. 7, 2017, due to complications from his long
battle with Parkinson’s disease. Gene fought hard and
gave 110 percent.
Gene was born in Krasnodar, Russia on June 9, 1954,
to Michael and Maria Novichihin. Gene spent most of
his childhood on the Black Sea, where he spent time
swimming, fishing and being a lifeguard.
While enrolled at a maritime academy,
Gene and several other men aboard the
fishing vessel Vishera defected Soviet
Russia in 1972. After spending several
long, harsh months at a government de-
tention camp in Greece, Gene was grant-
Novichihin
ed political asylum.
Faced with the opportunity to go to
many different western countries, Gene choose to come
to America in search of his American dream. Gene ar-
rived in New York City without a penny to his name and
not knowing how to speak English. Shortly after his ar-
rival in New York, Gene found work in a Russian/Ukrai-
nian immigrant community in New Jersey. While in
New Jersey, Gene met his future wife of 43 years, Irene
Schelest Novichihin. Shortly after the birth of their first
daughter, Tania Novichihin Kleinschmit, Gene and
Irene decided to leave New Jersey and follow their
American dream further. They packed up their van and
drove across the United States, eventually ending up in
Oregon. Gene and Irene settled in Woodburn, where
they made their home for nearly 35 years.
Initially, Gene found work logging, but his true call-
ing was the sea. After mastering English and becoming
a United States citizen, Gene made contact with the
maritime union in Seattle, Washington, and was shortly
thereafter hired by Foss Maritime of Seattle. Gene
started as an ordinary seaman on ocean-going tugboats
for Foss. His second daughter, Larissa Novichihin McA-
ree, was born around the time Gene was made captain.
He was one of the youngest men to make captain at Foss
at the time, and he relished the responsibility and de-
mand of this promotion. Gene’s life as a captain allowed
him the opportunity that not many of us will ever have —
the ability to see the world and have a job that one truly
loved. Some of his favorite work locations were Pana-
ma, Hawaii, Alaska and New Orleans. We’ve always
knew that salt water ran through Gene’s veins. Gene re-
tired from Foss Maritime in 2002 after 27 years of ser-
vice due to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Giving
up his life at sea was as devastating for Gene as his diag-
nosis.
When Gene was able to enjoy time at home, he en-
joyed boating, fishing, playing golf, hunting, target
shooting, going to the Oregon Coast and spending time
with his family. Gene was a child at heart and especially
loved taking his daughters, nieces and nephew on ad-
ventures exploring the Pacific Northwest. Gene had a
widely adventurous soul and fearless spirit.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Michael
and Maria Novichihin; father-in-law Gregory Schelest,
Sr.; and brother-in-law Gregory Schelest, Jr.
Gene is survived by his brother, Alexander; sister Lu-
da Novichihin; wife Irene Schelest Novichihin; daugh-
ters Tania (Bill) Kleinschmit and Larissa (Paul) McA-
ree; granddaughter Naomi Kleinschmit; grandsons
Jake and Charles McAree; mother-in-law Nina Schelest;
brother-in-law Paul Schelest; and his nieces and nephew.
Gene also acted as a father figure for many men and
women over the years who turned to him for support,
guidance, and, at times, tough love.
The family would like to thank Gene’s neurologist Dr.
Phipps, the staff at Mt. Angel Providence Benedictine
Nursing Center, the staff at Silverton Hospital and
Woodburn Ambulance, and Gene’s many good-hearted
caretakers over the years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be
made to the Brian Grant Parkinson’s Foundation (brian-
grant.org) or the National Rifle Association
(home.nra.org).
A memorial service was held Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017,
at Unger Funeral Chapel, Mt. Angel. May we raise a
glass and make a toast: Godspeed to Captain Gene as he
sets sail on his final voyage.
Aug. 22, 1929 — Sept. 11, 2017
Maria Eurilda Ruef, 88, of Mt. Angel was welcomed
into the arms of her savior on Sept. 11, 2017, surrounded
by her children and grandchildren.
The first of Walter and Eurilda Barrilleaux’s seven
children, Maria was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Aug.
22, 1929. She attended Sacred Heart high school and
worked at a local department store after graduating.
Maria was a wonderful storyteller, and
she loved to reminisce about growing up
on the Mississippi gulf coast. She fondly
remembered afternoons sitting on the
sea wall with her toes in the sand, chat-
ting with friends as they watched the
shrimp boats come in with their catch,
Ruef
and long summer evenings on the front
porch playing games, visiting with neigh-
bors or just watching the fireflies. There were dances
on the community pier and evenings at the roller skat-
ing rink. That is where she first met a handsome young
airman from nearby Keesler Air Force Base, Clem
Ruef.
Clem, an Oregon farm boy, was also the eldest child
from a large Catholic family, and the two found they had
much in common. They quickly fell in love and were
married on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, at St. Michael’s
Catholic Church in Biloxi. For their honeymoon, the cou-
ple traveled to Mt. Angel to meet Clem’s family. “I had
only been as far as New Orleans before, so the moun-
tains and the scenery were just beautiful,” recalled Ma-
ria.
Clem was soon sent to Germany to participate in the
Berlin Airlift and six months later, Maria followed, ar-
riving on Christmas eve during a gentle snowfall. “It
was like a fairy tale,” she recalled.
The newlyweds traveled extensively throughout the
U.S. and Europe while raising one daughter and five
sons. During the couple’s second posting in Germany,
Maria’s sister Barbara, also married to an airman, re-
calls reunions between the two families: “We were sta-
tioned at Chambley, France. I’d put my kids in my little
Renault and would drive to Kindsbach to spend time to-
gether.” Maria’s children remember going on camping
trips throughout Europe for weeks at a time. “We’d put
tents, supplies and our family of eight in a Chevy station
wagon and set off to Italy, France, Spain and Holland
with a caravan of like-minded military families. We ate a
lot of C-rations,” they recalled.
Through five different postings in the U.S. and
abroad, and with Clem away on missions for months at a
time, Maria kept the family afloat in uncertain times.
She was a woman of faith, often found by her kids on her
knees at the foot of her bed after falling asleep during
evening prayers.
After 21 years of that vagabond lifestyle, Clem re-
tired from the Air Force and the family moved to Mt.
Angel, where Clem began farming with his brother
Max. Maria adapted again — her half-grown brood took
to farm life with a passion and Maria settled into farm
and small town life as she had into military life — with
grace and a lot of hard work.
Maria was happiest serving others, hosting large
family gatherings, and friends from their years in the
military. Her grandchildren remember her as a fixture
in the kitchen, stirring up great pots of seafood or chick-
en gumbo, red beans and rice, and stacks of fried chick-
en or fried oysters for oyster po’ boys. Her pecan pies
graced every Thanksgiving and Christmas table.
Maria was a compassionate listener, a gracious host-
ess and a gifted storyteller. She is remembered by all for
her kindness. She was the matriarch of three genera-
tions — mother of six, grandmother of 19 and great-
grandmother of 13. She loved and cared for each one
with a special devotion.
Maria is survived by six children, Mary (Steve) Lier-
man, Jim (Gina) Ruef, Mike (Susie) Ruef, Clem (Lan)
Ruef, Bob (Carol) Ruef and Don (Gail) Ruef; her broth-
ers, Edward Barrilleaux and Robert Barrilleaux; and
her sisters, Rosalyn Ross, Barbara Ford and Eva Arbo-
gast.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68
years, Clem Ruef; her parents Walter and Eurilda Bar-
rilleaux; and her brother, Walter “Buddy” Barrilleaux.
Rosary and funeral mass were held Sept., 18, 2017, at
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Angel.
In place of flowers, donations may be made to St.
Joseph Shelter in Mt. Angel or to Hurricane Harvey
and Hurricane Irma Relief efforts by Catholic Relief
Services.
Arrangements are made by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Obituaries
John William Heater
March 16, 1942 — Sept. 9, 2017
John William Heater passed away peacefully
Saturday afternoon surrounded by family.
John was born March 16, 1942, in Silverton to
Maurice and Lucille Heater. He spent his early
years working on the family farm. John attended
Victor Point grade school and graduated from Sil-
verton High School in 1960. He married his high
school sweetheart, Kit Carson, in 1961, and togeth-
er they had two children, Jennifer and John. They
were together for 10 years. He married his second
wife, Kathy Randall, in the early 70s and together
they had two children, Megan and Randy.
John is preceded in death by brother Jerry and
grandson Travis. He is survived by his wife, Patri-
cia; brother Jim (Shirley); sister-in-law Colleen;
children Jennifer (Rolf), John (Julie), Megan and
Randy (Kelsey); grandchildren Travis, Joshua,
Reed, Jordan, Mason, Logan and Marcus; and
great grandchildren Taylor and Jason.
A memorial service was held Sept. 16 at City
View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Salem. A
private reception followed.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do-
nate to The Cancer Society of America or Amer-
ican Lung Association in John’s name.
Carlene Koch Papenfus
Sept. 8, 1935 — Sept. 4, 2017
Carlene Papenfus, was born in San Bernandi-
no, California, and attended schools in Riverside,
California. In 1963, she moved to Monitor, and in
1967, relocated to Silverton to help develop and
operate a Bedding Plant business. She moved to
Salem in 1977. Carlene managed the Hickory
Farms Store in the Salem Plaza from 1979 until
1981. In 1980, she married Frank J. Papenfus.
Survivors include husband, Frank; children
James Sherman Foster III (Marla), Julia Ann Oli-
ver and Franklin Kurtis Koch; stepchildren Ka-
ren Smith, Grant Koch, Lorrine Papenfus, Mi-
chael Papenfus and Terry Papenfus; 10 grandchil-
dren; and 5 great grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Shriners Chil-
dren Hospital in Portland in gratitude for son, F.
Kurtis Koch.
Services were held Sept. 17 at Virgil T. Golden
Funeral Service.
Carley Wayne Brock
Dec. 28, 1934 — Sept. 9, 2017
Carley Brock, 82, passed away peacefully at
Marquis Silver Gardens in Silverton.
Carley was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to
Harve and Minnie (Brantley) Brock, one of eight
children. He was raised and graduated high
school in Oklahoma, where he then joined the
United States Navy. Carley met and later married
Hazel “Jo Ann” Stuchlik and to this union had
three children. Carley contined to serve in the Na-
vy until his retirement. Carley and Jo Ann made
Silverton their home in 1982. Throughout his life,
Carley enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially his
family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, six sib-
lings and wife, Jo Ann, who passed in 2010.
Carley is survived by his daughter, Sharlla
Burton of Abbeville, South Carolina; sons Wayne
Brock of Silverton and Michael Brock; grand-
daughter Ariel Burton; grandson Steven Brock;
great-grandson Kellan Porter; and sisters Mary
Hart and Donna Branch, both of Eufaula, Oklaho-
ma.
Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
VLOYHUWRQDSSHDOFRP
JOBS.STATESMANJOURNAL.COM
STATESMANJOURNAL.COM/HOMES
TRUST THE HOMETOWN EXPERTS AT SILVERTON REALTY
SERVING THE
EAST VALLEY SINCE 1975
Kristen Barnes
Broker
503.873.3545 ext. 326
Marcia Branstetter
Broker, GRI
873-3545 ext. 318
Mary Cam
Broker
503-873-3545 ext. 320
Micha Christman
Offi ce Manager
503-873-1425
Becky Craig
Broker
873-3545 ext. 313
Michael Schmidt
Broker, GRI
873-3545 ext. 314
Meredith Wertz
Broker, GRI
873-3545 ext. 324
Ryan Wertz
Broker
873-3545 ext. 322
Chuck White
Broker
873-3545 ext. 325
Christina Williamson
Broker
873-3545 ext. 315
Mason Branstetter
Principal Broker, GRI
873-3545 ext. 303
KEIZER
KEIZER
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
#A2422
WONDERFULLY UPDATED
4 BR, 3.5 BA, 2733 SQFT CALL
MEREDITH AT EXT. 324, RYAN AT
EXT. 322 $399,700 (WVMLS#722076)
#A2423
OVER HALF AN ACRE IN TOWN
3 BR, 2 BA, 1986 SQFT .6 ACRES
CALL BECKY AT EXT. 313
$310,000 (WVMLS#722125)
#A2383, A2384
CREEK FRONTAGE
2 LOTS 1.1 ACRES & 1.09 ACRES
CALL MARCIA AT EXT. 318
$179,000 & $162,000
(WVMLS#715865 & 715869)
#A2402
WONDERFUL ESTATE
5 BR, 4 BA 3751 SQFT
CALL MEREDITH AT EXT. 324,
RYAN AT EXT. 322
$549,900 (WVMLS#720151)
#A2428
LIKE NEW
2 BR, 2.5 BA 1299 SQFT CALL
MARCIA AT EXT. 318
$217,300 (WVMLS#723765)
#A2410
VINTAGE 1950’S HOME
3 BR, 2 BA, 1760 SQFT
CALL MEREDITH AT EXT. 324,
RYAN AT EXT. 322
$334,900 (WVMLS#718215)
MT. ANGEL
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
SILVERTON
#A2426
BREATHTAKING SUNSETS
4 BR, 3 BA 1906 SQFT CALL
MARCIA AT EXT. 318
$329,000 (WVMLS#723236)
#A2424
GREAT COUNTRY HOME
3 BR 3 BA 2808 SQFT
CALL CHUCK AT EXT. 325
$645,000 (WVMLS#722233)
#A2377
OUTSTANDING COMMERCIAL LOCATION
4444 SQFT CALL
MASON AT EXT. 303
$299,900 (WVMLS#715616)
#A2233
TWO ACRE LOT
2 ACRES.
CALL CHUCK AT EXT. 325
$189,500 (WVMLS#693008)
#A2416
#A2354
3 HOME INVESTMENT PROPERTY
LOTS OF POTENTIAL
4 BR, 3 BA 1776 SQFT
5 BR, 6 BA, 6057 SQFT CALL
MEREDITH AT EXT. 324, RYAN AT
CALL MARCIA AT EXT. 318
$399,000 (WVMLS#711358)
EXT. 322 $649,900 (WVMLS#721150)
Brokers licensed in Oregon
WWW.SILVERTONREALTY.COM | 303 OAK STREET | SILVERTON
Call us today! 503.873.3545 | 1-800-863-3545
FOR RENT
Call Micha
at 503-873-1425
or see them on our website.