JoAnn Rebecca (Downey-Kentta) Miller – 1932-2013
JoAnn Rebecca (Downey-Kentta)
Miller, age 81, was born between Siletz
and Logsden, Ore., on March 10, 1932,
to Roy F. and Mae (Adams) Downey. She
passed July 10, 2013, at 8:10 p.m. at her
home on Logsden Road.
She was a member of the Confed-
erated Tribes of Siletz Indians and had
served multiple terms as an elected
member of the Siletz Tribal Council in
the 1980s, 1990s and up to February 2006.
She had worked as a cook at Toledo High
School and Toledo and Newport hospitals
before retiring.
She married Henry Kentta in 1948 and
they had four children before he passed in
December 1966. She married George W.
Miller in 1968 and they had one daughter.
She was an accomplished quilter, gar-
dener and weaver among other talents and
dearly loved to joke, sing and tell stories.
She enjoyed hosting family and friends to
picnics at her river property on the Siletz.
JoAnn is survived by three sons, Hank
(Bonnie) Kentta of Siletz, Matt Kentta of
Otis, Ore., and Robert Kentta of Siletz;
daughters, Kathy Kentta-Robinson and
Bonnie (Jim) Miller-Crawford, both of
Siletz; nine grandchildren; sisters, Ila
Mae Hoiness of Longview, Wash., Martha
Lockhart, Jean Garrett, Deanna Howell,
Blanche Downey-Tyler and Charlotte Noble
all of Siletz; brothers, Peter Downey of
Siletz and Tom Downey of Newport, Ore.;
and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by
brothers Melvin (Manny) Downey
and Roy Downey Jr.; half-sister
Genevieve (Mickey) Gavin; and half-
brother Kenneth Blacketer.
Services were held July 13 at the
Siletz Tribal Community Center. A meal
for friends and family followed intern-
ment at the Paul Washington Cemetery.
JoAnn Rebecca (Downey-Kentta) Miller
Our Deepest Appreciation …
Goes out from the children and
grandchildren of JoAnn Downey-
Kentta-Miller for the many kindnesses
shown her and us during the last of
Mom/Grandma’s life. It is because
of your help that she was able to pass
comfortably at home and her final
arrangements were able to be made
beautifully, serenely and in accordance
with her wishes.
Family/friends assisted in so many
special ways. Debbie and Dan Dowell
were the good buddies they’ve always
been and we can never thank them
enough. Dave Hatch, Aunt Jean and
Cousin Amy were constantly there for
her and us. The other family/friends
who visited over the last few weeks
have been a great comfort.
All of our clinic staff, but espe-
cially Lisa Taylor and Kathy Wilson,
went far above and beyond the call of
duty, showing not just compassion and
excellent care, but also love and friend-
ship. Lisa, through superhuman efforts,
was able to get hospice response to our
house in record time when the sudden turn
in circumstances happened that Tuesday
night. Betsy Morris, LCSW, and Nurse
Cindy, God bless them, were awesome
angels in a time of need.
Cova St. Onge and Cousin Danise
Barker in the Enrollment office helped
us calmly and rationally make important
decisions and were so compassionate and
thoughtful through it all.
Jayson, Celeste, Debby and Megan
from ABC (Affordable Burial & Crema-
tion) in Newport were so good to Mom/
Grandma and us. She looked beautiful
the morning of the services, but she just
did not want an open casket service and
so we honored that wish.
Carla Williams and her crew at
Newport Florist were lovely to work
with, even in the face of tight timelines
and Carla’s son’s wedding needs hap-
pening at the same time. Our best wishes
to the new couple and to Carla and crew
for their kindness while under (barely
perceptible) stress.
The kitchen/setup/cleanup crew was
a wonderful team that put on an incred-
ible meal after the services – we know
and appreciate the effort that went into it.
We’d like to thank Dee Navarro, Heather
Butler and Healyah, Bonnie Petersen,
Misty Hammett, Kelley Ellis, Robina
Williams, Lisa Easter-Paul, Racheal Wil-
son, Brenda and Felisha Howell, Teresa
Ueland, Tony Molina, Stuart Whitehead,
Jim Crawford, Bud Lane, Buddy Lane,
Gary McCrary, Jack Strong, Jimmy Lane,
Laura Bremner and Cheryl Lane. We
know you also were mourners alongside
us, so for you to pitch in and help with the
many needs is precious to us.
To all who brought flowers and food
and others who helped and somehow we
Melvin David Viles – 1946-2013
Melvin David Viles passed away July
18 at his home in Eugene, Ore. He was
67 years old.
David was born March 4, 1946, in
Toledo, Ore., to Melvin and Mary (Ser-
vice) Viles but spent most of his childhood
years in Prineville, Ore. He joined the
U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam
and Okinawa.
Upon returning, he became active
in the anti-Vietnam War movement. He
also attended classes at Central Oregon
Community College at that time, which is
where he met Linda Dirickson. They were
married in 1969 and had two daughters,
Melanie in 1972 and Jessica in 1973.
In 1978, David earned his bach-
elor’s degree from the Oregon Institute
of Technology in civil engineering and
technology. He later became a licensed
surveyor in the state of Oregon. He loved
surveying and there are probably still yel-
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low caps with his name on them in the
Prineville area.
He was forced to give up surveying
when he was diagnosed with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
He fought against the disease and its
effects for many years. In his later years,
it gave him great pleasure to watch his
grandson, Jae, grow up and mature into a
fine young man.
He leaves behind his wife of 44 years,
Linda (Dirickson) Viles; his daughters,
Melanie Viles and grandson Jae Viles-
Erdelt, and Jessica (Viles) Talbot and her
husband, Mitch. He is also survived by
his mother, Mary (Service) Viles. Siblings
include his sisters, Melissa Potter and
Cynthia Viles and his brothers, Dan, Curt
and Drew Viles and their families.
He is preceded in death by his brother,
Tim Viles, and his father, Melvin Viles.
In lieu of flowers, please give money to
the homeless; it is what David always did.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians –
800-922-1399
Salem Area Office – 503-390-9494
Salem Finance Office – 888-870-9051
Portland Area Office – 503-238-1512
Eugene Area Office – 541-484-4234
August 2013
failed to mention here – you have our
unending gratitude.
Sammy Bayya and Eugene “Poppa”
Williams – you serve us well with
tough, solemn tasks. Colin Park –your
photography services gifted to Mom/
Grandma’s memory will not be forgot-
ten. To each of the pall bearers, you
carried out your duties so well and saw
her to her final resting place honorably.
To Alfred “Bud” Lane III and
cousin (nephew to Mom/Grandma)
William “Buster” Lane – your close-
ness throughout your lives with her is
so special and we can’t express how
beautifully you showed your love for
her in conducting her final services.
You both are strong and gentle in your
love for friends and family. We’ll never
forget your making her memorial ser-
vices so special.
Hank (Bonnie), Matt, Kathy,
Robert and Bonnie (Jim)
Nesika Illahee
Pow-wow
Pow-wow Hiring
Aug. 7
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Security, maintenance, kitchen
and merchandise positions
are available.
Applicants will need their Social
Security card and valid photo ID.
For more information, contact
Buddy Lane at 541-444-8230 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1230; or
buddyl@ctsi.nsn.us.
Melvin David Viles
Contract Health Services (CHS) –
800-628-5720
Siletz Community Health Clinic –
800-648-0449
Siletz Behavioral Health – 800-600-5599
Chinook Winds Casino Resort –
888-244-6665
Chemawa Health Clinic – 800-452-7823
Bureau of Indian Affairs – 800-323-8517
Website – ctsi.nsn.us