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About The Record-courier. (Haines, Baker County, Oregon) 1932-2016 | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2016)
Record-Courier 3 i THURSDAY, MAY 26,2016 ObitâaJiM John Howard Rayl John F. Steigler, Jr. July 1935-May 2016 1942-2016 John Howard Rayl passed away at his home in Stanfield, Ore. on May 4,2016. A Celebration of John’s Life was held on Saturday, May 14,2016 at the Hermiston Seventh Day Adventist Church. A private family burial will be held at a later date. John was bom on July 12,1935 in Baker City, Ore. to John Homer Rayl and Grace Bobb Cole Rayl. He grew up in Baker City and attended school there until his senior year. John gradu ated from Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho where he met the love of his life, Betty Ann Moore. They were married in 1954, making their home in Baker City where they raised 4 girls. He worked at Poiidosa on the railroad and was the engineer on the last train out when they closed the mill. John was a building contractor and built many homes and businesses but his first love was farming. He always had a herd of cattle that would come when he called. John loved buying a farm, fixing it up and selling it. He moved from PineCrpek to Medical Springs to Hermiston and back to Medical Springs and then back to Stanfield. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty, in 2014. He is survived by his daughters; Valerie Tachenko of Baker City, Carmine Walker of Stanfield, Ore., Brenda Johnson of Vancouver, Wash., Jonell Jepson of Medford; special friend and companion Reesa Leavitt of Hermiston; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of John may do so to the Voice of Prophecy through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & CS, PO Box 543 Halfway, OR 97384. Online condo lences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com Cora Colleen Woodworth Oct. 1929-May 2016 Cora Colleen Woodworth passed away at the age of 86 on May 5, 2016. She was a blessing to all who knew and loved her. She was bom on Oct. 10, 1929 in Saginaw, Michigan to Martha and John Klippert into a family that would encompass 9 siblings. Cora spent her early childhood years in Lyman, Nebraska and in 1944 the family moved to a small farm near Sunnyside, Wash. Cora graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1948. She loved the drama club; she was in several plays and worked as an associate editor for the high school newspaper. Cora married Laurie Woodworth in 1949. They started their married life on a dairy farm and eventually moved to the Outlook, Wash, area to grow row crops. She was the ultimate farm wife; she supported her husband in all his endeavors. She could drive tractor, help round up Cows and drive the feed truck. She brought afternoon tea and homemade pie out to the field to Laurie nearly every day. Together the couple raised 3 children, Laurel, Gale, and Kevin. Cora was gracious and extremely kind and had a quiet hidden strength. She always put people at ease and made them feel very important. She was known for her gentleness and at the same time was very strong willed. Cora was a faithful, active life-long Lutheran, she was confirmed in 1945. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Baker City for 26 years, previously attending Our Saviour’s Lutheran of Sunnyside, Wash, for 35 years. Cora’s family was her treasure and her delight. She is survived by her daughters Laurel Goodrich (Bob) and Gale Faber (Jon) and son Kevin Woodworth (Ruth). Her beloved grandchildren are Nathan Goodrich (Molly), Daniel Goodrich (Sara), Ben Goodrich (Adrianne), Rachel Hard man (Rob), Jeremy . Sehulz, Adani Wbodworth (Nina), and Leslie Wood worth. She was called GG by her 10 great grandchildren: Ian, Cora, Ellie, Leah, Noah, Lucas, Addison, Sven, Maiken and Griffin. She is also survived by her step-granddaughter Rachel Faber Archer (Adam) and great-granddaughters Riley and Jules and her former son-in law, Jack Schulz. She is survived by her siblings Josephine Eirich, Evelyn Eirich, Clayton (Gerry) Klippert, Sally Cobane, Stanley (Bobbi) Klippert and Mike (Laura) Klippert and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha, her sister Shirley, her brother Oliver, and an infant son, James. Cora’s dear husband Laurie passed away April 1,2016. Cora and Laurie were married for 66 blessed years; their lives were in tertwined. A memorial service for Cora and Laurie wase held on May 20, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Baker City. Memorial contributions can be made to First Lutheran Church through Gray’s West and Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave, Baker City, OR, 97814. To light a candle in memory of Cora, please visit www.grayswestco.com. Jerry Douglas Howerton Death and Service Notices John F. Steiger Jr., 74, of Baker City died May 15, 2016 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. A memorial service was held Sat., May 21 at the First Lutheran Church in Baker City with Pastor Ian Wolfe officiating. A recep tion followed in the church fellowship hall. First things first: John Steiger died on Sunday, May 15 in Boise. It's a harsh and cruel truth for all those he left behind, but those of us who knew him well know that we ought to be watching out for one heck of a punch line. If someone out there was going to make a joke out of death, it would be John. There was nothing he liked more than spreading joy and whimsy to the people he met. Some of his stories and jokes missed the mark - full disclosure: as his son, I always thought that far too many of his stories and jokes missed the mark - but it is undeniable that they came from a deep well-spring of joy within his soul that was always try ing to break out into the world. John was bom to parents John and Christine Steiger in 1942 in Tucson, Arizona. Around 1950, the family, now expanded with John's sister Christine, moved to Southern California. John attended Covina High School, where he graduated in 1960, before going on to California State Polytechnic University in Pomona to study Civil Engineering. John had a lifelong passion for education, but school was not his strength. He often commented on the fact that he did not learn to read until he was in the fourth grade, and calculus proved his nemesis in college. Though the path was winding, John completed his Bachelor of Science degree and went to work for Boise's Morrison Knudsen, a company he was proud to serve as a Civil Engineer and Cost Estimator for more than 36 years, the vast majority of his professional life. Those who knew John can probably agree about two defining features: he was an amputee and he had a powerful sense of humor. The two were linked. John lost his leg to cancer at 28 years old when given a choice between the leg and his life. Having faced that choice, he committed himself to loving the life that he had chosen. As he often said, "if it sounded fun, I would do it." During his recovery period lifelong friend ships emerged and John developed the booming laugh that is probably still echoing through Baker County. John's life was forever fulfilled when he met Leslie Olsen, a bright and vivacious Baker City girl, while working ip Boise for MK. They almost met years earlier while John was assigned to the Hells Canyon Dam project. He stopped into Baker on the way to a holiday celebration, and two Baker High teenagers noticed his Trans Am. They followed him through town, but couldn't keep up when he hit the gas on the edge of town. Fate didn't give up. John and Leslie met again in Boise and mar ried in Baker on June 5,1976. Daughter Elizabeth joined them in 1977, and son Eric in 1979. John's work moved the family to Texas in 1990. John and Leslie resettled in Las Vegas in 1997. Following John's retirement in 2002, they resettled in Baker City to start the final happy chapter of John's life. Relieved of the stress of work, John was free to embrace his passions - learning, gardening, fishing, serving, and laughing. He joined the Masonic Lodge when he was 21, and after retiring, became active in Blue Mountain Lodge #34 in Baker, eventually serving as Master. He continued his Masonic journey by entering the Scottish Rite and becoming a 32 degree Mason. He was a member of the Baker Elks Lodge #338. He engineered scooters and other devices that allowed him to move around his yard, coaxing veg etables and flowers from the soil. He read voraciously, if slowly. He shared his passion for learning with others; and he worked with literacy programs and tutored youth. He pestered locals for stories and lessons from their lives in ranching,' loggings and teaching; He enjoyed a wide range of interests, but he was most interested in the people he met. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, and served on the Church Council. He made friends everywhere he went and never knew a stranger. Whenever possible, he doted on and bragged about his grand sons, Frederick and Otto. John's Christian faith as a committed Lutheran ensured that he saw his death not as a sad end, but rather the eternal reward promised to him by the grace of Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his infant twins, Charles and Arielle. He is survived by his wife Leslie, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Benjamin Cellar, son Eric and daughter-in-law DeAnna Steiger, and their two children - Fred erick and Otto. He also is survived by his extended family including Madelyn Olsen, Steven and Sue Olsen, Kristen and Carl Poteete, numerous nieces and nephews, and many close friends. He was loved by a much larger com munity of friends, family, and acquaintances who will feel his loss. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church, Best Friends of Baker City or The Oregon Scottish Rite Clinic through Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel. To light a candle in memory of John, please visit www. grayswestco.com. Gerard Lafreniere, 75, of Baker City died at his home with his family at his side on Monday, May 9,2016. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City. For those who would like to make a meniorial donation, the family asks that you make it to the charity of your choice through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispienval- leyfimeralhome.com Dan Liebman - A Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Pine Valley Grange in Halfway, Ore. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & CS. Online condo lences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneral- home.com John Rayl - A Memorial Service was held on Saturday May 14, 2016 at the Hermiston Sev- enth-day Adventist Church. A private burial was held at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in College Place, Wash. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & CS. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispine valleyfuneralhome. M. Geralean Sneddon - A Cel ebration of Life/Memorial Service was held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Florence Christian Church in Florence, Ore. A Graveside Service will be held at Pine Haven Cemetery on Saturday, May 28, 2016 ¿t 11 a.m. Arrangements aré under the di rection of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & CS. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneral- home. Darlene Ballard - A Graveside Service will be held on June 18, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Union Cemetery in Union, Ore. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & CS. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispineval- leyfuneralhome. Frances Carol Smithson, 69, of Grants Pass and Sparta died at her home in Sparta on May 23, 2016. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneral- home.com June 1937 - Dec. 2015 Jerry Douglas Howerton of North Powder, Ore. was bom on June 26, 1937 in Grangeville, Idaho to parents Yancy and Lorraine Dawson Howerton. He died on Dec. 18,2015 in Hermiston, Ore. at the age of 78 years. Jerry was raised in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. He graduated from Union High School in Union, Ore. Jerry served in the United States Army as a paratrooper until his honorable discharge when he returned to Oregon. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Conner on April 1,1958 in La Grande, Ore. Jerry served the Baker City Fire Department as an EMT and Captain for several years and was a first aide instructor. He then moved to Enterprise, Ore. and worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation as a road Maintenance Coordinator from 1984 to 1993. He and Rosemary worked for Columbia Helicopters as landing security from 1995 to .1997, and then returned to North Powder where he worked for the Wilson Cattle company for several years. He enjoyed playing guitar, singing, cutting firewood, fishing, chess, cards, cribbage, table tennis and socializing. He was a humble man but very proud of his entire family. Jerry was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Baker City. He is survived by his wife of 57 years; Rosemary Howerton, North Powder Ore.; son Gerald Howerton of Baker City; daughter Karie Records of Hermiston, Ore.; son John Howerton of Joseph, Ore.; sisters Eva Blanger, Eatonville Wash, and Audriann Bunnell, Port Orchard Wash.; brother Raymond Howerton, Baker City; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Barney Howerton. A celebration of life gathering with military honors will be held on Sat., May 28,2016 at 2 p.m. at Jerry & Rosemary's home, 62969 River Lane, North Powder, Ore. Jerry was very concerned about children whose parents could not afford presents. As a child he was the recipient of charitable gifts at Christ mas. In honor of his lifelong dedica tion to sharing with children, Contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Baker City Salvation Army Christmas toy drive in the form of new toys, donations, or the downtown merchant's Angel Transmission & Repair Tree Tags for children's requests. Please sign the online guest book a 2540 Cedar, Baker City www.paulsrepairandtransmission.com bumsmortuaryhermiston.com. Bums Mortuary of Hermiston, Ore. is in care of arrangements. Baker's Best Full Service Automotive Repair Shop Paul’s t 541-523-6923 See Record-Courier obituaries online at Join us for church on Sunday at 11 a.m. WWW. therconline.com Haines United Methodist Church 721 Robert Street, Haines, Oregon Sally Wiens, Lay Minister • 541.963.6991 (home phone) i Record-Courier (USPS 457-720) COMBINED WITH NORTH POWDER NEWS HAINES, OREGON 97833 BAKERCOUNTY NEWSPAPER Gina Perkins, Editor- Publisher news@ there online .com Heather Honeywell, M ichael R ushton , DPM P odiatric P hysician and S urgeon Double H Productions - Graphic Design/Production news@therconline.com Bekki Hurley, Billing Evan Perkins, Circulation Assistant Published every Thursday at Haines, Ore. Office located at 914 Front Street. Telephone (541) 856-3615. Periodicals “Postage Paid at Baker City, OR 97814.“ Subscriptionsand Postmaster Send Address Changes to P.O. Box 70, Baker City, Oregon 97814-0070. Subscription Rates: $39 per year in area, $44 per year out of area. Contact us for advertising rates. Disclaimer: The Record-Courier does not endorse or make any claims on the advertising that appears in this publication. We recommend that you research advertising claims thoroughly before acting on them. The Record-Courier also reserves the right to reject advertising we deem lo be misleading or inappropriate, however we do not verify advertising claims. Thursday, May 26,2016 GetThe Relief You Need From Foot Pain! • Treatment and Surgery of the Foot and Ankle • In-grown nails • Bunions •Warts • Gout • Coms & Callouses • Diabetic Foot Screening • Foot Odor, Athletes Foot • Treatment for pain in feet, shins, heels, knees, lower back • Custom-molded Orthotics Dr. Rushton is a Medicare participant and Preferred Provider for Lifewise and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Baker City 2830 10th Street • 541-524-0122 Wednesdays in La Grande 1002 Spring Ave; Suite 1 • 541-963-3431 The Doctor speaks Spanish - el doctor habla Espanol.