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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2019)
A7 THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, OcTObER 19, 2019 OBITUARIES Raymond Lee Propst Steven Ray Mathre Astoria Dec. 16, 1928 — Oct. 14, 2019 Boring Jan. 16, 1947 — Oct. 4, 2019 Raymond Lee Propst was born Dec. 16, Ray was always active, excelling particu- 1928, in Albany, Oregon, and died in Asto- larly in basketball from his high school years ria, Oregon, Oct. 14, 2019, at the age of 90. all the way into his 50s. He even coached He was preceded in death by basketball and track at North his parents, Dale and Winnie Coast Christian School after he Propst and sister Maxine Propst retired. Upon retirement, he began of Lebanon, Oregon, as well as his competing in the State Games of son, Eric Propst of Astoria. Oregon and Masters Track and He is survived by his wife, Field Championships where he Janice Propst of Astoria, and his won multiple metals and broke daughter Raelene Bluhm and son- two world records. He achieved in-law, Steven Bluhm of Gibsonia, All American status for his efforts. Pennsylvania. He is also survived Ray was also a devout Chris- tian and had a heart for evange- by three grandchildren, Nathan lism. He taught youth and adult Raymond Propst Bluhm of Petaluma, California, Sunday school classes, served as Matthew Bluhm of Port Orchard, Washington, Alison Franklin of Lakenheath, a deacon and trustee, played piano and sang England, and great granddaughter, Rose- in the choir at Grace Community Church, mary Franklin of Lakenheath, England. formerly Bible Baptist Church. He also vol- Upon graduation from Willamina High unteered at Oregon Department of Human School, Ray enrolled at Northwest Chris- Services as a driver transporting needy peo- tian College in Eugene, Oregon, where he ple to and from doctor’s appointments, dial- studied for two years. In 1948 he enlisted ysis treatments, etc. up and down the North in the United State Air Force and served for Coast. Photography was always a passion of four years during the Korean War, ranking up to sergeant. After he left the Air Force, he Ray’s and he spent many hours capturing returned to Lebanon, Oregon, and worked the community and people that he loved so at Western Veneer Plywood Mill. It was much in pictures. He also won many local, during this time that he met the love of his state and national prizes for his photogra- life and married Janice Cegavske. He then phy and has many of his pictures on dis- began working at PacifiCorp as ammeter play at various locations throughout the technician in Albany, Oregon, and eventu- community. ally transferred to Astoria, Oregon. He was A memorial service is scheduled for Oct. employed with PacifiCorp for 34 years and 26, at 11 a.m. at Grace Community Church, retired in 1990. 1195 Irving Ave., Astoria. Steven Ray “Mathe” Mathre, age 72, He was very active in the union support- passed away with his family at his bedside ing the postal employees during the second at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in half of his career. Steve was married three Gresham, Oregon, on Oct. 4, 2019. times. He married Jennifer He was born in Astoria, Ore- gon, to Alberta and Ray Mathre, Donaldson in 1969, having two the middle of three children. daughters, Stefanie and Merrill After graduating from Astoria (Rillie), and divorcing 12 years High School in 1965, he attended later. He was then married to and graduated from Clatsop Com- Jean Wilson from 1983 to 1991, munity College in 1970 with an helping to raise two stepdaugh- ters, Sorena and Heather. His associate’s degree in liberal arts last marriage to Tracy Lindquist and sciences. He went on to grad- uate from Western Oregon State was from 1992 to 2006, and he Steven Mathre College of Education in 1972 with helped raise two stepchildren, Phillip and Shanah. a bachelor of science degree in He is survived by his three daughters: general studies. While attending college in Astoria, daughter and son-in-law, Stefanie and Steve and some of his best friends formed Eric Craft of Damascus and their children, the music group Disraeli in 1966. Steve Tristan, Lucas, Aiden and Darla; daughter “Mathe” was a principal writer of the lyr- and son-in law Merrill (Rillie) and Char- ics and lead singer. In order to keep the ley Penuel of Hammond and their children, band together during the Vietnam War, Andrew, Autumn, Hannah, Chaz, Mcken- four of them joined the National Guard zie and Kaitlynn; and daughter Shanah during spring 1967, and he went to boot Lindquist of Los Angeles. He is also survived by his sister and camp and Advanced Individual Training brother-in-law, Joan and Jim Davis of that summer. The band gained attention by touring Vancouver; his brother and sister-in- and playing for high schools both in the law, David and Electa Mathre of Asto- Portland/Willamette area, and also in the ria; his uncle, Marvin Mathre of Seaside; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, area. They great-grandson, Maverick and great grand- performed locally in Astoria and Seaside, daughter Emma Jo; as well as numerous gaining enough community support that nieces and nephews. He was also an hon- they incorporated, sold stock amounting orary grampa to Ellie Thiebwacha (niece to $50,000, and even sold their recorded of Stefanie and Eric) and all the daycare songs. Disraeli disbanded in the spring of children who attended Stefanie’s daycare over the years. 1969 after two and a half years together. He will be remembered as an artistic, To utilize his college degree, he began working alongside his first wife with trou- gentle, intelligent soul with a great sense bled youth, living in a group home (a half- of humor! way house for teenagers) in The Dalles A celebration of life will be held from starting in the fall of 1972, and then in 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the 1973 they started work in a treatment pro- Big Valley Woods Community Center, gram for adolescents in Hood River. 32700 S.E. Leewood Lane, Boring, Ore- After returning to their hometown of gon, where he resided for the last 10 years Astoria to raise their family, he began among an amazingly supportive commu- working for the city of Astoria. Although nity of friends. All are welcome to join us. Please share your stories regarding it was a dirty job, he truly enjoyed his time working at the city dump for many years. Steve by emailing his daughter at ste- He followed this with a career with the fanierc@yahoo.com or mailing to Ste- U.S. Postal Service for 23-plus years, retir- fanie Craft, 21817 S.E. Bohna Park Road, ing early with a medical disability in 2004. Damascus, OR., 97089. David William Johnson Astoria May 22, 1940 — Oct. 12, 2019 David William Johnson died in Vancou- planes and gliders. He was a member of ver, Washington, of cancer Oct. 12, 2019. Portland Area Sailplane Society, where He was born May 22, 1940, in Astoria, he made many lifelong friendships. Dave Oregon, to Robert William John- also entered and often won many son and Edith (Larson) Johnson. model planes and glider competi- tions over the years. He was also a He had an older brother, Den- nis, and younger siblings, Sara gifted photographer. and Fletcher. The family lived in In 1990 he married Dawn a Lewis and Clark dairy farm in Glass in Vancouver, Washington. Astoria, Oregon. She died in 2000. Presently, he While Dave was in high school, was married to Linda Hobbs. She he and Dennis helped run the farm survives in Vancouver, Washing- ton. Dave was preceded in death because their father became ill and by his parents and brother Den- died in 1957. Dave was a gradu- nis. Dave is survived by his sister, ate of Astoria High School, Class David Johnson Sara Barton (Jerry) of Ryderwood, of 1958, and Oregon State Uni- versity in 1968. He served four years in the Washington, and brother Fletcher (Karin) of Air Force. He lived his adult life in Port- Gearhart, Oregon and sister-in-law Barbara land, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, Johnson (Swanson) of Kalama, Washington. and worked for American Linen Supply as a Dave was a beloved spouse, brother, route driver until he retired in 1998. uncle and cousin. No service is planned. His passion in life, starting very young, In lieu of flowers, please send donations was building and flying model airplanes to Astoria High School Scholarship Inc., which evolved into remote controlled P.O. Box 598 Astoria, OR., 97138. Leonard Frank ‘Buck’ Bjornstrom Astoria May 28, 1934 — Sept. 25, 2019 Leonard Frank Bjornstrom, who was called ‘Buck’ from kindergarten age, was born in Astoria on May 28, 1934, to Leon- ard B. and Lena Ann (Marincovich) Bjorn- strom. He passed away Sept. 25, 2019. He was raised in Warrenton, attending War- renton Grade School and Warrenton High School. He married Marilyn Riggs in 1956. They later divorced. On March 15, 1974, Buck married Kerry Vaughn Keith at the courthouse in Astoria. She survives, living at the family home in Astoria. Buck enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1955, serving as a boatswain’s mate, third class, aboard the buoy tender Ivy, stationed in Astoria. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Returning to civilian life, he worked in the automotive trade, at an Astoria dealer- ship’s gas station, later in the parts depart- ment, and after attending Clatsop Commu- nity College automotive classes, joined the dealership’s auto body repair department. In 1976, Buck opened his own repair shop in Astoria, Silverside Auto Body, which he operated until his retirement in 2003. Buck is survived by sons Leonard W. Bjornstrom (Fran) of Knappa, Steve Bjorn- strom (Phyllis) of St. Helens and Craig Bjornstrom (Karen) of St. Helens, and daughter Jodi Lee (Butch) of St. Helens; as well as stepsons John Keith (Elise) of Port- land and Kevin Keith (Marci) of Vancouver, Washington, and stepdaughter Susan Keith (John) of Tualatin. He is also survived by his sisters, Fran- ces Sandy of Seaside and Linda Johnson of Astoria. He was preceded in death by his sister Delores Nelson. A private graveside service at Green- wood Cemetery is scheduled for next spring. Ocean View Cremation And Burial Service of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Darald Lynn Walker Tillamook May 30, 1934 — Oct. 2, 2019 Darald Lynn Walker was born in Brain- sion for hunting was born, and every deer erd, Minnesota, on May 30, 1934, and and elk season since was spent with fam- ily and friends, camping and hunting. passed away Oct. 2, 2019. He and his son, David, spent He was born to Earl and Alma countless hours in the Eastern (Carlson) Walker as the seventh of Oregon mountains and when 11 children. The family moved to granddaughter Tiffany was Rockford, Washington, for several born, she joined them. The years then settled in Hammond, three have shared many suc- Oregon, when Darald was a young cessful hunts. teen. Darald was a Tillamook In 1952, at the age of 17, he Pioneer, served on the Ore- joined the Navy and proudly served gon Hunters Association Board two tours in the Korean War, and for 20 years and has proudly was honorably discharged in 1955. Darald Walker worked with the Veterans of He began his 34-year career Foreign Wars. with Oregon State Parks in 1956 Darald is survived by his wife, Darlene, as a park ranger at Fort Stevens State Park, where he met his wife, Darlene (Sines) and the family he loved dearly, includ- Walker, in 1957, and they were married in ing children Debbie (Ron) Taggart, David (Melody) Walker and DeAnna (Ryan) 1960. The couple lived in Cape Arago, Cape Upton; grandchildren Zane Grout, Brit- Lookout, Yaquina Bay and Beverly Beach tany (Matt) Maffin, Tiffany (Josh) Dale, state parks before Darald was promoted Allen Hoffert, Brenton Andersen and to district supervisor in La Grande for Ryleigh, Maleah and Haidyn Upton; and the next six years, returning to Tillamook twin great-granddaughters, Isla and Macy in 1973, where Darald finished his parks Maffin. He also leaves his brother James (Rutha) career in 1990. Darald’s many community ties included Walker of Astoria, and an incredible fam- being a member of the Masons, East- ily of nieces and nephews who meant the ern Star, Lions, Eagles and Elks, a Rain- world to him. bow Girls Board member and a Cub Scout A potluck will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, leader and packmaster. at the Tillamook Alderbrook Grange, at While at home, you would find Darald 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be in his woodshop making beautifully intri- cate scrollwork, or building gun cabinets made to the Tillamook chapter of the Ore- gon Hunters Association or the Bay City and furniture. While living in La Grande, his pas- Post 2848 VFW. THURSDAY FRIDAY REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 57 46 58 49 60 49 Breezy with rain Occasional rain Rain 59 44 58 41 60 42 60 42 Cloudy, rain Showers possible Showers possible Showers possible Aberdeen Olympia 55/46 56/47 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake 56/42 ALMANAC UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Thursday Tonight’s Sky: The waxing gib- bous moon and Mars pass within 2 degrees. Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 57/50 Normal high/low .................. 61/44 Record high .................. 78 in 1942 Record low .................... 31 in 1984 Precipitation Thursday ................................. 1.49” Month to date ........................ 3.44” Normal month to date ......... 2.59” Year to date .......................... 35.23” Normal year to date ........... 42.83” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019 Time High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) 5:56 a.m. 4:49 p.m. 6.1 11:09 a.m. 3.0 7.9 none Cape Disappointment 5:30 a.m. 4:38 p.m. Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Hammond SUN AND MOON Sunrise today .................. 7:37 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 6:23 p.m. Moonrise today ........... 10:22 p.m. Moonset today .............. 1:29 p.m. Last New First Full 5:44 a.m. 4:46 p.m. Warrenton 5:51 a.m. 4:44 p.m. Knappa 6:33 a.m. 5:26 p.m. Depoe Bay Oct 21 Oct 27 Nov 4 Nov 12 4:46 a.m. 3:46 p.m. 5.8 10:20 a.m. 3.2 7.1 11:29 p.m. -0.1 6.3 10:45 a.m. 3.2 7.8 11:48 p.m. -0.1 6.5 10:53 a.m. 3.2 8.3 11:52 p.m. 0.3 6.4 12:16 a.m. 0.0 8.1 12:10 p.m. 2.6 6.4 9:49 a.m. 3.8 7.8 10:59 p.m. 0.3 Today Hi/Lo/W Sun. Hi/Lo/W Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC 59/54/r 60/43/s 64/46/pc 83/58/s 67/35/s 87/75/pc 88/70/pc 80/61/s 88/79/pc 60/50/s 86/58/s 68/54/pc 67/54/s 77/61/pc 61/49/pc 64/50/pc 88/59/s 52/29/pc 88/76/sh 89/74/pc 86/63/s 91/78/t 63/52/pc 87/56/s 70/56/pc 65/52/sh Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 53/41 Hermiston The Dalles 60/43 Enterprise Pendleton 45/32 54/41 58/45 La Grande 51/35 58/45 NATIONAL CITIES City 46/37 Kennewick Walla Walla 54/42 Lewiston 62/42 55/46 Salem Pullman 58/33 Longview 57/46 Portland 58/47 47/35 Yakima 58/36 55/41 Astoria Spokane 53/37 Corvallis 58/43 Albany 57/45 John Day Eugene Bend 58/45 47/36 47/34 Ontario 57/35 Caldwell Burns 50/26 56/36 Medford 58/41 Klamath Falls 50/30 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 52/28/sh 56/46/c 56/48/r 57/45/r 56/47/r Sun. Hi/Lo/W 49/34/c 55/52/c 57/52/r 54/49/r 56/50/r City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springfi eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 59/47/r 58/46/r 56/46/r 57/46/r 57/46/r Sun. Hi/Lo/W 59/51/r 58/50/r 58/51/r 55/51/r 54/50/r