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