RECORDS
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
East Oregonian
A5
OBITUARIES
Frances Ann Slocum Dion
Sherry Hamlin
Orlando Gomez
Heppner
May 13, 1939 — December 3, 2020
West Richland, Washington
July 7, 1941 — January 9, 2021
Salt Lake City, Utah
January 4, 1963 — January 5, 2021
Sherry Hamlin passed Boeing Corporation in her
from this earth at 79 years youth and finally retiring
old. She was born in Omak, from Good Shepherd Hospi-
Washington, and lived for tal after 21 years. She was an
many years in Hermiston, amazing host and excelled at
Oregon, and in her
both cooking and
final years very
entertaining, and
near her youngest
was a true artist
daughter in West
with her sewing,
Richland, Wash-
always creating
ington.
many special expe-
She
was
riences for those
preceded in death
who participated
in her life.
by her parents,
A private family
Lesley Lela nd
service will be held
Yetter and Ellen
Hamlin
graveside at Pleas-
Louise Hutchins
ant View Cemetery
Yetter, brother
Jerry Day, and her beloved in Stanfield, Oregon. Burns
husband Doc Hamlin.
Mortuary of Hermiston is in
She is survived by her care of arrangements.
brothers Jack and Larry Day
In lieu of flowers, and
and sister Pat Brandenburg; since Sherry loved to nurture
her children, sons Ken Linck people, those who wish to
and wife Tobi and Robin make donations in her name
Linck and wife Donna, and can make them to Agape
daughters Marlee Good- House, 500 Harper Road, or
night and Jennifer Hamlin to Martha’s House, 305 S.E.
Backer and wife Amy Fourth St., both in Hermis-
Backer. Sherry was blessed ton, OR 97838. Both orga-
with many grandchildren and nizations are affiliated with
great-grandchildren: Christo- Eastern Oregon Mission and
pher and Amanda, Danielle, provide food and temporary
Linck and Hannah, Jolie and housing services to people in
Jake, and Rachel, Kody and need.
Jimmy.
A memorial celebration
Sherry grew up and grad- will be held at a later date
uated in beautiful Lake due to the ongoing COVID
Chelan, Washington. She situation.
To leave an online condo-
also graduated from High-
line College. She had a varied lence for the family, please
career while raising her four go to www.burnsmortuary-
children, working for the hermiston.com.
Our beloved father, National Geographic Chan-
brother and grandfather nel, as well as any car shows,
Orlando Gomez passed away such as “Fast N’ Loud” or
Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at “Counting Cars.” If he was
the age of 58 surrounded by not sitting in his recliner
his family in Salt
enjoying his shows
Lake City, Utah.
he enjoyed work-
Orlando was
ing on at home
born on January 4,
projects or fixing
1963, to Frank and
up any vehicle
Bertha in Pasco,
he could get his
Washington. After
hands on. Anyone
graduating from
who knew Orlando
knew that he was
Hermiston High
School in 1981, he
the most loving
went on to study
father and friend
Gomez
anybody could ask
business adminis-
tration at Oregon
for.
State University.
He is survived by his chil-
After graduation, Orlando dren Nathan and wife Nora,
started a long career with the Andrew and Brandon; his
U.S. Forest Service. This siblings Gloria, Frank (Jr.),
career led him to multiple Johanna, Victor, Priscilla
locations throughout Oregon and Elizabeth (Lisa); and his
and Utah. Orlando was full granddaughter Hadley Drew
of life with so much intellect, Gomez. Orlando was prede-
selflessness, grit, a heart of ceased by his parents, Fran-
pure gold, a caring for others, cisco (Frank) and Bertha
kindness, humility, and love Gomez, and also his brother
for his family and friends. Rene.
A graveside funeral
His family meant more to
him than anything else in the service will be held at 10 a.m.
world. He was beyond proud on Saturday, January 16,
of his boys Nathan, Andrew 2021, at the Hermiston Ceme-
and Brandon, and always did tery in Hermiston, Oregon.
The family requests that
his best to support them.
Orlando was also a all flowers and notes are sent
passionate pool player and to 139E Utopia Ave., Salt
could often be found playing Lake City, UT 84115.
pickup games and compet-
Burns Mortuary of Herm-
ing when he wasn’t at home. iston is in care of arrange-
Anytime he was at home he ments. To leave an online
enjoyed sitting in his recliner condolence for the family,
and watching any outdoor please go to www.burnsmor-
show on Discovery or the tuaryhermiston.com.
Frances Dion, 81, of
Heppner, Oregon, died peace-
fully in her sleep on Thursday,
December 3, 2020.
She was born May 13,
1939, in Heppner, Oregon, the
third child of Lawrence and
Frieda Slocum. Frances grad-
uated from Heppner High
School in 1957, where she was
involved in marching band,
volleyball, student body and
cheerleading. She was also a
member of the Rainbow for
Girls Club.
She moved to the Portland
area in 1963, where she was a
loving mother and raised her
three children. She worked
for Dow Chemical, retiring
in 2005.
Frances retur ned to
Heppner in 2007 where she
enjoyed gardening, Wednes-
day lunches at the senior
center, daily walks with
friends and visits with her
sister Carolyn Cutsforth of
Rhea Creek.
Frances is survived by her
son Will Applegate; daugh-
ter Tena Applegate-Chavez;
son-in-law Mo Chavez; grand-
daughters Steffani Chavez and
Emily Chavez; best friends
and loving companions Chloe,
Bubba and Gracie; brother
Peter Slocum; and sisters
Carolyn Custsforth, Mary
Neher and Nancy Nelsen.
The family would like to
express our gratitude to Karen
of Temple Veterinary in her
help in rehoming our moth-
er’s loving pets.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of arrange-
ments. You may sign the
online condolence book at
www.sweeneymortuary.com.
Valerie L. (Runion) Hurford
Umatilla
June 2, 1962 — January 3, 2021
Valerie L. (Runion) Hurford outdoors and, most of all, she
was born on June 2, 1962, in loved spending time with her
Tumwater, Washington, to grandchildren the most. Those
parents Yvonne and Willard babies were her pride and joy.
Runion. She died on January 3, She enjoyed helping/taking
2021, at her home in
care of people when
Umatilla, Oregon, at
she could, even If
the age of 58 years.
it meant putting
She is survived
others first before
by her brother
herself. She had
Clyde; her chil-
a good heart and
dren Cody Runion,
meant well always.
KaSandra Hurford
She will be missed
by many, forever
a n d C o u r t n ie
Hurford; her grand-
and always.
kids Xavier (10),
A graveside
Hurford
Isabella (3), Benja-
service following
min (7 months) and
state guidelines will
Leonardo (7 months); and be held on Saturday, January
several cousins and nieces.
16, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Herm-
She enjoyed gardening, iston Cemetery, Hermiston,
being in the sun, relaxing with Oregon.
family and making unforgetta-
Please share memories
ble memories with her children. of Valerie with her family at
She enjoyed shopping, getting burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
excited and stopping at every
Burns Mortuary of Herm-
yard sale regardless if it was a iston, Oregon, is in care of
bad one or not. She loved the arrangements.
DEATH NOTICES
John Francis ‘Jack’ Bowen
Pendleton
May 16, 1932 — Jan. 10, 2021
John Francis “Jack” Bowen, 88, of Pendleton, died Sunday,
Jan. 10, 2021, at his home. He was born May 16, 1932, in
Ellensburg, Washington. Arrangements are with Pendleton
Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop. Online condolences may be
sent to www.pioneerchapel.com.
Julian Briseno
Hermiston
March 24, 1959 — Jan. 9, 2021
Julian Briseno, 61, of Hermiston, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021,
in Hermiston. He was born March 24, 1959, in Dallas, Texas.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
Mary Kilkenny Emert
Nampa, Idaho
Jan. 7, 2021
Former Heppner and Ione resident Mary Kilkenny Emert,
79, of Nampa, Idaho, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at her home.
Arrangements are pending at Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner.
Deciderio Olmos Hernandez
Milton-Freewater
Jan. 26, 1948 — Jan. 8, 2021
Deciderio Olmos Hernandez, 72, of Milton-Freewater, died
Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at his home. He was born Jan. 26, 1948.
Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home of Milton-Freewater is in
charge of arrangements.
Larry A. Mills
Heppner
Jan. 30, 1936 — Jan. 8, 2021
Larry A. Mills, 84, of Heppner, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at
a Portland Hospital. He was born Jan. 30, 1936. Arrangements
are pending at Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner.
Edward ‘Ed’ Shinner Jr.
Milton-Freewater
May 5, 1963 — Jan. 8, 2021
Edward “Ed” Shinner Jr., 57, of Milton-Freewater, died
Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Milton-Freewater. He was born May
5, 1963. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home of Milton-Freewater
is in charge of arrangements.
Jovita Solis
Hermiston
Dec. 27, 1964 — Dec. 28, 2020
Jovita Solis, 56, of Hermiston, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2020,
in Jalisco, Mexico. She was born Dec. 27, 1964, in Texas. A
funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 9, at 3 p.m. at Burns
Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial followed at the Herm-
iston Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of
arrangements. Share memories with the family at www.burns-
mortuaryhermiston.com.
Linda Winn-Olson
Hermiston
March 31, 1948 — Jan. 8, 2021
Linda Winn-Olson, 72, of Hermiston, died Friday, Jan. 8,
2021, in Portland. She was born March 31, 1948, in Pendle-
ton. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
Gaylord Hugh Salter
Athena
April 9, 1930 — January 7, 2021
Gaylord Hugh
his love of hunt-
ing and fishing
Salter, 90, of
to his sons and
Athena, Oregon,
g ra ndsons. He
passed away
loved work i ng
peacef ully at
home, surrounded
in his yard and
by his family, on
tinkering. He was
January 7, 2021.
a Little League
Gaylord was
coach for t he
Cubs in the Trian-
born on April 9,
gle Little League.
1930, in Baker,
Gaylord was an
Oregon, to Hugh
avid sports fan
and Ida Laver-
dure Salter, the
and followed the
second of four
We s t o n - M c E -
wen TigerScots,
children. He spent
his early years
Salter
Oregon Ducks,
i n Lew istow n,
pro football, pro
Montana, moving to Ione, baseball and, in his younger
Oregon, as an eighth-grader. years, boxing. He didn’t
Gaylord attended Ione High miss any activities his chil-
School where he participated dren and grandsons partici-
in football, basketball, base- pated in.
ball and other school activ-
He will be remembered
ities, graduating in 1948. for his love of family, kind-
Gaylord spent the next two ness, sense of humor and
years working alongside his helping others.
father at the Morrow County
Gaylord is survived by
Grain Growers elevator in his wife, Joy; his daugh-
Ione.
ter Jodi Venneri (Doug)
Gaylord enlisted in of Walla Walla; son Jeff of
the US Army on May 9, Tacoma; son Jon (Carla)
1950, and was stationed in of Athena; grandson Elliot
Alaska during the Korean Salter and fiancé Kati King
conflict. After his honor- of Moro, Oregon; grandson
able discharge, he attended Jason Demianew (Renee)
Eastern Oregon College of Weston, Oregon; and
in La Grande and studied great-grandsons Summit
education, graduating with and Lincton Demianew.
a Bachelor of Science degree He is also survived by his
in 1956. He received his sister, Helen Salter of Pend-
master’s degree and princi- leton, and nieces and neph-
pal accreditation from East- ews Janice Brooks (Les),
ern Oregon in 1967.
Dick Sn ider ( Na ncy),
Gaylord began his teach- Larry Snider, Rochelle
ing career in Umapine, Salter-Campbell (Tim),
Oregon, in 1956. After two Chris Salter (Marjorie) and
years in Umapine he began Gordon Rowan (Julie).
teaching at Athena Grade
Gaylord was preceded
School in Athena, Oregon. in death by his wife Viva in
He taught seventh and eighth 1990; sister Joyce Snider,
grades and coached football brother Robert William
until 1967. In 1967 he was Salter, infant sister Lela
named principal of the grade Salter, nephew Ken Snider
school and continued in that and his parents Hugh and Ida
role until his retirement in Salter.
1993. The East Oregonian
The family would like
presented Gaylord with to thank Sara Sanchez for
the Golden Apple Award her wonderful care of Dad
in recognition of the posi- in his final two months. The
tive influence he had on his family would also like to
students. He was instrumen- thank Chris, Carol, Shae,
tal in planning the merger Jen and Aaron from Walla
of the Athena and Weston Walla Community Hospice
school districts in 1974.
for their care and guidance.
Gaylord married Viva
At his request, there will
Swearingen in Hood River, not be a service. There will
Oregon. They raised three be a family celebration of
children in Athena: Jodi, Jeff life when it is safe to gather.
and Jon. They were married
Memor ial cont r ibu-
for 33 years until her death. tions can be made to Walla
In 1993, Gaylord married Walla Community Hospice,
Joy Ward.
Providence St. Mary Foun-
G a y l o r d’s h o b b i e s dation, Weston-McEwen
included hunting deer, elk TigerScots Booster Club or
and ducks along with fish- a charity of donor’s choice
ing. He was extremely happy through Munselle-Rhodes
when he caught an 18- and Funeral Home, 902 S. Main
a 19-pound steelhead in St., Milton-Freewater, OR
the same season. He loved 97862.
returning to Ione to hunt
To leave a condo -
deer and play pinochle with lence online, visit www.
his family. He passed on munsellerhodes.com.
Michael William Smith
Milton-Freewater
February 1, 1948 — January 4, 2021
Michael William “Mike” area and support their nieces
Smith, 72, passed away Janu- and nephews in their sporting
ary 4, 2021, in his home in events. They loved taking trips
Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
to the Oregon Coast.
Mike was born on Febru-
One of Mike’s favor-
ary 1, 1948, in Walla Walla, i t e
activities
was
attending the Pend-
Washington, to
leton Round-Up. He
pa rents Ja mes
particularly enjoyed
Rod ney Smith
and felt accepted by
and Helen Alleyn
the Native Ameri-
(Johns) Smith. He
grew up in Athena,
can community. He
Oregon, attend-
spent many years in
ing school in both
the Native Ameri-
can Village during
Athena and Pend-
leton, graduating in
Round-Up when
1967 from McEwen
he volunteered his
High School and
Smith
time helping take
later taking classes
care of the live-
at Blue Moun-
stock.
tain Community
Mike was a life-
long OSU Beaver
College. He loved
fanatic, with over
to run and partic-
ipated in track in
16 of his relatives
high school and at
attending Oregon
college.
State University.
Growing up in
He was recogniz-
able for his Beaver
a loving farming
hats with headlights
community, much
and wearing multi-
of his early years
were spent surrounded by his ple layers of clothing. He was
eight cousins and siblings and proud to be a lifelong Umatilla
as he grew older, working with County resident.
them at the family ranch —
Mike is preceded in death
Johns, Smith and Beamer, Inc. by his parents James and Helen
As a ranch hand, Mike drove Smith of Athena, Oregon.
tractor and was most proud
Mike is survived by
of driving long-haul cattle his wife, Carol Smith of
trucks around the state, and Milton-Freewater; brother
even made himself a detailed Terry Smith (Penny) of
balsa wood truck replica. He Warrenton, Oregon; sister
never knew a stranger and Karen Smith Albert (Tim) of
always enjoyed being around Athena; and numerous neph-
people. Mike married Marilyn ews, nieces, grandnieces and
Darrow in 1972, they divorced grandnephews who were
in 1982. Mike later worked at special to him.
Watermill Foods/TreeTop in
A private burial will be held
Milton-Freewater for 20 years, at the Athena Cemetery. A
until retirement.
memorial service will be held
Mike married Carol Ellen at a later date due to COVID
Grover, the love of his life, on restrictions.
June 10, 1995, in Pendleton.
Donations are welcome to
Mike and Carol loved animals, Mike’s mother’s scholarship,
raising a mule, “Zipper,” the Helen Johns Smith Memo-
and many cats and dogs. If rial Scholarship at the Blue
there was a local fair, circus Mountain Community Foun-
or parade, Mike and Carol dation, P.O. Box 603, Walla
attended, and never missed Walla, WA 99362.
To leave a online condo-
a chance to see the Harlem
Globetrotters. A hobby of lence, visit www.munseller-
theirs was to drive around the hodes.com.
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can include small photos and, for veterans, a flag symbol at no
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These include information about services.
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