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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2017)
JUNE 1, 2017 S moke S ignals 21 Walking On... Michael T. Bolton Sept. 26, 1967 – May 15, 2017 Michael Bolton was born on Sept. 26, 1967, to Marcia Rife and Edward Bolton Sr. in Salem, Ore. He was one of five children. Growing up with many siblings, Michael knew the importance of taking care of his family. He passed these values on to his own five children, each one of whom he loved dearly. Michael married the love of his life, Faith Helene Bolton, on May 10, 2002, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He owned property in Priest River, Idaho, where he had a small ranch with several horses where he put all of his passion into his animals. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Michael, Faith and their family resided in Idaho until 2005. Michael and Faith relocated to Grand Ronde from 2005-12 and Michael ran for Tribal Council in 2011. They eventually settled down in St. Helens, Ore., in 2012 in order for Faith to follow her dreams. He supported his wife with anything she wished to do. Michael enjoyed painting, music, spending time with his family and cooking for the people that he loved. Michael had an unconditional love for his family, horses and dogs. He loved to bead and craft with his wife. He would make dreamcatchers and chokers. He loved teaching his culture to others. Michael passed on his passion for cooking and caring for his boxers to his grandchildren. Most of all, Michael was known for taking care of his family and friends, and always making others laugh. He was always reliable and a hard worker, and would help anyone in need if he could. Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Marcia. He is survived by his father, Edward Sr.; his wife of 15 years, Faith Bolton; their chil- dren, Tiffany Bolton, Anna Marie Profaunt, Michael Bolton Jr., Charles Heward and Ashley Heward; and eight grandchildren, Denisha, Cali- egh, Charles Jr., Tayah, Jayden, David, Britton Jr., Kane and Roman, as well as two grandchildren on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. A viewing and funeral service for Michael Bolton was held Sunday, May 21, at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Cemetery, 9245 Grand Ronde Road, and a reception followed at the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road. God bless all for your help and attendance in advance. We understand for those who cannot be present. Know He and I understand. If you have questions, please contact Faith Bolton at 503-863-9296. Gloria Jean (Lynch) Sundahl July 28, 1946 – May 7, 2017 Tribal Elder Gloria Jean (Lynch) Sundahl was born on July 28, 1946, to Doris (Jeffers) and Daniel Lynch, the second eldest child of their five children. She was a lifelong resident of Spring- field, Ore., growing up at Cedar Flats just outside of Springfield. Gloria was a 1964 graduate of Thur- ston High School and also attended Lane Community College in the 1990s. Gloria was very proud of her heritage as a Native American and was a Tribal Elder of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde family in Grand Ronde, Ore. In 1966, Gloria married and started her family with daughter Sandra arriving in December 1967 and daughter Danielle arriving in February 1985. After many years as a mother and homemaker, she became a home health aide for a number of years until she retired. In her retirement, she enjoyed gardening, traveling and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. She also supported various charities in Lane County. Gloria had a wonderful sense of humor, a great laugh and was a very loving, generous and kind person, and her home was always open to everyone. She loved a good visit with family and friends. She is survived by her children, daughter Sandra and husband Sam- uel Combs of Woodburn, Ore., and their children, Andrea, Dannyelle, Sarah, Elizabeth, Elijah and Ethan, and daughter Danielle Sundahl and son Abel Lynch of Springfield, Ore.; sister Charlotte and her hus- band James Gray of Philomath, Ore.; brother Dennis and wife Julie Lynch of Grand Ronde, Ore.; sister Jenny Jones of Winston, Ore., and sister Cindy Diaz of Nevada; and many more family and friends whom she loved very much. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Doris Lynch; her life partner, “Papa” Gene Burgess; grandson, Christopher; and her beloved Brandi Dog. A witness burial was held on Friday, May 19, in Springfield, Ore. A celebration of life is being planned in her honor for the end of June. We welcome all who knew mom to come and celebrate her life with us and share their memories of her. For more information, call Sandra at 541-915-8177. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of her favorite char- ities in memory of Gloria Sundahl to the Springfield Relief Nursery or the neonatal intensive care unit at Riverbend Hospital in Springfield. Beryle LaRose Contreras July 29, 1935 – May 19, 2017 Tribal Elder Beryle LaRose Contre- ras, 81, made her journey to the spirit world on May 19, 2017. She was born on July 29, 1935. Beryle was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Norman and De- lia LaRose Langley; nephew, Kelly Langley; nieces, Ellisine Langley and Jacklyn Langley; daughter, Kateri Contreras Atanacio; and her husband of 20 years, Angel Contreras. Beryle is survived by her aunt, June LaRose of Portland, Ore.; broth- ers, Jack (Linda) Langley of Warm Springs, Ore., and Leonard (Rose) Langley of Tillamook, Ore.; and her children, Kerma Contreras of San Francisco, Calif., Denise Lamkin of Beaverton, Ore., Christine Contreras of Grand Ronde, Ore., Kevin Contreras of Sheridan, Ore., Kalene Contreras of Somes Bar, Calif., and Kimberly (BT) Brien of Grand Ronde; and 15 grand- children and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Beryle was born in Fort Duchesne, Utah. When she was 5, her family moved to Grand Ronde, Ore. After the federal government terminated the Tribe, her family moved to Til- lamook. In 1955, Beryle moved to San Francisco on the Relocation Act to attend beauty school where she became a beautician. Beryle met Angel Contreras and they married. In San Francisco during the 1960s and ’70s at the end of the Civil Rights era, Beryle was very active in Native American rights. In 1969, the occupation of Alcatraz Island had a huge influence on the lives of Beryle and her family. This is where she met friends Wilma Mankiller, Richard and Annie Oakes, John Trudell, Dennis Banks and many others. Beryle attended San Francisco State University where she studied Native American Studies. Beryle worked at the American Indian Center and ran the youth group. She was active in the American Indian Movement and participated in starting the AIM School in Oakland, Calif. She did not hesitate to help other Tribes in need. She took donations to Pit River, Nev., and Wounded Knee, S.D., during their struggles. In 1977, Beryle moved back to Oregon where she continued her involvement with Native communities and was very excited when Grand Ronde was about to be restored in 1983. She was a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde from her fa- ther’s side of the family and Shoshone/Bannock/Northern Ute from her mother’s side of the family. She worked hard all of her life, later managing a house for men- tally ill adults. When her father, Roy, became unable to care for himself, Beryle took care of her father. Beryle loved to dance, cook, sew, play Yahtzee, read, write poems, cats and dogs, and listen to music. She has always been a strong, independent woman. She taught her children and others to be proud of who you are and where you came from, and to always fight for your rights. She also always said and I quote: “If you don’t kick their ass, I’m going to kick yours.” Our mother always did the best she could. May she rest in peace! Love from her family.
