S moke S ignals
OCTOBER 15, 2017
25
17
Walking On...
Darrel Leroy Mercier
Sept. 23, 1929 – Sept. 22, 2017
Tribal Elder Darrel Leroy Mercier, a life-
long resident of Grand Ronde, Ore., walked
on Friday, Sept. 22, within two miles of the
residence where he was born.
Born Sept. 23, 1929, Darrel is the eldest
son of Hubert Mercier and Martha Hudson
Mercier, all members of the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde. Darrell shared 51
years of marriage with his beloved wife,
Ruth Ham Mercier, who preceded him in
death in 2001.
Darrel and Ruth are survived by their children, Connie Lopez of
Tucson, Ariz., Carmen Mercier, Mark Mercier, Margo Mercier, Lowell
Mercier, Doug (Eric) Mercier, John Mercier and Barbara Branson, who
all reside in Grand Ronde and Willamina.
Darrel also is survived by his siblings, Crystal Thomas, Lennis Mer-
cier and Dennis Mercier of Grand Ronde. His brothers, Winston and
Francis (Frank) Mercier, preceded him in death.
Darrel worked in the logging industry falling timber and as a log truck
driver, mechanic, and bulldozer and loader operator. Darrel supported
the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s Restoration effort and served
multiple terms as a Tribal Council and Timber Committee member.
He attended Mass throughout his life at St. Michael’s Catholic Church
in Grand Ronde.
Darrel loved his family. He was a deer/elk hunter, raised beef and
enjoyed many campouts with family and friends for lake fishing. Dar-
rel and Ruth traveled through much of the United States during their
retirement. Darrel cherished and valued relationships he had with his
in-laws, extended family and numerous friends.
A funeral service was held Thursday, Sept. 28, in the Grand Ronde
Tribal gym. Private interment followed. To leave a message or memory,
visit www.dallastribute.com.
Wesley “Buddy” West
Oct. 1, 1942 – Oct. 7, 2017
Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Wesley “Buddy” Wheaton West walked on
Saturday, Oct. 7, at his home in Grand Ronde surrounded by family.
Wesley was born Oct. 1, 1942, to Wesley West and Marion Haller-Da-
vidson. He is survived by his wife, Delores “Dee” West; daughter, Kathy
Miller of Bellevue, Neb.; granddaughter, Jamie Miller; sisters, Joyce
Dehart of Independence, Ore., Jean Turman of Spokane, Wash., June
Olson of Happy Valley, Ore., Judith Meyer of Grand Ronde, Ore., and
Joannie West of Chewelah, Wash.; brother, Wilbur West of Monmouth,
Ore.; stepsons, Ron Wheeler of San Jose, Calif., Thomas Mitchell of
Hubbard, Ore., and Roger Mitchell of Colorado; and most recently he
was blessed with a great-grandson, Jase Steinspring.
Free Playgroup in
Grand Ronde!
*
When: First Thursday of each
month 10:00 am-11:30 am
Where: CTGR – Community
Service Center 9615 Grand Ronde
Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Who: Parents and caregivers of
children under 5 years.
Why: Come to play, have a snack
and have fun!
Wesley grew up in a large Tribal
family and is also survived by many
cousins, nieces and nephews.
Wesley was preceded in death by
his parents, Wesley West and Marion
Haller-Davidson, as well as stepfather
Damon Davidson; daughters, Misty
Kay West and Shelly Kay West; sister,
Janice; brother, Wallace “Wally” Ward
West; and stepson, Dennis Mitchell.
Wesley grew up in ODell, Ore., and
joined the Army after graduating from
Wy’East High School in 1960. He was deployed to Vietnam where he
served three tours of duty with the 101st Airborne Division and was
wounded. He received many high military service and combat honors,
including the National Defense Service medal and Vietnam Service
medal with two Bronze Stars. He served in the Army for more than
20 years, including as a military policeman and a recruiter, and was
stationed in a number of countries during those years.
After retiring from the military, Wesley and his family lived in Ne-
braska where he started his own mobile home repair business, becom-
ing very skilled in heating and electrical repair. In his life Wesley also
worked as an educator and, among other things, helped members of
the Sioux Tribe earn their GED. He owned other businesses and also
lived in Georgia and Alabama before returning home to Oregon in 1996.
Wesley settled in Sheridan to be close to the Tribe and it was there
he met his wife, Dee. The two were married in 1999. Wesley and Dee
were devoted to each other and did most everything together.
After returning home, Wesley found a new calling in public service
and spent most of his time in Grand Ronde. In 2004, Wesley was elect-
ed to Tribal Council and served for one term. He was passionate about
economic development, Tribal housing and programs for Elders and
veterans. In his life, he often said he was most proud of the things he
helped accomplish for his people during the years he served on Tribal
Council, and was very humbled that Tribal members trusted him with
that honor.
After serving on Tribal Council, Wesley ran for a seat in the Oregon
Legislature, and although he didn’t win that election he never lost in-
terest in state and local politics.
Wesley enjoyed family and Tribal gatherings, attending church, and
old-time country and gospel music. He had a wonderful voice and when
she was alive often sang with his mother, Mary. He enjoyed making
and selling Tribal-inspired arts and crafts, including cradleboards and
pipes. One of Wesley’s favorite pastimes was just talking with people
at Tribal events.
Funeral services will be held at the Grand Ronde Tribal gym at 12:30
p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, followed by a potlatch gathering at the Tribal
Elder's meal site.
Rather than flowers, family would like friends and relatives to consider
giving a donation to cancer research.
Museum seeks designs for
Native American memorial
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Museum of the American Indian
is inviting people to submit designs to build the National Native American
Veterans Memorial, which is slated to open in 2020.
The international competition is open to students, architects, designers
and anyone else who wants to submit a design.
The Veterans Memorial will be placed on museum grounds at the National
Mall. A blue-ribbon jury of Native and non-Native artists, designers, scholars
and veterans will judge the design entries. The competition consists of two
stages: An open call to submit designs and the jury selecting five finalists.
More information will be available on the museum’s website on Nov.
11 – Veterans Day. For more information on the contest, call the museum
at 202-633-6796 or visit http://nmai.si.edu.
Board seeking younger veterans
The Veterans Special Event Board is recruiting younger veterans
from the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts to join.
“Our committee is getting older,” Veterans SEB Chairman Steve
Bobb Sr., who is a Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran, said.
Members of the Special Event Board attend events as flag carriers
and represent the Tribe and their branch of service. Veterans interest-
ed in volunteering should contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia
Hernandez at 503-879-2304 or stacia.martin@grandronde.org or Tribal
Council Administrative Assistant Shannon Simi at 503-879-2301 or
shannon.simi@grandronde.org.