Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2019)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 | 3A On The Record OBITUARIES WOERNER—Robert Bruce Woerner “Cadil- lac Bob” 74, peacefully passed away Aug. 22, 2019, following a short, valiant battle with pan- creatic c a n c e r, with his loving w i f e , Karen, by his side. Robert B o b Woerner was born Oct. 5, 1944, in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Robert C. and Betty Woerner. At age 20, Bob was drafted into the United States Army. He received training at Fort Gordon, Ga., before being sent to Vietnam for a tour of duty. After his military service, Bob worked 30 years as a mechanic for Torrance City, Calif. During his working years, Bob became very involved in competi- tive motorcycle racing, long-distance endurance wave-runner races, and softball; Bob liked to go fast and be first! Bob’s passion for auto- mobiles began with the restoration of his 1949 Cadillac, thus the nick- name “Cadillac Bob.” He was very involved in numerous car shows in California and Oregon. Bob moved to Flor- ence, Ore., in 2004. Shortly thereafter, he moved his mother, Betty, and step-father, Russell Downs, to Florence to help care for them. In Florence, Bob quickly became in- volved with the VFW, VFW Honor Guard, DAV, Band of Brothers, Military Museum, Vet- eran’s Memorial Wall, and Wings and Wheels. Bob truly felt the men in these organizations were 2019 BEACHWALK Saturday, Sept. 14th. • 9am –1pm Registration & Walk begins at the North Jetty. Dogs are welcome! Enjoy a stroll on Heceta Beach from the North Jetty to Driftwood Shores where you will enjoy: Free refreshments for all walkers, Live entertainment, Dog costume contest, Professional kite fl yers, Huge bubbles. Registration forms are available at the Florence ReStore Located at 2016 Highway 101; 541-902-9227 his brothers. Bob represented the VFW at the Siuslaw Viking home football games, providing the opening flag ceremony. This is only one exam- ple of the countless acts of community service he provided. Bob was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-Day Saints and was actively involved in com- passionate service. He was always seen with a smile on his face as he willingly served and will long be remem- bered for his kindness to his fellow man. Bob met the love of his life, Karen Holmes, in July 2014. They were married Nov. 8, 2014, and on that day Bob finally had the family he always wanted: Six children and their spouses, 26 grandchil- dren and 7 great-grand- children, all of whom he loved dearly and they loved him. Although Bob and Karen’s time together was much too short, it was filled with immense love and happiness. Bob is survived by his sweetheart, Karen; his parents, Betty and Russell Downs; his six step-children: Mike (Lisa) Holmes, Kelli (Ken) Bradbury, Bri- an (Tammy) Holmes, Kristi (Greg) Wilkey, Steve (Tami) Holmes, Kami (Andy) Baber; 26 grandchildren; and sev- en great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). He was preceded in death by his father, Rob- ert; his brother Larry; and his son Shon. Funeral services for Bob will be held Satur- day, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2705 Munsel Lake Rd. in Florence. Military honors to follow at Pacific Sun- set Cemetery. Inter- ment will be at Willard City Cemetery, Willard, Utah. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Peace Health ICU who treated Bob with great dignity and respect. B u r n s’s R i v e r s i d e Chapel Florence Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. GRIST—Colin Frank Grist, 87, of Florence, passed away Aug. 14, 2019. Colin was born on April 16, 1932, in En- gland to Nancy (Beadel) and Guy Grist. In 1936 he moved with his moth- er to Vancouver B.C., Canada. T h e y traveled on a ship, the Pacific Pres- ident, Colin Grist through the Pan- ama Canal. His mother had planned to join her un- cle, who had a fruit ranch in the B.C. interi- or. However, the uncle had gone bankrupt and returned to England. Colin and his mother moved to a small cot- tage in West Vancou- ver, which subsequently burned down. Colin’s mother built a house in West Bay and later met, and married, his step-father, David Ricardo. They had two daughters, Valerie and Sheila Ricardo, who sur- vive him. In 1950, Colin joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served until 1958 as an aircrew radio officer. In that capacity, he visited many parts of the world, including the Arctic, Far East, Europe and Australia. As a civilian, Colin was employed by finan- cial companies in Cana- da and California. After a long career in banking, he spent the last 10 years WEDNESDAY THURSDAY AUGUST 28 AUGUST 29 of his working life in Santa Rosa, Calif., with an investment company. In 1974, he married Karylyn Von Moren and they had one son, Greg- ory, both of whom pre- ceded him in death. In retirement, Col- in lived in Ashland and Florence, Ore. He was employed for a short time for the Ashland Po- lice Department and was active in Kiwanis both in Ashland and Florence. He is survived by his granddaughter, Tonya; and his great-grandson, Landon, of Alaska. Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home and Pacific Sunset Cemetery are in charge of arrangements. A private burial was held at Colin’s request. MCMULLEN—Geor- gia Fithian McMullen, 77, formerly of Florence, lost her fight with Lewy Body Dementia on Aug. 17, 2019, at home with family and friends at her bedside. Georgia was born April 11, 1942, in Grants Pass, Ore., to Tom and Leona Fithian. She Moved to Florence in late 1940 and graduat- ed from S i u s l aw H i g h School, Georgia where McMullen she was crowned Rhododendron Queen in 1960. Georgia worked at many jobs through the years but the one she enjoyed the most was as a freelance personal trainer while living in Eugene, Ore. Her most loved hob- bies were attending to her many orchids that she won fair ribbons for. Her Dachshunds, which she had five of during her life, were her con- stant companions and love. She also had a great passion for Corvettes, which she had until her death. Georgia was a sweet and kind person who al- ways thought about oth- ers before herself. She was dearly loved by per- sons who knew her. She will be missed by her loving husband and family; they will miss her smile, wit and loving care. Georgia married Earl McMullen of Florence in 1984 and, at the time of her death, they lived in North Las Vegas, Nev. Georgia is survived by her husband, Earl, of Nevada; son Derrick Lee; daughter Angela Anderson; brother Dick Fithian, of Florence; step-daughter Kelly McMullen of Portland; sister Carol-Lee Fithian of Springfield, Ore.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Please join us on Sat- urday, Oct. 26, at the Florence Elks lodge, beginning at noon, as friends and family of Georgia will celebrate her life. LARSON—Todd W. Larson of Florence left us on Aug. 24, 2019, with his wife and parents at his side. Todd was born in Bel- levue, Wash., and raised in Red- mond, Wash. In 1980, he moved to Portland, O r e . , where he would Todd Larson meet and marry the love of his life, Kim. They moved to Flor- ence in 2013. Todd and Kim enjoyed camping and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Kim; his parents Len and Maxine Larson of Florence; a sister, two neices; a great-neice; and a great-nephew of Puyal- lup, Wash. At Todd’s request, there will be no services. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30 AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 1 SEPTEMBER 2 SEPTEMBER 3 Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy 71°F 58°F 69°F 58°F 70°F 57°F 70°F 59°F 71°F 56°F 69°F 55°F 71°F 56°F Receive $5 off when you spend $100! WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP CAR CENTER • Full Service Repair • ASE Certifi ed Technician • Shrink Wrap • Tire sales Locally Owned. Community Minded Aj Shervin, Owner VOICE YOUR OPINION! — Write a Letter to the Editor today: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com