2A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 1, 2017
I’ve found that we can learn so
much about the Lord by examin-
ing His many names found in the
Bible. Each one reveals a unique
aspect of His character along with
a very specifi c promise for our
lives.
When we get to know God—
really know Him—it fi lls us with
hope and confi dence because we
realize He’s greater than any situation we will ever encounter. Understanding God’s character and incred-
ible love for us allows us to relax and trust Him in every area of our lives.
The Bible says He is Jehovah Jireh, which means “Your Provider” (Genesis 22:14). He’s Jehovah Ra-
pha, “Your Healer” (Exodus 15:26), and Jehovah Shalom, “Your Peace” (Judges 6:24).
The Lord is also referred to as Jehovah M’Kaddesh, which means “The Lord who sanctifi es us” (Levit-
icus 20:8). This literally means He is the God who changes us. It’s so encouraging to know we don’t have
to change ourselves, because when we try to change on our own, it only produces frustration and struggle.
Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP) says, …Work out…your own salvation with reverence and awe and trem-
bling…. [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energiz-
ing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure….
You see, when you begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you.
Now you have great things on the inside, but they need to be “worked out” to the outside. We need to learn
how to think right, talk right, and treat other people the way we should. And we can only do it through
God’s strength and help.
As the Holy Spirit begins to bring conviction in different areas of our lives, we become aware of things
that need to change. When this happens, the Lord doesn’t want us to feel guilty and condemned. He sim-
ply wants us to have the attitude that says, “God, I know that You’re right and I’m wrong, and I want to
change in this area. I trust You to help me change.”
The truth is you can actually enjoy your life while God is changing you. You don’t have to feel bad
because you’re not perfect or even worry about trying to change yourself.
I’ll be honest: it took me a while to learn this lesson. I remember when the Holy Spirit began convict-
ing me about talking too much. Instead of asking the Lord to change me and relying on His grace and
strength, I took matters into my own hands. I decided I was going to fi x it. So I went home and didn’t say
anything at all. As a result, I ended up feeling depressed, and everyone kept asking me what was wrong.
Needless to say, it was a frustrating experience!
First Thessalonians 5:24 says, Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy,
and He will also do it [fulfi ll His call by hallowing and keeping you].
I love this! Out of His great love, God not only shows us what needs to change, but this verse says He
will also do it. As we draw closer to the Lord through reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer, He
literally transforms us from the inside out and makes us more like Him. Our part is to cooperate with God
and do the things He puts in our hearts to do.
For example, years ago when the Lord was teaching me about walking in excellence and integrity, I be-
gan feeling convicted about little things like putting my grocery cart away in the store parking lot. During
those times, I had a choice. I could either leave the cart out in the middle of nowhere or I could obey God
and go the extra mile to put it where it belonged.
The Lord also constantly dealt with me about how I treated my husband, Dave.
These may seem like small things, but every time you obey God and do what’s right—even when it
hurts—you grow spiritually and become more like Jesus. And as you represent the character of Christ to
the world, people will want what you have and be drawn to you to know more about God.
Friend, the Lord has an amazing plan for your life. He not only desires for you to be with Him in Heav-
en, but it’s also His will for you to have a great life here on Earth! I encourage you to seek God and spend
time in His Word. Ask Him to change you and help you become everything He has created you to be.
As you do, the Lord will be faithful to transform you into His image…and help you experience a great-
er, more fulfi lling life than you ever imagined.
IN MEMORIAM
Death notice: Patricia Irene Ronan, 78, of Cottage Grove died Feb. 25, 2017.
No service is planned. Arrangements under the care of Smith-Lund-MIlls Fu-
neral Chapel, Cottage Grove.
Robin Eichner 1940-2017
On January 24, 2017, our loving father
Robin Noel Eichner, 76, of Cottage Grove,
Oregon passed away and went to be with his
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born
December 15, 1940, in Williamsport, PA
to Walter and Katheryne (Steers) Eichner.
Robin spent his childhood in Honeybrook,
PA but moved with his family to Califor-
nia in 1954 where his passion for printing
started. He graduated from California State
University in 1969 with a Bachelors in Science in Printing Man-
agement. In 1981, Robin went on to purchase his own company,
Emerald Valley Craftsman, and moved his family to Cottage Grove,
Oregon. Robin served in the United States Navy from 1966-1968.
He earned the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal,
and National Defense Service Medal. Robin was passionate about
motorcycle riding in Oregon’s rural backroads. His other hobbies
were tending an ornamental backyard garden, listening to classi-
cal music, reading and sharing the beauty of Oregon with friends
and family. He married Carolyn Eichner on July 25, 1972, in Los
Angeles, California. They were married 43 years, raising four chil-
dren in the northwest, until her passing in 2015. Robin was a dedi-
cated husband and father. He is survived by his children; daughter
Nancy Lane of Kennewick, WA; son Steve Eichner of Thornton,
CO; daughter Becky Wright of Elkton, OR; daughter Christel Eich-
ner-Brown of Renton, WA; brother Gene Eichner of Camarillo,
CA; along with nine grandchildren and seven great-granchildren.
There will be a memorial service for family and friends on Sat-
urday, March 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel, Cottage Grove, OR.
Kenneth Perini 1929-2017
Kenneth Richard Perini, 87, of Cottage
Grove passed away at home of natural
causes on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.
He was born Sept. 13, 1929 in Anlauf,
Oregon to Bill and Lela (Kelley) Perini.
Kenneth graduated from high school in
Drain, Oregon. He served two years in the
Army as a radio repairman. He also spent
his working years as a logger and operated
Perini’s Feed & Seed as the store owner.
His hobbies included hunting, fi shing, and farming, and he spent
his retirement years enjoying time with friends and family. He was
a Shriner and a member of both the Masonic and Elks Lodge.
On June 17, 1956 in Cottage Grove, he and Jerrie Culvey were
married. They had 60 years of marriage together.
He is survived by his wife, Jerrie Perini, son, Scot (Pam) Perini,
daughter, Julie (Keith) Giarrusso, step-sister, Karen McKay (Gary)
Wallace of San Antonio, Texas, fi ve grandkids and ten great-grand-
kids, all of Cottage Grove, two nephews and one niece.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Juanita Hensley, and
step-brother, Chuck McKay.
At Kenneth’s request, no service will be held. A Celebration of
Life is to be held later. Cremation is in the care of Smith-Lund-
Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium. Memorial contributions may
be made in Kenneth’s name to Signature Hospice of Eugene, 2620
River Rd., Suite 300, Eugene, OR 97404.
Grant Gording, BC-HIS
Jenna Buetow
Board Certifi ed in
Hearing Instrument Sciences
Hearing Consultant
Free Hearing Screening
Same Day Appointments Available
www.grantshearing.com
1498 E. Main St., CG
541-942-8444
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Vernis “Stokes” Lee Stokesberry
Vernis “Stokes” Lee Stokesberry of
Co age Grove, passed away December 28,
2016 with his loving family by his side at
the age of 86. He passed away from health
complica ons. He was born in Farifax, Mis-
souri to William Don and Bernice Marie
(Wake) Stokesberry. Vernis always went by
“Stokes.” He was always there for his fam-
ily and friends, eager to help any way he could. He was also an
avid hunter and loved the outdoors. His greatest joy in his life was
his family. Vern married the love of his life Peggy and together
they raised three daughters; Sandy Ronan, Debbie Atwood, and
Lori Chapman. He leaves behind his daughters and grandchildren;
Travis, Shelby, Lindsey, Kimberly, and Jordan; great grandchildren;
Isabella, Parker, Snowden, Nevaeh, Brody and Aubrey. He will be
remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great
grandfather. A celebra on of life will be held at the Masonic Lodge
#51, Saturday, MArch 4, 2017 at 1pm. Arrangemen ts by Smith-
Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Co age Grove, OR.
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123 South 7th,
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Jeanette Th ompson
1923-2017
Our beloved mother, Jeanette Laverne
Th ompson, 93, passed from this life to the
next on February 19, 2017 at Grace Manor
Senior Living in Eugene due to age-related
illnesses.
Jeanette experienced an abundant life.
She was born in the ‘Roaring ‘20s on August
23, 1923 in Cottage Grove, Oregon to her par-
ents, John and Adda Trunnell, and grew up on their 40-acre farm near
Latham Elementary school. Jeanette especially enjoyed playing with her younger sister Ella May,
but one of her greatest sorrows was the passing of Ella May at age 5 in 1932. Jeanette liked being
a soft ball pitcher at school, was a good student and also enjoyed getting paid to do housework for
her grandma Van Nortwick.
Jeanette graduated from Cottage Grove High School shortly before the beginning of World
War II and worked as a secretary for Cecil Beck and Pierce Freight Line. She bore three children:
Barbara, and twins Jerry and Larry, having married Verl Th ompson of Yoncalla in February of
1950. Th e Th ompson family lived for two years on Second Street in Cottage Grove, before mov-
ing to their 8-acre country home which was located in front of Jeanette’s parents.
Th rough Verl’s logging business and Jeanette’s expertise as a homemaker, the Th ompson chil-
dren experienced fi nancial and emotional security in a home fi lled with fun, laughter and mem-
orable experiences. Visits to Disneyland and the 1958 Rose Bowl, and family gatherings were just
a few highlights. Jeanette was a huge University of Oregon football and basketball fan, and had
season tickets for basketball for 45 years (1967-2012). Jeanette was generous in her giving of her
time and money to her children, yet frugal in her purchases, taking great joy in fi nding incredi-
ble bargains for her children and grandchildren. She travelled sparingly because she enjoyed the
beauty and peaceful atmosphere at home, but her visits to her children and other family members
took her to Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and Hawaii.
Jeanette and Verl enjoyed wonderful times with both sides of their family and as well as many
fun card parties with couples from the Cottage Grove area. Jeanette’s lawn and garden was one of
the prides of her life as she spent countless hours weeding, hoeing and taking care of her fl owers.
Spending fun times with her grandchildren also brought her many moments of joy.
Jeanette will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Mitchell and son-
in-law, Boyd Mitchell of Grand Junction, Colorado, her son Jerry and daughter-in-law Loree
of Eugene, son Larry of Springfi eld, as well as 6 grandchildren: Sherry Turner, Chris Mitchell,
Jackie Clement, Mark Mitchell, Jeff Th ompson and Heather Apanco. She also had a total of 8
great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Verl (1979), her sister, Ella May
(1932); and her brothers John Van Trunnell (2002) and Roy Trunnell (2008).
Before her passing Jeanette had the unique distinction of being one of the only persons in
America still alive who had talked with a grandparent (John W. Trunnell) who fought in the Civil
War.
A celebration of life memorial took place on Feb. 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Manor Senior Liv-
ing in Eugene. Th ere was no graveside service.
www.smithlundmills.com
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Robert Eugene Woods
May 26, 1933 – February 17, 2017
Robert E. Woods “Woody” of La Pine,
formerly of Cottage Grove, passed away on
February 17, 2017 at the age of 83.
Woody was born May 26, 1933 to Lewis
and Ella (Christy) Woods in West Chester, PA.
He was united in marriage to Linda
Rhodes on December 31, 1989 in Portland,
OR.
On September 7, 1951, Woody enlisted
into the United States Navy and aft er 20 years
of service he retired on June 1, 1971, at Great
Lakes, IL. He was very proud of his military
career and loved to share stories of this time.
Some of his duties in the service was a torpe-
do man, electrician, and teaching of electron-
ics. Woody and Linda enjoyed traveling to
reunions of the ships he served on.
Th roughout his life, Woody was a skilled
electrician working in hospitals, mills, and
retiring from the City of Portland as an Electrical Inspector. He loved to help anyone that needed
electrical work done!
Woody’s favorite passtimes were hunting, fi shing, and going for drives. His favorite trips he
took were to Alaska, pulling the travel trailer around the U.S., and a cruise to the Bahamas. Sever-
al hunting trips to Colorado with friends were fond memories for him.
Woody is survived by his wife, Linda Woods of La Pine, OR; daughter Dana Garza (Eddie)
of Roseburg, OR; step-son Rick Herron of Cottage Grove, OR; step-daughters Debbie Blackmore
(Fiancé Mark) of Eugene, OR and Pam Luettich (Jeff ) of Reno, NV; and one sister, Louise Patter-
son of Madison, NJ.
Surviving grandchildren are: Shawnee, Garak, Presley, and Landru Garza; Madelyn and Isa-
belle Luettich; Justin Blackmore; and Tori Herron. Th ree great-grandchildren, and several nieces
and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister Ruth An n Caudill; and his brothers Lewis H.
Woods Jr. and Bubby Woods.
Woody will be greatly missed by all, but we know we will see him again!
Viewing services will be at Baird Memorial Chapel (16468 Finley Butte Rd, La Pine) on
March 10, 2017, from 5:00-7:00PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at La Pine Christian Center
(52565 Day Rd, La Pine) on March 11, 2017, at 1:00PM. Following the Celebration of Life, full
military honors with interment will be held at La Pine Community Cemetery (16855 Reed Rd, La
Pine). Please join us aft erwards for a potluck at the La Pine American Legion Hall (52565 Draft er
Rd, La Pine).
Baird Memorial Chapel is honored to serve Mr. Woods’ family. Please visit our website,
www.bairdfh .com, to share condolences and sign the online guestbook.