A2
Family
Blue Mountain Eagle
PC R ANGER D ISTRICT
HAS THE GIVING SPIRIT
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
New year, new goals
“
Area residents share
New Year’s resolutions
I don’t have any (New Year’s resolutions).
Every day is a resolution.”
Earl Pettit
Monument School Superintendent/Principal
Blue Mountain Eagle
Contributed photo
Smokey Bear helps pack up food items collected
by Prairie City Ranger District staff that were
donated to the Prairie City Food Bank this
Christmas season.
C HRISTMAS SWEATERS RULE !
Many people see the new year as a
time to take a fresh start and focus on
New Year’s resolutions.
Here’s a look at what several area
residents hope to achieve in 2016:
Grant County Justice of the Peace
Kathy Stinnett of Canyon City an-
swered simply: “Fly more.”
She and her husband Frank fly a
Cessna 172 and are members of Grant
County Air Search.
One reason she’d like to fly more
often, Kathy said, “I’m ready to take
my private pilot’s test.”
Prairie City girls basketball coach
Penny Black has health in mind.
“My goal is changing to a better
diet, including fresh food, to have
more energy and give more energy to
my family and the kids that I coach,”
she said. “Also, walking with a little
more spring in my step.”
Ruthie Moore, who is Dayville’s
city recorder, also hopes to increase
her health and “spend more time with
family,” she said. Professionally, her
goal is to continue working toward the
renovation of the Dayville Community
Hall.
Grant Union girls assistant basket-
ball coach Lisa Wiegum of John Day
said, “As a coach, my New Year’s res-
olution is continue to work hard on
our goals, and one of our team goals
is to get past the first round of state to
make it to Pendleton and next Novem-
ber continue to develop and build a
strong and lasting program with Mark
(Mosley).”
With the community on his mind,
Grant County Chamber of Commerce
president Jerry Franklin of Prai-
rie City said his goal is to “try and
make Grant County more prosper-
ous through business and Chamber
activities.”
John Day Mayor Ron Lundbom
shared his personal goal: “To make
this year the healthiest year of my life,
both physically and mentally,” he said.
Grant County Commissioner Chris
Labhart of John Day has also set
health goals.
“A New Year’s resolution for me
is to exercise more, control my food
portions and enjoy life,” Labhart said.
Finding happiness in everyday life
is a goal for two other residents.
Grant Union boys basketball
coach Steve Speth of John Day said
he wants to “try to enjoy the day to
day, rather than stressing about the
future.”
“For basketball, it’s to stay calm
and have fun coaching,” he said.
John Day Police Dispatch manager
Valerie Luttrell of John Day said she
plans to “enjoy life more — not wait
until retirement to enjoy myself.”
When it comes to goal setting,
Monument School Superintendent/
Principal Earl Pettit takes a more prac-
tical approach.
“I don’t have any (New Year’s res-
olutions),” he said. “Every day is a
resolution.”
O BITUARIES
WHAT’S
HAPPENING
W HAT ’ S H APPENING
The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Friday.
Call Cheryl at the Eagle, 541-575-0710.
SATURDAY, JAN. 9
Second Saturday Gathering
Contributed photo
Canyon City Shell station staff members,
including Emerald Stroops, left, and Poppy
Grover, got into the seasonal spirit of things with
an ugly sweater contest on Christmas Eve.
9:30-11:30 a.m., Outpost Restaurant, John Day
The theme “Praise and the Ultimate Facelift” will be present-
ed by Kathy Rogers in both song and word at the no-host break-
fast gathering for women. Coffee and tea are complimentary.
12-6 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Day
The church is at 944 E. Main St. To make an appointment,
call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
541-575-1113
24 hrs/7 days wk
debbie.ausmus@
countryfinancial.com
BAKER CITY — Joanne Beverly Brown, 87, died Dec.
26 outside her Baker City home. A celebration of life will be
announced at a later date.
Mrs. Brown was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Lincoln, Nebras-
ka, to Leslie and Evelyn (Borrow) Perrigo. She attended high
school in Fruitland, Idaho.
She worked as a À orist for 15 years at Chaves Food Land
and then at the Flower Box. She was also the Baker County
librarian, retiring after 20 years of service.
Her hobbies included oil painting, bird watching, horse-
back riding, hiking and exploring places off the beaten track.
Survivors include her son, Robert (Marci) Brown of John
Day; daughter, Janine (Bob) Lick of La Grande; sister, Shir-
ley Schrank of Twin Falls, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and
nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Eileen Naher.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker Coun-
ty Library through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel,
1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
For condolences, visit www.grayswest.com.
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12-13
Red Cross blood drive
Debbie Ausmus
245 South Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
OPEN WED. & THUR.
9 am - 5 pm
Joanne B. Brown
Aug. 21, 1928 – Dec. 26, 2015
About Obituaries
News obituaries are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The paper accepts obituaries
from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is subject to editing. Obituaries submit-
ted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected and republished as paid notices.
Send obituaries by e-mail, cheryl@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail, 195 N. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about a paid memorial, call
541-575-0710.
N ancy H elen (K uhlm an) S kinner
Mar. 19, 1936 - Dec. 29, 2015
A selfless and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend was granted
her heart’s desire to walk with Jesus Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Nancy Helen
(Kuhlman) Skinner sought first the Kingdom of God and all things were added
unto her (personalized from Matt 6:33). We are confident that, upon first seeing
Jesus, she heard the words she strived for, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant... enter into the joy of the Lord (Matt. 25:21)!”
Nancy Skinner, 79, of Canyon City died Tuesday December 29 th at the
Blue Mountain Hospital. An Open House Celebration of Life was held Saturday January 2nd at the Nazarene
Church in John Day at 11:30 AM.
Nancy was born in Chicago March 19, 1936. She grew up in Lake Bluff, Illinois with her siblings
(Kathrine Tabern, Karen Beatty, Susan Christensen, Mom’s twin sister and Allen Kuhlman) and parents Allen and
Kathrine Kuhlman. She went to Coe College where she met Bill Skinner; they married in 1956 and she b egan
working to help Dad finish his degree in Forestry Management from University of Minnesota. They left the mid-west
and moved to Powers, Oregon where they started a family. They bought a home in Canyon City in 1969 w here the
kids grew up. Phyllis (Keith) Vermilyea, Bob (Colleen) Skinner, Susan (Ken) Tavernier and Carol Ski nner were the
center of Nancy and Bill’s life making countless sacrifices to allow the children opportunities to h ave experiences
and perceive life from a broad perspective. Nancy loved spending time with her grandchildren, David and Jessica
Vermilyea, Robby, Michael and Joshua Skinner and Garrett, Nathan, Tanner and Kaylynn Tavernier.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Blue Mountain Hospital and Saint Alphonsus Ca ncer
Treatment Center who helped make Nancy’s last days more comfortable. Thanks also to the many friends who
brought so much joy, fellowship and meaning to her life.
Nancy always had a meal ready for those in need. Thus, in lieu of flowers, you may extend her legac y by
supporting others in need through the Nalen Fund at the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center. Your ent ire donation
goes to meet emergent basic needs of patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Memorial contributio ns may be
made to the Nalen Fund for St. Alphonsus Foundation through Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon B lvd.
John Day, OR 97845
Merle ‘Stocky’ Stockwell
Aug. 19, 1921 – Dec. 13, 2015
Merle “Stocky” Stockwell, 94, of John Day, died Dec. 13
at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A graveside service
was held Dec. 17 at St. Andrews Cemetery in Canyon City,
followed Ey a reception at the SnafÀ e Bit Dinner House.
Mr. Stockwell was born Aug. 19, 1921, in Corvallis, to
Horace Eugene Stockwell and Audra Elizabeth Hood Lusk.
He attended Seneca Elementary and Grant Union High
School. He then spent four years in the Merchant Marines.
In 1942, he married Annabelle Cummins. They divorced
in 1955.
In 1958, he married Lois Zierer.
He spent his career working as a timber faller and heavy
equipment operator for the Edward Hines Lumber Company,
retiring after 25 years.
He enMoyed the Grant County lifestyle of ¿ shing, hunting
and camping with friends and family. He was a member of
the Burns and John Day Elks lodges, and St. Thomas Epis-
copal Church in Canyon City.
Survivors include his daughter, Joy Lyons Hoff of Wil-
sonville; son, Steve Stockwell of Vancouver, Washington;
four grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Stockwell, in
1989; and son, Kelley Stockwell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seneca
School Foundation or the Blue Mountain Hospital Foun-
dation through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
Michael B. DesJardin
Dentistry, PC
Preventive, Restorative & Endodontics
New Patients
Welcome!
208 NW Canton
John Day
541-575-2725
mbddental@live.com
michaelbdesjardindmd.com
Paid for by the family of Nancy Skinner
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20% chance
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SKI REPORT: Anthony Lakes: Base 49 inches; no new snow.