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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2016)
A2 Family Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, November 2, 2016 O BITUARIES Mary Jane Allen May 29, 1944 - Oct. 20, 2016 Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter The Grant Union senior band stands to take a bow during their Oct. 25 fall concert. The Grant Union Junior-Senior High School choir sings with air guitar moves, led by Mary Ann Vidourek, at the Oct. 25 fall concert. The Grant Union junior high band bows at the end of their presentation. GU talents displayed at fall concert Director Vidourek to stay till end of 2016 Mary Jane Allen, 72, of John Day passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, at Blue Mountain Hospital. A funeral service was held Wednesday, Oct. 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in John Day, followed by a pro- cession to Canyon City Cemetery. Allen was born May 29, 1944, to James Earl and Tina Inez (Keeney) Sharp, and was the youngest of three children. She married James K. Allen II on Feb. 23, 1967, and together they raised four children. She spent most of her life in Grant County. She had a deep love for the area and the people. She attended all 12 years of schooling in John Day and Canyon City, and formed many lifelong friendships. Several years of her childhood were spent at the J bar L Guest Ranch with her family, exploring the sur- rounding area on horseback, and eventually wearing the title of junior rodeo queen. She was active in the community and a longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the happiest when she was helping others. She vol- unteered her time at the local genealogy libraries. She could also be found at Valley View doing nails, and visiting with the residents. She enjoyed being part of the 4th of July Commit- tee, the Grant County Fair and the Truckers Light Parade. She loved her family and enjoyed trips to Central Oregon, Alaska and Eugene to hug grandchildren, and spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that lived near her. She never knew a stranger, and many in the community claimed her as their own. She had a way of seeking out those that needed a little extra love and making them feel welcome. Her presence will be missed by many including her little dog, Miley. Allen was preceded in death by her husband, James K. Allen II, her parents, sister Edna May Sheets and brother Ed Sharp. She is survived by her son, John F. Allen and his wife, Bon- nie, of Prineville; three daughters, Renee Smart and her hus- band, Ken, of Mapleton, Stephi Allen of La Grande and Mindy Winegar and her husband, Toby, of John Day; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to John Day Canyon City Parks and Recreation through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To leave a condo- lence, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com. Raymond Elvey ‘Ray’ Chidester Oct. 5, 1914 - Oct. 19, 2016 By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Extra chairs were set up to accommodate a larg- er-than-expected crowd for the Tuesday, Oct. 25, Grant Union Junior-Senior High School fall concert. Director Mary Ann Vi- dourek led the choir of stu- dents in grades 7 through 12 and the junior and senior bands. The choir clapped along to “All Night, All Day” and even had some air guitar moves as they sang “Stomp Box.” Sophomore Samantha Floyd was accompanist for the choir. The junior band’s song se- lections included the familiar Grant Union band and choir director Mary Ann Vidourek stands with sophomore trombonist, and accompanist for the choir, Samantha Floyd at the close of the Oct. 25 fall concert at the school. “Star Wars” theme song. “Oregon Trail” by Mike Story was the kickoff song for the senior band, and they ended with a fall favorite “Dr. Rockenstein” by Steve Hodg- es. Vidourek retired from Grant Union last school year, moving to Redmond, and she Glenn R. Gray, 87, passed away Sunday, October 16, at his home in Phoenix, Oregon, with his wife, Arlene, by his side. He was born May 5, 1929 in Elk, Washington to John A. (Jack) and Cora L. Gray. His older brother was John R. Gray (Jack). The family also lived in Vale, Oregon, and moved to Seneca, Oregon, where Glenn grew up. He attended Grant Union High School, graduating in 1947. Glenn married Thelma Campbell in1950. They made their home in John Day and had two children, Roger F. Gray and Laurie Gray Hueckman. Glenn was a timber faller, and did contract logging with his crew of fallers for several decades in Eastern Oregon. He was a charter member of the Elks BPOE 1824 in John Day. He was a member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse for several years. Thelma preceded him in death in 1982. Glenn married Arlene Amos March 10, 1984. They spent their leisure time boating and fishing, and traveling south in the winters. Glenn was forced to retire in 1989 due to a back injury suffered in the woods. Then they traveled full time in their RVs for 10 years. When he could no longer travel they settled in Phoenix, OR for 16 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and one great-grandchild, Isabel Hueckman. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, and children, Roger F. Gray, Laurie Gray Hueckman, Pam Halbert and Lori Williams, his grandchildren Jill, Brian, and Steven Hueckman, and several nieces and nephews. At Glenn’s request, no services will be held. Paid for by the family of Glenn R. Gray is back at the job temporarily until a replacement is found. She said school offi cials hope to have a new director hired by the end of 2016. “It was exciting for ev- eryone to be back together again,” she said. Vidourek added she was pleased with the effort the stu- dents gave for their fi rst per- formance of the year. The choir presented songs they performed at the Oct. 19 Tri-County Choir Fesitval in Echo, which included stu- Grant Union junior high band member Clara Carr dents from six schools. “The choir had a lot of plays the xylophone. fun singing,” she said of last week’s concert. “The bands plans to direct Grant Union are young, and I see a bright and Humbolt Elementary stu- future ahead for them.” dents in their annual Christ- Next up for Vidourek, she mas concert. 24/7 F ORECAST A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122 R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM WWW . BLUEMOUNTAINEAGLE . COM / INFO NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY 162.500 MHz Philip Stephen Gause May 18, 1930 - Oct. 21, 2016 Philip Stephen Gause, 86, of Mt. Vernon passed away Fri- day, Oct. 21, in Mt. Vernon. No public services will be held. Gause was born May 18, 1930, to Francis and Agnus (Mor- ris) Gause in Yakima, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Gause, of Mt. Vernon, six children and several grandchildren. Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Memorial Chap- el, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. THANK YOU Earlene Rose Durant The family of Bill Deist would like to express our heartfelt thank you for all the love and support we have received at this difficult time. All the prayers, cards, flowers, and food given to our families was truly appreciated. We would also like to thank those who made contributions to the charities that Bill chose. Thank you to Driskill Memorial Chapel for all of your help and kindness and the Elk’s Lodge for the dinner following the service. We feel very blessed to have such caring friends and families. Earlene Rose Durant, 78, of Prairie City passed away Sun- day, Oct. 30, at her home, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Assembly of God Church in Prairie City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Earlene Durant memorial fund at Old West Federal Credit Union. To leave a condolence, visit driskillmemorial- chapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Me- morial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. M. Gregg Smith M. Gregg Smith of Prairie City passed away Monday, Oct. 31, in Keizer. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Thank you, Patti Deist, Dan & Cheri Deist and family, Jeanna & Pat Kiser and family, Janice Officer, Jim Officer and families and Karen Officer and families. 04752 C ORRECTION Cowboy Chapel Hour 04757 L AST W EEK ’ S T EMPS J OHN D AY ..................................................................... HI/LO T UESDAY ....................................................................... 62/48 W EDNESDAY ................................................................... 67/51 T HURSDAY ..................................................................... 59/43 F RIDAY .......................................................................... 56/48 S ATURDAY ...................................................................... 56/41 S UNDAY ......................................................................... 55/41 M ONDAY ........................................................................ 55/29 Senior band members perform, including Annie Wall, front, Caleb Dilley, back left, Kohlten Jones and Alyssa Hoffman. Raymond Elvey “Ray” Chidester, 102, passed away Wednes- day, Oct. 19, in Charlottesville, Virginia, surrounded by his chil- dren. Born Oct. 5, 1914, in Hallstead, Pennsylvania, he attended Thaddeus Stevens Technical School in Lancaster, Pennsylva- nia. He was a scientifi c instrument maker for the National Bu- reau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., and was an extraordinary clock and watchmaker. He could fi x anything and had a sweet sense of humor and kind ways. Chidester and his wife, Frances, moved to John Day in 1984 from Virginia to be with their new granddaughter, Camille Thompson. They were members of the First Baptist Church in John Day and resided on Brent Street until 1993. Chidester re- paired many watches and clocks for neighbors and friends, and his wife was the church secretary. They had many fond memo- ries of the John Day Valley and their friends there. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Frances Lucas Chidester; his parents, Sarah and Holdridge Chidester; and brother, Merle Chidester. He was survived by four children, Alan Chidester of Moscow, Idaho, Nina Chidester Thompson (Joseph), of Charlottesville, David Chidester (Soudabeh Hadi- pour) of Richmond, Virginia, and Phillip Chidester (Bunny) of Richmond; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of the Pied- mont, Development Offi ce, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911. KJDY, Sunday, 7 a.m. “Easy Listening” Dr. Raffaella Betza’s name was incorrectly spelled in last week’s article, “Just what the doctor ordered.” The Eagle regrets the error. W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF N OV . 2-8 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Partly sunny Partly sunny and pleasant Mostly sunny and mild Partly sunny and mild Showers and cooler Sun and high clouds More sun than clouds 62 63 65 66 51 54 55 42 37 37 45 35 29 33
