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