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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
A2 Family Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, August 16, 2017 John Day author releases eclipse edition of novel By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle As John Day author Craige McMillan prepares to witness the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, he has released an eclipse edi- tion of his book “Reconnais- sance: The Creator Returns” — the fi rst volume in his “Armegeddon Story” series. Among the characters in the supernatural novel is Achiel, a Yupik tribe native, who feels a light cut through him as he paddles an Alaskan river. He can’t help wondering if the eclipse he saw foretells something momentous for him and his Native American tribe. McMillan, who’s lived in John Day for 14 years, fi rst released “Reconnaissance” in 2014. The newer edition includes a modifi ed 2017 eclipse cover, an author prologue, a table of contents and updated format- ting. The “Armegeddon Story” series includes three volumes with another on the way. The author said he relies heavily on conversation and action to move his stories for- ward. “Character development is key,” he said. “Tight, strong descriptive settings let the reader fi ll in their own de- tails.” McMillan also said he’s light on introspection, allow- ing the characters to change and move the story from be- ginning to end. He said he works to cre- ate believable characters and a realistic depiction of the supernatural with a sense of mystery throughout. It’s “unlike anything else available,” he said. McMillan said he demon- strates with clarity why an “end times” in one form or another is likely. He said he felt re-releas- ing “Reconnaissance” would offer a memento for eclipse visitors, which they can read as they travel home. The book takes the reader from Alaska to Rome and Bra- zil and, the author says, “both sides of the veil of eternity.” Eagle file photo John Day author Craige McMillan holds his book “Reconnaissance: The Creator Returns.” He recently released a special 2017 eclipse edition of the novel. O BITUARIES Marjorie Grace Porfi ly Aug. 4, 2017 Marjorie Grace Porfily of John Day passed away Friday, Aug. 4, at Wildflower Lodge in La Grande. A graveside service, directed by Driskill Memorial Chapel in John Day, was held Aug. 11. Porfily was the second-born daughter to Kathern and Melton Arnold in Centralia, Washington. Marjorie married Ivan Porfily, and their partnership and life together began. They moved to a ranch and started a family. She was a rancher’s wife and partner in every sense and enjoyed the role very much. She kept detailed baby books and recorded who attended, what was served for dinner and gifts for every one of her chil- dren’s birthday celebrations. In the 1970s, Porfily was one of the top Tupperware salespeople in the Northwest. Her Tupperware inven- tory was endless, and she always had the correct lid or replacement container to completely satisfy every cus- tomer in Grant County. Porfily had many hobbies over the years that demon- strated her artistic side, including craft projects from ceramics, mushroom footstools, rock tables to Kleen- ex box covers and bird string puppets. She was a gift- ed cook who was never afraid to try a new recipe. Her homemade ice cream brought the family together many times over the years. Her traditions and family routine are very present in her children and grandchildren’s lives today. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan W. Porfily. She is survived by her son William “Bill” Porfily and wife, Shirley, of Stanfield; son Lenard Porfily and wife, Teresia, of Summerville; siblings Melvin Klaus, Robert Klaus and wife, Roberta, and Edith Cross; five grand- children; and 11 great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of John Day or the John Day Senior Center. Coral Gay Schmitt Sept. 1, 1930 - Aug. 9, 2017 Coral Gay Schmitt passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9. She was just 23 days short of her 87th birthday. Schmitt was born at home to Hiram Jackson and Viola Estel- la (Hensley) Brown on Sept. 1, 1930, in Pleasant Valley, Kansas, 10 miles north of Bucklin. She was ninth of 13 brothers and sis- ters. She graduated from Bucklin High School. On July 7, 1948, she married Harold J. Schmitt in Kinsley, Kansas, and they honeymooned on their way to moving to Ontario, where they lived the rest of their lives. Harold and Cor- al had seven children, Harold (Neb), Kenneth, Teresa, Duane, Vernon, Charles and Gary. Coral’s children were her reason for living, and she loved them all tremen- dously. Schmitt is survived by her sister Joyce; brother George (Billy); her children Neb (Linda), Ken (Tam- my), Teresa, Duane, Vern (Rindy) and Gary (Doris); 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 10 of her siblings; son Charles; and husband, Harold. She is also survived by the caring, loving and devoted nurses and staff at Blue Mountain Care Center in Prairie City. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at Lienkaemper Chapel in Ontario with graveside services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Sunset Cemetery in On- tario. Condolences may be sent to the family at lienkae- mper-thomason.com. E AGLE ON V ACATION — H OLLIDAY Contributed photo About Obituaries Chad and Erica Holliday took the Eagle on vacation in June while hiking up the Skógá River in South Iceland along the Fimmvorduhals trail, above, and the Ballyportry Castle in County Clare, Ireland, at right. The Eagle wants to see your vacation photos. Take a picture with the Eagle, print or mobile editions, while on vacation and send them to editor@bmeagle.com. 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 submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected and republished as paid notices. Send obituaries by email, editorl@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. Larry James Burnam Larry James Burnam passed away August 1, 2017, in Challis, Idaho at age 73. The family will be having private services. Larry born November 23, 1943, in Berea, Kentucky was the son of Allie and Kathleen McWhorter Burnam. Shortly after the war his family moved to Yakima, Washington where they owned an apple orchard. He and his brother and sisters all helped on the farm raising food for a growing world. He played baseball and basketball while attending school but longed for adventure away from the farm. After convincing his parents, he joined the Army in 1961. Shortly after arriving in Germany the Cold War came to a head at Check Point Charlie. He described The Berlin Crisis with little emotion. As a Combat Engineer he built air bases and missile silos for a world on the brink. His memories of the time however are filled with the joy of meeting new people, trying new things, and traveling around Europe as only a young man could. He had reenlisted and came home on leave before reassignment to see family. His sister set him up on a date with a friend. Seven days later he and Lori Bales were married and headed to Fort Polk, Louisiana for deployment to Vietnam. He left stateside in the fall of 1965. He landed by beach craft at Long Binh where they immediately built a runway and a brig for a war that was just about to escalate. Just as he had in Europe he focused on the good things in Vietnam. He loved the people he was with, the country, and actually met Ann Margret on the street in Saigon. After he left the military he settled in Portland, Oregon where he supervised a ground crew for Braniff Airlines. In 1975 Larry wanted to raise his children out of the city and moved to John Day, Oregon. He built his own home in the mountains and owned a business as a chimney sweep. In 1990 he relocated to Vancouver, Washington for a startup company that specialized in chimney repair. He helped the state write building codes and managed several projects including the historical restoration of the Tilly Jane Cabin on Mt. Hood. This project for the USFS was a first of its kind. Larry moved to Darby, Montana in the late 1990’s to be near his grand children. He worked until his retirement in 2008 at Triple Creek Resort doing facility maintenance. After retirement Larry traveled for the next several years helping his son with his home remodeling business in Portland, Oregon and visiting his daughter, grandchildren and other family along the way. He settled in Challis in 2016 to be with his family until his passing. Larry was enthusiastic about several activities including music concerts, motor racing, hiking, and camping adventures. He could fix anything, build you a house and prepare a gourmet dinner. Described as a renaissance man he didn’t dabble in things. He immersed himself until he was fluent and then shared that knowledge. He is survived by his beloved children: September Moore, Challis, Idaho and Trevor (Angie Coates) Burnam, Challis, Idaho; grandchildren: Zachariah (Ashley) Burnam, Hamilton, Montana and Emma Whisenant, Hamilton, Montana; brother: Leon (Marilyn) Burnam, Yakima, Washington; sisters: Charlene West, Zigzag, Oregon and Darlene (Jim) Kleweno of Yakima, Washington. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Allie and Kathleen Burnam and his adoring wife Lori Burnam. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Jones & Casey Funeral Home of Salmon, Idaho. www.jonesandcaseyfh.com Paid for by the family of Larry Burnam. acebook FACEBOOK . COM /M Y E AGLE N EWS YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!! The family of Constance C. Jaynes wishes to thank The Blue Mountain Hospice Team, truly caring people who work hard every day. Thank you for treating Connie as if she was part of your family. Sincerely, Keith & Annetta Huffman Joe & Michele Rubrecht 06025 L AST W EEK ’ S T EMPS J OHN D AY ..................................................................... HI/LO T UESDAY ....................................................................... 94/59 W EDNESDAY ................................................................... 95/60 T HURSDAY ..................................................................... 94/61 F RIDAY .......................................................................... 96/62 S ATURDAY ...................................................................... 90/60 S UNDAY ......................................................................... 70/58 M ONDAY ........................................................................ 79/50 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 W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF A UG . 16-22 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunny and pleasant Sunny and pleasant Pleasant with sun Partly sunny Pleasant with sun Mostly sunny Sun and clouds 84 86 89 88 88 89 86 52 53 54 54 55 46 47
