A2
Family
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
O BITUARIES
Larry V. Hensley
Feb. 28, 2018
Stephen D. Finlayson
Stephen D. Finlayson of Burns, Oregon, passed away March 21, 2018, at Harney District Hospital. A memorial service for Finlayson is scheduled for
Friday, April 6, 2018, starting at 11:00 am in the Burns Elks Lodge at 118 N. Broadway, Burns OR, with a meal to follow. Steve was born on May 11,
1944 in Buffalo Center IA, to John and Alta (Zenor) Finlayson, one of 12 children. Steve served as a senior airman in the US Air Force during the
Cuban missile crisis and loaded B-52s with bombs on Guam during the Vietnam war. Four years later, Steve attended and graduated Phi Beta Kappa
from Northwest Missouri State in 1971. In 1967, he had met and married Stephanie Joy Peterson of Ames IA, who worked as a nurse while Steve
earned his juris doctorate from University of Missouri Law School in 1974. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 26, 2017.
Steve and Stephanie first came to Harney County when Steve was hired as legal counsel for Burns Paiute Tribe. As the Finlayson family was growing
– Amy and Alex were born – Steve opened his own law office and also served nearly 30 years as the Burns City Attorney. In his private practice, he
shared a building with longtime attorney Wendell Gronso, and earned his place amongst the heavy hitters of the Eastern Oregon Bar Association,
including Gronso, Bill Cramer Sr., Carl Burnham, Mike Kilpatrick and Milo Pope. There were occasional evenings when, after a hard fought
courtroom battle, the cigar smoke, clink of glasses and testosterone filled the back conference room. Steve’s high level of ethics and passion for the
law were admired by his fellow attorneys and he was respected throughout the state.
In later years, Steve served as legal counsel to Harney Electric Cooperative, and as Hines City Attorney, all the while continuing his private law
practice. After the kids had graduated high school and gone on to college, Stephanie stepped in to serve as legal assistant to Steve, and they
worked well together, specializing in real estate and probate cases. In December 2013, Steve officially retired from the City of Hines and they
wound down the private practice, setting about enjoying their grandchildren. Steve suffered from rheumatoid arthritis throughout his adulthood,
but did not allow it to keep him from the hobbies he loved – motorcycling, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing. He was also a member of the local
chapters of Lions, Masons and Elks.
Larry V. Hensley, 64, passed away Feb. 28 in Salem. He
was born in Prairie City but spent his younger years in On-
tario and later moved to John Day, where he attended and
graduated from Grant Union High School in 1972. He pro-
ceeded to further his education and attended Lane Commu-
nity College, eventually moving to Salem.
He later met his wife, Susan L. Hensley, and they married
in Ontario.
He worked as a logger and diesel mechanic, but spent his
free time attending almost every activity and sports event of
his grandsons, hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time
with friends and family, along with attending the Peoples
Church.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Hensley, Salem; sister
Aloma Kay Watson of Ontario; daughters Jenifer Hensley
and Angela Bond of Salem; two grandsons; and many nieces
and nephews.
Steve is survived by his wife, Stephanie; daughter Amy Johnson of Cypress CA; son Alex Finlayson of Canyon City OR; three grandchildren: Dane
Finlayson and Greyson and McKenzi Johnson; his siblings: Bonna Pineke, Audrey Sansgard, Miriam Boettcher, and Don Finlayson, all of Iowa; Lois
Elson and Dave Finlayson, both of Arizona. He was preceded in death by both parents, as well as brother Roger, sisters Elaine Nye and Arlis Tuttle,
and two brothers who died as infants.
Memorial contributions in the memory of Stephen D. Finlayson may be made to Boys Town or Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation through Driskill
Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845. Arrangements by Driskill Memorial Chapel of John Day, with interment in Willamette
National Cemetery, Happy Valley OR.
To light a candle in honor of Steve or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com
Paid for by the family of Steve Finlayson
Jennie Lynn Messmer
(McPherren), beloved
wife, mother, sister,
cousin, and friend, passed
away at her home in
Silverton, Oregon, on
Sunday, March 11, 2018,
at the age of 58. Jennie’s
family was blessed by
many friends who shared
love and stories with Jennie during her final days. We take
comfort in knowing that she was loved and had a positive
impact on many during her time on Earth.
Jennie was born in Eugene, Oregon, on January 30, 1960,
to Paul and Ruth McPherren. The McPherren family moved
to Prairie City Oregon, in 1969, Libby Montana in 1974 and
back to Oregon in 1977. Jennie graduated from Oakridge
High School in 1978 and Eastern Oregon State College in
1995. Jennie met Rhine Messmer in 1985 and they were
married in the fall of 1986 in Prairie City, Oregon. They
lived in La Grande where Jennie continued to work on
her degree while working full time, being a wife and
becoming a mother to Megan Lynn and Jacob Rhine.
When Rhine took a position in Klamath Falls, Jennie
started her career in government by working for the City
of Klamath Falls. Later, when they moved to Silverton,
Jennie worked for the League of Oregon Cities and then
the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments. Jennie
also spent several years serving as interim city manager for
50183
several communities around Oregon as they worked to find a
full-time manager.
Jennie never had a negative word to say about anyone. She
worked hard and loved much. She was a true friend and was
always helpful and kind. Her children and husband were her
priority and she was very proud of their accomplishments.
Jennie was kind and loved family and friends with her whole
heart. She was an available ear and gave sincere, quality
advice when asked. Jennie set a goal to live a year when she
was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2015. She
exceeded her goal just like she exceeded all expectations in
all aspects of her life. Those of us who were blessed by having
her in our lives will miss her very much but know that she is at
peace, pain free, and in a better place now.
Jennie was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents
(Paul and Ruth McPherren), aunts, and uncles. She is survived by
her husband, Rhine Messmer, daughter, Megan Messmer, son
Jacob Messmer (Jessica), brother Patrick McPherren, and sisters
Leslie Repman (Jim), Kathy Johnson (Roger), and Sharon Fritsch
(Mark), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life to be held at the Festhalle in Mt. Angel,
Oregon, April 14th, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Beverages, snacks,
and deserts to be provided. 500 Wilco Highway Northeast, Mt
Angel, OR 97362.
Donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network, or flowers are welcome for the celebration of life.
Paid for by the family of Jennie Messmer
50048
Mr. Lelus “Pete” Baucum, 93, of Canyon City, Oregon passed away Tuesday, March 20th,
2018 at his home outside of Canyon City. A viewing will be held Friday, April 6, 2018 at
Driskill Memorial Chapel from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
A memorial service will be held on April 7, 2018, at 1:00 PM in the new gym at the Grant
Union High School.
LJ “Pete” Baucum was born December 28th, 1924 to John and Irene Baucum in Denver,
Colorado. The first of four children, he spent part of his early childhood near Hood
River, Oregon. Moving to Grant County with his family in the early 1930s, he attended
elementary school at the Moon Creek schoolhouse west of Mt. Vernon. It was during
his senior year of high school at Grant Union when he was drafted into the US Army at
18 years old, serving 2 1/2 years in the Army as a squad leader (corporal) in the 246th
Combat Engineers. He was part of the D-day forces, landing in the third wave on Utah
beach in the invasion of Normandy. The combat engineers were demolition specialists, clearing the roads for other troops.
He was eventually wounded twice, the second time by a land mine, and sent home to the veterans hospital for eighteen
months in Portland for surgery and rehabilitation. He recalled the red willows near where he was wounded with fondness,
as he used them to drag himself to safety and hide until our troops found him. He received two bronze stars and two Purple
Hearts for his service in the European campaign, which included the capture of German troops. At the hospital in Portland
he met a nurse named Ella Eichler. The two were married on Dec. 2, 1945 and lived in Vanport until they lost everything in
the flood there. They moved back to Grant County with their two small daughters in 1950. With the support of his wife, Pete
graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in 1951. He spent the better part of his teaching career at
Grant Union High School, where he retired in 1984. He was presented at that time with his high school diploma, which he
had never received due to WWII.
Pete loved the outdoors, and loved to share it with others. Teaching biology and conservation classes, driving school bus,
and coaching track, he is fondly remembered by many of his students as “LJ” instead of Mr. Baucum. During the summers
Pete loved to ride, spending many hours in the saddle packing salt or moving cattle for various ranches. Come spring time he
always looked forward to a good branding; roping calves was something he enjoyed immensely, as well as the good times
spent with his neighbors. In later years Pete traded the horse and saddle for a four-wheeler, and it became his legs for the
remainder of the time he spent in the woods. He loved fishing and hunting, and the camaraderie of time shared with family
and friends was something he looked forward to each fall. Some of his favorite hunting stories included his group of friends
in the “over-the-hill gang”.
Pete’s wife Ella passed away on Feb. 17, 2007. He re-married the following year to a longtime friend from church, Barbara
Pollak. They spent many happy years between the ranch up Canyon Creek and Barb’s place in John Day. Four years ago Pete
took a fall resulting in an injury that required surgery. He never fully recovered from the fall, and stayed his remaining years
at Valley View Assisted Living. Barbara continued to be ever faithful at his side, bringing him much joy and happiness.
Pete is survived by his wife Barbara, and his four children, Patricia McArthur (Gary), Rebecca Hagen (Robert), Richard Baucum
(Karen), Jeffrey Baucum (Terri) and stepchildren Kathy and Terrance Pollak; and grandchildren, Jay and Troy Carniglia, Paula
Jefferson, Shawn Hagen, David, Kevin, Travis, Mathias and Abbie Baucum. He also has 11 great-grandchildren: Garrett,
Ely, Kayla, Ashley, Quinn, Steven and Audrey, Levi, Hayden, Ruby and Barrett; and three great-great-grandaughters, Ally,
Brylie and Harlyn. Pete is survived by his brother Bill Baucum, and sister Jean Willey, and many nephews and nieces. He was
preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ella, brother Jerry, and two infant children.
Patricia ‘Pat’ Heroff-Fielding
Jan. 27, 1936 - March 12, 2018
Patricia “Pat” Heroff-Fielding, 83,
died March 12 at St. Alphonsus Hos-
pital in Baker City. A celebration of life
wake will be held at a later date, the
time and date to be announced.
She was born on Jan. 27, 1936, in
Salt Lake City, Utah. She was raised
and educated there, graduating from
South High School. She married Don-
ald Heroff, and they had three children.
They later divorced, but always remained good friends until his
passing in 2008.
She met Mitch while working at the University of Utah
Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The medical center had eight
high rises and 3,000 employees. They were married on Sept.
3, 1983. In 1995, they got away from the city life and moved
to Granite. He built the Granite Lodge from 1995 to 1998, and
soon after they were open for business.
She was a teacher and mentor who led by example and stood
up for those who had trouble standing by themselves.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Dawn Rae in
1967.
She is survived by her husband, Mitch; daughter Jai Cee
Heroff; son Michael Heroff; and sister-in-law Andy Mash of
Sumpter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher House,
which provides veteran families a place to stay when a veteran
is in the hospital, through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home &
Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online
condolences may be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.
com.
Thelma Jean Vaughan
1932 - March 28, 2018
Thelma Jean Vaughan, 85, of Burns passed away March 28
at her home.
Vaughan was born in 1932 in Prineville to Harry and Mil-
dred Evans, one of seven children, including a twin sister,
Velma. She attended middle school in Brothers at the little red
schoolhouse, often commuting via horse and staying in town
for the school week. The Evans family eventually settled in
Burns where she graduated high school in 1950.
Shortly after graduation, she met Donald Vaughan at the
Harney County Rodeo. The two, along with Faye and Roy Tra-
vis, were wed in a double ceremony in 1951.
She worked for many years for The Modern Laundry. She
took care of many children for working parents and often took
them in as her own. She always had a roof and a meal for any
of the children that came into her home. Many of those parents
became her lifelong friends.
Vaughan was involved in her community through several
activities through the years. Her creative nature led her to the
Harney County Arts & Crafts Association, which connects Har-
ney County artists through artists’ workshops, meetings and the
sponsorship of community art events such as the Quilt and Art
show. She was a talented painter, seamstress, crocheter, knitter
and pianist. She was also an avid amateur genealogist and spent
many years pursuing her family’s history. This search would
eventually lead to her publishing a book, “Harriet’s Journey,”
which detailed the migration of her grandmother, Harriet Wil-
liams Comstock Evans, from Wales to America. Always will-
ing to lend a hand, she assisted many other families with their
own research and was a frequent contributor at Find-A-Grave
and Ancestry websites. When she wasn’t involved in the arts
or family research, she could be found with a glass of iced tea
and a book. Reading was a passion for her, and she instilled that
same passion in her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Brian and wife, Becky, of
Bend; Ken Vaughan of Burns; Jeanne Strange and husband,
Bruce, of Kimberly; Paula Vaughan and Jeff Rohwer of Burns;
sister Fay Travis and husband, Roy, of Burns; twin sister Velma
Whitson and husband, Howard, of Bend; five grandchildren;
many great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son
Rodger; infant grandson Evan Vaughan; brothers Bud, Don and
Bill Evans; and sister Norma Evans.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the
Burns Christian Church, 125 S. Buena Vista. A potluck gather-
ing of friends and family will follow.
Pete will long be remembered for his great smile, sense of humor, his ability to make people feel welcome, his quick wit, and
his love of the Good Lord. He was a very special man who saw a lot of change in his lifetime. They don’t make them like him
anymore.
A celebration of life and
potluck reception for C.D.
Dale Morris will be held at
11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at
Contributions can be made to Blue Mountain Hospice, Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum, or the John Day United
Methodist Church through Driskill’s Memorial Chapel.
To light a candle in Pete’s memory or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com.
Paid for by the family of Pete Baucum
L AST W EEK ’ S T EMPS
J OHN D AY ..................................................................... HI/LO
T UESDAY ....................................................................... 55/33
W EDNESDAY ................................................................... 58/37
T HURSDAY ..................................................................... 59/31
F RIDAY .......................................................................... 58/35
S ATURDAY ...................................................................... 56/37
S UNDAY ......................................................................... 59/32
M ONDAY ........................................................................ 44/26
24/7 F ORECAST
A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM
NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY
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C.D. Dale Morris
the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian
Church. All friends are wel-
come to attend. Morris, 98,
passed away Jan. 28.
More Obituaries, Page A3
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