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FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
OBITUARIES
Rueben Weickum
Vera J. (Roberts) Edmondson
Royel Larry Allen
June 29, 1926 — Dec. 15, 2019
Rueben Weickum was born in Leipzig, North Dakota, on
June 29, 1926. He was the seventh of
10 children born to Edward and Olga
Weickum. After completing eighth
grade, he quit school to work on the
family farm, digging wells and work-
ing on neighboring farms. He married
his high school sweetheart Doris Pekas
on Sept. 6, 1948, and they moved to
Oregon in 1949 where he started work-
ing in the woods and hauling logs. He
eventually had three trucks of his own.
The family moved to John Day in 1969
where he continued to log until he retired. Rueben and Doris
enjoyed their retirement fishing, gardening and a little gam-
bling, playing cards and spending time with their family in
Oregon and North Dakota.
Rueben was proceeded in death by his parents, nine sib-
lings and Doris, his wife of 63 years. He is survived by his
sons Jerry Weickum of Roseburg, Oregon, Ricky Weickum
of John Day, Oregon; daughter Gaylene Shaffer of John Day,
Oregon; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Rueben was known for his contagious smile, laughter,
kindness, fun loving, hard working and helpful attitude. His
favorite saying was “You Betcha!” He passed away peace-
fully at the age of 93 on Dec. 15 in Roseburg, Oregon. A cel-
ebration of life is planned at a later date.
Donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s
Association (dementia). Rest in peace, Dad.
July 26, 1934 — Jan. 3, 2020
Vera J. (Roberts) Edmondson died in Milwaukee, Ore-
gon, Jan. 3, 2020, after a long illness.
She was born in Cambridge, Idaho,
in 1934. The family was transferred
to John Day, Oregon, during World
War II, and she attended Grant County
schools, graduating from Grant Union
High School in 1951. She married
Richard Edmondson that fall, and they
built a home in Canyon City, Oregon,
and raised a growing family. In 1959
they purchased a business in Portland.
Vera was a frequent visitor to Grant
County over the years, visiting family and friends or attend-
ing class reunions. She is survived by her children, Dixie
Starr of Portland, Oregon, Linda Blubaum and her husband,
Clyde, of Gresham, Oregon, and Mark Edmondson and his
husband, Troy Meyers, of Westport, Washington. She is also
survived by her niece, Yeteve Kenna of Portland and War-
ren Oliver of Portland, as well as five grandchildren and
many great- and great-great grandchildren. Vera was pre-
ceded in death by her youngest child, Mike, her parentsb
Clay and Florence Robertsb and her sister, LaVonne John-
ston. Arrangements are pending.
April 19, 1934 — Dec. 19, 2019
Royel Larry Allen, age 85, passed away on Dec. 19,
2019, at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A private
family burial was held on Dec.23, 2019, at Canyon City
Cemetery.
Royel was born on April 19, 1934, in Long Creek,
Oregon, to Jesse and Sarah (Bates) Allen. On Aug. 1,
1953, he married Lorene Cole at the Methodist Church
in John Day. Together they raised three children:
Pete, Rod and Susie. He was self-employed as a wood
worker.
Survivors include his children, Susie (Jason) Snyder,
Pete (Sally) Allen and Rod (Taya) Allen; and his nephew
Garry Allen. He is also survived by seven grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Allen;
parents, Jesse and Sarah Allen; granddaughter, Kimberly
Allen; brothers, Gerald, Elwood and Waldo; and sister,
Idelle.
Memorial contributions in memory of Royel can be
made to the charity of one’s choice through Driskill Memo-
rial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
To offer online condolences to the family, visit driskill-
memorialchapel.com.
Norma Lea Lemberger
Norma Lea Lemberger, 74, passed away on Dec. 25
at her residence in John Day. A memorial service will be
planned during the spring or early summer of 2020 and will
be announced in the Blue Mountain Eagle once dates are
determined. To offer online condolences to her family, visit
driskillmemorialchapel.com.
Barbara Sueanne Buck
April 15, 1948 — Dec. 28, 2019
On Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, Barbara Sueanne Buck, a
loving wife and mother of two chil-
dren, passed away at age 71. She
fought a tough battle with lung can-
cer but unfortunately succumbed to the
disease.
Barbara was born on April 15, 1948,
in Phoenix, Arizona. She was raised
in New Hampshire and attended col-
lege at the University of New Hamp-
shire. On August 22, 1968, she married
David Buck, her best friend. They met
in New Hampshire while David was
in the U.S. Army Special Forces and Barbara was attending
college and waitressing. They enjoyed 51 wonderful years of
marriage together. They raised two children, daughter Donna
Sharp and son David Buck Jr. She also had two grandsons,
Michael Buck and Kameron Kelleher. In addition, she raised
a very spoiled German shorthair pointer, Abigail, who was
her second-most love.
Barbara had a passion for sewing and quilting. Her quilt-
ing skills were unmatched by anyone in the trade. When not
quilting, she and David would travel with close friends and
see the sights. She was known for her determination, quick
wit, infectious smile and kind and compassionate spirit. She
will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Alice,
father, Guy, and her sister Norma. She is survived by her
husband, David, their two children, grandsons and sisters,
Faye, Janet, Colleen and Gloria.
In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation in her
name through Driskill Memorial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To leave an online condolence
for the family please visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
Lyla (Blume) Brooks
Lyla (Blume) Brooks passed away Dec. 23 in Boise,
Idaho. Services will be planned at a later date.
David Fronapel
Fern Newcomb
Oct. 23, 1931 — Dec. 23, 2019
Fern Ardell Newcomb, 88, of John Day died Monday,
Dec. 23, 2019, at home with her fam-
ily at her side. A family gathering will
be held at a later date.
Fern was born Oct. 23, 1931, to
parents Jerry and Gladys Rowland in
Amery, Wisconsin. She was raised in
Springbrook, Oregon, and graduated
from Springbrook High School.
Fern married Alvin Brown in 1949.
Together they had two children, Karen
and Jerry. They later divorced. In
1978 Fern married James Newcomb.
Between them they had five children, five grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren.
Fern worked at Pacific Reflex signs for several years.
She then worked at First Federal Bank as a loan officer in
McMinnville before retiring in 1995. Years later, she and
Jim moved to John Day to escape from the big city life.
Bowling was a big hobby for Fern. She also was involved
in water ballet at the McMinnville swimming pool.
She was preceded in death by her husband James of 41
years; brother Bob; sisters Essie Rowland and Marion Shires.
Fern is survived by her son Jerry Brown of Dundee, Ore-
gon; and daughter Karen Brown of John Day, Oregon.
For those who would like to make a memorial donation in
honor of Fern, the family suggests Blue Mountain Hospice
through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation
Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online con-
dolences can be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
Veronica Jean (Greene) Flanary
June 13, 1934 — Dec. 20, 2019
David Fronapel, a faithful man of great integrity, hon-
esty and caring and enduring love,
passed on to his reward Dec. 20 at
home. Dave’s desire of having all of
his children together at home was
completed on Thanksgiving Day, a
day of great joy that will never be
forgotten.
Dave was preceded in death by
his mother, Edna, and father, Fran-
cis Fronapel, as well as his broth-
ers Bob, Gene and Tom and one sis-
ter Nan Buel and one nephew Greg
Buel, all of whom he dearly loved.
David is survived by his wife, Marlou; six children
Don (Julie), Mark (Teresa), Wendy (Ray), LaDawn,
Christina and Charley; seven grandchildren David, Brian,
Daniel, Sarah, Danielle, Christopher and Elizabeth; and
seven great-grandchildren.
Dave lived his life rightly. Dave always stopped to
help anyone in need. He loved being in God’s beautiful
outdoors fishing and camping. Dave has a great sense of
humor, and he loved people of all walks of life. He was
a man endowed with gratefulness for all of God’s bless-
ings on his life.
David earned his undergrad degree at San Jose State
College and post-graduate at USC after serving with the
U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. He completed his EMT
1 and served at the food bank, and as a hospice volunteer
for many years.
A memorial for this wonderful man is to be held at
Living Word Christian Center in Mt. Vernon on Jan. 24
at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made
in his name to Living Word Christian Center or to Grant
County Hospice.
April 2, 1959 — Dec. 30, 2019
Veronica Jean (Greene) Flanary went to be with her Lord
on Dec. 30, 2019, in Bend, Oregon.
She was born April 2, 1959, the
daughter of Ronald Freeman Greene
(Dec) and Linda Gail (Roberts) Cook
of Mt. Vernon, Oregon. She was a life-
long resident of Oregon.
She is survived by her husband
of 38 years Vernon (Vern) Flanary
of Mt. Vernon, Oregon; her mother
Linda Cook of Mt. Vernon, Oregon;
sister Linda Kinnaman and her hus-
band, Gerald, of Prairie City, Ore-
gon; brother Robert Greene and his wife, Susan, of Port-
land, Oregon; her stepchildren Mike Flanary and Michelle
Nagle both of Portland and Marcus Flanary of Long Beach,
Washington; and many grandchildren and great-grandchil-
dren, nieces and nephews.
We know where she is today, and it’s a great place. She’s
at the right hand of God.
Alvia Jack Pickle (Jack) was born March 28, 1925 To Albert Ambrose a miner/Blacksmith
and Minnie Roselee (Elmorris, Johnson) who made/designed hats and dresses. Jack passed on
Sunday, Dec 22, 2019 at 0940 hours, at the VA Community Living Center in Boise, Idaho.
He was the 3rd of seven children Elbert, Charles (Pete), Lydia Ann, Willard (Bobby), Elise
Mae, and is survived by Orlando (Corky) of Pendleton.
As a teenager he trapped and sold martin/mink with his friend Ford Peterson. During
the summer he worked for the Forest Service as a Trail Boss building trails in the Wallowa
Mountains Lake Basin (The ancestral lands of the Nez Perce tribe of Chief Joseph) some 8,000
ft. above sea level. Jack took his little brother (Corky) with him a lot. When the camp cook
needed a break Jack would cook the crew’s meals on an open fire.
Jack joined the Active Army June 1943, as a lineman. He was assigned to Co. B 431st Sig Bn/Heavy Construction, serving during
World War II in Northern Africa, Rome-Arno, Northern Apennines, PO Valley, and Southern France where he saw 7 campaigns. Compa-
ny B’s Captain Brown, a West Point Graduate was the reason Jack came home. As a TEC 5 he was promoted to a Field Grade Lieutenant.
He received the Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. His Purple Heart for being
injured at Monte Casino, Italy was lost in transition.
Returning from the war Jack, attended Eastern Oregon College in LaGrande, to complete his High School Diploma and take Forestry
Courses. There he met and Married Bonnie Lavonne Deardorff. They decided not to finish college and to settle in Prairie City Oregon.
Jack worked in the sawmills becoming a Millwright at Hines Lumber in John Day, until his retirement at age 65. He was a VFW Lifetime
member. He was the caretaker for the Deleau’s Cabin since the 1950’s in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. He orchestrated Cross-Cut
Saw competitions for the 4th of July and 62 Days Celebrations throughout Grant County. Dr. Keith Thomas operated on him in 2004, saving
Jacks life, giving him and his wife Bonnie the opportunity to be the 2009 Grant County 4th of July Parade Grand Marshalls.
Jack is survived by his wife Bonnie, Daughter Marcia Paquel \Alexander Dabalos, Son - Lance wife Verona, Grandson - Shane wife
Jennifer, Great Grand Children Bethany, Martha, AJ, and Lance William. Numerous Nieces and Nephews.
A memorial Service will be announced in the spring to summer of 2020.
Paid for by the family of Alvia Jack Pickle.
S164634-1
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 51/30
Wednesday ..................................................... 48/37
Thursday .......................................................... 39/34
Friday ............................................................... 51/33
Saturday .......................................................... 51/32
Sunday ............................................................ 38/28
Monday............................................................ 46/33
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Thank you to each and
everyone who helped take care
of Gramma Pearl those past
two years. Your kindness and
compassion will always be
deeply appreciated.
A special thanks to the
Blue Mountain Care Center
for making her life more
comfortable and pleasant
throughout the end of her
journey.
Sincerely,
The Glenn Moodenbaugh Family
and Nancy Morgan
S163679-1
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J AN . 8-14
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