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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2021)
A2 FAMILY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Grant County ESD offi ce seeking nominations for Crystal Apple award OBITUARIES Helen Marie Klabo Steven John Hopper Feb. 7, 1947 – June 18, 2021 Helen Marie (Seebart) Klabo died June 18, 2021. She was born in Burns, Oregon, to Roy and Berniece Seebart of Seneca, Oregon, Feb. 7, 1947. She married Robert Klabo in Seneca in the year 1963. She was a gradu- ate of Grant Union High School and from L.C.C. in nursing. Helen’s career was mostly with United Pacifi c Reliance and Peterson Pacifi c Corporation, but these were just two of many others. But fi rst and foremost, her life was family and many lifelong friends. Helen is survived by her husband, Rob- ert; sister Ruth Mary and Eddie McDonald of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two broth- ers, Sam and Sharon Seebart of Seneca, Oregon, and Jack and Denise Seebart of John Day, Oregon; one daughter, Cindy and Ed Koch of Salem, Oregon; two sons, Bryan and Karen of Springfi eld, Oregon, and Brent of Creswell, Oregon; nine grandchildren, Mel- anie Brundidge, Christopher Brundidge (deceased 2010), Michelle and Chad Frederiks, Jacob Klabo, Stephen and Kaylie Klabo, Katie Koch and Scotty Snowden, Kayla and Harvey Spears, Zachary and Irie Klabo and Matthew Cochran; four great-grandchildren Kae- lyn Dobson, Addison Frederiks, Emma and Ella Klabo; along with numerous nieces and nephews. A public visitation is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 28, 2021, at Springfi eld Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of fl owers, she requested donations to Toys for Tots, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite C, Springfi eld, OR 97477. Arrangements entrusted to Springfi eld Memorial Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at musgroves.com. July 14, 1948 – June 13, 2021 Steven John Hopper of Canyon City, Oregon, was born on July 14, 1948. He passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 72. Steve was predeceased by his parents, Har- old and Betty Hopper, and his youngest sis- ter, Susan Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan (Rains) Hopper; his sons, Dean Hopper and Matthew Hop- per; his sister, Kathleen Hopper; his grand- daughters, Hannah, Kate and Ruby Hop- per; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In 1972, Steve and Joan arrived in Grant County as newlyweds and fell in love with the region’s natural beauty. Together, they made a home and raised their two children on Canyon Creek. They remained in Canyon City even after los- ing their home in the 2015 Canyon Creek Complex fi re. After buy- ing his fi rst logging truck, a 1968 Peterbilt, Steve hauled as a pri- vate contractor for local loggers. After 40 years hauling, he retired in 2012. When he wasn’t on the road in his truck, you could fi nd him wandering the hills with his dog, Tracy, in search of elk horns or cultivating, harvesting and sharing produce from his fruit and veg- etable garden. The Hopper family is grateful for the love and kindness shown by friends and family during this time of grieving. A memorial ser- vice was held at the John Day Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Friday, June 18; donations in Steve’s memory may be made to Blue Mountain Hospital through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com. About Obituaries William Robert Thomas News obituaries of 300 words or less 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 memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid memorials. Send obituaries by email, office@ bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more informa- tion, or to inquire about a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710. William Robert Thomas, age 91, of John Day passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at the John Day Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Randy Johnson offi ciating. A committal service will follow at St. Andrews Cem- etery in Canyon City. A reception will be held at the Nazarene January 26th, 1938 - May 29th, 2021 Church Fellowship Hall after the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day Church Nancy Lee Martin, 83, passed of the Nazarene or to the Blue Mountain Hospital Scholarship away and went to meet the Fund through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., Lord, with family by her side, on John Day, OR 97845. May 29th, 2021 at the Hospice To off er online condolences, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com. House in Bend, Oregon. She was Nancy Lee Martin preceded in death by her father and mother, Harold (“Happy”) and Verna Martin; her brother Larry (“Boonie”) Martin, and granddaughter Marlys Scott. She leaves behind her longtime partner David Haight; six children, Marla Mattz of Bend, Oregon; Jim and daughter- in-law Deb Burril of John Day, Oregon; Jeff Downing of Canyon City, Oregon; Patti and son-in-law Mike Luttrell of Smith River, California; Julie and son-in-law Vic Solus of Gasquet, California; Judy and son-in-law Will George of Smith River, California. Grandchildren Trinidy and wife Jamie, Nicole, Kayla, Destiny, Devin and wife Kayln, Jordan, Jacob, Andrea, Ashley, Martin and wife Crystal, Natasha, Alicia and husband Scott, and Paul; great-grandchildren Takoda, Jadah, Paris, Trinity, Estella, Bladen, Kydalin, Briar, Caleb, Hannah, Addison and Mason; great-great- grandchildren Tavian and Maggie. Nancy was born in Prairie City, Oregon and raised in Dayville, Oregon. She loved spending time with her dad on the ranch and riding horses beside him to gather cattle in the Fall. Time spent with her brother was precious and she loved him dearly. Volleyball was her favorite sport and a cherished memory of hers was sliding down the huge hill in Dayville after it snowed. She became best friends with Edie Gooding and they continued their friendship her entire life. In 1954 Nancy married Dean Downing and they started a family in John Day, Oregon. In the early 60’s they relocated to Smith River, California and eventually moved to Nomad Trailer Park. There she met Wilma Branton and her four children, becoming lifelong friends after raising their children. Being a mom was her greatest blessing and being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. She worked as a cashier at Dunroven Market and later worked at Seaside Hospital in Housekeeping; a job she really enjoyed, as well as the friends she made there. She married Jack Ulrich in 1987 and loved life on the ranch with him, and the numerous family gatherings they shared. Later in her life she met David Haight and they moved to Prineville, Oregon, where they enjoyed sharing a life together, along with her beloved dog TC and Teddy. In 2018 they moved to Canyon City, Oregon, where she spent her remaining days. She loved the smell of the junipers at home, while at times missed the coast with the ocean and the Smith River. Nancy loved listening to Country and Gospel music, with two of her favorite songs being “On Top of Old Smokey” and “The Wild Side of Life.” She enjoyed dancing, fishing, playing all kinds of games, with Hopscotch and Redrover being her childhood favorites. She will be remembered for playing Yahtzee for hours on end with family and friends. She loved going to the movies too. Daily she spent time reading her Bible and loved going to church where she reveled in singing the Gospel. Nancy had a wonderful sense of humor and we will miss her laughter, hugs and love. Our family reunions will never be the same without our beloved mom, Granny and GG. The family will have private services at the Canyon City Cemetery on July 10th at 2:00 pm. Memorials can be made to Partners In Care (Hospice House) 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, Oregon 97701. In memory of Nancy Lee Martin. If so desired, flowers may be sent thru John Day Florist in John Day, Oregon. Paid for by the family of Nancy Martin. By Steven Mitchell Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant County Educa- tion Service District is taking nominations from the coun- ty’s fi ve school districts for the Crystal Apple award. Robert Waltenburg, Grant County ESD superintendent, said this year there would be two categories of awards, one for licensed educators and one for staff who may not hold a teaching license but play a role in educating students. The purpose is to recog- nize the dedication and con- tributions of those teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, classifi ed staff , coaches, bus drivers, cooks and others who dedicate themselves to a stu- dent’s education. Waltenberg said the rela- tionships students have with non-licensed school staff can get taken for granted. “Everybody has a story about a bus driver that made sure their kid got off at the right place every day or made sure their kid didn’t forget their backpack,” he said, “or a coach that took a kid under their wings and really taught them how to be a man or a young woman.” He said the superintendent group wants to make sure that those contributions do not go unrecognized and stay at the “front of everybody’s mind.” “We do not want to assume that the only education taking place is in a classroom,” he said. “It takes place from the time a kid comes into that K 12 community to the time that they leave.” Waltenberg said the nomi- nations could come from staff , students, parents or anyone else in the community. He said those who want to nominate an employee could do so by send- ing a letter by June 30 that is not more than two pages with the following information: • Name of the nominee. • What attributes the nom- inee possesses that deserve recognition. • How the staff member plays a role in the education and lives of children. • Contact information for the nominee. • The relationship between the nominee and the person making the nomination. • Any information that would help the selection com- mittee make a selection for the award. Waltenberg said people could drop the nominations off at the local school with the local superintendent. Additionally, he said peo- ple could email them to wal- tenburgr@grantesd.k12.or.us and include in the subject line “Grant County Crystal Apple Award.” Nominations can also be sent through the mail to Grant County Crystal Apple Awards; c/o Robert Waltenburg, Super- intendent; Grant County ESD; 835A S. Canyon Blvd.; John Day, OR 97845. Joan A. Cherry, 54 December 4, 1966 – June 15, 2021 Joan Annette Kleitch Cherry (Joanie) was born December 4th, 1966 in Pontiac Michigan, to Joseph and Mary Kleitch. She was second born behind her sister Theresa. She passed peacefully on June 15, 2021. She joined her father in heaven on his 89th birthday. Joanie moved from Michigan to Lake Havasu City Arizona with her family when she was five. She grew up there and graduated high school. She was attending Northern Arizona University when she agreed to make a trip to Phoenix to visit a friend’s cousin and roommate. She hit it off immediately with the roommate, Grant Cherry, and the couple was married exactly one year later. They made their home in Lake Havasu for three years and during that time Joanie attended the Charles of Italy Beauty School and received her license to be a nail tech. It was then that A Touch of Class nail business was born. Right after getting her nail license the couple moved to Grant’s home town of John Day Oregon where she applied her trade, and beautified the hands of the ladies of the area with her talent and wonderful nails. Her infectious smile and laugh gained her a large clientele quickly. In 1993 Joanie gave birth to their first daughter Amanda Beth Cherry, and two years later to their second daughter Josie Pauline Cherry Muth. During their time in John Day both Joanie and Grant started to attend church at the Church of the Nazarene. They both accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and served the church there in multiple roles, but their favorite was sharing worship leading with their friends the Mosley’s. Joanie loved to sing and share her talent. In 2002 the family relocated to the Pendleton, Oregon area. Joanie became a stay-at-home mom while dabbling in website design. For the past 13 years the family has made their home in Pilot Rock, Oregon. Joanie enjoyed spending time with her family especially her children and her only grandchild. Being a (Grammy) was everything to her and she loved the time spent with Allen. She also loved the ocean on the Oregon coast and wanted to spend as much time there as she could. She would have lived there if at all possible. Fall and winter were her favorite times of year because it was cold, had the fall colors, pumpkins, and spooky shows. Christmas was her favorite holiday. The house would transform into Snowman Land with snowmen everywhere and shopping, what woman doesn’t love shopping. She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Paul Kleitch in 2006. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Grant Cherry, daughter Amanda Cherry, son-in-law and daughter Gary and Josie Muth and their son Allen Michael Muth. Mother, Mary Margaret Kleitch and sister Theresa Marie Hamman, and her newest child most precious to her was her seven pound Chihuahua, Mighty Mo. Services will be held Saturday June 26th, 2021 at 1 pm at the Life Church of Pilot Rock. Address is 222 SW 3rd St. Pilot Rock Oregon. Officiating the celebration of life will be Chris Clemons of the Church of the Nazarene in Pendleton and Pilot Rock. S250172-1 S249887-1 Last Week’s Temps John Day ...........................................................HI/LO Tuesday ........................................................... 73/49 Wednesday ..................................................... 80/41 Thursday .......................................................... 87/49 Friday ............................................................... 92/51 Saturday .......................................................... 88/55 Sunday ............................................................. 89/56 Monday............................................................ 98/58 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 162.500 MHz W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J UNE 23 - 29 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Chance of thunderstorms Sunny Sunny Hot Hot Hot Sunny 91 88 93 57 59 61 100 104 106 65 68 56 92 60