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
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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
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W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J UNE 23 - 29
Wednesday
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thunderstorms
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Hot
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Sunny
91
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100 104 106
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