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FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
CORRECTION
OBITUARIES
John P. Maple
Gold Rush Run: Grant Union High School will host the
Gold Rush Run cross-country meet at the Seventh Street Sports
Complex in John Day on Thursday, Oct. 21. An item in the
sports roundup in the Oct. 13 edition gave the wrong date for
the event. The Eagle regrets the error.
The most valuable and
respected source of local news,
advertising and information for
our communities.
www.eomediagroup.com
John Robert Harper
April 5, 1941 – Sept. 7 2021
John Paul “JP” Maple, 80, passed away on Sept. 7, 2021, sur-
rounded by family and friends in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He was born April 5, 1941, in John Day, Oregon, to the late
James Paul and Claire Margaret (Oliver)
Maple. He graduated from Chico State
University with a bachelor of arts degree
in business administration. He lived most
of his life in Hawaii, where he raised two
children and was owner/operator of his
general contracting company, Rainbow
Builders. After retirement, he enjoyed
playing golf, swimming, biking, danc-
ing, and traveling across the continental
United States with his companion Crys-
tal Chow. He was also an exceptional
outdoorsman, accomplished skydiver, airplane pilot, surfer, and
scuba diver. He will be remembered for his adventurous spirit,
generosity, and devotion to his family.
He is predeceased by his father and mother, James and Claire
Maple; brother Thomas Maple; cousin JC Oliver; and niece
Samantha Ricketts Watnes. He is survived by former spouse,
Connie Tagtmeyer; son Lt. Col. Keegan (Robyn) Maple and
daughter Tiana Maple; grandchildren Grace, Ellie, Sydney,
Horatio, Viola, and Oliver; brother James Maple; sisters Joan
Hornecker and Mary (Dennis) Farmer; cousins Gay Kuyken-
dall and Kay Oliver; nephews and nieces Michael, Kevin and
Matthew Ricketts, Mary Ricketts Seifert, Claire Ricketts Jara-
millo, Mark, Brian and Christopher Farmer; grand-nephews and
grand-nieces Jordan, Ian, Bryan, Kyle, Alexandra, Macy, Ladan
and Jakim Ricketts, Lindsey Seifert Dixon, Kathryn, Olivia
and Matthew Seifert, Audrey and Andrea Jaramillo, Joshua and
Kelsey Watnes, Margaret Farmer Kollodge, Samantha Farmer
Messina, Mikinzie Farmer Ridgewell, and Brayden, Charles,
Maxwell and Lucia Farmer; great-grand-nephew Anthony Mes-
sina; and many cherished family and friends.
A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.
Condolences to: Tiana Maple, 1604 Old Town Road NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87104.
Diane Mary Holthouse
Diane Mary Holthouse, age 81, of John Day passed away
on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Services will be held on Friday, Oct.
22, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in John Day,
with the recitation of the rosary beginning at 10 a.m. and the
Mass of Christian burial starting at 11 a.m. Vault interment will
take place immediately afterwards, and a reception will follow at
the Catholic church parish hall. Memorial contributions may be
made to the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Building Fund or to
Blue Mountain Home Health/Hospice through Driskill Memo-
rial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To
off er online condolences to Diane’s family or to light a candle in
her honor, visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com.
John Harper
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January 21, 1958 ~ October 15, 2021
John Robert Harper passed away October
15, 2021 holding his wife’s hand.
John was born January 21, 1958 in Canyon
City, Oregon to George and Bonnie (Weaver)
Harper. He grew up on the Harper Creek Ranch
in Mount Vernon with his siblings Lola Thissell,
Lala Thissell, Loren (Toink) Thissell, Mary Harp-
er, and Susan Harper. They spent every evening
listening to their dad playing the banjo or their
mom reading books. He attended the Mount
Vernon School where he excelled at football,
basketball, and track; lettering in all three. He even played on the
Shriners football team. While in high school, he enlisted in the army.
He did his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he
specialized in heavy equipment, then was stationed in Germany for
two years. While in Germany he enjoyed many steins of beer and
he played on a semi-professional rugby team in a European League.
In Germany is where he met his wife Doris (Dolney) Harper. They
were married for forty years on September 19, 2021. Together they
have five children Jessie, Travis, Terry, Lucinda, and Bayley. They are
the grandparents to seven grandchildren Mayley Saul(13), Emmie
Saul(11), Tatyn Harper(12), Bransyn Harper(9), Quincee Harper(5),
Presley Harper(4), and Waylynn Harper(2). Spending quality time
with family was the most important thing to John. He taught them
all his favorite hobbies including running hounds, hunting, camping,
running heavy equipment, and cheating at card games. John was a
collector of knives, arrowheads, elk ivories, and time with his loved
ones. He was a career heavy equipment operator and known as the
best around. He loved to see young people learn, and he shared any
knowledge he could with them.
John is preceded in death by his mother Bonnie (Weaver) Harper,
father George Harper, sisters Lola Jean (Thissell) Ellis and Susan May
(Harper) Horn, Richard Hammons, and father-in-law Andrew Dolney.
John is survived by his wife Doris (Dolney) Harper, mother-in-
law Philomena Dolney, daughters Jessie Saul and husband Wayne,
Lucinda DesJardin and husband Daniel, Bayley Harper and partner
Darren, sons Travis Harper and wife Eliza and Terry Harper and
wife Shilo; as well as his seven grandchildren Mayley, Tatyn, Em-
mie, Bransyn, Quincee, Presley, and Waylynn. He is survived by his
brother Loren Thissell and partner Juanita, and sisters Lala (Thissell)
Peirce and husband Artie, and Mary (Harper) Bradley and husband
Dennis, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John’s service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2:00pm
at the Grant County Fairgrounds Pavillion. We know everyone holds
a good story of John, but whether it’s appropriate or not, is question-
able. Regardless, we ask that you capture these stories in writing for
the family to cherish forever, but also consider sharing with the crowd
at the service. Meat will be provided, but the family asks that you bring
a side dish to share if you are able.
For those who would like to leave an online condolence may do so
to www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations can
be sent to Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home at PO Box 543, Halfway,
Oregon 97834.
Judy Elizabeth Krutsinger
John Harper, 63, of Mt. Vernon died on Oct. 15 at St. Charles
Medical Center in Bend. Arrangements are under the direction
of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfu-
neralhome.com.
Sept. 30, 1947 — Aug. 19, 2021
Judy Elizabeth Krutsinger was born on Sept. 30, 1947, in
Portland, Oregon, to Robert and Grace Samuels. She died
on Aug. 19, 2021 in North Bend. Judy grew up near Canby.
She trained Egyptian Arabian
horses in Silverton in the ‘70s and
eventually moved to Terrebonne,
where she raised her two children.
Judy worked as a financial officer for
the Inn at Seventh Mountain in Bend in
the ‘90s. She also ran a small gift shop
in Sisters during this time. Judy lived
and worked in John Day for about 20
years. She worked for the Blue Moun-
tain Health District and wrote grants
for many community projects in Grant
County.
She is survived by her son, Aaron Gunzner, and daughter,
Analisa Kaufman; her grandsons, Kayden, Kai and Aksel;
and her brother, Bob Samuels. She was preceded in death by
her parents, Robert and Grace Samuels. Judy was a bright
soul and will be greatly missed.
Gladys Arloweene Palmer
Feb. 5, 1928 — Oct. 11, 2021
Gladys Arloweene “Arlo” Palmer passed away peace-
fully in Tigard on Oct. 11, 2021, at the age of 93. She was
born Gladys Arloweene Williams in Westport on Feb. 5,
1928.
Arlo’s family lived in a number of Oregon cities includ-
ing Bend, The Dalles and Toledo before eventually settling
in Forest Grove, where she graduated from high school
and met Robert Lee, a student at Pacific University School
of Optometry. They married and, upon Bob’s graduation
from school, relocated to John Day, where he opened an
optometry practice. It was in John Day their three sons
were born; Bobby, Gregory and Ronald. She and Robert
lost Bobby to childhood leukemia in 1956.
Always a devoted mother to Ron, Greg and Bobby
during his short life, she attended all school and sports
activities that the boys participated in, whether local or
away.
After losing husband Robert in 1980, she met and even-
tually married Maurice Palmer and moved to Walla Walla
and, later, College Place, Washington. They were both
active golf members at the Walla Walla Country Club and
participated in league bowling in the winter months until
Maurice’s passing in spring of 2011. Arlo was an avid
golfer most of her adult life and managed to shoot three
holes-in-one over that period. She also enjoyed watch-
ing professional sports (Portland Trailblazers and Seattle
Seahawks), was an excellent seamstress and knitter and
achieved her private pilot’s license in 1965. In 2016 Arlo
moved to Charbonneau to be closer to her son Ron. She
was preceded in death by her two husbands, son Bobby,
brother Jack and both her parents. She is survived by her
two sons and daughters-in-law, Ron (Cerena) and Greg
(Joanne); brother Wallace Williams; and several nieces and
nephews.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later
date.
About Obituaries
Phyllis Mae (Smith) Lissman
November 15, 1927 ~ October 11, 2021
Phyllis Mae Lissman was born in Sidney, Nebraska on November
15, 1927. She died from complications related to a heart ailment on
October 11, 2021 in Boise, Idaho, just one month short of her 94th
birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her
son-in-law Mike Violette, and by her beloved husband of 75 years,
Wayne Lissman. She is survived by her daughter Elaine Ricketts and
by her sons and their spouses; Henry and Roxie Lissman and Larry
and Lydia Lissman. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 7 great
grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Phyllis married her high-school sweetheart, Wayne Lissman, on
October 5th, 1943 in Lander, Wyoming just before he was “shipped”
to the Pacific where he fought in the Philippine Islands in WW II.
After the war Phyllis lived in Nyssa, Burns, Seneca, and Hines in
Oregon, then spent her final years in Payette, Idaho.
Phyllis’s life was dedicated to the service of others. She focused
her intelligence, ambition, and compassion on improving the lives of
people every place she lived. After the non-incorporated community
of Seneca was informed that they could no longer dump their raw
sewage directly into the Silvies River and that they had to remove
the town dump from Shirt Tail Creek, Phyllis was a leader in resolving the issue. She was active in
incorporating the City of Seneca and was elected to the first city council. She wrote the grants for
funding of a sewage treatment facility and for establishing an environmentally friendly waste disposal
site. She was an active member of the Seneca PTA and served as President for several years. She or-
ganized Seneca’s “Women Fire Fighters,” raised money for and chaperoned the Seneca Grade School
Rope Jumpers trips to Chicago and Washington DC and served as a 4-H leader and Cub Scout Den
Mother. She was active in the Oregon Home Extension Program by serving on the Grant County
Home Extension Advisory Board and as a “judge” of home extension projects at county fairs around
the state. When asked to help Grant County 4-H youth find housing for attendance at the Oregon
State Fair she connected them with a state sponsored dormitory housing program and within several
years became the statewide “Dorm Supervisor” for Oregon youth involved in the State Fair and for
the 4-H Summer School program held in Salem each year.
In 1974 Governor Tom McCall awarded Phyllis the first ever “Youth Leadership” award and ap-
pointed her to the first Governor’s Advisory Committee for Youth. In 1972 she was hired to provide
service for senior citizens in Harney County. Without an office, budget, staff or work plan she devel-
oped a multiple service program, raised funds to build a Senior Center providing nutrition, health,
socialization, transportation, and other services.
In 1976 she as awarded the Oregon Business and Professional Woman’s “Outstanding Woman of
the Year” Golden Torch award. In 1978 she was honored as Harney County’s “Woman of the Year.”
She was an active member of the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services and served as presi-
dent for several years. At her retirement from the commission she was awarded the “Bob Van Houte
Award” for “contributing significantly to the development of the long-term care system in Oregon.”
Phyllis believed in people, was non-judgmental, and treated everyone with love and respect. She
will be remembered as a welcoming mother figure by her children’s friends and for her work ethic,
positive “can do” outlook, and for her caring and kindness for everyone she met. She loved and was
loved by her family, who will forever hold her as an inspiration and role model for selflessness and
service.
Phyllis’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, friends and acquaintances make donations to the
Idaho Commission for the Blind at 341 W. Washington, Boise, ID 83702. Private graveside services
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will be held at the family burial site in Nyssa, Oregon.
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, offi ce@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.
Diane Mary (Gianandrea) Holthouse
October 9, 2021
Diane Mary (Gianandrea) Holthouse of John Day,
Oregon passed away peacefully of natural causes on
October 9, 2021. Diane will be celebrated with a cer-
emony on October 22nd at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic
Church and will be interred at Canyon City Cemetery.
Diane was born in Santa Barbara, CA and grew up
on her family’s ranch in Milpitas, CA. She moved to
Grant County with her husband, Leo Holthouse, and
their growing family in 1966 where they built their
own ranch, and their life, together. Diane was “tough-
as-nails;” whether she was taking care of livestock or
chasing off trespassers on the ranch, she was always
able to adapt to challenges and face them with grit
and bravery. Outside the ranch, Diane worked in sev-
eral vocations; most notably, country club manager at the John Day Golf Course.
Her true devotion, however, was to her family and friends, who will attest to
her attentive, caring, and generous nature. She stepped up to the challenge once
again when she cared for Leo as his health declined late in life. Diane had an
active social life; she looked forward to annual trips to the Pendleton Round-Up
and loved quilting and laughing with her “gals.” Diane was a wonderful cook and
baker and often hosted friends and family in her home. She also enjoyed traveling
and gardening, combining both of these when she visited her home in Panama.
Diane was a loving mother, grandmother and friend who will be sorely missed
by her children Jeffrey Holthouse, Cerena Lee, and Shannon Murphy, her children-
in-law Leslie Holthouse, Ron Lee, and Michael Murphy, her three grandchildren
Bertina, Justin, and Jessica (Holthouse), and a circle of devoted and close-knit
friends. She is survived by her brother Richard Gianandrea.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Diane’s name can be made to
Blue Mountain Home Health and Hospice or St Elizabeth’s Church Building Fund
through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
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Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 47/34
Thursday .......................................................... 52/30
Friday ............................................................... 64/35
Saturday .......................................................... 67/36
Sunday ............................................................. 60/32
Monday............................................................ 65/37
Tuesday ........................................................... 68/40
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W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF O CT . 13 – 19
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cloudy
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