The INDEPENDENT, March 19, 2009 Want to join Sheriff’s Explorers? From page 13 sisted rescue techniques, radio communications, and helicop- ter operations. Adult members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team provide the train- ing. The Sheriff’s Office Explorer program is a dual interest Ex- plorer Post. Members also re- ceive training in law enforce- ment and have the opportunity to ride along with patrol and marine deputies, work in crime prevention, and support sever- al of the Sheriff’s Offices spe- cial teams. This is a great chance for young people to study law enforcement as a ca- reer while providing a critical public service. Explorer Post #877 will hold informational meetings for ap- plicants at 6:30 p.m. on Mon- day, March 30, or Thursday, April 2, in the Sheriff’s Office, Training Room, 215 SW Adams, Hillsboro. There is a one-time fee of $140 to help defer the cost of food, equipment and uniforms. Candidates must bring their own boots, thermal winter clothing, a jacket, and their own personal items. Uniforms, packs and all other equipment will be provided. Applications will be accept- ed until April 4. Applicants may apply online. For additional in- formation, call Sgt. Tygh Thompson at 503-846-2744. Unemployed, cont. From page 20 to implement lean manufactur- ing, increase technological skills of workers, or implement training for internal career ad- vancement. For more informa- tion call Shawna Sykes at 503- 397-4995, ext. 232, or visit www.mtcworks.com and click on Business Solutions for infor- mation on Employer Workforce Training Funds. Page 21 Raising grandkids? This day is for you From page 12 and Veteran Services. Le- tourneau also announced the agency’s first annual day-long event for grandparents, “Grandparents Raising Grand- children: A Day for You.” The activities will be held Thursday, April 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beaverton Foursquare Church, 13565 SW Walker Road in Beaverton. “We wanted to provide a re- laxed event,” Letourneau said, “we’ll have free chair massages while providing top-rate speak- ers and a resource fair. And the event, including lunch, is free!” Speakers will include Mark Kramer, a family law attorney, who will address legal trends for grandparent rights; John Bennett, from the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center, on how to advocate for your grandchild in school; Gary Git- ner, from the Social Security Administration, on Social Secu- rity benefits for grandparents who are raising grandchildren; and Virginia Sponsler, MSW, LCSW, on taking good care of yourself as a caregiver. Twenty agencies will be rep- resented at the Resource Fair. They will provide information on a range of topics from child care to youth activities. There will also be breaks to allow grandparents to “network” with each other. While the event is free, pre- registration is required. Call 503-615-4676 for information or to pre-register. From page 9 “Richard Burns, general chair- man, and Mrs. Burns, gave up many hours from their businesses as did many others in the commu- nity,” stated Thomas. In speaking for the chamber of commerce he also wanted to thank the many wives of members of the chamber and other interested peo- ple in the community for their do- nations of time and food for the smorgasbord. The auction could not have been held if it were not for the generous contributions of material by local and outside people. Con- tributions came from as far away as Forest Grove. Profits from “Town and Coun- try Day” will be used to publicize Vernonia and the Upper Nehalem Valley. Thomas stated that it is impos- sible to write thank you letters to the many that helped and he would like each one individually to know that the chamber appreciates the job that was done. In 1982, he married Nancy J. Hill. They made their home in Hillsboro until moving to Vernonia in 2005. He worked as a supervisor for Verboort Sausage for several years before going to work for Carnation Co. in Hillsboro. He also worked for Trus Joist in Hillsboro before becoming disabled. Survivors include his wife, three daughters, Chandra Karel of Washing- ton, Brandi Fennell and Stefanie John- son, both of Vernonia; his mother of Beaverton; two brothers, his twin, Matt of Molalla, and Mitch of Auburn, Wash.; one sister, Melissa Glad of Salem; nine grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Remembrances are suggested as contributions through Wauna Federal Credit Union. Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives in Hillsboro was in charge of arrange- ments. Cann and Rick McCann, both of Port- land, and Jamie Marks of Columbia City; six grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Remembrances are suggested to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). no services will be held. Ms. Woods was born December 15, 1933, in Santa Rosa, California, to Clyde and Bertha (Cox) Woods. She was raised in Santa Rosa and San Francisco. She moved to Vernonia in 1971, though her grandparents, Will and Leona Woods homesteaded 160 acres in the Pebble Creek area before moving to The Dalles in 1906. Her great-great grandfather, D. L. Babcock, is buried in Vernonia Pioneer Ceme- tery. She worked as the first female Recorder for the City of Vernonia, from 1974-1979, then worked for Southern Pacific Railroad until she retired. She was preceded in death by four siblings. Survivors include three brothers, Frank Woods of Oakland, Bobby Woods and Clyde Woods of Calif.; her “adopted” sister, Lorraine Sherman of Vernonia; nieces; nephews and other relatives. 50 Years Ago This Month Obituary PHYLLIS ANNETTE BRECKENRIDGE Phyllis Annette Breckenridge, 84, Vernonia, died March 15, 2009. A pri- vate graveside service will be held March 20 at Willamette National Ceme- tery in Portland. A celebration of life will be held March 21, at 11:00 a.m., at Brookwood Baptist Church in Hillsboro. Mrs. Breckenridge was born May 7, 1924, to Howard and Myra Beatrice (Varney) House. She graduated from Fresno High School In 1948, she married Walter Breck- enridge. They made their home in Los Angeles, Calif. for two years then moved to Fresno, Calif. In 1994, they moved to Hillsboro, then to Vernonia in 1995. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include two sons, Walter A. Daleene Breckenridge of Fresno, Calif. and Robert L. Breckenridge of Vernonia; a daughter, Carol Vander- hoof of Hillsboro; a step-brother, Howard House of Garden Grove, Calif.; a sister, Lorraine Hamblen of Calimesa, Calif.; two step-sisters, Jean Williams of Portland and Betty Baker of Fuller- ton, Calif.; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Remembrances are suggested to Brookwood Baptist Church. Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives of Hillsboro is in charge of arrange- ments. Feazle. After his service in the U.S. Navy, they moved to Hillsboro in 1964. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include her children, Sharon and Marcia Feazle, Colleen Hughes, Joyce White, Lois Feazle and Thomas P. Feazle; a sister, Leona Smith; 13 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren, and three great-great- grandchildren. Fir Lawn Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. JOHANNA ANNA FEAZLE Johanna Anna Feazle, 88, Hills- boro, died March 5, 2009. A funeral service was held March 10 at Fir Lawn Mortuary. Interment was at Valley Memorial Park in Hillsboro. Mrs. Feazle was born July 30, 1920, in Alpha, North Dakota, to George and Agnes Hess. The family later moved to Helena, Montana, and then to Roy. She attended Banks High School. In 1945, she married Thomas C. Michael Lee “Mike” Johnson, 55, Vernonia, died March 7, 2009. A cele- bration of life was held March 14 in Ver- nonia. Interment will be held at a later date. Mr. Johnson was born April 6, 1953, in Long Beach, California, to Lee and Frances (Thompson) Johnson. The family lived in several places while his father was in the U.S. Navy. He attend- ed high school in Grants Pass, then served in the U.S. Navy. MICHAEL LEE “MIKE” JOHNSON MICHAEL W. McCANN Michael W. McCann, 52, St. Helens, died February 25, 2009. A celebration of life was held March 5 at Grace Bap- tist Church. Mr. McCann was born July 20, 1956, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Marvin and Linda (Schuh) McCann. When he was six, the family moved to Banks, then to St. Helens when he was 13. He graduated from St. Helens High School in 1974. In 1977, he married Teresa Gunn. He worked for Boise for 20 years, and at the rock quarry as a heavy equip- ment operator for five years. Survivors include his wife; one son, Jason of Portland; two daughters, Hei- di Green and Jennifer McCann, both of St. Helens; his mother of Absarkee, Montana; his step-mother, Ann Walters; nine siblings, Kathy Abercrombie of Ab- sarkee, Mont., Tammy Strader of Port- land, Jack McCann, Donna Woods, and Sheryl Williams, all of St. Helens, don Melcher of Scappoose, Kevin Mc- PHYLLIS SHIRLEY WOODS Phyllis Shirley Woods, 75, Vernon- ia, died March 1, 2009. At her request, Direct Cremation 650 $ Direct Burial 850 $ Plus Cemetery Costs Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives ~ There are Options ~ www.tualatinvalleyfa.com 237 West Main St., Hillsboro 503-693-7965