Death Notice: William Sherman Neal, 84, Hood River
Death Notice: William Sherman Neal, 84, Hood River
William Sherman Neal passed away on December 30, 2025, in Hood River, Oregon. He was born on June 28, 1941, and was 84 years old at the time of his passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Death Notice: Donna Sue Koester, 90, Hood River
Death Notice: Donna Sue Koester, 90, Hood River
Donna Sue Koester passed away on December 22, 2025, at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living in Hood River, Oregon.
Sue was born on October 16, 1935, and was 90 years old at the time of passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Death Notice: Johnny Paris, 82, The Dalles
Death Notice: Johnny Paris, 82, The Dalles
Johnny Paris, age 82, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on December 24, 2025.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Dominic Patrick Cooper, 22, The Dalles
Death Notice: Dominic Patrick Cooper, 22, The Dalles
Dominic Patrick Cooper, age 22, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on December 20, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 2006 W 7th St., The Dalles, OR, on January 17, 2026, from 2 to 5 PM. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Kathleen Ann McKinney, 73, The Dalles
Death Notice: Kathleen Ann McKinney, 73, The Dalles
Kathleen Ann McKinney, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center on December 20, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W 9th St., The Dalles, OR, on January 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Constance (Connie) Mae Glesener, 96, The Dalles
Death Notice: Constance (Connie) Mae Glesener, 96, The Dalles
Constance (Connie) Mae Glesener, age 96, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on December 27, 2025.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Zelta Marie Wasson, 102, The Dalles
Death Notice: Zelta Marie Wasson, 102, The Dalles
Zelta Marie Wasson, age 102, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Springs at Mill Creek on December 22, 2025.
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Arthur Fredrick George Bull, 90, Crooked River Ranch
Death Notice: Arthur Fredrick George Bull, 90, Crooked River Ranch
Arthur Fredrick George Bull, age 90, a resident of Crooked River Ranch in Terrebonne, Oregon passed away December 22, 2025 at The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles, Oregon.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Konrad Wesley Price, 82, Tygh Valley
Death Notice: Konrad Wesley Price, 82, Tygh Valley
Konrad Wesley Price, age 82, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on December 24, 2025.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Roger Dick Christopherson, 72, The Dalles
Death Notice: Roger Dick Christopherson, 72, The Dalles
Roger Dick Christopherson, age 72, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on December 20, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Obituary: E. Lee Balentine, Maupin
Lee’s commitment to Maupin went far beyond dentistry. Throughout his life, he served on the school board, volunteered as a firefighter, and spent countless hours as a volunteer EMT, responding to calls at all hours of the day and night.
Dr. Lee Balentine, of Maupin, Oregon, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025. He was born in New Mexico, to Floyd “Pablo” Balentine and Twila “Red” Balentine.
Lee married his high school sweetheart from Tucson, Arizona, Sharon (Doughty), on June 26, 1971. He was a Arizona Wildcat alum and lifelong fan.
Lee dedicated his life to service—service to his family, his community, and his country. A proud Navy veteran, he began his professional journey as a dentist in the military before going on to serve as a dentist for 47 years, including 37 years caring for the community of Maupin when he moved his family there in 1985. To say he loved this community is an understatement. He considered Maupin part of his extended family.
Lee’s commitment to Maupin went far beyond dentistry. Throughout his life, he served on the school board, volunteered as a firefighter, and spent countless hours as a volunteer EMT, responding to calls at all hours of the day and night. He was also an active member of the Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Ambulance Board, always stepping up wherever he was needed. His dedication, generosity, and deep love for people made a lasting impact on the entire community.
Outside of his service, Lee enjoyed the simple pleasures that made his life full—golf, hunting, fishing, tent camping and cheering for his favorite baseball teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners. He was a standout left-handed pitcher in high school, a talent he carried with pride throughout his life. He cherished time spent outdoors, time with friends, and above all, time with his family.
Lee is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Balentine, and their children: Chad Balentine (Charity), Eric Balentine (Christin), Ryan Balentine (LaTezeon), and Sara Nash (Chris). He was a proud grandfather to Caitlyn Marks (Caleb), Abigail and Ethan Nash, Christian and Logan Balentine, and Parker and Quinn Balentine. He is also survived by his brothers, Cam Balentine and Jeff Balentine.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd “Pablo” Balentine and Twila “Red” Balentine, and his sister, Jill Powers.
A Celebration of Life will be held on in June 2026, where friends, family, and community members will gather to honor the remarkable life of a man who gave so much of himself to others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the South Wasco County Ambulance, P.O. Box 125, Maupin, OR 97037.
Lee is now with his Lord and Savior, and his family takes comfort in knowing he is at peace. His legacy of service, compassion, and love will continue to live on in the many lives he touched.
Death Notice: Waldo Stringham Zaugg, 95, Cook
Death Notice: Waldo Stringham Zaugg, 95, Cook
Waldo Stringham Zaugg passed away on December 21st, 2025, in Cook, Washington. Waldo was born on December 13th, 1930, and was 95 years of age at the time of passing.
Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Gardner Funeral Home (156 NE Church Avenue, White Salmon, Washington). Visit www.GardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for the family.
Death Notice: Alina Iofciu, 47, Hood River
Death Notice: Alina Iofciu, 47, Hood River
Alina Iofciu passed away on December 15, 2025, at her home in Hood River, Oregon. Alina was born on October 15, 1978, and was 47 years old at the time of her passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Death Notice: Joan Elizabeth Chantler, 77, White Salmon
Death Notice: Joan Elizabeth Chantler, 77, White Salmon
Joan Elizabeth Chantler, age 77, a resident of White Salmon, WA, passed away December 12, 2025.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Obituary: Jerome “Jerry” “Mo” Mohar, 79, Hood River
He moved his family to Hood River, OR where he spent the rest of his career teaching science at Lyle High School in WA. His students called him “Mo”. He coached baseball and had a belief that you could never tell how a kid was going to do. They surprised you, in sports, in life.
Jerome Mohar (Jerry, “Mo”) passed from this world into the next, at his home on December 16, 2025. Jerry fought an extended battle with Lewy Body Dementia with a quiet bravery and strength to the end.
Jerry was born on February 26, 1946, to Jerry Sr. and Florence Mohar in Cleveland, Ohio. He remembered his childhood, as almost idyllic. As an only child, Jerry was surrounded by his father, his grandfather, and his father’s friends. He was known as “the kid”, with his own honorary bowling shirt. Jerry learned to ride a bike in his grandfather’s poolhall, ran errands for the guys, which involved getting a treat for himself, bowling when he got the chance, and playing an accordion at neighborhood dances. His dad’s friend gifted him with what is now, the family pool table. He and his dad spent countless hours in their basement playing pool.
His parents lived on a modest income, but by the time Jerry was 16 he had his own car and his own boat. On weekends, he and his father took the boat to Pelee Island. Fishing, swimming, and falling asleep to the rocking of the boat filled his days and nights.
When he graduated from high school, Jerry went to Ohio State, majoring in science. While there, he earned a bachelor’s degree and subsequently earned a master’s degree. In college, Jerry taught ice skating to earn money for books and played pool to earn money for beer.
After graduating he taught at Bratenahl High School in Cleveland, but the lure of the northwest prevailed and after a few years, he moved his family to Hood River, OR where he spent the rest of his career teaching science at Lyle High School in WA. His students called him “Mo”. He coached baseball and had a belief that you could never tell how a kid was going to do. They surprised you, in sports, in life. They were just developing, and you could never write the script. A student who had been jumped out of a gang, left him a note, saying he would always have his back. Another student wrote to him, saying he had taught him more than science, he had taught him about life, and the universe.
An ex- student, working in the IT Dept at the University of Washington, passed through Lyle. He offered Jerry a room at his house and summer job at the University of Washington. It was a dream summer, staying up late talking “tech,” grabbing a bite at the coffee shop, and arriving on campus about 10:00.
Jerry was curious about wildflowers, in love with orchids, and passionate about handball. In the spring it was not uncommon to see him getting up at 4:30 am, identifying wildflowers before school, teaching, and then hitting the handball courts at night. On the court he wore unmatched socks, yelled and pounded the wall at a missed shot, and analyzed each game upstairs over a beer.
Jerry has three children: Jason who lives in Olympia, WA and works in the state dept, Celeste who has an alternative medical clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kendra, who is an RRT in Hood River, OR. He has four grandchildren, each who has a special place in his heart. Logan graduated with his pilot’s license, Ethan, is pursuing his helicopter pilot’s license, and Kendra and Brycen who are each in high school.
Jerry met his wife, Judie, while they were both out running late at night. They were married for 43 years, and it was the adventure of a lifetime. Loving, and living, and learning, each day. Jerry’s quiet presence, keen wit, sarcasm, and intuitive sense of people, deepened their lives and quickened the space around them. Sitting quietly beside each other, holding hands, reading a book, watching a movie, were as enriching as traveling to the places, and countries they visited. He was cherished by his family, loved by his friends.
A special man. He will always be remembered and carried in people’s hearts.
Services are planned for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at Riverside Community Church (317 State St, Hood River, OR 97031). Graveside Committal will follow at Idlewilde Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Death Notice: Jerry Lee Ward, 84, The Dalles
Death Notice: Jerry Lee Ward, 84, The Dalles
Jerry Lee Ward, age 84, a longtime resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on December 15, 2025.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: David Eugene Staehnke, age 83, aThe Dalles
Death Notice: David Eugene Staehnke, 83, The Dalles
David Eugene Staehnke, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at a local Care Facility on December 15, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Jack Lee Harmon, 90, The Dalles
Death Notice: Jack Lee Harmon, 90, The Dalles
Jack Lee Harmon, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away December 11, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Shirley May Mattson, 91, The Dalles
Death Notice: Shirley May Mattson, 91, The Dalles
Shirley May Mattson, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on December 11, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Jenny Fay Mathews, 64, The Dalles
Death Notice: Jenny Fay Mathews, 64, The Dalles
Jenny Fay Mathews, age 64, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center on December 10, 2025.
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
