Death Notice: Gerine Minnette Mackey, 62, The Dalles

Gerine Minnette Mackey, age 62, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on May 15, 2025. A Viewing will be held at Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12 pm.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Delbert Cecil Hedges, 98, Parkdale

Delbert Cecil Hedges, 98, of Parkdale, Oregon, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Delbert was born on October 27, 1926, in Madera, California, to William Edward and Edith Isabell (Noble) Hedges. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. After returning home, he worked in the logging industry in Port Angeles, Washington, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Robinson. They were married on December 8, 1951.

Together, they began raising their family of four children in Madera, California, before moving to Parkdale, Oregon, in 1961. Delbert worked at Weber Hardware and later for Diamond Fruit Growers as a Refrigeration Engineer until his retirement in 1989.

Delbert was deeply committed to his community. He volunteered for many years with the Parkdale Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief and also sat on the Board of Directors. He was a dedicated Boy Scout Master for Parkdale Troop #380 and led a 4-H archery club.

A talented craftsman, Delbert was skilled in woodworking, welding, and metalwork. He and Shirley also built a successful upholstery business, Ideal Design.

Delbert is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley; his children, Charlotte Robison, Darlene Reinhart (and husband Ronald), Delbert Jr. (and wife Patty), and Douglas (and wife Sue); his grandchildren, James, Dawn, Kathryn, Kevin, Bethany, and Michael; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith; his sister, Margaret Holcomb; and his grandson, Jake Robison.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Parkdale Fire Department and Bristol Hospice for their care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Parkdale Fire Department (4895 Baseline Drive, Mount Hood Parkdale, Oregon 97041).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Delbert’s memory to the Parkdale Fire Department.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Lee Kaseberg, 85, Wasco

Lee Kaseberg, 85, of Wasco, unexpectedly died Wednesday, May 7, 2025 during a medical procedure. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 7 at 1pm at the Sherman School gym in Moro. Referees are asked to wear their stripes. Instead of flowers, donations are suggested to The Dalles Meals on Wheels, PO Box 689, The Dalles OR 97058.

Lee was born November 24, 1939 to Paulen and Margilee Morse Kaseberg, and lived almost all of his life on or near the homestead property west of Wasco. He and siblings Terry and Alice grew up surrounded by many cousins and extended family. Lee and cousin Larry went to the 1953 National Boy Scout Jamboree in California, and Lee returned home knowing how to play poker.

Lee attended Wasco Grade School, Moro High School, and in 1957 was part of the first class to graduate from the consolidated high school. His only time living out of Sherman County, Lee moved to Eugene to major in History at the University of Oregon, "where in my junior year I found a cute Sigma Kappa by the name of Karen".

Lee and Karen were married August 19, 1961 and have three children: Cindy, Brett, and Deron. He welcomed their spouses into the family: Charley Brown, Tina Kaseberg and Twila Kaseberg. Lee was actively involved in the lives of his children, and truly loved being a grandparent. He always thought "great grandpa" was an adjective, not just a title. His pride and joy: Justin Brown and Amanda Richey with Eva and Dutcher; Stanton Brown; Riley Brown; Stephanie Kaseberg and Bryan Vanek with Ryder; Stacy and Steven Kane with Harper, Henry and Hayden; Shelby Kaseberg and Brandon Gosson with Colt; Hollee and Kaleb Sperry; Hunter Kaseberg; Eric and Megan Temple with Dallas (and one on the way); Jacob and Jordan Temple with Lincoln and Delaney; and Alison Kaseberg Worth and Dylan Worth.

Lee was always very community minded. He was a 65 year member of the BPOE Elks in The Dalles and a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, helping with fundraisers and activities. These included The Dalles Meals on Wheels and concessions at the Wasco County Fairgrounds. Lee also supported 4-H and FFA youth for 50+ years, helping at livestock weigh-ins for local shows and fairs, and donating at the livestock auctions.

He coached baseball at the youth and high school levels in Sherman County and Maupin, and coached all three of his kids, a future son-in-law, and one grandson. As a young couple, Lee and Karen attended many OSU-UofO civil war games, rain or shine. He always cheered for Oregon and was grumpy duck at dinner if the Beavers won the game.

Lee began as a basketball referee at age 40 and football at age 60. When he retired from officiating in 2020, he was one of the oldest active referees in the state. In 2015, OAOA awarded him State Football Official of the Year. People have called him "The Teaching Referee" due to his focus on helping youth learn. Lee was a fixture at the OSAA state 1A basketball tournament in Baker City. Once in 1988 as a referee, and many years managing the hospitality room for the referees.

As part of the Sherman County Barnstormers community theatre group, Lee served on the board, helped build sets, directed several plays, acted and chaired the casino nights. He never needed a mike on stage.

As a farmer with his father and brother as K-3 Ranches, Lee was a life member of the Oregon Wheat League, served on the Sherman Co-op Board, and received the OSU Diamond Pioneer Award in 2013. A recycler all his life, in 1990 Lee started the Sherman County Recycling Program near the Wasco Farm Store. He generously donated the proceeds to youth organizations, school activities and special projects. The Association of Oregon Recyclers awarded him "Recycler of the Year" as special recognition in 1996.

His hobbies have always included playing cards, drinking coffee, eating chocolate chip cookies and ice cream with Nesquik on top, telling stories, hunting, spending time at the cabin in Wallowa County and his lifetime love of the Dodgers. He was quite a creature of habit, always stopping at the same restaurants and rest areas on every drive he made to Eastern Oregon or Portland. Lee was a one-in-a-million guy and quite a character.

Obituary: Jean Anne (Hanel) Casey, 79, Hood River

Jean Anne (Hanel) Casey, 79 years old, passed away on May 16, 2024, at home with her husband, Carl, of nearly 40 years. He had been her caregiver for the last three years and she was the love of his life.

Along with her identical twin Janet, Jean was born to L. Sterling and Kathleen Hanel in Hood River, Oregon on March 14, 1945.

The Hanel family lived in the Mt. Hood area during the kids’ childhood years. The girls, along with their older brothers Robert and Bill, would walk to the Mt. Hood grade school.

Jean and Janet graduated from Wy‘East High School in the class of ‘63.

Jean met this young man in high school she would eventually marry, Fritz Swyers. They were living on Eastside Road when Fritz joined the Navy. It was during this time she gave birth to their first child, John Allen Swyers in 1965.  A couple years later they moved to the Bremerton, Washington area to be closer to the Navy Base. Ronald Troy, their second son, was born in 1970.

After their marriage ended, Jean and the boys moved to Wyandotte, Oklahoma to be nearer to her sister Janet. Jean raised her boys and waited for about 2 years before deciding to move back to the Hood River area.

After returning to Hood River, Jean married Tom Wilson of Parkdale, and they soon had a daughter Azur Dee in 1978. Tom tried orcharding in the Parkdale area before their marriage ended.

For several years Jean worked for her father at the Hanel Lumber Company upper mill.

It was while working at Hanel Lumber that Jean met and eventually married her current husband, Carl Casey. Both Jean and Carl were avid bowlers at Orchard Lanes in Hood River. Both of them usually bowled several leagues. Until Jean retired from bowling with a knee problem, she carried one of the highest female averages in the house.

Well, one Saturday night in 1984 Carl was getting ready to bowl Moonlight Monte Carlo with friends when Jean came in and asked the proprietor if she could bowl on the same lanes as Carl so she could meet him. Carl ended up asking Jean out and June 6, 1984, began the nearly 40-year love affair, as they did the hard work of blending two families into one. Carl and Jean married on June 28, 1985

, and purchased their home on Hays Drive where they live to the present.

After the sale of Hanel Lumber, the family moved the road crew business down to the Neal Creek mill location where Jean worked as office manager-secretary of Hanel Development Group for approximately 19 years until the decision was made to close the business.

Jean enjoyed visiting grandchildren as often as she could. She and Carl would travel to Southern California, Arizona, and New York City to see their grandchildren. Shortly after Jean retired, her daughter Azur, (along with husband Garcia) moved back to Oregon to raise their two children. Grandma Jean was so delighted she traveled nearly weekly to spend time with her daughter’s kids. After Azur had her third child, Giovanna, Grandma Jean was eager to spend as much time as possible in Portland. Second to seeing grandkids, Jean loved her Starbucks Frappuccino’s. She also enjoyed loving on and playing with puppies, and eating BBQ Pork and lately, Sweet and Sour Chicken at Grace Su’s China Gorge, where she lived for the hugs, she would give to Grace and the entire staff. Jean REALLY loved giving hugs to nearly everyone she met. It was her passion and calling.

Unfortunately, in May of 2021, Jean suffered a major heart attack that caused significant damage to her heart and caused increasing memory loss. Carl became her caregiver, chauffeuring her between doctor visits, rehab, and visitations with grandchildren, until her heart gave way, and she left our earthly home for her new home in Heaven with her Lord, Jesus.

Jean was preceded in death by both parents, as well as her brothers, Robert, and Bill. She is survived by her Husband Carl, son John Swyers and wife Linda of Damascus, OR; son Ronald (Ronnie) Swyers and wife Tammie of Tigard; daughter Azur Scott and husband Garcia of Portland; daughter Karaynn Franko and husband Dave of San Tan Valley, AZ; and daughter Katherine (Kat) Huerta and husband Miguel of The Dalles. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Alex and husband Brandon, Kylie, Dietrich, Aria, Giovanna, Grace, James, Alice, Jackson, Abigail, and Michael; Jenni Wessels and husband Dean, Jefferey Pyles and wife Lori, Kristina Wood and husband Brian; great-grandchildren Megan, Austin, Gabriel, Aimee, Brady, Addison, and Alex. and many other extended family members.

Our hearts are broken that you have left us, and we miss you so much Yet we also know you now reside with Jesus along with family and friends who live there. Rest in Peace till we meet once more!! We Will Always Love You!

Services to celebrate Jean’s life and mourn her passing are planned for 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 24th, 2024 at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  A reception will follow Jean’s service then graveside committal at Idlewilde Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.