Death Notice: Betty Jean West, 71, Tygh Valley

Betty Jean West, age 71, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on October 12, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 2, 2024, at 2 PM, at 80736 Shadybrook Rd, Tygh Valley, OR 97063. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Iva Jean Barlow, 91, Tygh Valley

Iva Jean Barlow, age 91, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on September 29, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Michael James Matthews, 76, Tygh Valley

Michael James Matthews, age 76, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on August 30, 2024.

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

Obituary: Joshua Merle Thompson, 45, Wamic

Joshua Merle Thompson was born April 13, 1979, to James L. Thompson and June Marie (Iverson) Thompson in The Dalles. From his earliest days, he could regularly be found either with his family or out of doors, enjoying spending most of his time on the family farm in Wamic.

After graduating from The Dalles High in 1997 Josh sought to further his passion outside by pursuing studies in agriculture and forestry. Through education and many of life’s other adventures, he was regularly found beside his cousin Travis who was his partner in crime for many of his life experiences.

Josh led a life of service to others. He started his public service career in 2000 with the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District, where his goal was to help the local agricultural producers find greater success and enhance the local agricultural heritage and community. Outside of work, he also spent most of his life volunteering with local fire services, first with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in The Dalles and most recently with Wamic Rural Fire Protection District.

Josh was also known in the community as the type of person who was always first to raise his hand to help, no matter what the need. He served on multiple volunteer boards, from the school district to local wildlife groups and everything in between. He never said no, and inspired others around him to lean in and help where needed.

Josh truly found his calling when he met Michelle Ongers and started the family that became the center of his world. His children: Ian, Dallas, Ryker, William, and Kaylee meant everything to him. Everything Josh did from the moment he became a father was framed from a family-first perspective. Josh especially enjoyed introducing his children to his passion for the outdoors, and most conversations with him of late started with a story of him and his kids on the farm, in a lake, or in the outdoors.

Josh moved to the family farm in 2017 to become the third generation to work on the land he loved, helping his uncle carry on the Iverson legacy that he wanted to pass on to generations in the future.

Josh is survived by his parents Jim and June, his children: Ian (20), Dallas (16), Ryker (14), William (11), and Kaylee (8), his brother Jeremy and his family, cousin Travis and family, Aunts Ruby and Betty, Uncles David, Jay and Herbie, and innumerable other cousins- many of whom truly were closer than title can convey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any desired donations be sent to the South Wasco County School District to be used toward the finalization of the athletics upgrade project in the form of a scoreboard, a project that Josh was actively involved in. Please include “JT Scoreboard Fund” on any donation made so the school can properly assign funds, and to ensure receipts are directed to donors.

Death Notice: Steven Leroy Meador, 62, Tygh Valley

Steven Leroy Meador, age 62, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away July 15, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Ronald LeRoy Rathke, 84, Tygh Valley

Ronald LeRoy Rathke, age 84, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR passed away on April 11, 2024.

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

Death Notice: John Michael Hager, age 68, Tygh Valley

John Michael Hager, age 68, Tygh Valley, OR, passed away March 25, 2024.

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

Death Notice: “Mike” Jackie Bruce Ashley, 63, Tygh Valley

“Mike” Jackie Bruce Ashley, age 63, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on March 17, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Fred Monroe Ayers, 73, Tygh Valley

Fred Monroe Ayers, age 73, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on February 3rd, 2024.

A Private Family Interment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery. The Family will hold a Celebration of Life at Portland Gun Club located at 4711 SE 174th Ave on February 14th, 2024 at 1:00 pm .

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

Obituary: Trudy Anne Hull Ferguson, 69, Tygh Valley

Trudy Anne Hull Ferguson went home to Jesus on November 7th, 2023.

Trudy was born to Eunice and Irwin Hull on April 7th, 1954, and grew up in Tygh Valley. 

There she embraced the beautiful countryside where she shared fond memories of raising animals and fell in love with riding horses. 

After graduating high school, Trudy quickly started building a beautiful life and raising her family, eventually settling in The Dalles. She became a paraeducator at Dallesport Elementary where she met her soulmate, Dan. Together they began their adventurous life shared with family and friends.

Trudy and Dan spent many years traveling, attending concerts, going to Seahawks games, and so much more. They also spent many blissful days at “Fergie’s Bar and Grill” where many people have come together to share memories. 

Trudy joins her daughter Harmony, her parents, and her siblings Gerry, Margery, and Timothy in Heaven. 

She is survived by her husband Dan, her brother Gaile (Lois), her children Crystal, Miranda (Joe), and Jay; her stepsons Brandon and Cameron; her niece Michelle (Travis); her grandchildren Courtney, Erin, Michael, Kayle, and Blakely; her great-grandchildren Rafaella and Regina, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Trudy will be missed greatly by her family and friends. A celebration of life will be held at Ramsey Grange Hall, 81184 Dufur Valley Road in Dufur, OR on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Exodus 23:20

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Death Notice: Philip DiBartolo, 79, Tygh Valley

Philip DiBartolo passed away on September 2, 2023 at home in Tygh Valley, Oregon.  Philip was born August 31, 1944 and was 79 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Devan Lee Nelson, 26, Tygh Valley

Devan Lee Nelson, age 26, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on June 15, 2023.

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

Death Notices: Alan George Frame, 94, Dufur; Agnes Rose Brown, 93, Tygh Valley

Alan George Frame, age 94, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away on May 14, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Agnes Rose Brown, age 93, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on May 10, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.   

Death Notice: Raymond "Ray" F. Nannini, 91, Tygh Valley

Raymond "Ray" F. Nannini, age 91, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on April 22, 2023.

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

Death Notice: Barbara Arlene Frame, 95, Tygh Valley

Barbara Arlene Frame, age 95, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on April 11, 2023.

A Private Family Burial has been held and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Wamic Grange Hall in Wamic, OR, in May. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Bill Franklin, 74, Tygh Valley

Bill Franklin passed away on February 16, 2023, at 74 years old.

Bill was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina and was the youngest son of Audrey and Arlon Franklin. Bill spent the majority of his life living in Tygh Valley, Oregon.

Bill graduated from South Wasco County Union High School and then worked at the Tygh Valley Timber Company, for various ranchers in the area and later worked for Cody Logging and Construction on rock crushers, becoming a foreman. He then worked for Coats Construction and Babler Bros Construction.

He had a gruff exterior but was very kind and loving. Bill was a hard worker and extremely generous. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and canning. Each year he started various vegetables to share with his family and friends. Bill often would say “Boy Howdy”, “You got that right” and “All we can do is the best we can do.”

Bill had one daughter Elizabeth Slotterbeck, one granddaughter Mikayla Phillips and one great-granddaughter Eliza Phillips-Hensley. His siblings are Jack Franklin, Jim Franklin, and Geraline Olp. We will all miss Bill dearly, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Audrey and Arlon Franklin.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the Tygh Valley Cemetery. A potluck gathering at the old Tygh Valley Grade School will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate assistance with funeral costs.

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

Death Notices: Clarence Coyne VanderJack, Juneau; Janice Lola Satanus, Tygh Valley

Clarence Coyne VanderJack, age 74, a resident of Juneau, AK, passed away on February 4, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Janice Lola Satanus, age 83, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on February 3, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.   

Death Notices; Richard Allen Harmon, Tygh Valley; Siniivao M. Punefu, The Dalles

Richard Allen Harmon, age 78, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on January 31, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Siniivao M. Punefu, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 2, 2023. A Viewing will be held on March 9, 2023 at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall on March 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Johnny Raymond Espeland, Tygh Valley

Johnny Raymond Espeland, age 87, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on December 27, 2022.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notices: Thomas Phillip Stout, The Dalles; James Earl Wake, The Dalles; Suzan Marie Smith, Tygh Valley

Thomas Phillip Stout, age 89, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 30, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

James Earl Wake, age 89, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 3, 2022. Graveside service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery 1100 W 18th St, The Dalles, OR, on December 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Suzan Marie Smith, age 70, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on December 2, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.