Death Notices: Dalles Vestal Denton, Jason Paul Weaver, The Dalles

Dalles Vestal Denton, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 24, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Jason Paul Weaver, age 51, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 22, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Emma Jean Smith, Grass Valley

Emma Jean Smith, age 97, a resident of Grass Valley, OR, passed away on February 22, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Mark Baehm, The Dalles

Mark Baehm, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 27, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Janice Dahl, Naches, WA

Janice Dahl of Naches, Washington passed away February 19, 2022, 2022 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon.  Janice was born on January 25, 1934, and was 88 years of age at the time of her 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: Joan Carol Swett, The Dalles

Joan Carol Swett, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 14, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Glen Monroe Cunningham, The Dalles

Glen Monroe Cunningham, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 19, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Linda Kay Hilton, Hood River

Linda Kay Hilton (74) passed away on February 15th, 2022 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. Linda was born April 21, 1947, to parents Wint and Gyneth (Hankins) Roberts. Linda grew up in the Hood River area with siblings Joann, Johnny and Randy. She graduated from Hood River High School in 1965. 

Linda and Larry first met when they were next-door neighbors and later married on July 18, 1965. Together they had 4 children: Luther Alan born in 1966, Tony born in 1969, Todd born in 1970, and Christina born in 1978. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, DFG Credit Union Board. Linda started working at the Diamond Fruit Cannery in 1965. Then in 1970, she started working in the office at Diamond Fruits Pinegrove Pre-size. In 1981 she moved into the administrative office at Diamond Central and stayed there until retiring in 2012. Also, during the 701s and 801s, she worked at Hackett1s TV and Appliances. From 1988 to 2016, Linda did the bookkeeping for Hilton Orchards. 

She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great­grandchildren. She enjoyed gambling and traveling. Some of her favorite trips were taking her grandkids to Disneyland. Linda also spent lots of time with horses and going to her granddaughter’s and great-granddaughter’s horse shows. Later in life, she became a fan of NASCAR and found delight in going to races. 

Linda is survived by her husband Larry of 56 years, children Alan (Melody), Tony (Danielle), Todd (Tenille) all of Hood River, and Christina of The Dalles. Grandchildren Justin, Tyler, Zackery, Hailey, Tanner, Kaesha, Toby, Joshua, Aspen, Dylan, Lily, and Skye. Great-grandchildren Presley, Kennedy, Wyatt, Isaiah, Noah, Brielle, and Jaylin. 

She is preceded in death by her brothers Johnny and Randy Roberts, her father Wint Roberts, her sister Joann (Roberts) Wols, and her mother Gyneth Roberts. 

Obituary: Richard E. “Dick” Yecny, The Dalles

Richard E. “Dick” Yecny, 89, a resident of The Dalles, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 28th, 2022.

He was born April 3, 1932, in Madera, California, the youngest of four children born of Bessie and Ernest Yecny.  His father died before he was born.

His early life was spent in Fresno, California, where he attended both public and parochial schools through the second grade.  His mother then remarried, and Dick moved to Oregon, where he lived first in Scappoose and then St. Helens.  He attended St. Frederic’s elementary school in St. Helens.  Upon completing the eighth grade he attended and boarded at Columbia Prep High School on the University of Portland campus during his freshman and sophomore years.  Dick then moved back to Fresno, California, where he completed his junior and senior high school years at Roosevelt High School.  He played football for Roosevelt and was selected to the Fresno All City football team his senior year.  Following high school graduation in 1950, Dick served with the United States Marine Corps in Korea.  He married his high school sweetheart, Pat (she conveniently lived across the street) in 1953.  

Dick continued his education at Fresno City College where he played football and was inducted into the college’s “Wall of Fame”.  He and Pat then moved to Eugene where their first son, Rick, was born and where Dick played football and graduated from the University of Oregon.  They then moved to Prineville, where their second son, Ken, was born. In addition to teaching, Dick was the assistant football coach, and head coach for both wrestling and golf.  Their third child, Terry, was born in The Dalles, and Dick and Pat decided not to move again.

Dick earned his Master’s Degree at Oregon College of Education, Monmouth Oregon.  While with The Dalles Public Schools, Dick taught biology and P. E., and coached football, wrestling, and golf.  He later became Director of the Resource and Media Center (RAM Center) where the centralized ordering, processing, and repairs of the district’s library media materials and equipment occurred. The RAM Center also provided graphics and printing services to The Dalles Public Schools and surrounding districts.  Dick concluded his educational career as principal of Colonel Wright Elementary School, The Dalles.

Dick was a past member of The Dalles Lions Club, the Elks, The Dalles Master Gardeners, Afternoon Tea Group, an active member of The Dalles Country Club, and was an original and active board member of St. Vincent de Paul, The Dalles.  In addition, he and his wife Pat served as Eucharistic Ministers, representing St. Peter Catholic Church in ministering to occupants of The Dalles Veterans Home. Dick was a second generation American, and enjoyed reconnecting with his relatives in the Czech Republic in his later years.

Dick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Pat Yecny of The Dalles, children Rick Yecny (Jane) of Florence, Oregon, Ken Yecny of Livermore, California, Terry Carlson (Dave) of Seattle, Washington and daughter-in-law Debbie Koch.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Laurel Ferguson (Alex), Ellen Huntingdon (Christopher), Eric, Phillip, Ryan, and Jason Yecny, Brian Carlson (Annie), Terence Carlson and great-grandchildren Maren and Graeme Ferguson, Kieran and Olivia Carlson.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Teresa, Bess Louise, Rose, his daughters-in-law Lisa Carlson Yecny and Diane Candelario and his grandson, David Carlson.

Date and time for a mass of Christian burial at St. Peter Catholic Church, The Dalles, and a celebration of life will be determined on a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Home At Last, The Dalles, or a charity of your choice.

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

Death Notice: Bobby Dale Walker, Hood River

Bobby Dale Walker passed away on February 15, 2022, at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon. Bobby was born on January 30, 1955, and was 67 years old at the time of his passing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Charles Francis Evans “Chuck”, Hood River

Charles Francis Evans “Chuck”

Charles Francis Evans “Chuck” passed away February 11, 2022, at his home in Hood River, Oregon, with family by his side. Chuck was born March 15, 1937, and was 84 years of age at the time of his passing.

A natural burial with military honors is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12th, 2022, at White Eagle Memorial Preserve Cemetery (401 Ekone Road, Goldendale, WA 98620).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Leonard (Leo) A. Rankin, Wasco

Leonard (Leo) A. Rankin, age 78, a resident of Wasco, OR, passed away on February 15, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: John Houston Grant, Shaniko

John Houston Grant, age 62, a resident of Shaniko, OR formally of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 14, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: William (Buck) Wayne Henderson, The Dalles

William (Buck) Wayne Henderson, age 69, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 12, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Willard Elmer Leff, Moro

Willard Elmer Leff, age 96, a resident of Moro, OR, passed away on February 11, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Bobby Dale Walker, Hood River

Bobby Dale Walker passed away on February 15, 2022, at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon. Bobby was born on January 30, 1955, and was 67 years old at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Marie Lucile Goss, Hood River

Marie Lucile Goss

Marie Lucile Goss, 92 of Hood River passed away February 12, 2022, at Prairie City, Oregon with family by her side.  Marie a long-time resident of Hood River, Oregon was born November 12, 1929, in Gillette, Wyoming to George Hamilton and Ada Louise (Forbes) Plaster. 

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2022, at the Hood River Church of Christ.  A private committal at Pine Grove Cemetery where Marie will be laid to rest beside her husband, Noble. 

Marie lived on the family homestead in Wyoming until she was 11, when she moved to Odell, Oregon.  She attended school in Odell and Parkdale.  It is while in Parkdale that she made a lifetime best friend in Eleanor Goss (later Eleanor Rice).  

On December 2, 1944, she married Noble Preston Goss in The Dalles, Oregon. Marie was an active homemaker, and with Noble they owned and operated an orchard for eleven years.  She loved teaching Sunday School and caring for children hers and the churches.  She and Noble were actively involved with the Hood River Church of Christ.  She worked at Lage’s Fruit Packing Plant during harvest.  Marie loved preparing food and doing things with family, she loved fishing, camping and hunting with Noble and family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings; George, Alice & Tippie. 

Marie is survived by her; sons, Russel Goss and his wife Joyce and Vernon Timothy Goss Braden; sisters, Betty Green and Gwen & Paul Noel (who always called Marie “ma”); special “nephew” Rudy Wray and his wife Glenda; grandchildren Elisa Turk. Elaine Braden, Emily Bushman (and husband, Thomas); two great-grandchildren, Aaron & Phillip; two great great-grandchildren, Rozalyn and Maven; and the Solis family who she loved dearly. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ C/O Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031 ~ 541-386-1000 ~ www.andersonstributecenter.com  

Death Notice: Regina Janell Dawson, Cascade Locks

Regina Janell Dawson

Janell passed away on February 13, 2022, at her home in Cascade Locks, Oregon with family by her side. Janell was born on February 20, 1972, and was 49 years of age at the time of her passing. 

Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.   

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

Death Notices: Javier Sosa Dominguez, Maria Catalina Lopez Pacheco, Maria (Kris) McFadden, Hood River

Javier Sosa Dominguez passed away surrounded by family on February 11, 2022, at OHSU in Portland, Oregon.  Javier was born on June 27, 1966, and was 55 years of age at the time of his passing.   

There will be a viewing for Javier 3:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, February 18, 2022, at Anderson’s Tribute Center. Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon  97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

 Maria Catalina Lopez Pacheco passed away surrounded by family on February 10, 2022, in Hood River, Oregon.  Maria was born on February 2, 1961, and was 61 years of age at the time of her passing.   

Services are pending at the time with arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon  97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.  

Maria (Kris) McFadden passed away on February 11, 2022, in Hood River, Oregon. Kris was born on April 24, 1949, and was 72 years of age at the time of her 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: Wilbur Ben Harth Jr., The Dalles

Wilbur Ben Harth Jr, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 30, 2022. A celebration of life to be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Kenneth Douglas Leash, The Dalles

Kenneth Douglas Leash

Jan. 4, 1939 - Feb. 4, 2022

From the Leash Family - Claudia, Michael and Taunie:

It is with heavy and sad hearts that the Leash family has to write that our dear Kenneth Douglas Leash, 83 years old, has left us.  

Doug was born on January 4, 1939, in Longview, Washington, to parents, Helen and Kenneth Leash.  The family lived in Cathlamet, Washington.  Doug was the baby of the family.  Doug, his brother Pete Leash and his sister Mary McCoy (Leash) all grew up fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors. They spent a lot of time with their grandparents who also lived in Cathlamet. 

His family relocated to Portland, Oregon when Doug was 2 years old. His father moved them after he began operating the Wire Bound Box Factory.  Doug attended first through 12th grades at Parkrose. 

After graduation, Doug attended college at the University of Oregon and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.  Doug moved to The Dalles, Oregon in 1962 after accepting a position as the Graphic Arts and Photography teacher at The Dalles High School.  Doug taught for 32 years until retirement.

Doug had horses when he came to The Dalles.  He frequently went on hunting trips with his buddies using the horses to pack out elk or deer.  Doug met the love of his life and best friend, Claudia, after knocking on her family’s door looking for a place to board his horses. 

They married in 1962 and were married for 15 years.  Together, they had daughter Taunie in 1964 and son Michael in 1966.  Doug and Claudia had a small family farm raising ducks, chickens, turkeys, guinea hens and other livestock animals and of course, horses.  Doug enjoyed helping with Pony Club that took place on the family property when his children participated.  He enjoyed taking photos of his children riding horses, being outside in nature and just hanging out at home with the animals at the farm.  He captured so many beautiful moments of his children and family that will forever be cherished.

After retirement, Doug helped friends build their houses, including doing work on his own home.  He salvaged bricks, molding and light fixtures from The Dalles 1898 Whittier School Building where he began his teaching career at The Dalles High School.  The building was demolished in the 1970s.  He carefully repurposed the material, made it beautiful and used it all in his home. 

Doug loved and appreciated art and the beauty it brought.  He had an art studio where he created beautiful pottery and sculptures.  Doug also loved painting.  He created many encaustic paintings, a medium where hot wax is added to colored pigments and painted on rice paper.  His paintings were primarily of nature and natural settings.  

Doug created many magnificent works of art.  He was an extraordinarily talented and gifted artist and admired by many.  It brought him a tremendous amount of joy in sharing his work with others.

Doug was very passionate about the preservation of the Old Saint Peter’s Landmark and many other historic buildings in The Dalles. In 1971 he and a group of 5 other community members of The Dalles saved this beautiful building from being destroyed by a wrecking ball by purchasing and restoring it for the community to see its beauty, amazing architecture and history.  Doug spent countless hours fixing, repairing and beautifying this treasure in The Dalles.  Doug was also involved with the Historic Landmark Commission which he very much enjoyed.

Doug cared deeply about the environment, animals and conservation.  This is very near and dear to his heart.  He contributed to several conservations.   He loved to travel and was able to see Spain, Mexico, Europe, China, Africa and many more.  He loved to see and experience different cultures, wildlife and admired historic architecture.

Doug at the Winter Olympics in Utah in 2002.

Doug lived a full life.  He partied in Las Vegas with his son at all the rooftop hot spots.  He hunted in Alaska with his sister, Mary and his late brother-in-law, George.  He went to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah with his son, observing many events and even had seats right on the glass for the Hockey game.  He traveled to New York City to hang out at the Waldorf Astoria and Empire State Building.  Doug was an avid skier and skied at Whistler, Snowbird, Park City and Deer Valley.  He loved to attend Rodeos.  He hauled his daughter and her horse to Rodeo’s when she was the Fort Dalles Rodeo Queen in 1982.  Doug also attended the Pro Bull Riding event in Portland with his daughter, son and niece, Michele Arndorfer.  Doug also enjoyed hanging out in the Gorge, near the water, enjoying  Sushi and wine.  The things that Doug has done in his life are endless.

There are so many things that Doug touched in The Dalles community.  Doug’s art, his work, his creativity is everywhere in our small community.   While we are heartbroken that he has left us, we will cherish all the beauty he brought to our lives, our town and the world.  Doug has left us with so much beauty.  We just need to look out and see it because it is there for all of us to enjoy. 

Doug and son Michael in Hawaii in recent years.

Doug is survived by his children, Taunie and Michael, his children’s mother, Claudia Leash, sister Mary McCoy (Leash), sister-in-law Rosemary Leash, many nieces and nephews.  His fishing and hunting buddies, Chuck Kornegay; Ivan Ritchie; Frank Davido; Dan Downend and Art Bull.   He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Simba, many lifelong friends and former students who adored him.  Doug is now fishing in heaven with his brother Pete Leash. A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date.