Death Notice: Gwenith Margaret Filbin, 96, The Dalles

Gwenith Margaret Filbin passed away on February 28, 2023 in The Dalles, Oregon. Gwenith was born on November 29, 1926 and was 96 years old 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: Allen Dillon, 72, Hood River

Allen Dillon passed away on February 24th, 2023 at his home in Hood River, Oregon.  Allen was born December 24th, 1950, and was 72 years of age at the time of passing. 

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

Death Notices: Frank James Buchanan, 63, Maupin; Rita F. Stratton, 90, The Dalles

Frank James Buchanan, age 63, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away on March 1, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Rita F. Stratton, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 26, 2023. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.   

Death Notice: Deanna Marie Zaniker, 82, The Dalles

Deanna Marie Zaniker, age 82, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 28th, 2023.

A Celebration of Life will be held by her family at the Civic Center in The Dalles, OR, on March 18th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. The Family is asking that you wear your brightest clothes (no black) in honor and celebration of Mrs. Deanna. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Ashley Jennet Matney, 36, The Dalles

Ashley Jennet Matney, age 36, born in The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 8, 2023.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church in The Dalles, OR, on March 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with an interment to follow at Three Mile rd. Odd Fellows Cemetery. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: V. Ralph Hedden, 79, The Dalles

V. Ralph Hedden, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 23, 2023.

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

Obituary: Mary Ann (Moore) Patterson, 91, Hood River

Mary Ann (Moore) Patterson died peacefully, surrounded by the love of family and friends, on February 25th, 2023. She was one month shy of her 91st birthday. Heaven will now be a bit happier and the world a bit sadder.

Mary was the youngest of four children born to John Moore and Mae (Camp) Moore. John was raised in Hood River and Mae in Mosier. As a youngster she was considered a bit of a tomboy, interested in many sports and outdoor activities. She attended Barrett School. At 18, she climbed Mt. Hood which turned out somewhat symbolic of the adventures to come in her life. She graduated from Hood River High School (now HR Middle School) in 1950, where she met and later married classmate James Patterson.

Always cheerful and upbeat, they raised a family of 6 at a home they built on the corner of Tucker and Orchard Roads. Family life was happy and busy. Camping trips, hunting/fishing, baseball games, hiking, skiing, huckleberry picking and extended family gatherings were all regular occurrences. Picnic trips to Lost Lake including a hike up to the lookout was a family favorite.

After the kids were grown, Mary and Jim enjoyed road trips and traveling with special friends Paul and Frances (sister) Henne and Mike and Pat Fowler. After Jim died in 2009, Mary enjoyed a special friendship with Richard (Dick) Clarke.

Since the children live away from Hood River, we would like to acknowledge and thank all of those who loved and helped her in her later years. Special thanks to the Henne Family, Dick Clarke, the staff at Parkhurst Place and Hospice caregivers.

Mary’s legacy includes four children: Mark (Beth), Robert (Olivia), Kathy Buendgen (Mike), and Craig (Colleen). It also includes nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. We all feel extremely fortunate to have had Mary as our Mother all of these years. We miss her already.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite organization in memory of Mary Ann Patterson.

Mary spent her entire life in Hood River, devoting her time to family and church. She, as were her parents, was a lifelong member of the Hood River Valley Christian Church where she was quite active in Women’s Fellowship, youth programs and the quilting circle.”

A service will be held at the Hood River Valley Christian Church (975 Indian Creek Rd, Hood River, OR 97031) on Wednesday, March 1, at 1:00 p.m.

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

Death Notice: Stacey Lee Pounders, 47, Wishram

Stacey Lee Pounders, age 47, a resident of Wishram, WA, passed away on February 22, 2023.

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

Death Notice: Carol Sue James, 65, Lyle

Carol Sue James passed away on February 23, 2023, in Lyle, Washington. Carol was born May 7, 1957, and was 65 years of age at the time of her 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: Sandra Kay (Haynes) Harmon, 80, The Dalles

Sandra Kay (Haynes) Harmon passed away at home in The Dalles, Oregon on February 9, 2023, at the age of 80 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Sandra was born in East Rainelle, West Virginia on January 3, 1943, to Joseph and Mary Haynes.  When she was just 6 months old, the family moved out to the west coast, stopping in Vancouver, Washington for a short time, before finally settling in The Dalles.  Sandra attended elementary through high school in District 12, graduating from The Dalles High School in 1961.

After graduation, Sandra worked as a telephone operator before attending and graduating from cosmetology school here in The Dalles.  She met and married Dannie L Harmon in 1964. They started a family with the birth of daughter Kristen in 1966, daughter Andrea was born in 1975, and son Dannie was born in 1977.

Throughout her life, Sandra worked as a telephone operator, a beautician, a Luhr Jensen sewing machine operator, an in-home caregiver, and an Albertson’s grocery clerk. Above all,  her favorite “job” was being a beloved grandma to her four grandchildren.

When she was not spending time with her grandchildren and other family members, she loved to read, sew, and work on puzzle books.

She is preceded in death by her father Joseph R Haynes, mother Mary E Haynes-Erck, stepfather Edward Erck, brothers Joseph and William Haynes, and her ex-husband Dannie L Harmon.

Sandra is survived by her children: daughter Kristen Harmon, daughter Andrea Trujillo (Roland), son Dannie Harmon II (Diana), her siblings: brother Harold Haynes (Judy), sister Elizabeth Zeigler (Twig), brother David Haynes (Tina), 4 grandchildren and various aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family members.

A private Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cancer Research in Sandra’s memory.

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: David Robert Benton, 88, Hood River

David Robert Benton passed away on February 11, 2023, at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon. 

David was born on May 11, 1934, and was 88 years of age at the time of passing.  Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Vickie Lynn Ward, 71

Vickie Lynn Ward passed away on February 16, 2023, at Columbia Basin Care Facility in The Dalles, Oregon.  Vickie was born December 28, 1951, and was 71 years of age at the time of passing.   

A celebration of life for Vickie will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Wy’ East Community Church at 3422 Odell Highway, Odell, OR 97044. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.   

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

Death Notice: Mavis Colleen Rogers, 86, The Dalles

Mavis Colleen Rogers, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 20, 2023.

Mavis will be interned with her husband, William at the IOOF 3 Mile Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Jeffery Dean Zeigler, 70, The Dalles

Jeffery Dean Zeigler Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 14, 2023, at his home in The Dalles, Oregon. He was 70 years old.

Jeff was born on September 30th, 1952, in Harvey, North Dakota, the third youngest of six children to Felix Owen Zeigler and Gloria Ardella (Volk) Zeigler. The Family moved to Anaconda Montana in 1956 and then to The Dalles in 1958. Jeff attended elementary and High School (Class of 1970) in The Dalles.

Over the years, Jeff worked at The Dalles Cherry Growers, as an aide in the kitchen of Columbia Park Hospital (now CGCC), as a brakeman for Union Pacific Railroad and retired after 22 years as a warehouse supervisor for Coca-Cola in The Dalles.

In 1976, Jeff met the love of his life, Dichera (Brace) Zeigler. They were married on March 3, 1978, and together, with their daughter, Chelsy, they began a loving family at their home in The Dalles. Jeff enjoyed spending time with his family fishing, camping, and crabbing at Waldport. Many summer days were spent at the “bass hole” in Rufus. He had a talent for woodworking and created unique birdhouses that he gifted to friends and family. Music was a passion of Jeff’s, he enjoyed listening to his vast collection of vinyl albums and playing guitar at “music night” in his garage with his three brothers and good friends.

Jeff treasured his family. He was a loving, caring husband to Dichera, and a devoted father to Chelsy. The bond with his siblings was like no other. Even when the miles separated them, they were always close to his heart. He enjoyed being an uncle and watching his nieces and nephews grow into young adults. He cherished becoming a grandfather 20 years ago and valued the time he spent with his three grandsons.

Jeff in survived by his wife, Dichera, daughter Chelsy and son-in-law Bryan Rogers and grandsons Benjamin, Samuel and Ely of The Dalles, his sisters and their husbands, Teryl (Darrell) Dafoe of Colorado Springs CO, Peggy (Steve) William of Westcliffe CO, brother Robbie (Caroline) Zeigler of The Dalles, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Gloria (Volk) Zeigler (October 1, 1973), Felix Zeigler (September 30, 1988), brother Terry Zeigler (April 3, 2000) and brother Charles (Charlie) Zeigler (November 28, 2019).

“I’ll just bid farewell till we meet again” ~ Bob Dylan

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Jeff’s name may be given to Bristol Hospice (formally Heart of Hospice) 407 Portway Avenue Suite 201, Hood River, Oregon, or Home at Last Humane Society 200 River Rd. The Dalles, OR.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home 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 Notice: Jeffery Zeigler, The Dalles

Jeffery Zeigler, age 70, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 14, 2023.

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

Obituary: Eileen Ruth Gurley, The Dalles

Eileen Ruth Gurley

Eileen Ruth Gurley, beloved mother, nana and granana sadly passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, in The Dalles, Oregon with her daughter by her side at the age of 89.  She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She was born to Kenneth Emmet Cook and Lois Virginia Hines in Mountain Home, Idaho in 1933.  In 1938, her parents divorced, and she lived with her grandparents until her mother married Roy Luther Duncan and the family moved to California, living on Balboa Island.  Her father Kenneth married Lillian Jennie Rogers.  Kenneth and Lillian had four children, Jennie, Phil, Roger and Ron.  Eileen would not meet these siblings until she was and adult and was overjoyed to do so. 

She had many happy memories of her grandparents George and Anna Hines on their farm in Mountain Home and of grandparents Myron and Helen Cook.  She loved to help with chores on the farm and get into mischief, being quite good at the latter.  She once covered the entire floor of her grandpa Hines workshop floor with cat tail fluff, jumping into it off his workbench.  

One day she excitedly told her grandma and grandpa Hines that she was in the school Christmas play and got to hold up one of the letters to spell Christmas. Her grandpa Hines asked her which one and when she told him H, he said that must be for hellion.  Her grandpa Cook always told her that her middle name of Ruth stood for ruthless. 

In the early 1950s, the family moved to Grass Valley, Oregon to be near Roy’s family.  Eileen attended Moro High School, home of the Huskies. While in high school she was on the staff of the Huskey, the school’s newspaper and annual staff, the glee club, student council, Future Homemakers of America, and was in the senior class play as Mrs. Logan in Pure as The Driven Snow.  She graduated in 1953 with a graduating class of 14.

Eileen was a spunky teenager and told stories of her life in Grass Valley. She and her friends kept quite busy in school and in numerous other activities including putting sheep in the high school gym and returning with hay to feed them.  Disassembling a piece of farm equipment and reassembling it in the hotel lobby and painting the town of Wasco red literally, by painting the sidewalks red. 

After high school, Eileen went to work at the truck stop in Biggs Junction, Oregon, where she met the love of her life Clifford Gurley.  They eloped and were married in Goldendale WA. September 22, 1958.  

Clifford worked in road construction and building power lines across Washington and Oregon.  Working in different locations meant that the couple traveled a lot and lived in several cities including Wenatchee, WA., and Baker City and Cascade Locks, Oregon.  They finally settled down buying a small house in Wood Village, Oregon where their only child Wendy was born.  

In the early ‘60s, Eileen and Clifford moved to The Dalles, to settle down and make a home.  Clifford would go on to travel for his job, leaving Eileen and Wendy to stay in The Dalles so Wendy wouldn’t have to change schools while moving around.  Even with working away from home, he was always home on the weekends.

Eileen stayed busy making friends and doing activities.  She was in a bowling league for several years, was the leader of her daughter’s brownie group and spent time with the Home Extension group learning skills including home canning.  However, one of her favorite pastimes was fishing for steelhead on the Deschutes River with her friend Loraine every summer.

Eileen went to work for Stadelman Fruit in the ‘70s and started as a sorter, then became one of their first female forklift drivers which at that time was not well accepted.  She took great pride in her work, finally retiring as a plant supervisor.  Her years spent there were some of the happiest of her life, meeting many of her dearest friends.  

After retiring, Eileen kept busy with yard work and doing projects around the house.  When she wasn’t busy with that she was volunteering in the community.  First as a victim’s advocate for the elderly, CASA, and later helping at Chenoweth Elementary. 

The children all loved her very much for her kind but firm manner and her sense of humor.  However, her biggest joy was loving her family.  Her husband Clifford, daughter Wendy and husband Jim, grandchildren and then great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter Wendy of The Dalles, OR (husband Jim and daughter Chelsea), brother Ken of Oro Valley, AZ (wife Coleen), sister-in-law Ida Duncan of Eugene, OR, sister Jennie Lane of Clatskanie, Or (husband Dave), brothers Ron, Robert and Phil cook (wife Eliene). Granddaughter Kyra Shoptaw of Milwaukie, OR (spouse J), Grandson Duncan Shoptaw of Vancouver, WA (wife Amanda, sons Jamesen, Andrew, and Fletcher and daughters Chloee and Ella), and many extended family and friends. 

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Gurley, older sister Barbara Cantrall, baby brother Harold Duncan, and beloved niece Chrissy Cantrall.  

Funeral arrangements are with Spencer, Libby, and Powell, The Dalles, Oregon.  Memorial service will be at 11 am, Friday February 17th in the chapel.  Private burial will follow.

Potluck gathering for family and friends will follow the burial from 2-5 at Eileen Gurley’s home in The Dalles, Or.   

Death Notice: Roger Jacob LeMieux, 39, The Dalles

Roger Jacob LeMieux, age 39, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on February 12, 2023.

An overnight Viewing will take place on February 15, 2023, starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall. A Memorial Service will follow on February 16, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Oleta Fern (Whittenberg) Hackett, 97, The Dalles

Oleta Fern (Whittenberg) Hackett

Oleta Fern (Whittenberg) Hackett, age 97, passed away on January 23, 2023.  A resident of The Dalles for nearly 70 years, Oleta was born in Elk City, Oklahoma to parents William Lester and Essie (Freels) Whittenberg.  At an early age, the family fled the dustbowls of Oklahoma to settle on farmlands near Yakima.  Oleta was the only girl in a family with three brothers.  During World War II, she did her share by working in a military plane factory.

 After the war, Oleta married Lincoln Hackett.  They were married for 72 years until Lincoln’s death in 2019.  They had one child, Gary Hackett, a current resident of Goldendale.

 The family moved to The Dalles in 1954, after purchasing a sheet metal shop.  Until their retirement in the 1990s, they were involved in a number of sheet metal businesses, culminating in Link’s Custom Sheetmetal.  Oleta attended to the business end, while Lincoln operated the shop.  She also held positions in doctor and accounting offices in The Dalles.  She was regularly involved in charitable endeavors helping cancer patients.

 Following retirement, the couple traveled extensively throughout the continent in RV caravans with their friends.  They spent many winters camping in Arizona.

 Oleta valued her family above all else.  She is survived by her son Gary, grandson David Hackett and granddaughter Tamra Greig, as well as six great-granddaughters.  She also kept in regular contact with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Oleta was one of the last of her generation.  She cherished her friends, old and new.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation directly to the Red Cross Cascades Region in Oleta’s memory. You may do so online at https://www.redcross.org/donate. Just below the area where you can choose a designation, you should see a box you can select to “Dedicate this gift to a friend or loved one”, you would then just enter her name there. If you prefer to send a check, you should mail it to: Red Cross – Cascades Region; Attn: Lily Gurnavage, Development Office; 3131 N. Vancouver Ave.; Portland, OR 97227. The family has decided not to schedule a Memorial Service. Her cremains will eventually be located next to Lincoln at the Tahoma Cemetery, in Yakima, Washington.

Death Notice: Jerry Lee Coleman, 95, Rufus

Jerry Lee Coleman, age 95, a resident of Rufus, OR, passed away on February 11, 2023.

A Family Interment will be held at the Methodist Cemetery in Wasco, OR at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.