Death Notice: Jerry House, 56, Hood River

Jerry House passed away on September 17th, 2023 at his home in Hood River, Oregon.  Jerry was born July 14th, 1967, and was 56 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. 

Obituary: Matthew “Matt” Grier, 41, The Dalles

Matthew “Matt” Grier passed away September 12th, 2023 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon. Matt was born on January 4th, 1982, and was 41 years of age at the time of passing.

Matt was born and raised in The Dalles, Oregon, and that is where he built his family.

Matt is now in Heaven beside his father Micheal Grier, his mother Linda Grier, his grandma Lilly and many other loved family members. Matt will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 13 years Kayla Grier, his oldest daughter Kaelee Grier, her fiancé David Conley, and his four other children Johnmichael, Lillyanna, Jenson, and Layke Grier. He is also survived by his sister Rebekah Grier and her husband Shaun Griffin who misses him already. He will also be missed dearly by his sidekick dog Belle, and other friends and family who loved him.

For most of Matt’s life, he worked as a mechanic, eventually owning his own shop. He loved riding dirt bikes, building and playing with RC cars, spending time gardening, and many other outdoor activities. Matt loved spending any time he could with his children, especially riding around in his bobcat with Jenson, playing in the creek with Johnmicheal, watching Lilly ride a dirt bike for the first time, cuddling with Layke watching Paw Patrol, and spending time with his road dog Kaelee.

The viewing for Matt will be held on Wednesday, September 20th at Andersons Tribute Center located at 204 East 4th Street in The Dalles, Oregon from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for close friends and family. A celebration of life will be held in the future, but the date, time, and location have not been decided upon; details will be announced by his wife Kayla Grier.

Any condolences, flowers, or financial help can be directed to Matt’s wife Kayla Grier, or his oldest daughter Kaelee Grier. Please help in keeping Matt’s memory alive by sharing memories of him on Facebook, and telling any stories you have of him to his wife and children. Matt will be greatly missed, and his memory will live on in so many people.

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.

Obituary: Nathan "Nate" Ernest Arthur, 89, Hood River

Hood River, OR. September 19, 2023 - Nathan "Nate" Ernest Arthur passed away peacefully in his home with loving family by his side on September 14, 2023, at the age of 89.  He was born to Ernest "Erb" and Grace (Burnett) Arthur on April 8, 1934, in Brownsville, Texas. 

            Nate moved to Hood River in 1944 with his family which included his three brothers and one sister. He attended Odell Grade School and graduated from Wy'east High, where the friends he made there remained his close friends throughout his life. He loved sports and excelled in baseball and in later years was an avid handball player.  He enjoyed playing poker, watching sports, especially Nascar, watching old westerns and "The Three Stooges". He liked motorcycles, camping, and driving in the mountains with his family and friends, and was a long-time member of The Elk's and Eagle's Clubs.  

            Nate married Bernice Heaton in 1953 and together they raised five children.  He was a hardworking man, supporting his family as a service station owner and mechanic, chip truck driver, and heavy equipment operator in the construction of The Dalles and Bonneville Dams. 

            Nate was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his beloved son Ronald, "Bud", and son-in-law, Randy Bell.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Bernice "Bitsy",  daughters; Peggy Arthur and partner Mike May;  Susie Bell;  Karen Timm (Dwight); Lori Fortune (Gene); five grandchildren, Becky, Michele, Megan, Andrew, and Kelli, nine great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. 

            Nate was a generous man, humble and kind with a gentle soul.  He kept those he loved entertained with his humor and silly songs. He filled our hearts with love and gave us cherished memories that we will hold dear forever. 

            A "Celebration of Life" will be held for Nate on Saturday, September 30th at 11:00 at the Wy'east  Fairgrounds  Community Building.  

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. 

Laurence “Larry" L. Taylor III, 81, The Dalles

Laurence “Larry” L. Taylor III passed away on September 17, 2023, at Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon.  Larry was born July 7, 1942, and was 81 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: Susan Ann Lewallen, 85, The Dalles

Susan Ann Lewallen, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 16th, 2023. She will be Buried at Willamette National Cemetery.

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

Death Notice: Betty Jean Wolfe, 88, The Dalles

Betty Jean Wolfe, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away September 9th, 2023. A Graveside Service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery on 18th St in The Dalles, OR, on September 23rd, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

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

Death Notice: Joanne Ethel Smith, 85, The Dalles

Joanne Ethel Smith, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 12, 2023.

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

Death Notice: Matthew “Matt” Grier 41, The Dalles

Matthew “Matt” Grier passed away on September 12th, 2023 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon.  Matthew was born January 4, 1982, and was 41 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: Marjorie Louise Routson, 96, Hood River

Marjorie Louise Routson passed away on September 10, 2023, at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living in Hood River, Oregon.  Marjorie was born January 3, 1927 and was 96 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: Harvey Eugene Banker, 84, The Dalles

Harvey Eugene Banker, age 84, passed away on September 11th, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Moose Lodge in The Dalles, OR, on September 23rd, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

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

Death Notice: LeRoy Melvyn Hayes, 85, Goldendale

LeRoy Melvyn Hayes passed away September 11th, 2023 at his Goldendale home surrounded by family.

LeRoy was born September 6, 1938, and was 85 years of age at the time of passing.  Services are planned for 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 15th, 2023 at Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel.  Graveside Committal will follow at The Goldendale Mountain View IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel • 300 W. Broadway, Goldendale, Washington. 

Death Notice: Perry Louis Barber, 90, The Dalles

Perry Louis Barber, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 10th, 2023.

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

Death Notice: Virginia Macomber, 94, Hood River

Virginia Macomber passed away on September 9, 2023 in Hood River, OR. She was born November 20, 1928 and was 94 years of age at the time of her 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: Cindie Lee Crofton, 63, Dufur

Cindie Lee Crofton, age 63, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away on August 24th, 2023.

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

Death Notice: James Olin Proffitt, 85, The Dalles

James Olin Proffitt, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 7th, 2023.

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

Death Notice: David Poland, 57, Goldendale

David Poland passed away September 4th, 2023 at Klickitat Valley Health in Goldendale, Washington.

David was born on October 20th, 1965, and was 57 years of age at the time of his passing. Services are pending under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel • 300 W. Broadway, Goldendale, Washington (509) 772-2636.

Death Notice: Mary E. Linderman, 80, The Dalles

Mary E. Linderman, age 80, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 6th, 2023.

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

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. 

Obituary: Mary Amelie Kirchhofer, 74, The Dalles

Mary Amelie Kirchhofer

Marijke Amelie Bors was born on September 8, 1948, at home in Tegelen, The Netherlands, her parents’ first child.

Both her grandmothers delighted in her arrival as she was also their first grandchild. In fact, with her big blue eyes and head full of natural curls, she was the delight of a very large family of 28 aunts and uncles and was loved like the favorite doll her pre-teen aunts thought she was. 

Only three years since the conclusion of World War II fought heavily in the German border town Mary was born in, Mary’s young aunts were gradually adapting to a new world of peace, dependable meals, and light-hearted pastimes of which playing with their very own living doll was a most enjoyable part. They loved to read fairy tales to her and Mary lavished in the attention and openly reciprocated all the love given her. Surrounded by adoration of such a large family, Mary’s amiable nature, willingness to please and an instinct to give trouble a wide berth made her a pleasant and easy child to be around. These complaisant traits ingrained in her earliest years would follow her into adulthood.

Mary would quickly become the big sister of two brothers and three sisters in rapid succession. At 3 she started pre-school where she relished the camaraderie of friends. At 7 the family moved to the little coalmining town of Munstergeleen where she attended grade school with a 10-class daily curriculum. Not deterred, she continued to be a diligent student. On weekends, to give her coalminer father quiet time to sleep, her mother took the young family on frequent 2-mile strolls to visit their ailing grandmother in the neighboring town. Mary, always bundled up for she did not like the cold, did however love feeding the ducks along the way and adored watching ducklings swimming behind their mamas because it reminded her of her own mom with her six children in tow. On special occasions, taught by the now-teenage aunts, the children would act out a play for their bedridden grandmother and their many aunts and uncles. When Mary was 9, her 4-year-old sister went missing from the home and the entire neighborhood set out looking for her, Mary took her bicycle out into the cold & dark to search for her. Upon returning hours later, she found her sibling had been hiding and fallen asleep under a heavy quilt draped over the footboard of her parent’s bed.

As an eldest daughter Mary had a special bond with her mother as they shared family care. At 12 years old Mary helped to handle the young brood on the family’s 11-day transatlantic journey from The Netherlands to New York City and the pursuing transcontinental trip to Portland, Oregon where, eventually they settled in the countryside of Redland, Oregon. Likewise, she was tasked with smaller chores like helping her mom peel, cut, and fry 20 lbs. of potatoes on birthdays as French fries were the favorite treat of every child. At 15 she became a big sister for the last time when her youngest brother was born the only natural American citizen of the family.  At 17 she and her parents passed the U.S. Citizenship exam and became American citizens. The remainder of the children who immigrated became naturalized citizens.

Mary continued to excel in her studies and though she was not fond of cleaning and cooking, she was a talented seamstress. She was a favored babysitter throughout the neighborhood and among her parents’ friends and acquaintances. At Estacada High School, she was a Yearbook Editor and was crowned the Homecoming Queen a testimony to both her aptitude and friendliness. She went on to College at Oregon State University against great odds. During a career counseling session during her senior year in high school, she revealed she could not afford to attend college. An excellent student, her counselor worked to show her ways she could accomplish this. While she diligently pursued the guidance, she worked at the local BirdsEye Cannery alongside her mother during the summer months. In 1970, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In her big sister role, she had quietly set a path for all her brothers and sisters to follow.

Mary moved to The Dalles as a newlywed in 1971 when Vic accepted a teaching position at Wahtonka High School. During those early years, she worked as a care provider for a Child Care Center in The Dalles. Soon, taking care of Doug and Angie became her primary focus and proudest role.

When Angie and Doug started school, Mary found a position at an insurance agency as a secretary. A few years later, she took the necessary exams and obtained the licenses required to open her own insurance agency. She was very successful in this endeavor as she had an easy rapport with her clients and always had their best interests at heart.

Busy as she was with her family, their sporting events, and working full time, Mary found time to create beautiful cross stitch pieces that were displayed throughout their home.

She was never too busy to have a cup of coffee with friends or to play a competitive round of Canasta with family.

Her other notable interest was being a member of the Cascade Singers. She loved the camaraderie and the music. The choir performed concerts near and far and gave Mary a chance to travel as part of this well-loved group. A highlight for Mary was performing at Carnegie Hall!

There is a picture of Mary as a young child with a beagle at her side. All through her childhood, there was always a dog in the family. As soon as Mary and Vic acquired their first home, a dog was a continual part of the package. Mary loved her dogs and they, in turn, were devoted to her.

While she treasured her home and connections in The Dalles, Mary was drawn to the sunshine that Arizona offered. In 2016, after their retirements, Mary and Vic moved to Buckeye, AZ to spend the winter months. She truly basked in the sunshine. She looked forward to the water aerobics classes and became a member of the choir there. Summers were spent in their cabin at Lake Merwin in Washington which was a sanctuary of tranquility and breathtaking views. The proximity of the cabin afforded an annual opportunity to visit Angie and Doug and connect with friends in The Dalles.

Mary leaves a legacy of family who will continue to honor her memory. Her spirit will also live on as friends reflect on the times they were fortunate enough to share.

Celebration of Life for Mary is to be held at Bargeway Pub Banquet room on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.

Obituary: Jeff Davis, The Dalles

Jeff was born in The Dalles, OR, on June 6th, 1972, to Jerry and Peggy Davis. He was a sixth-generation Oregonian.

Jeff graduated from The Dalles High School in 1991. He earned a BA Degree in Education from Western Oregon College and a master’s degree in education from George Fox University. He taught for 20 years in the Nampa, Idaho school system.

Known for his sense of humor, Jeff loved to make people laugh. In college, he performed at athletic events as “Wolfie” his school’s mascot. He introduced his children to Disneyland, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios. Marvel superheroes, Star Wars, and Harry Potter became family favorites.

A small inheritance in his 20s allowed Jeff to travel. He explored London, saw the Queen, and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. Jeff took a temporary job crewing on the Spice Girls yacht as the means to attend the Cannes Film Festival.

Travel became a life-long interest. He zip-lined with his children in Washington State and Costa Rica. He had been planning a trip to Hawaii.

Jeff is survived by his children, Parker John Davis and Addison Joy Davis, his parents, brother George M. Davis (Heather) and sisters Cynthia L. Kliewer (Kyle) and Kara K. Davis. He is also survived by nephew Zain Hartsook and nieces Kaitlyn, Nicole, and Emily Kliewer. Additionally, Jeff leaves many loving cousins and friends. Jeff had been separated since October from his wife of 20 years, the former Melody Allegier. Divorce proceedings were pending.

Proceeding Jeff in death were his grandparents, George and Eva Anderson Davis and Joseph and Cynthia Palmer Healy, and his uncle Daniel J. Healy.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota St. in The Dalles, OR September 23rd , 2023 at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Home at Last Animal Shelter, 200 River Rd. The Dalles, OR 97058, or to Cove Ascension School 1104 Church St. Cove, OR 97824.