Death Notice: Joan Carol Smith, 92, Hood River

Joan Carol Smith passed away on June 7th, 2024 at Parkhurst Place in Hood River, Oregon. Joan was born December 19th, 1931, and was 92 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: Harlan Delmer Olson, 94, Sandy

Harlan Delmer Olson, age 94, a resident of Sandy, OR, passed away June 4, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Lorraine “Rainy” Marie Hill, 101, Hood River

Lorraine “Rainy” Marie Hill passed away on June 1, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon.  Lorraine was born March 19, 1923, in Trout Lake, Washington, she was 101 years of age at the time of passing.  

Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon, Washington.  Visit www.gardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for family.      

Death Notice: Arthur Howard Blades, 79, White Salmon

Arthur Howard Blades passed away on May 29th, 2024 in White Salmon, Washington. Arthur was born December 28th, 1944, and was 79 years of age at the time of passing.

Services are pending with arrangements 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: David Henry Brown, 71, Moro

David Henry Brown, age 71, a resident of Moro, OR, passed away June 4, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.

Death Notice: Curtis Jay Craig, 45, The Dalles

Curtis Jay Craig, age 45, The Dalles

Death Notice: Marjorie Ellen Andrews, 95, Hood River

Marjorie Ellen Andrews passed away on May 31st, 2024 in Hood River, Oregon. Marge was born February 27th, 1929, and was 95 years of age at the time of passing.

A Memorial Service and Reception for Marjorie will be held at 1:00 P.M. on June 15, 2024, at Andersons Tribute Center (1401 Belmont Ave, Hood River, Oregon 97031). A graveside service at the Upper Valley Cemetery in Parkdale, Oregon, will occur after the reception.

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: Frances Meyer Cody, 94, Hood River

Frances Meyer Cody passed away on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at the age of 94 after a fulfilling and contributing life. Fran was born July 26, 1929, in Miles City, Mont., to Lars and Maria Meyer, Swedish immigrants.

She lived the first six years of her life on the family homestead in Rock Springs, Mont., where she attended a one-room school. Fran was the youngest of five siblings, 16 years younger than her older sister. As her parents did not speak English very well, she acted as their interpreter as young as the age of 4. After her father was killed in an open pit coal mining accident, the family moved to Miles City, where she graduated from Custer County High School. During her high school years, she worked for a local florist shop, played piano for her church services, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Upon graduation, she left Montana to attend and graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., with a degree in education. To help with her educational costs, one of her jobs was as a nanny for a local attorney and his family. After graduating in 1952, she accepted a teaching position at Hood River High School where she taught typing, shorthand, English, and journalism. She was transferred to the “new” Hood River Valley High School in 1971. Fran retired from her career in education in 1978. She loved teaching, especially at the “old” high school. She enjoyed attending class reunions and many of her past students continued to keep in contact with her over the years.

During her first year of teaching at HRHS, she met a local boy who had returned from serving in the US Army in Korea. Charles “Chuck” Cody was persistent, and they were married on July 14, 1953. They temporarily moved to Miles City. After the birth of their first son, Sam, on Oct. 10, 1954, they moved back to Hood River, where Fran resumed her teaching career. Two more sons were born, Glen in 1956 and Lee in 1958. In 1965, Fran and Chuck purchased 16 acres of orchard with a shop building that they lived in for a year before remodeling. Fran always was able to create a loving home for her family. While they both worked their full-time jobs, they worked hard to make a go of the orchard. At the time of her death, she still owned the house, which she was able to remain in until recently through help from her family, especially the loving care of her grandson John Cody.

Shortly after her retirement from the Hood River County School District, Fran opened and operated Cody’s Fruit and Flower, a flower shop in downtown Hood River in the Paris Fair annex building. She also enjoyed this pursuit. After selling her store, she took a job as manager of the Hood River County chapter of the American Red Cross. Her next vocation was as a liaison for the Hood River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. During her tenure, she helped to start and develop the successful Hood River Classic horse show which was a fundraiser for the hospital auxiliary. This past year, she was honored to be selected as one of the women featured in The History Museum of Hood River’s “Women Who Shaped Hood River History” exhibit.
After permanent retirement, Fran continued to love cooking, gardening, playing the piano, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a long-time member of Riverside Community Church.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, all of her siblings, and daughter-in-law Rosa Cody. She was also preceded by her mother-in-law and most of her brothers/sisters-in-law. She is survived by her sons, Sam (Isa) Cody of Mesa, Ariz., Glen (Donna) Cody of Parkdale, Ore., and Lee (Pam) Cody of Hood River.  Also surviving are her grandchildren John Cody, Maria Cody, Matt Cody, Audra Cody, Kylie Draper, Katlin Cody, Makenzie Cody, Sean Borton, Brandi Borton, Lisa Perry, Rachel Sherrell, and Maddi Perry and their spouses/friends. She adored her many great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Sally Cody of Ontario, Ore., and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service is planned for June 7, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Andersons Tribute Center (1401 Belmont Ave, Hood River, Oregon. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cody Family Fund in the care of the Gorge Community Foundation (PO Box 1711, Hood River, OR 97031), supporting the Hood River County Education Foundation, or a charity of choice.

Obituary: Terry Nelson, 81, The Dalles

Terrance John Nelson

Terrance John Nelson was born September 20th, 1942, to Fred and Ella Nelson in Midland Michigan.

He graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston Minnesota in 1960 where he met a beautiful classmate named Bette Hovet. Terry and Bette were married on November 30, 1963, and they went on to welcome four children into their lives.

They were known to all have red hair including the family dog Mandy. Family, church and community life were always Terry's highest priorities.

Terry had a career path that started in farming and went on to banking, insurance sales, owning a car dealership, and finally owning Brown Roofing Company. His outgoing personality and charm enabled him to find success in all stages of his career and he enjoyed his work.

Terry was involved with many civic organizations through the years. In recent years he enjoyed helping light the Christmas star with "The Fun Group," being active in his church, traveling, father/son fishing trips to Alaska, golfing, socializing in any form including his Thursday night wine group, poker nights and family gatherings.

He was very proud of his Norwegian roots and helped coordinate the family's annual lefse making day. He and Bette took the entire family on a trip to Norway in 2022 to explore the fjords and their great grandparents’ family farm sites.

Terry is survived by his wife of 60 years Bette, daughter Amy Graham (Pat), son Travis Nelson (Katie), and daughter Holly Nelson. He was blessed with 6 grandchildren: Sam (Alex), Tyler, Erin (Josh), Maddy (Simon), Colton, and Molly and was looking forward to his first great-grandchild who is expected to arrive in August. He adored his sister Barbara Jacobsen who resides in Portland. He was preceded in death by his treasured daughter Bridgette.

Terry was larger than life and will be deeply missed by many. He was a people person who found fun and friends wherever he went. Although he is no longer here his kindness and gift of connecting with people will be remembered with a smile.

There will be a private family service at Bethany Lutheran Church followed by a community Celebration of Life at the Civic Auditorium on June 23 from 2-4 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Fun Group Christmas Star c/o Tony Foote or Bethany Lutheran Church.

Death Notice: Bruce Kelly Meredith, 68, The Dalles

Bruce Kelly Meredith, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 16, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Elwin Edward Grout, 59, The Dalles

Elwin Edward Grout age 59, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 11, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Craig Steven Farrier, 77, Maupin

Craig Steven Farrier age 77, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away May 20, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Eloy R. Gonzalez, 64, Hood River

Eloy R. Gonzalez passed away May 12th 2024 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Eloy was born October 13th, 1959 and was 64 years of age at the time of passing. 

Survived by children Eloy (Freddy) Gonzalez and Sonya Pishion, grandchildren Antonio, Izabella, Noah, Elijah, Samantha, and Asher. Mother Luisa Gonzalez, and siblings Adan Gonzalez, Olga Gonzalez, Belen Mason, and Norma DePriest. Eloy is preceded by his father, Gilberto Gonzalez.

 A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at the Port of Hood River on Saturday, May 25th at 2:00 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: Anthony Richard Neal, 52, Dufur

Anthony Richard Neal age 52, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away May 19, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

Death Notice: Robert Lee Roberts, 90, The Dalles

Robert Lee Roberts, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 16, 2024.

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

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.

Death Notice: Jim Howard, Underwood Wash.

Jim Howard of Underwood, Wash., passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.

A viewing will be held on May 21st at Gardners Funeral Home at 156 NE Church Ave., White Salmon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will follow on May 22 at the Elk’s Lodge in White Salmon, Wash.
For more information, please contact Terrah Howard (360) 710-4033

Death Notice: John Larry Hutchison, 74, The Dalles

John Larry Hutchison, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 14, 2024.

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

Death Notice: John J. Meracle, 82, The Dalles

John J. Meracle, age 82, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 13, 2024. A Graveside Service will be held in Bend, OR in the near future.

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

Death Notice: Doris Irene Hammer, 96, The Dalles

Doris Irene Hammer, age 96, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 12, 2024.

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