Death Notice: Rita Jane Clinton, 93, The Dalles

Rita Jane Clinton, age 93, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 2, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Robert De Lee Rolen, 97, The Dalles

Robert De Lee Rolen, age 97, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 28, 2024. The Funeral service will be on December 10, 2024, 11 am at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Ave, The Dalles, OR.

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

Death Notice: Marie Sperber, 94, Hood River

Marie Sperber passed away on November 23, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Marie was born November 24, 1929, and was 94 years of age at the time of passing.   Committal Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 at Willamette National Cemetery of Portland, Oregon. 

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: William “Bill” Fredick Moffat, III, 54, Cascade Locks

William “Bill” Fredick Moffat, III passed away November 12th, 2024 at home in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Bill was born October 10th, 1970 and was 54 years of age at the time of passing.

Bill was born in Des Plaines, Illinois to William F. Moffat, II, and Pamela Joyce (Williamson Van Ningen.

Bill married Michelle Georgine Steffers and to their union were blessed with three children; Mason, Maxine, and Madison. Bill and his family have called Cascade Locks home. Bill along with his family enjoyed fishing, hiking,g and camping. He also loved his time spent with family, friends, and dogs. He had the best sense of humor, he loved showing off his fish, he enjoyed the little things in life, and was a great storyteller.

Bill worked for Fed Ex and was the Operations Supervisor in Portland, Oregon. He took a great deal of pride in his job and working with FedEx.

Bill is survived by his wife, Michelle Moffat; son, Mason Steffers; twin daughters, Maxine Moffat and Madison Moffat; other distant family and many, many friend he has collected over his years as well as his beloved pets; Duke, Duches, Lenny, Dibbles and Dottie.

Friends are invited to join the family for a time of viewing and a time to share memories at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Donations for family are welcome and can be given directly to them or through Anderson’s Tribute Center.

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

Death Notices: Allen Brent Van Gilder, 47, Rufus; Marilyn K Daggett, 88, The Dalles

Allen Brent Van Gilder age 47, a resident of Rufus, OR, passed away on November 24, 2024. A viewing will be held December 6, 2024, from 1 pm to 2 pm at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Ave, The Dalles, OR. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Marilyn K Daggett age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 20, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held December 14, 2024, at 2 PM in the Fireside Room at the Civic Auditorium, 323 E 4th St, The Dalles, OR. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Marjorie Waller Rosemont, 97, The Dalles

Marjorie Waller Rosemont passed away November 23, 2024 at The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles, Oregon. Marjorie was born November 6, 1927 and was 97 years of age at the time of passing.  

Services are pending with 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: Michael Harold Palmer, 68, The Dalles

Michael Harold Palmer, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 18, 2024. A Viewing will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Ave, The Dalles, OR.

Hello, World!

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

Death Notice: Earl LeRoy Helmer, 69, The Dalles

Earl LeRoy Helmer, age 69, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 21, 2024.

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

Obituary: John William Shearer, 98, The Dalles

John William Shearer, of The Dalles, peacefully passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 98. He was born May 5, 1926, in The Dalles, OR to Marcus and Matilda (Davis) Shearer.

John grew up in Maupin where he attended school and helped at his family’s hotel and restaurant. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force during WWII. During his service, he studied flight engineering, worked on a B17 engine change crew, trained as a drill instructor, and was accepted into a liaison pilot training program.

After an honorable discharge, John returned to Maupin where he reconnected with a high school friend, Barbara Crabtree. They were married on June 12, 1946, at the age of 20, and were married for 77 years. John and Barbara eventually settled in The Dalles to raise their four children.

John has always been interested in airplanes, starting with building model planes as a young boy. He earned a commercial and private pilot’s license and was hired as a crop duster. Despite setbacks, including a crash resulting in a broken neck, John built the business he owned and operated starting in 1950. John's impressive work ethic has made Shearer Sprayers become a multigenerational business serving the Gorge for over 70 years. Even after retiring from flying, John was always involved in the happenings of his business and its success.

John had a love for cars, airplanes, guns, cats, traveling, and spending time with his family. He was also an excellent writer with a great sense of humor, and his family and friends always enjoyed John's poems. John was the center of his family, the Patriarch, and who everyone looked to for inspiration and guidance on how to live life to the fullest. He will be remembered for his generosity, wit, determination, and fearlessness.

He is survived by son John Richard Shearer and wife Kathy; son Gary Shearer and wife Dixie; daughter Mary Johnson and husband Terry; Grandchildren Cory Erickson and wife Paula; Mandi Coats and husband John; Kevin Shearer; Marcus Shearer; John Robert Shearer and wife Jennifer; Meggan Erland and husband Alec; as well as 10 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Shearer, daughter Linda Erickson, brother C.R. "Dick" Shearer, and brother Jack Shearer who died in infancy.

Being a humble and private man, it was John's request that no formal service is to be held. Those wishing to honor his life may make a donation in his name to the Western Antique Airplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, OR.

Obituary: Catherine J. Kelter, 94 , Hood River

Catherine J. Kelter

“Well, that was fun!” Cathie Kelter would announce whenever she was ready to leave a family gathering– a signal that it was time to go home. On October 26, she left her family for the last time, a month shy of her 95th birthday. A fall and a stroke upended her plans to stay at home until the end.

Catherine J. Kelter was born on November 25, 1929, in Neligh, Nebraska, the youngest of Ed and Anne Wanek’s four children. She attended college at St. Mary’s in Omaha and later Creighton University, where she met her husband Don. They were married in 1952. Shortly afterward, Don was drafted and the newlyweds moved to California. After his discharge from the army, Don and Cathie left their hearts in San Francisco and moved back to Nebraska to raise their growing family, always hoping to one day return to the West Coast.

In 1971, Don accepted the position of administrator at the Hood River Memorial Hospital, and the family moved to Oregon. Cathie continued in her role as administrator of their seven children. When she wasn’t sewing, playing the piano, creating handmade cards, writing clever songs, helping with homework, or learning calligraphy, she and Don enjoyed hiking, Sunday drives, trips to the beach, square dancing, and spending time with family. One of her sons described the two as the Dynamic Duo, always there to love and support each other as well as their children and grandchildren and their spouses. After Don’s death in 2001, Cathie stepped up and assumed all the responsibilities of the Dynamic Duo. She was always there to listen, encourage, and offer reassurance, often accompanied by a glass of wine.

In 1985, Cathie opened the Wine Sellers, with help from her daughter Jean. For more than 25 years she offered wine, coffee, conversation, and warm welcomes to customers, family, and friends. After the Wine Sellers closed, Cathie found another outlet for her energy: already a Master Mother and Grandmother, she added Master Gardener and a Master Recycler to her list of accomplishments.

As her mobility became more limited and Cathie’s world grew smaller, her family brought the world to her in the form of daily visits, grocery shopping, meals, vacation photos, and an endless supply of jigsaw puzzles. She took special joy in “Thirsty Thursday” happy hours with grandchildren Jessica, Jon, and Carin. At the end of each visit, she would encourage them to “go do something fun.”

Hello, World!

Cathie will be greatly missed by her children and their spouses: Anne and Lou Gehrig, Mike and Vicki Kelter, Tom and Dana Kelter, Jim and Peggy Dills Kelter, Jean and Rick Dills, Maggie and Joe Pike, Bill and Amy Kelter, her grandchildren Jessica (Apland), Jon and Colin Gehrig, Kristina Green, Katie Soderberg, Nick and Pete Dills, Rose Kelter, Carin Pike, Hannah Vassar, 15 great-grandchildren, and all the others whose lives she touched. A private graveside service will be held at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Cathie during her last few weeks of life, especially the staff at Parkhurst Place and Providence Hospice of the Gorge. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Hood River County Library, FISH Food Bank, or Providence Hospice of the Gorge.

Please consider honoring Cathie by sowing seeds of kindness and by being the reason that someone smiles each day. Then take her advice and go do something fun.

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

Death Notice: Violet Evans, 99, Hood River

Violet Evans passed away on November 18, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Violet was born on August 16, 1925, and was 99 years of age at the time of passing.   A graveside committal for Violet will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Mosier Cemetery (600 State Rd, Mosier, Oregon 97040).

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: June Jeanette (Johnson) (Carter) Vroman, 95, The Dalles

June Jeanette (Johnson) (Carter) Vroman passed away November 13th, 2024 at The Springs in The Dalles, Oregon. June was born May 29th, 1929, and was 95 years of age at the time of passing.

June was born in Detroit, Michigan to  Carl Arthur and Margaret (Sweder) Johnson, her father was from Sweden and he always called her “Junie”.  She was one of three children, a brother, Al and sister Mae.  She grew up in Michigan and graduated from Melvindale High School.  She lived in Michigan until 2021 when she moved with her daughter to Hood River, Oregon.

During her working career she was a secretary but was also involved  with the VFW in Monroe, Michigan Post 3943 with dinners, holiday parties, veteran parades, and many other activities.

She enjoyed traveling with her late husband, Roger Vroman, in their camper van. They enjoyed traveling together to Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida. They also enjoyed being on the boat and fishing in Lake Erie.

June loved animals, especially her dogs, cats, and horses.  When I 94 was under construction for the first time, June and her brother Al, would ride their horses down the dirt roadway that would become I-94, near Detroit.  She loved to feed her squirrels peanut butter sandwiches, she always had a plate full of quartered bread and would hand them out when they came to visit her patio door.

June is survived by her daughter, Cheryl McKay, (Hood River, OR); son, John (Jenny) Carter (Sweetwater, TN); three granddaughters, Sheyla (Rumler) (Steve) Barteck, (The Dalles, OR),   Adreah (Rumler) (John) Kuderik  (Monroe, Mich),   and Rachel McKay (Josh Voshall)  Parkdale, OR; six great-grandchildren:  Katie Smith, Hunter Cheney, Reese Kuderik, Bryce Barteck, Barrett Voshall, and Kaela Gallas; and many great great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by, her parents, Carl and Margaret Johnson; sister, Mae (Johnson) Torangeau; brother, Al Johnson; great-granddaughter, Jessicah Kuderik and her husband, Roger Vroman.

A private memorial is to be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to your local pet shelters/Humane Societies

A special thank you to the very compassionate staff at The Springs. All of you were her extended family and she loved you.

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: Judy Kay Roberts, 83, Hood River

Judy Kay Roberts passed away on November 15, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Judy was born December 12, 1940, and was 83 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: John William Shearer, 98, The Dalles

John William Shearer, age 98, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 9, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Carol Estelle Williams, 93, Stevenson

Carol Estelle Williams of Stevenson, Washington passed away on November 9th, 2024 in Vancouver, Washington.

Carol was born February 22nd, 1931 and was 93 years of age at the time of passing.   Services are pending with arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  

Carol will be laid to rest with her husband Jack at the Lanark Cemetery (Lanark, Illinois).  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Renée Anne Clarke, 42, Parkdale

In Loving Memory

Renée Anne Clarke “Lou” “NiNi”

1981 - 2024

Our sweet angel, Renée Anne Clarke, left us on October 10th, 2024, at 10 a.m. at her home in Parkdale, Oregon.

Renée entered our lives on December 5th, 1981 on a beautiful rainy day, a wonderful daughter born to Kenneth and Alice Clarke (Campbell), then left us far too soon on October 10th, 2024. Though her life on earth was too short, Renée accomplished more than many people do in a full lifetime. She was a loving friend to many, an accomplished three-sport athlete in high school and champion softball player in college, and a scholar who earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.

Renée grew up in Parkdale within a great neighborhood of friends and family: Chad, Jeremy, Kenny, Trevor, Carey, Melissa, Jackie, Jared, her brother Nate, the Mabens, Aunt Widman, the Nelsons and the Merzs. She started her athletic activities at age 3 with Rainbow Gymnastics. She soon became a soccer star, and one of Coach Ron's favorite players. In high school, she was named player of the year by her teammates. Renée also excelled in basketball, and the Hood River Valley High crowds came to watch her and her teammates play: her cousin Calli, Darci, Britney, Camile, Alli, Carrie, and many more. Renée’s favorite sport was softball, though she was named First Team All-League in all three sports.

Renée graduated from Hood River Valley High School in 2000, and went on to do her undergraduate studies at Pacific Lutheran, where she met her Best Friends, Sara and Risa, with whom she played softball. What a time they had and in 2002 won the Division Ill League Softball championship and came in 4th in the nation.

During her summers at home, Renée worked for the US Forest Service at Multnomah Falls as a grounds keeper, and learned to love hiking. On one of her Christmas Holidays, she was able to go to Germany on a psychology tour. Renée graduated from Pacific Lutheran with honors, with a degree in Psychology, and worked as a social worker for six months. She returned home for another six months, and then in 2005 was accepted for a graduate program at Carlos Albizu University in Miami, Florida.

Hello, World!

So off to Florida we went, in support of her new life there. Two days after we arrived, Hurricane Katrina hit. During the five years Renée was in Florida, that was one of the many adventures we had, along with the Miami Zoo, South Beach, the Butterfly Sanctuary, and our wonderful trip to the Keys, in the yellow convertible. While in graduate school, Renée did an Internship at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution for two years. In 2011, she received a Certification of Appreciation from their Psychology Services Department for all of her hard work and dedication. In August of 2012, Renée completed her dissertation on "Gender Stereotypes and How They Affect Sentencing of Women Who Kill," (Thank You Vicky) and graduated with a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Distinction with Honors.

Renée was next off to Larned, Kansas in 2013 to start her post-doctorate work, in a State Mental Institution. Her beloved dog, Scobbie, moved with her. Upon completion of that work, she came home for a year while looking for a position, and was able to spend time with her new nephew Will and niece Hailey. Renée then accepted a position working in a State Mental Intuition in San Antionio, Texas in August 2014. There, she loved her work and new location.

Sadly, Renée was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease in March of 2015, and her health began to deteriorate. So Renée and Scobbie came home in November 2015. Our promise to Renée was she would be able to live at home with her family, and thanks to all of Christie and Nate's help, we were able to keep this promise. Back home, Renée enjoyed going to all of her nephew Will's activities (while always cheering him on), fishing (with her Father and Kelsey), seeing the horses, and spending time with her family and friends. But Renée’s health continued to deteriorate over the time from 2015 to 2024. Thankfully, we were able to have her for nine wonderful years with so much love from her kind, happy spirit.

Renée is survived by her parents Ken and Alice Clarke, brother Nate Clarke, sister-in-law Christie Clarke, nephew Will Clarke, and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

As Renée’s family, we would like to give a special thank you to the Caregivers who gave Renée such wonderful care: our dear Kelsey, who was with Renée the last year of her life, Morgan, Angie, Tracey, and my wonderful sister Shirley. We would  also like to thank Wendy Best for spending two hours every Saturday, for two years, reading and playing her violin for Renée. Finally, our greatest appreciation to all the many people who took time to see Renée and make her smile.

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: Robert Peleshok “Rob”, 61, Hood River

Robert Peleshok “Rob” passed away on October 24, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Rob was born August 24, 1963, and was 61 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: George Donald Van De Vanter, 95, Lyle

George Donald Van De Vanter, age 95, a resident of Lyle, WA, passed away on November 2, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Jimmy Dale Drennan, Sr., 82, The Dalles

Jimmy Dale Drennan, Sr. passed away October 29th, 2024 at Columbia Basin in The Dalles, Oregon. Jimmy Drennan Sr. was born October 20th, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was 82 years of age at the time of passing.  

Services are planned for 1:00 P.M., Saturday, November 9, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1825 May Street, Hood River, OR 97031). Jimmy will be laid to rest at Idlewilde Cemetery (980 Tucker Road, Hood River, OR 97031).

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: Robin Lee Faulkner, 74, Condon

Robin Lee Faulkner N7GSU, age 74, a resident of Condon, OR, passed away on October 24, 2024.

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

N7GSU is Robin’s call sign as he was an active amateur radio emergency communications member