Death Notice: Donald R. Justice, 85, Redmond

Donald R. Justice, age 85, a resident of Redmond, OR, passed away on August 7, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Verna Lynne Martin, 74

Verna Lynne Martin passed away August 8th, 2025 at Portland Providence Medical Center. Verna was born December 21st, 1950 and was 74 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: Marilyn Jean Phetteplace, 90, The Dalles

Marilyn Jean Phetteplace, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at OHSU on August 8, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Darrel Gifford McBride, 86, The Dalles

Darrel Gifford McBride, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on August 8, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Jimmy Allen Collins, 61, The Dalles

Jimmy Allen Collins, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Hospital on July 31, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Eugene Dewayne Emett, 77, The Dalles

Eugene Dewayne Emett, age 77, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on August 1, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Kristy Lee Millan, 49, Hood River

Kristy Lee Millan, age 49, a resident of Hood River, OR, passed away on July 28, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Marianne “Tut” S. Waters, 88, The Dalles

Marianne “Tut” S. Waters, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on August 3, 2025.

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

Obituary: Mavis Ann Prinzing, 92, Hood River

Mavis Ann Prinzing, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away in Oregon City on May 23, 2025, due to complications from pneumonia.

 Born on January 6, 1933, in Warsaw, Missouri, Mavis eventually made her way west to Hood River, Oregon, where she built a beautiful life. It was there she met and married Gerald “Jerry” Prinzing, and together they raised four children: Sherriee, Jay, Russell, and Kelly.

 Mavis raised her family in the Assembly of God church, grounding her children in faith and love. Her spiritual life remained central throughout the years, and she was a devoted member of River of Life , attending faithfully until the end of her life.

 She had a creative spirit and a deep love for making beautiful things. Mavis was especially passionate about ceramics and poured her heart into every piece she crafted. Her talents also extended to crocheting and quilting—she had a special love for fabric and could often be found working on something with her hands, bringing comfort and beauty into the lives of those around her.

 Mavis was immensely proud of her growing family, leaving behind seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who will carry on her legacy of love, creativity, and resilience.

 She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry, her son Russell, and her great-granddaughter Serria.

 A celebration of life will be held on August 6th at 11:00 AM at Anderson Funeral Home, with a burial to follow at 1:00 PM.

 Mavis will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her faith, her warmth, her artistry, and her quiet strength.

 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: Steven Richard Zack, 77, The Dalles

Steven Richard Zack, age 77, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on July 16, 2025.

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

Obituary: Kirby Harold Hampton Denny, 87, The Dalles

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Kirby Harold Hampton Denny - Born June 8, 1938 - Died July 14, 2025. He is survived by his daughters Sophia Cristine Gwynne and Samantha Colleen Denny, and his three grandsons, Benjamin, Joshua, and Aaron Gordon.

Kirby was an avid fisherman and spent most of his free time fishing in nearby rivers. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959.

Upon leaving the Marines, he became an electrician and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He worked as a lineman for The Dalles Public Utility District from 1980 until he retired in 2000. Kirby was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. May his memory be a blessing. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Calvin Thomas McDermid, 74, The Dalles

File Photo from 2020 - Dixie (Webb) Schanno, Rachel Miller and Cal McDermid stand on the steps of the fabled Hi-Way House on East Second Street. Schanno’s grandmother, Belle (Head) Webb Beatie took ownership of the restaurant and turned it into a social hotspot. Miller, at the time was managing the restaurant and nightspot that was undergoing a renovation during the COVID outbreak. McDermid at the time of the photo was the Fort Dalles Museum Director and he remembered learning to dance at the restaurant as a youth on Sunday nights, before heading back out to the ranch in Sherman County where he grew up.

Calvin Thomas McDermid, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Pacific Living Center in Hood River, OR, on July 25, 2025.

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

Cal was an exceptional curator, a good organizer, and did a wonderful job as the Director of the Fort Dalles Museum.

Cal would visit the museum after he took leave of his position, said Crystal Ross, who assumed the role.

“He would come by once in a while and call for Midnight the cat, and she would recognize his voice and she would come right out to him.”

McDermid was also a huge help to CCCNews on local history projects such as the story of Belle Webb who bought the Hi-Way House on Historic Higway 30 on the East end of The Dalles in 1940.

McDermid also purchased the first ad I ever sold back in 2005 when he took on the Bakitchen at 216 Court St., in The Dalles. It was a one inch by one column ad in the newspaper for a free donut.

And it worked, too well. We had to pull it after just a week or two after he was overwhelmed with coupons.

Cal was such a gracious person. He will be missed.

-Tom Peterson

Death Notice: Paulina Pearle Updyke, 93, Hood River

Paulina Pearle Updyke passed away on July 22, 2025, in Hood River, Oregon. Paulina was born May 26, 1932, and was 93 years of age at the time of her passing. A Memorial Service for Paulina will take place at 10:00 A.M. on August 16th, 2025, at Cascade Locks Community Church (5 SW Benson Ave, Cascade Locks, OR 97014).

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: Hugh Whitson, 73, White Salmon

Hugh Whitson passed away on July 22, 2025, in White Salmon, Washington. Hugh was born September 15, 1951, and was 73 years of age at the time of his 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: Judge Ted Kolbaba, 90, Hood River

Judge Ted Kolbaba, 90, of Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, passed away on July 24, 2025, in Providence Brookside Manor.

Ted Kolbaba was born in Hayden, Colorado, on December 6, 1934, to Fanny (neé Farnsworth) and Henry Richard Kolbaba.

He spent most of his childhood in Kalama, Washington, where he was a three-sport athlete (He was particularly proud of his basketball team) and graduated from Kalama High School in 1952. After a brief, unhappy experience in college (What he really wanted was to fly.), he entered the Air Force, where he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1953, he married Marian Irwin. In addition to the usual rigors of training and service, Ted entered a writing contest with a short story, “Be A Man,” which won first place in his squadron, first place in the 15th Air Force, and third place in the Strategic Air Command. After he left the Air Force in 1957, he worked at various jobs before returning to school at the University of Washington in 1958, where he earned a B.A. in Business Administration and a J.D. from the University of Washington Law School in 1964. He was admitted to the Bar of Washington State in 1965 and practiced law briefly in Seattle. Then he and a partner bought an attorney’s practice in White Salmon, Washington, where he practiced law until he was elected Judge for the Superior Court of Klickitat and Skamania Counties in 1972. He continued as a Superior Court Judge for 22 years, a post to which he was re-elected five times. He served on the Southwest Washington Educational Services District Board for several years and was an active member of the Washington Superior Court Judges’ Association, where he served as President in 1991-1992.

Ted was a loving father and community leader. As soon as he was able, he bought horses for his children and began a lifetime of trail riding. With Marian, he led the West End Wranglers, a horse 4-H club, for 15 years. On many weekends, he loaded a herd of horses into a huge stock-truck (It was a sight to see.) and hauled them off to horse shows. He was also a well-known sight in community parades, leading the club on horseback, although his favorite horse-related activity was the annual roundup of cattle in Gifford Pinchot National Forest (aka Kow Kamp).

He coached community basketball and loved to attend his children’s football and basketball games, sometimes traveling two, three, or even four hours after work to make it to district games. An advocate for his basketball-playing girls, he fought to ensure that the girls’ basketball team had equal access to training facilities. He learned to downhill ski in his 50s so that he could spend more time with his son.

In the empty-nest phase of his life, he took up bicycle touring in a serious way, and became a familiar sight on the road between Husum and Trout Lake. He completed many double-century rides, including the Seattle-to-Portland ride. Eventually Marian joined him on a tandem bike, with which they continued to participate in long rides, such as the Cross-Oregon ride.

After retirement, Ted and Marian moved into their motor home and traveled throughout the United States, with excursions into Mexico and Canada, pursuing their lifelong interest in all aspects of American history. Few presidential libraries, historical museums, or battlefields escaped their notice. Eventually they settled in a stationary home (or homes), spending their winters in Bullhead City, Arizona, and their summers in Hood River, Oregon. Ted worked as a truck driver for Paasch Orchards during harvest for many years, “retiring” from that job only in 2014. When they settled in Bullhead City, Arizona, he volunteered at the senior center, driving the senior bus a few times a week. Ted was utterly committed to giving back to his community and his family, and he acted on that commitment every single day. Since 2019 Ted and Marian had resided in Hood River—first, in Providence Down Manor, then in Hawk’s Ridge Assisted Living, and finally in Providence Brookside Manor.

Ted is survived by his wife of 71 years Marian, of Hood River; his daughter Rani Merz (Bob), of Husum; his daughter, Tia Kolbaba (Jim Masschaele), of East Brunswick, New Jersey; his daughter, Tedi Paasch (David), of Hood River; and his son Kyle (Jayme) of Prineville, Oregon. He will also be missed by his grandchildren and their partners: Connor Williams of Husum, Alexa Williams Savard (Turner) of BZ Corners, H. Forrest Williams of Husum, Leandra Paasch of Hood River, Duran Paasch-Catalano (Liz) of Spokane, Kolton Kolbaba of Los Angeles, Derek Kolbaba (Aymie) of Walla Walla, Cameron Masschaele of East Brunswick, Elodie Masschaele of San José, California, Kenna Kolbaba of Portland, and Cole Kolbaba of Prineville. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren. His daughter Candace Kay Kolbaba and his sisters Berniece Wheeler and Dottie Barreith pre-deceased him.

Judge Kolbaba requested a private memorial service for family only. For those who wish to recognize Ted’s life with a donation in his memory, the family recommends a gift to Washington Gorge Action Programs, wagap.org.

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: John Edmund Smith, 78, Hood River

John Edmund Smith was born in San Francisco, CA on September 27, 1946, to parents James and Lillian, and passed away in Hood River, OR on July 21, 2025.

John’s family vacationed in Yosemite National Park throughout his childhood. He worked there during the summer while attending college at San Francisco State University. In 1970, he moved to Yosemite and lived there for five years. During this time he met his wife, Marilyn. They were married at the Wawona Hotel on February 1, 1975. John and Marilyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Skamania Lodge in February, joined by family and friends.

Soon after their marriage, they emigrated to New Zealand. In 1977, they returned to the United States and lived in Yosemite for another year before moving to Hood River, OR. They joined several Yosemite friends in Oregon, and became the Dee Highway Gang. The Gang and their extended families have celebrated Thanksgiving together for the last 46 years.

John worked with the Forest Service in Parkdale, then became a mail carrier with the Postal Service in Hood River. He served as supervisor from 1983 to 1993 before finishing his career as the Postmaster in Odell. He retired in 2012.

John often commented that being a father was the best thing that ever happened to him. He loved coaching Noah and Ike’s soccer teams, and joined the Ski Patrol so he could watch them become expert skiers during their years with the Cooper Spur Race Team. He also cherished his time as a grandfather, and in his final years loved watching Savvy and Sam’s soccer, baseball, and softball games.

Outside of family, John enjoyed reading, writing, playing his ukulele, photography, cats, and golf. In 2004 he won the Indian Creek Club Championship. More important than any trophy, however, was the camaraderie of a round of golf with good friends.

John contracted multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2007, and passed away due to disease complications. He wrote at great length about this experience in a blog, goodbloodbadblood.com. In it, he shared reflections on his life, past and present.

John is survived by his wife Marilyn, two sons Noah and Isaac, daughter-in-law Nikki, grandchildren Savannah and Samuel, brothers Jim, Tom (Karen), Earl (Dianne), and a sister, Mary.

There will be a Celebration of Life for John on Sunday, August 17, from 1-4 pm at the Indian Creek Golf Club. A tribute ceremony will begin at 1:30. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue, PO Box 486, Lyle WA 98635. gorgecat.org

Death Notice: Russell Christian Lynn, 62, The Dalles

Russell Christian Lynn, age 62, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on July 22, 2025.

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

Obituary: Connie Lee Smith, 94, Hood River

Connie Lee Smith, our treasured father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, in Hood River, Oregon—the community he called home for over nine decades. He was 94.

Connie was born in Rosebud, South Dakota, the youngest of five children born to William Otis Smith and Frances Marie Carman Smith. Around age three, he moved with his family to the Hood River Valley. From then on, Hood River wasn’t just his hometown—it was the backdrop of his entire life story. Connie built his life here, rooted deeply in family, friendships, community, and a relentless work ethic that defined everything he touched.

He graduated from Hood River High School in 1949, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. More importantly, it was there that he met the love of his life, Joan Caruso. They married in 1950 and spent the next 73 years building a life that was equal parts partnership, adventure, hard work, and devotion. Together, they raised two children—Charlotte and Philip—and created a home that overflowed with warmth, laughter, loyalty, and yes—dogs.

Connie had a natural magnetism that drew people in. He was steady, strong, and principled, yet warm and approachable. He didn’t speak loudly, but when he spoke, you listened. He had a sharp sense of humor, a deep sense of integrity, and an unwavering commitment to those he loved.

His love of sports was a lifelong passion. In the 1950s, Connie played city league basketball and spent years refereeing high school games across the Columbia Gorge, often alongside his brother-in-law and close friend, Ross Scoville. Even as he aged, he stayed active—playing handball and racquetball into his 70s and hitting the golf course well into his 80s.

But his involvement in sports went far beyond his own participation. Connie helped co-found Hood River Little League with his cousin Marvin Harder and friend Bruce Erickson—a legacy that continues today. He coached Philip’s teams and was an unwavering presence at every game and practice, always encouraging, always steady.

He was equally proud of Charlotte, supporting her passion for dance. Some may remember seeing her perform at halftime during games he refereed—a family memory that still brings smiles.

Professionally, Connie was a self-made man with a remarkable instinct for business. He and his brother Billy launched their first venture in 1950, buying a Texaco station on the Heights. That gas station grew into a successful car dealership—Smith’s Rambler—and over the course of 35 years, Connie built and operated franchises for Nash, AMC, Jeep, Datsun, and Nissan. In 1972, he and Joan opened a modern dealership at 1203 12th Street, which housed a showroom, service bays, a parts department, and office rentals—a testament to their vision and determination.

But Connie’s entrepreneurial streak didn’t stop there. In 1974, he and Joan renovated a charming older home in west Hood River and transformed it into the Stonehedge Inn, a restaurant they ran for ten years. Later in life, they found joy in their winters in Sun City West, Arizona—playing golf and racquetball, walking their dogs, entertaining visiting family, and relishing the slower rhythm of retirement while never straying far from their roots.

Connie also gave generously to his community. He served on the Hood River City Council during the 1960s and was a dedicated member of the Hood River Elks Lodge for decades, where he proudly served as both officer and Exalted Ruler. He believed in giving back and showed that belief through his actions—not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.

Connie was a quiet giant in the lives of those who knew and loved him. He was dependable, grounded, and deeply loving. He was there—not just physically, but emotionally—for every recital, every graduation, every game, every moment that mattered. He was a man of few words and strong values, and his legacy will live on not only in stories but in the way we try to emulate his example: to lead with character, to work hard, and to love our families fiercely.

He is survived by his children, Charlotte (Richard) Arnold of Hood River, and Philip (Victoria) Smith of Scottsdale, Arizona; his grandchildren: Jacob Arnold (Jessica Han), Nicholas Arnold (Brian Burke), Meredith Arnold (Harvey Anton), Monica Fitzgerald (Timothy), and Morgan Worrell (Taelor); and his five great-grandchildren: Dyllan Arnold, Lola Anton, Olivia Fitzgerald, Finley Fitzgerald, and Blayne Worrell.

He is also remembered with love by many nieces, nephews, former colleagues, neighbors, and friends—each of whom held a special place in his life.

And of course, Connie’s life wouldn’t be complete without mention of the Golden Retrievers he and Joan loved and adopted over the years. They brought joy, mischief, companionship, and unconditional love into their home—and reflected the warmth and devotion that Connie showed to all living things.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Connie’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28, at Anderson’s Tribute Center in Hood River. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie’s name to Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon, a nonprofit dedicated to saving and rehoming Golden Retrievers in need C/O (Andersons Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave, 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: Elizabeth Rose Richman, 83, The Dalles

Elizabeth Rose Richman, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at OHSU on July 16, 2025.

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

Obituary: John Cal Taylor, 85, Hood River

John Cal Taylor passed away on June 8, 2025, in Hood River after suffering Parkinson's Disease for a few years. He was born on June 17, 1940, in Wildomar, California, to Frank and Dorothy Taylor. Cal was an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and 26-year veteran and authored

“Remembering An Unsung Giant” is about the Douglas C-133 airplane and its people. He was also an accomplished photographer. He had a deep fascination with flying and airplanes from an early age.

When Cal was 6 years old, the family moved to Lakeview, Oregon. He attended a county school, and from the school grounds, he could see the local airport. That airport was like a magnet to Cal! When he neared the age of 15, he managed to find a way to hang out at the airport. He hung around the airport manager, a former B-24 pilot in the Pacific, to allow him to work at the airport and take out his pay in flying lessons. So on June 16, one day before his 15th birthday, he soloed in a Piper Tri-Pacer. For a day, he was the youngest pilot in Oregon. As a local Civil Air Patrol member, Cal participated in the International Aviation Cadet Exchange as a guest of the Swedish Air Force. After that, Sweden always remained deep in his heart, and eventually, he learned Swedish.

His deep fascination with flying and airplanes continued. During his college years at the University of Oregon, Cal participated in the Air Force ROTC Program and dreamed of becoming an Air Force pilot. However, his eyesight kept him from pilot training, so he opted to become a navigator. During his career as an Air Force Navigator, he flew B-52, C-141, AC-130, C-133, and C-130. In 1968-1969, he flew an AC-130 in Vietnam.

In 1974 through 1976, an interesting opportunity came to Cal. The Air Force sent him to San Diego State University for his master’s degree in Asian Studies to become an Air Force Intelligence officer. He always joked about this wonderful assignment! After the completion of his degree, he worked as an intelligence officer at the Pentagon and the 89th Military Airlift Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, supporting VIP missions worldwide. There, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1980 he went back to flying again, stationing in Yokota AFB, in Tokyo. During that time he met his wife, Ritsuko at Clark air Base. His squadron had frequent missions to Clark and he opted to use these missions to see each other. After one -year-long distance love affairs, Cal and Ritsuko got married at The American Embassy in Tokyo, in 1982 and they shared their life together in Tokyo.

After 2 years in Korea and 26 years in the Air Force Cal decided to retire in 1989. Cal and Ritsuko settled in Olympia, Washington, and he started his dream project, writing a book , about the Douglas C-133 airplane, which he flew 4 years in Travis Air Force Base.

In June 2005, he completed his book, “Remembering An Unsung Giant”. The book was very well received and sold more than 2500 copies worldwide. His website on Facebook:

“Unsung Giant, the C-133”. In 2017, they moved to Hood River, Oregon, to be near their family. At one point, he said to Ritsuko, “I feel very fortunate to have accomplished so much, having a very satisfying, interesting career.” They have been married for 43 years. he was a very humble and kind person.

He is survived by his wife, Ritsuko, brother, Phillip Taylor, stepdaughter, Michele Dearing, stepson, Kevin Dearing, son-in-law, Steve Olson, and granddaughters, Samantha and Rachael Dearing, Mira and Vivian Olson. Cal’s website on Facebook: Unsung Giant, the C-133.

A committal service for John will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Willamete National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Happy Valley, OR 97086).

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