Obituaries

Apr 12, 2026

Rose Mary Wells, born May 2, 1953, in Salem, Oregon, to Alice and Lenard Chastain passed away on April 12, 2026 in Aumsville, Oregon. She grew up alongside her siblings Linda, Patty, Roxy, and Tina.

In 1981, Rose married Freddy Wells, and together they built a life rooted in devotion and shared purpose. Their home was filled...

Apr 12, 2026

Erma A. Hough, age 95, died peacefully in her care home on Sunday, April 12, 2026, following a long battle with dementia.

She was born August 29, 1930, in Edgemont, South Dakota. She was the middle child of 7 children to the late Fredrick E. Bushman and Alice Mary Kennedy. She attended school in Burns, Oregon graduating...

Apr 11, 2026

Gary Arthur Strom, 82, of Alsea, Oregon, passed away on April 11, 2026. He was born on October 13, 1943, in Eugene, Oregon, to Herman and Emma Strom.

Gary grew up in the Alsea Valley and spent much of his life rooted in the communities of Alsea and Lobster Valley. He graduated from high school in 1961...

Apr 11, 2026

Melissa Claire Shadwick, born December 2, 1954, in Alameda, California, to Bertha and Miles Henselman, lived a life shaped by compassion, quiet strength, and a deep devotion to the people and animals she loved. She grew up in California before moving to Oregon, where she graduated high school and later attended Oregon State University, majoring in physical education.

Apr 7, 2026

Darrel "Dean" Ferguson, a man whose life was defined by service, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his community, passed away on April 7, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. He was born on April 18, 1943, in Falls City, Oregon, to Erma Sunshine Teal and Don Ferguson.

Dean graduated from Falls City High School in 1961 and soon moved...

Apr 6, 2026

Joyce May Trout was born on February 1, 1939, in Yakima, Washington. She was one of six daughters born to Earnest and Ann (Crump) Minnick. Joyce lived with her family in Yakima until the age of four, when they moved to Vancouver, Washington. She graduated from Fort Vancouver High School.

Joyce met her future husband, Virgil Lee...

Apr 4, 2026

Johannes C. De Jong unexpectedly passed away on April 4, 2026, at his home with the love of his life by his side.

Johannes was born on February 6, 1987, to Jerry and Gale De Jong in Lebanon, Oregon. Growing up on the family’s dairy farm in Scio, he was the quintessential protective older brother to his younger sisters. From a...

Apr 3, 2026

Dagmar Marie Grieve, born January 27, 1954, in Keokuk, Iowa, lived a life defined by service, quiet strength, and steadfast devotion to the people she loved. The daughter of Margaret R. Anderson and Robert B. Mason, Dagmar grew up in Keokuk and graduated with the Keokuk High School Class of 1972.

Shortly after graduation, Dagmar moved to Arlington, Virginia, where she...

Apr 3, 2026

Stephen James Armour, born March 7, 1976, in Hood River, Oregon, to Mary Lawrence and Laurance Armour, passed away on April 3, 2026, in Stayton, Oregon.

Stephen spent his life in the Pacific Northwest, living in Stevenson, Washington; Vancouver, Washington; Longview, Washington; and later in Stayton, Oregon. He enjoyed going to the beach with his dog and valued the time he...

Apr 2, 2026

Viola Lance, born May 18, 1948, in McAllen, Texas, to Consuelo and Lazaro Garza, lived a life shaped by creativity, devotion, and a deep love for family. She passed away on April 2, 2026 in Corvallis, Oregon. She grew up in the Rio Grande Valley before life’s path led her north, where she would eventually meet the man who became...

Apr 2, 2026

Marilyn Beran, 91, passed away peacefully after a long and meaningful life. Marilyn was the middle daughter of Myron and Minnie Cole of Fairview, ID. She later made her home in Colorado before spending her final years in Oregon.

A graduate of Preston High School, Marilyn married Donald Beran in 1956. With their son, David Beran, they...

Apr 2, 2026

Ellena May Tilson, born November 12, 1950, in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. The daughter of Viola and Russell Beougher, Ellena grew up beneath the Arizona sun before setting out in her twenties to build a new life in Oregon.

Over the years, Ellena lived in Salem, Stayton, Klamath Falls,...

Apr 1, 2026

Sharon Lee (Bertram) Martin, 70, passed away April 1, 2026, after battling cancer.

Sharon was born July 31, 1955, in Prineville, Oregon, the daughter of Verna Mae (Edwards) and James Bertram.

The family moved to Gilchrist so that she could start 1st Grade at Gilchrist Elementary School. Sharon’s father worked for Gilchrist Timber Company. Sharon attended all 12 years of school at...

Mar 29, 2026

Brian Guy Baker, born November 8, 1978, in Portland, Oregon, to Vicky Kennedy and Dwaine Baker, left this world far too soon on March 29, 2026. Though his time here was shorter than anyone wished, he filled his years with devotion, hard work, humor, and a love that left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.

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Mar 26, 2026

Leonard Back was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Sept. 7, 1933 to Alice and Leslie Back. He immediately became the little brother to his sisters Melba and Helen. Len gave his heart to Jesus at 12 years old and attended a local Nazarene church. He lived in the same house built by his dad until he left for college....

Mar 25, 2026

Shirley Ann Jephson Williams, 87, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, in Lincoln City, Oregon, surrounded by the love of her family. Her rich life journey took her from the Idaho high desert across Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, and Colorado, leaving a legacy of profound resilience, maternal devotion, and deep love.

Shirley was born on May 24, 1938, in Idaho Falls,...

Mar 22, 2026

Charles Richard Clarkson, born January 22, 1945, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Eunice Vivian Horne and Charles Elmer Clarkson, lived a life marked by service, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. His family later made their home in Stayton, Oregon, where Charles grew up and graduated from Stayton High School in 1963. He went on to attend Oregon...

Mar 20, 2026

In Loving Memory

Ruben Briseno Montoya was born on May 16, 1961, in La Ribera, Jalisco, Mexico and passed into eternal life on March 20, 2026. He was a hardworking, kind, and deeply family-oriented man whose greatest priority was always the well-being of his loved ones. In January 2002, he immigrated to the United States in search of a better future...

Mar 18, 2026

“Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.”

Jim was born March 21, 1940 in Salem, OR. The first son of Maurice Heater and Lucille (Rolow) Heater, he was later joined by brothers John and Jerry. Jim grew up on the family farm in the Union Hill area, attending Macalapin School for first grade and then Victor Point School for...

Mar 17, 2026

In Loving Memory of Jose Raygoza Torres

Jose Raygoza Torres, age 75, was born on March 16, 1951, in Mexico and passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, in Scio, Oregon.

Jose is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cordelia Villarreal Garcia, with whom he shared many cherished years.

He will be remembered for his strength, dedication, and the love he gave...