Obituaries for April 30, 2009

Delma Miles

Delma Dorthy Miles, 91, a lifetime Baker County resident, died April 24, 2009, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise with family members at her side.  

A wake is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. Interment will be at the Sumpter Cemetery. There will be a reception and lunch afterward at McEwen Bible Fellowship Church.

Delma was born on Feb. 20, 1918, on the family homestead at Pleasant Valley. She was fifth in a family of seven children born to Ellis and Alteeny Rambo Hesner.

Her first years of grade school were at Pleasant Valley. After the family moved to Sumpter Valley her education continued at McEwen.

The Hesner family members were “regulars” at Saturday night dances where Delma met Kenneth Miles. They were married on Oct. 22, 1938, and lived at McEwen and Curry, a Sumpter Valley Railroad logging camp. After the war years, they moved to the Miles family ranch 13 miles south of Baker City on Highway 7 where they ranched and logged and raised their four children, Keith, Myron, Karen and Myrna.

Delma was a hard worker and very active her entire life. She and Kenneth had a love of life and a joy in working together, a legacy that they have passed on to their children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Throughout their 56 years together, they always had a project including completely rebuilding a D-6 Cat when most people are wanting to retire. In the early 1960s they bought 520 acres in Baker Valley dubbed “The Plantation.” Delma spent many long days helping develop those acres of sagebrush and anthills into farm ground. They had the first wheel line irrigation and first “bale wagon” in Baker Valley.

 Delma loved being astride a horse, going fishing, and she was an avid hunter and a crack shot. She was a 4-H horse club leader and she and Kenny were active in the Oregon Trail Riders.

She was a member of the Baker County CowBelles and the Baker County CattleWomen. She was a 50-year member of Alpine Chapter of Eastern Star where she was past worthy matron and also served as grand electa of the Grand Chapter of Oregon Eastern Star.

Delma made friends easily and she was known for her love of music and dancing. She was faithful and generous in loving acts of care for elderly friends and family members. Her last six years of life were made special with the close friendship and companionship of her loving brother-in-law, Norman Miles.

Survivors include her children, Keith and Anita Miles of Baker City, Myron and Dotty Miles of North Powder, and Myrna and Ralph Morgan of Bowen Valley near Baker City; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth; her daughter, Karen Sipp; her parents; her four sisters and two brothers; her second husband of seven years, Joe Harrison; and one great-great-grandson, Isaac.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or Oregon Eastern Star Cancer Research Fund through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR, 97814.

Floyd Dodge

Floyd Willis Dodge, 80, died April 23, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Following his wishes, Floyd’s body was cremated. His remains will be scattered at Rocky Bar, Idaho.  

Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at 2 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion, 2129 Second St.

Floyd was born on Feb. 4, 1929, at Mountain Home, Idaho, to Clifford and Laura Dodge. He was a retired diesel mechanic of 20 years. Everyone depended on his expertise as a mechanic and he was excellent at what he did, family members said.

Floyd was known to all as “Papa” or “Poppy” and he will be missed by all.

He loved spending time with the love of his life, Alice. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and spending time with family and friends. He was always with a smile and a warm heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Laura Dodge; brother, Marvin; and sister, Laura Flett.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Dodge of Baker City; sons, Dale Dodge of Baker City, Robert Dodge of Vernonia and Darrell Dodge of Eagle Point; daughter, Jody Hancock of Utah; brothers, Ted Dodge of Dryden Wash., David Dodge of Lyons, Don Dodge of Dryden, Wash., and Ed, Jimmie and Joe Dodge, all of Hood River; sisters, Ruth Schroeder of Gates, Lela Sarff of Ketchikan, Alaska, Thressa Perez of Leavenworth, Wash., and Helen Hollenbeck of McClusky, N.D.; nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.