Obituaries for Aug. 12, 2009

Bob Evans

Robert Russell Evans, 55, died Aug. 4, 2009.

Two celebrations of Bob’s life — “Bob-Fests” — are planned. The first is Aug. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mad Matilda’s, 1917 Main St. The second will be Sept. 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mike and Janie Morrissey’s place in Keating (turn left off Highway 86 onto Banta Road, then right on Ritter Loop). Music will start about 5 p.m., and this is a picnic potluck.

In his 55 years, Bob managed to live about five times as many lives compared to most people’s one. Although he never smoked, he was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 followed by a remission, resurfacing as brain cancer in early 2009.

Bob was born on Nov. 3, 1953. He grew up in Wallowa and was a 1972 Wallowa High School graduate. From there he went to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, and dropped out before becoming a Duck at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He graduated in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the U of O.

He remained a lifelong Duck. He loved sports, passionately so about the Ducks. He was an avid hiker, mushroomer and huckleberry picker.

For all his diverse jobs and hobbies he could have kept a hat shop in chips: mill worker, helitack and wildland firefighter, referee, drummer, announcer of the Miners Jubilee Parade, volunteer fundraiser, Wallowa County Chieftain editor, founder of the Joseph Eagle, public relations for Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, editor of many publications, including the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan and extensive freelance work.

His passion for writing led him into the SMART program, teaching people to read. He was the impetus for the Baker County Cultural Coalition.

In short, he was an unsung hero and a driving force behind what makes small town living special. Relationships, people, connections between the past and places, were really important and a joy for him. He was never married although according to his family “he had three close calls.” He lived in Joseph and La Grande before moving to Baker City in 1993.

As an editor he was extremely precise and would have quickly spotted the numerous grammatical mistakes in this obituary. However he was completely forgiving and with a special love for the English language, he would have treasured the collection of words he earned that his friends used to describe him:

“Friend of the arts and gentlest of hearts, quick-witted, fun, never complained, warm, a music man, sunlight and shadow, faithful friend, talented musician, humble, gentle, genuine, open, present, adventurous, enjoyed the road less traveled, teacher, friend and brother, compassionate laughter, helpful and positive, soulful, dedicated, a different drummer, impish, generous of heart, incredible memory, great laugh, hero, funmonger, cared about the right things, great guy, strong and involved, insightful, thoughtful, a good soul, warm, bright, a welcoming smile, wonderfully warm.”

He will be missed by just about all the population of Eastern Oregon and then some, all of whom Bob seemed to have befriended. “We miss you Bob and thank you for adding so much to our lives,” his friends said.

He is survived by his parents, Bob and Colleen Evans.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Valerie, in 1983.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bob’s favorite organizations: Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, the SMART program, the University of Oregon, the Oregon Cultural Trust, Wallowa School Foundation (donations jars will also be set out at the Bob-Fest gatherings).

Darel Valentine

Darel E. Valentine, 84, of Baker City, died Aug. 6, 2009, at his home with nearly all of his family present.

There will be a celebration of life memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Baker City Christian Church, 675 Highway 7.

Darel was born on Aug. 27, 1925, at Baker City to Leonard and Lola Morin Valentine. He was the second of eight children. He attended many schools as his family moved often during the Depression years. He completed the eighth grade, then his father was injured and he stayed home to help his folks on the farm.

Darel entered the U.S. Army in March 1944 and served in the European Theater. On the eve of the Battle of the Bulge, he was severely wounded and spent seven months recovering. He returned to active duty serving in the Air Force Motor Pool as a driver.

By chance, one day he drove officers to the Nuremberg Trials and was allowed to watch the proceedings. He was discharged in June 1946. His sons, also veterans, expressed deep pride in his service to his country.

He married Lorraine Alexander on Feb. 2, 1947, and 62 years later she was still the love of his life. They had four children in four years and claimed their best years were spent raising their kids.

Once home from the military, Darel lived the rest of his life in Baker City. He did ranch and mill work, drove truck, sold cars, and worked as a welder and a laborer. As a journeyman carpenter he worked construction on Baker High School, Brooklyn School, the Post Office, Mason Dam, freeway bridges, houses, and many other projects. He became the union business representative for the Carpenter’s Union until his retirement in 1988.

Once retired, he was busy remodeling and building for his kids. He kept a perfectly beautiful yard. Always an artist, he began painting landscapes in oils and watercolors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his boys, his brothers and his friends. He loved car racing and attended the Indianapolis 500 in 2003. It was an experience he treasured.

Darel’s place in his large family was always clear. He was a wonderful son to his parents and they depended on him throughout their lives. His relationships with siblings, cousins and in-laws were strong and enduring.

Stories abound of marvelous times shared. He was a loving grandpa and his grandkids adored him. He was a reliable uncle to his nieces and nephews. Many of them turned to him for help and advice. Friends of his children also found a friend in him and his home was a favorite gathering place.

Darel would challenge anyone to a game of 10,000 and rarely lost. His humor was universally known, appreciated, and emulated. He was fair and honest, dependable and loyal. His children feel he was always there for them. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend.

His legacy includes his love of life, his lessons on forgiveness, his belief in Jesus, his love of classical music, his laughter, and his deep love for his family.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; his brother, Roy, and sister-in-law, Pat; his children, Steve and Regenia of Richland, Bruce and Sheila of Haines, Craig and Peggy and Linda and Steve Tipton of Baker City; grandchildren, Donna and Carl Carpenter, Colby Valentine and Heather English, Lori and Doug Lien, Tyler Bowling and Hanna Kriege, Ryan and Laura Bowling, Fawn and Tom Kerns, Misty and Rich Rowe, Travis and Candice Valentine, Luke and Danielle Valentine, and Steve Valentine and Danika Sinram; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Leonard Jr., Sam, Leo, and Don; and his sisters, Velma and Cleo.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart ’n’ Home Hospice or a charity of one’s choice through Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave, Baker City, OR 97814.

William Fackler

William L. Fackler, 86, who was known as “Bill” or “Tuffy” to friends, died July 31, 2009.

His funeral was Aug. 5 at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Idaho. Pastor Mike Cross, his son-in-law, officiated. Burial was at the Emmett Cemetery. There was a gathering to celebrate his legacy for family and friends after the service at the cemetery at the home of David Fackler.

Bill was born on Sept. 30, 1923, at Emmett to William and Elizabeth Fackler. He married the love of his life, Betty Jean Rolland. They celebrated 65 years of marriage.

His lifelong dream to own and work a farm and ranch was fulfilled in 1965 when they moved their family from downtown Emmett to the farm on Lowe Bluff Road. This hardworking husband and father also enjoyed and loved the outdoors while hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, skating and camping. He did not miss many opening days for fishing and hunting.

His love for Betty and music turned into their “dance for life.” When he took her hand they fell into step as one, his family said.

That dance furthered with their love for travel, starting in Germany and the surrounding countries to the introduction of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A new love of Mexico was born and many friends turned into extended family as they would visit three to four times a year for a total of 49 trips.

Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Force division of the military as a surgical tech from 1942 to 1945. He worked most of his life in the lumber industry, retiring after 41 years.

A man of strength and quietness exuded kindness with an enormous giving spirit, many were recipients of “gifts” just because he appreciated all he met and shared life with, his family said.

He surrounded himself with mementos and enjoyed extending the joy of life he experienced.

Survivors include eight children and their spouses, David of Emmett, Sandy and Mike Cross of Baker City, Tim and Eve Fackler of Boise, Vicky and Mike Masaitis of Baker City, Cindy Fackler of Phoenix, Ariz., Billy Fackler of Emmett, Pam Wirth of Emmett and Teresa and Wade Hubbard of Oklahoma; 45 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Delbert and Evelyn Fackler of Quartzsite, Ariz.; and sisters, Beatrice “Hazel” Richardson of Salt Lake City and Pearl and her husband, Gene, Rowe, also of Quartzsite.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Huskey; two brothers and two sisters.

The family expressed gratitude for the love and support from friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, Wash. 98063-9716 or to the Baker Valley Church of Christ, P.O. Box 301, Baker City, OR 97814.

Norman Hansen

Norman F. Hansen, 86, a lifelong Baker County resident, died Aug. 5, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His memorial service will be at 10 am. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2177 First St. The Rev. Michael Chase will officiate. There will be no graveside service. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck dinner at the home of Jim and Debbie DeMastus, 18963 W. Campbell Loop, after the service.
Norman was born at Baker City and raised on his parent’s ranch in Sumpter Valley. He attended school at McEwen. He stayed in the valley after graduation and his time in the Army and raised Hereford cattle. He worked on the Sumpter Dredge for about a year in 1950-51.
He moved to Baker City and went to work at California Pacific Utilities as a meter reader. He later became a journeyman meterman and retired from Oregon Trail Electric Co-op.
Norm was loved by everyone he met and was only topped in storytelling by his brother, George, or his best friend, Willie Dickison. He was a kind and gentle man who would do anything for anyone, his family said.
After retirement, he loved fishing, camping and woodworking. He loved his family and always put them first. He was a loving husband and the best dad and grandpa. He ran many miles behind his grandson, Charley, teaching him how to ride a bike. He will be missed by everyone who was privileged to have known him, family members said.
Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Hazel Hansen, and her children, Randy and Glenda Oglesbee; his daughter, Debbie DeMastus, her husband, Jim, and their children, Charley, Seth, Tabitha, Ross and Katy; two granddaughters, Desi and Ashley and their families; his sister-in-law, Reba Hansen; brother-in-law, Harvey Queen; and many other stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loving old friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Laura Hansen; his brother, George; his sister, Martha Queen; his son, Kenny Cavin; and his stepson, Danny Oglesbee.
Family members expressed their appreciation to the staff at Settler’s Park Assisted Living for the excellent car Norm received for the last year and a half of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Resident Fun Fund at Settler’s Park. Contributors are asked to make checks payable to the Settler’s Park Resident Fun Fund in care of Jodi Tool.

Sandra Hoover

Sandra Briggen Hoover, 68, of Baker City died Aug. 7, 2009, at her home.
There will be a celebration of life for Sandra at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the McEwen Bible Fellowship. There will be a reception afterward at the church hall.
Sandra was born on July 30, 1941, at Rochester, N.Y., to Arthur Edward and Jeanne Isabel Philp Briggen. She graduated from Glenbard High School at Glen Ellyn, Ill., in 1959.
She worked a number of years in banking during the 1970s and ’80s between Stayton and Mission Viego, Calif., while raising 100 plus ewes on her farm at Stayton. She also had owned and operated a feed store in Southern California.
After her divorce in 1993, she returned to college at Central Oregon Community College at Bend. She received her nursing degree in 1996. She worked as a registered nurse at the Rogue Valley Hospital in Medford from 1996 to 2000.
Sandra was also the head nurse for the American Red Cross at Tri-Cities, Wash., from 2000 to 2002. Sandra retired in 2006 as a nurse consultant for the Baker County Healthy Child Care Project.
She married Charles “Chuck” Hoover on May 24, 2003, at Baker City.
She was very active and enjoyed square dancing, gardening, working with her border collie, Maggie, horseback riding, snowmobiling, bunko, and anything outdoors. She loved traveling and exploring the Southwest. Most of all, she loved the visits from her grandchildren.
Sandra was the vice president of the Elkhorn Swingers Square Dance Club and was a member of the Powder River Pistoleros and the Sumpter Valley Snowmobile Club. She volunteered with the SMART reading program, the library and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and she worked on a number of bighorn sheep projects in the late 1980s with the California Fish & Game.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Hoover of Baker City; daughter, Lisa McCarthy, and her husband, Michael, of West Linn; son, Scott McBain of Port Richey, Fla.; sister, Debbie Lett, and her husband, John, of Orange, Calif.; stepdaughter, Kristi Harris, and her husband, Steve, of Baker City; stepsons, Travis Hoover of Ashland and Eric Hoover of Dutch Harbor, Alaska; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Jeanne Briggen; and sister, Marcia Briggen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.