Obituaries for Jan. 20, 2012

Kevin Miller
Kevin Miller, 46, of Baker City died Jan. 17, 2012, at his residence.
There will be a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Baker City Christian Church, 675 Highway 7. Jack Pittman will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the church after the service.

Kevin John Miller was born on Oct. 1, 1965, at John Day to Rod and Bernie Miller.
He enjoyed family gatherings, music, Scot’s pool league nights, and being read to. The joy in Kevin’s face made everyone smile, family member’s said. Kevin was very loved by his family and friends.
The family expressed appreciation to the men and women of the Baker City Pool League who adored Kevin and always looked forward to having him there. He never met a stranger.
Kevin’s disabilities were the inspiration of Rod and Bernie to first establish Baker Association for Retarded Children, education, and classrooms for the disabled and what has become Step Forward.
When Kevin was 13 he was fortunately chosen to be a resident at the newly established Albertina Kerr Center for the disabled. He was then accepted into the Good Shepherd Facility at Corvallis.
Kevin graduated from Glen Coe High School in 1987, and in 1993 he moved back to Baker City to become a fixture with the Step Forward Program.
The staff showed how much they truly loved Kevin by the wonderful care they provided, the family said.  The dedication they all showed will always be remembered.
“He is the angel we will always embrace,” the family said.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roland and Martha Miller and Andy and Mable Andross.
Survivors include his parents, Rod and Bernie Miller of Baker City; brother, Scot, and life partner, Shawnee; niece, Amy Idalski and son, Jacob; nephews, Erik and Ethan of Baker City; sister, Karen Phillips and husband, Troy; nephews, Sean and Derek of Baker City; sister, Lori Smith, and husband, Randy; nephews, Travis and Tanner of Pueblo West, Colo.; great-nephew, Adam; great-niece, Amanda; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Step Forward through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

LaVerne Buchan
LaVerne Cosens Buchan, 91, of Ontario, a longtime Rye Valley resident, died Jan. 17, 2012, at Weiser, Idaho.
At her request, there will be no funeral. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
LaVerne was born on Feb. 16, 1920,to Fred and Hazel Cosens. She was the granddaughter of Joe and Winifred Frisco, early Pine Valley pioneers.
She spent most of her life on the Rye Valley Ranch where she enjoyed the outdoors and horseback riding in the surrounding hills and Pedro Mountain.
She married Lloyd Buchan in 1949. They were married for 30 years.
After Lloyd’s death in 1980, LaVerne remained on the ranch until it was sold in early 2000. She then moved to Ontario where she lived until her death.
LaVerne was loved by all who knew here and her sweet friendly spirit will be missed by her loving friends and neighbors, family members said.
Survivors include her daughter, Robin Herriman and granddaughter, Stacy, both of Vale; her close cousin, Nelda Morton of John Day; several other cousins; and her niece, Barbara.