Obituaries for July 29, 2009

Charles Mann

Charles Leo Mann, 55, of Baker City, died July 24, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

Visitations will be until 8 tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Interment will be at the North Powder Cemetery.

Charles was born on Jan. 10, 1954, at Baker City to Arel Leo and Donna Dee Free Mann. He graduated from La Grande High School and went on to attend Prairie Baptist Institute in Canada for two years.

He enjoyed woodworking, going for long walks and Bible study. Charles attended the First Baptist Church at Haines for many years.

Survivors include his siblings, Susan Johnson of Elgin, David Mann of Sisters, Audrey Mann of Portland, Bonnie Mann of Eugene, Catherine Mann of North Powder, and LaDonna Haefer of Baker City; and many aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Arel and Donna Mann.

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

‘John’ Reed

Ervin Ezra “John” Reed, 77, of Union, died July 23, 2009, at his home.

No funeral is planned.

John was born on Oct. 26, 1931, at Okoboji, Iowa. He entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and served two years. In 1956, he married Lucille A. Blom at Sioux Falls, S.D. The first several years of marriage they traveled from Sioux Falls to the Pacific Northwest where John was working in construction.

In 1960, they settled at Union where they raised three daughters, Gail Hinshaw, (husband, Joel) of Summerville,Wanda Lee, (husband, Steven) of Umatilla and Lori Pecinovsky (husband, Frank) of Mabel, Minn. John and Lucy had eight grandchildren, Krista Hinshaw Gately, Kimberly Hinshaw Lee, Jeremy Lee, Ashley Lee Smith, Katelyn Lee, Ryan Pecinovsky, John Pecinovsky and Sara Pecinovsky. John and Lucy also had five great-grandchildren.

John was an active member of Local 701, Operating Engineers, from 1952 until his retirement in 1995. He was very talented in operating various pieces of heavy equipment and enjoyed this line of work, which he also did while serving in the military.

John had many interesting hobbies, including his love of restoring old radios, engines and tractors. He was a ham radio operator for many years and enjoyed making contacts all over the world. Much of the ham radio equipment he used, especially in the early years, he made himself. He was also an accomplished mechanic and enjoyed working with his metal lathe.

After John and Lucy raised their girls, Lucy was able to travel with him to many construction sites. They both enjoyed their travels and seeing the many different areas where John’s jobs would take them. They both had a love for fishing and spent many years enjoying this time together.

After his wife died, fishing continued to be a major part of John’s life and he enjoyed and appreciated his fishing buddies.

Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

‘Bea’ Samson

Beatrice Ileen “Bea” Samson, 80, of Baker City, died July 26, 2009.

Her graveside service was at noon today at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lebanon. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception at Waterloo Park afterward.

Bea’s love for her Lord Jesus was top priority while the love for her family ranked next, family members said. Her kindness and generosity were shown in the lives of all the people she helped. Many times, she did without her own essentials so someone else could be helped. She never thought about herself unless forced to do so, her family said.

She enjoyed playing bingo, but truly loved going to yard sales. She seldom purchased anything for herself, but always thought of other people that may enjoy this or that.

Bea lived the last five years of her life in Baker City. Before, that, she lived for many years in Lebanon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin E. Samson; three children, Chestly, David and Joann; a brother; a sister; and three great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters, Bonnie Bates of Soldotna, Alaska, Lise Samson of Star, Idaho, Shirley Hunter of Baker City, Pansy Samson of Soldotna, Alaska, Diana Samson of Plymouth, Wash., and Barbara Samson of Boise; son, Marvin Samson of Plains, Mont.; 34 grandchildren; 67-plus great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren;  two great-great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

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.