Obituaries for July 8, 2009

Dorothy Strong

Dorothy Mattox Strong, 93, a Baker City native, died July 5, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at Gray’s West and Co. afterward

Dorothy Wilma Mattox was born April 29, 1916, on the Curry ranch in Bowen Valley to William and Mary Mattox. A daughter of pioneers, her family was lured to Baker County for the gold mining.

After her father’s death, the family moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., for several years. Dorothy always remembered her years in California with great fondness.

Dorothy married Ellis “Joe” Strong in Baker City on April 26, 1946. They spent their years together in Baker City and Hermiston. After Joe retired from the Umatilla Army Depot they moved back to Baker City where they both became very active in the Senior Center. Joe died in October 2008.

From an early age, Dorothy had a love for painting. While living in Hermiston she began in earnest to work with oils and acrylics. She had several one-woman shows selling her work throughout the Northwest. Some of her paintings found their way to Europe.

She was a member of the National League of American Pen Women of Washington, D.C., and a charter member of The National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Dorothy was an avid reader and especially enjoyed archeological books and magazines. She was a baseball fan and rarely missed watching the World Series. Politics and current events were also special interests.

She will be missed by her two nieces, Betty Annis and Ruth McCandless, as well as special friends, Mitch and Paula Southwick.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Connection though Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

Gladys Ritch

 Gladys V. Ritch, 91, a longtime Baker City resident died July 5, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.

At her request, her body was cremated and there will be no service. Inurnment was at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. Ritch was born on Sept. 1, 1917, at Baker City. She was one of six children of Edd and Christina Olson Colson. She was educated in Baker schools and was a Baker High School graduate.

 She married Allen Ritch. The couple were were married 53 years.

They moved to Seattle, Wash., where Mr. Ritch attended barber college and they remained in Seattle until he retired.

After retiring they moved to California for a time and then returned to Baker City where they remained and were foster parents to many young people.

She loved to sew, knit, crochet and cook.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd and Doris Ritch of Baker City; brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Jenny Colson of Klamath Falls; grandchildren, Rodney Ritch, Beverly Ritch and Jess and Christina Ritch; 7 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Allen Ritch, who died in 1987; brothers; and a sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97184.

Stephen Hovley

Steve Hovley, 57, of Baker City, died July 4, 2009, in Ontario.

There will be a celebration of Steve’s life at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.

Steve’s life went in chapters, his family said. He was born on Nov. 23, 1951, at Oxnard, Calif., and raised at Simi Valley, Calif., and Pasco, Wash.

He moved to Yakima, Wash., where he met and fell in love with Cherie Fanning. Steve, Cherie and his stepson, Scott, lived at Madras and Klamath Falls. Cherie died of cancer on Jan. 16, 2000.

The next chapter in Steve’s life started when he moved to Baker City where he started his mechanic shop “All Pro Performance.”  “The man could really turn a wrench!” family members said.

Steve truly loved the City of Baker, the people and the beautiful country and mountains. He always said he was in God’s country.

Steve loved motorcycling, motor-cross racing, demolition derby, drag racing, and snowboarding. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.

Steve was a great friend. If you needed a helping hand, advice, someone to talk to, or a kick in the rear end, he was there for you, family members said.

Steve loved being a redneck and loved to hunt with his buddies: Mike, Tod, Terry and Bill Chandler; Bob Hewitt, Kurt Kuell and Brock Johnson.

Steve had a great relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family said. He worked hard, played hard and played fair. He really had a zest and love for life.

Steve died with his boots on doing what he loved, riding a motorcycle. He will truly be missed.

Survivors include his 12 siblings: Donna, Ellie, Vince, Sue, Cam, George, Mark, Ann, Art, Ben, Julie and Pete; his stepson, Scott Roush; his aunt, Catherine Elliot; his cousin, Susanne Salles; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cherie; his granddaughter, Sierra Roush; and his parents, Donald and Patricia Hovley.

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