Obituaries for Oct. 28, 2009

‘Jim’ Hix

Ernest James “Jim” Hix, 74, a resident of The Dalles and a longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 23, 2009, at The Dalles with his family by his side.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Milwaukie Covenant Church, 12201 S.E. Linwood Ave., Milwaukie, OR 97222. Pastor Bill Nylund will officiate. Private internment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

He was born on Feb. 22, 1935, at The Dalles. He was the youngest of three sons of John and Gladys L. Swank Hix. He grew up on his parents’ farm south of Dufur and was a 1953 Dufur High School graduate.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957 and in the naval reserve from 1957 to 1961.

Jim married Donis Appling on Sept. 18, 1955, at Dufur. They later divorced.

He married Jacquelyn Johnson on Jan. 1, 1986, at Milwaukie. He lived at Milwaukie from 1960 until 1997. He lived at Baker City until 2009. He moved to The Dalles in September.

He was active in Boy Scouts as Scoutmaster and trainer. His hobbies included hunting, fly-fishing, woodworking, gardening, computers and his grandkids.

Survivors include his brother, John W. “Jack” Hix; his daughters, Sharmon Martin and her husband, Steve, of Milwaukie, Susan Richwine and her husband, Scott, of Neskowin; his son, Ernest James “Jim” Hix Jr. and his wife, Lynne, of Milwaukie; his stepdaughters, VanNessa Anderson, and her husband, Brian, of Milwaukie, Valerie Groce and her husband, Larry, of Molalla; his grandchildren, Christopher Martin, Tashina Martin, Elizabeth Martin, Michael Hix, Caitlyn Hix, Arthur Richwine, Ariel Richwine, Jennifer Davis, Jonathan Flores, Brandon Anderson and Trevor Anderson; his great-grandchildren, Hunter Martin and Colton Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn E. Hix; his parents; and one brother.

Private cremation was at Win-Quatt Crematory in The Dalles with Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of Hospice, 1020 Wasco St., Suite C, Hood River, OR 97031 or www.HeartofHospice.org/our_foundation.htm.

Virginia Cornelius

Virginia June Cornelius, 75, of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2009, at her home.

Visitation was Tuesday at Coles Funeral Home. Her funeral service was at 11 a.m. today  at Coles Funeral Home. Pastor Bruce Smith of New Beginnings Fellowship officiated. Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception after the interment at New Beginnings Fellowship, 1850 Estes St.

Virginia June Cornelius was born on Nov. 12, 1933, at Plains, Mo., to Lee and Nellie Edwards Mayberry. She graduated from Venice High School in 1951. 

Virginia married James Cornelius at Plainview, Calif., on Oct. 10, 1965. She was a pattern cutter for Catalina Clothing until 1989.

Virginia’s hobbies included knitting, sewing, crocheting, crossword puzzles, family games, old movies and taking pictures. She enjoyed family time with children and grandchildren and she was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Nellie Mayberry; sisters, Luella Sobyra and Vinita Mayberry; brother, Kenneth Mayberry; and her daughter, DeAnna Pipkin.

Survivors include her husband of 44 years, James Cornelius of Baker City; her son, Donald Jackson of McMinnville; daughters, Judith Scott of Haines and Virginia Vaughn of Taylorville, Ill.; son, Miles Cornelius of Baker City; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Joan Scarbrough

Joan B. Scarbrough, a longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 24, 2009, at her home.

There will be a visitation from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. The Rev. Julian Cassar and th Rev. Mr. James R. Watt will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the parish hall at the church afterward.

Joan was born on May 20, 1928, at Baker City to Bob and Katherine Scott Bratt. She was a 1946 graduate of St. Francis Academy, where she was very active as a member of the Cecilians, chorus and string quartet, and other organizations.

Her deep love of music was a huge part of her life and it wasn’t unusual for her to sit at her piano and plunk out tunes for the enjoyment of her family and friends. She shared her musical talents teaching hundreds of students throughout Baker County.

Joan married Bill Miller in 1948. They were later divorced. Joan and Bob Scarbrough were married in 1970 and enjoyed more than 30 years of marriage.

In his failing health, Joan’s great love and compassion were obvious to all who knew and loved them, family members said.

Another great passion of Joan’s was her handwork of knitting, crocheting, needlework, rosary making and sewing. From sweaters to booties, blankets and rosaries, all who were lucky enough to receive these special gifts of love cherished her self-taught skills, her family said.

Joan’s life was centered around her family, friends and church. The greatest joys of her life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had a terrific sense of humor and wit. Her gift of gab and laughter was contagious.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Katherine Bratt; and her husband, Bob Scarbrough.

Survivors include her children, Mary Kincaid and her husband, Jerry, Marty Rose and her husband, Bud, and Rob Miller; grandchildren, Kelly Kincaid, Katie Rudi and her husband, Mike, Andi Jaca and her husband, Ed, Mandy Grandeen and her husband, Shawn, Ashleigh Meeks and her husband, Frank; great-grandchildren, Kade, Madelyn, Brooklyn, Alex, Chloe, Cole and Cailyn; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lew; and numerous cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral or the Baker Elks Drum & Bugle Corps through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.