Obituaries for the week of Oct. 3 to oct. 7, 2005

‘Don' Guyer

Donald Rudolph "Don" Guyer, 84, of Baker City, died Oct. 5, 2005, at his home of cancer.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by members of the U.S. Marine Corps from Boise.

Mr. Guyer was born on Aug. 5, 1921, at New Bridge to George Henry and Delia Lydia Buxton Guyer. He attended grade school at South Baker and was a 1940 Baker High School graduate.

Mr. Guyer attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) for two years. With the advent of World War II, he became a naval officer and graduated at Corpus Christie, Texas, with Navy wings.

He transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps Squadron 218 flying Corsairs in the South Pacific. During the course of his service in the South Pacific, he was awarded several Air Medals for his meritorious service.

When forming squadron 218 at Mojave, Calif., he met Elva Lou Gribble. They became engaged and when he returned from the South Pacific, they were married at Fresno, Calif., on Nov. 10, 1944.

After marriage, they were stationed at Sanford Naval Air Station in Sanford, Fla., for a year where Don instructed fighter and gunnery tactics. After his discharge, they returned to Baker City where Don went to work for Eastern Oregon Federal Savings and Loan Association as one of three employees.

The business became Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan Association. Don was called back into the Marine Corps in 1952 where he served as a helicopter pilot during the Korean War. Upon his discharge as a captain in 1954, he returned to Baker City and continued his employment with Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan.

Don opened the first branch of Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan at La Grande in 1959. He became a member of the Board of Directors and eventually president of the association when he and Elva moved back to Baker City in 1980. He served Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan Association for more than 55 years.

Mr. Guyer was an active member of his communities serving in these organizations: Baker Shrine Club; Baker Masonic Lodge for 50 years; eminent commander of Night's Templar of Oregon; exalted ruler of the La Grande Elks Lodge; Lions Club; La Grande Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; American Legion; United Methodist Church member since 1927; and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1977, he was chosen Boss of the Year by the La Grande Legal Secretaries.

As well as being an active member of the community, Mr. Guyer was an avid outdoorsman. He especially loved hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed the beauty of the Baker Valley. He and Elva loved their travel trailer and going south for the winters.

Survivors include his wife of almost 61 years, Elva; his daughter Ellen Youngbluth and her husband, David, of Prineville, and their son, Marine Major Steven M. O'Connor, and his wife, Navy Lt. Commander Alda, and their newborn daughter, Madeline Grace; brother-in-law Guy McCoy and his wife, Sue; nieces and nephews include Randell C. Guyer and his wife, Mary Jane, Janet Chandler and her husband, George, Donald G. Guyer and his wife, Rose, Vickie Kirkwood, Dr. Robert R. McCoy and his wife, Julie, Kathy Krob and her husband, Jeff, Sandra McCoy, and Robert G. McCoy; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Delia Guyer; his best friend and brother, Randell Guyer and his wife Shirley; and his older sister, Shurley H. Benton and brother-in-law Doug.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund of Baker City through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Vivian Foye

Vivian Jeannette Foye, 93, a resident of the Evergreen Health Home in La Grande died Oct. 3, 2005.

Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at her home at Medical Springs, 50551 Big Creek Road.

Vivian was born on Aug. 21, 1912, at Union to Ben H. and Mildred Schoenauer Jory. Her early years were spent mostly in Eastern Oregon. She attended schools at Mission, Umatilla and Hermiston and was a 1931 Union High School graduate.

She married Nesden Wright Foye on Aug. 9, 1935. Except for a short time spent at Oakland, Calif., during the Depression, she spent the rest of her life at Medical Springs. Vivian and Ned operated the Ox Bow Guest Ranch in the 1940s. At that time the Medical Springs Highway was being paved and they cooked for the road crew.

During the 1950s, they owned and operated the store at Medical Springs. Vivian served as postmaster there for 28 years, retiring in the fall of 1978.

She was a member of the National Auxiliary of Postmasters and a member of the Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers. Her Jory ancestors came to Oregon in one of the wagon trains of 1847.

Cooking, gardening and photography were some of her lifelong pursuits. The mountains and wildlife were always a source of pleasure to her. She raised African violets and gave them to many people.

She loved having her neighbors stop by for a visit or to pick up their mail at the store. Her family was a great joy to her and she was a trusting, loyal friend to her many friends and neighbors.

She received loving care and consideration at the Evergreen Health Home in La Grande for the past three years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned; her son, Ned Jr.; her brother, Vernon "Bud" Jory; and sisters, Maxine and Louise.

Survivors include her daughter, Janice Baxter, and her husband, Jerry, of Medical Springs; grandchildren, Layne Roberts of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Kent Baxter of Beaverton, Kurt Baxter of Provo, Utah, Danalee Jensen of Nyssa, Kitt Baxter of Medical Springs, Ryan Baxter of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; her daughter-in-law, Judy Foye of Yakima, Wash.; grandchildren, Brad Foye and Scott Foye of Yakima, Wash., and Kim Foye and Kyle Foye of Salt Lake City; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Billy Joe Carr Sr.

Billy Joe Carr Sr., 60, died Oct. 3, 2005, after a long illness with his wife, Diana, and his brother, Floyd, by his side.

At his request, there will be no service. Coles Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He was a beloved brother to Floyd Carr and father to Billy Joe Jr., Shayne, Bob, and Terresa. He had 10 beautiful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a strong and loving man. He survived through more than most would and accepted what life had offered him.

He will be remembered by friends and family as a great man. He will be missed by all the people whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura; and his parents Clyde and Neva Carr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

‘Bob' Masterson

Robert James "Bob" Masterson, 63, of Halfway, died Oct. 3, 2005, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise after a short and courageous battle with cancer.

His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Pastor Shawn Thatcher of Pine Valley Baptist Church will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by the Halfway Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7428. There will be a gathering for family and friends after the service at the Halfway V.F.W. Hall.

Bob was born on Aug. 5, 1942, at Halfway to Clyde and Velma Tyler Masterson. He attended schools in Union and Halfway and graduated from high school in 1960.

He entered the U.S. Navy on Sept. 19, 1962, and married Kristine Kipp in December of 1962. He served two tours in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on January 19, 1966.

He returned to his home in Halfway where he went to work for Idaho Power Co. as maintenance mechanic. Bob retired after 36 years of service to Idaho Power.

He loved his family and his dogs. He enjoyed working with his cows, hunting and working in his shop. He was a loyal man and integrity in himself and others meant everything to him. He enjoyed laughing and joking with his family and friends. He enjoyed visiting and telling stories and never met a stranger.

He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post in Halfway and actively served in the club. He served on the board of the Pine-Eagle Health Planning Committee and served for a year as chairman.

He served as secretary of Clear Creek Reservoir for many years and was a member of the Halfway Reunion Committee.

Survivors include his wife, Kristine; daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Mike Immoos; daughter, Terese Masterson; mother, Velma Masterson; sister, Bev DuBosch; brothers, Fred, Tom and Mike Masterson; uncle and aunt, Bud and Dorothy Tyler; aunt, Christine Tyler; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Foundation, Halfway Ambulance or the Pine-Eagle Clinic through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

‘Bob' Ciesiel

Robert F. "Bob" Ciesiel, 77, a longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 1, 2005, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Bob's vigil/wake will begin at 5:30 tonight at his residence at 42797 Nye Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Bob was born on Aug. 7, 1928, at Brooklyn, N.Y., to Leo and Viola Lechmanski Ciesielski. He was raised at Brooklyn and Floral Park, N.Y., graduating from Sewanhaka High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 1, 1946. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 25, 1948. Later, he became a commissioned officer in the Air Force ROTC.

He went on to college, graduating from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque with a bachelor's degree in geology.

He married Marihelen Williamson on Feb. 24, 1952, at Bernililio, N.M. He started his working career as a doodlebugger in a seismographic company and then joined the Exploration and Mining Division of the Atomic Energy Commission at Grand Junction, Colo.

He transferred to the Bureau of Land Management as a mining engineer at Portland, and finally transferred to the BLM, Baker District, in Baker City. Throughout his career, he worked in all of the 11 Western states.

Bob was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He volunteered at the St. Francis Food Bank, Oregon Trail Regional Museum and the Baker City Food Co-op.

He played "Santa" at the Interpretive Center during the holidays. He enjoyed building things, especially his home, and growing irises, roses, and tomatoes, which many friends benefited from.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Marihelen, of Baker City; a brother, Eugene Ciesiel; his children, Tina Kitchin, Michael Ciesielski, Pamela Hosseini, Amy Ross, Obie Ciesiel, and Emily Ciesielski; grandchildren, David and Michael Beam; Nema, Arman and Sheila Hosseini; Anna and Thomas Ciesielski; Carla Kitchin; Hailey and Jye Ciesiel; and Jordan and Reghan Marchek; great-grandchildren, Brady and Brooklyn Beam and Beckham Beam.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis Food Bank through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.