Lauretta Zeta Babb Lauretta, 91, formerly of Medford, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, in Lewiston, Idaho. She is survived by her daughter, Laureen (Don) Fox, of Lewiston; and son, Gary (Jackie) Kirsch, of Westcliff, Colo. Services have been held. Memorial donations may be made to: All Saint Catholic Church Building Fund, 2015 13th Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501, or a charity of the donor's choice.
James E. Coward James, 79, of Central Point, Ore., passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at his home. Arrangements by Abbey Funeral. (541) 773-7117. www.abbeyfuneralhome.com
Tony Ray Coy Tony, of Central Point, Ore., passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Linda Vista Health Care in Ashland, Ore. Arrangements by Abbey Funeral. (541) 773-7117. www.abbeyfuneralhome.com
Belinda R. Denney, 50, of Medford, Ore., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, at Rogue Valley Medical Center, in Medford. A viewing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Conger~Morris Central Point Chapel. A funeral service will on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at 11 a.m., at Table Rock Fellowship. Pastor Michael Brown will officiate.
Belinda was born on Sept. 1, 1958, in Gustine, Calif., to parents, Judy Snider and Jack Denney. She was also raised by her stepfather, Clark Snider.
She is survived by her son, Stephen Melton, 21, of Medford, Ore.; her daughter, Jacklyn Schultz, 25, of Medford, Ore.; her brothers, Joe Denney, of Grants Pass, Ore., Shawn Denney, of White City, Ore., and Dana Denney, of Albuquerque, N.M.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Judy; and her father, Jack.
Arrangements handled by Conger~Morris Central Point Chapel, 541-664-3361.
Nancy Carolyn Erikson Nancy, 76, of Eagle Point, Ore., passed away Nov. 27, 2008, at her home in Eagle Point, Ore. Born on April, 29, 1932, to Arthur C. and Gertrude Clarke, in Montrose, Calif., Nancy married Eugene D. Erikson, Sept 3, 1958, in Reno, Nev. She worked for the Jackson County Mental Health Department, and was the first person to retire from there. Although she was a longtime resident of Eagle Point, Nancy loved going to the coast. She also loved her dogs very much. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael E. Chubb; and brothers, Robert, Donald, Tommy, and Bill. She is survived by her husband, Eugene; sons, James and Steven Chubb, and Daun, Erik and Tim Erikson; daughters, Tina Bigelow and Denise Franklin; brother, Jim Clarke; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. Chaplain Jose Delgado will officiate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Leila J. Eisenstein Breast Center, 1698 McAndrews Rd., Ste. 180, Medford, OR., 97504, or the America , 10 Crater Lake Ave., Ste. 10, Medford, OR., 97504. Arrangements by Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary. (541)773-6162. www.hillcrestmortuary.com.
Derward Clemet Graham was born Apr. 18, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to parents, Jennings and Ruby Graham. He passed away on Nov. 28, 2008, at Rogue Valley Medical Center, in Medford, Ore.
As a child the Grahams lived in Oklahoma, and then moved to the Southern California area. He later moved to the Rogue Valley, attended Medford High School, and eventually settled here in Medford. He served our country from 1946 to 1947 with the U.S. Army Air Forces, and then with the U.S. Air Force in 1953 to 1955.
Derward had a passion for flying. When married to his children's mother, Barbara Graham, he traded their only car for an airplane. They could not drive to the coast, but stories of the young couple making a few beach landings have been told. While raising their boys, Derward worked in lumber sales. He was known for shipping unsold railroad cars full of Oregon lumber across the nation, then rerouted the nearest cars to the customer when sold. He will always be remembered for his love of horses, fishing, hunting, coaching, and for encouraging his sons to participate in school activities and sports. Grandpa Graham loved his grandchildren very much. He loved spending time with them, and his long-time companion, Jeanne Hopkins. He will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him as Brother, Dad, Grandpa, Dar, and Dewwy.
He is survived by his sister, Jane Stewart; sons, Craig, Mark, and Kelly; grandchildren, Sean, Matthew, Natalie, Sophie, Nathan, and Nicole; and two great-grandchildren.
A committal service will be held on Dec. 9th at 3 p.m. at the Eagle Point National Cemetery, 2763 Riley Rd., Eagle Point, Ore.
Thomas Hilton Thomas, 65, of Medford, Ore., passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at RVMC. Arrangements by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. (541) 770-6505. www.roguevalleyfunerals.com
Ralph Glenn Hoefflinger Ralph, 86, of Wilderville, Ore., passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Royale Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley - L.B. Hall Funeral Home.
Lenore Mary Joyer went home to be with our Lord on Nov. 29, 2008, at Three Fountains of Medford. She was born in Albertville, Minn. on Feb. 14, 1918. She married Clement Elliot Joyer in 1931. In 1933, Jacqueline Anne Joyer was born. From 1932 to 1935, Lenore worked in the local school system in Albertville, Minn., to help support the family. In 1940, Clem and Lenore decided to leave Minnesota for the West Coast, where they arrived in Klamath Falls, Ore. In 1951, they moved to Medford, Ore., where they have lived ever since.
Lenore is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Billette and Annette Bistodeau Billette; brothers, Elvin Bistodeau, Delphos Billette, Leon Billette and Richard Billette; three sisters, Madeline Milne, Helen Rahn and Lena Glass. Lenore was also preceded in death by her husband of 47 wonderful years, Clement Joyer; daughter, Jacqueline Ann Hackett; and one grandson, Joseph.
She is survived by one sister, Marion Booth; 10 grandchildren, John (Chong), Wayne (Sherri), Jerry (Barb), Mary (Jim), David, Margaret (Toni), Marlene (Tony), Michael (Val), Theresa, Stephen (Chris); 36 great-grandchildren; and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
She was very active in the Catholic Church Altar Society and a Pink Lady with Providence Guild.
A viewing will be held at Conger~Morris, Medford, on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. A rosary will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. The funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Oakdale.
Arrangements by Conger~Morris Funeral Directors, Medford, 772-7111.
James V. Knapp Jim passed away peacefully at home on November 27, 2008, with his wife by his side. He was born June 11, 1918 in, Ogden, Utah, to Habert and Guila (Chilton) Knapp. The oldest of six children, he moved with his family to the Rogue Valley in 1928, settling in the Sterling Creek area. Jim learned to be a skillful marksman, tracker, hunter and fisherman, while growing up, hobbies that he enjoyed his entire life. On July 31, 1941, he married Anna Ellen Wall, in Jacksonville, Ore. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, serving in World War II as a corporal with 126th Engineer Battalion, Tenth Mountain Division. Before entering the war, he was a woodsman for Weyerhauser in Klamath Falls, Ore. Returning home, he trained to become a brick-mason. He worked in construction on a number of schools, banks and hospitals in Southern Oregon and Northern California. His retirement years were active with hunting trips to eastern Oregon and ocean fishing in Brookings. Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ellen; daughters, Linda Daniels and Donna Wickham; grandchildren, Joy Kistner, Mark Bailey and Susan Thomas; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and his brothers, Wayne Knapp and Jerry Knapp; and sister, Carol Kaski. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Knapp; and sister, Faye De Ricco. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2008, at Perl Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doernbechers Children's Hospital Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR., 97205, or www.dchfinfo@ohsu.edu. Arrangements by Perl Funeral Home. (541) 772-5488. www.perlfuneral.com
Edward Keith Lamm Edward, 54, of Talent, Ore., passed away Dec. 2, 2008, at Providence Medford Medical Center. Arrangements handled by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. (541) 770-6505. www.roguevalleyfunerals.com
Eleanor Ruth McDonald, 77, of Central Point, Ore., went to Heaven on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at her home with her daughters and son by her side. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Pastor Larry Jung will officiate the service.
Eleanor was born on July 8, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., to parents, Helmut and Emily Trost, who preceded her in death. She moved to the Rogue Valley with her family in 1945, where they started their family business, Southern Oregon Nursery. Eleanor graduated from Southern Oregon College and was then employed as an elementary school teacher for 31 years in Central Point School District. She took great joy in teaching children to read, and was once told that she could even teach a rock to read. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville and looked forward to each Sunday service. In her freetime, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially lunches with her daughters. She also enjoyed reading and tending to her garden, as she loved all plants. Playing Bunko with her friends was another great joy in her life. Eleanor had great neighbors and friends who were always there for her. She'll be greatly missed by those who loved her.
She is survived by her brother, Dieter Trost; her daughters, Debbie and Sandra; her son, Michael; and her grandchildren, Alyssa, Amanda, and Nathaniel.
Arrangements handled by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives.
Dorothy M. Peterson Dorothy, 73, of Ashland, Ore., passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Ashland Community Hospital. Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Donald "Lee" Pursel, Jr. Don was born on March 3, 1954, to Don and Charlotte Pursel at, the Presidio Army Base in San Francisco, Calif. His early years were spent in Medford, Ore., where he was close to both sets of grandparents. Don loved his grandparents and carried fond memories of them all through his life. The family later moved to Coos Bay, Ore., where Don attended Marshfield High School. After high school, he married his sweetheart, Louetta Walker. Sadly for Don, they divorced after about five years. He later met and married Debbie Van Patten, and they, too, divorced after about five years. Don had no children of his own, but for 25 years was the guardian for a young man with Cerebral Palsy named Eric Wood. He was Don's "son," and Don was "his dad" in every way. Over his lifetime Don held a variety of jobs. His last was as the Director of Human Resources for Physicians' and Dentists' Credit Bureau in Tukwila, Wash. Don had 2 brothers, Russ and Larry; two sisters-in-law, Nancy and Terrie; two nieces, Andrea and Sara; and two nephews, Trevor and Connor. He also had a "step-family" consisting of Susan and Dale Anderson, and their children Erik, Stormee and Kyle; as well as Jim Owens and his children, Layna and Collin. He had several aunts, uncles and cousins as well. Don lived most of his last 25 years in Bellevue, Wash., but moved to Enumclaw in August of 2000, where he shared a house with Eric and good friend, Gregg Walker. In July 2008, Don moved to an apartment down the road when Gregg and his fiance Tammy were married. Don had dealt with medical problems most of his adult life. He had diabetes which led to kidney failure and had to go on dialysis for about 4 years. He had open heart surgery, had a toe amputated and dealt with other complications before he received a kidney transplant from a good friend, Kory Anderson. His transplant lasted him another three years and was working well until the day he died. Don passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2008, after several weeks with "walking pneumonia". He had difficulty breathing and may have had an enlarged heart. Apparently he called 911 from his apartment around 9:15 a.m., complaining of chest pains. Paramedics arrived and they treated him, but he went into cardiac arrest and after about 20 minutes of CPR, they were unable to revive him. Don is survived by his mother, Charlotte Owens, of Dallas, Ore.; brother, Larry; sisters-in-law, Nancy and Terrie; nieces, Andrea and Sara; nephews, Trevor and Connor and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He also had a "step-family" consisting of Susan and Dale Anderson, and their children Erik, Stormee and Kyle; Jim Owens, and his children, Layna and Collin. Don was preceded in death by his father, Don; his son, Eric; his step-father, Howard Owens and recently his brother, Russ. Don touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. He helped many people in his short life, and often did it without others knowing it. He was a committed Christian for most of his adult life and spent the last eight years as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Enumclaw, Washington. A funeral service was held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at his church. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park in Enumclaw, Wash. Service directed by Weeks' Enumclaw Funeral Home.
Ethel R. Whorton Ethel, 90, of Ashland, Ore., passed away Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at her home. Southern Oregon Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Henry D. Wilson Henry, 84, of Medford, Ore., passed away Nov. 27, 2008, at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Arrangements by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives. (541) 770-6505. www.roguevalleyfunerals.com
Derward Clemet Graham
Lenore Mary Joyer
Eleanor Ruth McDonald
