Josephine ‘Jo’ Akers
Jerald Lee Brust
Myrtle Johnson
Bernice Virtue
Stephen Rynearson
Lois Mellott
Josephine ‘Jo’ Akers
(Dec. 1, 1916 - Oct. 26, 2008)
Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother Josephine "Jo" Akers passed away on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, at the age of 91 in Baker City, Ore., due to complications associated with a stroke.
Graveside funeral service was at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Hermiston Cemetery with a small gathering following at the Hermiston Eagles Lodge for family and close friends.
Jo was born on Dec. 1, 1916, in Waitsburg, Wash., to Vilda and Clay Atkinson. Jo had two sisters, Mae and Nellie, and one brother, Robert. Her early life was not always an easy one, but it was filled with love and caring. Jo’s grandfather (Napolean Bonaparte Atkinson) always said he would get to choose a granddaughter that he would name "Josephine" and upon her birth, when he saw her, he chose to bestow that honor upon her. And what an honor it was for Josephine as she repeated this story many times to many friends and loved ones.
After graduating from high school in Washington she moved to Oregon and liked what she saw and the people she met, so she stayed. Jo spent most of her adult life in Hermiston, Ore., where she was a long-time member of the Hermiston Eagles Auxiliary #2909 and served as State President for one year. What a great day for the Eagles - what a worker!! She went through the chairs of her auxiliary, serving on many committees. Seemed her favorite spot was the kitchen as she put on numerous banquets for the Eagles as well as many other civic organizations. She served her auxiliary, endlessly, she was the drill team captain, Golden Eagle chairman and was very active in ritual work. She was a member of the Emblem Club for over 25 years, serving as President for one year. She was also a Charter member of the Daughters of the Nile Club where she worked raising money for the Shriners Hospital in Portland.
In her younger years, Jo was also a very talented performer as a proud member of the Prairie Chickens, a musical group, which performed at various social events including a television performance and a trip to Washington DC.
Jo loved to travel with her husband, Floyd Akers, who preceded her in death. They went on a Caribbean and Alaskan cruise, rode a Gold Wing motorcycle long distances and made an annual camping trip to Depot Bay with their grandchildren.
Jo currently resided at Meadowbrook Place in Baker City, Oregon with her "second family" of compassionate caregivers, fellow residents and special friends.
Josephine "Jo" Akers was preceded in death by her son, Michael Trainor; sisters, brother and husbands. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Dick Gushman; a grandson and wife, Richard and Annette Gushman and their children, Jackie, Natalie, Alex and Bobbi Jo; a granddaughter, Linda Haseman and her children, Alicia and Rachel. A daughter and son-in-law, Linda (Knight) and Fred Collier along with grandchildren Danielle Hickman and Thomas Lydall and their families.
Jo was considered a perpetual fountain of youth. She always seemed to have an endless supply of strength and energy. Her outgoing personality and concern for others were endearing to all as she never met a stranger. Josephine (Atkinson) Akers was truly a "lady" and she will be held forever in the hearts of those who were graced with knowing and loving her!
Remembrances may be made to "Meadowbrook Place Residents‚ Council Activity Fund" in memory of Josephine Akers.
Jerald Lee Brust
(Aug. 8, 1941 - Oct. 23, 2008)
Jerald Lee Brust, 67, of Scappoose passed away Oct. 23, 2008, in Baker City, Ore.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the First Missionary Baptist Church, St. Helens, Ore.
Jerald was born Aug. 8, 1941, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota to John and Lucille (Britton) Brust. He graduated from Portland’s Benson High School in 1959. On April 9, 2005, he married Janice McCain in North Powder, Ore. Jerald was the owner of JLB & Son, Inc Dump Truck and Excavating Company.
He was a member of the NRA and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gold mining, restoring Ford pick-up trucks and spending time at his second home in Sumpter, Ore.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Lucille Brust.
Jerald is survived by his wife Janice Brust of Scappoose, Ore.; son Craig Brust of Portland, Ore., daughter Wendy Provins and her husband Pat of St. Helens, Ore., son Brian Brust and his wife Andrea of St. Helens, Ore., son Wayne Brust of St. Helens, Ore., step-daughter Staci Caudle and her husband Todd of Wilsonville, Ore., step-son Michael Bronson and his girlfriend Tina of Sandy, Ore., family friend Rick Elliott of St. Helens, Ore. and family pet Jessie Lou; grandchildren: Christina Brust, Shelby Brust, Grayson Provins, Ashley Brust, Oden Brust, Riley Brust, Cole Bronson and Brady Bronson.
Arrangements are in the care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel.
Myrtle Johnson
(Feb. 25, 1909 - Oct. 24, 2008)
Myrtle G. Johnson was born on Feb. 25, 1909 in near Haines, Ore., on her grandparent’s homestead between Rock Creek and Sand Creek in Baker County, Ore. She was born to James and Alpharetta (Retta) Shanklin Burnside. She died on Oct. 24, 2008 at home in Hermiston, Ore., at the age of 99 years. Myrtle was raised in the Baker Valley and later in Onalaska, Wash. She married Rogel Ervin Music and they had four children, Robert, Violet, Ervin, and Ronald. They lived in Dupont, Wash., where Rogel worked in the Powder Plant and was killed in an explosion accident. Myrtle moved to Tacoma, Wash., and later returned to the Baker Valley where she worked making cheese during World War II.
She returned to Tacoma, Wash., and worked as a waitress for many years. Myrtle married William Johnson on Sept. 14, 1949, in Tacoma. She lived in the Tacoma area until 2004 when she moved to Hermiston, Ore., where she has lived since. Myrtle was a member of the Assembly of God Church, although she attended the First Christian Church in Hermiston. She enjoyed gardening, baking, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, quilting, and entertaining. Myrtle loved to help others and always had an open door to help anyone.
She is survived by her daughter: Violet Hall, Hermiston, Ore.; son: Ronald Music, North Bend, Ore.; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her husbands, sons: Robert and Ervin Music, and a granddaughter: Carroll Music.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston, Ore.
Burial was held on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Mountain View Memorial Park, Tacoma, Wash.
Those who wish may make contributions in Myrtle’s memory to the Vange John Memorial Hospice at 1050 W. Elm St. STE 220, Hermiston, Ore., or a charity of your choice.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Ore., is in care of arrangements.
Lois Mellott
(June 28, 1918 - Oct. 30, 2008)
Lois Irene Mellott 90, a resident of Baker City, Or died Oct. 30, 2008 at Ashley Manor in Baker City, OR
Graveside services for Mrs. Mellott were held Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pastor Loyd Phillips of Harvest Church officiated.
Lois was born June 28, 1918, in Broken Bow, Okla., to Samuel and Ida (Hall) Brock. Lois’ mother Ida passed away from complications in childbirth when Lois was about 8-9 years old and is buried in Pinetop (Apache Junction), Ariz.
As a single parent, Lois’ father Sam Brock moved with Lois and her older sister Edna Mae to live in Bend, Ore. Lois graduated from Bend Senior High School in 1936. Until recently, she enjoyed going back for her high school reunions in Bend. Lois’ dad Samuel Brock lived with Lois and her family in Bend until he passed away Nov. 12, 1966.
Lois married John Mellott in Bend on June 20, 1936. Lois and John lived in logging camps in the Bend area for years until that camp became permanent in Sisters, Ore. The houses were torn apart, skidded to a railroad spur and then loaded onto a flatbed car in sections. The houses were then lifted off at the new location of the camp to be placed back together in a U shape. A daughter and son came to live in the Sisters camp after their birth in Bend. Lois and John moved from Sister into Bend when it became time for their children to attend grade school. John was a faller for Brooks-Scanlon for years until he left the woods to work in the mechanic’s shop. Lois started working as a bookkeeper for a Bend tire shop and then moved with the owner of the tire shop to work for her at a unique clothing boutique. John and Lois sold their home in Bend and moved to the country building a new home. John and Lois moved to Baker City area in 1980 to be near their children and grandchildren. They purchased a home on 16th Street and grew the most marvelous gardens of vegetables, flowers and a lot of grass.
John passed away Jan. 23, 1993, and is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Both Lois and John enjoyed a lot of years hunting, fishing and exploring. Many an hour was spent with family and friends around a fire reliving the past adventures. John was well known for driving 300 miles on a short Sunday ride and Lois always made sure the essentials were in the car. Many a meal was cooked by Lois out of the back of a car, van and pickup.
Lois was active in the Baker County Garden Club, Home Extension and her church until she became ill. She truly loved her time with friends and the birthday club that grew from a few friends meeting once a month for lunch to a dozen or more people. She enjoyed her time with the grandchildren and patiently joined in their activities. She was brilliant with numbers and investments. After John passed away, Lois learned to become self reliant and depend on herself.
Lois is survived by son Alan Mellott and his wife Jeanne, Baker City, Ore., and daughter Corky Farran and her husband Gary, Benton City, Wash. Grandchildren James Farran and his wife Beth, Washougal, Wash., Andrew Farran and his wife Tawnya, Richland, Wash. Gene Mellott, Sandpoint, Idaho, and Cindy Mellott, Spokane, Wash. Scott Shively and his wife Shelly, Baker City , Tim Shively and his wife Brenda Baker City. There are six great-grandchildren, also numerous other relatives and their extended families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Edna Mae and a great-grandchild Ashley Mellott.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Mrs. Mellott memory may direct them to Pathway Hospice or Ashley Manor, this maybe done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814.
Stephen Rynearson
(Nov. 26, 1951 - Oct. 26, 2008)
Stephen Ray Rynearson of Huntington, Ore., died in a car related accident on Sunday Oct. 26, 2008, in Huntington, Ore. He was 56. Services will be held at various locations around the state and those interested should contact his daughter Ona Rynearson for details at ona_rynearson@hotmail.com or (917) 449-5267. In lei of flowers, donations can be made to the American Welding Society, www.aws.org, 550 NW LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126
Born Nov. 26, 1951 to Ray and Edith (Baker) Rynearson in Baker City, Ore. He was raised in Huntington, Ore., and lived most of his adult life in Eugene, Ore., working as a welder and draftsman at Clarke's Sheet Metal. He built brew kettles for many of Oregon's famous microbreweries. He had many hobbies and was a collector of many things. He loved to cook, eat and drink.
He is survived by his partner Mary Carnes of Huntington, Ore., daughters Ona Rynearson of Los Angeles, Calif., Rhea Rynearson of Fort Bragg, Calif., and Krista Rynearson of Veneta, Ore. He is also survived by his mother Edith Baker Rynearson of Huntington, Ore., granddaughter Josslyn Robles of Fort Bragg, Calif., sister Mary Tucker of Ontario, Ore., and several nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Ray Rynearson and son Eric Rynearson.
Bernice Virtue
(Died Oct. 15, 2008)
Bernice J. Virtue, 84, died Oct. 15, 2008, surrounded by her loving family.
Her funeral was at Elk Grove Funeral Chapel in Galt, Calf.
Bernice lived her early years in Iowa before moving to California where she was a homemaker. After her husband died, she moved with her daughter to Baker City and lived there for seven years. She returned to California for the last year and half of her life.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great mother, aunt and friend, who devoted her time and love, selflessly, family members said. Bernice loved to work in her vegetable garden and did a lot of canning in her early years. She has a passion for raising the most beautiful flowers, a trait she has passed on to her family.
In her later years, she enjoyed making potholders for everyone she met and doing her embroidering. She was a faithful Catholic and was faithful in saying her rosary. Her love of family will forever be missed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; daughter, Sheral; grandson, Kim; her parents, Charles and Josephine Bollig; and brothers, Chuck and Bill Bollig.
Survivors include 11 children and their spouses, Jerry and Marianne Virtue of Galt, Calif., Shirley and Phil Barbara of Fair Oaks, Calif., Jim and Louisa Virtue of Galt, Calif., Sandy Shumway and Mike Proschold of North Highlands, Calif., Steve and Kim Virtue of Baker City, Pat Cartmell of Baker City, Randy and Anna Virtue of Orangevale, Calif., Tom and Tina Virtue of Baker City, Lori and Ken Austin of Baker City, and Kent and Tammy Virtue of Roseville, Calif., 22 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
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