Jean Sylvia Buerk
Sherrill Dayhoff
Samuel Edwards
Claudia Gilkison
Goldie Lee Lloyd
Bonnie Mae Allen Spence
Gladys Hutton Steiger
Jean Sylvia Buerk
(May 5, 1919—Oct 28, 2009)
Jean was born in Bay City, Ore., to Ione Pearl and Harold John Hickerson in the parsonage of the Methodist Church where her father was the minister. She died of natural causes in the Nehalem Valley Care Center in Wheeler, Ore.
After living in Nehalem, Salem, McEwen and other Oregon towns, she arrived with her family in Clatsop County in 1927 where she attended Morrison school just north of the entrance to Camp Rilea. Moving to Seaside in 1928, she completed her education, graduating from Seaside High School in 1937. She spent the rest of her life as a Seaside resident.
She married F. Vernon Buerk, Jr. on Jan. 18, 1944 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Seaside. Vern, from St. Louis, Missouri, was a corporal in the U.S. Signal Corps stationed at the radar station on Tillamook Head. Three sons and a daughter resulted from that union, all of whom graduated from Seaside High School.
After WWII, Vern returned to Seaside where he was a baker at Harrison’s Bakery. He and Jean later bought the bakery and operated it for several years. During those years, Jean was most noted for her fabulous cake decorations.
Jean was deeply involved in genealogy, was the custodian of family records and diaries, compiled endless birth records dating back to the 1700s and participated in three reunions, two in Baker City and one in Goshen, Indiana where her maternal grandfather was born after her Mennonite great-grandparents migrated from Friesland, The Netherlands. She was much loved and respected by newly discovered relatives, many who lived in Baker County.
At her request, she was cremated and wanted her ashes sprinkled near her maternal grandparents’ homestead in the ghost town of McEwen where her mother was born. Jean spent three years there as a toddler in the 1920s.
Survivors include sons David and wife Sharon Buerk of Seaside, Carey Buerk of Seaside, Robert and wife Lori of Jacksonville, Ore.; daughter Anne and husband Gene Poppino of Lake Tapps, Wash.; brothers Robert Hickerson and wife Andrea of Yreka, Calif. and Val Hickerson and wife Utako of Bandon, Ore.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents and stepfather F. A. “Ted” Emery.
Sherrill Dayhoff
(Sept. 8, 1937-Nov. 28, 2009)
Sherrill Loren Dayhoff passed away Saturday afternoon, Nov. 28, as a result of a woodcutting accident. His funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec 2, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop Allen Bingham officiated. Viewing was at the Church starting at 9am. Interment was at Haines Cemetery followed by a reception at the church.
He was born Sept. 8, 1937 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Charles Walter Dayhoff and Lorene Esther Sidwell Dayhoff. He graduated from Honey Creek High School in 1956 and enlisted in the US Navy. He served aboard the USS Boston in the Mediterranean and then the USS Ranger in the Pacific. He was trained as a fitter and welder and worked in damage control.
He married his teenage sweetheart, Rosemary St. John on Sept 28, 1958 and they lived in Alameda, Calif., until his discharge in 1960. They returned to Indiana and moved to Oregon in 1962.
He worked as a fitter and welder in Portland, Oregon building logging equipment and heavy equipment. The family moved to Baker County in 1978 and he then worked as a ranch hand where he built miles of fence and lots of farm equipment and repaired it all. It was said that if the job was simple he couldn’t do it, but if it was impossible — no problem. In the last few years he mainly cut and sold firewood. He changed occupations over the years but never retired, and died working.
He never took too much time off but did enjoy hunting and camping. Most of his time was spent in the outdoors.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many positions over the years. He and Rosemary were sealed in the LDS Salt Lake Temple in 1975.
He was honest, frugal, forthright, firm in his convictions and faithful to his duties. You always knew where you stood with him. He passed on his work ethic to his children and grandchildren. He loved his family.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rosemary; son Dan of Caldwell ID, daughter Robin Newton and her husband Wes of Jamestown, ND, son Drew and wife Colleen of Hooper, UT and son Dale of Portland, 12 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, 2 nieces and 1 nephew.
Memorial contributions may be made to the LDS Family History Center or the LDS Humanitarian Aid through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Samuel Edwards
(May 17, 1945—Nov. 22, 2009)
Samuel Isaac Edwards Sr, 64, of Baker City died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. A Celebration of his life took place at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at the American Legion Club #41 in Baker City with a reception following at the same location.
Sam was born May 17, 1945, to Charles A. and Mary C. (Schefirkort) Edwards in Newmansville, Ill. After graduating from high school, Sam joined the Army. He served one tour of duty overseas in Germany, and ranked as a Private First Class. He worked as a laborer most of his working life and was in the Laborers Union for 20 years. He became disabled 10 years ago and was no longer able to work.
He married Renee Brock in Weiser, Idaho 37 years ago. Sam enjoyed reading westerns and playing shuffle board for the Legion’s shuffle board team, “The Junkyard Dogs.” He was a Past Commander of the Post 41 American Legion in Baker City. Sam was well liked and respected by all who knew him.
He is survived by his Roomie #1, Renee Edwards and Roomie #2, Carol Evans, both of Baker City; by his sons, Samuel Edwards Jr. and wife Niki of Weiser, Idaho, and Donald Edwards and wife Laura of Old Town, Idaho; by his step-sons, Howard Coyle and wife Debra of Old Town, Idaho, and James Beebe and wife Brenda of Nampa, Idaho; by his sister, Patricia Ching of Maui, Hawaii, 15 grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Charles Edwards Sr. and by one brother, Charles Edwards Jr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the D.A.V. Van of Baker City through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Claudia Gilkison
(Dec. 10, 1933—Nov. 22, 2009)
Claudia Gaye Toney Gilkison, 75, a resident of Haines, Ore. passed away Nov. 22, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
At her request cremation was held and a graveside memorial service will be held in the spring of 2010.
Claudia was born Dec. 10, 1933, in Haines, Ore. to Claude and Hazel (Williams) Toney. She attended school in Haines and North Powder and was a 1952 graduate of Baker High School.
Claudia worked at the Haines Telephone Co. and married Robert T. Gilkison April 10, 1955, in Baker City, Ore. Claudia and Robert lived in San Francisco from 1955 to 1971 before moving back to Haines.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Claudia is survived by her husband, Robert Gilkison; brothers and sister-in-laws, Larry and Colleen Toney, Rodney and Marjorie Toney, several nieces and nephews; an aunt, Ella Williams and several cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice c/o Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Goldie Lee Lloyd
(March 27, 1932-Nov. 27, 2009)
Goldie Lee Lloyd, age 77 passed through death into eternity to be absent from the body and face to face with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Nov. 27, 2009, at Settlers Park in Baker City, Ore. No memorial service is planned at this time. Inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.
Goldie was born on March 27, 1932 in Pondosa, Oregon, the only daughter to Archie R. Lewis and Virginia Violet.
She lived the vast majority of her life in Baker County, graduating late in life from high school and then attended Eastern Oregon College. She married Slick Johnston in 1946 and ultimately settled in Baker City where they raised their two sons Frank and Donald Johnston. She was proud to serve most of the County’s population at one time or another at the Royal Café in Baker City or distributing lunches through “Meals on Wheels” or at a VFW picnic. There was never a need of others, be it family, friends or strangers, that knowing about the need, she would not quietly and anonymously move mountains to fulfill — and now God has brought her home to his Everlasting Arms, where never again will she experience tears or sorrow or pain. The family asks that you remember her million-dollar smile and remember her as the infinitely decent, honest, sincere and lovingly beautiful person that she always strove to be.
Survivors include her sons Frank Johnston of Donald, Ore., and Donald Johnston of Hamilton, Mont., 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Virginia.
Memorial donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters, through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Bonnie Mae Allen Spence
(March 8, 1942—Nov. 22, 2009)
Bonnie Mae Allen Spence, 67, passed away peacefully at her home, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Baker City, Ore., with family and friends at her side. Visitation took place from 4 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel. A funeral service was held 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at the Harvest Church, 3720 Birch St., Baker City. Pastors Monte Lloyd and Garth Johnson officiated. Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery followed by a reception at Harvest Church.
Bonnie was born to Virgil and Lillian Allen in Miller, South Dakota, March 8, 1942. At her young age of nine months the Allen family moved to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Bonnie had many fun and memorable experiences growing up with her eight brothers and sisters in Canby, Ore., where she attended school.
She married Thomas Payton in Vancouver, Wash. in 1958. They had two sons, Terry and Steven, and two daughters Sandy and Bobi. Their marriage ended in divorce.
Bonnie met the love of her life, Dean Franklin Spence, whom she married on Sept. 4, 1987, in Baker City. For many years she worked endless hours at Dean’s side as office manager of Spence Industrial Supply and Rental. She retired in May 2007.
Bonnie loved to travel with Dean and loved the warm sun. One of their most memorable recent trips was to Israel, walking where Jesus had. Bonnie had a deep personal relationship with Jesus. Her heart was filled with love for Jesus, her church and people. She was a kind and generous person. If there was a need she reached out to help. Bonnie loved the Wednesday morning Agape Bible study group and was a member of the Harvest Church in Baker City.
We are blessed to have been part of her life as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friends. We will miss her love, laughter, support and guidance.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; brother ,Nathan Allen; sister, Mildred Perkett; niece, Donna Perkett, and step daughter, Wanda Spence.
Bonnie is survived by beloved husband, Dean Spence; sons, Terry Payton of Bend, Steve Payton of Oregon City; daughters, Sandy Payton of Gage, Okla., and Bobi (Bill) Barnett of Baker City; brothers, Howard (Nancy) Allen of Beaverton, Jerry Allen of Canby, Roger (Phyllis) Allen of Canby; sisters, Doris Dahlgren of California, Carol (Marv) Roberts of Ontario, Lila (Curtis) Gottman of Canby; stepdaughters, Diana (Lowell) Rowley, Janna (James) Bishop; stepsons, Greg (Susie) Sharp, Daron (Teri) Spence, and Kevin Spence; 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to Rachel Pregnancy Center in care of Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Gladys Hutton Steiger
(Jan. 14, 1915-Nov. 3, 2009)
Gladys was born to Alma Jane Gilkison and Oran Fountain Hutton on a cold Jan. 14 in 1915 at the family home in the hills above Keating Valley. She grew up in those hills playing circus and doing chores with her brothers and sisters. All of the siblings attended Mountain View School where Gladys developed her passion for reading. In fact, a brother once had to ride back from the mountains to the homestead to get her, as she was so enthralled in a book that she was accidentally left behind when the family took off for their annual two week camping trip in the Wallowa Mountains.
In 1933, she graduated from Baker Senior High School and then went on to graduate from Eastern Oregon Normal School with a lifetime Elementary Teaching Certificate. Her first teaching position was at the Mother Lode Mine, a one room school house where she had 20 pupils from all grades. She received extra pay for doing the janitorial work at the school. On December 27, 1941, she married John Paul Steiger in Payette, Idaho. She took a hiatus from teaching to raise their three children, Jack, Jerry (wife, Patricia) and Lynne (husband, John R. Allen). She returned to elementary education once the youngest, Lynne, started elementary school. Her love for teaching led her to teach Baker Elementary students for almost 30 years. After many years of taking extension courses and attending summer school (and overcoming her fear of public speaking for a required speech class), in June of 1967 she received her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon College. Gladys was very proud as all three children graduated from college as well. Gladys and Paul enjoyed road trips throughout their marriage and had further plans to travel, but unfortunately Paul passed away shortly after Gladys’ retirement from teaching. After she retired, Gladys volunteered hundreds of hours cataloguing donations for the Baker Historical Museum. She was also a principal worker in the development of the publication “The History of Baker County Oregon.”
Gladys adored spending time in the mountains where she loved to watch birds and pick huckleberries. In town at home, she gardened and cared for her beautiful rose garden which brought joy to those who passed her house on Church Street. She enjoyed cooking and loved to bring the family together for laughter and memories with delicious meals and desserts. She was a caring Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and friend. Gladys lived on Church Street until she was no longer able to take care of the home and moved to a foster care home in Lake Oswego. Her new home was close to her sons and two sisters so she was visited often by family.
Education and learning were an integral part of Gladys’ life and she embodied the qualities of honesty and integrity. Believing strongly in the equality of all human kind, she treated everyone with kindness and respect. She was active in the Methodist Church until she moved to Lake Oswego where she lived for the last six years prior to her passing on Nov. 3, 2009.
Gladys was preceded in death by her mother and father, sister, Bernice Hutton, and brothers, Wilbur (Bus) Hutton and Wallace Hutton. She is survived by her three children, three grandchildren, Christina Steiger, Travis Allen and Heidi Allen; sisters, Viola Brue and Mildred Smith, and brother, Duane (wife, Marilyn) Hutton. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to the Baker Historical Museum c/o Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
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