Ernest Mantz Fullmer
Elsie May Hansen
Donald “Jeffrey” Kelso
Debra Marie (Kercheski) Slater
Esther Mae Westerlund
Ernest Mantz Fullmer
(Feb. 27, 1919—Jan. 3, 2010)
Ernie Fullmer passed into Heaven on Jan. 3, 2010, at the age of 90. Born in Pontiac, Mich., Ernie was one of seven children of Alfred and Verna Fullmer. He graduated from Roosevelt H.S. in Keego Harbor, Mich., in 1936 and headed to Chicago to work and attend college. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and became a Staff Sergeant. He was married on Feb. 11, 1943, to Albina Mary Pavlinac for 36 years until her passing in 1979. They had eight children, Ernie Jr., Douglas (deceased), Donna (Crace), Ted, Tom, Mike, John, and Anne (Chin). In 1980 Ernie married Marilyn (Chaves) Brown who had four children, Dustin, Melody, Randy and Scott. Together they were amazing parents and grandparents to 12 children, 55 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.
In 1946 he moved his family to Medford, Ore., and started his longtime career in the timber and lumber industry. He had an eccentric Uncle Delos who was mining for gold in the Jacksonville area of Medford and talked dad into "coming out West for gold," and he never looked back! Ernie loved the outdoors and enjoyed snow skiing, hunting, fishing, golfing, the beach, roses, gardening, family picnics, trips across the country to Michigan, and just being with his family. He loved to watch a great game of football and especially loved watching his grandsons and granddaughters play their various sports. Ernie owned and operated Fullmer Forest Products and Hell's Canyon Lumber Co., and was still selling loads of Clear Select Douglas Fir the last weeks of his life. He was loved and respected in the lumber industry throughout the States and Canada, and his sons Ted and Mike continue today in his footsteps.
In 1950 he headed north to Portland and became the Chief Accountant for the famous "Lambert Gardens" where he studied gardening and the care of roses from Mr. Lambert himself. His past 22 years have been spent on his 7 acres in Helvetia tending to his roses and gardens and taking great pride in the plantings and trees he and Marilyn lovingly cared for. Ernie also had an incredible talent for restoring antique cars and won the Concourse d'Elegance in Forest Grove with a 1931 Chevy that he and his sons bought in Baker City for $50. He taught many grandsons how to work on cars, and restore engines from TR-3's to Chevy pick-ups.
Ernie taught us all so much and he will be missed by many, many people whose lives he touched in numerous ways. He was a Boy Scout Master for many years in Baker City while his children attended St. Francis Academy. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus for the Baker Diocese for many years and continues his dedication and commitment to the Knights and the Catholic Church up to the day of his passing.
He will be honored this Thursday at his Memorial Mass by the St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. One of his favorite pastimes with his sons and son-in-laws was a good game of poker, a great cigar and a glass of his favorite Johnny Walker Blue Label scotch on Saturday nights! Those gatherings will never be the same, but his chair will still be close by making sure everyone plays fair!
A Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, preceded by the recitation of The Rosary at 12:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1280 NW Saltzman Rd., Portland, Ore. 97229. A reception for all who knew, loved, and/or was related to Ernie Fullmer will be held immediately following in the church hall.
Memorial contributions in his name can be made to the Catholic organization "MARYKNOLL"; The Franciscan Spiritual Center www.FrancisSpCtr.com or St. Pius X Church www.stpius.org.
Elsie May Hansen
(Sept. 12, 1925—Jan. 2, 2010)
Elsie May Hansen, 85, of Baker City died Jan. 2, 2010, at Holy Rosary Medical Center in Ontario, Ore. The family will have a private inurnment at Bay City Odd Fellows Cemetery in Bay City, Ore. where Elsie will be buried with her husband, Steve.
Elsie was born Sept. 12, 1925, in Toledo, Ore. to Marion O. and Neva O. (Shull) Glaze. During WWII, she joined the Coast Guard (Spars) along with her two sisters. Following WWII, Elsie attended Business College. From there she became the office manager and bookkeeper for Tillamook County General Hospital.
While working at the hospital, she met her husband to be, Steve. She married Stephen P. Hansen on September 18, 1950 in Portland, Ore. They made their home in Bay City, Ore. Their first child, Christine Ann, was born in Tillamook in 1951. They lived in Portland for a while, and then moved to Pendleton where they had a son, Gregory Stephen. In 1954, they lost a son, Thomas Charles, who died in infancy. The couple later moved to Baker City then returned to Bay City, where Steve passed away in 1999. Following Steve’s death, Elsie moved back to Baker City to be near her daughter, Christine Wright.
Elsie was a life member of the Eastern Star and Rebeccas in Baker City and Bay City. Much of her life was devoted to these organizations. She loved to garden and took great pride in her yard. She also loved to fish and she traveled whenever she could. She loved to go to the National Spar Reunion to see her WWII friends.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband Steve, her parents, sisters, Marilyn and Lila, a brother, Marion E. Glaze, a son, Thomas Charles Hansen and a son-in-law, Eric Wright.
She is survived by her daughter, Christine Wright; her son, Gregory S. Hansen and his wife Mary; grandchildren: Sarah A. Hansen and her fiancé Michael Dimick; Bryan G. Hansen and his wife Jessica; Jessica O. Wright; Stephen J. Wright; and great grandchildren: Ava and Eden Hansen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Donald “Jeffrey” Kelso
(March 23, 1964—Dec. 26, 2009)
Lieutenant Donald “Jeffrey” Kelso, 45, died December 26, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Health Services of natural causes. A memorial service will be announced during the Summer of 2010.
Jeffrey was born March 23, 1964 in Baker City to Donald Henry and Ruth Ann (Hatcher Nye) Kelso. He attended Baker High School until moving to Meridian, Idaho where he graduated in 1982. His impressive career in the US Navy began immediately after graduating high School when he became an apprentice seaman at the Recruit Training Center in Orlando, FL from July 1982 to September 1982.
During his 23-year career, he was given the opportunity to continue his education, graduating with a bachelors degree and to travel the world. He was stationed with the following units and ships:
Navel Training Center, Meridian, MS Sept 1982-Dec 1982
Attack Squadron 95, Whidbey Island, WA. Feb 1983-Aug 1989
Personnel Support activity Detachment, Pearl Harbor, HI. May 1986-Aug. 1998
USS Midway, Yokosuka, Japan Aug. 1989-Aug. 1991
USS Independence, Yokosuka, Japan Aug. 1991-Nov. 1992
Personnel Support Activity Detachment, Cecil Field, FL. Dec. 1992-April 1994
USS Guam, Norfolk, VA. May 1994-Aug. 1997
Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, FL. Sept. 1997-Dec. 1999
Navel Education and training security Assistance Field Activity, Pensacola, FL. Dec 1999-May 2002
Navel School Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Eglin Air Force Base, FL. June 2002-July 2005
He served his country honorably, retiring at the rank of lieutenant in 2005 and he was a proud lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children and serving his country. He also appreciated the outdoors and loved the mountains surrounding Baker. His sense of humor was well known and appreciated by all who knew him.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Justin Kelso; son, Rhi Kelso; daughter-in-law; Jadon Kelso, grandson and Mitzi kelso, granddaughter all of San Angelo, Tex. Jennifer Kelso, daughter of Pensacola, Fla. Josh Kelso, son of Rush Hill, MO. And Cassie Kelso, daughter of Pensacola, Fla. Other survivors include his father Donald Henry Kelso of Baker City and siblings Allen Ray Kelso of San Antonio, Tex. Larry Kelso of Baker City, Jan Grove of Boise. Randy Nye of Mountain Home, Idaho. Tracy Nye of Boise. Jeannie Preble of Portland, Ore. Boyd Henry Kelso of Seattle. Stepbrother, James Scott of Eagle, Idahp. Stepsisters, Lorelei Nalley of Baker City, Leilani Denney of Arimo, Idaho. And Michelle Holcraft of Nampa, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Ann Kelso, step-mother Bonnie Kelso and brother Steven Craig Nye.
Any comments or questions, please call Donald Henry Kelso at 541 519-1994. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that all contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, in c/o Grays West & Co. Pioneer Chapel 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, Ore. 97814
Debra Marie (Kercheski) Slater
(Feb. 7, 1959—Dec. 23, 2009)
On Dec. 23, 2009, Debra went home to be with the Lord.
Debra, who grew up in Baker City, is survived by her husband Robert Slater; daughters Bridget and Megan Duffy; son Luke Duffy, mother Suzanne Brown; brother Rick Kercheski; twin sister Donna Kercheski; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lenora and Jerry Gaub, and Mary and Bob Prinslow; grandchildren Pearl, Gabriella, Elena, Hailey, and Julian; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Debra will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Keizer, Ore.
Stanley Weishaar
Stanley Weishaar, 87, of La Grande, died Dec. 31, 2009, at Grande Ronde Retirement Residence.
A celebration of life was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the corner of McAlister and Gekeler. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A complete obituary will be available later.
Esther Mae Westerlund
(March 23, 1964—Dec. 26, 2009)
Esther Mae Westerlund, 91, a longtime Baker City resident, died Dec. 29, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
A Traditional Funeral Service was on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, 11 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church on 3rd and Broadway in Baker City officiated by Pastor Dave Deputy. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception that was held following the interment at the Calvary Baptist Church.
Mae was born in Page, Neb., to Andrew and Edna Cole. She married Harold Westerlund on April 29, 1939, in Taos, New Mexico. They spent many years living on the coast and then moved to North Powder in 1942, then to Baker City in 1945. Mae worked as a cook at the Inland Cafe for many years and also drove the school bus for several years.
Mae is survived by her daughter, Esther Simrell and her husband Barry of Milton-Freewater; son Ernest Westerlund and his wife Wilma of Mollala, Oregon; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold; daughter Carol; her mother and father; a sister and a brother.
Those who would like to make a donation in memory of Mae, may do so to the Mae Westerlund Memorial through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Ore. 97834.
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