Norman “Skip” Bell
Celestina “Maria” Bruno
James Charles Fox
Marjorie Wilfong
Norman “Skip” Bell
(April 21,1932—Feb. 13, 2010)
Norman Wayne “Skip” Bell, 77, passed away Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.
An informal gathering will be held at the Chamealeon Café in Baker City on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Norman “Skip” Bell was born to Gailon and Lula Violet Bell on April 21, 1932, in San Diego, Calif. Skip spent much of his younger years traveling the country with his parents, as his father was a painting contractor working for the U.S. military prior to W.W.II. Skip and his family were residing in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Skip’s family also owned several cattle ranches in Alterus, Calif., and Elko, Nev., where he graduated high school and spent much of his youth.
After a short stint in the U.S. Army, Skip settled down in Escondido, Calif., where he ran a successful business and raised three children. Dixie Bell from his first marriage with Lee Sweeney, and Dakin and Stacy Bell from his second marriage with Marcyne “Mickie” Bell.
In the late 1970s, Skip and his family moved to Baker City where he piloted several different businesses, finally making a full circle becoming a painting contractor with the business we all knew as Skip Bell Painting and Renovators.
Skip enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He gave the rodeo arena a whirl and made many lasting friends. Actually, he never met a stranger and will be remembered by many as a very active and fun loving husband, father and friend. He will be sorrowfully missed.
Skip survived by his wife Mickie Bell, one son, Dakin A. Bell of Seattle, Wash.; and two daughters, Dixie Hallett of NSW, Australia, and Stacy Chase of Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Skip is proceeded in death by his parents; one brother, Mike Bell; and one sister, Jo Letson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Celestina “Maria” Bruno
(July 8, 1932—Feb. 8, 2010)
Celestina “Maria” Bruno, 77, died peacefully at her home in Bridgeport, Ore., on Feb. 8, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, 2 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Father Julian Cassar celebrated the Mass. Interment was held in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Maria was born on July 8, 1932, in France. She was raised in Northern Italy where she experienced the ongoing recovery efforts of WWI and also the turmoil of WWII. Her family owned a little restaurant at the base of the Alps in Valdobiaddene, Italy. In 1957, it was at their Bellevedere restaurant where she met Victor Bruno, her “handsome cowboy.” They were married in Italy on Aug. 31 that year. Their romance and love story is worthy of a book all by itself.
Maria then studied English as she was waiting for her paperwork to come to America. By this time Victor’s visa had expired and he had to return to California. With confidence in her new husband, her belief in humanity and by sheer faith she boldly traveled to America via Ellis Island. Her new husband was there waiting for her and they lived in Napa, Calif., where they had five children; Victor, John, George, Mary Grace and Ernest.
In 1974, the family moved to Bridgeport, Ore., where they bought a cow/calf operation and raised Black Angus cattle. Maria was active in the Baker County community for the rest of her life. She was very active in the Burnt River extension study group and held many official duties in that capacity. Maria was also very involved in school activities and was recognized as the Burnt River booster of the year in 1985. While English was her second language, she was proud that she was also the Burnt River news correspondent for The Record-Courier for over 20 years.
Maria was a homemaker for her family, but also worked for 34 years running the Bridgeport Post Office for the US Postal Service. She retired from that capacity in 2008. She also operated a bed and breakfast and was the local Avon representative.
Maria loved people and cooking for family and friends. Growing up using a wood stove, she loved the modern conveniences of an electric range and wore out many a stove in her years. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and family gatherings. She always had a slice of pie, a cup of coffee, a smile and good conversation for anyone who would stop at the house for a visit.
Maria was preceded in death by Victor, her husband, and sisters Josephina and Amabile. She is survived by her children Victor and Layna Bruno, George and Sue Bruno, John and June Bruno, Nick and Mary Grace Schauer and Ernest and Connie Bruno. Maria was so proud of her children and I truly believe her only wish was for us to be happy. She had 10 grandchildren; Linea, Trina, Sarah, John, Alyssa, Kendra, Victoria, Joseph, Adam and Grace. She is also survived her sister Gianna Resta of Valdobiadenne, Italy and Brother Antonio “Tony” Geronazzo of Calgary, Canada. She loved her grandchildren dearly and enjoyed watching them grow up and talking with them.
In reflection, Maria lived a life of adventure leaving her native country in her mid-20s and immigrating to America. She was adaptable to people from every walk of life and environment and truly enjoyed the independence of the ranch life in this remote piece of heaven on earth we call Baker County.
She was not one to focus on the negative and often commented that her mission in life here was complete. We are confident by faith that she was ready for her eternal life in heaven, but will be missed dearly by all who she has touched here. The family would like to thank all of her friends and neighbors and hope that you keep a bit of her loving spirit in your heart.
The family suggests any memorial donations be directed to the Catholic charities or to a charity of your choice. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, Ore. 97814.
James Charles Fox
(May 16, 1935—Feb. 15, 2010)
James Charles Fox, 74, passed away peacefully in his home in Baker City, Ore., on Feb. 15, 2010. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, 2 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Ritualistic rites will be accorded by Baker Elks Lodge #338 with military honors following.
He was born in New York City, New York on May 16, 1935. He was the son of Charles Thomas Fox and Hanorah Fox. Jim, as he was known to his friends, was in the United States Air Force for 28 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1980. He then returned to Baker City to live among his family and friends.
He was a proud member and officer of the Baker City Elks, B.P.O.E 338 where he served as Exalted Ruler twice. He spent many happy hours among friends there and was actively involved, along with other members of B.P.O.E. 338, in raising funds for the Casey Eye Institute.
He will be remembered as a man of integrity and honor. He was a loving husband and an equally loving father, a good and kind father, whose children miss him already. He was a good and loyal friend who will be missed.
He was loved and beloved, a tribute to the man that he was and the life that he lived.
He is survived by his wife Martina Fox, his sister Winifred Windsor of Houston, Texas, his daughter Glenda Mae O'Connor of La Grande, Ore., his son James Mark Fox, Jr. of Baker City, his son James Michael Fox of Florida, his son Charles Michael Fox of Monmouth, Iowa, his daughter Sherry Kay Cisna of Baker City, his daughter Terry Ray Hayes of Medford, Ore., his daughter Rebecca Lynn Richburg of Austin, Texas, his daughter Autumn Lynn Fox of Abilene, Kan., and 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He is preceded by his parents, Charles and Hanorah Fox, his daughter Cynthia Lee Durkee of Houston, Texas, and his daughter Katherine Marie Malbrough of Houston, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to The Baker City Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. 338 through Coles Funeral home, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Marjorie Wilfong
(Jan. 19, 1917—Feb. 8, 2010)
Marjorie Bennett Wilfong, 93, died at her home in John Day, Oregon on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. A Celebration of Marjorie's Life was held on Saturday at the John Day Church of the Nazarene. Marjorie kept a 5x7 notebook and in essence she has shared what she wanted shared in her obituary.
Marjorie wrote, “My life started at 5 a.m. on Jan. 19, 1917 in a farm house near Dundas, Illinois. I had two older brothers, Perry and John M. My baby sister came along two years later on March 27, 1919. I don’t remember much until my dad died in Feb. 1920 from flu pneumonia. My mother had fallen on concrete steps before Maxine was born and had broken her tailbone. When dad died she was on crutches. She bought the house across from my grandfather. She went from crutches to a wheel chair to bed. She was paralyzed from crippling arthritis and could only move her arms and hands. She kept busy tatting, and sold it.”
Marjorie’s mother directed her children from bed and taught them to take care of her and all the details concerning paralysis, including hypodermic injections for pain. She also taught them to run the house, bake and cook, garden, can the fruits of their labors and be generally productive. From her notes, they appeared to be fairly self-sufficient.
One day after school, 6-year-old Marjorie came home to the wonderful smell of baking. Maxine, age four, learned to bake cornbread that day via mom’s bedridden vantage point. Marjorie and John would walk miles to pick blackberries and at age 7 she learned to can. They were no freezers or electricity. What they did have was more than a block and half in a garden. Marjorie quoted, “John did most of the gardening and I got to do the canning.” They both attended school.
“I remember one meal I cooked at age 10. I made chicken and dumplings. I forgot to singe the chicken to get the pinfeathers off! Needless to say, we didn’t eat that meal.”
At age 16, her brother got a job and Marjorie stepped into the role of her mother’s caregiver. By then, her mother was blind. Marjorie would run home from school to attend to her mother and her other duties.
When Marjorie was 13, her mother died. What an impact this woman must have made. At the funeral, the church was full in her mother’s honor. In a day of few vehicles, there was a very long parade of vehicles to the cemetery. Time and necessity marched on.
Marjorie and Maxine moved to Joliet where a week later they were enrolled in school. Marjorie did not complete her last year in school, as she could now get a full time job. It was her 17th birthday. It was a 60-hour work week. This17 year life preparation was prophetic. She was now smack dab in the middle of The Depression. For the next 76 years, she pulled from this strong work ethic and her ingrained tenacity.
Marjorie married Glen Wilfong circa 1937. They had eight children. Jerry, Larry, Norman, Betty, Glen, Alyce, Rose, and Walter. Times were very tough. There were a lot of moves for work and to bigger houses that had to cost less. In the 60s they lived in Michigan and then back to Joliet. When they moved out in the country near Platteville, they lived in a two-story house with a large yard and yellow roses planted across the front of the yard. Perhaps this is where her love for yellow roses was inspired. Over the years, she suffered many illnesses: temporary sight loss, pleurisy, pneumonia, two different nervous breakdowns, gall bladder surgery to mention some.
Glen Sr. had a heart attack in 1969 and on doctor’s orders they moved to warmer climate. They picked Florida. After he died in 1972 of another heart attack, Marjorie lived with many of her family members, friends and in a seniors living facility.
Marjorie’s notes reflect mostly on different family members she was with at the time she was updating her story. Her focus was her family. She treasured her memories. She never faltered on her knowledge of them all, though some of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren, etc. she did not get to know well or spend much time with. Four of her sons and one son-in-law were in the military. Followed by six grandchildren years later. She had 27 grandchildren, 47 plus great-grand children and 10 plus great-great-grand children. Her very fine crocheting has served her well and she was always making something for one of them. She was an avid letter writer and kept in touch with her friends and they with her this old-fashioned way. There were also many phone conversations with friends and family. Thank goodness unlimited calling came along!
Marjorie would be the first to say she wasn’t perfect and shared she had some regrets as a mother. But, in her 90s, she didn’t have a lot of time left to beat around the bush. She said it like it was. I know, though, that she did say less than she was thinking. If she could have, she would have fixed us all or even traded places with us to bear our burdens.
She moved to John Day, Ore., in 2006 to live with granddaughter Vickie Harrison (now Vickie Brown). She was there for Vickie from Vickie’s birth. She wasn’t just grandma, sometimes she was mom with the name of grandma. Her years here in Grant Co. were a reciprocal blessing for Vickie, Crystal and Tiffany. Now they were there for her. Crystal’s babies Ashley and Jason especially blessed her. With them, she had a job. Grandma was back on duty! She so loved all her grand and great babies. Ashley was born when she was 90 years old and Jason a year later. Such a great joy for her, when Ashley would climb up on her lap or later her bed for hugs, kisses and a book. It was an especially timely blessing when Jason came, as she was spending more time in bed. She was the official Jason feeder and so looked forward each day to those times. They would just lie there and grin at each other. When he was on baby food, she would rally to the kitchen and share grins with him as she fed him. He tickled her heart. For Crystal and Vickie this was part of a 5-generation blessing that their family cherished. As her friends, we were also blessed knowing her and we appreciated her love of the lord.
She loved her games with everyone especially Yachtzee. Her hands were always busy crocheting for family, friends, the elderly in the nursing home and then some to sell. At Vickie’s there were labeled boxes of yarns and threads eagerly waiting to become part of her handiwork. In the fall she would start lining out her work and put the big push on to be ready to take her collection to the Grant County Christmas Bazaar. Her health had taken another decline and she couldn’t go to the bazaar in Dec. 2009. Vickie and Crystal sat in for her. Soon after her eyes especially declined along with her hands. She managed to complete a few more items. Her last piece, a light blue baby blanket, was finished and ready for a new great-great grand baby. Because of her exceptional age and crocheting ability, she received newspaper notoriety at the bazaar for years ‘07 and’08. For the 2008 newspaper picture, they had 4 of the 5 generations represented. Alyce was at her own home in Florida. Her entries at our Grant County fair won many blue ribbons.
During these last months, Vickie and Jim, Crystal, Tiffany, several friends and a wonderful hospice unit, attended Marjorie. Marjorie closed her eyes for the last time on Feb. 8, 2010, at 5:42 in the evening at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by just about everyone born before her or born even in the near vicinity of 1917! Also, by her husband Glen and sons Jerry, Larry, and Glen Jr. Moments before Larry died, she quoted him II Timothy 4: 7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have stayed the course.”
For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Marjorie the family suggests the Sonshine Christian School through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
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