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Robert J. Raffensperger
Robert J. (Bob) Raffensperger, passed away Thursday, April 7, peacefully in his home at age 77. Bob was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois.
Bob entered the U.S. Army in 1944 at the height of WWII. During his service to his country he received a number of medals, Including the Purple Heart. At his discharge from the Army he moved out west in 1947 to work for the Bell System where he met and married
his wife Patricia.
Bob and his family moved to Ashland in 1978. He founded and ran Robert's Communications that later became Ashland Telephone and Electronics. He semi-retired in 1995 and turned the business over to son, Dick.
Bob was an active member of the B. P. O. Elks in both the Roseburg and Ashland Lodges. A Life Member in the Ashland Lodge, he was also a Life Member of the VFW.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, of over 55 years and his ten children, John, Jim, Penny, Carol, Don, Janet, Dick, Barb, Lori and Mike. Fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Service to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Ashland Elks Lodge 255 E. Main, in Ashland.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Ashland Hospice 1970 Ashland St., Suite 1, Ashland, OR 97520.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Vernon "Gene" E. House
A memorial service for Vernon "Gene" E. House will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2005 at the Eagle Point National cemetery. A reception will follow.
Mr. House, 79, of Eagle Point, died Friday (April 8, 2005) at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 16, 1925 in Boy River, MN to Morris and Violet (Moore) House. He attended school in Klamath Falls. In 1977 he married
Carol Florey who survives.
Right after Gene graduated from high school he joined the U.S. Marines, in which he served proudly for three and a half years. He served as a platoon sargent during WWII in the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion Fleet in which he landed on 65 Japanese held islands.
He and his brother owned House Brothers Logging in Shady Cove from 1952 to 1972. He worked as a heavy equipment operator during the construction of Lost Creek and the beginning of Elk Creek Dam.
Gene was a long time member of the VFW in Shady Cove and served as a commander at times.
In addition to his wife, Carol, survivors include his children, Mike and Candyce of Klamath Falls, Bruce and Karen of Eagle Point, David Florey and John Florey both of Sams Valley, Brenda Bishop of Eagle Point, Matthew Florey and Wendy of MN, Mary Pfaff and Scott of Central Point; his daughter-in-law, Carolyn House of MN; his first wife, Virginia House; many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne House, his brother, Ervin House, and sister Marion Craig.
The family wishes to thank Charlene, Jane and Sonny of Providence Hospice for their loving care of Gene.
Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Hospice.
Virgie P. Gray
Graveside service for Virgie will be held April 12, 2005 at 3:30pm at Eastwood cemetery. Virgie was born July 26, 1933 in Medford, Oregon; passed away April 9, 2005 at the age of 71.
She is survived by a sister Jo Archibald, children Vickie Gibson, Rick Rock, Jackie Gray & Garry Gray, 9 grand children, 2 great grand children.
Alma L. Gray
Alma LaVerne Gray, 91, of Talent, died Friday (April 8, 2005) at the Linda Vista Care Center, Ashland. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Anne Landing
Anne Landing, 72, of Shady Cove, died Friday (April 8, 2005) at her home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Elizabeth Carter
Elizabeth Carter, 95, of Grants Pass, died Saturday (April 9, 2005) at Highland House Care Center, Grants Pass. Arrangements: Grants Pass Funeral Alternatives, Grants Pass.
Gene Blackford
Gene Blackford, 83, of Medford, died Sunday (April 10, 2005) at his home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Joan Hanford
Joan Hanford, 91, of Medford, died Sunday (April 10, 2005) at her home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Ronald McCrary
Ronald McCrary, 77, of Central Point, passed away Friday (April 8, 2005) at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Sharon Vachon
Sharon Vachon, 63, of Phoenix, died Saturday (April 9, 2005) at her home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Virgie Gray
Virgie Gray, 71, of Medford, died Saturday (April 9, 2005). Arrangements: Abbey Funeral, Medford.
Viola Esther Tollefson
Viola left her loving family on Wednesday April 6, 2005 to join her beloved husband of 63 years, Freeman, who preceded her in death in 1998.
Viola was born June 27, 1913 to John A. and Josephine Mattila in Kelso, Washington, she was the sixth of their ten children. Viola and Freeman were married
in 1935 in Longview, Washington. They moved to Van Hook, North Dakota. After a short time they moved to Livelong, Sask Canada where they built a log cabin and homesteaded with no electricity or running water. They lived in Canada for five years where their sons, Dennis and Terrance, were both born at home. In 1940 they moved to Longview, Washington where Freeman began working in the Plywood Industry. Viola followed Freeman in the many changes throughout his career, setting up housekeeping in many different Oregon cities. In 1962 they moved to Medford, Oregon.
When Freeman passed away in 1998, Viola, or "Grandma Vi" as she was affectionately called, continued to live in their home alone where she remained for the rest of her life even though she had been confined to a wheelchair for many decades. She was an extremely strong, independent woman who took much pride in her home and garden. She always seemed to grow the most beautiful flowers and always had her home spotless.
Viola leaves behind two sons, Dennis Tollefson and his wife Diane of Medford, Oregon and Terrance F. Tollefson and his wife Judy of Roseburg, Oregon, one brother, Clifford Mattila, of Mercer Island, Washington, five grandchildren, Dave, Kristin, Kevin, Doug and Melissa, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1600 Skypark Drive, Suite F, or Providence Hospice.
A funeral for Viola Esther Tollefson will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2005 at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel, Medford. Oscar Willis, Chaplain of the V.A. Domiciliary and Bob Roth of the Church of the Nazarene will officiate.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Medford.
William E. Cheadle
William E. Cheadle, 84, long time resident of Jacksonville, died April 7, 2005.
A viewing for family and friends will be at 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, 550 Business Park Dr., Medford. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at Odd Fellow cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alice N. Cheadle; brother, Donald Cheadle; father, William E. Cheadle; and mother, Ruby Ellen May Cheadle.
Survivors include his loving son, Donald Cheadle; daughters, Barbara Simmons and Shirley L. Hamm and husband, Robert L. Hamm; and grandchildren: Nathan, Rhonda, Robert and Angela Hamm, Angela and Graig Weller, and William F. Simmons. Other surviving family members include Ellen Coggins and family, and Henrieta Summers and family.
Allie Marie Watts
Allie Marie Watts, age 86, of Eagle Point, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at Eagle Cove Care Home in Eagle Point. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives.
George Albert Thomas
George Albert Thomas, 90, of Phoenix, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 in Rogue Valley Medical Center. Arrangements: Memory Gardens Mortuary.
Irene Lucille Hosier
Irene Lucille Hosier, 87, of Grants Pass, died Thursday (April 7, 2005) at her residence. Arrangements: Chapel of the Valley- L.B. Funeral Home, Grants Pass.
Lottie Lines Martin
A memorial service for Lottie Martin will be held at Evans Valley Bible Church today, Saturday, April 9, 2005, at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Martin was born September 30, 1915, in Redlands, California. She passed away at her home on March 6, 2005, at the age of 89. Private burial services have been held.
She is survived by seven children, 30 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. Her husband James passed away in 1995. Memorial contributions may be made to Evans Valley Bible Church or Gideon's International
Michael Cammarano
Michael Cammarano, 83, died Thursday (April 7, 2005) in Medford. Hew was born on Oct. 4, 1921. Arrangements: Perl Funeral Home and Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford.
Robert Raffensperger
Robert Raffensperger, 77, of Ashland, Oregon, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at home. Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Alice (Whitaker Burwell) Fitzwater
A funeral service for Alice (Whitaker Burwell) Fitzwater will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005 in Memory Gardens Mortuary Chapel.
Mrs. Fitzwater, 84, formerly of Medford, died Monday, April 4, 2005 in Tuscon, AZ.
Alice was born in Rigby, Idaho on June 7, 1920 to parents James and Stella (Thorngren) Whitaker, along with three other daughters, Violet (Brackenbury), Ella (Cardwell), and Margaret (McKinney).
For some time, the family lived and struggled in Idaho during the Depression Era. The family was forced to move due to lack of employment and so packed up their meager belongings and traveled to Twin Falls, Idaho. They traveled by horse and wagon and camped out at night pioneer style.
Alice as a young woman met and married
Orval Burwell and three sons were born of this marriage. The first son, James Edward, died in infancy, with the other two sons, Earl Franklin and Donald Bruce, surviving today.
After some time in Twin Falls, James learned there were employment opportunities in the timber industry in Prospect, Oregon. The family, along with the McKinney family, once again packed up and moved.
As the employment needs dwindled in Prospect, the Burwell family moved to Dillon, Montana, where other Burwell relatives were living and also the promise of ranch work. Alice's son Don joined the Marines and son Earl had become a successful meat cutter. Both sons had married
by this time.
While in Dillon, Orval and Alice worked for a large sheep ranch and both rode horses tending herder sheep camps at the scattered mountain summer grazing allotments. Alice also helped with ranch cooking and helped Orval with his fall and winter fur trapping. Alice skinned her fair share of beaver pelts.
Orval had served in the Army overseas during World War II and after his discharge, his health gradually deteriorated. He died while living in Dillon and was buried in Medford, Oregon.
After Orval's death, Don and Earl realized how lonely their mother was and would occasionally accompany her out for an evening. It was at such a gathering that Alice met Game Warden Wayne Fitzwater. They became good friends and the relationship continued to grow into a caring and loving marriage. They were married
in McKinleyville, California with the good wishes and company of Alice's sister Margaret and her husband, Carl McKinney.
Alice is survived by husband Wayne; two sons, Earl and his wife Carrie, Don and his wife Carol; brother-in-law Carl; Wayne's two daughters, Lorri (Fitzwater) Reid and Bette (Fitzwater) Thomas and her husband Danny from Norfolk, VA. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, not to mention other relatives and many, many friends.
At this time in remembrance of Alice, we thank all of you for your love for Alice and the memories which honor her.
Frances M. Brooks
Frances M. Brooks, 84, of Medford, OR, Mesa, AZ and Denver, CO, passed away April 6, 2005.
Born in Newark, NJ in 1920, Frances was a confirmed tomboy surrounded by four brothers, a superb student and avid reader. Unable to afford college, she went to secretarial school, finishing the course in six months instead of the usual two years. After much pounding of the pavement, Frances found a job with the Prudential Insurance Company in 1938. After slaving away in the key punch department till driven to distraction, she became one of only three women in the otherwise all male accounting department. The other two women were holdovers from World War One. In 1944, Frances honorably served her country by joining the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) of the U.S. Navy as one of the first female gunnery instructors. Her service took her to Daytona Beach, FL, where she met a handsome, dynamic Navy chief who pursued her relentlessly until she let him catch her. She married
Joe Brooks in October 1945 and they began their forty-six years of married
life. Traveling first to Texas, then to Oregon, Frances and Joe arrived in Medford, OR in July 1948.
Determined to continue her education, Frances began a lifelong affiliation with Southern Oregon College (now SOU). Her studies were interrupted four times in the 1950s for the births of three daughters and one son, to whom she was a wonderfully loving, kind and non-judgmental mother. She continued to use her exceptional accounting skills, keeping track of Joe's many business ventures.
Among her many interests were bridge, golf, pool, Scrabble, chess, painting, and especially her children's education. She was a tireless college counselor and kept her children on track all the way. In later years, Frances and Joe traveled the country in their motorhome, visiting family and spending winters in Mesa, AZ. Her last trip was to her daughter's home in Denver, CO, where she gave her final life lessons to her family.
Frances is preceded in death by her daughters, Mary and Barbara, and husband, Joe. She is survived by son Joe Brooks and wife Mona of Medford; and daughter Lisa Brooks and husband Gordon Ulrickson of Denver, CO. Her five wonderful grandchildren, Jeb, Claire, Alex, Dan and Christian, have inherited her exceptional intelligence and continue her legacy.
In lieu of flowers, we request that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or your local hospice.
A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at Memory Gardens Memorial Park.
George A. Thomas
George Albert Thomas, 90, husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, passed away on April 7, 2005 of natural causes.
Mr. Thomas was born in St. Louis, MO on December 21, 1914.
The day following his 1934 Macon, IL High School graduation he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps.
He and Violet Mildred Mills were married
in Medford on November 11, 1939.
For 58 years he was employed as a residential and commercial electrician; belonging to the IBEW Union.
Some of his interests included C.B. radio, fishing and camping.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Violet; a son, James Lee Thomas of Eugene; a daughter, Janet Louise Miller of Central Point; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
No service is planned. Arrangements: Memory Gardens Mortuary.
Harold 'Buck' Ohler
Harold "Buck" Ohler, 57, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at Oregon Health Science University, Portland.
A memorial mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at St. Anne Catholic Church. Father Casmir Onyegwara of St. Anne Catholic Church will officiate.
Buck was born on August 25, 1947 in Union Town, PA. On November 25, 1989 in Las Vegas, NV he married
the former Barbara Quigley, who survives.
Buck was a heavy equipment mechanic. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany.
In addition to his wife, Barbara Ohler of Grants Pass, Buck is survived by his daughters, Ashlee and Cyndee Ohler, both of Grants Pass; son Jamie Ohler of Lynchburg, VA; granddaughters, Madison and McKenzie of Lynchburg, VA; and grandson, Jesse of Lynchburg, VA.
Arrangements: Grants Pass Funeral Alternatives.
