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David K. Rishell
David K. Rishell, 81, of Jacksonville, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m., today, Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at First Presbyterian Church, 85 South Holly in Medford with Rev. Dr. Joyce DeGraaff officiating. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Southern Oregon Historical Society, 106 N Central Avenue, Medford, OR 97501.
Dave was born August 22, 1923 in Patton, Pennsylvania and was raised in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He attended Susquahanna University in Pennsylvania and graduated from Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He was commissioned an Ensign concurrently when graduating from U.S. Naval Reserve and U.S. Maritime Service. He spent two years in the North Atlantic as a deck officer on cargo troop ships with voyages from New York to the British Isles, Russia and various allied ports in Western Europe and Northern Africa.
In 1995 he moved to Jacksonville where for the past 10 years he portrayed Cornelius Beekman with the Southern Oregon Historical Society.
He enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Survivors include his wife, Francie Rishell of Jacksonville; two daughters, Rebecca Rishell of San Geronimo, California; Christine Mulford of Sacramento; three step-children, Paul Wade of Aspen, Colorado, Christine Wade of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Selina Delafield of Medford; a brother, George Rishell of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements: Southern Oregon Cremation Services Inc., Grants Pass.
Gerda Eleanor Maesse
A graveside service for Gerda Eleanor Maesse, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2005 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Medford.
Mrs. Maesse, 97, of Phoenix, Oregon died Monday (May 23, 2005) at her home.
She was born July 11, 1907 in Hellefors, Sweden to Karl and Augusta Nelson. At a young age her family came to America settling in Brewster, Washington along the Columbia River.
Gerda enjoyed playing cards, bowling, swimming, rock gardening and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her husband Otto, children; Nancy Riggert, Doris Clower, Richard Maesse, and three siblings.
Survivors include grandchildren, Teresa Hoglen of Missoula, Montana, Lori Johnson of Comfort, Texas, Linda Thomas of Brookings, Oregon, Ryan Riggert, of Phoenix, Oregon, Julia Tryon of Trail, Oregon, and Cathleen Riggert of Jacksonville, Oregon; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Special mention, nephew Don Milner of Las Vegas, Nevada who was especially dear to her heart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Talking Book & Braille Services, Oregon State Library, 250 Winter Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
Gilbert W. Buck
The memorial service for Gilbert Wallace Buck will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Dan McCulloch officiating. Inurnment will be in Memory Gardens Memorial Park.
Mr. Buck, 85, of Medford, died Sunday, May 22, 2005.
He was born Jan. 18, 1920 in Bozeman, MT. In 1948 he married
Fern Miracle, who preceded him in death in 1992. In 1993 in Medford, be married
Irene L. Hoyt, who survives. He had lived here from 1948 to 1965, when he moved to Portland. He then moved back to the Rogue Valley in 1990 until his death.
Mr Buck served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
He worked as a Lab Technician for United Medical Laboratories in Portland for 25 years. He was a volunteer at Rogue Valley Medical Center and drove the van for patients for several years. When he was younger, he had his pilot's license, and enjoyed flying small planes.
Mr. Buck was a member of the Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he had served as Treasurer.
In addition to his wife, Irene, survivors include a son, Wendell Buck and companion, Jeff Smith of Portland; two daughters, Nancy C. and Bill Lee of Bozeman, MT, Rosemarie E. & Philip Khng of Grants Pass; three stepchildren, Robert & Fay Hoyt of Corvallis; Carolyn & Ignacio Diaz of Gold Hill; Dwain & Denise Hoyt of Las Vegas, NV; six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and seven step-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the DORCAS, c/o Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1900 Greenwood, Medford, OR 97504.
Arrangements by: Memory Gardens Mortuary.
John G. Crawford
March 14, 1913 - May 22, 2005
Husband Father Friend Soldier Philanthropist Leader John "Jack" Goble Crawford was born on March 14, 1913 in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Newark Academy in 1930 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College in 1934. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In addition to post-college civilian employment, he served in various capacities in the Army Reserve, including supervising cadets of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1940 he was called to active duty, later assigned to the 91st Infantry Division and came west to Camp White, Oregon. In 1943 he married
the former Janet Mann. During World War II, he deployed with the 91st Division to the European Theater, serving primarily in the Apennines and the Lower Po Valley of Italy.
After World War II, he returned to Medford and remained active in the U.S. Army Reserve attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He supervised the construction and dedication of the U.S. Army Reserve Center on Jackson Street now the Santo Community Center.
In his long business career, from which he never retired, he was a manager at Mann's Department Store and was the owner of Western Thrift Pharmacy, now Black Oak Pharmacy. He was a community leader and philanthropist. He served on the board of directors of the Community Hospital and the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and was a member of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club.
He will be remembered for his love of gardening, beekeeping, traveling, sailing, camping and outdoor activities. Most importantly, he dedicated his life to his family, being an outstanding husband and father to his children, John G. Crawford, Jr., Janet L. Crawford, Jill C. Goodhouse, Josephine M. Crawford, Jean C. Thomas and Jane C. Picknell. Friends and family remember him for his sharp wit and kindness to others. He is survived by his wife, six children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for him at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, St. Mark's Episcopal Church Building Fund and Providence Hospital Hospice, all in Medford, Oregon.
Russell E. Blair Sr.
The memorial service for Russell Edward Blair Sr. will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005 at the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Mr. Blair, 88 of Medford, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at a Medford Foster Home.
He was born January 24, 1917 in Paradise, CA the son of Amanda and Walter Blair. He was raised in Medford and in high school was the first to kick-off a football game in the new Spiegelburg Stadium. During World War II, he served in the Army Signal Corp.
On July 11, 1942 at Tacoma, Washington he married
the former Petronella Fullerton who preceded him in death in 1990.
Mr. Blair worked as a lineman for Copco for many years, followed by a time in the maintenance department of what was then known as Southern Oregon College. He retired in 1980. After his retirement he worked part-time as a parking attendant for Jackson County Federal Savings and Loan in Medford.
He enjoyed fishing, youth sports and his grandchildren. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Past District President of the Oregon State Employees Association.
Surviving are: two sons, Russell E. Blair, Jr. of Salem, and Michael L. Blair of Medford; one daughter, Sharon A. Westfall of Phoenix; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Bessie E. Ralls
Bessie E. Ralls, 96, of Grants Pass, died Monday (May 23, 2005) at Royale Gardens Health & Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements: Chapel of the Valley- L.B. Hall Funeral Home.
Elizabeth Cassidy
Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Cassidy, 71, of Medford died Sunday (May 22, 2005) at her home.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Eagle Point National cemetery.
Arrangements: Abbey Funeral, Medford.
Grace Wright
Grace Wright, 89, died Monday (May 23, 2005) in Medford. She was born on Oct. 11, 1915. Arrangements: Perl Funeral Home and Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford.
Bertha Ellen Beasley
A celebration of the life of Bertha Ellen Beasley will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 3366 Antelope Road, White City. Family and Friends are invited to a walk through Bertha's home to view her life in pictures anytime throughout the day. A time for sharing and a barbeque will begin at 5 p.m.
Bertha, 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 18, 2005. She died from complications of Congestive Heart Failure. As she wished, she was at home with family by her side right till the end. She will be buried at the Eagle Point National cemetery by her husband.
Bertha Ellen Howell was born in Antlers, Oklahoma on March 4, 1921 to Clarence Bird Howell and Nannie Ellen Romines.
On June 24, 1939 in Antlers, she married
T. J. (Thomas Jasper) Beasley. They had one son, Thomas Andrew (Andy) Beasley.
In the early years they made their home in and around the Antlers area. Later they moved to Albany, Oregon. No work forced them into California where they both found work. He as a carpenter and she as a Nurses Assistant for Capaleties Nursing Home in Mountain View, California where she worked for eight to ten years. She left the work force to raise Terry, her oldest granddaughter. For the remainder of her life she remained a homemaker. She enjoyed doing embroidery work and tending to her animals. Her one true passion was collecting nicknacks and salt and pepper shakers. She had gathered more than 5000 sets before her death. Amazingly, Bertha accomplished all this never having any formal education. She never learned to read or write.
She is survived by one brother, J.C.; her son, Andy; grandchildren, Terry Beasley, Angela Green, Michael Beasley, and Glen Beasley; great-grandchildren Jeff Axtell, Andrew Scott Beasley, KC King, Brittany and Tyler Green, Alexis, Ashur, Zane, and Aiden Beasley; great-great-grandchildren J.C. Axtell, Brianna and Angela Beasley; also included are four generations of nieces and nephews.
She will be loved and missed by all. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Nannie, her husband T.J., her younger sister Edeth, and her brother Denton.
Ernest "Ernie" Bigham Smith
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ernest "Ernie" Bigham Smith, 76, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 29th at West Main Church of Christ, 1701 West Main, Medford. A private graveside service will take place at Eagle Point National VA cemetery.
Ernie passed away peacefully July 24th, 2005 surrounded by loving family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on December 1, 1928 in Medford, OR to Fred and Leila (Bigham) Smith. Ernie married
Lois Marie Vanderpool on August 12, 1955 in Medford, OR.
He attended Table Rock Grade School and graduated from Central Point High in 1946. Emie lived his entire life in the Rogue Valley except to serve in the Korean War from October 11, 1950 to September 18, 1952 as a sergeant with Company H, 179th Regiment, 45th Infantry Division as a recoilless rifleman. After returning from Korea, he attended Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls, OR and graduated in June 1955.
He worked for Norton Lumber Company for 38 years, retiring in 1993 as manager of the White City yard and a part owner.
Ernie was a member of the West Main Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 29 years.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, birding, woodworking and gardening.
Survivors include his wife of almost 50 years, Lois; a daughter Melissa L. Smith of Eugene, OR; a brother, Wayne H. Smith of Table Rock, OR; a sister, Lucille Gann of Medford; mother-in-law, Mildred Vanderpool; nieces, Tamara Chastain of White City; and Elaine Chinnici of Central Point; nephews, Shane Doran of Eagle Point, Russ Gann of Medford, and Glenn Gann of Medford.
His legacy of love, family, integrity and humor will live on in all our hearts forever. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Southern Oregon Christian Camp in c/o West Main Church of Christ, 1701 West Main, Medford, OR 97501.
Evalynne "Lynn" D. Smith
A celebration of life service will be held for Evalynne "Lynn" Smith at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Eagle Point National VA cemetery.
Lynn, 72, of Medford, passed away on Saturday (July 23, 2005) at her home after enduring a long illness.
She was born on July 11, 1933 in Sugar Island, Michigan, the only daughter of Salvatore and Elma LoJacono. She excelled in academics and graduated from high school with honors.
After high school Lynn's passion was to travel and serve her country. She joined the Navy and served from September 29, 1952 to September 28, 1956. She was a member of a flight crew and saw much of the world, not from a ship, but the sky.
After the Navy, Lynn moved from Michigan to Florida, and then to California where she met and married
Joseph T. Smith in 1961. In 1972 she came to beautiful Medford, a place she truly loved, to live with her mother, Elma. She lived with her mother for over 30 years.
Lynn worked in the business office of the Mail Tribune from 1972 until her retirement in July of 1998. There she met and made many lifelong friends.
Over the years, Lynn volunteered for many charities and causes from local theater to thrift shops. She was always ready to give a hand. She enjoyed hiking, and was a real "rock hound." But travel was her first love and she was always planning a trip.
Survivors include a son, Simpson T. Smith of Melbourne, FL; a granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren.
A wonderful, caring mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend will truly be missed.
Kalvin H. Matthews
Kalvin H. Matthews, 67, of Eagle Point, died Friday, (July 22, 2005), services have been held.
He was born July 15, 1938 in Sibley, Iowa. On Oct. 30, 1971 in Gold Hill, he married
M. Esther Cacho, who survives. He had lived in the Rogue Valley since 1952, moving here from Walla Walla, WA.
Mr. Matthews had served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam.
He owned and operated Kal Matthews Trucking for over 20 years.
Mr. Matthews was a member of the Butte Creek Baptist Church.
He enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, M. Esther Matthews, survivors include: a daughter, Karen Van Riper of Klamath Falls; two sons, Kalvin J. of White City and Jim of Butte Falls; two brothers, James H. of Crescent, OR and Marlin of Central Point; two sisters, Coni Cacho of Eagle Point and Lorie Winner of White City; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butte Creek Baptist Church, 429 Royal Ave., Eagle Point, OR 97524.
Arrangements: Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford.
Charlie F. Spruill
Charlie Fox Spruill, 78, of Medford, Oregon, died Sunday, July 24, 2005 at home. Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Eloise Speece
Eloise Speece, 75, of Talent, Oregon, died Sunday, July 24, 2005 at home. Arrangements Litwiller- Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Kareen C. Medcalf
Kareen C. Medcalf, 64, of Central Point, died Friday (July 22, 2005) at her home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
William R. Asbill
William R. Asbill, 79, of Shady Cove, died Saturday (July 23, 2005) at his home. Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
