Search Archived Marriage Records
Lyle Coreson
Lyle Chester Coreson passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 1, 2008, at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital with family by his side.
A time to celebrate Lyle's life and share in food and fellowship is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Parkdale Grange.
Lyle was born Sept. 19, 1936, at St Johns, Mich., to Earl Gordon and Ida Amelia Dougherty Coreson. He attended school in Big Rapids, Mich., before moving to Oregon and then attended the Dee grade school, Gresham grade school and Gresham High School.
Lyle married
Carole Jean Morgan on Nov. 2, 1959, in Stevenson, Wash., in a private ceremony.
He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army from November 1959 to February 1964. After his honorable discharge, the family moved back to Portland Ore.
While in Portland Lyle worked for a lead foundry. In July 1965 Lyle and family moved to Parkdale, Ore., where he worked for the Dee Lumber Mill.
After the mill closed he worked at McIsaac's store for 34 years. He and Gene Lowe were the amazing Parkdale 'fix it' team at that store and best buddies. Gene passed away a few years ago.
Lyle also worked at the 'Parkdale Square' gas station for the past five years, after retiring from McIsaac's, which he did for the fun of it and the interaction with people. He and Kim Bell became good friends. He loved people, and helping others was very important to him. He could fix and find anything, even those 'what-a-ma-call-its.'
Lyle was a fixture in the Parkdale community. He enjoyed playing cribbage and pinochle. He was hard-working, but always had time for you if you needed him. He always knew what to say, whether it be a kind word or smart remark to make you laugh. He loved life.
He had many hobbies, activities and enjoyments in life, but he especially enjoyed his family. Lyle enjoyed the great outdoors and anything that allowed him to spend time outside, from watching the kids sporting events or fishing and hunting. Although Lyle loved to fish, he didn't particularly care to eat them. As it was Lyle's nature to enjoy people, he hunted and fished more for the camaraderie of family and friends than the actual hunting and fishing.
Lyle is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 48 years, Carole Coreson, at their Parkdale home; five children: Ronda Snyder and her husband, Dick, of Parkdale, Ore., Lynda Coreson, of Parkdale, Ore., Cathy Carter, of Hood River, Ore., Darin Coreson, and his wife, Suzy, of Parkdale, Ore. and Lori Coreson, of Hood River, Ore.; seven grandchildren: Jennifer, Becky, Sara, Collin, Ashlee, Jeremy and Joshua, and extended grandchildren: Todd, Troy, Chris and Charlie; five great-grandchildren: Morgan, Dalton, Gage, Abby and Sophie; eight extended great-grandchildren; siblings Ila Smith, of Milton, Fla., Barbara Morgan, of Florence, Ore., Audrey Dunn, of Oregon City, Ore., and Betty Rehder, of Florence, Ore.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Carroll (Kelly) Coreson Meske, and brother-in-law and friend, Ron Morgan.
The family suggests that memorials be made in memory of Lyle to Heart of Hospice and sent in care of Anderson's Tribute Center.
A Tropicana rose has been planted in his honor, as well as a weeping willow, to symbolize the way Lyle was in life; the beauty within and the ability to sway in the wind through life's ups and downs. These have been planted by his family with love in Florence, Ore. He will be deeply missed by all.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031. .
Della Lavon Bayless
Della Lavon Bayless, a longtime resident of Hood River, passed away July 5, 2008, at Parkhurst House of Hood River.
Services to honor Lavon's life are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Idlewilde cemetery. The Reverend Rinya Frisbie, of Asbury United Methodist Church, will officiate.
Lavon was born on April 22, 1928, in DeWeese, Neb., to Arthur Frederick and Alice Louisa (Johnson) Denney. Living in DeWeese during her early years, Lavon attended school with her brother, Arthur, in the red brick school house which still stands as a landmark in DeWeese.
Still at an early age, Lavon moved with her family to Emmett, Idaho. Then, after several years, the Denney family relocated to Creswell, Ore. On Nov. 6, 1948, Lavon and William 'Bill' Bayless were married
in Cottage Grove, Ore., and to this union were born two children: Della L. Bayless and William (Bill) Bayless Jr.
With Bill, who was working as an engineer in heavy construction, she and the family moved to Mill City, Ore., The Dalles, Ore., and Quincy, Wash. They moved back to the Hood River Valley in 1963, where Lavon was an active wife, mother, and grandmother. She had many hobbies and activities but had no greater joy than being involved with her family.
Lavon is survived by her husband of 60 years, William Bayless, of Hood River; one daughter, Della L. Stanger, and very loved son-in-law, Jack, of Longview, Wash.; and her son, William Henry Bayless Jr., and very loved daughter-in-law, Nora, of Selah, Wash.
The joys of Lavon's life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Mike Stagner and his wife, April, of Wenatchee, Wash., and their children, Allison, Kristen, and Carly; Kurt Stagner and his wife, Jessica, and their precious son, Koen, of Auburn, Wash.; and Marla Johanesen and her husband, Steve, of Bellingham, Wash., and their children, Hailey and Sienna. Also loved by Lavon were grand children Franklin Pedro Bayless, his wife Ofelia, and their daughter, Andrea (Andi), of San Diego, Calif., as well as Lavon's great-granddaughter who is expected to come into this world on Lavon's wedding anniversary of Nov. 6, 2008; William Bayless Jr., of Fr. Meade, Md., Karen, Victoria Bayless of Hawaii, and Heather and T.J. Fletcher, of Ellensburg, Wash.
Lavon survived cancer two times in her life and shared her experiences with those who feared this dreaded disease. She was a bastion of strength to those who knew her and an inspiration to all. Her courage has inspired her children and grandchildren, and will be a foundation for her great-grandchildren for generations to come.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Denney Jr., and two sisters, Betty Rowland and Lucielle Goins. Lavon is survived by her beloved sister, Alice Rhodes, brother, Robert Denney, and his spouse, Marissa, and sister, Carol Booble. Also loved by Lavon was Maria Richmond and children of Tacoma, Wash., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Lavon and Bill were active as honorary members of the U.S. Navy Armed Guard and enjoyed many vacations in the company of those who served in World War II and the U.S. military.
The family suggests that contributions in Lavon's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in care of Anderson's Tribute Center.
Lavon will be greatly missed and eternally loved by all who knew her.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. .
Samuel Anderson
The Rev. Samuel L. Anderson, 83, of Eugene, Ore., died on July 3, 2008. A memorial service will be held on July 11 at 4 p.m. at the Eugene First Church of the Nazarene. A reception will follow at the church.
Sam was born Nov. 1, 1924, in Quinter, Kansas, to Lillian and Lovell Anderson. He married
Elizabeth Gibson on May 13, 1944. They were blessed with three daughters: Katherine, Linda and Susan. He was a graduate of The Dalles High School and Northwest Christian College. He received a master's degree at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind.
Sam served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Detroit in the South Pacific. He spent 30 years as a pastor for churches in Pleasant Hill, Hood River and Dallas, Ore.; Raleigh, Ind.; and Merced and Garden Grove, Calif.
In addition to spending time with his wife and family, Sam enjoyed jazz music. He played the clarinet and saxophone and participated in the Arlington Jazz Festival. He enjoyed woodworking, reading and fishing. He was a man who loved and served God throughout his long life.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; and daughters, Kathy Maldonado, of Hood River, and Linda Oxenreider and Susan Hall, both of Eugene. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Gideons in memory of Sam Anderson.
Eugene Lloyd Porterfield
Eugene Lloyd Porterfield passed away on June 2, 2008, in Vancouver, Wash. He was born to Mart and Nellie Belle Porterfield on July 23, 1922, in Fristo, Mo. He moved to Parkdale, Ore., while a teenager and remained there until 1951 when he moved to Vancouver with his bride, Joyce.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce Porterfield; brothers Leonard (Gertrude) and Scott (Arlene); sister, Hazel Bowe (Chuck deceased); daughter, Sherri MacLardy (Doug); son, Ron Porterfield (Kris); grandchildren Jeff MacLardy (Jacki), Angela Kinsel (Todd), Andrew Porterfield, Sally Kroon (Kurt); and four great-grandchildren, Jaslin and Jaela MacLardy and Alec and Ben Kinsel.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Joshua Adam Porterfield.
Gene was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He was a longtime member of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver. He loved spending time with his family and playing golf. He worked as a warehouse foreman at E.J. Bartels in Portland until his retirement over 20 years ago.
A memorial service was held at Columbia Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 6. Donations or contributions may be made in Gene's memory to Doernbecher Children's Hospital or Southwest Hospice in Vancouver, Wash.
William 'Earle' Thompson
William 'Earle' Thompson, age 45, died on May 31, 2008, as a result of an accident on Country Club Road in Hood River, Ore. Earle came to the Gorge in 1991 from Middlebury, Vt., with his dog, Sparky.
He was born in Hartford, Conn., the son of John and Catherine (Riker) Thompson. Earle was a graduate of Middlebury Union High School and Paul Smith's College in New York.
A natural athlete, Earle loved adventure and spent the last 17 years here in the Columbia River Gorge, pursuing his passions of windsurfing, surfing, snowboarding, skiing and golf. Earle also played hockey. A member of the Hood River Country Club, Earle was an avid golfer and had plans to go to Bandon Dunes this summer.
Earle was among the first windsurfers to become a regular at Cheap Beach during that summer of 1991 and he spread his enthusiasm for the sport to everyone who sailed with him. We will all miss driving up to Cheap Beach and seeing his Subaru parked under the tree and Earle, with a big smile, waving from the guard rail. Earle probably logged more post-windsurfing hours on that bench than anyone.
In the windy days to come, Earle's spirit will be out there on the water, shredding it up with all of us and we will always save a spot for him on the bench.
Earle also loved to surf; he surfed the Oregon coast, Costa Rica, off the mainland of Mexico and Baja.
Always a pleasure to have in the kitchen, Earle worked as a cook at Bo Bistro's, Mt. Hood Meadows, and Divots. During the winters of 1994-1995 he worked as a cook at The Lodge Club, Snowbird, Utah. When Earle was out of retirement, he was a stone mason and did concrete work.
He was quick with a smile and filled his life with family and friends, entertaining them with his detailed stories, gourmet cooking, artistic stonework and his abundant enthusiasm for life. He cared deeply for those he loved and had a special tenderness for his nieces and nephews.
Earle is survived by his mother, Catherine Thompson; his sisters, Cathy Field, of Becket, Mass., Heather Hardt, of Salisbury, Vt., and Beth Wimett, of Brandon, Vt.; his brother, John Thompson, of New Haven, Vt., as well as many nieces and nephews. Earle is also survived by his many friends here in the Gorge and Salt Lake City, Utah.
From all of Earle's friends out west, our hearts go out to his family in New England.
A celebration of Earle's life will be held at Cheap Beach on Monday, June 9, , at 6 p.m.. If it's windy we'll see you at the beach earlier. The celebration will continue later at the River City Saloon. There will be a potluck for food and appetizers. Bring your favorite Earle stories and any pictures that you would like to share.
Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Sports Center, Expansion Project, Box 835, Middlebury, VT 05753.
'Long story short' - Earle will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000.
Eldon V. Bailey
Eldon V. Bailey, a longtime Hood River, Ore., resident, died June 1, 2008, at his residence. He was 78 years of age.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 2168 Belmont Ave. Pastor Terry Abbott, of the Assembly of God Church, will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, from 2-5 p.m. at Anderson's Tribute Center.
Eldon was born May 2, 1930, in Carter, S.D., to Ray and Elsie (Kyriss) Bailey. He came to Oregon in 1935 and settled in the Mount Hood area on property still owned by family members. He attended Mt. Hood Grade School and graduated from Parkdale High School in 1948.
Eldon attended Vanport College for two years and then entered the U.S. Army in 1951. He served during the Korean Conflict with the 45th Infantry Division Signal Company. He received two citations, including the Bronze Star Medal for service in several major campaigns. Eldon was discharged from the Army in 1953 with the rank of sergeant and returned to Oregon.
On Dec. 13, 1953, he and Celia Ann Hollis were married
in Siletz, Ore. Eldon had worked for the Oregon Lumber Company and Hackett's Radio and TV Repair before returning to federal service in 1960. He was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an electronics technician specializing in air navigational systems. He served in assignments throughout the western United States, including eight years in Meeker, Colo.
While in Meeker, Eldon served one term as municipal judge as well as overseeing a critical navigational system and radar components for airline flight between Denver, Colo., and Salt Lake City, Utah. His last five years of service were spent at the Portland International Airport, working with control tower systems, installing and maintaining air and ground communications as well as radar and navigational aids.
He retired in 1990 and then worked part-time with the Hood River Transportation Company and also pursued many interests and outdoor hobbies. He had been a licensed ham radio operator since 1949.
Eldon was a lifelong member of the Assembly of God Church and was active in teaching, deacon boards and treasurer roles.
He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Ann Utesch, and son-in-law, Doug, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his son, Randy Todd Bailey, and daughter-in-law, Maria, of Parkdale, Ore.; grandchildren Shane and Amber Utesch, Rhianna and Brendon Bailey and Tiffany Berquist; brother, Arnold Bailey and sister-in-law, Jadean, of Omak, Wash., and their family, Gary and Scott Bailey and Jennie Hux.
Eldon was known as 'PAPA' to his close family members and will always be remembered for his compassion, generosity and quick wit. One of his many joys in life was working on his family farm. He loved every aspect, from laying the pipes for the water line to wheeling and dealing cow sales with his buddies.
Interment with military honors will be at Idlewilde cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Assembly of God Building Fund in care of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000
Ted Silas Ekker
Longtime Hood River resident Ted Silas Ekker died July 27, 2008, at home with his beloved family. Ted was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Fairview, Utah, the middle of three sons, to Henry Martin Ekker and LaVana (Cox) Ekker.
Ted's father followed the mining industry from Utah to California before settling in Boardman, Ore., during Ted's later school years.
When Ted's older brother, Marty, joined the U.S. Navy, Ted talked his father into signing for him to join the Navy at the age of 17' on April 3, 1942. He served in the Atlantic Theater in a PBY convoy-mission plane and then to the Pacific Theater in a PBY search and rescue-mission plane.
On Dec. 19, 1943, while attempting a rescue of a downed pilot, their plane crashed into huge waves that tore the wings off the plane. As the flight engineer, he was the last to leave the plane; but was able to toss life rafts and survival supplies to the other six crew members.
The rafts drifted for 30 hours toward Japanese-held islands before a Navy destroyer picked them up. Ted received a commendation for his 'actions and leadership during the crash.'
He was very proud to have served in the Navy and was discharged Oct. 29, 1945, at Bremerton, Wash., with the rank of aviation machinist's mate first class. Ted looked forward to having his service plaque on the Memorial Walk of Honor at Idlewilde cemetery.
Returning to his father's farm in Hood River, where he had moved during the war, one of Ted's first jobs was through the State Apprentice Program at Windmaster Garage with owner Mel Lingren. Ted started the Ekker Implement Company with the Oliver Tractor Dealership.
When asked to relocate for a much-larger dealership in Idaho, Ted declined because he wanted his family to stay in Hood River. He then became shop foreman at the Colter Motor Company (Ford) and later shop foreman at C.M. and W.O. Sheppard.
On Dec. 19, 1948, Ted married
Shirley Aileen Lee. They had two children, Patricia Lee and Jerry Martin, who were both born at Hood River Memorial Hospital.
While still working at Sheppard's, Ted started helping Tom and Pearl Lee, his in-laws, on their pear and cherry orchard. He purchased the property in 1957 when Tom and Pearl wanted to retire to the coast. Over time, four of the adjacent neighbors asked him to lease or buy their acreage.
He farmed for many years and continued farming even after he became the maintenance superintendent for Diamond Fruit Growers, where he worked to create many of the hydraulic systems and the modernization of all the fresh fruit plants, greatly increasing their efficiency.
During these years he served on the boards of Diamond Fruit Growers, the West Side Fire Department (as well as a volunteer fireman for many years) and the Farmers Irrigation District.
Ted was a member of the Elks Club and American Legion Post 22 for 60 years. He was also involved in many school activities including FFA board member, Boy Scout leader and 4-H Tractor Club leader; and worked on the generator and water supply for Camp Yallani. He was also on the Hood River Airport Committee when it was owned by Hood River County and later the Port of Hood River.
His greatest pleasures were anything with his family. Ted skied, bowled, golfed, camped and helped his children with various projects, especially helping his son and daughter-in-law build their 'real log' home. He also created many woodworking projects for family including a tree house for his granddaughters.
Ted skied with his family at the Cooper Spur Ski area and was also a member of the Ski Patrol. He was an ardent hunter for elk and deer and loved fishing for salmon and halibut, taking many trips to Alaska for the Juneau Salmon Derby.
Ted began flying when he returned from the service and enjoyed taking people on plane rides, including the farm crew after harvest. Ted sponsored for many years, starting with Group A, the Japanese Training Program and especially enjoyed taking them for country-wide tours.
Ted is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Shirley Lee Ekker; daughter, Patricia Lee Lumm and son-in-law, Bob Lumm, of Lake Oswego; son, Jerry Martin Ekker, and daughter-in-law, Jannine Tveidt Ekker, of Hood River; granddaughters Tifanie Lumm, of Lake Oswego, and Kristin Lumm, of Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Peggy Lee Mulligan, and her husband, John, of Douglas, Alaska; and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Marty and Farrel, both Navy World War II veterans; sister-in-law, Helen (Polly) Ekker, and nephew, Dane Ekker.
At his request, no funeral services will be held. A remembrance in conjunction with the disposition of his ashes will be observed at a later time. Memorials may be made to the West Side Fire Department or Heart of Hospice in care of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000
