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Robert Vroman
Robert Vroman, The Mail Tribune's first staff photographer, died Thursday (Aug. 26, 1999) at his home in Medford. He was 79.
Vroman, who joined the newspaper in 1957, won a number of prizes for his photographs, and one of his photo essays -- Seen From Above -- is in IBM's permanent collection. The series of photos pictured common objects from above.
Another photograph, of Sen. Wayne Morse speaking in 1958 at the Rialto Theater in Medford, appeared on the back cover of A. Robert Smith's biography of Morse, "The Tiger in the Senate." Smith was the Washington correspondent for several Oregon newspapers, including the Mail Tribune.
Vroman was born April 23, 1920, in Medford, the son of the late Elwin R. and Mabel Agness Vroman.
He graduated from Medford High School and attended California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley.
During World War II, he served two years in England with the U.S. Army Air Force. He also was a propaganda artist.
On May 15, 1943, in Rome, N.Y., he married Marion Dubeck, who survives. They later divorced.
After returning to the Rogue Valley, he joined the Vroman family's North Main Hardware store in Ashland.
Vroman's lifelong hobby was cooking. He also enjoyed fishing and hiking.
Survivors include two daughters, Sally Gravon, Central Point, and Susi Perry, Medford; a son, Jimmy, Yakima, Wash.; a sister, Verniece Parkins, Medford; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements: Abbey Funeral, Medford.
Brian Steven Spilka
A gathering of friends of Brian Steven Spilka will be held from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of the Spilka family.
Mr. Spilka, 45, of Gold Hill, died Monday (Aug. 23, 1999) as the result of an accident in the Prospect area.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 698, Medford, OR 97501.
He was born Oct. 30, 1953, in Burbank, Calif., a son of Allen and Delores Spilka.
He moved to Gold Hill 20 years ago from Shadow Hills, Calif.
On May 22, 1993, in Gold Hill, he married Dawn Louise English, who survives.
Mr. Spilka was the owner and operator of Lowrider Reforestation, a business he started 16 years ago in Gold Hill.
He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a daughter, Nicole Spilka, Gold Hill; his mother, Dolores Spilka, Gold Hill; a brother, Michael, Corvallis; a sister, Laurie Christian, San Mateo, Calif. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen, who died in 1977.
Friends may pay their respects noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hull & Hull Funeral Home in Grants Pass.
Lucile Merie Holmes
The graveside service for Lucile Merie Holmes will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Jacksonville Cemetery. Pastor Bob Roth of First Church of the Nazarene in Jacksonville will officiate.
Mrs. Holmes, 79, of Central Point, died Thursday (Aug. 26, 1999) at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Father Flanagan's Boys Home, P.O. Box 5000, Boys Town, NE 68010.
She was born July 4, 1920, in Sargent, Neb., a daughter of Stephen and Fannie (Dye) Huss.
She attended two years of college in Nebraska.
On July 16, 1945, in Broken Bow, Neb., she married Theodore Holmes, who preceded her in death. She moved to the Rogue Valley in 1959 from Nebraska.
Mrs. Holmes was a home economist. She enjoyed her poodle, April, gardening, bird watching and feeding hummingbirds.
Survivors include three sons, Stephen, Royce and Perry, all of Central Point; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements: Central Valley Cremation & Funeral Care.
Edna Alice Gates
The funeral for Edna Alice Gates will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Zion Lutheran Church in Medford. The Rev. Lou Schneider will officiate. The cryptside service will follow in Memory Gardens Memorial Park.
Mrs. Gates, 91, of Medford, died Wednesday (Aug. 25, 1999) at her home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1051, Medford, OR 97501, or to Providence Community Health Foundation, Hospice, 1111 Crater Lake Ave., Medford, OR 97504.
She was born Edna Brewold on Feb. 5, 1908, in McCloud, Calif.
She attended beauty college in Portland. She moved to the Rogue Valley from Bend in 1924.
On Aug. 21, 1943, in Medford, she married William H. Gates, who died in 1976.
Mrs. Gates was a beautician at Vi's Beauty Shop in the Medford Hotel for many years.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she participated in the Esther Circle, Ladies Cut and Sew, and the Luther League. She also taught Sunday School for many years, and assisted in writing the history of Zion Lutheran Church in the late 1970s.
An avid fisherwoman and international traveler, she enjoyed needlework, ceramics and gardening.
Survivors include a son, William "Bill," Medford; a daughter, Sharon I. Ferris, Olympia, Wash.; two brothers, Earl Brewold, Medford, and Harold Brewold, Shasta Lake, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Friends may pay their respects from 3 to 7:30 p.m. today in Memory Gardens Mortuary in Medford.
Viola M. Wisniewski
Viola Metty Wisniewski, 91, of Merlin, died Saturday (Aug. 21, 1999) at Royale Gardens in Grants Pass.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 1131 N.E. Tenth St., Grants Pass, OR 97526.
She was born July 27, 1908, in Attleboro, Mass., a daughter of Joseph and Almeria Metty.
She was married to Matthew John Wisniewski for 50 years. He died in 1982.
Mrs. Wisniewski was an accountant for many years. She also worked in the cooking and painting industries. She moved to Merlin 13 years ago from San Diego, Calif.
She was a member of the Western Welcome Newcomers and Senior Singles Club in Grants Pass.
Mrs. Wisniewski enjoyed crafts, including knitting, crocheting, tatting, and music. She spoke and read French, and enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include a son, Robert J., Grants Pass; a daughter, Anne C. Kaun, Merlin; and two grandchildren.
Arrangements: Telophase Cremation Society, Medford.
Grace R. Tolliver
The memorial service for Grace R. Tolliver will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Phoenix. The Rev. John Braund will officiate.
Mrs. Tolliver, 79, of Medford, died Tuesday (Aug. 24, 1999) at Three Fountains Nursing Home in Medford.
She was born Feb. 26, 1920, in Kloten, N.D., a daughter of Peter and Alga Resendahl.
On Oct. 9, 1949, in Las Vegas, she married Gene A. Tolliver, who survives.
She moved to the Rogue Valley in 1979 from Canoga Park, Calif.
Mrs. Tolliver was office manager for Lockheed Corporation in Burbank, Calif., for many years during World War II and the Korean War.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include a daughter, Vicki White, Newberry Park, Calif.; and one grandchild.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Mortuary, Medford.
Byron J. Sherman
The memorial service for Byron J. Sherman will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in Bethel Assembly of God in Medford. Pastor Tim Olson will officiate.
Mr. Sherman, 92, of Medford, died Aug. 18, 1999, in Medford.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Assembly of God, 1225 E. McAndrews Road, Medford, OR 97504.
Survivors not listed in a previous obituary include a brother, Glen Sherman, Payette, Idaho; and a sister, Bette Sharman, Coronado, Calif.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Mortuary, Medford.
David Goodrich
The graveside service for David Goodrich will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Eagle Point National Cemetery. A celebration of life memorial will be at 1 p.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church in Central Point. The Rev. Dwayne Brown will officiate.
Mr. Goodrich, 68, of Medford, died Wednesday (Aug. 25, 1999) at Hearthstone.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 456 W. Pine St., Central Point, OR 97502, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 698, Medford, OR 97501.
He was born May 16, 1931, in Boston. He moved to the Rogue Valley from California in 1953.
On Feb. 3, 1973, in Central Point, he married Opal Stephenson, who died in 1996.
Mr. Goodrich retired from the federal government, where he worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Survivors include two daughters, Pam Wyatt, Central Point, and Judy Butts, Roseburg; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements: Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford.
