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Samuel Stephen Rath
Jan. 12, 1981 - Nov. 30, 2004
Sam Rath, beloved son of Anne Elizabeth Gordon and Stephen J. Rath and a lifelong resident of the Rogue Valley, was killed in Ashland on Tuesday, November 30.
He was born in Ashland, attended Ruch Grade School, McLoughlin Junior High, and South Medford High School. He was an avid soccer player and a member of the SMHS team in 1997 when they won the state championship.
Sam was a sensitive, creative soul, who loved listening to music, hanging out with family and friends, and going for long walks, but he was most fond of his tobacco.
A bright light whose real gifts defy description, he is sorely missed by his family, including numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as his friends in the Rogue Valley.
Sam is survived by his mother, Anne Gordon of Talent; his step-father, Scott Langdon Thompson of Medford; his sister Meghan Louise Thompson of Talent; and his brother Jacob Scott Thompson of Medford; his paternal grandparents Mary and Charles Rath of New City, NY; and maternal grandmother Nancy Gordon Quinn formerly of Trail, now living in Poulsbo, WA. He was preceded in death by his father, Stephen J. Rath of Ashland, and his grandfather, James Quinn of Trail.
A memorial service will be held at Ruch Comunity Church at 2 p.m. Wed., Dec. 8.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Jackson County Mental Health, 1005 E. Main, Medford, 97504-7448 Arrangements; Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home in Ashland.
Toni Porter
A funeral service will be held for Toni Porter at Conger Morris, (715 W. Main, Medford), on Wednesday, December 8th at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Web Staunton officiating. Viewing will be held Tuesday, December 7, from 1:00-7:30 p.m. Interment will be in Jacksonville cemetery.
Toni passed away when the red Jeep which she loved to drive, skidded on a patch of ice on Sterling Creek and she was ejected.
Antonia "Toni" Marquita Botello was born February 22, 1965 in San Bernardino, CA to Betty Deardorff Botello, who survives.
On May 22, 1993, in Shady Cove, OR she married
Timothy Kent Porter, who survives.
Toni lived in the Rogue Valley for the past 30 years. Eighteen of those years were spent with her loving husband Tim and her stepchildren Chris and Danielle, and recently with the granddaughter she adored, Ryann.
Toni worked for the City of Medford in the Public Works Dept. for the last eight years. She enjoyed life to its fullest and was usually surrounded by a group of family and friends doing the things she enjoyed most: watching football, rafting, camping, hiking, fishing, softball and just hanging out.
In addition to those mentioned above, she will be sorely missed by her many friends and family. These include four brothers, Delmar Botello of WA., Ted Botello of Alturas, CA., and Jullian and Marc of Grants Pass, OR.; and three sisters, Shariie Mill of Las Vegas, NV., Bonnie Miner and Lisa Martin of Williams, OR.
Vera Mae Force
A funeral for Vera Mae Force will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel. Dwayne Robinson for Ashland Baptist Church will officiate.
Vera Mae Force, 66, of Grants Pass, died Thursday (Dec. 2, 2004) in Grants Pass.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 S.E. 8th Street, Grants Pass, Or. 97526.
She was born on June 11, 1938 in Harlan, IA. She grew up in Medford and Eagle Point. On June 20, 1956 she married
Don Force. After their marriage they moved to Grants Pass.
Mrs. Force worked as a librarian.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Grants Pass.
Mrs Force enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include sons, Mike of Kirkland, WA, and Pat of Eugene; daughter-in-laws, Julie Force of Kirkland, WA, Mindy Force of Eugene; sisters, Gail Wiggins of Medford, and Jean Kiser of Keizer, OR; brothers, Tom Farley of Central Point, Glen Farley of Eagle Point; and five grandchildren, Jessica Force of Grants Pass, Mike Force Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; Daniel, Nathan and Wesley Force all of Eugene.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Mortuary, Medford.
William Edward Osborn
William "Bill" Osborn, 84, of Medford, died Thursday (Dec. 2, 2004) at Hearthstone Manor, Medford.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1920 in New Castle, IN. On June 28, 1940 in Middletown, IN, he married
Elsie Louise Kellam who survives.
Mr. Osborn worked as a plumber at Portland State, Universtiy of Oregon, and locally at Modern Plumbing.
He served 22 months in the U.S. Navy during WW II.
Mr. Osborn was an Elder at Rogue Valley Christian Church.
He enjoyed photography, fishing and visiting his family.
In addition to his wife survivors include three daughters, Pat Ketcham and her husband Fred of Central Point, Bobbie Jean Collins and her husband Doug of Wilder, ID, Rebecca Adams and Steve Adams of Eugene; two sons, Garris and Kathy Osborn of Hillsboro, OR and Larry and Heather Osborn of Medford; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a son Gerald and a great-grandson Jonathan McElravy.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at Rogue Valley Christian Church, Medford.
The family requests please no flowers but contributions can be made to Mexico Well Drilling and Bible College Scholarships through Rogue Valley Christian Church, 1440 S. Oakdale, Medford, OR 97504.
Bruce Allen Ferrell
Bruce Allen Ferrell, 80, of Phoenix, died Sunday (Dec. 5, 2004). Arrangements; Hillcrest Mortuary, Medford.
Lucille Bell
Lucille Bell, 77, of Gold Hill, died Sunday (Dec. 5, 2004) at Providence Medford Medical Center. Arrangements; Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Nelma H. Buck
Nelma H. Buck, 81, of Coal Valley, IL, (formerly of the Rogue Valley), died Dec. 2, 2004. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wed., Dec. 8, at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel, Medford.
Tom Davis
Tom Davis, 82, of Shady Cove, died Monday (Dec. 6, 2004) at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Arrangements; Conger-Morris Funeral Directors, Medford.
Connie M. Nicholls
Connie Nicholls (Page), age 80, died on December 29, 2004 at her home in Butte Falls, OR.
She was born in Robertsonville, Canada and the family moved to MI when she was 9 months old. On June 12, 1948, Connie married
Joseph C. Nicholls (who preceded her in death in 1996), and they resided in Oak Park, MI for 53 years.
Connie loved football, crossword puzzles, and casinos, and recently celebrated her 80th birthday in Reno, NV with family and friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Janice Schultz (Terry), and Carol McGrath (Brian) of Butte Falls, OR; her son, Jim Nicholls (Betty) of Ferndale, MI; her sisters, Monica Clancy, Chris Pidek, Mary Murray, and Judy Calverley who all reside in Michigan. Connie had two granddaughters, Julie and Samantha Nicholls, a grandson, Kyle Mumby, and a great-grandson, Christopher Mumby, who all reside in Ferndale. Her son, Joseph Nicholls, Jr, preceded her in death in 1977.
Memorial services will be held at Spaulding and Curtin Funeral Home in Ferndale, MI.
Contributions may be made to Providence Hospice, 1660 East McAndrews Rd, Medford, OR 97504.
Danny Dean Gairson
Danny Dean Gairson, 55, of Central Point, died December 26, 2004.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m., January 8, 2005 at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel, Medford, OR. Hank Nuckton of Jehovah's Witnesses, Gold Hill will officiate. Viewing will be from 3 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2005 Memorial contributions may be made to ALS Support Group, in Care of Betty Johnson, 2319 Beall Lane, Central Point, OR 97502.
He was born on February 10, 1949 in Grants Pass. On March 20, 2004, he married
Robin Martini in Central Point. He attended Crater High School and served in the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses of Gold Hill and Brothers of the Third Wheel.
Survivors include: wife, Robin Martini of Central Point; mother, Laura Gairson of Central Point; sons, Ryan and Jimmy of Medford; adopted daughter, Dee Fischer of Grants Pass; sister, Bonny Duda of Central Point; brother, Lonny Gairson of Central Point; six grandchildren; and lots of nieces and nephews.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford, OR.
Edward Lee Dwight
Edward Lee Dwight, 79, of Ashland, died Saturday (Dec. 11, 2004) at Ashland Community Hospital. He recently moved to Ashland's Linda Vista Care Center from Grants Pass.
He was born May 12, 1925 in Jacksboro, Texas to Alvin Knight and Donia Bottoms. On October 3, 1942, he joined the Marines; he fought in the Pacific, and was presented the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. On September 17, 1946, he married
Billie Jean Garrett, who preceded him in death July 15, 1961. Then on June 7, 1963, he married
Vivian Fielder, who preceded him in death December 20, 2003.
Mr. Dwight was a retired Professional Truck Driver who drove for many local companies. Pacific Fruit, Dudley Trucking, King/ Davis Trucking, Medply, and K-Lines. He enjoyed painting, fishing, camping and being with his family.
He is survived by three daughters, Sherry Hammon and Reda Stroup, both of Susanville, CA and Robin Dwight of Crescent City, CA; a son, Bruce Dwight of Ashland; two step-sons, Darrell Fielder of Texas and Rick Fielder of Rogue River; three half sisters, Laverne Harris of Ft. Stockton, TX, Vella Jean Walls of Kermit, TX, and Doylene Ferguson of Odessa, TX; two half brothers, Leonard Knight of Grand Falls, TX and Ted Dwight of Lakeside, CA; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a half sister, Elizabeth Rader of Will Point, TX.
He was Big Ed or Edderd to his driving buddies, Buck or Lee to his brothers and sisters, and Dad to us kids. Either way, he was a loyal trusting friend, a loved and "looked up to" big brother, and a caring loving father.
We will miss you and you'll always be in our hearts. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Eagle Point National cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Ed Dwight may be sent to The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038-1132, 1-800-342-2383.
Arrangements: Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford.
Harold Francis Wolf
A memorial service for Harold Francis Wolf will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005 at Ashland Christian Fellowship.
Mr. Wolf, 94, of Talent, died Dec. 3, 2004 at Ashland Community Hospital.
Arrangements; Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Howard Leon Ashcraft
The Funeral service for Howard Leon Ashcraft will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Medford.
Those who wish may pay their respects at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m., Monday, January 3, 2005.
Mr. Ashcraft, 68, of Medford, died Tuesday (December 28, 2004) at his residence.
He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He resided for many years on the Greensprings where he was raised and attended Lincoln Grade School. He later graduated from Ashland High School.
Mr. Ashcraft was employed as a road maintenance worker for Oregon State Highways where he maintained roads in the summer and plowed snow in the winter months. He relocated with his parents in their residence on Fern Valley Road where he worked for Bear Creek Orchards until his disability from a back injury.
He loved fishing and hunting and continued enjoying these sports until chronic health problems limited his outdoor activities. His favorite pastime was watching cloud formations and being with Ozzie, the family dog.
He was baptized along with his Dad in 1996 and remained a member of New Life Church of God, Medford. He was also active with Acts 1:8 ministry, singing with others at local nursing home church services.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1994 and his dad in 2000. He leaves his sister, Dorris Kerby, who had been his caregiver for the past 11 years, also of Medford; his brothers, Raymond of Medford, Kenneth of Gold Beach, Robert of Klamath Falls; sister, Kathryn Baley of Redding, CA; his aunt, Santina Ashcraft of Ashland; Uncle Gordon Ashcraft of Lapwai, ID; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vernon Dale Alley
Vernon Dale Alley passed away of heart failure on December 27, 2004, at the age of 60, while visiting family in California.
He was born on July 24, 1944 in Springfield, Missouri. He moved with his family to the Rogue Valley in 1954.
Vern graduated from Ashland High School in 1962. He received a BA in History in 1967 at Southern Oregon State University and a MA in History at University of Oregon in 1969.
On June 21, 1969, Vern married
Janie Louise Baldwin. The family lived in Medford and Eagle Point and moved to Yuba City, CA in 1974. In 1976, they moved to Sitka, Alaska and Vern worked for Alaska Lumber and Pulp Co. In 1983 he began working for Klukwan Forest Products in Long Island, AK. Vern began his own timber cruising business, Northwest Forest Inventory, Inc. in Lebanon, Oregon in 1995.
Vern was very proud of his three children and seven grandchildren. His later years were very much devoted to them. His latest joy, Grandson Jason Dale Alley, was named in honor of him.
Vern's greatest love, other than his family, was always the woods. He originally learned to cruise timber from his dad, Otto. He loved history but never as much as tromping through the woods. Trees were what Vern really knew - he had an impeccable eye for their worth. He got to do what he loved and for that he was always grateful.
Vern's parents, Otto Burrell and Christine May Alley preceded him in death.
Vern is survived by: his brothers Robert of Walla Walla, WA and Paul of Pleasanton, CA; his sisters, Judy Murray of Klamath Falls, OR and Mary Hoag of Medford, OR; his children, Marc of Albany, OR, Raenee Selby of Lebanon, OR and Marcy Jasper of Wasilla, Alaska; his grandchildren, Anthony, Michael, Natasha and Keeanna of Lebanon, OR and Zoe, Paris, and Jason of Albany, OR; his nephews Randy and Bill Alley of CA. and Brian Alley of Idaho; his nieces Gina Murray and Kate Alley of Medford, OR; his grandnephew Ryan Alley of CA.
Violet Viola Watkins
Violet Viola Watkins, 93, of Central Point, died Wednesday (Dec. 29, 2004). A private family inurnment will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Point Public Library.
She was born on July 18, 1911 in Cottage Grove, OR. She moved to the community 27 years ago.
Violet enjoyed reading and bowling.
Survivors include a son, Donald V. Watkins of Central Point, OR; a daughter, Jeannie Alexander of Bethany, MO; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Watkins in 1977.
Arrangements: Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford.
