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Esther Frances Heavin
Esther Frances Heavin, 81, of Harbor, died Nov. 4, 2003, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
She was born Oct. 17, 1922, in Granby, Mo. to Alfred Francis and Pearl Pauline Palmer Blunk as the second child in a family of three.
She was raised in Treece, Mo., and graduated from high school in Columbus, Kan.
She married
Leonard Joy Heavin Oct. 31, 1942, in Columbus. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year.
Esther and Leonard lived and raised their son and daughter in Joplin, Mo., Orange, Texas, Overland Park, Kansas, Henderson, Kentucky, and Olympia, Washington. They retired in Brookings in 1988.
She enjoyed raising her children, cooking, feeding everyone including the neighborhood children, friends and even pets. She also played Canasta. She was recognized in Olympia, Wash. for giving the most lavish and enjoyable champagne parties. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved to spoil her two granddaughters with presents and candy, her family said.
Mrs. Heavin's wish was to spend the last days of her life in her home overlooking the Pacific Ocean with her husband by her side.
Her family appreciates the many friends and caregivers from southern Oregon who gave so much to make her last few years comfortable and helped her accomplish her wish.
Survivors include her husband, of Harbor; son Christopher Curtis Heavin of San Diego; daughter Candice Heavin Benn of San Diego; brother Alfred Lee Blunk of Broken Arrow, Okla.; sister Letafay Weien of Springfield, Mo; brother-in-law John Heavin and his wife Amy of Joplin, Mo.; sisters-in-law Margaret Richardson of Baxter Spring, Kan., Lucille Starrett of Columbus, Kan., Rose Eagleson and her husband Jack of Columbus, Betty Lou Stanley of Columbus; granddaughters Melanie Corinna and Jessica Nicole Benn of San Diego.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
On Nov. 10, her family and friends held an old fashioned Irish wake at her home in Brookings.
At her wishes, a formal memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Nov. 24, at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 706 Byers St., Joplin, Mo. Long-time friend, and minister, Father Patrick will be officiating.
The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the National Meningitis Association at http://www.nmaus.org or 22910 Chestnut Rd., Lexington Park, MD 20653. This organization is working to eliminate a devastating disease that disabled their granddaughter.
Arrangements are under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
Clarence "Red" Hare
Clarence "Red" Hare, 86, of Brookings, died Nov. 2, 2003, at his home after a long illness.
He was born Nov.14, 1916, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, to Charles H. Hare and Christina Schenburger.
He grew up in Lodi, Calif. and San Francisco. Some of his fondest childhood recollections were of his membership in the San Francisco Boys Club.
He married
Lucille Henry on Oct.10, 1942.
He served in the South Pacific with the Navy Seabees from Dec. 2, 1942, until the end of World War II aboard the Floating Dry Dock USS ABSD1. His contributions to helping win the war were as part of a team which provided repair of battle damaged naval vessels.
He lived with his wife and daughter in Arcadia, Calif. until 1951 when they relocated to Ukiah, Calif., where he worked as a supervisor at Masonite until his retirement in 1973.
He served in the Ukiah community, including as president of the Ukiah Men's Golf Club.
He and his wife moved to Brookings in 1989 where he enjoyed fishing and woodworking in his shop.
He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, honesty, dependability, strength of character, and craftsmanship, his family said.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille; daughter, Christine McCord of Potter Valley, Calif.; grandchildren Adam Colby of Middletown, Calif., Audrey Ortez and Brook McCord of Ukiah; great-grandchildren Lenae and Casey Colby of Middletown and Ryan Ortez of Ukiah.
At Mr. Hare's request no service will be held and his ashes will be buried at sea.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Curry County Hospice, P.O. Box 746, Gold Beach.
RUTH KUNTZ TOWNE
Ruth Kuntz Towne, 87, formally of Brookings, died in Oldsmar, Fla., on Nov. 9, 2003, of natural causes.
She was born Aug. 22, 1916, in St. Paul, Minn., to Paul and Minnie Stenzel Kuntz.
She was in one of the first groups of women who became pilots, and was a member of The Ninety Nines, an international organization of women pilots, one of whose original members was Amelia Earhart.
In Brookings, she worked for contractor Mike Cremarosa during the development of the Brookhaven Subdivision. She enjoyed attending school board meetings, and was active in cancer awareness groups. She was an avid gardener.
There are no services planned. Interment was at W. J. Ward Memorial cemetery in Brookings.
Arrangements are under the directions of Redwood Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
RAYMOND 'RAY' GARDNER
Raymond "Ray" Gardner, 93, died at his home in Gold Beach on Nov. 12, 2003, of natural causes.
He was born May 3, 1910, in Portland to Harry Ray and Margareta Johnson Gardner.
He married
Ellen E. Smallwood in Westfir on Aug. 20, 1936.
He held a position with the Oregon State Police as a game officer, where he served for 30 years, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, of Gold Beach; son Phillip Ray Gardner of Albany; daughters Joan Fournier of Klamath, Calif. and Barbara Edgar of Gold Beach; sister June Palmer Rice of Brookings; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and oldest granddaughter, Debbie DeGross.
He preferred that there be no public service.
Cremation is under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
GEORGE L. LAUNER
George L. Launer, 86, of Brookings died at home on November 7, 2003, of natural causes.
He flew as a fight engineer for Pan American Airlines during and shortly after World War II. Pan American Airlines was under contract to the U.S. Air Force, and 50 years later, he received a U.S. Air Force discharge with medals. After too many close calls, he opted for being an aircraft inspector which he continued until his retirement in 1977.
He kept busy several years owning Brookings Bikes and Boards here in Brookings.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred, of Brookings; daughter Sharon Knickerbocker of Bradenton, Fla.; numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son Roger Launer.
Cremation was under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
