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Evan Burke
Fear no more the heat o'th' sun Nor the furious winter's rages. Thou thy worldly task hast done. Home art gone and ta'en thy wages. Golden lads and girls all must. As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. (Cymbeline, William Shakespeare)
Evan Burke, 21, died Sunday, March 6, 2005, of injuries suffered in a skateboarding/ auto accident. Evan was a kind and generous person, and his last act was the gift of his life. His heart already beats in another body, and through the donation of his liver, eyes, bone marrow and tissue, he will continue to touch lives. A friend remarked, "They say that when a heart is transplanted, some of the personality is transferred. The person with Evan's heart will feel an occasional uncontrollable urge to take off his clothes and run around outside."
Evan was born on January 3, 1984, in Daly City, California. When he was three, the Burke family moved to Ashland, where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated in 2002 from Ashland High School's Wilderness Charter School, which transformed him from an angry, undirected boy into a loving, graceful, expressive man. He was an inspired artist (art was his major at Southern Oregon University) and an extraordinary cook. He loved the outdoors, hiking and making music with his friends. Walking down the street with Evan was a stop-and-start experience, as he paused every few feet to share a hug or have a conversation. He held no expectation about people, but allowed them to be who they were.
Evan will always be deeply loved, profoundly missed and joyfully celebrated by his parents, Jim and Lucille Burke, and his sister, Jocelyn, of Ashland; grandparents Roy and Gloria Burke of Long Beach, California, and Jim and Virginia Housel of Meadow Vista, California; uncle Richard Burke, Calgary, Alberta; aunt Katy Burke and cousin Isis, Paris, France; uncle Tom Housel and family, Pebble Beach, California; aunt Marian Watt and family, Rock Springs, Wyoming; and a large family of friends.
His parents greatly appreciate the love and support of the trauma surgeon and nurses at Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital.
A life celebration for Evan is scheduled for Sunday, March 13, at the Dorothy Stolp Theatre at Southern Oregon University. An informal gathering begins at 3:00, with a memorial at 4:30 and a potluck reception in the lobby before and afterwards. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to donate blood in Evan's name. Also a memorial fund in Evan's name has been set up at U.S. Bank in Ashland. Anyone wishing to contribute may call: 482-1522.
"If we marvel at the artist who has written a great book, we must marvel more at those people whose lives are works of art and who don't even know it, who wouldn't believe it if they were told. However hard work good writing may be, it is easier than good living." (Katherine Paterson)
Walter Wesley Weller, D.V.M.
In Loving Memory of Walter Wesley Weller, D.V.M. November 22, 1916 - February 26, 2005
Walter weller was born to Walter and Myrle Weller in Elizabeth, Colorado. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Two Buttes, Colorado and continued his education at Colorado State University. On November 5, 1938 he married his sweetheart, Elizabeth Holway, who immediately assumed a "help-mate" role in all respects thereafter. Walt graduated from Colorado State with a Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1942.
After serving a brief internship with a veterinarian in Grants Pass, Oregon, Walt and Betty established the Ashland Veterinary Hospital in 1943. After residing and working in Ashland for many years, they sold his practice in 1973 and moved to Corvallis, Oregon, eventually establishing the Eastgate Veterinary Clinic in 1975. While practicing in Ashland, he was very active in the community in numerous ways, including serving as president of the Lions Club, president of Ashland Chamber of Commerce and of the city council. He was President of the Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examination Board in 1966-67, and was granted a lifetime membership in the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association for Meritorius Service in 1982.
Walt and Betty have four children, Susan Stubblefield of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Gayle Speirs of Gold River, California, Wendy Thompson of Wilsonville, Oregon, and Wes Weller of Sacramento, California.
Walt was dedicated to his profession and to his family. He was a pilot and a skilled craftsman who handcrafted tables, stools, built a boat and helped his son make a dune buggy. He could repair or fix most anything. He lived an especially active, honest, and passionate life. He and Betty had recently begun a new chapter in their 66 years together by selling their home in Corvallis to relocate in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; his four children; his sister Mary Schone of Sacramento, California; eight grandchildren; Don Stubblefield, Laurisa Stubblefield, Andrea Wolf, Verne Speirs, Vance Thompson, Ben Thompson, Eric Weller, Danelle Weller, seven great grandchildren: Patrick Stubblefield, Raymond Smith, Logan Wolf, Madisen Wolf, Virginia Speirs, Elizabeth Speirs, Nicholas Thompson.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Johnston.
A Celebration of his life was held at his place of residence on March 2, in Wilsonville, Oregon. Dr. Weller was cremated at Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon and his ashes were interred at Mt. View Cemetery in Ashland, Oregon.
Eugene A. (Gene) Mayo
Gene Mayo died March 14 in Ashland, Oregon, after a short illness. Born in Scranton, PA on March 7, 1932, he was raised in Concord NH. After high school graduation he served 4 years in the Navy, on the Shannon, and as a flyer during the Korean conflict.
His career as a chemical engineer included years with Honeywell and with Gen-Rad, during which he held a dozen patents for his work. Gene was a noted fly-fisherman and contributed many articles to fishing magazines, including the Pennsylvania Angler and The Atlantic Salmon Journal.
Predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Anna (McDonnell), he is survived by his wife, Anna S. Horrigan of Ashland, his children, Eugene C. of Concord, NH, his daughter, Kimberly Izad and grandchild, Julia, of Florida, as well as stepchildren, Frank T. Horrigan of Philadelphia, PA, Kathleen Campbell of Glendale, CA, and Karen Fine of Eugene, OR, and their 5 children. He is also survived by his brothers, Donald and Walter Mayo of New Hampshire.
Cremation arrangements were made by Perl Funeral Home. A memorial service and internment will be held this spring at Calvary Cemetery, Concord, NH. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society, The Diabetes Foundation, or your local hospice.
Richard "Dick" Anson Leigh
Richard "Dick" Anson Leigh, aged 83, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2005 in Ashland, Oregon.
He was born January, 10, 1922 in Newberg, Oregon, the son of John and Agnes Leigh. On June 18, 1950 in Portland, he married Gloria Lusby, who survives.
Dick Leigh was a longtime resident of the Rogue Valley, having graduated from Ashland High School in 1939. He attended Southern Oregon College for two years, before serving in the Army during WWII. After his military service he returned to SOC, graduating in 1949 with a BA Degree in Education.
Dick taught at Briscoe and Lincoln Elementary Schools from 1949-1960. During this time he received his Masters Degree in Education from SOC. Mr. Leigh was a principal at Briscoe School for 20 years. Even in later life, he was fondly remembered by students and staff alike. He never forgot the many students and families whose lives he touched during his many years in education.
Dick is survived by his wife, Gloria; four daughters, Jacquelyn (Bill) Jacobs of Kirkland, WA, Victoria Leigh of Portland, OR, Deborah (Dan) Gettling of Klamath Falls, OR, Cynthia (Buddy) Burns of Jacksonville, OR; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, DeArmond Leigh and Lawrence Leigh. The family would like to thank Bryan Nelson, a dear neighbor of Dick and Gloria's who was always there to help when needed. They'd also like to express their thanks to the staff of Linda Vista Care Center whose dedication to the dignity and respect for all its residents will never be forgotten.
A private family service will be held this August at Odell Lake.
Memorial contributions can be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1650 NW Naito Pkwy, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Doris Marie Anderson
Doris Marie Anderson, 73, of Ashland, died Sunday (March 13, 2005) at Providence Medford Medical Center. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Gertrude Hilda Beecher
Gertrude Hilda Beecher, 88, of Ashland, died Sunday (March 13, 2005) at Linda Vista Care Center. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Rev. Ellis H. Butler
Graveside services for Rev. Ellis H. Butler will be held 11 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2005 at Scenic Hills Memorial Park, Ashland. A visitation will be held Sunday, March 20, 2005 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Rev. Ellis H. Butler, 83, passed away on March 15, 2005. Until recently he had been a resident of Ashland but had moved to Lacey, WA to be near his daughter.
He graduated from Iowa State College with a BS in Civil Engineering. After working for Eastman Kodak and a stint in the Navy, he entered McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Rev. Butler served churches in Council Bluffs, IA and Lincoln, NE followed by administrative positions in Christian Education and Synod Executive. Rev. Butler married Barbara Moeckly in 1944. They were married 52 years before she preceded him in death.
He is survived by their two children Diane of Lacey, WA and David of Azle, TX. Their son Peter died in infancy. He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed.
Ruth "G.G." DeLap
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. at Butte Creek Baptist Church in Eagle Point, OR. For directions or questions call 541-830-1187.
Una Maurean Ralph
Una Maurean Ralph, 65, of Talent, died Tuesday (March 15, 2005) at her residence. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Royce Hayward Mayo
Royce Hayward Mayo, 80, of White City, Oregon passed away on March 21, 2005 at his daughter's home after a battle with congestive heart failure and dementia.
Royce was a son of Lylia Clyde and Carrie Lee Mayo. He was born on July 4, 1924 in Newton County, Mississippi.
He served in the U.S. Navy for almost four years during World War II as a gunner's mate. He moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1952 where he worked for Jim Bush Ford. He owned and operated Mayo Custom Cabinets and Furniture for twenty-four years and owned his own roofing business in Medford for a number of years. Royce also performed in local establishments with his own country western band during his early years in Oregon.
Royce enjoyed putting his creative talents to work in his music and the beautiful furniture he created. He also loved fishing, hunting, and gold mining on the Applegate.
Survivors include: his beloved partner, Bonnie McGehee of White City; his former wife, Virginia (Elouise) James of Medford; his daughters, Mary Struck of White City, Betty Petersen of Lacey, Washington, and Virginia (Ginger) Baker of Fairbanks, Alaska; his sons Father Aiden (Jim) Mayo and Royce Lynn Mayo of Portland, Oregon; sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Bobby Mayo of Mississippi; sister Marie Perritt of Florida; and his extended family, Sam McGehee and Becky Kurz of Medford. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Hal; second wife, Joanne Mayo; and his extended family, Sandi Chapman and Brenda Jordan of White City, Oregon.
Private services will be held at a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Hospice.
Arrangements by: Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford.
