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Ruby Fern Durbin
Ruby Fern Durbin passed away peacefully on May 13, 2005 at her home in Ashland surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her sister Opal Sears of Medford; two daughters, Melisa and Mark Raffaelli of Yreka, Leslie and Terry Rice of Ashland; one son, John Durbin of Portland; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Ruby was born on August 24,1920 in Weatherford, Oklahoma to Ernest and Mayme Robertson. She moved with her family to Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated from high school there in 1939. She married James (Jimmy) Durbin on June 1,1941 in Indianapolis. During WW II, Ruby and Jimmy lived on bases all over the country, in Officer Training with the Army Air Force. Ruby had many fond memories of those years and she made lifelong friends everywhere they went. She and Jimmy discovered beautiful Oregon and moved to Bend, Oregon in 1948. They also lived in Portland, Oregon, Rainier, Oregon, and Yreka, California, settling in Ashland in 1974.
Ruby was Ashland's "Welcome Wagon Lady" from 1975-1988, welcoming over 3,000 new residents to Ashland. She founded the Ashland Newcomer's Club in 1975, which still meets today. She was also a successful salesperson for Odyssey Tours for several years. Ruby was an active member of the United Methodist Church all of her life, a Community Concert Board Member, a Girl Scout Leader, a Children's Home Society member, a Rotary Anne, and a faithful volunteer for Handicapped Children's Activities, Ashland Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.
She enjoyed talking and listening to her family and friends, being in the woods, attending all kinds of musical performances and plays, and cooking wonderful home-style meals. She was a fantastic mother and grandmother.
Ruby will be remembered for her friendly, caring spirit, her frankness, her strong faith and her love of everyone.
She will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Ashland.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Ashland First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 175 N. Main St., Ashland, Or. 97520.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Medford.
Lois Newman
Lois Newman, long time resident of Ashland died May 8th, 2005 at 87 years of age.
While residing in Ashland she was active in NOW, the ACLU & the Unitarian Fellowship. She most recently worked as a cook for Headstart, retiring at age 71.
She is survived by her two daughters, Connie Penn and Nancy Uzdavinis, and her son Jon Newman, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She will be missed immensely by all.
Violet L. George
The funeral for Violet Lanham George will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, Ashland. Interment will be at the Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point.
Mrs. George, 88, of Ashland, died Friday, May 20, 2005 at the Ashland Community Hospital.
She was born January 23, 1917 in Tucumcari, New Mexico the daughter of Claudia and Artie Maddox.
Violet was raised in Tucumcari and Montezuma, New Mexico. She attended the University of New Mexico where she earned a nursing degree. On June 21, 1941 in Albuquerque, NM she married Stanley H. George who survives. She lived in numerous cities in different states and Canada and lived in Ashland from 1951 to 1956. In 1980 she returned to Ashland from Salinas, CA.
Mrs. George was active in the LDS Church where she enjoyed young people and helping others. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed gardening and cooking.
In addition to her husband survivors include one son, Dick Stanley George of Alpine, Utah; two daughters Kathryn Louise Sonico of Oak Hills, CA and Claudia Lee Dowd of Aloha, OR; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in by one brother and two sisters.
Arrangements: Litwiller- Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Russell E. Blair Sr.
The memorial service for Russell Edward Blair Sr. will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005 at the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Mr. Blair, 88 of Medford, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at a Medford Foster Home.
He was born January 24, 1917 in Paradise, CA the son of Amanda and Walter Blair. He was raised in Medford and in high school was the first to kick-off a football game in the new Spiegelburg Stadium. During World War II, he served in the Army Signal Corp.
On July 11, 1942 at Tacoma, Washington he married the former Petronella Fullerton who preceded him in death in 1990.
Mr. Blair worked as a lineman for Copco for many years, followed by a time in the maintenance department of what was then known as Southern Oregon College. He retired in 1980. After his retirement he worked part-time as a parking attendant for Jackson County Federal Savings and Loan in Medford.
He enjoyed fishing, youth sports and his grandchildren. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Past District President of the Oregon State Employees Association.
Surviving are: two sons, Russell E. Blair, Jr. of Salem, and Michael L. Blair of Medford; one daughter, Sharon A. Westfall of Phoenix; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Michael Geoffrey Eastman
Michael Geoffrey Eastman, 65, died Tuesday (May 10, 2005) at his Medford residence. Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Berton Harry Miles
After a life of faithful, quiet service to his family, church, community, and country, Berton Harry Miles passed away on February 23, 2005.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Miles; and his two daughters Mona Miles Koehler and Mirinda (Mindy) Miles Petersen. He adored his daughters as he did his two grandchildren, Joel and Rachel Petersen. He loved his sons-in-law, Gary Koehler and Duane Petersen.
Born on May 28, 1917 in New York City, he was raised in Queens and never lost his New York accent. During World War II he was an aviation machinist in the US Coast Guard and served under the US Naval Command in the Pacific. Mr. Miles was recognized not only for his dedicated service but also for his off duty participation in athletic events sponsored for the entertainment of fellow service members.
Following his honorable discharge, Mr. Miles began a lengthy career in sales with the public utility industry whereby he traveled the country. In 1949 he met and married his wife. The couple raised their two girls in Ohio and Illinois. They have lived in Ashland since 1985.
Mr. Miles produced prolific vegetable and flower gardens enjoyed by family and friends. He played different sports and was admired for his athletic abilities. Always the adventurers, Bert and Betty traveled to remote wilderness areas and around the world. Wherever he was, Bert gave the gift of his smile and laughter.
Throughout his life Bert served as an acolyte, lay reader and crucifer in the Episcopal Church. His deep faith was evident in his quiet service to all people.
Listening to jazz music and dancing gave Bert great pleasure. Bert and Betty danced beautifully together. Watching them gracefully glide across a dance floor was a joy for others. We are thankful to God for the dance of shared life He gave to this couple.
A Memorial Service and inurnment for Berton Harry Miles will be on May 28, 2005 at 10 A.M., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 South 2nd Street, Ashland.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Bert Miles Acolyte Fund at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
