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Erwin Byerley
January 2, 2007
Erwin Byerley, 73, of Sweet Home, passed away on Tuesday. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Rita Diane Oden
September 27, 1942 - January 9, 2007
On Tuesday, January 09, 2007, Rita Diane Oden, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend, was peacefully lifted up and released from her recent medical struggles and welcomed to God's eternal loving home. Rita leaves behind many loved ones whose lives are forever changed through her examples of strength, Christ-like love and easy-going spirit. With mounting cancer trials later in life, Rita showed strength in the knowledge of her increasing illness, and faced diversity with courage and optimism.
Rita was the second of five children born to Henry and Margaret Rebbe on September 27, 1942 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where her father was employed as Superintendent of Schools. Her family later moved to Southern California in the early 50’s, where she graduated from Burbank High School in 1959. She attended the University of Southern California, majoring in microbiology, where she met her soul mate, Clifford L. Oden, and later married on September 12, 1964.
While moving from Southern California to New York during Cliff’s employment, together they raised three beautiful children, Craig, Eric, and Kimberli. The family was relocated to Brea, California in 1970 when ARCO relocated their corporate headquarters to Los Angeles. From 1970 to 1989, both Rita and Cliff volunteered their time and energies to many community organizations and youth programs that their children participated. The two were instrumental in the development and operation of both the Brea Booster & Community Foundations, while spearheading the planning, development and eventual construction of the new modern technologically advanced Brea High School.
When Rita’s husband Cliff retired from Atlantic Richfield Company in 1985 due to health problems, both of them set search over the next four years for the perfect retirement home and community, eventually settling in Foster, Oregon in 1989. Finding their “Dream Home” along side Foster Lake (Cliff thinks he’s a fisherman), both Rita and Cliff formed new friendships and became involved in many local community activities and economic development programs. In 1990, they teamed up with Marge Gail and other community organizers in developing the Sweet Home Economic Development Group and the initial Oregon Jamboree that continues today to benefit from their contributions.
Rita’s talents were many; including cooking, card making, calligraphy, needlework, scrap booking, and playing the electric piano. In addition to her God given abilities to touch the lives of all she met, Rita’s greatest accomplishments, memories, and fondest moments came as a wife, mother, and grandmother when preparing large festive meals on holidays and special occasions for the entire family and friends. She lovingly devoted her life to the relationship she shared with her husband Cliff, working side by side in accomplishing their shared interests and visions.
Rita’s presence in this life will be greatly missed. Her smile, charisma, and simple ability to bring joy and meaning to all those around her will continue to flourish in the lives that she has touched and shall serve as an example of her everyday belief that our true life's prodding and highest calling along its path is to truly love one another.
Rita is survived by her loving husband, Clifford Lorance Oden; her two sons Craig Lorance Oden and Eric Douglas Oden; her daughter Kimberli Jo (Oden) Schmidt; her step-daughter Michele Reichardt Robelen; her adoring grandchildren, Victoria and Katelyn Schmidt, Danielle, Dominique and Desire Oden; sisters Bette Tillett and Lana Fredericks; her brother Randall Rebbe; nieces and nephews Daniel and Dale Marks, Ted and Tim Oden, Debbie Tracy, Shannon Tillett, Cory Tillett, and Erin Fredericks.
A private celebration of Rita’s life will be held at her and Cliff’s residence on Saturday, January 13th starting at noon.
Arrangements by Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Donald Briles
March 6, 1946 - January 15, 2007
Donald Briles, 60, of Sweet Home passed away Monday, January 15. He was born to Ray and Nyle (Austin) Briles in Modesto, California.
“Donny” came to Sweet Home in the mid 70’s. He was employed by Willamette Industries and Weyerhaeuser for many years in the Sweet Home area. He enjoyed serving as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 19 years.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Briles, of Sweet Home; daughter, Shelby, and her husband, Nicholas Reynders, of Corvallis; mother, Nyle Briles, of Reno, Nevada; and sister, Jean Curtis, also of Reno, Nevada.
Donny was preceded in death by his father, Ray Briles, and three brothers, Bob, Ray, and Nelson Briles.
Services will be Saturday, January 20, at 2:00 pm at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sweet Home. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.
Jerimiah G. Crocker
March 28, 1981 - February 4, 2007
Jerimiah G. Crocker, 25, of Sweet Home, died Sunday. He was born to Perry and Juanita (Barnard) Crocker in Lebanon.
Jerimiah was raised in Sweet Home, but as an adult lived in Albany, Eugene, and most recently, Portland. He worked in landscaping and yard work. Jerimiah was a Christian. He enjoyed fishing, movies, baseball, soccer, writing, and music.
He is survived by father, Perry Crocker, and mother, Juanita Crocker; sister, Lacy N. Crocker; grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Jerimiah was preceded in death by grandmother, Evonne Marquis; grandfather, Alvin Crocker; and great grandmother, Juanita McGhee.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 11:00 am at Sweet Home Assembly of God located at 890 Mountain View Road in Sweet Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Perry and Juanita Crocker, c/o Sweet Home Assembly of God Church. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.
Baby Pheobe Olson
February 6, 2007
Baby Pheobe Olson, born to parents Jeremy Olson and Kim Schwartz of Albany.
The family has planned no services.
Billy Francis Baker
December 4, 1917 - February 8, 2007
Billy Francis Baker, 89, of Sweet Home passed away Thursday at his home. He was born in Portland to Jess and Sarah (Baker) Baker.
Billy was an engineer for Burlington Northern Rail Road for 41 years. He was a life member of the Elks BPOE 1972 in Sweet Home. In his younger years, he liked playing golf and dancing. He liked going to the games and watching on TV his favorite sport, baseball. His favorite team was the Dodgers.
Billy is survived by his extended family, Ray and Shirley Lamb and family of Sweet Home; Sharon Rains and Jerry Kittson with all their children; Cousin Patti and Bob Armstrong of Aumsville; and two nieces, Valeria and Janet.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Gertrude Winquist, and by his brother, Richard Baker, who died during WWII.
Viewing will be 8:00-10:00 am Wednesday at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 am. Final entombment will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday at Portland Memorial.
Effie Mae Rowell
April 12, 1916 - February 10, 2007
Effie Mae Rowell, 90, of Sweet Home, passed away Saturday at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. She was born in Lebanon to Henry Clarence and Gilley Bell (Gould) Sylvester.
She married Leonard Pitman as a young lady. This marriage ended in divorce. Effie remarried later to Leonard Rowell. Leonard pasted away in the 1960’s. Effie lived in the Lebanon, Sweet Home, and Crawfordsville area most of her life. Era Mackey, her neice, was her close campanion until Era passed away two months ago.
Effie is survived by her daughter, Geraldine Pitman, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her son, Dale Rowell; brothers, Ellis, Edward, Carl, Clyde, and Neil; and sisters, Grace, Martha, Margaret, Marjorie, Rosie, and Ruth.
Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, February 13, at 2:30 pm at Twin Oaks Rehab located at 950 Nandina Street in Sweet Home. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.
Robert Elwood Howes
December 21, 1918 - February 11, 2007
Robert Elwood Howes, 88, of Sweet Home died Sunday. He was born to Charles and Ethel (Millard) Howes, the youngest of five, in Sweet Home where he was born and raised.
Robert joined the Army and was a Corporal in WWII, stationed in the Azores. He met Patricia Joslyn in Blaine, Maine while based at Presqueisle Base. They were married in 1943.
Robert was a timber faller in his late teens and early twenties. He served as an Airplane Mechanic in the service. He worked in several saw mills. In 1959 he started working for Veals Furniture where he retired from. Robert was a member of Cascadia Mennonite Church. He was a rock hound and loved deer hunting and gardening.
Robert is survived by daughters, Pamela Lewis and husband Howard, Linda Johnsson (Sven) of Alaska; granddaughter, Leslie Simms of Sweet Home; two great granddaughters, two great grandsons, and one great, great grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, in 2000; brothers, Paul and Doug; sisters, Georgia, Gladys, and Florence; and niece, Carolyn.
Service will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 11:00 am at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.
Stella Elizabeth Simpson
August 2, 1920 - February 26, 2007
Stella Simpson, 86, of Sweet Home died Monday in her home. She was born to WM and Corie (James) Wilson in Oppelo, Arkansas.
She is survived by daughters, Joyce Nelson of Wolfe City, Texas, Karen Nelson of Sweet Home; son, Vernon Simpson of Sweet Home; three sisters, Willie Bloomer of Little Rock, Arkansas, Sibel Strauss of Bryant, Michigan, Laverne Thompkins Mt. Morrison, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and two great, great grandchildren.
Stella was preceded in death by husband, Fay Robert Simpson; sister, Gertrude Eddy; and brother, Arthur Wilson.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 3, at 10:00 am at New Hope Pentecostal in Sweet Home. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.
Dawn Elaine (Whipple) Peek
May 21, 1967 - February 28, 2007
Dawn Peek, 39, of Albany died Wednesday. She was born to Dan and Cora Anne (Zastrow) Whipple in Lebanon. She fought Type I Diabetes since she was 18 months old.
Dawn grew up in Blue River, but lived in Lebanon, Springfield, and Florence before moving to Albany. She was married to Scott Peek on June 26, 2004 in Albany.
She loved arts and crafts, drawing, sewing, and crocheting. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, and the outdoors. The loves of her life were her husband, her daughter, and her cats.
Dawn was survived by husband, Scott Dean Peek, and daughter, Elizabeth Anderson, of Eugene; father and step-mother, Dan and Barbara Whipple of Lebanon; mother, Cora Anne Shields, and husband, Lyle, of Athena; brother, David Ethan, of Ontario; grandmother, Nora Carr Hopper, of Lebanon; and numerous aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
A memorial service will be 1:00 pm Friday, March 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long Street, to help defray service costs. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
