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Edith Bannister Thurmond
Feb. 18, 1913 - March 11, 2008
Vale - Edith Hester Bannister was born at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1913, in Lemoore, Calif., to parents Winnifred M. and William D. Bannister. Her father graduated from the University of Missouri in 1902 with a degree in physics and came from Cairo, Ill., where he had been the high school principal. He continued his career in education, relocating to Oxnard, Calif., where he went on to become superintendent of the Oxnard School District. He served on numerous boards and various civic organizations.
They lived on Magnolia Street in Oxnard, and somehow when you heard mom talk about it, you had visions of the old South. She talked of how most Sundays, if there was not already friends or acquaintances coming to dinner, they would invite someone over from church. She talked of going to Los Angeles for shopping trips or going to the Hollywood Bowl for symphony concerts.
She had a strong interest in athletics, relating how she used to watch soon-to-be Olympian Bud Houser practice by the hour while he was in school. She said with a twinkle in her eye that her father was often instrumental in seeing that some of the better athletes went on to USC, which was to become her alma mater.
Edith often talked fondly of her brother, Martin Woodfurd Bannister. He was five years her senior, having been born Nov. 12, 1907, in Cairo.
He was innovator in the then-developing radio technology, owning patents. She related he was always bringing home tubes and wiring and used the garage as his workshop. He later went on to serve his country with distinction in World War II, rising to the rank of colonel, helping design airfields and later cargo distributions for the invasion of Europe.
After graduating from high school, Edith furthered her education, first attending UCLA and then USC, from which she would graduate in 1932. This was the time of the “Roaring Twenties,” and Edith would say she was familiar with flappers and that some of the frats at UCLA had cabins which served as speak-easies in what was then a rural part of L.A. She joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority while attending USC, from which she developed many lifelong friends. She loved her time at USC, which gave her a background in business and accounting, which was to serve her later in life.
It was also at this time that Edith met the man who was to become her husband of 32 years, Alfred Frank Thurmond. He was attending the Leland Stanford Junior University, as it was known then, and from which he would graduate in 1931 with a degree in engineering.
Their romance was, at times, long distance, and mom said that dad was always full of the best stories, which could be attested to since she once heard one of the operators talking to another that she should listen in because this was “going to be good.” They were married June 24, 1938, in Santa Ana, Calif.
Dad had graduated at the time of the “Great Depression” and had gone back to run the family farm, which he did for 40 years until his retirement in 1972. Mom worked as bookkeeper for the packing shed, the Carpinteria Public Schools and, finally, a private school, the Cate School, until her retirement in 1972.
A daughter, Judith Ann, and a son, Richard William, were added to the family. Mom lost her mother to ovarian cancer while she was still in her 20s, and her father was severely injured in a car-pedestrian accident in the early ‘50s that left him confined to Camarillo State Hospital and of which, ironically, he had been appointed a trustee.
Mom and Dad retired to Harper, Ore., on the place in Little Valley, and in 1999, she moved in with her son in Vale, Ore.
Edith loved to garden and was a longtime member of the Vale Garden Club. She also loved to be with her grandchildren, going on many trips with them. The last few years of her life she received loving care from her son's mother-in-law, Camille Netcher, who saw to it that she made all those appointments.
Edith was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother, husband and daughter-in-law, Diana Thurmond. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Claire Roberts, Carpinteria, Calif.; her daughter, Judith Thurmond (Ken Shrewsbury), Copper Center, Alaska; son, Richard Thurmond, Vale, Ore.; and grandchildren, Nathan and Amanda Thurmond, Vale, Ore.
Funeral services are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vale, Ore. Interment services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Carpinteria Cemetery, in Carpinteria, Calif.
Alfred Ronald Godek
Aug. 13, 1940 - Jan. 27, 2008
Ontario — On Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, Alfred Ronald Godek returned to his loving Father in heaven.
He was born Aug. 13, 1940, in Meriden, Conn., to Alfred Peter and Helen Sujdak Godek. He attended Central Connecticut State College, where he received his degree in chemistry. He taught chemistry and mathematics in high school for one year before being drafted into the Army in 1966. He went to OCS and received his commission as a second lieutenant. He was then stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he met his wife, Rose Hatfield. He was then sent to Korea, where his assignment was to walk the DMZ daily.
Alfred spent his working years employed by Ash Grove Cement Company. His favorite pastimes were playing golf, gardening, fishing and helping family and friends.
Alfred was active in the LDS Church, serving in numerous callings: ward missionary, first counselor in branch presidency, financial clerk, Sunday School teacher, counselor in Ward Bishopric, high priest group leader, home teacher and ordinance worker at the Manti Temple.
Alfred is survived by his loving wife, Rose; children, Marie (Anthony) Merrill, Christine (Steve) Klamm and Joseph (Kathy) Godek; 10 grandchildren, Justin, Kira, Michelle, Ryker, John, Braxton, Aryel, Jaren, Matthew and Makayla; and a sister, Melanie (Donald) McKenna. Alfred was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at the Levan Chapel. A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at the Anderson Mortuary in Nephi, Utah. The interment will be at noon Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Sugar City, Idaho.
Serena Stephen Kessler
Jan. 9, 1921-Dec. 16, 2007
Vale — Serena Stephen Kessler, 86, passed away Dec. 16, 2007, with her children around her, singing her favorite hymns.
You are invited to share in her precious memory. Viewing is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario. Graveside services are noon, Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Owyhee Cemetery. Memorial service is at 2 p.m., Dec. 19, at Vale Christian Church, 450 A. St. West, Vale.
Serena was born Jan. 9, 1921, in Parma, Idaho, of Susan Wallace Norland and Axel Peterson Norland. She was raised in Parma, Idaho. Nov. 22, 1941, she married Joseph Joyce Stephen, a marriage of 55 years. May 25, 1997, she married Kenneth Kessler, a marriage of six years. Serena's sisters are Ida Findley and Axella Stephen. Her brothers are Daniel Norland and Lester Norland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter Jennifer Cox and brothers Art Norland, Palmer Norland, Roger Norland and Raymond Norland, and three great-grandchildren.
Serena's children are Pauline Sheehan, Joanne Anderson, Mark Stephen, Marilynn Mertes, Christine Markle, Peter Stephen, Ruth Fulleton, Fred Stephen and their families.
Her stepdaughters are Susan Chandler and Kay Johnson. Serena has 35 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.
After her children were in school, she graduated as LPN, 1965, and RN, 1975 ( at age 52). Her nursing career was a ministry to neighbors and local nursing homes and hospitals. Humble, yet passionate, she loved her family, all 89 of them. Other passions were chocolate, red, flowers — especially roses — music — especially piano, mandolin, banjo, organ and singing — and horses. She will be missed immensely. Long live her memory and what she instilled in her family!
Vivian J. Ungar Hunt
April 24, 1917 - Dec. 19, 2008
Ontario - Vivian J. Ungar Hunt, 91, Ontario, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at an Ontario assisted-living center. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario. Private burial will be at Valley View Cemetery, Vale. Vivian was born in the small prairie town of Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada, on April 24, 1917. She was the sixth of 10 children. She was a tomboy, ice skater, ball player, dancer and singer. Work started early for her, helping local farm ladies keep house and cook. School was important to her, and she did complete high school at Theodore. Through her sister in Calgary, she started writing to this motorcycle riding farmer from Vale. He showed up at her sister's when Vivian was visiting in May, 1939. After three days, which included a bike ride to and from Edmonton in one day, she became engaged to Bruce Hunt and agreed to marry him in a month. However, Bruce was a month late for his wedding as he had to put up a second cutting of hay and ride in a race. They did marry in Calgary, July 25, 1939, and returned to a small farmhouse west of Vale. It was bachelor quarters, but she whipped it, and the men, into shape real quick. In 1947, they sold out in Vale and moved to a farm near Chattanooga, Tenn., as Bruce was from Tennessee. Vivian never liked the hills and trees, and she missed the wide open spaces. Due to a drought, Bruce sold out in 1953, and, on their way back to Oregon, Vivian tried to have Bruce Jr. in Denver but got on a plane to Boise so she could have her baby back at home. They bought a farm on Railroad Avenue in 1955 and never left the Ontario area again. Bruce Sr. died in 1998 after 59 years of marriage. Vivian lived on her own until October 2006. With her mental state failing, she then went into assisted living. Vivian was an active member of Treasure Valley Baptist Church since its beginning. The family wants to thank Don and Nancy Allen for their faithfulness in picking her up for church every Sunday for years. A special thanks to the wonderful and loving caregivers at Wellsprings, Presbyterian Community Care Center and Heart 'n Home Hospice for taking such good care of her in her last year. Vivian is survived by her daughters, Barbara Holm and Louanne (Dan) Harrington; and her son, Bruce (Angela) Hunt; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Rita, Ida and Eileen.
Keith Warren Oldemeyer
Jan. 25, 1953- Dec. 13, 2008
Nyssa - Keith Warren Oldemeyer passed away Dec. 13, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Keith was born Jan. 25, 1953, in Prosser, Wash. Keith was the first child of Donald and Eileen Oldemeyer. Two years later, the family moved to Nyssa, where Keith attended school and excelled as a student and athlete. He earned the honor of Eagle Scout. His successes led to his appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1971.
Four years later, Keith graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and began his career as a U.S. naval officer. While serving on the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, he obtained his surface warfare officer qualifications and qualified as officer of the deck, responsible for the safe operation and navigation of the ship. He spent the last two years of his service as an officer recruiter in Boise, leaving the service with the rank of lieutenant.
Keith began the next stage of his life in the Treasure Valley, when he sold investment securities and then later spent several years farming in Nyssa.
He met and married his first wife, Terry, during this time. They had two girls, Lacey and Brianna. Keith and Terry eventually divorced. Keith also attended Boise State University where he obtained his Master of Business Administration degree. Keith and his family moved to Boise in 1987, and he began his engineering career at Conveyor Engineering, Inc.
In 1998, Keith and his good friend and coworker, Sid Cannon, formed a partnership and bought Conveyor Engineering. Through their hard work and dedication, along with the finest design team in the world, they made Conveyor Engineering a world class material handling company. In 2008, Keith and Sid sold the company to several of their employees who will carry on the tradition of design excellence.
In 2004, Keith married his soul mate and best friend, Barbara. Their favorite pastimes included spending time with family, golfing and fishing on a mountain stream. Keith greatly enjoyed the addition of Barbara's children, Geoff and Lauren, into his life.
In December 2007, Keith was diagnosed with lung cancer. He spent the next 12 months fighting this terrible disease, but his love of life never allowed him to give up hope. Keith and his family wanted to pay special tribute to Dr. Paul Montgomery and the angels at Mountain States Tumor Institute for their special care and support.
Keith is survived by his parents, Donald and Eileen Oldemeyer; loving wife, Barbara; and their four children, Lacey Oldemeyer, Brianna Oldemeyer, Geoff Dalessio and Lauren Dalessio; brother, Neal Oldemeyer (Nancy, Spencer, Bryce and Kyle); and sister, Donna Daniels (Rodger, Craig and Rick).
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and infant brother, Darrel.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian. Military honors will follow at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. After the military honors, the family will host a reception for family and friends at the Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Keith's name.
Mary Reta Barker
April 9, 1909 - Dec. 12, 2008
Ontario - Mary Reta Barker, 99, quietly and naturally passed away on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
“Reta” was born on April 9, 1909, in Benson Ward, Utah to William and Mary Baugh. She was the second of twelve children. In 1919, the Baugh family moved to Burley, Idaho, where Reta would spend the much of her memorable childhood working the fields of her family's ranch. She remained in Burley until she married her husband, Ivan Barker, in September of 1929. The young couple moved around several times in their early marriage, taking work wherever they could. With four small children, they settled for a few years in Boise, where they built a small grocery store. The children would finish high school in Meridian. Reta and Ivan continued their adventures, living awhile in Jordan Valley and then onto Ontario, where they bought and ran the Cairo Market. When Ivan's health began to fail, they finally established themselves in Boise.
After her husband's death, Reta moved to Ontario to be near her daughter, Betty. She was a resident of Idylwood Manor for the past 21 years. In that time, Reta made many new and lasting friendships. One special friend, Hazel Casper, shared the same amount of time at Idylwood and truly became a beloved “sister” to Reta. Veda and Darlene too, were very dear friends. Sandy, Charla and Cheryle from Heart and Health, were also special in Reta's life, blessing her with memorable and caring visits.
Reta will be remembered as a quiet and caring person with an amazing amount of inner strength and independence. She loved fishing and experiencing new adventures. In her later years, she kept herself busy learning new crafts—hook latch, crocheting, etc. She was especially known for the beaded calendars that she continually worked on, even until the very week before she passed away. People were constantly amazed by her talent to pick up each of the tiny beads and sew them on one at a time to make a beautiful handcrafted gift. Today they hang in the halls of Idylwood as well as in the homes of her friends and family.
Reta will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Betty Whipple, of Ontario; son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Sonya Barker, of Las Cruces, N.M.; and son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Donna Barker, of Volcano, Calif. Reta has also left on this earth a heritage of 15 grandchildren; 26 great- grandchildren; and 26 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Ray and Don Baugh.
Reta was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Barker; daughter, Colleen Moody; seven sisters; and three brothers.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 16, 2008, at Lienkaemper Chapel. A private family interment will be held at the Meridian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to the Ontario Fire Rescue, City Hall, Ontario.
Patricia Ann Schmerber
Aug. 23, 1936 - Feb. 16, 2006
ONTARIO - Patricia has been sent to our Heavenly Father and her loving husband, Jose D. Schmerber I, on Feb. 16, 2006, at the age of 69. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2006, at Park View Cemetery, 3600 Highway 30 W., New Plymouth. Service to be performed by family friend, Gene Haag.
Patricia lived a wonderful life with many friends and famil. She was a devoted, loving, caring mother of six: Deborah (Barry) Barrette, Keith Boatman, Billie Ann (Raymundo) Rivera, Jeanette Martinez, Jose D. II (Ronda) Schmerber, and Juan D. 'John' (Geanette) Schmerber. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Mariza Ann Rivera, Blake Barrette, Steven, Marijain, Bradley and Colin Wolf, Mando, Yvonne, Angelica, and Juan Martinez, Bianca Garcia, Rudy and Melissa, Eric, Sariah, Avery Castillo, Butch Schmerber, Kenny Bail and family, Tiffanie Ann and Benito Dominquez, Ruben Jr., Juan, Gilberto, Raymundo Alonso Perez, Nikka Ann Asuncion Dominguez, Jose D. Schmerber III, Tyanna Joe Schmerber, Tiffany, Michelle and Jennifer.
Patricia was a person who knew many and gave her love to all. She will be missed and never forgotten.
Karmelita Porter
Feb. 12, 1947 - April 22, 2006
Ontario - Karmelita Porter, 59, Ontario, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2006. No services will be held.
She is survived by her three children, Ron White, Christopher White, and Clairisa Rupp; four step children, Mike Porter, Kim Keeling, Tracy Hansen, and James Porter; and her sweet dog, Rosie.
