Death Notices & Obituaries for October 9, 2007

<b>Elsie Mae Murphy </b>

Age 75, of Oakland, Oregon, passed away Sunday, October 7, 2007. Arrangements pending. MYRTLE GROVE FUNERAL SERVICE 541-440-9187.

<b>Gertrude Florence Mahan</b>

Age 94, of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2007. Arrangements pending. ROSEBURG FUNERAL ALTERNATIVES 541-672-5836.

<b>John ‘Jack’ Melvin Clarno</b>

Age 78, of Sutherlin, Oregon, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer, Monday, October 1, 2007, in the company of his wife, Norma. His death came immediately following their 57th wedding anniversary. Jack lived in the Roseburg, Oregon and Sutherlin area for more than 40 years. His long career in construction management contributed to many landmarks in the Roseburg area and throughout the West. He was loved and admired by family, friends and co-workers throughout the area for his strong faith, courage, toughness, optimism, kindness, and his ever-present sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Norma of Sutherlin; son, John Clarno of Vancouver, Washington; daughter, Jill McCormick of Puyallup, Washington; son, Jerry Clarno of Sunnyvale, California; nine grandchildren, Samantha Clarno of St. Louis, Missouri; Tony Clarno of Los Angeles, California; Aaron Clarno of Vancouver; Alex, Alyssa and Brennan McCormick, all of Puyallup; Jordan, Kristen and Jackson Clarno, all of Sunnyvale; and brother, Robert Clarno of Monrovia, California. A private funeral service was held Friday, October 5, 2007, at the Roseburg National Veterans Cemetery. A memorial celebration of Jack’s life is scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 11 a.m., at the Center Stage Theatre, Whipple Fine Arts Center, Umpqua Community College. Jack’s friends are welcome to attend.

<b>Marione Ladd Lasswell</b>

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 101. Marione was born in Traer, Iowa, July 28, 1906, to Will and Minnie Ladd. In 1918, Marione, her sister, Wilma and her parents, moved to Sutherlin, Oregon. Marione retained a lifelong affection for Iowa, and remembered with great fondness many happy childhood experiences and friends there. Marione graduated from Sutherlin High School in 1923, and began her career as a teacher that year in a one-room schoolhouse on Mt. Tyee in Douglas County. She earned her teaching credential at Oregon Normal School, and taught first grade in Sutherlin and Yoncalla, Oregon, before marrying Avery Lasswell in 1929. They had two children, Bill Lasswell, District Court Judge in Douglas County and Dr. Anne L. Nagel, professor emeritus at San Diego State University. While living in Yoncalla, Marione was active in the Methodist Church, serving as lay leader, Sunday School teacher and Methodist Youth Fellowship leader. When they moved to Salem in 1962, Marione became actively involved in the First Methodist Church, YWCA, Assistance League and the Willamette University Library Board. She worked tirelessly on many worthy projects for these groups. Marione will be remembered by her family and many friends for her loving ways, generous spirit, tireless energy, outstanding cooking and baking, and her beautiful gardens. She is survived by her son, Bill and his wife, Mary Ellen Lasswell; her daughter, Anne and her husband, Dr. Thomas Nagel; grandchildren, Alice Michael (David), Cameron Lasswell; Laura Lasswell; Christina Nagel (Wade Griffis); Matthew Nagel (Carole); and great-grandson, Will Michael. She was preceded in death in 1979 by her husband, Avery, after 49 years of marriage. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Sunday, October 14, 2007, at 2 p.m., in the Salem First Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial remembrances may be contributed to the Yoncalla United Methodist Church c/o Doris Means, 587 Halo Trail, Yoncalla, Oregon, 97499, or to Christian Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 26507, Richmond, Virginia, 23261-6507. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

<b>Sophia Lea Barker</b>

Passed away at home in her sleep the morning of Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the age of 85. Sophia was born to Thad and Nora Shipman on April 8, 1922, in Overbrook, Oklahoma. Her mother, Nora was an original enroller of the Chickasaw/Choctaw Nation. Sophia was one fourth Native American of which she was very proud. She instilled that pride in her children as well. Sophia was raised in Abner, Oklahoma, where she attended Meadowbrook and Greenville schools, playing on the basketball and baseball teams. Sophia married Jeff O. Barker on September 16, 1939. In the 1940’s, they moved to Niles (Fremont), California. Sophia worked as a nurse in the hospital at the Masonic Home in Decoto (Union City), California, for 35 years, where she dedicated herself to the care of the patients. She retired from there at the age of 62. Sophia spent her retirement years loving and caring for her family. In 2000, Sophia moved to Tracy, California, to help with the care of four great-grandsons. In May of 2006, she moved to be near her youngest son and his family. Sophia’s love of her family was the most important thing in her life. She loved all the family reunions, get-togethers, and long evenings playing the card game, Pitch. One of her greatest past-times was beating her husband, Jeff at Pitch, she dearly delighted in it. Sophia is survived by her husband of 68 years, Jeff Barker of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; son, Kent Barker and his wife, Bea of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Barbara Kaelin and her husband, Conrad of Tracy; son, Larry Barker and his wife, Judi of Myrtle Creek. Sophia will also be dearly remembered and missed by her eight grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and five great great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing, her siblings and their families, D.C. and Zelma Shipman of Myrtle Creek; Jean Cary of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Gail Shipman of Riddle, Oregon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Sophia was preceded in death by her father, Thad Shipman, in May of 1957; mother, Nora Shipman, in December of 1993; and brother, Thad Shipman, Jr., in August of 2003. Services will be held Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 11 a.m., at Mountain View Memorial Chapel, 428 N. Old Pacific Hwy., in Myrtle Creek. Burial to follow at Roseburg Memorial Gardens in Roseburg, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

<b>Norman Lee Mann</b>

Age 79, passed away Monday, October 8, 2007, in the home of his daughter following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Oregon City, Oregon, on February 27, 1928, to the late Ernest and Thelma Mann. He was raised, attended school and graduated from Grants Pass High School in Grants Pass, Oregon. After graduation he moved to Roseburg to work for Henniger's Market and worked in a saw mill at Little River. After a year, he enlisted in the National Guard and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving in the Korean War and attaining the rank of sergeant. In 1953, while on leave he was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Seehawer, whose brother's affectionately nicknamed him "Sarge". When Norman was six months old, his dad died of pleurisy and his mother remarried William Wiltrout, who raised Norman. He was preceded in death by both parents, and a sister Reva Jean. After completing his tour of duty in the United States Marines, Norman returned to make his home in Roseburg with Shirley. He worked at Roseburg Forest Products for couple of years, and then relocated to Southern California for three years to attend trade school and apprenticeship as a meat cutter. The family then returned to Roseburg where he resided until his death. Norman had traveled some in the Marines including Korea, to British Columbia moose hunting and throughout the Western United States for family vacations. He always felt strongly that there was no more beautiful countryside than Oregon. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and learned to golf during his retirement. He worked for Drive-n-Save Grocery for over 20 years, as a meat cutter in the Roseburg store, then as meat department manager in Winston. He also co-owned B & D Custom Meats for the ten or so years until he retired. Not being able to sit still for long, he continued to work as a parts-driver one day a week for Kress Backen/CarQuest until his illness forced him to quit. Norman is survived by his wife, Shirley; brother, Bob Wiltrout; daughter, Sandy and her husband, Mark Pearson; daughter, Michelle and her husband, Mitch Galusha; grandchildren, Rachel and Pete Pearson; Tony and Jennifer McKibbon; Camie and Torie Galusha; and great-grandchildren, Kristen and Trevore Sandidge. At Norman's request, he will be cremated and no funeral will be held. A potluck celebration of Norm's life (potlucks are what he most enjoyed), will be held in the banquet room of Oak Hills Golf Club Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 5 p.m. All golf buddies, old friends and new friends are welcome.

<b>Maurice F. ‘Mark’ Weber III</b>

March 23, 1956 - October 3, 2007. Age 51, passed away in his Lookingglass, Oregon, home on October 3, 2007, surrounded by family and friends. Mark will long be remembered for his love of family, hunting, and fishing. A gentle and quiet family man, Mark is survived by his wife, Johnell; sons, Dan and Ryan; daughters, Katheryn and Kendall; granddaughters, Mackenzie and Madison. Please join the Weber family for a tribute to Mark’s life at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 14, 2007, at the Lookinglass School with a celebration of Mark’s life following at the Lookinglass Grange Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Douglas High School Equestrian Team or Mercy Medical Center Employee Relief Fund.

<b>Deda W. Alexander</b>

Age 88, of Winston, Oregon, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2007, at a Portland, Oregon, hospital. She was born October 7, 1918, in Lebanon, Arkansas, the daughter of Cortus Rastus and Bertha (McAnnally) Weems. She was united in marriage to Richard Clayton Alexander on October 16, 1937 in Lockesburg, Arkansas. They moved to the Winston area in 1952, which has been home since. Deda was a homemaker and her life revolved around her family. She enjoyed nothing more than to have family and friends over to visit. She enjoyed sports and was a Douglas High School Booster for many years, even after all her family had graduated. Deda was also a Proud ‘Beaver Believer’ She is survived by three children, Clayton Alexander and his wife, Dagny; Gail Vang and her husband, Larry, all of Winston; Rusty Alexander and his wife, Kara of Tigard, Oregon; grandchildren, Sherri and her husband, Tim of Roseburg, Oregon; Scott of Portland; Kim and her husband, Robert of Roseburg; Lea of Roseburg; Debbie, of Winston; Amy and her husband, Eric of Winston; Billy and his wife, Kristina of Roseburg; Kyle, Joslin and Andrea, all of Tigard; eight great-grandchildren, Richie and his wife, Laura; Brooke; Sami; Zach; Anna; Alex; Josh and Noah. Deda leaves three sisters, Alice Bishop of Roseburg; Maxine Barnes and Mary Agnes Jones, both of Arkansas; two brothers, James Riley and his wife, Linda; Mitchell Riley and his wife, Cindy of Arkansas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter Alexander of Winston; William Alexander and his wife, Yvonne of Salem, Oregon; Clyde Alexander and his wife, Patsy; and Estelle Alexander, all of Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews. Deda’s family also considered her caregivers as part of the family, Jerry and Cesar Arboleda; Josie Galimba; Trini Galimba and Donna Nickerson, all of Beaverton, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Richard Alexander. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2007, at the Roseburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Conducting will be Rick Taylor. Under the direction of Taylor’s Family Chapel.