Irene McCarty

Irene O. McCarty, 90 of Baker City died Sept. 27, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.

Disposition was by cremation at Grays West andamp; Co. Pioneer Crematory. There will be a private family memorial gathering.

Mrs. McCarty was born on Feb. 20, 1911, at Vancouver, Wash., to Walter Austin Osburg and Nora Harris Osburg. She graduated from Oregon State University at Corvallis with a degree in mathematics and received a masters degree in education from the University of Oregon at Eugene. She taught high school at Echo where she met and married Otis McCarty.

She taught another 30 years at Chula Vista, Calif. She taught math, English, Spanish and drama.

Survivors include her son, Jim McCarty of Baker City and Pacific City; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice through Grays West andamp; Co., P.O Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.

Ruth Lowery

Ruth I. Lowery, 72, of Baker City, died Sept. 29, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

At her request there will be no services. Disposition was by cremation.

Mrs. Lowery was born Jan. 2, 1929, at Vienna, N.Y., to Ralph Jordan and Ethel Margaret Cooke) Parker. She received her education in upstate New York. In her early years with her husband she lived in various locations, and spent most of her years managing properties they owned. With her husband she settled in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. She traveled between Lake Havasu City and Baker City to be close to her daughter.

Mrs. Lowery loved to travel, enjoyed playing cards, socializing with family and friends, and was a very kind and loving woman who had a great personality and loved jokes. She was a wonderful cook.

Mrs. Lowery is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Steve Robertson of Medical Springs; a son, Allan Kentner of Alameda, Calif., son and daughter-in-law, James and Susan Milliman of Rome, N.Y., and a son, Gary Milliman of Camden, N.Y.; a brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and June Parker of Alameda, Calif., a brother, Joe Parker of Camden; a sister, Micki Kennerknecht of Lake Havasu City; 13 grandchildren, also great-grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lowery was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one son.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars or a charity of ones choice through Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Margaret Pifher

Margaret Pifher, 85, a Baker City native, died Sept. 26, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

Her Celebration of Life service was at 3 p.m. Saturday at Grays West andamp; Co. Pioneer Chapel. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly officiated. There was a reception at the church after the service.

Disposition was by cremation. Her cremated remains were buried at Mount Hope Cemetery next to her husband.

Mrs. Pifher was born on June 21, 1916, at Baker City to Jack and Edith Marshall. She was raised, educated and spent her entire 85 years living in two houses, both on Rose Street in Baker City.

She married Victor J. Pifher on April 21, 1935, at Baker City. Mr. Pifher died in 1988.

She was actively involved in church charities as well as community and individual needs. She enjoyed flowers, especially roses. And she loved her cat.

Survivors include her sons, Jim Pifher and his wife, Marla, of Portland, and Jack Pifher and his wife, Loett, of Fairview; a sister, Doris Shanks of Portland; a brother, Bill Marshall of Hermiston; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Pearl; and a great-grandchild, Kory.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker Valley Christian Assembly through Grays West andamp; Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.

Lillian Wheeler

Lillian Mae Wheeler, 86, of Hood River, a former Baker County resident, died surrounded by her family at Providence Brookside Manor on Sept. 17, 2001.

Her graveside service was at 3 p.m. Friday at Idlewild Cemetery Mausoleum.

Mrs. Wheeler was born on June 20, 1915, in Baker City to Willis W. and Ruth Jenkins Lillard. Her family also included two half brothers and a half sister. She grew up in Baker City, Haines and the North Powder area. She was a 1933 graduate of North Powder High School.

She married Arnold W. Wheeler on Aug. 5, 1935, at Stevenson, Wash.

She worked for many years for Diamond Fruit Growers at the Cascade House as a fruit packer. She enjoyed playing bridge with her many friends and continued that activity until her death.

Her main love in life was her family and home, loving and caring for her husband, children and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Hood River Valley Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters and an infant grandson.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Arnold Wheeler of Hood River; her daughter, Jane Herman and her husband, Lee Roy, of Mosier; a son, Doug Wheeler and his wife, Jill, of Portland; granddaughters, Shelley Gove of Mosier and Nicole Wheeler of Monmouth; a grandson, Chris Wheeler, and his wife, Rachel, of Vancouver, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Emmy and Mariah Gove and Katelyn and Colton Wheeler; two sisters-in-law, Faye Lillard of Baker City and Kathryn Lillard of Klamath Falls; an aunt, Suzanne Jenkins McCulley of Baker City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends and caregivers from Brookside Manor and Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge in care of Andersons Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97301.