Jewel Brown

Jewel Brown, 81, of Pine Creek near Halfway, died Oct. 12, 2003, at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Her graveside funeral was Friday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway.

Jewel Francis Brown was born on May 2, 1922, at Vernon, Texas. During her 35 years in Bakersfield, Calif., she was a member of the Kern County Rangerettes and the Moose Auxiliary. Jewel and her husband, Bill, came to Halfway in 1980 and lived in the Pine Creek area.

She loved Hells Canyon and never grew tired of the Snake River or Pine Creek. Every time she saw an eagle, elk or bear, she felt blessed. Jewel especially enjoyed the springs bloom of wildflowers.

Survivors include her daughters, Judy Parker and Janice Valley; sisters, Dorothy Abercrombe, Maxine Turner and Syble Taylor; brothers, Willis Jr., Jack and Jerry Kisselburg; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Q. Brown; and her son, William T. Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pathway Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.

Opal Burby

Opal Joyce Crist Burby, 72, a resident of Baker City died Oct. 11, 2003, of a longtime illness.

Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home for those wishing to pay their respects and visit the family. Her funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Interment will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery. Refreshments will be served at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1250 Hughes Lane, after the committal service.

Joyce was born April 8, 1931, at Twin Falls, Idaho. She attended Baker High School, Class of 1949. She married Robert Burby on July 1, 1948, in Baker City.

She lived for 30 years in Vancouver, Wash., before returning to Baker City in 2001. She spent 20 years in the dry cleaning business in Vancouver, and while there she served as president of the PTA and was active in the arts and crafts community.

Joyce was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints, in Baker City, First Ward. She had served as a dedicated primary teacher and Relief Society homemaking leader. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, and was accomplished at needlework.

Survivors include Robert, her husband of 55 years; and their four children, Robert and his wife, Joann, of Roy, Utah, Rick and his wife, Janice, of Vancouver, Wash., Kathryn and her husband, James Moore, of Caldwell, Idaho, and Ron and his wife, Trina, of Vancouver, Wash.; her mother-in-law, Phoebe Burby of Baker City; a sister, Peggy, and her husband, Dwayne Huseby, of Oak Harbor, Wash., and several nieces and nephews. She had 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Opal, and her father Elmer Crist; and two brothers, Max and Cecil Rex.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks National Foundation through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Ruth Ranes

Ruth C. Ranes, 67, of Pendleton, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 9, 2003, at her home.

Disposition was by cremation. A family memorial service will be scheduled later at Portland.

Ruth was born in Baker City on Jan. 17, 1936, to Andy and Ada McKinney. She attended St. Francis Academy.

She later moved to Portland where she became very active in the community. She was an outreach worker and council chair for the urban Indian program. She also was an alcohol counselor for detox. After her retirement, she became involved with Human Solutions and served on its board until she moved to Pendleton in 1999.

She had a real love for fishing and camping. She also liked to sew, paint and do craft work.

Survivors include her six children, Rachelle McKinney of Pendleton, Rhonda Christensen of Ridgefield, Wash., Roxanna Huntsinger of Valdez, Alaska, Don Ranes of Gresham, Rebbecca Dillis of Vancouver, Wash., and Dan Ranes of Estacada; and 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Lance Cpl. David Ranes.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Lydia Zablosky

Lydia Zablosky, infant daughter of Angela Dawn Nixon and Michael John Zablosky, died two hours after her birth on Oct. 7, 2003, at Holy Rosary Medical Center in Ontario.

Her graveside funeral was at 2 p.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly officiated.

Survivors include her parents; her grandmother, Leah Goodale of Baker City; her grandfather, Gordon Goodale; great-grandparents, Lee and Joyce Munson; uncles, Joey and Sonny Goodale of Baker City; aunts, Sara and Cloe Goodale of Baker City; and a very special friend, Anthony Anderson of Baker City.

Memorial contributions may be made to Angela Nixon through Gray’s West andamp; Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.