Mary K. Heyrman, James Hyatt Jr., Verna Francis, Emma Graves

Mary K. Heyrman

Mary K. Heyrman, 66, a former Baker City resident, died with family at her side on Oct. 4, 2009, at Hoquiam, Wash., after a prolonged illness.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2515 Sumner, Aberdeen, Wash.

Mary K. was born on Feb. 14, 1943, at Baker City to Charles and Mary Leuck Smith. She spent all of her school years in Baker and was a 1961 Baker High School graduate.

She cherished the memory of her school days and was honored by her classmates to be voted as “outstanding” senior girl, song queen cheerleader, and Pep Night queen.

Upon graduation, Mary K. married her high school sweetheart, Ron Pierce. She and Ron had two daughters, Laura Ann and Ronda Charlene. While raising their family in Baker City, Mary K. also worked at the Montgomery Ward store and for Dr. Ward’s medical practice.

In 1972 Ron and Mary K. moved to Hoquiam, Wash., where Ron worked for The Daily World newspaper. In 1973, Mary K. started her career with Gray’s Harbor Medical Bureau as a customer service/Medicare claim representative and later advanced to marketing supervisor.

Ron died in 1987. They had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary the prior year. Mary K. continued working at Gray’s Harbor Medical Bureau and in 1995 the Bureau merged with Regence Blue Shield where she was promoted to marketing account executive, a position she held until she retired in 2000.

She belonged to many insurance industry associations and received many awards during her career.

On Feb. 14, 1991, Mary K married Leroy Heyrman. She and Leroy enjoyed going to their cabins on the Olympia Peninsula, gold mining (members of the ’49’ers club), fishing, (Mary K. caught a state record 24-pound, 4-ounce silver salmon), camping, clam digging, and square dancing.

As her illness progressed, she loved to have Leroy take her on scenic drives to the beach. These outings continued as often as her health allowed.

Mary K. loved her grandchildren and enjoyed their visits. She quilted blankets for many of them. She also enjoyed arranging flowers, painting ceramics, and canning fruits, vegetables, salmon, and tuna.

She had started making greeting cards by hand and sending them out to friends and family on holidays. She loved Western movies, especially the old “Gunsmoke” reruns. Mary K. held a special place in her heart for her “sister” best friend, Petie Johnson, who was always there for her and her family.

Coming into the world on Valentine’s Day, it is only fitting that Mary K always put others needs before her own, family members said.

“Mary K. was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dedicated friend. She led a productive and fulfilled life and will be deeply missed by all,” they said.

Survivors include her husband of 18 years, Leroy; her daughters, Laura LaCroix and her friend, Jeff Fairchild, of Montesano, Wash., and Ronda Cowan and her husband, Mark, of Vancouver, Wash.; her brothers, Charles “Rocky” Smith and his wife, Jan, of Vancouver, Wash., and Michael “Shane” Smith and his wife, Nancy, of Lakeside, Mont.; stepchildren, Chris VanAagten and her husband, Brian, of Olympia, Wash., and Robert and Amy Heyrman of Lacey, Wash.; grandchildren, Rhonni and Austin LaCroix, Cassandra VanAagten, and Ainsley Heyrman; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Harbors Home Health and Hospice, 201 Seventh St., Hoquiam, WA 98550.

To sign the online book of memories or to view the family photo album, visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com .

James Hyatt Jr.

James A. Hyatt Jr., 61, of Baker City, died Oct. 3, 2009.

His memorial service was Thursday at the Eagles Lodge.

James was born on Dec. 21, 1947, at Red Bluff, Calif., to James and Helen Hyatt. James attended Corning High School at Corning Calif.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 as a private E-1. James was a general laborer in several different fields of employment.

He married Erma Brown on March 13, 1994, at Malin. He loved camping, fishing, hunting and woodworking and writing poems and songs. He designed special furniture, clocks and picnic tables.

He also loved spending time in his garden. James and Erma cooked Sunday Brunch at the Eagles and everyone enjoyed their meals.

He was involved with the Eagles Club, No. 3456, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Erma Hyatt of Baker City; his sister, Alice Street, nephews, Ken and Joe Street, and brother, Jack Hyatt, all of Baker City.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Helen Hyatt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, OR. 97814

Verna Francis

Verna Elmina Francis, 92, of Baker City, died Oct. 5, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m Tuesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Dean Baxter will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Francis was born on Aug. 12, 1917, at Fruitland, Idaho. She was the oldest baby of twins born to Charles Bert and Alma Agusta Troxell Morris. She was raised on a homestead between Alder Creek and Hill Creek near Pleasant Valley.

She met her future husband in the first grade before switching schools and didn’t see him again until her teenage years at a dance. She married Roy Robert Francis on Sept. 17, 1935, and lived on a ranch at the head end of Alder Creek where their daughter, Wilma, was born.

The family then moved to a home on Dry Creek where they farmed and ranched and their son, Dell, was born. For a short period the family moved to Bates, where Roy was employed.

They returned to the Alder Creek ranch until 1965, when they moved to Muddy Creek and then to a home just out of Haines where they remained until1979 when they moved to Baker City.

In her younger years she was very active in the Pleasant Valley Home Extension Service and was an avid horse person and loved animal husbandry. She truly loved the ranching/farming life she had with her husband.

Mrs. Francis also was an avid elk and deer hunter. Her favorite hobby was writing letters.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Bill Bishop of Baker City; son, Dell Francis and his spouse, Bea Roberts, of Baker City; sister, Verna Lammert of Baker City; grandchildren and their spouses, Lawanna Wickam of La Grande, Lalonni and Kelly Haggerty of La Grande, Lalessa and Jim Wyatt of Crystal Beach, Fla., Laletta and Archie Benner of Pocatello, Idaho, Lorrie and Larry Hill of Baker City, and Kelley and Chris Daurghty of Salem; 13 great-grandchildren, two great-great-granddaughters, numerous stepgrandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy; granddaughter, Diana Hulick; and a brother, Ernest H. Morris.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814.

Emma Graves

Emma May Graves, 95, of Ontario, died Oct. 7, 2009.

Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Gray’s West and Co. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a potluck reception afterward at Community Connection/Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St.

Emma was born on Sept. 21, 1914, at home in Rock Creek to John and Bertha Blize.

She married Laurence Graves on March 3, 1932, and the couple were blessed with five children. She loved being a homemaker and enjoyed baby-sitting many children in the area.

Emma had cared for second generation families for years. Her great loves were God, family, embroidering, making quilts, canning and enjoying her beautiful flowers, her family members said.

She lived the last eight years with her daughter, Dorothy Herbert, in Ontario after living 69 years in Sumpter.

Survivors include her daughters, Dorothy Herbert of Ontario, Marie DeRoest of Orem, Utah, Patricia Simonson of Fruitland, Idaho, and Sandra Neill of Glendale, Ariz.; one adopted granddaughter, Trudy Graves, of Weiser, Idaho, and Jeana Phillips, adopted by love; 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Laurence; son, Larry Graves; her parents; five sisters; two brothers; one great-grandson; and one great-great-granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, her request was that memorial contributions be made to Heart ‘n’ Home Hospice through Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.