Beverly Weston

Baker City, 1939-2019

Beverly Weston, 79, of Baker City, died June 2, 2019, at Settler’s Park Assisted Living Community.

Her family and invited guests will attend a celebration of her life on June 24 at the First Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall in Baker City.

Beverly was born on Dec. 11, 1939, at Chicago to Joseph and Ruth (Kosh) Levy. She graduated from Fairfax High School in 1957 and went on to nursing school. Later in life she took life coach training and graduated from that in 1993.

On June 10, 1961, Beverly married Robert William Weston in California. Together they had four children.

She worked as an executive assistant at Rose Medical Center in Denver and was later self-employed as a public speaker and life coach. She was also a devoted housewife and mother. She enjoyed Bible study, crafts and sewing, art, writing, public speaking, entertaining and hospitality. She also enjoyed her beloved dogs over the years, and spending time with her grandchildren and family. She was a member of the Lutheran Church in Denver, the Baker City Christian Church, Women’s Ministries, Women’s Quilting Club, multiple public speaking organizations, line dancing and card clubs and small group Bible study.

Beverly was very proud of her 50-year marriage, supporting her husband in ministry, her beautiful four children and her eight grandchildren. She was also very proud of completing her coach university training and starting her own private practice. Once retired, she and Bob moved to Baker City to enjoy this beautiful community that they loved.

Survivors include her son, Mark Weston of Denver; her daughter, Kristen Sandefur of Baker City; her grandchildren: Ben Weston, Meghan Weston, Kyle Weston, Delaney Weston, Jake and Melissa Sandefur, Mitchell Sandefur, Kaitlyn Sandefur and Emily Sandefur.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert William Weston; and her daughters, Lori Weston and Joy Weston.

Memorial contributions may be made to Young Life (OR 191) through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814. To light a candle in memory of Beverly or to offer condolences to her family, go to www.grayswestco.com.

Carol Tone

Baker City, 1942-2019

Carol Charmaigne “Sherry” Crego Tone, 76, of Baker City, died peacefully at home on Jan. 31, 2019, joining her beloved mother, LaRee, and grandmother, “Memo” Ida Coon Klein, for a long overdue game of cards.

A celebration of Carol’s life will take place Friday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2177 First St., followed by a potluck reception at 3 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 2005 Valley Ave. Those attending are encouraged to wear something purple in her honor and to bring their favorite dish.

Carol was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1942, at the naval base in San Diego to Eva LaRee Ivie and Ernest LaVern Crego. By the age of 4 she was blessed to gain her “Dad,” Keith Larsen and stepmother, Elaine Crego. After several years as an only child she was overjoyed when siblings Dee Dee, Janice and Stephen came into her life, and they enjoyed many summer vacations together in Northern California.

Carol grew up in Baker City and spent much of her childhood as a “mine kid,” adventuring around the family mines near Greenhorn City with her cousin, Gordon Boorse. She graduated with the Baker High School Class of 1960, keeping many lifelong friends she enjoyed into her sunset years.

After graduation Carol moved to Portland and met the love of her life, Staff Sgt. John Tone Sr. They married in 1962 and were blessed with a son, John David Jr., and a daughter, Catherine “Kay.” Tragically, she lost John at age 23 to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1966 and faced the world as a 24-year-old widow with two small children. She never remarried, as she never found another love that compared to John.

In tribute to the husband she lost, Carol dedicated the rest of her life to civil service, focusing on veterans services. She took tremendous pride in her career as a federal employee for nearly two decades, working for the Veterans Administration offices in Mare Island, Boise and Portland and receiving many service awards, merits, and personal commendations from commanding officers. She was passionate about helping servicemen receive their entitlements, helping many obtain benefits they were unaware of. Her impact on helping vets continued long after she retired, with many keeping in touch throughout the years. In her spare time, Carol went on to become a lifelong member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Ladies’ Auxiliary in Baker City. Upon her retirement from civil service, Carol embarked on a mission to assist the senior citizens of Baker County, working for several years with Community Connection and Elkhorn Village.

Carol saw the best in everyone, befriending people from all walks of life. Her compassion and capacity for love and forgiveness knew no bounds, and she believed that everyone deserved to be loved.

She also had a knack for humor, making people laugh whether they wanted to or not. She delighted in conversing with friends and family, bringing a touch of humor to most everything she did.

Carol was the kind of person who would warmly engage with anyone who crossed her path, stranger or otherwise, greeting people with friendliness and humor. Children and pets were drawn to her kindheartedness, and she was known to lavish her affections on the babies of family, friends, and even trusting strangers.

Not only was Carol a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she was also an award-winning crochet enthusiast and avid card player. Many nights were spent with friends and family playing cribbage and other card games she enjoyed during her childhood at the mines.

For decades, she skillfully crafted amazing crocheted pieces for herself and loved ones and was elated when one of her beautiful afghans won a top prize at the Idaho State Fair.

Despite suffering from poor health for most of her life, Carol still found a way to provide for her family and generously help anyone she could. In her final years, she suffered from several mini-strokes, congestive heart failure, and ultimately Parkinson’s disease, yet even in her darkest hour, she assured her family and friends of how much they were loved.

Carol leaves behind a large circle of family and friends, including her son, John Tone Jr.; her daughter, Catherine Dodgens, and son-in-law, Vincent; her siblings, Diane “Dee Dee” Payne and Stephen Crego and sister-in-law Kathy; her granddaughters, Misti, Megan, Amelia and Amber; her great-grandsons, Carsen and Eric; her nieces and nephews, Jenny, Jesse, Kimberlie, Stephen Jr., Morgan, Eric and their families; and numerous lifelong friends and “adopted” family members; and honorary son, Donald Gilliland and family.

After 54 long years she has been reunited with her beloved husband, John David Tone Sr.; her parents, LaRee Larsen and Ernest Crego; her dad, Keith Larsen; her grandmother, Ida Coon Klein; her stepmother, Elaine Crego; her sister, Janice Duncan, and brother-in-law, Ted Payne; her nephew, Johnny Payne; and many friends she considered to be family throughout the years.

The family asks that those wishing to remember Carol plant a purple flower or tree in her honor. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalley funeralhome.com

Lucille Hermsen

Baker City, 1925-2019

Lucille Hermsen, 93, of Baker City, died June 7, 2019, at Juniper Meadows in Baker City.

A traditional funeral service will be Friday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at the Agape Christian Church, 650 Highway 7. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to be held immediately following the interment back at the church.

Lucille was born on Dec. 17, 1925, at Blackfoot, Idaho, to Clarence and Martha Davis. One of 13 children, she joined siblings, Tex, Melvin, Danny, Stanley, Lee, Ned, Rhea, Doris, Ruby, Jewel, Julie and June. She was raised and educated in Pocatello, Idaho.

Lucille married Gene Hogge in 1942. Together they had five children. They later divorced. She then met Jim Hermsen and they were married in 1965. They enjoyed traveling to Washington, D.C., Romania, Hawaii and many other places.

In her early years she worked as a licensed practical nurse. She later began working as a topographer for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, the position from which she retired. She loved this job because she could work outdoors.

Lucille enjoyed roses and wildflowers, spring and fall, sewing and crafts. Most of all she loved to study God’s word and to share it. Lucille was a person of prayer and devotion and would often quote the scripture, “Those who wait upon the Lord will be renewed with strength.”

Survivors include her sons, Lynn and his wife, Kathy Hogge, of Baker City, Barry and Connie Hogge of Springfield, and Mark and Connie Hogge of Adams; her brothers, Lee and Ned Davis; her sisters, Jewel, Julia and June Foster; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Hermsen; her son, Roger Hogge; and her daughter, Judy Kennedy.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Opal Foundation (Heart ’N Home Hospice) through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.