Obituaries for Aug. 1, 2018

Published 2:10 pm Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Beverly Staten

Baker City, 1931-2018

Beverly Anne Staten, 86, a lifelong resident of Baker City, died July 28, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed. Her lessons and guidance will remain with those she loved and those who loved her, her family said.

Recitation of the rosary and vigil service will be Friday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. Father Suresh Kumar Telagani will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Everyone is invited to gather in the parish hall for a luncheon after the graveside service.

Beverly was born on Sept. 17, 1931, at Baker to Paul and Mabel (Spearman) York. She grew up and attended schools in Baker and graduated high school in 1949.

She married Harold Staten, the love of her life and her husband of 57 years, on June 26, 1949, at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, where she was a member for 70 years, until the time of her death. The couple raised two sons, Michael and Charles.

Beverly helped with the family business, Crown Cleaners and Laundry, while raising their two sons. In 1969 she began driving school bus for Baker School District 5J where she continued for 27 years until her retirement in 1996. Over the years, she safely transported many of the area’s youth to and from school, as well as on special field trips.

Throughout the years, Beverly enjoyed gardening, reading, baking and spending time with her family and friends. It was a delight for her to meet and enjoy her seven great-grandchildren and she was looking forward to even more. She generously cared for elderly family and friends. She was also active in the Altar Society at her church.

Following her husband’s death in 2007, Beverly was able to live independently on their five acres in their home. The family would like to thank the many caregivers for their loving care of Beverly over the past few months, which allowed her to live out her final days in her own home.

Survivors include her sons, Michael and his wife, Julie, of Salem, and Chuck and his wife, Nancy, of Baker City; her grandchildren: Annie and her husband, Jon, of Bend, Jason and his wife, Tara, of Kirkland, Washington, Kari and her husband, Michael, of Boise, Matthew and his wife, Joyce, of Sherwood, and Stephen and his wife, Corinne, of Salem; seven great-grandchildren: Brayden, Ethan, Liam, Wyatt, Oliver, Wenonah and Harper; her brother-in-law, Larry Staten, of Casper, Wyoming; her sister-in-law, Varene York, of Baker City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, William Jay; her parents, Paul and Mabel York; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charlie and Elsie Staten; her husband, Harold Staten; and her brother, Jim York.

Memorial contributions may be made to Baker County Meals on Wheels, the Altar Society of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, or the Roof Fund of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

To light a candle for Beverly or to leave a condolence for the family, go to www.colestributecenter.com

Isaac Tunteri

Caldwell, Idaho, 1981-2018

Isaac Michael Tunteri, 36, of Caldwell, Idaho, died July 18, 2018, of sudden cardiac arrest.

Isaac was born on Sept. 24, 1981, at Munising, Michigan, to Jim and Sherry (Williams) Tunteri. He graduated with honors from Munising High School in 2000 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from Western Michigan University in 2005.

After graduation, Isaac moved to San Francisco and then to Anchorage, Alaska, where his children were born. He spent his later years in the greater Boise area.

Isaac was a kind and gentle father, who loved his family. He cherished time with his children playing video games (Zelda), watching movies, playing catch with his dad and son in the backyard and cooking.

As an avid gardener, he had a green thumb, spending hours in his raised beds and doting over his plants. He enjoyed his aquariums as well, filling them with exotic plants and fish.

He was a lifelong Trekkie and a bit of a philosopher, debating the world’s problems and always questioning the status quo. In his youth, he played baseball, basketball, football and track.

Isaac held various positions in the food service industry from chef to assistant general manager, and was working for Walmart Inc. in Nampa at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sherry Tunteri; sister, Christina Tunteri; paternal grandfathers, Jim Tunteri and Edward Heribacka; maternal grandfather, Vernon Williams; and great-uncle, Billie Williams.

Survivors include his fiancee, Amanda Hellwinkel, and her 9-year-old son, Dylan; his children, Leif Tunteri, 10, and Leilah Tunteri, 8; his father, Jim Tunteri; sisters, Stacey Tunteri and Emily Tunteri; maternal grandmother, Elma Williams; paternal grandmothers, Nina Heribacka and Patti Tunteri; aunts, Phyllis (Bill) Wright and Cindy (Steve) Veale; uncles, Edward (Christine) Heribacka and Joseph (Micki) Heribacka; niece, Elisabeth Rose Edwards; and cherished cousins and longtime friends.

Veryl Waldron

Halfway, 1931-2018

Veryl Jean Simpson Waldron, 86, of Halfway, died peacefully at her home on July 14, 2018, with her family by her side.

A memorial service for Veryl will be held at a later date.

Veryl was born on Sept. 7, 1931, at Toppenish, Washington, to Daniel and Ella Simpson. The family followed work during the Depression era, mostly in Eastern Washington. They managed as best they could, living in project camps, tents, and cabins. All was well until one night near the munitions storage area at Hermiston, when Veryl’s mother found a rattlesnake in her bed. That was it! The family relocated to Spokane.

In 1947, Veryl married Robert Neal of Spokane. Veryl worked as a cook at The Pine Shed and attended Kinman Business College. After their divorce, Veryl’s brother, Dan Simpson (Meriann’s father), told her there was a need for cooks in Halfway, while the Hells Canyon dams were being built. She and her two children, Ron and Carol, moved there and loved the country life. She met Billy Waldron, and they married on July 1, 1960.

A few years after Bill and Veryl were married they welcomed their four nieces and nephews, ranging in ages from 1 to 6, to the family.

When Bill went to work for Morrison-Knudsen construction company the family followed his work to Los Banos, California; Greenfield, Massachusetts; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Las Vegas. Wherever they lived, Veryl worked as a bookkeeper for a newspaper office or a car dealership.

In 1984, Veryl returned to Halfway, while Bill continued working for Morrison-Knudsen around the country. She purchased Wild Bill’s restaurant and became known for booking great bands and hosting lip sync contests. She sold the restaurant to her niece, Meriann, in 1994, at which time she went to work for the Pine-Eagle Clinic as the bookkeeper, retiring in 2007. Veryl owned VW Bookkeeping and made her final journal entry two days before she passed away.

Community service was very important to Veryl. In 1980, she started serving on the board of directors for the Clinic, even though she lived elsewhere. She was a member of Pine Valley Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon, elder, Kids Choir director, and the clerk of session (23 years). With her lovely singing voice, she sang for many weddings, graduations, and memorial services.

Veryl was known for always lending a helping hand. Not one to say no, she fed many people near and far on special occasions and holidays. Veryl had a huge heart and always wanted to lend a hand to anyone who was in need.

Veryl is survived by her husband, Billy; her son, Ron Neal (Nancy) of Spokane; her daughter, Carol Olson (Tom) of Mount Vernon,Washington; her sister, Nadine Good (Joe) of Spokane; her nieces, Jenny (Roger) Gulick and Christine Bennett of Halfway; her nephews, Rick (Audrene) Simpson and Brian Simpson of Halfway. There are too many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews to mention individually, but each was very important to Veryl.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Ella Simpson; and her brothers, Daniel “Bud” and Jerry.

When asked about her favorite things she said having the kids around her, and all their special pets! Music was central to her life. She loved to listen to music and sing. Many family members share in her talent and appreciation of music. Her favorite hymn was “On Wings of a Dove,” and she performed it whenever asked.

Veryl was the pillar of her family and also of the community. She will be missed by all who knew her.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Veryl the family suggests the Pine Eagle Education Foundation through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com