May 25, 2005Al Watkins
Al Watkins, 73, of Jacksonville, died Sunday (May 22, 2005) at the Beverly H. Shaffer Hospice House in Medford. No services are planned.Mr. Watkins was born on July 10, 1931 in Silver City, New Mexico. He moved to Medford in 1944. On Oct. 16, 1966 in Reno, NV he married Lola Poitevint- Tierce who survives.
He worked as a truck driver for Hanscom and Austin King Trucking. He worked for Rogue Valley Oil for 25 years until his retirement.
Al loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
In addition to his wife Lola, survivors include his sons, Danny Watkins, Lloyd and Bill Tierce; his daughter, Pookie Crippen; four sisters, Lillian, Charlotte, Elvie and Merry; eight grandchildren, Jimmy, Mark, Michael, Justin, Sorrell, Sienna, Ashley, Ethan; and six great-grandchildren, Alex, Amanda, Elias, Devin, Boden and Sasha. He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Al Watkins, daughter, Rosie Lee Watkins, two brothers, Leroy and Lloyd and one sister Millie.
Those that knew Al loved him. He will be dearly missed by his wife, kids, grandkids, family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House where he received kind and loving care, The Beverly H. Shaffer House, 2508 Argonne Way, Medford, OR 97504.
Bernice M. Schramm
Bernice Maefern Schramm, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully as she slept at her home on May 20, 2005. A memorial service for Bernice will be held at 11 a.m., today, Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Central Point, with a reception following.
Bernice was born February 17, 1930, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin where she was raised by her loving parents, Henry F. and Ida 0. Stelzer. She graduated from Washington High School and attended St. Johns Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir and therein met her husband of over 54 years, Earl W. Schramm, who survives.
Bernice is also survived by her son, Scott L. Schramm and wife Muriel of Tacoma, WA; daughter, Cheryl A. Wirth and husband Roger of San Ramon, CA; grandchildren, Christopher Wirth of Killeen, TX; Ellisha Wirth, of Chicago, IL; and Hannah Wirth and life partner, Jardin of Ashland, OR along with great-grandson,Jasper.
Bernice was an excellent seamstress and worked in retail and secretarial administration for numerous businesses in the Midwest before moving to Portland and becoming an Import Monitor for the USDA - Food and Drug Administration from which she retired in 1981.
She was very active in her church throughout her life and played organ for services in five different churches before her failing eyesight made the notes to hazy. The notes are now clear in heaven and a resounding "Rock of Ages" will be heard by all. Arrangements: Abbey Funeral, Medford.
David K. Rishell
David K. Rishell, 81, of Jacksonville, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m., today, Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at First Presbyterian Church, 85 South Holly in Medford with Rev. Dr. Joyce DeGraaff officiating. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Southern Oregon Historical Society, 106 N Central Avenue, Medford, OR 97501.
Dave was born August 22,1923 in Patton, Pennsylvania and was raised in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He attended Susquahanna University in Pennsylvania and graduated from Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He was commissioned an Ensign concurrently when graduating from U.S. Naval Reserve and U.S. Maritime Service. He spent two years in the North Atlantic as a deck officer on cargo troop ships with voyages from New York to the British Isles, Russia and various allied ports in Western Europe and Northern Africa.
In 1995 he moved to Jacksonville where for the past 10 years he portrayed Cornelius Beekman with the Southern Oregon Historical Society.
He enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Survivors include his wife, Francie Rishell of Jacksonville; two daughters, Rebecca Rishell of San Geronimo, California; Christine Mulford of Sacramento; three step-children, Paul Wade of Aspen, Colorado, Christine Wade of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Selina Delafield of Medford; a brother, George Rishell of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements: Southern Oregon Cremation Services Inc., Grants Pass.
Gerda Eleanor Maesse
A graveside service for Gerda Eleanor Maesse, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2005 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Medford.
Mrs. Maesse, 97, of Phoenix, Oregon died Monday (May 23, 2005) at her home.
She was born July 11, 1907 in Hellefors, Sweden to Karl and Augusta Nelson. At a young age her family came to America settling in Brewster, Washington along the Columbia River.
Gerda enjoyed playing cards, bowling, swimming, rock gardening and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her husband Otto, children; Nancy Riggert, Doris Clower, Richard Maesse, and three siblings.
Survivors include grandchildren, Teresa Hoglen of Missoula, Montana, Lori Johnson of Comfort, Texas, Linda Thomas of Brookings, Oregon, Ryan Riggert, of Phoenix, Oregon, Julia Tryon of Trail, Oregon, and Cathleen Riggert of Jacksonville, Oregon; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Special mention, nephew Don Milner of Las Vegas, Nevada who was especially dear to her heart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Talking Book & Braille Services, Oregon State Library, 250 Winter Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
Gilbert W. Buck
The memorial service for Gilbert Wallace Buck will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Dan McCulloch officiating. Inurnment will be in Memory Gardens Memorial Park.
Mr. Buck, 85, of Medford, died Sunday, May 22, 2005.
He was born Jan. 18, 1920 in Bozeman, MT. In 1948 he married Fern Miracle, who preceded him in death in 1992. In 1993 in Medford, be married Irene L. Hoyt, who survives. He had lived here from 1948 to 1965, when he moved to Portland. He then moved back to the Rogue Valley in 1990 until his death.
Mr Buck served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
He worked as a Lab Technician for United Medical Laboratories in Portland for 25 years. He was a volunteer at Rogue Valley Medical Center and drove the van for patients for several years. When he was younger, he had his pilot's license, and enjoyed flying small planes.
Mr. Buck was a member of the Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he had served as Treasurer.
In addition to his wife, Irene, survivors include a son, Wendell Buck and companion, Jeff Smith of Portland; two daughters, Nancy C. and Bill Lee of Bozeman, MT, Rosemarie E. & Philip Khng of Grants Pass; three stepchildren, Robert & Fay Hoyt of Corvallis; Carolyn & Ignacio Diaz of Gold Hill; Dwain & Denise Hoyt of Las Vegas, NV; six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and seven step-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the DORCAS, c/o Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1900 Greenwood, Medford, OR 97504.
Arrangements by: Memory Gardens Mortuary.
John G. Crawford
March 14, 1913 - May 22, 2005 Husband Father Friend Soldier Philanthropist Leader John "Jack" Goble Crawford was born on March 14, 1913 in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Newark Academy in 1930 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College in 1934. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In addition to post-college civilian employment, he served in various capacities in the Army Reserve, including supervising cadets of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1940 he was called to active duty, later assigned to the 91st Infantry Division and came west to Camp White, Oregon. In 1943 he married the former Janet Mann. During World War II, he deployed with the 91st Division to the European Theater, serving primarily in the Apennines and the Lower Po Valley of Italy.
After World War II, he returned to Medford and remained active in the U.S. Army Reserve attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He supervised the construction and dedication of the U.S. Army Reserve Center on Jackson Street now the Santo Community Center.
In his long business career, from which he never retired, he was a manager at Mann's Department Store and was the owner of Western Thrift Pharmacy, now Black Oak Pharmacy. He was a community leader and philanthropist. He served on the board of directors of the Community Hospital and the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and was a member of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club.
He will be remembered for his love of gardening, beekeeping, traveling, sailing, camping and outdoor activities. Most importantly, he dedicated his life to his family, being an outstanding husband and father to his children, John G. Crawford, Jr., Janet L. Crawford, Jill C. Goodhouse, Josephine M. Crawford, Jean C. Thomas and Jane C. Picknell. Friends and family remember him for his sharp wit and kindness to others. He is survived by his wife, six children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for him at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, St. Mark's Episcopal Church Building Fund and Providence Hospital Hospice, all in Medford, Oregon.
Russell E. Blair Sr.
The memorial service for Russell Edward Blair Sr. will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005 at the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Mr. Blair, 88 of Medford, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at a Medford Foster Home.
He was born January 24, 1917 in Paradise, CA the son of Amanda and Walter Blair. He was raised in Medford and in high school was the first to kick-off a football game in the new Spiegelburg Stadium. During World War II, he served in the Army Signal Corp.
On July 11, 1942 at Tacoma, Washington he married the former Petronella Fullerton who preceded him in death in 1990.
Mr. Blair worked as a lineman for Copco for many years, followed by a time in the maintenance department of what was then known as Southern Oregon College. He retired in 1980. After his retirement he worked part-time as a parking attendant for Jackson County Federal Savings and Loan in Medford.
He enjoyed fishing, youth sports and his grandchildren. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Past District President of the Oregon State Employees Association.
Surviving are: two sons, Russell E. Blair, Jr. of Salem, and Michael L. Blair of Medford; one daughter, Sharon A. Westfall of Phoenix; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Bessie E. Ralls
Bessie E. Ralls, 96, of Grants Pass, died Monday (May 23, 2005) at Royale Gardens Health & Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements: Chapel of the Valley- L.B. Hall Funeral Home.
Elizabeth Cassidy
Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Cassidy, 71, of Medford died Sunday (May 22, 2005) at her home.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Eagle Point National Cemetery.
Arrangements: Abbey Funeral, Medford.
Grace Wright
Grace Wright, 89, died Monday (May 23, 2005) in Medford. She was born on Oct. 11, 1915. Arrangements: Perl Funeral Home and Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford.
