All Obituaries

Sally Mae (Rice) Hart, 84, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, January 6. She was well-loved in her passing journey, most deeply by her adoring husband, Eldon. Sally was born on August 25, 1938, in Vancouver, Washington, to parents Louise and John Rice. She joined older brother, John, and spent her youth in Ridgefield, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. After graduating from high school in Ilwaco, Washington in 1956, Sally attended college and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in...

"Papa Ike"                 On Monday January 2, 2023, Ike passed away at the age of 86 at his home in Burns, Oregon.  Ike was born on December 28, 1936 in Burns, Oregon and then relocated to North Bend, Oregon, and eventually moving back to Burns where he resided for the rest of his life.                  Ike was a member...

Barbara, 88, lost her three-year battle with Alzheimer/Dementia on Dec. 18, 2022, with her daughters by her side at Harney District Hospital in Burns. Barbara was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Weston, Ore., (on the mountain) to Cecil and Lucille (Miller) Kutch. She was raised throughout Oregon. She married Roy W. Norris on Sept. 11, 1953. Barbara held numerous jobs in Hines/Burns: Telephone Company, Burns Clinic, Bookkeeper for Norris Logging and Kidwell Tire Store. Barbara enjoyed reading,...

Libbia "Libby" Rose (Bailey) Schaefer passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2022, at the home of her son Bill Schaefer and Jamie Erickson near Burns, Oregon. Her husband, Dennis, was at her side. Libby was born in Burns, OR at the Burns Maternity Home on February 17, 1942, and spent her formative years on the Bailey ranch near Diamond, OR. After retiring, Libby’s parents moved to Middleton, ID, where she went to high school. Libby attended Ambassador College in Pasadena,...

Dale H. Berry passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday December 11, 2022.  He was born June 1, 1936 in Idaho Falls to his parents Clinton & Veda (Campbell) Berry.   Dale was raised in Eastern Idaho; living in Blackfoot & Salmon Idaho. Dale served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958; serving in the Korean War and on the USS Wright during Operation Wigwam. Dale welcomed his first son, David Dale Berry in 1960.  On October 23, 1961 Dale married the love of...

Wesley Leroy Tyler, lifetime Harney County Rancher, passed away November 21, 2022 with his wife by his side. He was born in Burns, Oregon March 19, 1943, to Lester and Lola (Addington) Tyler. Wes was the youngest of four children, baby sister, Stanton, and Lyle Tyler. When Wes was about four, his dad bought the Golden Place, which then became the headquarters of the Tyler Brothers Ranch. Lester told the boys “I bought this place so that you would have something to do.” Wes...

Merlin Rupp, loved and cared for by many, passed away on Nov. 19, 2022, at his home in Burns. A one of a kind, old time buckaroo with many fans and friends who cared deeply for him. He considered ‘family’ to be those people who shared his truest passions of the western culture. He has three biological daughters that survive him: Dana Mort (Billy Mort), Robyn Quintana (Jeremy Widener), Ronda Van Norman (Ty Van Norman); as well as six grandchildren, Branden Adams (Charolette...

Mary Catherine Bishop of Burns, 81 passed away peacefully on November 14th, 2022 at Harney District Hospital, within view of the very road she grew up on. Mary was born on January 25th, 1941 to James and Ina McDonnell, six weeks early on their kitchen table in Burns Oregon. She graduated from Burns High School in 1959. Mary then attended EOU at the insistence of her mother, where she met her first husband Roger Damewood. As Roger's schooling continued, Mary would give birth to their son,...

Russell Harry Kowalski, 75, passed unexpectedly on Vaterans Day. 11/11/2022. He was born, August 5th, 1947 in Burns, OR to the parents, Harry and Bobbie Kowalski.  Russell graduated Burns High School 1966, Class President and overall amazing athlete. Following graduation, he served with the US Army for 28 years, 3 tours to Vietnam in the Vietnam War. After the war, he received his teaching degree from Eastern, OR in 1982. He was a member of the Lions Club for many years and a volunteer...

Ronald Krettinger passed away on October 28th 2022 at the age of 82. He was born in Grants Pass Oregon August 25th 1940 to Carl and Helen Krettinger. He married Sharon Jackson November 18th 1960. He worked for the Forest Service as a mechanic and equipment operator and for Clackamas County as a mechanic. He then became self-employed and tried many ventures . He went into the excavation business then long haul trucking then back to dump truck and excavation. He also had an...