A Graveside Service will be held for 59 year old Gregory Reponen on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Burns Cemetery. Contributions in Gregory Reponen's memory can be made to the Burns Cemetery Fund for purchasing of new trees to be planted in the cemetery in care of LaFollette's Chapel, PO Box 488; Burns, OR 97720. Gregory A. Reponen, age 59, died at his home in Crooked River Ranch on 2 October 2013 after a long illness.  He was born on June 7, 1954 at Mather Air Force base in Sacramento, CA to Gerald and Ruth Reponen. He had lived in Germany, England and all around the United States while his father served in the Air Force. As a youth he was very active with the Boy Scouts and earned the Eagle Scout rank and The Order of the Arrow. He was a long term resident of Harney County and lived on his ranch on Wrights Point at the end of Reponen Road which was named after him. Greg was a long time BLM firefighter who started his firefighter career with California Department of Forestry in the late 70's and was later the Frenchglen Station Manager in the 80's until he was injured on the job.  He was also a volunteer firefighter for the City of Burns in the 80's. For the past 6 years he had lived in Crooked River Ranch where he moved to be closer to medical specialists.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was well known for his bountiful gardens.  Many rose bushes around the city had been given to his friends; these were all descendent plants from the rose his great grandmother had brought to this country from Finland. His heart always remained in Harney County and he was waiting for the time he could return.  He is now smiling down from heaven as he has finally returned home after years of pain and suffering.  Greg is survived by his parents Gerald and Ruth Reponen, Crooked River Ranch and his three brothers, Gerald Jr. of Crooked River Ranch, Jon (Marsha) of Burns and Charles (Kelly) of Redmond.  He is also survived by his nieces Anna Reponen and Kristy Reponen of Burns.  Burial will be in the Burns Cemetery on October 11 at 1pm.  At his request there will be a simple graveside ceremony presided over by his long time friend, retired pastor Gene Luttmann.