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Obituaries

Page Updated: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 3:02 PM PDT

Obituaries

Obituaries for the week of May 7 included Bert Bartow; Marshall Leach; Henry Jackson Jr.; and Geraldine Townsend.

Bert Alured Bartow

Aug. 16, 1922 - April 27, 2008

A memorial service was held for Bert Alured Bartow, 85, of Reedsport, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at United Presbyterian Church, 2360 Longwood Drive, Reedsport. A reception followed at the church. Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Reedsport Masonic Cemetery.

Bert was born in Reedsport on Aug. 16, 1922, to Jim and Grace Walker Bartow. He died April 27, 2008, in Reedsport.

He was raised on the Scholfield Creek Farm by his mother and his uncle, Alured Walker. His father died in 1923 from injuries sustained in a logging accident.

His 85 years on the family farm were spent cultivating his unique, playful humor, and growing a family of which he was proud. He touched many lives as a community volunteer and also was known to all as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Bert lived his entire life on the family farm, with a few necessary exceptions. He attended school through grade 12 in Reedsport. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was wounded in action in Italy. He received several decorations and citations during his service to his country, including a Purple Heart and two Bronze Battle Stars.

Back home, Bert married Helen Mae Murphey on Nov. 24, 1946. The ceremony was held at the Rebekah Hall in Reedsport, and the couple eventually settled into their home in Reedsport, where they lived for 15 years before moving back to the farm.

He worked as a chokersetter in the logging industry for Cape Arago Logging Co. until 1950, when he went to work for the city of Reedsport. He continued to work in the maintenance department until his retirement as maintenance foreman in 1981.

Bert was an active volunteer in many community organizations and projects. He served on the Reedsport Fire Department for 13 years. He held a life membership to the Oddfellows Lodge, Reedsport Rebekah Lodge, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was a member of the Gardiner/Reedsport Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program and a faithful fan of the Reedsport athletics program. Bert was a member of the Siletz Native American Tribe.

In 2003, Bert and Helen were honored by the Reedsport community as “Pioneer Citizens.”

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, clam digging and being outdoors. He enjoyed pinochle and visiting with friends and family. He especially loved playing pranks on his family, friends and doctors. For those who could withstand his rare sense of humor, they were rewarded by always leaving Bert and Helen’s home with some sort of fruit, garden vegetable or home-grown beef.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen; three daughters and their families, Nancy Stewart and husband Rick of Reedsport, Judy Dickson and husband Bill of Columbia City, Becky Young and husband Dan of Bend; four grandsons, Luke Dickson and wife Michelle of Junction City, Brett Blundon and Nick Blundon, both of Corvallis and Garrett Stewart of Eugene; one granddaughter, Rindy (Dickson) Spicer and husband Cody of Veneta; and two great-grandchildren, William and Kate Dickson of Junction City.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Kenneth Murphey Scholarship Fund, c/o Walter Murphey, 1845 Greenwood Ave., Reedsport, OR 97467; or the Reedsport Junior/Senior High School Athletic Department, 271-2141.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel, 271-2822.

Marshall Wilton Leach

July 27, 1923 – May 3, 2008

A funeral service will be held for Marshall Wilton Leach, 84, of Bandon, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at Dunes Memorial Chapel, 2300 Frontage Road, in Reedsport. Burial will follow at the Scottsburg Cemetery. Viewing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at Dunes Memorial Chapel.

Wilt was born July 27, 1923, at Keizer Hospital in North Bend, to Marshall G. and Sadie Jane (Hibner) Leach. He died May 3, 2008, in Coos Bay.

He was raised in Reedsport and the Umpqua River Area. He graduated from Reedsport High School. He married Natalie Faye Covell, on Jan. 23, 1944, in Vancouver, Wash. Most of his life was spent in the Reedsport area, with the exception of five years in Bend and one year in Desert Hot Springs, Calif.

He started his working years at the Umpqua River Navigation Co. in Reedsport. During World War II, he worked at the shipyards in Portland. After the war, he returned to the Reedsport area and worked on tug boats for the Umpqua River Navigation Co. and later, on family owned tug boats. He owned and operated Wilt’s Furniture in Reedsport.

In his early childhood, he spent much of his time making many rich memories on his Grandparents homestead across the Umpqua River. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving hunting and fishing. He enjoyed trapshooting, winning numerous trophies. He was a member of the Hall Lake Gun Club. He loved challenging his grandsons to cribbage games. He also spent many hours creating and recording music with his grandson, Eric. Above all, his greatest love was his family.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Natalie Faye (Covell) Leach; three daughters, Nian Faye Porter and husband, Stanley, of Coos Bay, Karie Jil of Coos Bay and Toni Joy Smith and husband, James, of Myrtle Creek; six grandchildren, Daren Porter and wife, Melissa, Eric Porter and wife, LaDonna, Scott Christoferson and wife, Christy, Samanthay Britton and husband, Jeff, David Smith and Jason Smith; and great-grandchildren, Heather Porter, Adam Porter, Evan Porter, Brooke Porter, Kaitlyn Porter, Brett Christoferson, Carlee Christoferson and Ashley Britton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall G. Leach and Sadie Jane Leach.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 115, Portland, OR 97407; or the American Cancer Society, 31 W. Sixth St., Medford, OR 97501.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel, 271-2822.

Henry Franklin Jackson Jr.

Feb. 23, 1926 – May 1, 2008

A memorial service will be held for Henry Franklin Jackson Jr., 82, of Lakeside, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Harbor Baptist Church, 7th and Broadway, in Winchester Bay.

Henry was born Feb. 23, 1926, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Henry Franklin Jackson Sr. and Elizabeth Dedina Jackson (Kaser). He died May 1, 2008, in Coos Bay.

He was raised in Yakima Valley, Wash., Hood River, Siletz and Silverton. He graduated from Silverton High School. He married Dora Leone Howard on Nov. 20, 1949, in Silverton. He has lived in Silverton, Eugene, Scottsburg and Lakeside. He retired after 35 years employment with Inter-national Pa-per Inc., where he was a heavy equipment operator. Later, he and his wife were co-owners with their son, Larry, of the North Lake Marina. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons and friends, camping with his family and woodworking. He loved animals and had many special pets.

Henry was a longtime member of the Scottsburg Community Church and taught Boys’ Brigade. After moving to Lakeside, he became a member of Harbor Baptist Church. He loved attending church and all the various functions after church and during the week. What brought Henry the most joy was having his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with him for the many special occasions celebrated as a family.

Henry served in the U.S. Army Air Force of Occupation during World War II in Japan.

He is survived by his wife, Dora Leone Jackson; son, David Jackson and wife, Karen; daughter, Carol Harrell and husband, John; daughter, Cheryl Meichsner and husband, Rick; son, Lawrence Jackson and wife, Ella; son, Gregory Jackson and wife, Cathy; daughter, Gail Horn and husband, Dean; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Raymond Jackson; his mother, Elizabeth; and his father, Henry F. Jackson Sr.

The family suggests memorials contributions to the Harbor Baptist Church Missions Fund, c/o Dunes Memorial Chapel, 2300 Frontage Road, Reedsport, OR 97467.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel, 271-2822.

Geraldine Esther Townsend

Dec. 23, 1922 – May 3, 2008

A funeral service will be held for Geraldine Esther Townsend, 85, of Gardiner, at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Dunes Memorial Chapel, 2300 Frontage Road, in Reedsport. Burial will follow at Reedsport Masonic Cemetery.

Geraldine was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She died May 3, 2008, in the comfort of her home in Gardiner. She was born Dec. 23, 1922, in Smith River, to Glen and Etta (Leach) Noel. She was the youngest of seven children.

She was raised on the Noel Ranch, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Smith River School and received her diploma and graduated from Smith River High School in 1941.

She married Earl C. Townsend on June 7, 1941. They lived in Gardiner, where they raised their family together. She worked as a florist at Ross’ in Reedsport. She also worked at Dunn’s Clothing Store. She worked in many retail gift shops throughout her life.

She was a homemaker and she enjoyed cooking, square dancing, singing, piano, embroidery and making flower arrangements. She was well known within her family for her wonderful cooking and her beautiful smile. She was a very generous and loving person to all who knew her.

She was a longtime member of the Rebekahs Lodge and charter member for the Gardiner Sewing Club.

She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She is survived by her brother, Alton Noel of Lebanon; and her three sons and their families, Fred and Donna Townsend of Yerington, Nev., Terry Townsend and Barbara Cox of Reedsport and Verl and Tammy Townsend of Gardiner; seven granddaughters, Amber, Heather, Angie, Amanda, Trina, Melanie and Kelly; seven grandsons, Aaron, Chris, Nathan, Nick, Greg, Brandon and Kenneth; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Earl C. Townsend.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel, 271-2822.