Nov. 20, 1949–May 31, 2013

Jack Benton Wymore, 63, of Willamina, died May 31, 2013 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland, with complications after a liver transplant (Jan. 26).

He was born Nov. 20, 1949 in Salem, Oregon, the only child of Bonnie Bessie (Willis) and Clyde Wymore. As a child, his parents owned and ran the Labish grocery store, and his first school year was in the old Labish school, near Gervais. In second grade the family moved to Roseburg (Happy Valley) where his father began his career as a Weigh Master for the State of Oregon. When Clyde was transferred to the Willamina area in 1960, Jack was a fourth grader and “the new kid on the block.” He graduated from Willamina Union High School in 1968. He completed his Associates degree at Linn-Benton Community College in 1970 and went on to all but finish at Oregon College of Education in Monmouth. One day of student teaching in the early 70’s was all it took for Jack to know his destiny was not meant to be a teacher, instead he dropped everything and joined his cousin Paul Wymore in an adventure of homesteading and building a cabin in Alberta, Canada for a year.

He started working for the Nalley Food Corp. in 1973 as a grader, and went on as station manager for 27 years near Woodburn. This seasonal work was interspersed with winter truck trips with cousin Paul in the “big rigs” hauling cattle and produce across the mid-western states. Some of his fondest memories were these adventures as well as traveling on numerous cross country road trips with his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins to Mexico, Arizona and Nevada areas. Growing up Jack spent nearly every year over in Eastern Oregon (Harney County) with his family hunting , fishing and camping.

After his father’s death in 1995, Jack retired early to care for his mother until her death in 2010. During this time he learned the PC world of EBay which led to his semi-retired status of “garage sale guru.” He had a keen enthusiasm for history, antique novelties, and remembering stories. His hobbies included bird watching, eating, Pepsi, buffets, garage sales (hosting a large sale every 4th of July for many years), and working with the volunteers of the Willamina Museum of Local History. He is known by his friends and family as a humble, unpretentious, kind and honorable man. He loved the Lord, listening to people’s stories and telling stories, that always made you laugh, he was an “original” and will be missed by many.

At age 61, Jack shocked the world by announcing he was getting married! He married the love of his life, Geneva “Ginny” (Baugher) Spees on his favorite day, July 4, 2011 on a float in the Willamina Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade “so that the whole town could be invited.” In January, 2012 he was diagnosed with Hemochromatosis (too much iron in blood) a genetic condition that damages the liver.

He is survived by his wife Geneva; step-children, Tawnya (Spees) and Mike Dettmer of Milwaukie, Korena (Spees) and Chris Lund of Dallas, Joseph and Jessica Spees of Austin, Texas; six step-grandchildren, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, June 22 beginning at 4:30 with salad/pie buffet at 5 p.m. and celebration beginning at 6 p.m. at the West Valley Community Center (formerly Willamina High School).

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Willamina Museum of Local History, and/or OHSU Foundation Anatomical Research, 1121 SW Salmon # 200, Portland, OR 97205.

“the man in the window”

Nov. 17, 1940 – May 5, 2013

Vern passed away at Willamette Valley Medical Center on May 5 at the age of 72 years.

He was born in Wilsonville, Nebraska, to Ava and Glen Magers. The family moved to Willamina, Oregon in 1941, where he resided until 2009.

He was an employee of Zimbrick Logging Co. until its closure.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and people watching from his apartment above Dylan’s (Benny’s.)

He is survived by his daughter, Janelle Hale of McMinnville; son, Jason of Salem; sisters, Marilyn Rosenbalm of Willamina; Glenda Clume of Arizona; brothers, Howard of Corvallis and Alan of Dallas; grandchildren, Jessica Sickles of Dallas; Tarin Kiel of Dallas; Steven Hale Jr. of Dallas; Billy and Cheyenne Hale of McMinnville; and four great-grandkids: Dylan Russell of Dallas; Gavin Sickles of Dallas; Brookelynn and Michael Hale of Dallas and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his sister Linda Farrell in February 2012.

Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at Dylan’s (Benny’s) Tavern in Willamina.

Sept. 1, 1927 – May 4, 2013

Charles  Robert  Jepson, 85, of Grand Ronde, died May 4 in McMinnville.

He was born Sept. 1, 1927, in Downey, Calif., to Werth E. and Sarah (Bouchard) Jepson.

He Married Betty Inez Bishop on Jan. 27, 1947.

He served in the U.S. Army 1945 through 1946.

He worked as a Nuclear Engineer helping design and build power plants and other high level power and defense projects.

He was an avid fisherman and businessman as well as a member of the Elks and Lions Club.

Charles lived in SanClemente, Calif.; Perrydale and Grand Ronde.

He is survived by his wife Betty of Grand Ronde; daughters, Penny Rathbone of Perry, Okla.; Pamela Konzem of Pismo Beach, Calif.; son Chuck Jepson of Phoenix, Ariz.; 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Services were held May 9 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

To leave on-line condolences go to www.Adamsons SheridanFuneralHome.com.

April 9, 1944 – April 6, 2013

Joseph Moroney of Sheridan, Oregon passed away April 6, 2013 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

A resident of Sheridan and the surrounding area for most of his life, Joe was born April 9, 1944 in Mason City, Neb. to John and Hannah Moroney. Joe graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School in Grand Ronde in 1958 and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1962. He was married to Charlotte Remington, also of Sheridan, for 20 years. Joe and Charlotte had two daughters, Tracy and Jolene. For most of his life, Joe was a truck driver, hauling gas and logs. Joe married Barbara Fast Compton on July 30, 1988; she passed away July 15, 2012 at their home in Ballston. He leaves behind his two daughters, two granddaughters, six brothers and sisters, and many friends.

There will be a memorial gathering for friends and family this summer in Sheridan and there will be a notice in The Sun several weeks prior to the event.