Obituaries - March 19

Mary was born at Burkburnett, Texas on Dec. 8, 1930, to Eber Y. Wolfe and Adalia Ward Wolfe.

She graduated from East Mountain High School in Gilmer, Texas, in 1948; East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas, in 1951; and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1958.

She married Private First Class David L. Bruner on June 14, 1952. They later had three children: Richard L. Bruner and D. Allan Bruner, both from Oregon, and Ceytha M. Bruner from Washington.

During her lifetime, she taught eighth-grade social studies at Buckner Academy, Dallas, Texas, and in Disputanta Public School, Disputanta, Va.

She was a dedicated homemaker, pastor’s wife, church pianist and church secretary. She was a life-long children’s Sunday school teacher. Mary was a gracious host whose home was open to summer missionaries, evangelists, pastors and strangers, and many others whom her husband invited unannounced. She remembered family and church friends with birthday and anniversary cards.

She was an active member of Community Baptist Church and pianist for worship services at Rosewood Villa for nine years. In addition, she played piano for worship services at the Lighthouse Mission and at Alderwood Care Center.

Mary is survived by her husband of 50 years, Rev. David L. Bruner, Bellingham, her three children and their families, including five granddaughters, a sister, Doris Mae Garner of Ft. Worth, Texas, a brother, J.W. Hail of Tyler, Texas, two sisters-in-law, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

In place of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Baptist Church Building Fund.

A graveside service was held March 14 at Greenacres-Moles Cemetery in Bellingham. Please share your condolences with the family in their online guest book at: www.greenacresmoles.com.

Wilbur Nathan Hill

Wilbur Nathan Hill, a long time resident of Hood River Valley, and currently a resident of Salem, Ore., passed away March 15, 2003, at the Salem Memorial Hospital.

Wilbur — “Webb” to all of his friends and family — was 77 years old.

Webb was born on June 22, 1925, on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation to Alpha and Samuel Nathan Hill joining his older siblings, Kenny, Ruth, Hilda and Wilda. Webb was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kenny Hill of Astoria, Ore.

Webb spent his youth in the Hood River area where he attended school and enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. With the approaching of World War II, he joined the Navy at 17. His ship, the USS St. Louis was one of the ships that was sunk during the attack of Pearl Harbor.

Webb returned to Hood River, Ore., where he met and married Marian Sherell. Webb and Marian lived in Klamath Falls, Ore., for a short time, but returned to Hood River to start and raise their family. Webb worked as a body and fender man for Allan Hay Motors in Hood River for a short time. He eventually got a job as a U.S. Postal Carrier, a job that gained him many lasting friendships and a job he eventually retired from after 30 years of service. Webb later worked part time as a toll bridge operator on the Hood River Bridge.

Webb and Marian raised two sons, Randall and Rodney Hill. The Hill’s were kept busy for many years attending their son’s sporting activities. Webb was active in the Hood River Fire Department, the American Legion Club, and the Hood River Elks Club. Randy and Rod met and married their wives, and started their own families. The grandchildren were the center of Webb and Marian’s lives for the next 25 years, rarely missing their grandchildren’s softball, basketball or soccer games. Webb was also an avid golfer and won the Hood River Golf Club championship a couple times with three “holes in one” to his record.

Webb and Marian eventually moved to Salem in the spring of 1997, following their son Rodney who had transferred there.

Webb is survived by his wife, Marian; two sons, Randall and his wife, Susan; Rodney and his wife, Jennifer; all of Salem; sister, Ruth Skalberg of LaMirada, Ca., and Wilda Goe and Hilda Silagi of Hood River.

He is also survived by four grandchildren; Tricia Saefke and her husband, John; Ryan Hill and his wife, Shannon; Tonja Hill and her husband, Eric Poer, and Jacalyn Hill. Also surviving is one great-grandchild, Jackson Saefke.

Services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 20, at Anderson’s Tribute Center in Hood River. Visitation will be held on March 19 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Anderson’s Tribute Center. Burial will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery with a Celebration of Life immediately afterwards at the Hood River Legion Club.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge or Hospice of Salem c/o Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.

Carla Cochran

Carla Marie Cochran, a Hood River, Ore., resident, died March 12, 2003, at her residence. She was 45 years of age.

Services were on Tuesday, March 18 at 1 p.m. at the Hood River Alliance Church, where she was a member.

Carla was born Sept. 24, 1957, in Tonasket, Wash., to James and Fran (Woodard) Crider. She was raised and educated in Hood River, graduating from high school in 1976. On Aug. 6, 1977, she and David Cochran were married in Hood River. Carla had worked at the Center for Living for four years. She enjoyed her family and arts and crafts.

She is survived by her husband, David Cochran of Hood River; son Shaun Cochran and his wife Michelle of Hood River; daughter Kara Cochran of Hood River; daughter Natalie Herman and her husband, Jay, of Anchorage, Alaska; son Ryan Crider of Hood River; mother Fran Crider of Hood River; her father, James Crider of Alaska; her twin sister Carol Crider of Yakima, Wash.; sister Tammy Mertz and her husband Gary of Yakima; brothers James Crider of Springfield, Ore.; Todd Crider and his wife, Janet, of Salem, Ore., and Jason Crider and his wife, Georgette, of Oregon City; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd and Lila Cochran of Parkdale, and her stepmother, Anna Emerson and her husband, Phil, of LaGrande. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Against Violence, c/o Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.

Deora Martin

Deora Cornelius Martin, a Hood River, Ore., resident, died March 15, 2003, at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.

Graveside services will be on March 19 at 2 p.m.. at Idlewild Cemetery.

Deora was born Sept. 27, 1915, in Waldren, Ark., to Charlie and Francis Cornelious (Barnard) Martin and moved to Oklahoma at the age of three weeks.

On Nov. 12, 1932, she and Archie Martin were married in Okmulgee, Okla. They resided there for three years and then moved to The Dalles, Ore., on Dec. 23, 1935, and then to Hood River in March 1936. They lived in the West Side area before purchasing an orchard in Parkdale in 1964. She worked for Diamond Fruit for 15 years and sold Luzieis Cosmetics for two years.

Deora was active in the community. She worked for the cancer drive for 14 years, volunteered two years with the Red Cross and bought groceries for the Barrett School lunch for five years. She was a member of the Good Sam Club, the Teamsters Union, Barrett P.T.A., Oak Grove Home Extension, Degree of Honor at The Dalles. She attended Valley Christian Church before moving to Parkdale. She liked cooking dinner for family and friends. She would call friends and say lets take a picnic and go to the park. Deora enjoyed camping and saw a lot of Oregon.

Her parents, husband Archie in 1988, four brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Blanche of Oregon City, Ore. and son Myron of Hood River. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Marquita Kudrna of Milwaukie, Ore.; Ron Durland of Oregon City; Cindy Hauhuth of Olathe, Kan.; and Tony Martin of Hood River. Nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Arrangements by Anderson’s Tribute Center. 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.

Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy of Hood River died March 9, 2003, at Providence Memorial Hospital in Portland, Ore. He was 57. Michael was born Aug. 12, 1947.

Services are planned at 2 p.m. on March 23 at 668 Rene Place, Hood River. Call 806-6615 for directions.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Murphy, daughter Heather Murphy, two grandchildren, brothers Frank Murphy and Bruce Murphy and sister Jennifer Everhart.

Michael was an Air Force veteran who liked fishing, photography, reading, playing the guitar, and fixing things.