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Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 125 N Main Street/PO Box 543, Halfway, OR (2025)

12/13/2025

Elsie Anita Gardner was born on June 23, 1933, to Esmerelda and Manuel Salazar in Raymondville Texas. She went home to be with her loved ones in Heaven on November 24, 2025.

She was married first to Gustavo De Los Reyes with whom she had two children, Richard and Yolanda. She then married Rogelio Gonzalez with whom she had three children Sara, Peter and Patricia. Her last marriage was to Guy Gardner. All three marriages ended in divorce. She attended nursing school in Texas and that was her lifelong occupation.

Elsie worked at the VA hospital in Palo Alto California for over twenty years as a nurse. When she retired, it didn’t last long because she missed being a nurse. She worked in nursing homes afterwards until she was over 70. Elsie worked hard all her life to support her children. She was the best mom anyone could ask for.

She loved to sew and travel, and her favorite color was purple. She had an infectious laugh, beautiful smile and lit up a room with little to no effort. She was loved by all who knew her.

She lived in California for most of her life and moved to Richland, Oregon to live with her daughter Sara in 2022. She moved to Settlers Park that same year, due to unavoidable circumstances. While living there, the staff said that she was the welcoming committee when new residents moved in.

Elsie Leaves behind her children Richard de Los Reyes (Celia), Yolanda De Los Reyes, from California, Sara Lomas-Patton (Andy) from Oregon, and Patricia Gonzalez from California. One brother Mario (Corky) Gonzalez from Spain, and sister Cindy from Texas; five grandchildren, Ruben Lomas Jr., Regina Lopez, Pedro Ceja, Lyndsay De Los Reyes, Jose Aguilar Jr. and Jesse Aguilar abd seven great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Emeralda and Manuel, two sisters, Alice and Yolanda, two husbands Gustavo De Los Reyes and Rogelio Gonzalez, her son Peter Gonzalez, three granddaughters Priscilla Rosario and Santaleighsa Gonzalez, and Lisa Aguilar, and two sons in laws, Ruben Lomas Sr and Charles Lassiter Jr.

Elsie lived through a lot of heartbreak, but it never changed how she cared for others and her kind and loving heart. She strongly believed that if you put good out into the world, good things will come back to you.

Services will be held at a later date so that her children can attend. The family would like to thank Settlers Park staff in Baker City for loving and caring for our mom in her last years.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Elsie, the family suggest either Eagle Valley Ambulance of Best Friends (Animal shelter/care) through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

12/11/2025

Carroll George Lee Thompson, age 95 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, Benita and his loving family, on November 30, 2025.
Carroll was born to Dolliver and Thelma (Elmer) Thompson, on September 22, 1930, in Pine Valley, Oregon. He attended the Lone Fir a one room
school, as well as Baker and Halfway elementary, before attending Pine Valley High School and graduating as a Valedictorian in 1949. Carroll met
the love of his life, Benita Smelcer, the day before they started their freshman year of high school. They married on December 31,1948 and celebrated
76 years of enduring love.
Carroll worked as a farmhand, as an Oiler and then an Operator in the Brownlee Dam powerhouse, before attending Spokane Community College to
earn a degree in Computer Programming. He worked for Medical Service Corporation in Spokane, WA, Clark County, NV, and ISC in CA and WA until
his retirement in 1990.
Carroll thoroughly enjoyed hunting with family and shooting with his friends at the VFW trap range. He was extremely knowledgeable and proficient at
cartridge reloading. He also enjoyed leather working creating rifle slings, notebook covers, checkbook covers, and belts for family.
Carroll’s parents and his brother, Don, predeceased him. Carroll is survived by his wife Benita, daughter Lynn and Stan Mrzygod, and son Rod and Mary Thompson, grandchildren, John,
Lee, Kim, Regina and Rebecca, 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Any monetary donations, please send to Life Flight through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

12/11/2025

Darl Francis Pifher, 81, of Caldwell, ID, passed away at his home on December 3rd, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, time and place to be announced.

Darl was born February 27th, 1944, in Portland, OR, to Francis L. Pifher and Madeline Luster-Pifher. He graduated from Saint Francis Academy in 1962. Darl then joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany from 1966 to 1968.

He was a “Jack of all Trades”, a few of them working alongside his father and his uncle Robert “Bob” Pifher, doing masonry work. He co-owned and operated Orlin’s Quality Meats and Pifher’s Cafe in Baker City, OR. He also coached Little League and softball. Eventually he retired from Simplot in Caldwell, ID.

Darl married Virginia E. Berdahl in November of 1962, and they had two children together - Tracy Lynn and Darl Wayne. They later divorced. He met Judi Bosier in 2007 and shared a life together up until his passing.

Survivors include his partner of 18 years, Judi Bosier, of Caldwell, ID; daughter Tracy Pifher Ritch of Baker City, OR, and son Darl Pifher and his wife Busarin of Boise, ID; Grandchildren Shane Titus of Bismarck, N.D., Daniel Titus and Zachary Ritch of Baker City, OR, Norissa and Virginia Pifher of Boise, ID; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Marjorie Leary and Marilyn Williams, and her husband, DJ, all of Arizona; brothers Louis John Pifher and his wife Tacy of Meridian, ID, Richard Pifher of Pendleton, OR, and Tom Pifher of Baker City, OR.

He was preceded in Death by his parents, Francis and Madeline Pifher, and his brothers, Elbert “Dude” Pifher, Wayman Pifher, and William “Bill” Pifher, and his sister, Jean Pifher.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Darl the family suggests either the American Cancer Society or the Baker Little League through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR. 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

12/02/2025

Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, our annual Worldwide Candle Lighting unites bereaved families in remembrance of the children, grandchildren, and siblings who have died and will never be forgotten.

On December 14th at 7 pm local time, families gather to light candles and participate in a special memorial ceremony honoring their beloved child, grandchild, or sibling.

You’re invited to attend one of the hundred formal candle lighting events or participate in quiet remembrance alongside your family at home. Whether with others or in private, you’ll join thousands of families in creating a wave of light to remember the children forever loved and forever missed.

12/02/2025

Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, our annual Worldwide Candle Lighting unites bereaved families in remembrance of the children, grandchildren, and siblings who have died and will never be forgotten.

On December 14th at 7 pm local time, families gather to light candles and participate in a special memorial ceremony honoring their beloved child, grandchild, or sibling.

You’re invited to attend one of the hundred formal candle lighting events or participate in quiet remembrance alongside your family at home. Whether with others or in private, you’ll join thousands of families in creating a wave of light to remember the children forever loved and forever missed.

For more information on how to participate in this meaningful event, please visit our website.

12/02/2025

Judy Taylor, 85, passed away on November 22, 2025, at her daughter’s home in La Grande, Oregon. A short graveside committal will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway, Oregon on December 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Immediately following the committal, a Celebration of Judy's Life will be held at the Pine Valley Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall with a reception to follow.

Judith Ann was born on October 18, 1940, to Francis and Mable Huff in Baker, Oregon. Judy was raised on the family home place in Halfway where she went to Pine Town Elementary School. In her high school years, she attended St. Francis Catholic School in Baker City, graduating in 1958.

She met Dale Taylor when he came home from the service. They were married October 1, 1958, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Halfway. Dale and Judy had three children: Cathy, Kim and Eric.

Judy was an avid bowler and belonged to a couple different leagues. She enjoyed playing bridge and computer games, was a whiz at the New York Times crossword puzzles and was a welcoming face in the ticket booth at the Labor Day Fair & Rodeo. She was the queen of Sassy, classy in her dressing, wide brimmed hats, big sunglasses and her "judyisms."

Judy’s biggest joy was being a Mom and raising several generations of kids.

She was preceded in death by her parent’s, son Eric Taylor and daughter Cathy Hallgarth.

Judy is survived by her husband of 67 years Dale Taylor; daughters Kim and husband John Scharbrough of Vancouver, Washington, Jennifer and husband Scott Morwood of La Grande, Oregon; 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; brother Tom Huff, numerous extended family.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Judy, the family suggests either the Pine Valley Museum or the Pine Haven Cemetery Beautification Fund through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/30/2025

Milton Harold McDonough Jr. passed away from natural causes on November 23, 2025. He was born in 1935, so he had recently celebrated his 90th birthday. A memorial service will be held at the Payette Church of Christ on Saturday, December 6th, at 11:00am.

Milt was the third child of six born to Milton Sr. and Pauline McDonough in Ontario, Oregon.

Music was his first love. He played the sousaphone in the Weiser HS marching band and concert bands. Milt also joined his sisters, Mildred and Shirley, singing for many years at local funerals and events.

Milt met his first wife, Doris Jacks, while working at Frank Downey’s out on Crane Creek. They were married in 1955 and had four children. They ran a 40-cow dairy on the Weiser flat. In those days the milking had to be done by hand.

Milt and Doris sold the dairy in the mid 60’s and he took his first construction job working 600’ in the air on the Hells Canyon Dam. He talked about that experience for the rest of his life.

Milt’s next construction job was building the set for the movie, Paint Your Wagon, starring Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood, in Baker, Oregon.

After that construction was his life. He was the foreman on many construction jobs: the set for the TV show Hotel; some of the first buildings in Incline Village, Nevada; the California State Pen; the Water Treatment Plant in Squaw Valley, CA; and many other projects in San Jose, Reno, and Susanville, CA.

After retiring, Milt and his current wife, Pat, moved from Sparks, NV to her childhood community of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, and purchased an 80-acre farm. Milt raised registered Hereford cattle which he was very proud of. He loved ranching very much.

After Pat passed away, in 2013, Milt moved back to Payette, Idaho to be near his sisters, Mildred Horton and Shirley Qualls.

There, Milt married Rocklin Middleton in February of 2016. They were very happy together until Rocky passed away in March of 2023.

Milt then moved to Brookdale Assisted Living in Ontario for a year, and lived the past year at Sunset Estates in Ontario.

Milt is survived by two sisters, Mildred Horton and Judy Beeks, and two brothers Bill and Marie-Claire McDonough, and John McDonough. His four children: Luane Page of Cambridge, Ramona (John) Rogers of Caldwell, Diana Kaus of Payette, and Russell (Linda) McDonough of Winlock, Washington. Also, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and much-loved nieces and nephews.

Milt was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Shirley Qualls.

The family would like to thank Mildred Horton (sister) and Joe Qualls (nephew) for visiting him often, and both Brookdale and Sunset for taking such great care of him the past two years.

Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/30/2025

Mary Marguerite Castilaw, 70, passed on November 17, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Silsbee, Texas. In June 2025 she moved to Silsbee to be with her daughter and family.

Marguerite was born on December 27, 1954 to Kenneth and Evelyn Stewart of Caldwell, Idaho. After graduating from Marsing High School in 1972, she moved to Texas where she fell in love and married Paul Castilaw. They had one daughter named Tasha. After they divorced, she and Tasha moved to Halfway to be close to her brother Bob and sister-in-law Sue. She worked at Stockman’s for many years.

Marguerite enjoyed working in her flower garden, taking care of her yard and the neighboring yards. She had numerous good friends and family in Oregon, California and Idaho that will miss her terribly. She had a heart of gold and would do anything to help a friend.

Survivors include her daughter Tasha and husband Justice Walker, grandson Seth of Silsbee, Texas; two brothers Robert Dale Stewart of Eugene, Oregon and Kenneth Dean Stewart of Caldwell, Idaho; sister Dianna Cotters of Melba, Idaho.

Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/21/2025

Travis Burnside, 50, formerly of Baker City, Oregon (Baker High class of 1993) died on November 13, 2025 at his home in Boise, Idaho. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 1:00 p.m. at the Baker City Nazarene Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/19/2025

Jean Joann “Joanie” Shoemaker Driggers

August 7, 1934 – November 11, 2025

Jean Joann “Joanie” Shoemaker Driggers was born on August 7, 1934, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to James Warren (JW) Shoemaker and Willie Lue (Billie) Craig Shoemaker. She was raised on her family’s ranches in La Cueva and Watrous, New Mexico.

A gifted rider from childhood, Joanie was widely recognized as one of the top horsewomen in New Mexico. She appeared on the covers of Western Horseman, Horse Lovers, New Mexico, Sun Trails and Palomino Horses magazines. In 1953, she was crowned New Mexico State Fair Queen and won numerous awards in equine competitions, including the Aged Reining class at the Denver Stock Show on her gelding, Show Boy S.

In 1954, Joanie married Howard Driggers, joining two of New Mexico’s prominent ranching families. They began their life together on the Driggers Bar Y and Cabra Springs Ranches in Santa Rosa and later worked on the Shoemaker Bar O Ranch in Watrous before purchasing their own ranch there in 1967. Joanie thrived in ranch life, working cattle, raising her children, and cooking for full ranch crews with her legendary New Mexican dishes.

In 1972, the family moved to Baker County, Oregon, where they owned and operated the Coffey Ranch, raising Hereford cattle and American Quarter Horses. After selling the Coffey Ranch, they built the Slash D horse facility in 1981. The indoor arena became a regional hub for high school and college rodeos, horse shows, team ropings, cutting competitions, clinics, 4-H events, and community gatherings. Joanie was known for her tireless work ethic, immaculate barns, and the thousands of handmade hamburgers she served from the Slash D “cookshack” at countless events.

Joanie was active in many equine and rodeo associations, including the Blue Mountain Quarter Horse Association, Haines Rodeo Association, Oregon High School Rodeo Association, Western States Junior Rodeo Association, and the Blue Mountain Cutting Horse Association. She supported her children and countless young riders in all their endeavors.

In the late 1990s, Joanie and Howard moved to Halfway, Oregon. Following their separation, she moved to Montana to ranch alongside her sister, Jimmie Lue; a time she often described as one of the happiest of her later years, especially when the two of them calved out 400 head of cows when they were 68 and 70. She later returned to Oregon, working at the Slash D for her nephew Dan, and eventually settled in Baker City to help raise her grandchildren.

In 2013, Joanie moved to Morrison, Colorado, with her son Kyle and his family, continuing her cherished role as caregiver and grandmother. In 2020, she returned home to Baker City, where she lived with her son Arlen, who cared for her with deep devotion during her final years. Joanie treasured her annual trips to Montana to spend time with her sister and extended family; the cousins grew up more like siblings, and their gatherings at “The Bliss Camp” were among her life’s greatest joys.

Joanie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Howard, her sister Jimmie Lue Shoemaker Eddleman and grandson William Ried.

She is survived by her children: Warren (Nancy), Arlen, Dixie (Bill Quigley), and Kyle (Robin); her grandchildren: Keri, Elizabeth, Danny, Zoe, Stephanie (Jack), Nicole, Buck (Alice), Angie (Bob); and her great-grandchildren: Christopher, Jay, Hailey, Hannah, Amelia, Thomas, Ann, Landen, Wyatt, Emett, and Móorea. She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Joanie will be remembered for her extraordinary horsemanship, her unwavering work ethic, her generosity, her immaculate home and barns, her New Mexican cooking, and the fierce love she carried for her family. Her legacy lives on in the generations she raised, the horses she trained, and the countless people whose lives she touched.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and staff of Heart and Home Hospice, and the friends and family who visited this past year. She treasured your visits and phone calls and you truly made a difference in her life.

Memorial donations can be made to CASA of Eastern Oregon, Heart 'n Home Hospice or a charity of one’s choice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/17/2025

Dianna Lynne Carey- Melchior, 66, of Halfway, OR died on Monday, November 10, 2025 at her home.

Lynne was born in Boise, ID on February 9, 1959. She was raised in various states and countries. She attended schools from Singapore to Halfway, OR where she graduated from Pine Eagle High School in 1976.

Lynne married Tommy Masterson in 1976. They had 2 children, Salli and Kestin. They later divorced in 1981. On September 4, 1988, she married James Melchior and together they had children Nikolas and Shyla.

She worked at Wild Bills, Old Pine Market and did various caregiving jobs through the years. Lynne was a member of the L.D.S. Church Halfway Branch.

Lynne enjoyed music, singing, hunting, fishing, rodeo, sitting around campfires under star light and swimming in the Snake River. Her favorite color was purple and she loved spring because of the birth of various animals and the greening of the grass and trees.

Lynne’s life philosophy was “Live, Love, Laugh”.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Melchior; father Everett Carey; Sister Wendy Carey; brothers Bob and Randy Carey; grandparents Fred and Myrtle Carey and Dude and Helen Douglas.

Lynne is survived by her children Kestin (Nichole) Masterson of Baker City, OR, Salli (Jeremy) Allen of Halfway, OR.,

Nikolas (Sarah) Melchior just outside of Roseburg, OR, Shyla (Josh) Givens of Honeygrove, TX; mother Barbara Carey; sisters Fawn Carey and Rusti Lattin; 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; numerous extended family and friends.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Lynne to help defray service expenses, please make checks payable to Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

11/17/2025

Jamil Salah Hosni,45, born 12 June 1980, departed this world 9 November 2025. His spirit took flight, high in the mountains he loved, after an accidental fall. In an instant, he was gone. But his presence lives on in our hearts and memory. We choose to remember Jamil at his best…hard at work in the gardens of many folk, mowing and weeding…his great skill as a cook, his beaming smile as he presented food made with love, feeding the many…and finally, his wizardry in fixing things mechanical, his incredible ability to work and navigate all things digital, helping and explaining how to make this wired world work for all of us.

Jamil was never shy about sharing his love of the Lord, always ready to offer his experience of divine healing and comfort, and it was his fervent hope that all might partake of that same promise. Touched by the fire of bipolar disorder, Jamil wrestled with depression and shadows beyond our imagining, but with faith and effort, he was able to find his way back to his better self again and again. His deepest gift to us all, living here among us, are his three lovely daughters: Odessa Stephens-Hosni, Aliya Hosni and Adonia Hosni, and in the wonderful way that life flows forward, we are able now to shower the love held for him, upon these girls.

Reaching for the stars, Jamil may have stumbled…but he died in the place he loved most in the world…and that was his path…to Summit all up. Peace be with you Jamil.

Jamil is preceded in death by his father Farid Hosni, and survived by his daughters Odessa, Aliya and Adonia; mother Donna Perrin, his stepfather Curt Terrall, and his sisters Sophia Hosni, and Sloan Hosni. He is also surrounded by a circle of loving family and friends too many to list here.

A celebration of Jamil’s spirited existence will be held high in the mountains he loved in the summer of 2026. Thank you to everyone for your incredible outpouring of love and support. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

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