Nancy Ellen Brown, age 89, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away at home on June 17, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Kenneth Allen Catlin, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center on June 13, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell in care of arrangements.
Reece Andrew Miller, age 26, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on June 13, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Joshua Ray Hill, lovingly known as Josh, passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 31.
Born in Clackamas, Oregon, to Jim and Cresen Hill, Josh graduated from South Wasco County High School in 2013 and spent much of his life in Wamic, Oregon, a place he deeply loved. In 2025, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to continue building his future.
Josh had a lifelong passion for motorcycles and mechanics. He worked as a motorcycle mechanic in Wamic before relocating to Phoenix, where he worked in maintenance while attending Motorcycle Mechanic School at UTI. He earned his HondaPro Certificate and was proudly working toward graduation in August 2026.
Josh loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes, and working on vehicles. He was always willing to help others and cherished time spent with family and friends. His kindness, humor, loyalty, and adventurous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Josh is survived by his parents, Jim and Cresen Hill; his brother, Jimmy Hill, and sister-in-law, Kayla Hill; his nieces, Juniper and Aspen Hill; and many extended family members and close friends.
A celebration of life will be held on June 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wasco County Fair & Rodeo Grounds.
Though his life was cut short, Josh’s memory lives on in the stories shared, the trails ridden, and the hearts of all who loved him. His spirit will forever ride with those who knew him.
MaryRuth Stranz, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on June 6, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Cleeve Roger Canning, age 78, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center on May 24, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Brenda Sue Gaither, age 71, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Columbia Basin Care Facility on June 1, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 27, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Bargeway Pub, 1535 Bargeway Rd., The Dalles, OR 97058. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Daren Wayne Leazer, age 63, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on May 30, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Michael Arthur Johnson, 77, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of service, friendship, and devotion to family and community.
Born on September 16, 1948, in Yakima, Washington, Michael was the son of Arthur and Opal Johnson. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, an experience that remained an important part of his life and identity.
For many years, The Dalles was the place Michael called home. A hardworking man who never shied away from a challenge, he worked throughout his life as a truck driver, limousine driver, landscaper, and at John Day Dam. No matter the job, Michael was known for his reliability, determination, and willingness to lend a helping hand.
Service to others was at the heart of who Michael was. He dedicated many years as a volunteer firefighter with The Dalles Fire Department, eventually earning the rank of Volunteer Captain. He took great pride in serving and protecting his community and formed lifelong friendships through his years of volunteer service.
Michael was also a passionate model train enthusiast. His love of trains inspired him to establish a train club at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, where he enjoyed sharing his hobby and bringing joy to fellow veterans and residents. Whether working on a model railroad display or discussing trains with friends, Michael's enthusiasm was contagious.
When he wasn't volunteering or working on trains, Michael enjoyed watching movies, especially classic westerns and films starring John Wayne. He appreciated the stories, characters, and values reflected in those timeless favorites.
Above all, Michael cherished his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Marion Johnson; his son, Brad Johnson; his daughter, Danette Johnson; his brother, Richard Trevis; his sisters, Marilyn Kafulides and Barbara Shannon; and his niece, Katrina Kafulides. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Opal Johnson.
Michael will be remembered for his generous spirit, strong sense of duty, and unwavering commitment to those he loved. His kindness, humor, and willingness to help others touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at I.O.O.F. Three Mile Cemetery, 2565 Three Mile County Road, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Sandra Ann Mausolf, age 63, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on May 29, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Barbara Frances Strickland Bailey (84), of The Dalles, Oregon, died on Mother’s Day, May
10, 2026, at her home.
She was born in 1941, to Rex Strickland and Lorena Matthews Strickland in Seattle,
Washington. Barbara grew up on Magnolia in Seattle before moving to Edmonds, Washington
where she attended high school, trained her Appaloosa horse “Palouse”, and water skied on
Puget Sound. Although she spent her freshman year of college at Washington State
University, she graduated from University of Puget Sound where she was a member of the
Alpha Phi Sorority.
She met her future husband on a blind date, and made him wait for her while her father made
sure he was acceptable. She married Bob Bailey in 1963. She moved to her husband’s cherry
farm in The Dalles, Oregon and had two children, Brenda Frances and Bridget Suzanne.
Barbara was married for 62 years, and lived a life centered around farming, traveling, and trying
to make the world a better place. Her work was as varied as teaching 6th graders at Dry Hollow
Elementary, and later, serving as President of her family real estate business. Barbara’s advocacy
as a “Concerned Citizen” resulted in the relocation of a planned Zirconium plant away from the
Columbia River Gorge. She also testified before Congress to create the Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area. Later, Governor Roberts appointed Barbara to serve on the initial
Columbia River Gorge Commission. She beautified her community as a Master Gardner, and by
creating a public green space along Mill Creek, where the Fort Dalles US Army horses were
tethered and cared for.
Barbara backpacked in the Wallowa Mountains and the Three Sisters Wilderness. She trekked
the Himalayas with her brother Tom, guided by her friend Tenzing Norgay. She purchased a
beach house on the Oregon coast and lovingly renovated it to share with friends and family. She
studied dressage, Italian cooking, and gardening techniques in Britain and France. She loved all
animals, and especially her corgis.
Barbara is survived by her husband Bob (The Dalles, Oregon), daughters Brenda (Thomas)
and Bridget (Nisley Bailey), son-in laws Sterling Thomas (The Dalles Oregon), Eric Nisley
(Madras, Oregon), grandson Augustus Thomas (Chicago, Illinois), grand-daughter Elizabeth
Nisley Bailey (San Francisco, California), sister Nancy (Port Townsend, Washington) and
brother Tom (Edmonds, Washington). She was preceded in death by her sister Lorena.
Memorials or donations may be made to Friends of the Columbia Gorge or Columbia Gorge
Humane Society.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral home in care of arrangements.
Penny Sue Deurwaarder, age 79, a resident of Wamic, OR, passed away at home on May 20, 2026., Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Beau Joseph Christopherson, age 34, a resident of Hood River, OR, passed away May 19, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Sally Ann Hall, age 72, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on May 23, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Matthew Michael Oakes Geary, age 42, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at OHSU Hospital on May 22, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Wanda Ive Willis, age 91, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at Canyon Rim Assisted Living on May 12, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Irma Irene Nichols, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at OHSU Hospital on May 1, 2026. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 15, 2026, 4:00 pm at St. Peter Catholic Church, following the Funeral Mass there will be a viewing at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Kozet Ann Mitchell, age 50, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away at home on May 7, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Janet Gail Malott, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on May 5, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Lee Allan Thornton, age 72, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away April 24, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.