David Eugene Staehnke, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at a local Care Facility on December 15, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Jack Lee Harmon at the age of 90 passed away peacefully on December 11th at Harmony Adult

Foster Home in The Dalles. He was born on June 1, 1935, to Lena and Ace Harmon in La Grande, Oregon. He graduated from high school in1953 and continued at Eastern Oregon College graduating with a degree in Education. Jack enlisted in The National Guard for three years and was honorably discharged in 1959. In 1955 Jack married his high school sweetheart, Una Mae Leavitt and spent 70 years together, raising four boys, (Jeff, Kurt, Rod, and Mitchell).

Jack is survived by his wife, Una Mae; children, Jeff, wife Laurie, Kurt, wife Marian, Rod, wife Patty, Mitch, wife Lacero; two sisters, Phyllis Taylor and Dixie Miller. Jack has 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, preceding his death are his parents and two brothers David and Charles Harmon.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of choice.

Service in his memory will be held at The Dalles Middle School Commons room on January 18, 2026, at 1:00pm

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangem

Richard Roeder, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on December 12, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Shirley May Mattson, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on December 11, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Scott Lee Finkle, age 60, a resident of Wilsonville, OR, passed away December 14, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements. “Rest easy Cowboy”

Jenny Fay Mathews, age 64, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center on December 10, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Virginia Sue Bark, age 84, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on December 11, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Robin Elizabeth McReynolds-Gutzler, age 52, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at home on December 8, 2025. A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 11 AM at Kelley Cemetery in Maupin, OR. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Richard Riley Johnson, age 78, a resident of Moro, OR, passed away at home on December 11, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

John William Byers Jr., 93, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away on Dec. 8, 2025, at Columbia Basin Nursing Home, surrounded by loved ones. Born on April 10, 1932, John lived a life marked by kindness, dedication, community service, and a deep love for his family. John married his teenage sweetheart, Marilyn Emerson Byers, and together they shared an extraordinary 71 years of marriage. Their relationship was a true testament to unwavering devotion, partnership, and joy. They built a beautiful life together, raising four children, owning a cherry orchard, and creating a home filled with love, hard work, and purpose.

John took great pride in his career as a CPA for 70 years, bringing the same commitment, integrity, and steady presence to his profession that he brought to every facet of his life. He was also a dedicated sports fan, especially devoted to the Blazers, Mariners, Seahawks, and University of Oregon, teams that brought him years of excitement and occasional heartbreak.

John is lovingly survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children Karilyn, Becky, Nancy, and John; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and countless others who cherished him deeply. He was a steady source of support, wisdom, humor, and love, and his presence will be profoundly missed.

Throughout his life, John remained deeply committed to serving his community. He held leadership roles on several boards, including The Dalles Little League (25 years), Columbia Basin Nursing Home (27 years), Oregon Cherry Growers, and the Lions Club (71 years). He was recognized by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce as the 1981 Man of the Year for his involvement, guidance, and dedication to the community. He approached each role with pride and a sincere desire to make his community a better place.

There will be a family Graveside ceremony to honor his remarkable life. Donations may be made in his honor to the Columbia Basin Nursing Home Foundation, The Dalles Little League, or the Lions Club, all causes close to his heart.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 2 to 6 PM at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home. Per John’s request a private family Graveside Service will be held. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Ralph Olin Browning, age 77, passed away peacefully in his home on November 24, 2025. He was born on May 12, 1948, to Robert Olin Browning and Marian Jean Davis Browning, and he grew up in The Dalles, Oregon.

Ralph graduated from Wahtonka High School in 1966, where he served as Honor Society President and Class President. A talented student-athlete, he played football, basketball, and ran track. He continued his education at the University of Oregon and Western Oregon College of Education, later earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries from Oregon State University.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years as a submariner and diver. Following his service, Ralph worked across Alaska in Kodiak, Afognak Island, and Seward, as well as in Baker City, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service after more than 30 years of dedicated service. Ralph was an avid outdoorsman with a deep love for salmon and steelhead fishing, as well as waterfowl hunting. He cherished friendships and enjoyed spending time socializing with friends at The River Tap.

Ralph’s memory will be carried on by his brother, Robert Lee Browning, his sister, Carol Jean Rousseau, and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Olin Browning and Marian Jean Davis Browning, and his brother-in-law, Alan Rousseau.

He will be remembered for his humor, his kindness, his dedication, and the strong community of loved ones whose lives he touched. Ralph leaves behind a legacy of service, laughter, and a life lived to the fullest.

Emily Coats Stovall was born in The Dalles, Oregon to parents Eric and Margie Coats Stovall on September 6, 1984. She died on November 28, 2025, after a long illness.

Emily attended Chenowith schools, graduating valedictorian from the Wahtonka High School in 2002. She enjoyed playing many years of AYSO soccer and also played softball including the Cherry City Crush as well as the WHS team.

Emily attended the U of O for a time and later completed her associate’s degree.

Emily spent her adult life living and working in the Portland area. Her hobbies included hiking, gardening, spending time at the beach, needlework and crafts, playing board games, word games, and puzzles. She started reading at age three and never stopped. She loved the Multnomah County Library. She adored her family, friends, babies, kids, and animals. She doted on her dog, Disco, whom she helped raise with her former partner, Marci.

Emily is survived by her parents; sister, Lael (Nathan) and children Kai and Josiah of Kennewick; brother, Riley (Emily) and children Miriam and August of Happy Valley; nephew, Domanic Stovall of Pendleton; as well as many cousins. She is also survived by aunts and uncles including Tom and Karen Coats, Mary and Bo Macnab, Don Coats, Dennis and Linny Stoval, Brian Stoval and Teresa Hepker.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, two aunts, her older brother Jesse and her beloved dog Disco.

A Memorial Gathering will be held in Spring 2026. Details will be posted at a later date.

Memorials in Emily’s honor are suggested to your local pet shelter, the National Alliance on Mental Illness or The Trevor Project.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Jerry D Vowels Sr, age 67, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on November 17, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Irene was born July 25, 1946, to Lorraine (Hileman) and Earl “Bud” Carstens in Pendleton, Oregon and graduated from Pendleton High School in 1964.  Later that year she enrolled at Eastern Oregon College, majoring in Art where she met her husband of 60 years, Charles “Chuck” Kornegay. The two married in 1965 and welcomed their first daughter in LaGrande.  In the summer of 1969, they relocated to The Dalles for Chuck’s teaching job at The Dalles High School. They welcomed two more daughters in 1970 and 1971.

Irene worked at Dry Hollow Elementary as a Playground and Special Education Paraprofessional from 1975 to 1988. In 1988, she was hired as an Executive Office Manager at Columbia Aluminum/Goldendale Aluminum Company. In 1993 she was promoted to Retirement Plan Administrator where she worked until the plant closed.

Irene enjoyed her retirement and hosting extravagant holiday parties at the house she and her husband built. Her days were spent listening/dancing to rock-n-roll music with her husband, spending time with her grandkids, gardening, designing and decorating her home and creating elaborate Halloween costumes. Some of her favorite projects were sewing all three daughters’ wedding dresses.

Irene is survived by her husband Chuck, three daughters: Shannon (Tim) Carrier, Kristen (Jai) Ringer, and Dawn Marie (Terry) Hert; five grandchildren: Avery (Nikki) Ringer, Clayton (Elizabeth) Ringer, Charlie Hert, Courtney Hert, and Amber (Matt) Boggs; and three great-granddaughters: Parker, Kinsey and Scarlet; two very special people who were considered her “spare children”: Julia O’Hara-Kock and Bill Dey, numerous nieces, nephews and her best friend of nearly 50 years Roseann Coyle.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, December 13, 2025, from Noon to 3pm at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. In lieu of flowers, please consider a Memorial Contribution in Irene’s name to The Dalles Art Center at www.thedallesartcenter.org or mail: 220 E Fourth St, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Melvin Eugene Holmes, age 87, a resident of Wamic, OR, passed away November 29, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Barbara Joyce Warren, age 89, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at home on November 19, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of Arrangements.

Randall Scott Garland, age 56, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on November 21, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Willa Jane (Wolff) Varner passed on Nov. 13, 2025 in Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Varner was born at home in 1926 in Franklin Township Pa., but has resided in Oregon from 1948, first in Astoria until 1968 and then in The Dalles.

Willa was the oldest of ten children of Robert Eugene Wolff and Eliza Margaret (Ford) Wolff. Until sixth grade she attended a one room school house. She recalled that the children loved to play pranks and the school outhouse regularly ended up on the roof of the school each Halloween. In later grades she excelled and won a medal for her academic achievements while training to become a secretary. She graduated from Ambridge High School in Pennsylvania in 1944.

Willa married Kenneth Edward Varner on August 3, 1944 and they enjoyed 69 years together until his death in 2014. They had five children, four girls and a boy, and she was proud that they all went on for further education after high school. Her children and their spouses include Willa Jane Tanabe (George), Marjorie Lee Dwyer (Jim), Donna Jean O’Brien, deceased, (Dennis), Phyllis Anne McDonald, (Michael, deceased), and Kenneth Eugene Varner (Jo Ellen, deceased). She also had eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Family life was noisy, hectic and fun. Car rides from Astoria to Pennsylvania to visit relatives meant five kids and two harassed parents in a 1957 Chevy for a 5 day road trip with only one overnight stop. Helping with scout troops, PTA activities, school performances and camping trips filled the days. Once the kids began college, Willa began to work outside the home. She was a checker at Safeway and loved it because she got to meet so many people and hear their stories. It sometimes felt like she knew everyone in town.

Willa found enjoyment in traveling not only in the U. S., especially Alaska and Hawaii, but in Ireland, Japan and Canada. She also loved dancing. From her first dates with her husband when they went to big band performances and danced the jitterbug, cha-cha-cha, rhumba and salsa (they even square danced), she was known as the “dancing queen.”

Willa was a prolific reader of history and mystery books as well as doing the NYT crossword puzzle in ink daily. As her eyesight dimmed in her 90s, she began listening to audiobooks from the State Library Talking Book program, reading over 800 books in four years.

Willa and Ken moved into an independent living apartment at The Springs at Mill Creek in 2008. Willa’s gift of memory for faces and names and “never met a stranger” approach resulted in her welcoming many old and new friends into her life. She participated in all the activities, even performing a hula dance for the Aloha Luau event. Willa remained in independent living following her husband’s death and as one staff member said “was an Institution.”

Her greatest joy, however, remained her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. At 99 and three-quarters she was still part of their lives and as her grandkids said, “still had all her marbles.” Her children were already planning a dance party for her 100th birthday celebration. Willa Jane Varner will be greatly missed.

Besides her children and families, she is survived by her beloved siblings Joyce Phillips, Robert Wolff, Betsy Grant, in-laws Jim and Rose Varner, cousin Jack Ford and many, many relatives. The family would also like to thank residents and staff of The Springs for being her friend and especially acknowledge Joe Craven, Lars Ryssdal, Jack Franklin and many others who were very dear to her.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 28 from 2 to 6 pm at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 11 am at the funeral home of Spencer, Libby & Powell, 1100 Kelly Ave., The Dalles, Or. 97058 It will be followed by a reception at noon at The Springs at Mill Creek located at 1000 Vey Way, The Dalles, Or.

Burial will be on Monday, December 1 at 2 pm at the Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery off Cherry Heights Road at 110 W. 18th St., The Dalles, OR.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Mark Alan Johnson, age 65, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center on November 16, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Patrick John Charles Loop, age 43, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away at home on November 16, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.