All Obituaries

Death Notice for Stell Hardy Benwell Stell Hardy Benwell, age 72, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at his residence with his family by his side.  No services are planned at this time.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845

Steven Milton Devine, age 72, of Monument passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Blue Mountain Hospital.  To offer on-line condolences to his family, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com

Gary Joe “Porkchop” Hammons, 63 of John Day passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at his residence with his loved ones by his side.  A celebration of his life will be held later during the Spring of 2020.  Gary was born August 25, 1956 in Prairie City, Oregon to Joe and Gayle (Masonheimer) Hammons. He graduated from Grant Union High School in 1974 where he was the first State Heavy Weight Wrestling Champion. He worked as a mechanic for Doug’s Motor Vehicle Repair...

Edward Eugene Bennett, age 75, of Mt. Vernon, Oregon passed away on January 9, 2020 at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. Ed was born in Astoria, Oregon to John and Rosemary Bennett. They moved to Philomath where he went through all school grades. After graduation in 1965 he joined the forest service. As he loved to tell, he spent “37 years, 10 months with the USFS with a two-year break for Army duty in Korea.” Ed started in the Alsea district, moved to the Fremont district,...

Madeline Ann Howard, age 83, of John Day passed away on January 8, 2020 at Valley View Assisted Living. Services will be announced at a later date.  Madeline was born on November 2, 1936 in Santa Monica, California. She attended high school in Weiser, Idaho. In February 1960, she was part of the 35th class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. Madeline married Billy Howard on June 11, 1963 in Kitwe, Zambia. She was proud to have served as a missionary in Taiwan and Africa for 10...

Steven D. Ayer, age 59, passed away on January 7, 2020 at his residence in John Day. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Driskill Memorial Chapel. 

On Saturday, December 28, 2019, Barbara Buck, a loving wife and mother of two children, passed away at age 71.  She fought a tough battle with lung cancer but unfortunately succumbed to the disease. Barbara was born on April 15, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was raised in New Hampshire and attended college at the University of New Hampshire. On August 22, 1968, she married David Buck, her best friend.  They met in New Hampshire while David was in the U.S. Army Special Forces and...

Norma L. Lemberger, age 74, passed away on December 25, 2019 at her residence in John Day.   A memorial service will be planned for sometime during the Spring or early Summer of 2020 and will be announced in the Blue Mountain Eagle Newpaper and on KJDY radio once dates are determined.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Driskill Memorial Chapel. 

Drew Erwin Harmer, 59, of Mount Vernon passed away December 22nd, 2019 at his residence.  Services are pending and will be announced at a later date.

Royel Larry Allen, age 85, passed away on December 19, 2019 at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A private family burial was held on December 23, 2019 at Canyon City Cemetery. Royel was born on April 19, 1934 in Long Creek, Oregon to Jesse and Sarah (Bates) Allen. On August 1, 1953, he married Lorene Cole at the Methodist Church in John Day. Together they raised three children: Pete, Rod and Susie. He was self employed as a wood worker. Survivors include his children, Susie (Jason)...