Person Page - 4316

     Merrill E. McKern was born on May 20, 1920 at Grant Co., Oregon.^2,3

     Herbert Bauer was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.³ His Social Security Number was 542-12-5224.⁴ He was born on June 27, 1921 at Hettinger Co., North Dakota.^4,2,3 He married Wilma M. McKern, daughter of Jay Elton McKern and Jessie Myrtle Stormer, on August 29, 1946 at Grant Co., Oregon.¹ Herbert Bauer died on May 1, 1985 at Grant Co., Oregon, at age 63.^4,2,3

     Melvin Melbourne "Shorty" McKern was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.² His Social Security Number was 569-20-9939.⁷ He was born on August 25, 1923 at Mount Vernon, Grant Co., Oregon.^2,7,6 He married Marilyn Frances Southwick on August 4, 1946 at Mount Vernon, Grant Co., Oregon.^2,8,3,9 Melvin Melbourne "Shorty" McKern died on October 25, 2002 at John Day, Grant Co., Oregon, at age 79.^2,7,4 He Melvin Melbourne "Shorty" McKern, 79, of Mt. Vernon died Oct. 25 at Blue Mountain Hospital. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Driskill Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Canyon City Cemetery. Mr. McKern was born Aug. 25, 1923, at Mt. Vernon to Jay E. and Jessie (Stormer) McKern. He was educated at Mt. Vernon and graduated from high school in 1942. In 1942, he joined the United States Navy and served in the Atlantic and South Pacific until his discharge in 1945. On Aug. 4, 1946, he married Marilyn Frances Southwick at Mt. Vernon. He was employed in the lumber industry until 1970. He owned and operated the Texaco Station in Mt. Vernon for 32 years. Mr. McKern was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks for 55 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, branding with Sprouls and visiting with his friends. Mr. McKern is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Mt. Vernon; two sons, Duane and Steve of Mt. Vernon; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made to the Elks Eye Clinic. Driskill Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements. on October 27, 2002.²

     Marilyn Frances Southwick was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.² She was born on February 9, 1929 at Ogden, Weber Co., Utah.^3,4,2 As of August 4, 1946,her married name was McKern.¹ She married Melvin Melbourne "Shorty" McKern, son of Jay Elton McKern and Jessie Myrtle Stormer, on August 4, 1946 at Mount Vernon, Grant Co., Oregon.^1,3,5,2 Marilyn Frances Southwick died on August 21, 2011 at Prairie City, Grant Co., Oregon, at age 82.^4,2 She Marilyn Frances McKern, 82, a longtime resident of Mt. Vernon, died Aug. 21, 2011, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home. Viewing will be from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Driskill Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Canyon City Cemetery with Pastor Levi Manitsas officiating. A potluck reception will follow at Clyde Holliday State Park. Mrs. McKern was born Feb. 9, 1929, in Ogden, Utah, to Howard and Francis (Nye) Southwick. She graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1946. That same year she married Melvin "Shorty" McKern in Mt. Vernon. She enjoyed working on puzzles, camping, fishing and, one of her favorite activities, evening road hunting. She also liked playing bingo at the John Day Senior Center. When she was younger, she enjoyed bowling, and ceramics and gardening clubs with her friends. She was well known in Mt. Vernon, where she was a bookkeeper for 40 years at the McKern gas station. She retired in 2008. She always enjoyed seeing people she knew. As a young girl, she lived in a saw mill woods camp in Fox Valley. She spent a year there, hiking to a one-room school. Survivors include her sons, Duane and Steve McKern of Mt. Vernon; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shorty, in 2002. Memorial contributions may be made to Volunteer Services for Carrie Young Memorial Fund through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. on August 23, 2011.²

     Mary Lou Johnson was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.¹ She was born on March 15, 1920 at Fossil, Wheeler Co., Oregon.^1,2 As of June 16, 1938,her married name was McKern.² She married Derrol Adrian McKern, son of William Thomas McKern and Edna Ethel Stone, on June 16, 1938 at Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington.² Mary Lou Johnson died on August 21, 2011 at John Day, Grant Co., Oregon, at age 91.^1,2 She Mary Lou McKern, 91, a long-time resident of Mt. Vernon passed away August 21 at the Golden Heritage Foster Home in John Day. A memorial service will be held Friday August 26 at 9:00 AM at the Mt. Vernon Grange. A pancake breakfast and reception will be held at the Grange following the service. Mary was born to Rolla and Pearl (Smith) Johnson on March 15, 1920 in Fossil, Oregon. She married Derrol McKern on June 16, 1938 in Spokane, Washington. Mary and Derrol settled in Mt. Vernon on the family homestead where they built a home, raised cattle, and operated a small dairy for many years. In 1988, Mary and Derrol celebrated their 50th anniversary at the Mt Vernon Grange. Derrol passed away in 1990 leaving a big hole in Mary's life. She filled it with service to others and loving support of her family and friends. Mary was a dedicated member of the Mt Vernon Grange and often volunteered at the John Day Senior Center until her health prevented it. She will be remembered by her family, her many friends, and everyone she came into with over the years for her kindness, her gentle spirit and her open heart. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother Charles Johnson, and her husband Derrol. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, and cousins. Memorial contributions can be made to the John Day Senior Center through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR, 97845. on August 23, 2011.²

     Ruth Clara Walter was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.¹ Her Social Security Number was 541-22-0195.² She was born on January 21, 1912 at Walla Walla, Walla Walla Co., Washington.^1,2 As of September 8, 1948,her married name was Devine.³ She married Marvin Dee Devine, son of Irwin Lee Devine and Selma Anna McKern, on September 8, 1948 at Grant Co., Oregon.³ Ruth Clara Walter died on February 4, 1996 at Oregon at age 84.^1,2

     Her Social Security Number was 541-24-4620.² Dorothy Dione Negus was born on February 26, 1916 at Stutsman Co., North Dakota.^3,2 As of 1934,her married name was Devine.¹ She married Marvin Dee Devine, son of Irwin Lee Devine and Selma Anna McKern, in 1934.¹ Dorothy Dione Negus died on April 28, 1999 at Lake Co., Oregon, at age 83.²

     Clea Dawn Green was buried at Canyon City Cemetery, Canyon City, Grant Co., Oregon.² She was born on June 4, 1922 at Mount Vernon, Grant Co., Oregon.^2,8,9 As of June 12, 1941,her married name was Leach.³ She married Edward Hunter "Ed" Leach on June 12, 1941 at Payette Co., Idaho.^5,3 As of April 25, 1954,her married name was Rasmussen.⁹ Clea Dawn Green married Darwin L. Rasmussen on April 25, 1954 at Washington Co., Idaho.⁹ Clea Dawn Green and Darwin L. Rasmussen were divorced on August 22, 1974 at Multnomah Co., Oregon.⁴ Clea Dawn Green died on March 6, 1991 at Multnomah Co., Oregon, at age 68.^2,8

     Her Social Security Number was 543-48-1474.³ Patricia Ann "Pat" Leach was born on January 8, 1945 at John Day, Grant Co., Oregon.^2,3 As of circa 1967,her married name was Lihs.³ She married Unknown Lihs circa 1967.^2,3 As of circa 1976,her married name was Sweet.³ Patricia Ann "Pat" Leach married Unknown Sweet circa 1976.^2,3 Patricia Ann "Pat" Leach died on January 21, 2005 at Mount Vernon, Grant Co., Oregon, at age 60.² She Patricia Ann Sweet of Mt. Vernon died Friday, Jan. 21 at her home in Mt. Vernon. A celebration of Mrs. Sweet's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church at 139 Dayton in John Day, with Pastor Andy Anderson officiating. A potluck luncheon will follow at the church. Mrs. Sweet was born Jan. 8, 1945, in John Day. She was raised in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. In the early sixties she moved to Portland to seek her fame and fortune and became a successful insurance broker, married and had two children. Her heart was never far from Grant County and the Blue Mountains. She and her children moved back to Dayville for several years in the early seventies but returned to Portland in 1976 to continue her career. In 1986 Mrs. Sweet suffered a disabling stroke. She moved back to Mt. Vernon and, despite her disabilities, lived happily for the next 18 years of her life as an active member of the community surrounded by her many friends and extended family members. She adored her four grandchildren, her little dog, Shelley, and country music. Mrs. Sweet is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tonia and Tom Whitehead and her three grandchildren, Evan, Eliot and Emma of Corvallis; her son, Tyrone Lihs of Hillsboro; her granddaughter, Ariel of Clackamas; step-parents, Dar and Connie Rasmussen of Brookings; sister, Penny Godwin, of Clackamas; brother Randy Rasmussen of Prineville; brother, Rick Rasmussen of San Diego, Calif; her great aunt, Mary McKern of Mt. Vernon, and three nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her mother, Clea Richardson, father, Ed Leach, grandparents Valene and Otis Greene and Lois Lynch, and a nephew, Brett Ramussen. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Sweet's name may be made to the John Day Senior Center or the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR 97845. on January 23, 2005.²

     Edward Hunter "Ed" Leach was buried at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Crescent City, Del Norte Co., California.⁴ His Social Security Number was 544-05-6565.³ He was born on July 15, 1918 at Roodhouse, Greene Co., Illinois.^2,3,5,4 He married Clea Dawn Green, daughter of Otis Harold Green and Valene Irene McKern, on June 12, 1941 at Payette Co., Idaho.^1,2 Edward Hunter "Ed" Leach died on November 1, 1981 at Del Norte Co., California, at age 63.^3,4