Melissa “Missy” Ann Reasoner, 37, died as a result of a horse-riding accident on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008. A celebration of her life and memorial service was held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Richland Methodist Church. Friends joined the family for a reception following the service at the Eagle Valley Grange.

She was born Sept. 28, 1970 in Coquille to Larry and Pamela (Miller) Childers. The family later made their home in Richland. She graduated from Pine Eagle High School in 1988.

On Oct. 6, 2001, after seven years of courtship, she married Dennis Reasoner. Often working two and three jobs, she was driven to make the best life she could for her family. In 2005 the family opened and operated the adult foster home “Reasoner Retreat” in Richland. During that time, she attended Eastern Oregon University online, receiving a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies in 2006.

She was known as a “fun mom” by her children. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, once taking the entire troop to the Oregon Coast for a camp out.

She had a great sense of humor and always had a willingness to help and find the good in all. She loved the young, the elderly and her church family. She also enjoyed taking long rides on her horses and spent many hours in the barn with all the animals she raised.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis of Richland; children, Kyeleigh Reasoner of Baker City, Cory Reasoner of Dayville and step-daughter, Leanne Reasoner of John Day; grandmother, Maxine Miller; one grandchild, Kayleigh Nicole; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Pam Brunke and grandfather, Lucky Miller.

The family requests that donations in her memory be made to help defray the cost of funeral services, or to a charity of choice, through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.