BAKER CITY Russell Duane Bratcher, 72, formerly of John Day, died March 2. A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Baker City Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Lennie Spooner officiating. A reception will follow in the churchs fellowship hall.

Mr. Bratcher was born Sept. 20, 1939, in Kalispell, Mont. He moved to Oregon, and graduated from Ontario High School.

On June 24, 1960, he married the love of his life, Gloria Allen.

He began cutting meat for Albertsons in Ontario, in 1961, then moved to Baker City in 1967, where he was the meat department manager. In 1976, he opened his own meat shop, Russells Custom Meats, and in 1988, the couple moved to John Day, where he opened a new meat shop. He ran that for 12 years, before selling it to his daughter and son-in-law, and moving back to Baker City.

He served on the city council in Canyon City for six years, and as mayor of Canyon City for four years. He was a member of the Elks for 43 years and of the Baker City Lions for over 16 years.

He enjoyed the outdoors, and liked to hunt, fish and camp. For the past 18 years, he and his wife traveled and camped, and enjoyed retirement. He enjoyed salmon fishing on the Oregon Coast with family and friends for two months each fall.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Gloria Bratcher; sons, Kerry Bratcher of Baker City and Jay Bratcher of Panama; daughter, Jana (Del) Woodcock of Baker City; sisters, Jenette (Rex) Freeman, Irene Sanders and Norma (Jim) Greene; brother, Larry Bratcher; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and an infant son.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Sight and Hearing Fund, the Brethren Disaster Ministries, or a charity of ones choice, through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.