Dec. 18, 1938 – April 14, 2018

Lois Marie (Affeld) Bronson, 79, of Ironside passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 14, in Huntington.

She was born Dec. 18, 1938, in Flint, Michigan, to Elmer and Irene Affeld. After her 1957 graduation from Grant Union High School in Canyon City, she met Thomas Bronson. The two wed on May 24, 1959, in John Day.

During their years together on their hay and cattle ranch in Ironside, she worked right alongside her husband, and together they raised four children. She lived life to the fullest through her passions for cooking, gardening and reading.

She was a steadfast woman, facing many adversities of health during her life. She was diagnosed with cancer in the 1970s and defeated it, despite the great odds. She also endured heart complications later in life, and amazed doctors with her persistence and speed of recovery. She was a fighter, and she leaves a legacy of strength.

She was preceded in death by her brother Curtis Affeld.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas “Tom” Bronson, of Ironside; four children, TJ (JoAnn) Bronson of Ontario, Eric (Rhonda) Bronson of Huntington, Pete Bronson (Terri Presley) of Prineville and April Bronson (Jim Walker) of Burns; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial will be held at a later date by the family.

November 1950 – April 8, 2018

Matthew R. Fine, 67, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018, surrounded by his family, at

St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, after an accident on his property. Although Matt was born in Ontario, Oregon in November 1950, his family lived in Harney County. He began school in Frenchglen and attended grade schools in Ontario and Payette, Idaho, completing high school 1969 in Burns. During school he enjoyed playing basketball, football and field sports.

He earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Blue Mountain Community College. Following college, he was hired by the Burns police department where he worked until transferring to the Bend police department in 1974. During his tenure in Bend he rose through the ranks, retiring as Captain in 2003. Matt was instrumental in establishing Central Oregon’s first S.W.A.T. team and was a FBI National Academy graduate. Fellow officers and members of the law enforcement community often noted that Matt’s character and leadership were the cornerstone of each role he served in the department and the area. After retirement, he worked for Hood River and Lincoln City police departments as Interim Chief of Police. He also consulted for the Prairie City police department.

In 2005, he returned to Harney County where he continued to enjoy hunting and fishing. He especially liked working cattle and branding calves for friends and neighbors. Matt enjoyed giving to the community by officiating grade school through high school football and basketball games. Above all, Matt was a dedicated son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. He is deeply missed and his family is looking forward their reunion in heaven.

Matt is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Luke (Lisha), Wesley (Sarah), Jack (Samantha); mother, Mildred;

grandchildren Mackenna, Esme, Samantha, Cora, Flynn and Owen; and brother, Mike (Lynda).

He was preceded in death by father, Fred Fine; grandparents, Roe and Eleaner Davis, Joe and Ethel Fine and Vera Fine. A memorial service was held on April 13 at Faith Baptist Church in Hines, Oregon, with interment in the Burns Cemetery. LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of the services. Contributions in Matt’s memory may be made to Burns High School Athletics Matt Fine Memorial Fund; Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers – USA (105 Lee Parkway Drive, Suite C, Chattanooga, TN 37421); or to a charity of your choice.

—Paid for by the family of Matthew Fine

Carl R. Reed, 94, died April 14 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Reed is survived by his children, Robert Reed and Sharon Tabler. LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns is in charge of arrangements. To leave condolences, visit lafolletteschapel.com.

Gerald Lewis Sheets, 81, a longtime Prairie City resident passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, April 17. A visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Driskill Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in John Day, with Bishop Greg Floyd officiating. A procession will lead family and friends to the Canyon City Cemetery for the interment immediately following the funeral service. Following the interment, a reception at the church multipurpose room will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Association through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. To leave a condolence for the family, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.

A graveside service for Janice (McKrola) Peterson will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, at the Canyon City Cemetery. All friends are welcome to attend. Peterson, 88, passed away Dec. 27. She was born in John Day, the daughter of Wilfred A. and Gladys O. (Sweet) McKrola. Peterson, a longtime resident of Chico, California, was a graduate of Chico State College and taught for the Chico Unified School District for many years. A celebration of her life was held in February at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chico.

March 29, 1941 – April 17, 2018

“She never knew a stranger”

Judi was born in Long Creek March 29, 1941 to Orville “Cook” and Levon “Bonnie” Allen of Fox, and

attended first grade in John Day (Bertha Johns, teacher), Fox and Long Creek, graduating from Long Creek High School in May of 1958.

She married James Madras Hunt in September of 1958 and they both worked for her grandparents at Farra’s Saddle and Shoe Shop in John Day. She studied under her grandfather Harley to learn leather tooling, saddle making and shoe and tack repair. In 1965 she and friend Evelyn Ray traveled to New York City to appear on the TV show “What’s My Line”. She stumped the crew with her ability as a woman saddle maker.

She designed the art for several of the saddles she stamped and was assisted by Grandpa in constructing numerous saddles, breast collars, belts, briefcases, photo albums and numerous other leather items. After Judi and Jim divorced she decided it was time to

pursue a college degree.

She attended Blue Mountain College and later Eastern Oregon, graduating in 1970 with her degree in Secondary Education and minor in Art. After a short teaching career she decided teaching was not for her so she went to work for Boise Cascade in LaGrande for

approximately 10 years. During this time she married Ranny Savage. When that marriage ended, her next move was to Coulee Dam, WA where she worked on a ranch and had a shoe repair business for a time.

In Coulee Dam she met her friend Scott Scallen and they lived in Coulee Dam for numerous years until health issues arose for both. She gained a new family with Scott’s daughters Carla, Gina and Shelly and their families. She moved to Union in 2016 to live by Levon.

Judi and Scott participated on the 1995 Oregon Sesquicentennial Wagon Train from Idaho to Oregon City and different ones the Pendleton Roundup organized as outriders. She made numerous friends while on several adventures with the Wagon Trains over the years. She loved the wagon train memories and friends she made.

She is survived by friend Scott Scallen, daughter Levon Hunt – Baremore (Dennis), Union, sister Beth Allen-Cherry (Orb), Hermiston, brother Harley Allen (Sherrie) Mt. Vernon, and sister Linda Allen-Holland (Jerry), John Day, grandsons Deven and Jack Baremore (Britteny), great-grandson Trenton Baremore, and Billie Savage-Scott , Carla, Gina and Shelly and nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She has joined her family that has passed before her; parents Cook and Bonnie Allen, and grandparents Pauline and Harley Farra and Laura and Virgie Allen.

—Paid for by the family of Judith Savage

March 1, 1924 – April 16, 2018

William Weinke, 94, a longtime wheat farmer of Pilot Rock, died peacefully Monday, April 16, in St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton.

Recitation of the holy rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Burns Mortuary of Pendleton. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, in the St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Pilot Rock. Interment will follow the Mass in the Olney Cemetery, Pendleton, at 12:30 p.m. A luncheon will follow in the Pilot Rock Community Center at 1:30 p.m.

Weinke was born at home, March 1, 1924, in Nolin. He was the son of Carl and Ella (Kurth) Weinke, their third of seven children. In 1930, the family moved from the farm in Nolin to the ranch in Pilot Rock. He attended an elementary country school at Plane View 32, Pilot Rock Junior High and graduated from Pilot Rock High School in 1942.

He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II in the Pacific Theater under General MacArthur. He served from June 7, 1944, until May 10, 1946. He was honorably discharged, receiving the following decorations and citations: Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Army Occupation Ribbon (Japan), American Theater Service Medal and Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.

Weinke returned home to marry his sweetheart, Paralee Cochran, on Dec. 28, 1946, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton. He began farming and harvested his first wheat crop in 1950, and continued farming until his last wheat crop in 2010, a total of 60 years. He was devoted to the raising of his family.

He enjoyed the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon, 2A state basketball tournaments, drives to the mountains, a good western movie (John Wayne, a favorite), trips to Reno and many dances with his wife. Long before and long after watching his own family play sports, he was a spectator in the stands. He took pride in seeing his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews play sports. He and his wife were founding members of the Pilot Rock Booster Club. He was an active member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Pilot Rock. In addition, he was a member of PGG Cooperation, BPOE Pendleton Lodge and served on the Pilot Rock School Board.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Elouise Kirsch (Tom) of Madras, Don Weinke (Denise) of Pilot Rock and Janis Weinke of Phoenix, Arizona; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.

Contributions in his memory may be directed to either the Pilot Rock Booster Club or the Pilot Rock Education and Community Foundation. Contributions may be sent in care of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton, OR 97801.

To leave condolences, visit burnsmortuary.com. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.