Person Page - 83

Lois Esther Stephenson

• Birth*: Lois Esther Stephenson was born on 22 August 1933 at Prineville, Crook County, Oregon.
• Marriage*: She married Lloyd Delano Mecham in 1956 at Stevenson, Skamania County, Washington.
• Death*: Lois Esther Stephenson died in Crook County, Oregon, on 7 September 2012, at the age of 79.
• Burial*: She was buried after 7 September 2012 in West Branch Cemetery (Find a Grave Memorial ID: 96868641) at Mitchell, Wheeler County, Oregon.

• Married Name: As of 1956,her married name was Mecham.
• Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the On September 7, 2012, Lois Esther Stephenson Mecham passed with grace from this life, surrounded by what mattered most, her devoted husband and family. She was a great woman, with a joyful spirit, who was beloved by all. Lois was born on August 22, 1933 in Prineville, Oregon. Her parents, Thomas C. Stephenson and Anona Gage Stephenson, were both descended from Oregon pioneer families who homesteaded and ranched in Central Oregon from the 1860s. Her children loved hearing her stories of growing up on her parents' ranch in the Ochoco Mountains near Mitchel, OR, such as the three-plus mile rides on horseback to school. She took pride in her riding and cowgirl skills, working alongside her dad, mom, sisters and brothers. She also took her riding skills to town, serving as rodeo princess for the Crooked River Roundup in Prineville. In the 1950s, Mitchell was also a sawmill town, and it was there that Lois met her longtime love, Lloyd, who had come from Klamath Falls to work in the mills. After he returned from the Army, they were married in 1956 in Stevenson, WA. Their marriage, which lasted over 56 years, was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. The family was able to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary last year. Lloyd's work took the family to Emmett, ID in 1962. Somehow the Oregon girl adapted and found her second home. She also joined and became a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings and always happy to share with others her faith and convictions. She provided an extraordinary home environment while raising her family, mastering homemaking skills the same way she mastered everything she did in life. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; and her younger brother, William (Billy) Stephenson, who was killed in action in Vietnam. She is survived by her loving husband, Lloyd Mecham; her four children: Duane (Mary Lou) Mecham, Darla Mecham, Deidre (Jay) Heinrich, and Denise (Greg) Himes; 11 grandchildren: Christian, Danielle and Molly Mecham, Vincent, MacKenzie, Gage and Madison Heinrich, Cyrus and Sherazade Ariavand, Nikolas and Zoie Himes; her sisters: Cassie Hobby and Bessie Marsh; and her brother, Tommy Stephenson. She was loved by so many people, including her extended family of nieces and nephews and special friends, and will be missed by all. Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the LDS Stake Center, 980 West Central Road, Emmett, ID. A viewing will be on Wednesday, September 12, at the Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The burial will be at West Branch Cemetery, Mitchell, OR.
  Idaho Statesman September 11, 2012 on Wednesday, 12 September 2012 Prineville, Crook County, Oregon.

Parents:

Thomas Jerry Stephenson

• Birth*: Thomas Jerry Stephenson was born on 1 March 1936 at Mitchell, Wheeler County, Oregon.
• Marriage*: He married Patricia Joanne Dutchuk on 4 January 1957 at Prineville, Crook County, Oregon.
• Death*: Thomas Jerry Stephenson died in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona, on 15 July 2020, at the age of 84.
• Burial*: He was buried after 15 July 2020 in West Branch Cemetery (Find a Grave Memorial ID: 228522183) at Mitchell, Wheeler County, Oregon.

• Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the On July 15 we lost a true cowboy, Thomas Jerry Stephenson. He worked from dawn to dusk. He always fed the animals before he ate. His friends were also his family. He never turned down a kid that wanted to rope with him. He was born in Mitchell, Oregon and raised on the family ranch. Bear Creek Ranch, sometimes riding a horse to school. He was born February 29, 1936 – leap year. His mom made March 1, 1936 his birthday. He was 84 years old. He married Patrica Dutchuk and they had two children, Bobby Stephenson (Delauna) and Debbie Thrasher. He later married Judy Culp Stephenson and gained Three more kids. Kelly Knight Hoskins (Kim), Karen Knight Finch, and Kori Culp Derr. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Arona Stephenson; granddaughters, Heather Cluff and Brooke Stephenson; sisters Cass, Bess, Lois and brother Billie. He had 14 grandkids, 35 great-grandkids, seven great great-grandkids. Tommy worked for the White Mountain Apache Tribe for many years at different times. He had many friends that worked at Fatco. He also worked for Reid Smith Trucking and Wally Smith in Overgaard. He loved working in the woods. He and Judy have lived in Linden for 23 years. He enjoyed the wonderful people that lived there. A Memorial Roping will be held at Linden Valley Arena Sat. Oct. 10 . Books close at 10 a.m. A Memorial Service will be held after the roping at approximately 3 p.m. His ashes will be taken to Mitchell Oregon May 29, 2021 for a service there where he has lots of family. after 15 July 2020.
• DNA Tested*: He Ancestry on 18 January 2025.

Parents:

Neva Hawk

• Marriage*: Neva Hawk married William Robert "Bob" Gage, son of Marcus Clide Gage and Bessie Lee.

• Married Name: Her married name was Gage.
• Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the Neva Gage
  Lebanon-Neva E. Gage, 80, former Lebanon resident more recently of McKingleyville, Calif., died Monday at Eureka, Calif. At her request no services were held. Pierce Mortuary in Eureka was in charge of arrangements.
  Memorials can be made to the Heart Fund.
  She was born in Tideoute, Pa., and had been an active member of the Linn County Home Extension Service while living in Lebanon.
  Survivors include her husband, William; daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Bud Baker, McKinleyville; one sister, Cecile Partch, Lebanon; four grandchildren, Bruce and Dolores Dwelley, Fortuna, Calif; David and Sandy Baker, Concord, Calif., and four great-grandchildren.
  Albany Democrat-Herald on Monday, 8 November 1982 Albany, Linn County, Oregon.

Robert Charles Graham

• Marriage*: Robert Charles Graham married Betty Jean "Jean" Gage, daughter of Marcus Clide Gage and Bessie Lee, on 14 August 1948 at Nevada.

Martin Delbert "Delbert" Fuston

• Birth*: Martin Delbert "Delbert" Fuston was born on 27 January 1923 at Canada.
• Marriage*: He married Betty Jean "Jean" Gage, daughter of Marcus Clide Gage and Bessie Lee, on 18 September 1940 at Jefferson County, Oregon.
• Death*: Martin Delbert "Delbert" Fuston died in Oregon on 3 March 2013, at the age of 90.

• Census*: He appeared on the census of June 1930 at Jefferson County, Oregon.
• Milit-Beg*: He began military service on 8 April 1943 at Crook County, Oregon.
• Note*: He Martin Fuston [buried at Willamette National Cemetery]
  - the father died and his son is listed as surviving him in WW - FUSTON-Feb. 18 at a Walla Walla hospital Martin Fuston of Rt. 2, Milton-Freewater aged 73 years. Father of Thomas, Prineville, Ore., Delbert, Walla Walla; brother of Melford, Milan, Ore., Chester, Madras, Ore., and Dora Vance, Canada. Two grandchildren also survive. Born May 10, 1896 in Adela, Ky. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater in charge of the arrnagements.
  Walla Walla Union Bulletin 22 Jan 1970 on 18 February 1970 at Walla Walla County, Washington.
• Note: He Brother, Thomas, d 10 Apr 1989 on 10 April 1989 at Prineville, Crook County, Oregon.
• Residence*: He lived at Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

Alta Lavanda Starr

• Birth*: Alta Lavanda Starr was born on 1 April 1906 at Arnold, Custer County, Nebraska.
• Marriage*: She married Dwight Sidney Gage, son of Jesse Gage and Maria Judson.
• Death*: Alta Lavanda Starr died in Butte County, California, on 2 January 1995, at the age of 88.

• PARENTS*: She was the child of Mildretta Frances Kimberling.
• Married Name: Her married name was Gage.

Anna Gage

• Marriage*: Anna Gage married (?) Metz.
• Birth*: Anna Gage was born on 20 July 1928.
• Death*: She died in Chico, Butte County, California, on 21 November 2012, at the age of 84.
• Burial*: She was buried after 21 November 2012 in Chico Cemetery (Find A Grave Memorial 102107152) at Chico, Butte County, California.

• Married Name: Her married name was Metz.
• Residence*: She lived in 1960 at Chico, Butte County, California.

Parents:

Patricia Gage

• Birth*: Patricia Gage was born on 6 April 1930 at Vancouver, Clark County, Washington.
• Marriage*: She married Lowell G. "Blackie" Roberts on 7 September 1952 at Butte County, California.
• Death*: Patricia Gage died in Chico, Butte County, California, on 23 July 2011, at the age of 81.
• Burial*: She was buried after 23 July 2011 in Chico Cemetery (Find A Grave Memorial 110515624) at Chico, Butte County, California.

• Name Variation: Patricia Gage was also known as Patricia L. Fisher.
• Married Name: Her married name was Roberts.
• Note*: She father's obituary lists Mrs. Patricia Roberts of Chico in 1960 at Chico, Butte County, California.

Parents: