Category Obituaries & Tributes

Connie Marie Smith of Cottage Grove, Ore. passed away on May 25, 2022.  She was born Dec. 1, 1954 in Cottage Grove to the parents of Gilbert and Lorraine Yearous, lifelong residents of Cottage Grove. She is survived by her loving partner of 32 years,…

SWEARINGIN-DILL –Daia Denise Swearingin-Dill, 53, of Drain, Oregon passed away May 23, 2022. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium. 

Tommy William Hooker, 87, of Springfield, Ore., passed away on April 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born July 19, 1934 in Upland, Calif., to Thomas & Mary Hooker. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary (Randazzo) whom he married on…

Lucille ‘Lucy’ M. Eckstine, 89, of Cottage Grove, Ore., passed away May 24, 2022. “Her poor little heart gave out.” Lucy was born May 25, 1932 in Oak Creek, Colorado to parents Casey and Mayme (Blandford) McElhinney. She graduated from high school and married James…

Stephen Charles Gerstenberger passed away on May 17, 2022 at the age of 59. He was born on Sept. 23, 1962 in Cottage Grove, Ore. to Robert and Jaquia Gerstenberger and was the youngest of seven children.  At the age of nine and upon the…

Robert Gene, “Bob” Groat of Springfield, Ore., passed away on May 9, 2022. A longtime resident of Eugene-Springfield, Bob is survived by his wife Marie of 44 years, brother Harry Groat of Klamath Falls, Ore. and sons Jeff Groat from Timnath, Colo., Steve Groat from…

Jeryl Lynn Lund died peacefully in her home on May 22, 2022, surrounded by her immediate family.  Jeryl was born on April 10, 1945, in Salem, Ore., to Charles and Ila (Versteeg) Strickfaden. She grew up in Salem and spent many weekends camping and fishing…

John ‘JB’ Benjamin Selstad, 94, of Creswell, Ore. passed away May 19, 2022.  JB was born in San Jose, Calif.on July 21, 1927, to parents John and Anna (Mork) Selstad. He married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue Hightower, Nov. 10, 1949, in San…

On May 10, 2022, our beloved mother, aunt, friend, and teacher met her Savior face to face. Ruth Charlene Howell was born in Hillsboro, Ore. on April 20, 1934. She was the youngest of two daughters born to Charles and May Underdahl Nichols. Ruth was…