John E. Granville

Selma resident John E. Granville, 58, a judo expert and wounded U.S. Marine Corps veteran, died Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass.

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Bridgeview Community Church on Holland Loop in rural Cave Junction. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Eagle Point National Cemetery with military honors by the Marine Corps League.

Arrangements are being handled by Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Granville was born on Jan. 7, 1949 in Los Angeles to Joseph A. and Margie L. (Cummings) Granville. He graduated in 1967 from Hart High School in Newhall, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 5, 1967. He was discharged on Dec. 31, 1968 following the loss of both legs above the knees because of a mine that exploded.

After his near-death experience, he became a strong Christian and vowed to live his life for the Lord, his family said.

In 1969 he married Rebecca “Becky” Pluim, and they later divorced. He moved with his father from California in the 1970s to Selma. On May 13, 1978 he married the former Christina Marie Groshong, who survives.

During his high school days he had taken night courses with his father in welding and machine technology. When they first moved to Oregon they worked together. He also studied transmission rebuilding, and had worked for years out of his home rebuilding transmissions.

In 1991 his children, John Joseph and JoAnna, started judo classes, and he became interested. After several months, he was invited by instructors onto the mat, and he “became addicted.” He worked his way to third-degree black belt, and taught judo at Selma Community Center and Wayne Owen Fighting Arts business.

Mr. Granville enjoyed gold mining and dredging. He was known for scuba diving under his dredge to see what was going on. He also enjoyed archery, model airplanes, and martial arts besides judo. He was deeply involved with the Marine Corps League, and loved spending time with the Devil Pups, the Marine Corps League program for youth. He was active in his church.

Because of his Vietnam injuries, he was recognized for walking with shortened legs and his shoes backward for balance. He won many citations including The Gold Award, signed by the USMC commandant in Washington, D.C.

Besides his wife, Chris Granville, of Selma, he is survived by his son, USMC Lance Cpl. John Joseph Granville, stationed in Okinawa, Japan; his four daughters, Stacey Seal and Sheila Reed, both of Portland, and JoAnna Gavlik and Marcie Granville, both of Selma; his sister, Judy Flores, of Cave Junction; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Alex.

 ‘Ron’ Lewis

A memorial service for Ronald Ray “Ron” Lewis, 87, who died at his Cave Junction home Sunday, April 22, 2007, was held Monday, April 30 at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

Condolences can be made at www.since1928hull.com. Arrangements were handled by Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Lewis was born on Oct. 20, 1919 in Rector, Mo. In Salem, Mo. on Nov. 25, 1939, he married Lenore Williams, who died in 2000 after 60 years of marriage.

He owned an auto repair business, Lewis Garage, from 1946 until 1955. He moved to Cave Junction in 1955 and started Lewis Saw Shop, working until retirement. His son, Mark, is currently owner and operator of Lewis Power Equipment in Grants Pass.

Mr. Lewis worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington state, Oregon and California until he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a staff sergeant in Italy, helping to build bridges so that Allied troops could cross rivers.

He is survived by his son, Mark Lewis, of Grants Pass; two daughters, Sonja Harrison, of Riverside, Calif., and Carolyn Stauber, of Grants Pass; a sister, Juanita Price, of Katy, Texas; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Ruth Harland

Ruth Louise Harland, 88, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, April 29, 2007 at a health center in Grants Pass.

Arrangements are pending with Stevens Family Chapel.