Obituaries
From our weekly issue dated April 1, 2009
Elton Frank
A private family service was held for Elton Henry Frank, 77, of Cave Junction, who died Thursday, March 19, 2009 at his home.
Mr. Frank was born March 27, 1931 in Carmangay, Alberta, Canada to Alfred & Ruby Frank. He was raised in San Francisco, and as a young adult moved with his family to Woodland, Calif. where he met his wife and raised his family. He retired as a journeyman butcher after 25 years, and then started his second career as a contractor including work on Pomeroy Park Estates in Cave Junction.
His survivors said that his passions for family, hunting, fishing, and camping were instilled in his children and grandchildren. His family added that he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Rayma; two sons, Tarry Frank and Charles Frank; two daughters, Carolyn Vadalez and Nancy Smith; two sisters, Juanita Marks and Marilynn Micheals; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to a favorite charity.
Raymond Nidiffer, June Nidiffer
A memorial service for Ray Nidiffer, 79, & June Nidiffer, 80, Medford residents formerly of Brookings, was held Saturday in the Brookings-Harbor High School gymnasium in Brookings.
In 1956 the couple moved to Brookings from Utah, and purchased a partnership interest in C&K Market Inc. Mr. Nidiffer became sole owner in 1968. Married for more than 60 years, the couple worked together to build a grocery store industry under Brookings-based C&K encompassing Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart Food Warehouse, and Price Less Foods, as well as Pharmacy Express.
“Now they are partners in Heaven,” the family said.
The couple died in connection with what Medford Police term a murder/suicide. Mrs. Nidiffer, who for many years suffered from advanced Parkinson’s Disease and macular degeneration, was found stabbed to death March 15, 2009 in the couple’s locked apartment at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford. Her husband was rushed to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford with an apparently self-inflicted stab wound. He died of respiratory failure March 20.
The Nidiffers were active in a variety of community activities in Brookings. They moved to Medford in 2002.
The couple are survived by their children, Douglas Alan Nidiffer, of Brookings, and Patricia Arlene Fletcher, of Moravia, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mr. Nidiffer also is survived by a sister, Arlene Nidiffer Brown. Mrs. Nidiffer also is survived by two sisters, Mildred Stout and Olive Meyers. Additionally, the couple leave behind many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Website, www.nidiffermemorial.com, is available for people to leave remembrances and condolences online.
Memorial contributions in the name of Ray & June Nidiffer can be made to Ray’s Foundation, a charity Ray Nidiffer founded to support health and education in the communities where C&K has stores. Donations can be sent to Ray’s Charitable Foundation, 615 Fifth St., Brookings OR 97415.
Barbara Clapp DeVorss, 1949-2009
Barbara came into this world as Barbara Jean Clapp on May 1, 1949, to a good family and a wonderful childhood in Long Beach, Calif.
Little did I know that God was preparing a perfect wife for me and a terrific mother for our two girls, Tina and Angela.
Barbara and I dated in high school and we married on March 25, 1967 in a small chapel, where she became Barbara DeVorss.
All we had was her double bed and her black-and-white TV; we wouldn’t have a car for about another eight or nine months. We didn’t have much, but we had each other, and God must have been there also. When Barbara and I started our journey together, we were to have some great times and some really bad times, but it was during the times of hardship and despair that we most needed each other.
I must give God all the credit for not only a great marriage, but wonderful children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Barbara passed into paradise on March 25, 2009 — the date of our anniversary. It’s hard to believe that this 42-year journey has come to an end.
Thank you, sweetheart for a wonderful life. I am now realizing how hard it is going to be to get through each day without you, but with God’s help we will try to carry on.
Your family and all your friends will greatly miss you.
Your sweetheart, Dale.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 3 beginning at 6 p.m. at Valley Evangelical Church, Laurel Road at Old Stage Road in Cave Junction.
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