Obituaries
From our weekly issue dated November 11, 2009
Ronine “Roni” Ruth Broeffle
‘Roni’ Broeffle
Ronine “Roni” Ruth Broeffle passed away on Oct. 31, 2009, after a long battle with health issues.
Roni was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 1939, the only child of Ruth & Robert Rausch. (Ruth Rausch was a former reporter for the Grants Pass Daily Courier.) She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Bill Broeffle.
In 1949, the family moved to Cave Junction, which was a great place for growing up. Roni graduated from Illinois Valley High School in 1957. During her youth, Roni was involved in many youth activities, including Job’s Daughters, eventually becoming Honored Queen. For many years, Roni was actively involved with the IVHS Alumni Association.
Following her high school graduation, Roni moved to Redding, Calif. to attend Shasta Community College, where she met Howard Elder. They were married in 1958. Roni and Howard had three children: Scott, Stacy, and Sonja. Fourteen years later, Roni and Howard were divorced.
In early 1975, Roni became reacquainted with Bill Broeffle (deceased March 18, 2003). Later that year, she and her children moved to Grants Pass, and she and Bill were married on Sept. 20, 1975. The union brought three more daughters to the table: Loreé, Lisa, and Carol. We were the Broeffle Bunch.
In 1977, she again became involved with Job’s Daughters, eventually serving as Guardian on the local level and as a state officer. Her children were active in DeMolay and Job’s Daughters.
Roni’s career started in the lumber industry, but changed to the paving, sand, and gravel industry. Upon arriving in Grants Pass, she went to work for Copeland Paving, Sand & Gravel, and remained an advocate of mining and served as one of Copeland’s historians. In more than 34 years of employment, she served three generations of the Copeland/Ausland families. She was heard to say several times, “I couldn’t have had a better job.”
Roni was a second generation director for the Board of Directors at SOFCU Community Credit Union, a volunteer position she held for more than 21 years. She was a member of the Grants Pass Zonta Club for 15 years-plus. She served on the board for all those years.
Edgewater Christian Fellowship was her church of choice.
She had a passion for “yardening” (yes, yardening), but was limited the past few years due to failing health. She spent time with her faithful buddy, Bailey-Sue, the cutest white lab ever. She also loved movies or anything without a commercial.
Survivors include Loreé (Richard) Heller, of Virginia, Lisa (Ed) Lee, of Oregon, Scott Elder, of Missouri, Carol Broeffle, of Oregon, Stacy (David) Smith, of California, and Sonja (Chuck) Latapie, of Texas; three granddaughters: Mikaela and Nicole Elder, and Shayla Latapie; seven grandsons: Colin, Adam (Megan), and Nicholas Latapie, Aaron and Noah Lee, and Kyle and Kenneth Smith; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Lillian Broeffle, nephews, Ken and Doug, and niece Renee; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Fred and Nancy Bailey, nephew Craig (Terry) and niece Paula (Todd).
Please join us for a celebration of Roni’s life on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 2-5 p.m. at the Arts Building at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.
Contributions can be made to the Grants Pass Zonta Club Foundation, P.O. Box 1615, Grants Pass OR 97528; IVHS Alumni & Friends, P.O. Box 2086, Cave Junction OR 97523; or the charity of your choice.
(Sponsored Memorial)
Wesley Don Clark
Wesley Don Clark, 70, of the Illinois Valley, died Nov. 3, 2009 at his home. A private memorial service will be held.
He was born Sept. 9, 1939 in Bellflower, Mo. He was raised by his grandparents. In 1976 he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant after spending most of his career in Administration. He spent most of his time in Okinawa, San Diego, Eugene, and Los Angeles.
His last tour was in the Pentagon, where he ran a high-clearance message center for the Defense Intelligence Center. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Oregon to be near her family. He was a Josephine County deputy sheriff; did some private security work; commercial fishing; built and remodeled two homes; wrote computer programs in DOS; and was an avid landscaper and gardener.
He is survived by his wife, Carol A. Clark-Mayfield; his son, Kiyoshi Clark, of Eugene; and daughter, Tracy Peterson, of Springfield; and four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Illinois Valley Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
(Sponsored Memorial)
Jerry K. Arnold
Jerry K. Arnold, 68, of Cave Junction, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 at Fairview Transitional Health Center in Grants Pass. Jerry was born Oct. 21, 1941, and raised in Cave Junction.
His infant son, James Allen Arnold; and his father, mother and brother all preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Holly Arnold and Kim Rentz, of Cave Junction, five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A funeral service for Jerry is pending.
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