Illinois Valley News

Albert Scalvini

Albert F. Scalvini, formerly of George, Wash., and Smith River, Calif., passed away peacefully on March 4, 2010 at his son“s residence in Cave Junction, Ore. with his wife at his side.

He was among 35 first cousins, all but one of whom were born in the historic town of Ferndale, Calif. On Feb. 7, 1923, he was born to George & Angelina Scalvini, who immigrated from northern Italy. He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Angelina Scalvini; brothers, George and Guy Scalvini; and sister Florence Hawkins.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Myrtle; daughters Sonja Ogle (Tom), Shirley Baldwin (Jim), Michele Walker (Tom); and son Daniel Scalvini. Also survived by grandchildren Stacy (Paula) Baldwin, Jory Baldwin, Alison Ogle, Shad Scalvini, Mallory and Sydney Walker; great-grandchildren Jeffrey, Cameron, Melinda, Shelby, Madison, Shala, Jordan and Jayden Baldwin. Albert is also survived by his sister Julia Bass of Ferndale.

Albert grew up on the family ranch high above the Pacific Ocean west of Ferndale, where he and Myrtle made their first home. In 1951 the family moved to Smith River, where he was employed at Simpson“s lumber mill. He served 30 years as Chief of the Smith River Volunteer Fire Dept. Farming was in his blood, and he worked for various local dairy ranches. At the closure of the lumber mill in 1982, he relocated to George, where he worked as a field supervisor for Simplot Corp.

He and Myrtle, both great gardeners, created an oasis out of bare land. He loved the great outdoors. He loved fishing, deer hunting and camping with the family. They were active in several local organizations and were members of the Quincy, Wash. Senior Citizens Center. Health problems necessitated their move to Cave Junction and their son“s residence three years ago.

In lieu of a funeral service, there will be a celebration of life for friends and family at a later date. Condolences may be sent to 1833 Laurel Road, Cave Junction OR 97523.

Please sign the guestbook at www.Times-Standard.com Click on obits.

(Sponsored Memorial)

Leslie E. Atkinson

Leslie E. Atkinson, 96, died Sunday, March 28, 2010, in Cave Junction, of heart failure.

He was born on July 16, 1913 in Maquon, Ill. to Benjamin & Laura Atkinson. He was the youngest of six children.

In 1919 his mother died, so his father sent him and three of his slightly older siblings to an Odd Fellows (IOOF) home. He lived there and was educated until 1928 when he joined the Illinois National Guard. During the Prohibition he admitted to making beer, and at a later date smuggling cigarettes.

He first came to Oregon as a member of Roosevelt“s Civilian Conservation Corps. One of his first assignments was working on the lodge and grounds at Oregon Caves National Monument in the early-to-mid 1930s. After that he worked on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco until its completion, and moved to Los Angeles.

He found employment there as a machinist. In 1941 he married Evelyn Beaver and briefly settled down. In 1943, he was drafted. The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned him to the 566th Bomber Squadron 389th Bombardment Group at Wyndenham Air Force Base in Norwich, England, where he fused and armed bombs for the B-24 bombers. He was with the Army Air Corps in the Sicily, Naples, the Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and North Africa/Middle Eastern campaigns. He was discharged in 1946, having attained the rank of sergeant, and returned home to Evelyn.

They subsequently had two children, Laura, born in 1947, and Don, born in 1949.

The attraction of a rural life in Oregon drew them to move up to the Illinois River Valley in 1950. They bought a small acreage on Hayes Cut-off Road a few miles out of Cave Junction and settled in to raise their family.

At that time there were a variety of small lumber mills within easy commuting distance of their small cabin. Les worked at some of them, among them Forest Green Lumber Co. and Cabax sawmill in Kerby, Ore. He was working in the boiler room at Cabax when he suffered his first major heart attack, forcing his retirement in 1971. After that he confined himself to yard work around their house, putting in a garden and some grape plants. He also played various musical instruments, including the guitar, clarinet, and keyboard. He was a member of IOOF and American Legion.

Evelyn died in 1995 after 50+ years of marriage. Les sold their acreage and moved into Cave Junction in 1996. Les remarried in 1996 to Denzle Earl. They lived together for three years in Cave Junction, making several generous donations to I.V. Senior Center, until she died in April 1999. He remarried for the third time in September 2007 to Amelia Benson, who was living next door at the time. They purchased some property near O“Brien shortly after that and moved out there.

He is survived by his wife, Amelia, of O“Brien; a daughter, Laura, of Newport, Ore; and a son, Donald, of Government Camp, Ore.

(Sponsored Memorial)

Anne Wilton

Anne Wilton, 80, of Cave Junction, died Friday, March 26, 2010 at her home.

No service is planned. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www.since1928hull.com.

Mrs. Wilton was born November 11, 1929 in Raleigh, North Carolina. From 1972 to 1982 she worked as executive secretary for the commander at Travis Air Force Base. In 1989 she moved from Grants Pass, Ore. to Oroville, Calif. where she lived until 1994 when she moved to Cave Junction, Ore.

Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Charles Wilton of Cave Junction, Ore.; six sons, Jim Davis of Columbus, Ohio, John Ritz of Weaverville, Calif., David Ritz of El Spartos, Calif., Paul Wilton of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Barry Ritz of Vacaville, Calif., and Phillip Wilton of Roseville, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

(Sponsored Memorial)

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