Recent and Upcoming Obituaries

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   Jun. 23, 1947 - Feb. 22, 2025

Gerald W. Stone (Jerry) of Eugene , Oregon passed away February 22, 2025 at home. 

Jerry was born June 23, 1947 in Boise, Idaho. A son of David S. Stone and Alice Dockins Stone. He married Deanna Dodd February 26, 1972. He was blessed with four wonderful children. He retired from States Inudstries after 40 years.

He was an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He is survived by his wife Deanna, 2 sons, Corey of Eugene, Oregon, Derek of Junction City, Oregon and Andrea of Eugene, Oregon, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his dad, David Stone, mother Alice Dockins Stone, two brothers, David R. Stone, Roger D. Stone, Sister Mary, and son Brandon Stone. 

Funeral services will be held March 4, 2025 at 12:30pm at the LDS Church on Danebo Ave. in Eugene, Oregon.

   April. 14, 1932 - Jan. 10, 2025

Lewis Benjamin Horne died peacefully at home January 10, 2025. He was 92.

Lewis – Lew – was born April 14,1932, in Mesa, Arizona, the oldest child of Ben and Dorothy Horne. He was joined over the next few years by three siblings: William (Dixie), Nancy (Richard) Peters, and Ann (Chad) Cowle. He was an avid reader and writer early on, and as an adolescent enjoyed slouching “on the back of his neck” with his ear as close as possible to the radio, trying to block out household noises while he listened to the New York Philharmonic and NBC Orchestra broadcasts; sometimes he sat on the edge of the family farm’s irrigation ditch, dangling his feet in the water and “dreaming of seeing a Broadway show” (something he ultimately did many times in his adult life). He played the piano and, after outgrowing his local teacher, studied for years with Ray Bullock, a music professor at Arizona State University

Lew attended Mesa High School and then enrolled at ASU to pursue his interests in piano and literature: “I had been taking lessons with Mr. Bullock for three of the past four years, and I had held a library card for the Mesa Public Library since the summer following 1st Grade.” He majored in literature but still spent much of his time in the music department, where he played in recitals and accompanied master classes.

Lew served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956; he was assigned to the peace-keeping troops in Germany, where he was the assistant to Chaplain Richard Irons, who had requested as his helper a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who could play the piano. After returning home, he taught high school in Morenci, Arizona, for two years.

He subsequently went to graduate school at the University of Michigan, where he met and married Sandra Lindsay from the Pacific Northwest. During his first year as a graduate student, he won the prestigious Hopwood Award for a collection of short stories based on growing up in Lehi, Arizona. He and Sandy used the prize money to get married in June of 1960.

By the time they left Michigan in 1966 they had three daughters, with a fourth to follow. Lew’s love of books carried right over into his parenting skills: his reading aloud at bedtime brought to life the lands of Narnia and Oz and others with such drama and vigor that he raised a second generation of book lovers. Christmas wasn’t complete without a book or two in the stocking; Easter needed a book in the basket. Lew also wrote several books, a poetry collection and two books of short stories, as well as numerous stories and poems that appeared in multiple literary journals.

Lew taught Victorian literature, first at Colorado College and then at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, for over 30 years. He and Sandy subsequently retired to Oregon, where he enjoyed the annual Bach festival and other concert series. He was amused to learn that his age had made him an “honored guest” of the Eugene Public Transit System, and he frequently took advantage of that status to ride the bus to the library. He regularly attended the weekend Insight Series on art and literature offered at the University of Oregon.

He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as pianist and choir accompanist, ward clerk, gospel doctrine teacher, and on one occasion was called, to his surprise, from the pulpit by then Elder Russell M. Nelson to serve as executive secretary for the newly created Saskatoon Saskatchewan Stake.

Lew is survived by his wife Sandy, and by his four daughters and their families: Christine (Larry Young) Horne, Gulsima Young and Aika Young; Naomi Horne; Joanne (Sean) Murphy, Megan Murphy, Ben (Sarah A.) Murphy, Sarah M. Murphy and Ryan Murphy; and Miriam (Eric Pearson) Horne, William Bodykevich, Matthew Bodykevich, and Grace Bodykevich; his foster daughter Nga Nguyen and her children, Nathan Nguyen, Matthew Nguyen and Joanne Nguyen; and by his sister Ann.

We’ll miss you, Dad!

   Nov. 1, 1938 - Dec. 13, 2024

Nancy Weller-Thompson, 86, of Eugene OR passed away peacefully on 12/13/2024. She was born on 11/1/1938 in Port Townsend to Wilbur and Mary Ipsen. Her early years were spent in Arlington, WA and Everett, WA. Nancy graduated from Everett High School in 1956. She married her high school boyfriend, Jack Weller in 1958 They had 3 children.

She resided in Everett WA, Sitka AK, Reedsport OR, Eugene OR, Brownsville OR, and Portland OR.

They were members of St. Paul Catholic Church and the Eugene Elks. Nancy and Jack enjoyed watching football, especially the Oregon Duck and OIT Owls (where their son played). They loved traveling, hanging out with family and their “dirty dozen” friends and going on road trips. After Jack passed away in 1992, Nancy moved to Portland to be near her family.

Nancy met her second husband, Larry Thompson, while volunteering at OMSI. They married in 1995. They moved back to Eugene. They enjoyed retirement by spending winters in Palm Springs and trips in their R.V. Larry passed away in 2019.

Nancy volunteered at American Red Cross, OMSI, Peace Health Gift shop, Grace Memorial Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and the Eugene Lions. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi and a member of PEO. She loved meeting and talking to new people and always brought a smile and laughter wherever she went.

Nancy was preceded in death by her late husband's Jack Weller and Larry Thompson and her sisters Dorothy and Karen. She is survived by sister Pat and brother Al, her 3 children; Jenny, Dan (wife Ann), Mary (husband Joe); four beloved grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

At Nancy’s request, arrangements have been made by Rest Haven Memorial Park of Eugene where she will be buried with her first husband, Jack. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Pete Moore Hospice, Peace Health Gift Shop Guild, your favorite charity, or plant a memorial tree through www.plantmemorialtree.com

 Feb. 14, 1946 - Nov. 16, 2024

The Rigby family is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Florence Ina Ledwitz Rigby, 78, in mid-November (14 Cheshvan). Florence passed in her sleep due to complications from heart surgery.

Florence was born on Feb. 14, 1946 to Louis and Esther Ledwitz in New York City. She attended the Bronx High School of Science, and went on to receive her B.S. in Biological Science from CUNY, her M.S. in Biology from Case-Western Reserve University, and her Ph.D in Endocrinology -Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. In the course of her career she taught, researched, and held leadership positions at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Northern Illinois University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, and Life University in Marietta, Georgia, where she served as the Head of Life Sciences until retirement. Florence enjoyed teaching both graduates and undergrads and considered it yet another aspect of her own ongoing education. She was also committed to supporting women and members of other underrepresented groups in academia.

Florence approached her personal life with the same gentle curiosity that guided her professional life. She loved to travel, in particular to see nature and learn about other cultures. She was also active in her children’s lives and enjoyed taking part in their extracurriculars, particularly Girl Scouts. After retirement, she moved to Eugene, Oregon to be close to her daughter and new grandson, where she became active in both the University of Oregon chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Temple Beth Israel. Florence is survived by her children Aaron and Miriam (Robin), her grandson Fritz, her former husband Brian, her brother Martin (Elizabeth), nephews David and Sam, Great Niece Elle, and Great Nephew Charles. 

Florence’s family would like to honor her lifelong support of reproductive freedom by requesting donations to Planned Parenthood in lieu of flowers. Zichrona Livracha; may her memory be a blessing.