Uncategorized

Obituaries – November 1

Phyllis Shira Mulvany
March 1, 1926 – Oct. 25, 2017
Phyllis Shira Mulvany, 91, of Ontario, Oregon passed away Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 25, at St. Alphonsus in Ontario after experiencing a severe stroke early in the morning. The EMTs, doctors, and nurses did all they could to save her, but it was her time to go. She left this world surrounded by family – all four of her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and extended family members – all of whom will miss her greatly.
Born March 1, 1926, in Fruitland, Idaho, to Olen and Belle Shira, Phyllis, a.k.a. Phyddy, grew up on a homestead near Harper, Oregon, one of seven children. After graduating from Harper High School, she married Buck Mulvany, who’d served in the Navy during World War II. The couple lived in Long Creek when they were first married before moving to Juntura, Oregon, where Buck worked for the State of Oregon Highway Department. Together, they raised four children.
After Buck retired, he and Phyllis bought property near Little Valley, where they lived for many years before moving to a small acreage north of Ontario.
Phyllis was a dedicated gardener, artistically gifted when it came to crocheting, and a master baker, specializing in buns and cinnamon rolls, where she was bested only by her mother, Belle.
She’s survived by her son Sidney of Cove, Oregon, her son Warren and his wife Cathy of Ontario, Oregon, her daughter Anita Johnson and her husband Gary of Haines, Oregon, and her son Jeffery of Cove, Oregon, as well as a plethora of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as one sister-in-law, June Shira of La Grande, Oregon, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her siblings – Margaret, Sarge, Wanda Rae, Clayton, Teressa Chloe, and Tom –and her grandson, Nathan Johnson.
Services will be held Monday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. at Lienkaemper Chapel in Ontario, followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery.


Steven Herbert Netcher
Feb. 21, 1959 – Oct. 26, 2017
Steven Herbert Netcher, 58, died Oct. 26, 2017, at his Jamieson, Oregon, home after a farming accident.
Steven Herbert Netcher services will be held Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 at 10 a.m at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Vale, Oregon. Burial will follow at Dell Cemetery in Jamieson, Oregon. In lieu of flowers (Steven wasn’t a flower man) the family would like you to please donate to the Vale Volunteer Fire Department or do a “pay it forward” in honor of Steven Netcher.
Services are under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Homes.


Brett Layne Marchek
June 13, 1966 – October 16, 2017
A most precious man has left this earth way too soon. There may not be enough adjectives to describe him. Tenderhearted, kind, hard-working, thoughtful, selfless, funny. He loved to laugh. Always concerned for others, and willing to see to their needs before his own.
No doubt the greatest John Wayne fan to ever live. But then, who better to have for a hero?
Brett was born in Ontario, OR at 9:33 p.m. on June 13, 1966 to Bill and Sandy (Bouscal) Marchek. He joined his sister Shelly on the family ranch in Harper, and later helped welcome sister Marni into the family. After seven granddaughters for Frank and Bea Marchek, a grandson was totally unexpected. You would have thought he’d be spoiled rotten, but maybe he was just too easy going to spoil.
From an early age 5:00 am would find Brett curled up on the living room floor watching the Lone Ranger on TV. When a light gray gelding was purchased for him what did he name him? Uhhh, Silver! What else? They had many great adventures acting out Lone Ranger episodes with his sisters and friends.
Brett’s first horse was a little brown gelding named Speedy. His first trip to the hills to help gather cows was at age 6, and he was on Speedy, who knew just what to do. As we were getting them bunched he rode over to his mom and said, “I see what we’re doing. First we scoootch these cows together, then we scootch those cows over there, then we scootch them all through the gate.” Exactly!
Brett was 9 when he started helping his grandpa Frank irrigate. An indelible bond was formed over shoveling mud and setting siphon tubes. He’d get up early and ride his minibike to the ranch to catch up with grandpa. One morning he fell asleep and missed the culvert. He and the bike ended up in the ditch, and that cold water woke him in a hurry. Grandpa thought it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. Madder than a wet hen would have described Brett, but he was soon laughing, too.
His next mode of transportation was a Honda Trail 90, over his mom’s stringent objections! But then 4 wheelers came along and he gladly traded in the bike. Bill’s jeep was on it’s last legs by then, but a long time friend and bird hunter from California decided Brett should have his jeep, so left it here on one of his trips. George’s Jeep is still a part of the ranch fleet.
The memories Brett made with family and friends are too numerous to list. Hunting, fishing, branding, roping, rodeos, sports, and concerts. His interests were so varied and passionate, and helped shape him into this incredible person. He had an amazing memory – names, faces, dates, facts, numbers, etc. No wonder he was so good at Trivial Pursuit!
Brett’s bond with his grandparents was very strong. He always had time for them. Even as a young boy he loved spending time with adults, and listening to their stories. He had great role models growing up. His dad, grandparents, so many family members and adult friends who set the examples of honesty, compassion, responsibility and respectfulness. And all had great work ethics. Brett was a shining example of those qualities.
Brett met, courted, and married the love of his life, and his soul mate, Kerry Maag. Their wedding on January 16, 1993, was the beginning of a wonderful marriage of nearly 25 years. Their daughter Audrey, and son, Wyatt added immeasurable joy to their lives, and kept them so busy and involved in all the activities those two participated in. They will always be his pride and joy.
This great son, husband, father, and so much more, will be missed beyond comprehension. His work, play, his daily life surround us, and it’s impossible to know how we’ll manage without him. But he will be here guiding, advising, correcting, and playing pranks like his dad. And we can be comforted knowing he is in heaven, taking care of business, and looking out for all our family, friends, and animals, which have gone ahead.
Predeceased by his dad Bill Marchek, Grandparents Frank & Bea Marchek, Tex Bouscal, Babe Bouscal & John Nunn, Aunt & Uncle Joan & Don Dederick, Uncle Dee Bouscal, Brother In-law Bill Tensen & cousin Aaron Bouscal.
Survived by his beloved wife & children, Kerry, Audrey, & Wyatt Marchek, mom Sandy Marchek, sisters Shelly Tensen and Marni Marchek. Parent in-law Bob & MaryAnn Maag. Uncle Tim Bouscal, sister and brother in-law Deanne & Jason Vallad, Rob & Sonya Maag, Craig & Stacie Maag, numerous nieces and nephews, and some of the greatest family and friends in the world.
Donations in memory of Brett can be made to Owyhee Basin Stewardship Coalition, PO Box 99, Ontario, OR 97914, or the Ranchers Feeding Kids Program in care of Malheur County Cattlemen’s Association, PO Box 366 Vale, OR 97918.