Robert Arbuckle passed away Nov. 24, 2007, at his home in Hood River with family by his side.

A time to celebrate Robert’s life and mourn his passing will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Drive in Hood River. Graveside rites with vault interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. Viewing is Thursday from 2-5 p.m. at Anderson’s.

Robert was born Jan. 29, 1932, in Wilmar, Calif., to Arthur L. and Dorothy Emma (Potter) Arbuckle. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and has been a member of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars.

On Oct. 17, 1952, Robert married Donna Lee Long at Stevenson, Wash., and to this union was blessed two daughters and more than 55 years together.

In the early years Robert worked for Harvey Aluminum in The Dalles, then drove truck for 27 years retiring from Diamond Fruit Company in 1993. After retirement he drove for Professional Pavers for about 18 months.

Robert and Donna opened a real estate office for two years but closed after a family health crisis. Donna worked for Diamond Fruit and Robert cared for his mother-in-law for eight years. He enjoyed bowling when younger and fishing with his grandson.

Robert is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Donna Lee Arbuckle; daughters, Donna Marie Dawson and Theresa Sinclair; granddaughter Regina Dawson, three grandsons, Jeremy Muma, Jesse Muma and Dillion Sinclair; great-grandson, Wyatt Robert Muma; two brothers, Donald Arbuckle and Bill Arbuckle; a sister, Ruth Arbuckle; brother-in-law Delbert Long; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy, and brothers Joe, John and Jim.

The family suggests memorials be made to Heart of Hospice in care of Anderson’s.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.

Paul Reed, 84, a longtime resident of Hood River, Ore., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles.

A funeral to honor and celebrate Paul’s life will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Graveside rites will follow at Mt. View Cemetery of Hood River. Pastor Tim Foster of Emmanuel Baptist Church of The Dalles will officiate.

Paul was born July 21, 1923, one of seven children born to Charles Reed and Nora Ammerman at Veevay, Ind. He grew up and attended schools in Farmer City, Ill.

On June 14, 1942, Paul married Margie Reed Lowry in St. Charles, Mo., and they have celebrated more than 64 years together.

During World War II Paul served in the U.S. Navy until 1946. He toured in the Pacific and Asiatic campaigns. There will be an honor guard at the service to present colors and salute Paul for his service to our country.

Paul and Margie moved to Hood River in 1946 where they were blessed with two children, David and Marie. Paul worked as a logger for a time before starting with the Hines Lumber Company which later became known as the Dee Mill where he spent 42 years before retiring in 1985.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing the Columbia River for sturgeon; Kingsley, Laurance or Lost Lake for trout and the Oregon Coast for spotted sea bass. Paul also enjoyed games and spending time with family and friends playing cribbage at work or horseshoes, croquet, chess or Yahtzee at home.

His family fondly recalls how dedicated he was to support the kids’ and grandkids’ sporting and rodeo events — he never missed a game. Paul also enjoyed the Portland Trailblazers.

Paul is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 64-plus years, Margie Reed; son, David, and his wife, Kay Reed, of Springfield, Ore.; daughter, Marie, and her husband, Clay Piper, of The Dalles, Ore.; a sister, Dorothy Gill, of Burnaby, Canada; and his grandchildren Todd and Deborah Ferguson, of Vancouver, Wash., David and Kathy Ferguson, of Enterprise, Ore., Tanya Astle, of The Dalles, Rachel Reed, of Renton, Wash., and Jamie and Ed Whale, of Prineville, Ore.; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Nora Reed, and four siblings: Harrison, Raymond, Viola and Golda.

Memorial contributions should be made in memory of Paul to Hospice of the Gorge, in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.

Robert Somers Gilkerson passed away on Nov. 20, 2007, at Damascus, Ore. He was 57 years of age.

The son of Gordon and Rubye Anderson Gilkerson, Rob was born in Hood River, Ore., on March 31, 1950. Rob attended schools in Hood River and graduated from Wy’east High School in 1968. He attended the University of Oregon, then served four years in the Navy.

On June 22, 1974, Rob married Patty Tamura and they farmed in Odell.

He enjoyed working on the computer and cars. Some of his favorite times are the years that he spent go-karting with his sons.

Rob is survived by his wife, Patty; sons Ian, of Lynwood, Wash., and Ryan, of Corvallis, Ore.; uncles Lloyd Gilkerson, of Hood River, Sam Anderson, of Eugene, Ore., and Larry Anderson, of Arizona; aunts Naomi Orcutt, of Hood River, and June Brown, of The Dalles, Ore.; brother, Lynn Gilkerson, of Kennewick, Wash.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of his life at Alice’s Country Market, 15252 S.E. Highway 224, Clackamas, Ore., on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. Respecting his wishes, family members will share their memories at a private remembrance of his life at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Society of Oregon in the care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.

Gerald “Jerry” McNeill, 78, of Hood River, Ore., lost his battle with cancer Nov. 27, 2007, at Hopewell House Hospice in Portland, Ore. He was born Oct. 20, 1929, in Portersfield, Calif., to James and Jessie McNeill.

Jerry was employed in the logging industry for 55 years. Material things didn’t matter to him; it was honesty, hard work and patience he strived for. As an avid reader, he absorbed information like a sponge.

A life-long fisherman, he actually did bring home the “Big One” more than once.

He was so gentle, caring and silly that both children and adults loved him. We will all carry his mischievous smile in our hearts until the day we are able to join him.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda, of Hood River; daughters Jeanne Lesselyoung, of Wishram, Wash., and Linda Sawin, of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren Pam Payne, Bob Thornhill, Don Goss, Patrick Thornhill and Ed Goss; sisters June Woodsworth, Iona Wonsyld and Cleta Elliott; brothers Leon McNeill and Melvin McNeill; many nieces and nephews and their families and special cousins Bill and Alice McNeill, sister-in-law, Viola McNeill and brother-in-law, Roy Elliott and Dale Wonsyld.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. at Arends Place recreation room, 830 Sieverkropp, Hood River.