>From the Oak ridsger 9 Mar 2004 Viola Gladys Erickson, 93, of Woodburn, Ore., formerly of Oak Ridge, Joe Wayne Farmer, 73, of Clinton, Elizabeth Brady Howard Patrick Gene O'Bleness, 49, of Knoxville, Martha Ramey, 58, of Bean Station, formerly of Oliver Springs, Augustus Francis "Gus" Rauner Jr., 79, of Oak Ridge, Agnes McKnight, 79, of Savannah, formerly of Oak Ridge, Audrey Stewart, 78, of Oliver Springs, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Viola Gladys Erickson, 93, of Woodburn, Ore., formerly of Oak Ridge, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2004, of a stroke. She was born Viola Christoffersen on April 13, 1910, in White Bear Lake, Minn. She married Rudy L. Erickson on April 29, 1933. They moved to Stillwater, Minn., where their children were born. She came to Oak Ridge in 1952 and made her home with her husband and family. The couple was married 54 years until his death in 1987. In 1990, Mrs. Erickson moved to Oregon to live with her daughter, Alicia F. Erickson. During her high school years, Mrs. Erickson was active in sports including basketball, track and swimming. Her family said she was an avid reader and her hobbies included gardening, travel and rock collecting. Mrs. Erickson worked at the Bank of Oak Ridge in various positions for many years. She also worked for a law firm as a legal secretary. She changed positions to work for Oak Ridge National Laboratory until her retirement in 1975. In Oak Ridge, she served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Pilot Club, was active in the BPW of Oak Ridge, performed volunteer work for mentally challenged and Alzheimer organizations, and organized horse shows at East Tennessee Riding Club. After moving to Oregon, she volunteered for the American Red Cross Disaster Services. Her family said she was an avid supporter of the arts and an active member of the Model A Ford Club of America with memberships in two chapters, Volcano As and Beaver Chapter. Mrs. Erickson is survived by her son, Rudy Allen Erickson, of Abilene, Texas; three daughters, Sandra K. Pargman of Portland, Ore., Pamela G. Pemberton of Smyrna, Ga., and Alicia F. Erickson of Woodburn; six grandchildren, Nathan Pemberton, Nathalie Pemberton and Shauna Pemberton, all of Georgia, Lisa Erickson Hook of California, Lance Erickson of Oak Ridge and Lauren McCarley of South Carolina; and by five great-grandchildren. The body was cremated. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2004, at the Canby Funeral Chapel in Canby, Ore. Burial for Mrs. Erickson and her husband will be at Anderson Memorial Gardens on the Oliver Springs Highway in Clinton. The family requests that any memorials be in the form of gifts to the American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter for use in Disaster Services to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 3200, Portland, OR 97208. Joe Wayne Farmer, 73, of Clinton, died Sunday, March 7, 2004, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. Born Jan. 27, 1931, in Anderson County, he was the son of Wayne and Eva Denny Farmer. Mr. Farmer was president of the Clinch Valley Shrine Club and president of his senior class at Clinton High School in 1952. He was a member of the Clinton Alpha Lodge No. 376 F&AM, 32nd Degree Mason and Tennessee Sportsman Association. He was a member of Clinton Second Baptist Church. Mr. Farmer retired from Rexnord as a machine maintenance supervisor for 23 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Farmer. Mr. Farmer is survived by his wife, Eloise Ann Farmer; his son, Douglas Kyle Farmer, of Oak Ridge; his sister, Katie Farmer, of Clinton; his brother, Howard Farmer, of Clinton; and by several nieces and nephews. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004, at Sunset Cemetery in Clinton. The family requests that any memorials be in the form of contributions to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Lexington, Ky. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton with Masonic services. Following the Masonic Service, the Rev. Mike Thompson and the Rev. Brenda Poole will officiate. Elizabeth Brady Howard died Saturday, March 6, 2004, in Oak Ridge. Born in Charlotte, N.C., she graduated from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Howard was involved from the onset of Oak Ridge, was specially trained in Chicago, Ill., and was in charge of documents at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Mrs. Howard was active in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, serving on the altar guild, renovation and other committees, and was documenting the history of the church. She was a member of Friends of the Library, Special Libraries Association and Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning. Her family said she shared her love of reading by recording books on tape for the blind. Mrs. Howard is survived by two aunts, Martha Brady and Auverne Brady; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Howard and her children, Jennifer Howard and Ginger Howard, and Grace Howard and her son, Henry Howard and wife, Mary Ann, and their children, Walter Howard, Andrew Howard and Christy Howard; and by her daughter, Martha Whitaker and husband, Richard, and their children, Nathan Whitaker and Beth Whitaker. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2004, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. A graveside service will be held Thursday, March 11, in Atlanta, Ga. The family requests that any memorials be in the form of contributions to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 212 N. Tulane Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830. H. M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home in Spring Hill, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Patrick Gene O'Bleness, 49, of Knoxville, died Sunday, March 7, 2004, at St. Mary's Health System in Knoxville. He was born April 11, 1954, in Lake Charles, La. Mr. O'Bleness graduated from Oak Ridge High School and Roane State Community College, and attended the University of Tennessee. He retired from the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a commercial fisherman and also worked in painting and construction. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Kate Lynch and Oscar E. O'Bleness. Mr. O'Bleness is survived by his wife, Diane Traver O'Bleness; two stepdaughters, Ashley, a student at the University of Tennessee, and Hailey, a student at Webb School; his mother and stepfather, Martha A. and Russell Tucker of Alcoa; his father and stepmother, Gene E. and Marilyn O'Bleness of Oak Ridge; his brother, James Michael O'Bleness and wife, Tammy, and their daughter, Lexie, of Park Hall, Md.; his sister, Nancy O. Bradley and husband, Greg, and their daughters, Allison and Becca, of Maryville; and by his grandmother, Esther S. O'Bleness, of Oak Ridge. He is also survived by three stepsisters, Charlotte Tucker of Charlotte, N.C., Christina Redden and family of Phoenix, Ariz., and Edie Parsons and family of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; two stepbrothers, Robert Tucker and family of Phoenix, and Michael Tucker of Anchorage, Alaska; his mother-in-law, Mary Higgins, of Erin; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Hunt and husband, James, of New Castle, Pa., and Laura Johnson and husband, Dwight, of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; his brother-in-law, Patrick Sullivan of Vero Beach, Fla.; and by many uncles, aunts and other relatives. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Aldana Allen officiating. The family requests that any memorials be in the form of contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church, 320 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 or Tennessee Donor Services, 7015 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37907. Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. Martha Ramey, 58, of Bean Station, formerly of Oliver Springs, died Monday, March 8, 2004, at her home. Born Feb. 17, 1946, in Oliver Springs, she was the daughter of Dewey Daugherty Sr. and Dorothy Lucille Walls Daugherty, both now deceased. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. She also lived in Morristown for 22 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Dewey Daugherty Jr. and Warren Daugherty. Mrs. Ramey is survived by her husband, Warren Eugene Ramey; her daughter, Phyllis Ramey Brewer, of Bean Station; her son, Ronald "Ronnie" Eugene Ramey and wife, Teresa, of Bean Station; three grandchildren, Paige Ridley, Tamara Ramey and Stone Brewer; two sisters, Arvena McGhee of Kodak and Mildred Daugherty Trail of Harriman; and by several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and special friends. The funeral will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at Lakemore Church of God in Morristown with the Rev. Robert Carpenter and the Rev. Garvan Walls officiating. A graveside service will be at noon Thursday, March 11, at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Morristown. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs, and from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Augustus Francis "Gus" Rauner Jr., 79, of Oak Ridge, died Saturday, March 6, 2004 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he was also a member of St. Mary's "Solo's" singles group. Born Nov. 2, 1924, in Ellenville, N.Y., he was the son of Augustus F. and Letetia Rauner. He and his family lived in Virginia before coming to Oak Ridge. He was a volunteer fireman in Liberty, N.Y. According to his family, Mr. Rauner was so proud when some of his friends took him to New York to see and have his photo taken beside the Freedom Engine bought by Knoxville during the 9-11 crisis. Mr. Rauner lived in Houston, Texas, and was a follower of NASA's activities. Being a hairdresser for 20 years, he was the hairdresser of some of the first astronauts' wives. He came back to Oak Ridge about 25 years ago to be with his mother after his father's death. He worked part-time with Jack Livesey at Vogue Beauty Shop as well as being manager of Back Door Pizza Parlor, where he made many new friends whom his family said he loved. After his mother's death, he began working at St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish as housekeeper and cook. Mr. Rauner also worked with CONTACT Helpline, a telephone service for people who need someone to talk to, where he worked shifts listening to others. His family said he volunteered to work holidays so others could be with their families. After having trouble with his eyesight, his family said he had to give it up, but stayed in touch. According to his family, Mr. Rauner was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, attending some of the games. His family said he was also a New York Yankees fan, as well as a fan of University of Tennessee basketball and football. His family said he loved to fish. His family said he had so much knowledge to share with young and old and his determination was so strong in helping himself enjoy life as much as possible. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Rauner, and by a cousin, Barbara Kelly. Mr. Rauner is survived by two cousins, Robert Flynn of California and Thomas Flynn, who lived with his family during the '50s and attended St. Mary's School, and his wife, Pat, of Fabiuf, N.Y., and their children, Tom, Corinne, Theresa and Kevin. His family said he loved his church and his church family very much and appreciated the love they showed him, and he will be missed by all. Mary Barker and Owen Killeen are considered special friends. Debby and Johnny Schaefer, Betty Schaefer, Jack and Charlotte Schaefer, Eddie and Teresa Schaefer, Tracy Schaefer, Brandi Sanders and children, T-Wayne and Nikki Scott and children, are considered as his family. His family said they would like to extend their gratitude to the Rev. Michael Woods of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and the doctors and nurses of Fort Sander's Regional Medical Center, NICU, for their efforts to save his life and the love they gave. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael Woods officiating. His body was cremated. Agnes McKnight, 79, of Savannah, formerly of Oak Ridge, died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004. Shackelford Funeral Directors of Savannah is in charge of arrangements. Audrey Stewart, 78, of Oliver Springs, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs is in charge of arrangements, which were incomplete at press time. =========================================== SUPPORT OUR TROOPS---FLY THE FLAG "Genealogy is like playing hide and seek. They hide I seek!!! www.byrge.com/genealogy/ Searching: BYRGE/BUNCH/DAUGHERTY/DUNCAN/KENNEDY/ PATTERSON/PHILLIPS/SEIBER/TACKETT/WARD