The Denver Post
October 17, 1995Mildred Cowen Engstrom of Denver, a homemaker, died Oct. 4. She was 94.
Interment was in Fairmount Cemetery.
She was born Jan. 12, 1901, in Colorado Springs. On May 4, 1927, she married Harty T. Engstrom in Greeley. Mrs. Engstrom attended the Broadmoor Art Academy in Colorado Springs. She was a member of Chapter A of PEO Sisterhood, Peace Pipe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames XVII Century and Wing Family of America, Inc.
She is survived by three daughters, Barbara J. Byrne, Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, Janice E. Smith, Bethesda, Md., and Joan E. Perkins, Denver; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Marriage Notes for Mildred Chapman Cowen and Walter Guinn Peak
MARRIAGE:
Marriage [NEWS]
Date/Pub/Sec: 12/3/1922, Gazette, Sec. 5, 1-5
Location: Colorado Springs
People: Mildred Chapman Cowen � Walter Guinn Peak
Rocky Mountain News (CO)
April 24, 2003Barbara Jean Byrne: AUTHOR AND ACTRESS BYRNE WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE
By the time she was 10 years old, the little girl named Jean had been around the world several times. On each trip, she brought along a little girl named Barbara.
"Jean was a little girl who had no mother or father," began a series of books written in Barbara Jean Engstrom's bedroom - a series that took readers to dozens of countries the young author had only visited in her mind. "I know you wish you could visit these places. Maybe you have."
"It's all just from her imagination. She was always one to embellish stories whenever she told one," said B.J. Byrne's daughter, Kris Espinosa, as she flipped through one of her mother's old manuscripts, called Jean in Japan.
"This is definitely her," Espinosa said. "She always wanted to have adventures in places she'd never been, meet people she'd never met and do things she'd never done."
Barbara Jean Byrne died March 24 in Ajijic, Mexico, of complications related to emphysema. She was 79.
"B.J." as she was almost always known, was born in Colorado Springs. Her mother divorced and remarried when Mrs. Byrne was very young, and she spent much of her childhood trying to entertain (and upstage) her younger twin sisters, Janice and Joan.
Since she never knew her biological father, Mrs. Byrne invented one. She continued her escapes through the "Jean" books. She began acting, and never stopped.
After graduating from East High School, she attended acting school in New York City. Several radio programs followed, along with appearances on local commercials and bit parts in televisions shows that included The Donna Reed Show and Wagon Train, her family said.
In the 1950s, she married and moved to Pasadena, Calif., and helped found the Little Rep Theater. After divorcing twice, she moved back to Colorado in the 1970s and married District Judge Ed Byrne. In 1975, the couple retired to the tiny town of Ajijic. There she helped start another local theater, helping to bridge languages and cultures, and lived the book she never wrote: Jean in Mexico.
Wherever she went, the actress never lost the imagination that first surfaced in the childhood stories she wrote, family members said. Despite her rosy outlook, however, she fought real battles - including one with alcoholism, a battle she eventually won, her daughter said.
"She said, 'There's never a challenge that can't be overcome,' " Espinosa said. "She never saw a hardship - she only saw another adventure."
San Diego Union-Tribune
March 1, 2000MERRITT HOLDEN 'BUD' PERKINS JR.
Aug. 4, 1926 - Feb. 16, 2000Merritt Holden "Bud" Perkins Jr., 73, of Fallbrook died Feb. 16. He was born in Denver. Mr. Perkins was retired after working for 35 years in marketing management for Continental Airlines. He had served in the Army Air Forces.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia M. Perkins; sons, Merritt H. Perkins III of Kerrville, Texas, Russ Perkins of Dallas and Randy Perkins of Broken Arrow, Okla.; sister, Mildren Marker of Albuquerque, N.M.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The Washington Post
November 9, 2007SMITH JANICE E. SMITH On Wednesday, November 7, 2007 of Bethesda, MD. Beloved wife of the late James Alexander Smith. Devoted mother of Richard Smith (wife Suzanne) of Eden Prairie, MN and the late Deborah Wing Monroe. Mother-in-law of Clarence Lee Monroe. Grandmother of David and Katelin Smith and Keith Monroe. Sister of JoAnn Perkins of Denver, CO.
Washington Post, The (DC)
November 27, 2005JAMES A. SMITH
On Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD, from complications of Parkinson's disease.
He was preceeded in death by his daughter, Debbie Monroe, in January of this year, and another daughter Cheryl Lynn Smith, who died in infancy in 1949.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Smith of Bethesda; his son, Richard Smith of Minneapolis, MN and his two children, David and Katelin Smith. His daughter's son, Keith Monroe, lives in Reston,
57376. Thelma Lucille Gillespie
The Hartford Courant (CT)
February 21, 2007Thelma ''Teddy'' G. Blake, 87, of Farmington, widow of Albert L. Blake, passed away peacefully Tuesday, (February 20, 2007) at Avon Health Center.
Born in Augusta, ME, November 10th, 1919, daughter of the late Roland and Jesse (Simpson) Gillespie.
She was the Salutatorian of the Class of 1939 at Gardiner High School in Maine. Thelma worked for the states of Maine and Connecticut and was later associated with Miss Porter's School in Farmington for 25 years. She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational in Farmington and volunteered at the Village Traders at the church. Thelma was an unselfish and caring woman who loved to travel and enjoyed gardening.
She is survived by her son, David A. Blake and his wife, Kim of Burlington, her daughter, Sandra B. Harty and her husband, Rick of Farmington; her grandchildren, Dave Harty of New York, Liz Harty of West Hartford, Mike Harty of Farmington, Dan Harty of Farmington, Garrett Blake of New Hampshire and Tyler Blake of Burlington; her great-grandchild, Clover Blake of New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, George Gillespie.
Bangor Daily News
February 1, 2012OLD TOWN Dorothy (Robinson) Gillespie Jones, 85, died Jan. 24, 2012, with family by her side at Brewer rehabilitation facility. She was born July 3, 1926, in Harmony, the daughter of Merton A. and Irma F. (Willis) Robinson.
Dot met and married her first husband, George L. Gillespie, in 1950, and they raised their two children in Augusta until his death in 1974. She went on to marry Harry A. Jones of Dover, N.H., in 1975, and they resided in Rochester, N.H., until retiring to North Port, Fla.
Dot maintained residence in Florida after his death in 2003 and then relocated back to Maine in 2010 to be cared for by her daughter. Dot was employed for many years by the Augusta school system, where she worked as a cook and dietician, and retired as a teacher of culinary arts. She loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family. She also had a passion for bingo, where she met many friends. Dot had many hobbies, which included reading, sewing, knitting and creating dollhouses. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans Foreign Wars, Post No. 8203, North Port, Fla.
Dot is survived by her mother, Irma F. (Willis) Robinson; sister, Patricia Gendreau and husband, Roger; son, Kenneth Gillespie and wife, Deborah; daughter, Debra Rapacki; stepdaughter, Barbara Cummings; stepson, Robert Jones and wife, Gloria; nephew, Michael Gendreau and wife, Judy; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three great-nieces.
Eugene Register-Gaurd
April 1, 1944Reedsport - Funeral services for George David Roberts, 41, who died at his home in Reedsport on Monday evening, were held Thursday at the Unger mortuary, with internment in Reedsport Masonic cemetery.
Mr. Roberts was born at Templeton, Coos county, Oregon, on May 20, 1902, and was with his parents, David and Mary Haskell Roberts, moved to a farm on Smith River, Reedsport, in 1917, where he has since made his home.
He is survived by his widowl Kitty Lund Roberts; a daughter by a former marriage, Rosemary Roberts; and mother, Mrs. DDavid Roberts, all of Reedsport; four brothers, Bert Roberts of Reedsport; clude and Ben Roberts, of Smith River, California; and James Roberts, with nthe army in New Guinea, and a sister, Mrs. Verna MacF=Gregor, head nurse at the Deavoneas hospital, Salem
local newspaper
Verna Roberts McGregor
July 10, 1907 - Oct. 23, 2001salem & Eugene - Verna McGregor, 94, died October 23.
Dhe was born in Marshfield, Ore., to Nettie Mae Haskell and David Roberts. She worked as a Registered Nurse for many years in Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene.
Verna married Harold A. McGregor December 5, 1935 in Portland, Ore. He preceded her in death on May 18, 1941. She was also preceded in death by her five brothers and her parents.
Verna is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David and Beverly McGregor of Silverton, Ore.; a son and daighter--in-law, Sandy and Martha McGregor of Oregon, Wis.; and daughter, Mollie McGregor of Kennewick, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and parents.
unknown newspaper
Jamed Wendell Roberts
1917-1957James W. "Bill" Roberts, 1241 Ivy Sreeet, Reedsport, Oregon, scaler's helper, died, following a geart attack on January 10.
Born on the Smith River, on February 8, 1917, Roberts had spent his entire life in the lower Umpqua area. During World Wa II he was with the 41st Infantry Ddivision in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He became a Long Bell boomman on June 26, 1952, and advanced to the position of scaler's helper.
"Bill" Roberts was an active member of the Reedsport Community Presbyterian Churc. He belonged to the church choir, was a Sunday School teacher for the fourth grade, and had begun his second year as a member of the board of trustees.
His survivors include his wife; three children, James, Karen, and Jan; his mother, Mrs. Mae Roberts; two brothers, Bert and Clyde; and a sister, Mrs. Verna McGregor.
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Alvin F Koepke
Birth Year: 1916
Race: White, Citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Oregon
State of Residence: Oregon
County or City: Douglas
Enlistment Date: 10 Mar 1942
Enlistment State: California
Enlistment City: Presidio of Monterey
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
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U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006 U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: Alvin F Koepke
Service Info.: TEC 5 US ARMY AIR FORCES WORLD WAR II
Birth Date: 1 Aug 1916
Death Date: 28 Jun 2002
Service Start Date: 10 Mar 1942
Interment Date: 18 Jul 2002
Cemetery: Willamette National Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 11800 SE MT. Scott Boulevard Portland, OR 97266
Buried At: Section Col-2 Row 465 Site E
____
Culver resident Alvin F. "Mick" Koepke died June 28, in Redmond at the age of 85. Mr. Koepke was born Aug. 1, 1916 in Gardiner, Ore., to parents Earnest and Mary Rose (Haskel) Koepke. He attended Smith River School, graduating in 1934, then worked in the logging industry as an equipment operator and truck driver.On March 10, 1942, he entered the armed forces, spending most of the time in the European conflict, and was discharged Oct. 1, 1945. He returned to the Reedsport-Smith River area, then muroved to Redmond where he met and married his wife, Elsie on March 31, 1950.
They had a small farm in the Redmond area, then moved to a farm at the south end of Terrebonne. When he retired, they moved to their present home on Gem Lane in Culver.
The Koepkes were both members of the Redmond Saddle Club. He additionally enjoyed hunting and fishing the lakes of Central Oregon and always had a garden.Survivors include his nephews, Merle Hausmann and his wife, Leona, of Reedsport, Jack Gunnell and Gary Gunnel, both of Coos Bay; and nieces, Amy Lee Carpenter and her husband, Jerry, of Myrtle Point, Charlene Stepenson of Beaverton, and Julie Brown of Eugene. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie in June 2000, and by his sister, Ernestine Hausmann in April of 2002.
At his request there will be no funeral services, and he will be cremated by Autumn Funerals of Redmond and his ashes placed in the Willamette National Cemetery to beside those of his late wife.
Inscription:
TEC 5 US ARMY AIR FORCES, WORLD WAR II
Find-a-Grave
FLORENCE (HALL) TAYLOR BURLINGTON Florence (Hall) Taylor, 99, died July 5, 2006, in Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born May 19, 1907, in Augusta, Maine, to Albert and Louise (Freeman) Hall. Growing up in Augusta, she married Claude Taylor on New Year's Eve, 1926. He predeceased her in 1989.
Florence had a lifelong love of birds and wildflowers, and was fond of handwork. Although she did occasional secretarial work for lawyers, her basic career was as a housewife and mother. She and her husband, Claude, lived in various towns in northern New England, but their happiest years were spent in Burlington where they were members of the First Congregational Church under the Rev. Charles Stanley Jones. Florence's desk was a familiar sight in a forward pew where she transcribed the minister's extemporaneous sermons in shorthand. Florence exhibited a marvelous sense of humor, which although she kept it mostly to herself and family, was an inherent part of her personality all through her declining years.
She was predeceased by a brother, Wilfred, and leaves one daughter, Mary Louise Sutherland and husband Robert of South Burlington; and four grandsons: Peter and wife Karen of Monkton, Michael of Burlington, Christopher and wife Sunflower of Wilmington, N.C., and David of Craftsbury Common; also, four greatgrandchildren: Calum, Sequoia, Yu Yao and Jing Yi.
The Kennebec Journal
February 12, 2005ALBION -- Robert E. Milliken Sr. passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, at his home in Albion. He was born in Fairfield on June 9, 1918, the son of the late George E. and Florence (Condon) Milliken. The family moved to Albion in 1923, where he attended Albion schools.
He was self-employed until he joined the Army Air Corps on March 19, 1942, where he served with the 95 Bombardment Squadron 17th B Group in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 17, 1945, with the rank of sergeant, at which time he took over the family farm.
He married the former Winnie Hall on March 6, 1955, and they operated the Milliken Farms until their retirement in 1987. After retirement they built their new home on the farm among their families. He enjoyed keeping busy gardening, planting trees and tending to the lawns. He also enjoyed working on his wood pile and taking trips to Vermont.
He was predeceased by two brothers, George A. of Wilmette, Ill., and Charles O., Air Force. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Winnie (Hall) Milliken of Albion; four sons, Robert E. Milliken Jr. and special friend, Kathy Giles, Brian L. Milliken and special friend, Peggy Huff, Nick R. Young and his wife, Sandra, all of Albion and Ronald C. Young and his wife, Ellen of Jacksonville, Fla., and China; grandchildren, Jeff Young and his wife, Kim, of Albion, Alice (Young) Werner and her husband, Victor, of Kennesaw, Ga., and Rosanne Milliken-Larrabee of Dexter; great-grandchildren Michael and Amy Bailey, Kayla Young, Brooke and Laura Werner, and Calvin Gould; a brother, Wallace Milliken and his wife, Faith of Ponca City, Okla.; and a niece and nephew.
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U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Robert E Milliken
Birth Year: 1918
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Maine
State of Residence: Maine
County or City: Kennebec
Enlistment Date: 19 May 1942
Enlistment State: Ohio
Enlistment City: Cleveland
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 2 years of high school
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70
Weight: 163