Obituaries 

Eugene Tabor, born November 28, 1925 in Potrerillos, Chile, passed away May 7, 2006. Gene was the former owner of Tabor’s Desert Hills Mortuary in Bend, Oregon, and father of past OFDA Board member Spencer Tabor. 

Gene graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1949 and served an apprenticeship with Mike Worth’s Peninsula Funeral Home in Portland, Or. After moving to Bend in 1962, Gene opened Tabor Funeral Home on Hill St. Community support was abundant, allowing him to build Tabor’s Desert Hills Mortuary. 

Gene was an active member of his community, and devoted his time to many local organizations. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on May 12, 2006 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bend, with Father Brian McKenna celebrating. Interment was at Pilot Butte Cemetery in Bend, Oregon. 

Diane L. Marcum of Stanfield, Oregon, born September 18, 1955 in Eugene, Or., passed away May 23, 2006 at the Good Shepard Medical Center in Hermiston, Or. 

Diane was the owner of DL Marcum Real Estate, which she opened in 2002. She was also a member of the Realtors Association and the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. She is survived by her husband, Eldon Marcum, of Stanfield, Or., mother, sisters, grandchildren, and daughters, including Michelle Marcum-Pryor, who works at Burns Mortuary of Hermiston. Services were held May 26, 2006 and vault interment was at Skyview Memorial Park in Pendleton, Oregon. 

Floyd C. Lancaster, 90, passed away July 9, 2006, of natural causes in Klamath Falls. Services were held on July 15, 2006 at the First Church of the Nazarene.  

Floyd was born January 6, 1916 in Ustick, Idaho to George and Della (Goode) Lancaster. He and his wife Carol came to Nampa, Idaho, where she completed her degree as a registered nurse and he began a lifelong career in the funeral service industry. He attended and received his degree from Cypress College of Mortuary Science. 

They and their four children moved to Oregon in 1952, living in Cottage Grove, Grants Pass and Medford before settling in Klamath Falls in 1970. His wife preceded him in death in 1989 and he married Wilma Harvey in 1990. While they lived in Coos Bay, he was retired and worked part time in the funeral industry. After her retirement in 1998, they moved to Klamath Falls, where he worked for Eternal Hills Funeral Home. 

Floyd was known for his service to his community as a funeral director and for promoting southern gospel music in the Klamath Basin. Survivors include his wife, sister, three children, four step-children, numerous grandchildren, and other relatives.

Interment was at Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens. 

Jeanine Shanks passed away on September 11, 2006 at age 61. Jeanine was born August 4, 1945 in Sweet Home, Oregon. She was adopted by Dr. Robert S. and Hester (Beard ) Langmack. 

She grew up in Sweet Home, graduating from Sweet Home Union High in 1963. She attended Oregon State University until her marriage to Ronald E. Shanks on July 10, 1965. The couple moved to San Francisco while Ron attended mortuary college. They returned to Oregon in 1968, moving to Lebanon, and Jeanine finished her studies at Oregon State University, graduating with a degree in elementary education. 

She worked in the office of Dr. Robert Dougherty for many years, and after Dr. Dougherty’s retirement, was encouraged by her husband to work in the office of Huston Funeral Home (now known as Huston-Jost Funeral Home). In 1986 she became a licensed funeral director with the firm. She had functioned in that capacity as well as office manager and business partner until her death. 

Jeanine was involved in numerous activities over the years, including being a member and Past President of the Lebanon Community Hospital Auxiliary and for several years had been heavily involved in the operation of the hospital gift shop. She is survived by her husband, Ron, sons Ron Shanks Jr., FSA Board member, and wife Taj of Lebanon: Trent Shanks and wife Barbara of Lebanon; one brother, two sisters, and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held September 16, 2006 at the Lebanon First Assembly of God. Burial was at the Lebanon 100F Cemetery. 

George “Harold” Bowker, former owner of Holman Hankins Bowker and Waud, passed away October 12, 2006 in University Place, Washington. 

Harold was born March 22, 1923 in Portland, Oregon, to George Harold Bowker and Edna Marie Bryant. He served in World War ІІ as a medic on hospital ships and received many medals for his service. He married Florence “Flo” Halowi on November 5, 1945. He attended mortuary school in Chicago, Illinois, and returned to Portland in 1948 to begin his career as a funeral director in Oregon City. 

Harold was active in many organizations, including the Oregon Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon City Elks Lodge. Additionally, he was instrumental in chartering the Milwaukie Elks Lodge. After the death of his wife Flo, Harold married Glennice “Pennie” Kriens in 1968. 

In 1983, Harold was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which forced him into early retirement. Pennie passed away in 1996, and in 1999, Harold lost his eyesight as a result of Macular Degeneration. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Becky Bowker, daughter Leanne Bowker, two siblings, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held October 23, 2006 at the Holman Hankins Bowker and Waud Funeral Home in Oregon City. Interment was at Portland Memorial Mausoleum. 

Don Jost, former owner of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, passed away October 30, 2006, following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s and internal illnesses. He was just 13 days short of his 89th birthday. 

Don was a native Oregonian, born in Portland, attending Ockley Green Elementary and Jefferson High School prior to graduating in 1937. Following high school, he served an embalmer’s-funeral director apprenticeship in Forest Grove and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1939. Following completion of her nurses training, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Mae Dykstra, in September of 1940. 

Don served in the South Pacific during WWІІ aboard the USS Starling, a Navy minesweeper. After the war, Don returned to work at Holman’s Funeral Home in Portland and purchased a funeral home in Lebanon, later to be known as Jost Funeral Home, in 1952. He and Donna continued to operate the funeral home until their retirement in 1972. 

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Donna Mae of Wilsonville, three children, son Donald of Milwaukie, Philip of Eugene and Douglas of Lake Oswego. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held November 4, 2006 at Holman’s Funeral Service in Portland, Oregon.