Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home

09/21/2026

James E. Petersen passed away surrounded by his family on Sept. 6, 2026 in Bend, Oregon. Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A generous and wise mentor, his leadership left a lasting impact on his community. His sense of humor, warm smile, and wise heart will be missed by many.

Jim was born in Portland, Oregon, to Earl and Eleanor Petersen. He attended Rose City Park grade school, Grant High School, and the University of Oregon. His father passed away when Jim was sixteen years old and his mother raised Jim and his sister, Cora Mae, while writing for KGW radio in Portland. After graduating from University of Oregon Law School, Jim married Patti McQuaid, the love of his life in 1964, and they left their wedding reception for Air Force Pilot Training in Arizona.

Jim spent six years as a fighter pilot flying the F-4 Phantom, including flying 147 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times including one DFC for Heroism, and he served as a flight instructor at George Air Force Base, CA. His friendships from this time, formed first in Bitburg, Germany continue to the present day.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Jim, Patti, and their two daughters, Wendy and Laurie, moved back to Portland where Jim practiced law for eight years. In 1980, drawn by an offer from the Panner-Johnson law firm (Karnopp-Petersen LLP), the lure of nearby skiing and fishing, and the beauty of...

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09/14/2026

LaVera June Eads was born April 19, 1927, to Homer and Winifred (Bookout) Eads on Alder Slope in Enterprise, Oregon. All four great-grandmothers and a great-great-grandfather were still living when she was born. Five years later, little brother Jack joined, completing the family of four.

She met Bob Best in the 6th grade, and they later became high school sweethearts. LaVera played saxophone, and Bob played sousaphone in the high school swing band. Bob gave LaVera his class ring one afternoon while they were canoeing on Wallowa Lake. She returned it shortly after because she thought he was too much of a flirt. Luckily, Bob didn't give up.

LaVera graduated from Enterprise High School in 1945 in an all-girls ceremony, as the boys in the class, including Bob, had been drafted into WWII service the week before graduation. The dads accepted diplomas on behalf of their sons. LaVera and Bob dated when he was home on leave from the Navy, going ballroom dancing at Wallowa Lake whenever he was there.

LaVera studied business at Oregon State University and took up archery. Fortunately, she never hurt anyone with either skill. She spent summers with her grandmother in Baker City. One day, a Coca-Cola photographer stopped her on the street and asked her to model for a shoot. Decades later, her cousin found the image on a tray in an antique shop in Atlanta and brought it home.

LaVera graduated in 1949. By then, Bob had been discharged from the Navy, and he...

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09/14/2026

Jack Leroy Skidgel of Redmond, Oregon passed away 1 September 2026. He fought a year-long battle with cancer and lost gracefully. He was 81 years old.

He was always a man of God. He was baptized as a young child. He attended church regularly throughout his life. His faith carried him through many heartaches, accidents, and illnesses. When he knew time was short, he asked to receive a last communion and a reading of the Lord's Prayer with his immediate family present. The next day he passed away peacefully wearing his cross necklace and his prayer quilt laying over him.

Jack was born 29 September 1944 in Eugene, Oregon to Arthur and Mary Skidgel. He also had one older sister Jesse Juanita. He was raised in LaPine where his father and uncle owned a logging company. They logged in both central and eastern Oregon. He worked in the local mills throughout high school. Jack graduated from Bend High School in June 1962.

Jack attended Oregon State University where he received his certification in Large Diesel Equipment Mechanics. And of course this made him a lifelong Beaver Believer football fan. While going to school he worked at the International Harvester Farm Store in Junction City. He always worked hard to provide a good life for his family.

Jack married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Payne, on 27 August 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend. They had just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary the Thursday before he passed away. They...

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09/09/2026

Elsa L. McCord passed away of natural causes with family members at the Bend Hospice House on September 4, 2026.

Elsa was born on October 29, 1936 (although she maintained she was 29 years old until recently) in Yuba City, California. She remained in Northern California until 1969, marrying Bruce McCord in 1952, and raising three children, Michael (Janie), Mark and Kathi (Jim) (nka Kathi Prestwood).

The family moved from Napa California to Bend, Oregon in 1969, where Elsa resided until her passing. She and Bruce built and managed rental housing, ran a lumber yard, and Elsa was a realtor.

Elsa enjoyed time with her family and friends in California, Oregon, and Mexico where she spent winters in retirement. She enjoyed camping and exploring mountains, beaches, lakes and oceans throughout North America, Australia and New Zealand. Later in life, she enjoyed doting over her little dog Addie, winning at small stake poker and various other card games.

Elsa was just over a month short of her 90th birthday, and was survived by her husband of 74 years, her 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren across North America and Australia. She lived long, well, and hard, and will be missed.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made at:
https://www.partnersbend.org/donate/

Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to handle the arrangements.

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09/04/2026

Nedra Jean Whitaker Fincham was born the eldest child of school teacher and civil rights activist Neely Vines Whitaker and homemaker Nedra Ann Winans Whitaker on July 13, 1933 in Pasadena, California. Jean passed just seven days after her beloved husband, Robert James “Bud” Fincham.

A graduate of Pasadena Academy and music student at Compton Community College, Jean caught Bud’s eye while playing the organ at First Presbyterian Church in Compton, California. Bud was taken by her talent and beauty-perhaps in reverse order. Jean was impressed by the handsome sailor wearing his dress whites. Upon introducing Bud to her parents that evening, her father, Neely, said “that is my guy! They will marry and be very happy.” Their love was the central force in Jean’s life. Bud and Jean remained smitten through their letter writing courtship and became engaged after just three in-person visits.

Married in 1954 while Bud was serving in the Korean Conflict, Jean gave birth to their first son at Point Loma-naval base while Bud was on tour in Northeast Asia. Post service days, while Bud was studying at California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, they welcomed their second son, and Jean mothered the two babies while living in a trailer (with shared outhouse bathrooms) on campus in “Vetville.” The family moved to Portland, for Bud to start his career with John Deere company where a third son was welcomed into the growing family. Relocated by John Deere to...

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08/31/2026

We recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the people who help make our communities strong.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend with family, friends, and those who matter most.

08/12/2026

Beloved wife, sister and friend Debra Ann Lerten passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord at sunrise on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the beautiful Partners in Care Hospice House in Bend, Oregon, after a courageous months-long fight with Stage 4 cancer. She was 71.

Debbie was born in Juneau, Alaska on June 20, 1955 to Leo and Sadie (Zastrow) Rosenberger, the youngest of six who grew up in the southeast Alaska community.

Debbie graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1973, where she played flute and oboe in the school band. She moved that fall to Forest Grove, Oregon, to attend Pacific University, where she met and for a time was close to her future husband, Barney Lerten, both of whom graduated in 1977.

Five years later, Debbie reconnected with Barney, who had returned to Portland’s UPI bureau, and they quickly fell in love. The couple were married on Debra’s birthday, June 20, 1983 at Old College Hall on the Pacific campus – a date they came to call their ‘birthda-versary.’

Debbie and Barney enjoyed 43 years of love, life and laughter, despite her challenging series of health issues over the years. They were not blessed with having children, only a succession of wonderful kitty-cats and good fortune that allowed them to engage occasionally in Debbie’s love of travel.

Debbie held a variety of jobs after moving to Bend with Barney in 1991. She also sang in the church choir and played in the handbell choir with her mother at Trinity Lutheran...

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08/11/2026

Dennis Everett Jones was a lifelong resident of Bend, Oregon, whose life was defined by community
service, craftsmanship, and devotion to his family. Raised in Bend, Dennis spent more than 32 years
in law enforcement, including 25 years with the Bend Police Department, demonstrating a deep
commitment to protecting citizens and mentoring youth.

Outside of policing, Dennis was a highly skilled machinist and gifted gunsmith. He ran a business
called The Loading Bench, combining his technical talents with his passion for fi****ms through
commercial reloading and repair work. He also took immense pride in restoring a historic 1945 family pickup truck.

Dennis also dedicated countless hours to volunteering. He supported outdoor traditions by teaching
hunter education and working with the Oregon Hunters Association, the National Wild Turkey
Federation, and the Sumpter Valley Railroad. Notably, he served as charter president of the Central
Oregon Shooting Sports Association (COSSA).

Dennis is survived by his wife of over 56 years, LaDel Jones (née Huettl); their five children, Denise
Lever (Rob), Diane Stuart (Walker), Sean Jones, Scott Jones (Kimber), and Nicki Henshaw (Tyler);
15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Known for his unwavering moral compass and
humility, Dennis left a lasting legacy as a selfless family man and dedicated public servant.

Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to handle the arrangements.

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