D. June Whitney

D. June Whitney April 20, 1926 – May 17, 2011 Gates, Oregon D. June Whitney, 85, died Sunday, May 17th at OHSU in Portland, Oregon from post surgical complications. She was the daughter of Lewis and Bessie Hampton. June was born on April 20th, 1926 in Newport, Oregon and was baptized in the Canyon Baptist Church.  She lived most of her life in Gates, Oregon where she was surrounded by her husband of 61 yrs. William “Bill” Whitney, her children, Joe Whitney, Susan Budlong, Rita Lockrem, Rosie Aerni and Cindy Bilyeu; brothers, Lewis, Rex, Herbert and Hugh Hampton; sisters, Jeannie Savage, Judy McCormick and Coral Landry;  17 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren. June raised goats for many years on her land which was called Goat Mountain, more commonly known today as Gates Hill Rd.  June was a gifted florist having owned and operated the Alpine Florist Nursery in Gates.  She had prepared arrangements for a past loved one’s service one day before the surgery that took her life.  She loved to spend time in the garden and was an active member of the Garden Club for more than 25 yrs.  She was recently honored on her 85th birthday from the Santiam Valley Grange with a certificate of achievement for her 50 years of membership.  June lived vibrantly and was always present for not only the milestones of her family members, whom she loved so much, but was involved in their everyday life as well.  We will miss her every day but will see her in all of God’s beautiful work.  In all the flowers, in all the rainbows, in all the smiles we will always remember what an extraordinary human being she was. Funeral service will be held on Sat. May 21st at 1:00 pm at Weddle Funeral Chapel, Stayton, OR. Vault interment will follow at the Lone Oak Cemetery, Stayton,OR. Arrangements entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services Stayton, OR.