In Memoriam: Steve Jones

Posted on February 22, 2026 by webadmin

Submitted by Ruby Bonham

In Memoriam:  Ellis “Steve” Jones

Timber Valley residents were saddened by the news of the passing of Ellis “Steve” Jones of Lot 102 on February 10, 2026.

Steve was born August 22, 1943.  He was 82 years old.  He met his wife, Jackie on a blind date and they were together from then on.

They were married on September 18, 1981 and embarked on a life of adventure.  Steve was a firefighter before joining Foretravel Motor Coach Company as a master certified factory service representative.  He and Jackie traveled over 300,000 miles across the country doing warranty work on travel coaches.  During his off time and then later he ran an RV Repair Service in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  During 2010 to 2012 he and Jackie raced corvettes in Auto-Cross Races.

They got their lot in Timber Valley on July 3, 2014.  With his vast knowledge of RVs, he freely gave his time to help out Timber Valley residents.  Shortly after coming to the park, he joined up with park musicians to form a band informally called 4 Bees and a Jay (Bonham, Bonham, Brown, Burns and Jones).  Steve played a gut bucket, an inverted tub with a cord out of the middle attached to a stick to keep it taut.  Band members often teased him did he need to borrow a tuner to tune up.  He would laugh, pluck high and low and nod that yep it was in tune.  The band provided entertainment in the clubhouse when all the members were here for the summer.

Steve and Jackie had 4 standard poodle therapy dogs that they took to   schools for reading programs.  The dogs were also taken to Hospice to give comfort to end of life patients.

Steve and Jackie were never apart for 44 years, sharing their love and concern for those around them.  Their home base is in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  Jackie has a good support group of people and two therapy dogs to comfort her.  She will keep her lot here and hopes to come back during summers.

Steve is survived by his wife, Jackie, his sons, Matt, Randy and Chris and Jackie’s daughter Jill  He was preceded in death by his son, Don killed in a motorcycle accident.  We will miss his pure joy as he plucked his gut bucket and his genuine kindness.

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Valentine’s Day Dinner Photos

Posted on February 19, 2026 by webadmin

Thanks to Kathy Perry for submitting photos from the Valentine’s Day Dinner at Timber Valley and the Bluegrass Jam in Sutherlin!

View photo gallery 

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Mr. Gobble has been Found

Posted on February 17, 2026 by webadmin

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A Love Story by Unanimous 

Posted on February 14, 2026 by webadmin
After you lose a loved one you kind of go into a shell. Nothing gets you excited. Nothing makes you sad. You are kind of, well, just there . You go through your days in somewhat of a haze. Step by step. One foot in front of the other. Grinding it out.  Kind of living but not really.

Things change in a heartbeat. Literally. We met by accident. I wasn’t looking, but, maybe she was. I never asked. She never said. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. If you look deep enough you can see all you need to know.

The first time our eyes locked I think we both knew we would be together. Hopefully for a long time. Fourteen years go bye so quickly.  It’s never enough time .

The first time we met I held her in my arms. Her head on my shoulder. Tail wagging like there was no tomorrow.  She licked my cheek and burrowed against me. The eyes told the story.   I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to tell it.

Fred
Posted in Announcements, General Interest | 4 Comments

Fun With Dick and Jane

Posted on February 13, 2026 by webadmin

By Fred Prout

WARNING! You may find one or two slight exaggerations or factual fractures in this article. The people, however, do exist . All alleged facts may or may not be true.

My friends are fun people. Let’s call them Dick and Jane. They live in what is  called The United Kingdom . The UK for short. Across the Atlantic Ocean. Famous for Sirs and Ladies, small cars and Doc Martin. The Telly show, not the shoes. Celtic Women, Irish whisky and Loch Lomond. For identification purposes I will tell you that Dick and I share a strain of lunacy and weirdness. Jane and Willie share a compatible niceness that usually offsets the two of us. Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Work, General Interest, Humor | Tagged | 1 Comment

In Memoriam: Madeline “Matt” Grant

Posted on February 9, 2026 by webadmin

Timber Valley is saddened by the passing of Madeline “Matt Grant of Lot 199 on January 29, 2026.

Matt had gone home to Mississippi for Christmas where she remained until her passing. She was surrounded by her family and husband. She was born in the Mississippi Delta in Spanish Fort on May 15, 1943. She was a woman of faith who lived that faith all the days of her life. Her home was a safe place for her children’s friends and anyone who needed it. She was beloved by the many people she encountered in her lifetime.

Matt was married in 1961 to Lee Cheney and had three children, Alan, Jason and Charla. She then married Ken Grant February 1, 1990. They were married for 36 years and had many adventures traveling the country in their RV. Matt had retired from Waterways Experiment Station after 25 years and then again from Superior Mini Storage in Nevada. Matt and Ken got their lot in Timber Valley on November 8, 2011. Matt served on the Communication Committee and with Jacks and Jills. She was very active when her health permitted. She struggled with many health issues but was very private about them. Many remember her as very caring and being there when needed without being intrusive.

Matt loved Blue Plate Mayonnaise and had it shipped to her here in Oregon. Her ashes are to be kept in a Blue Plate Mayonnaise Jar until they are spread on the lake by her daughter’s home.

Matt is survived by her husband, Ken, her two sons, Alan and Jason Cheney and daughter Charla Bufkin, brothers, sisters and grandchildren. Her passing is a great loss to those who knew and loved her. Ken will be returning to the park to be near his brother Bob Grant of Lot 118.

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Norm Sherman Memorial Coming

Posted on February 7, 2026 by webadmin

Memorial

A memorial for Norm, an original member, will
be held in the clubhouse in May, when snowbirds have returned.

NO DATE HAS BEEN SET. WATCH FOR UPDATES.

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In Memoriam: Norman Fitch

Posted on January 31, 2026 by webadmin

Submitted by Ruby Bonham

Timber Valley is saddened at the passing of Norman Fitch, Lot 126 on January 24, 2026.

Norman was born on August 24, 1932. He started dating Carolyn Pitts in 1948 and they married in 1950. He studied at a bible college in Minnesota and became a minister in 1958. In 1975 he became a district rep for Village Missions. He served in Sitkum, Oregon, Tensed, Idaho, Dunlap, Iowa, Kremmling, Colorado, Bandon, Oregon, and Sunnyside, Oregon. He traveled in a motor home while serving Village Missions. Carolyn passed away January 9, 1989 after a short illness. Norman then reunited with Phyllis and they were married July 7, 1990. They continued the mission work traveling in the motor home. After retirement they got their lot in Timber Valley March 29, 2006. Norman performed Memorial services in the clubhouse for members who had passed.

Phyllis passed away October 11, 2025 here at home with the care of Norman’s daughter, Roxie. After Phyllis passed, Norman’s health declined. He was able to stay at home here in Timber Valley due to the loving care of his two daughters, Roxie and Jackie. He is remembered as a loving, caring person, a good husband and father.

He is survived by his two daughters, Roxie Fitch and Jackie Fitch. Roxie remains here in the park on lot 120.

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In Memoriam: Norman Sherman

Posted on January 30, 2026 by webadmin

Submitted by Ruby Bonham

Timber Valley is saddened at the passing of one of the last founding members of Timber Valley. Norman Sherman of Lot 161 passed away in his home on January 20, 2026.

Norman was born August 24, 1931 in Los Angeles, California. Norm was a machinist during his working years. Norm and his wife Barbara were here at the beginning of Timber Valley. Mary Regan and her now deceased husband, Mike, came for a few days to help out. Norm set them up next to him in town where the workers were boon docking. Norm showed them around and made them welcome. There was much laborious work to be done. The group had acquired a Ditch Witch to dig the many ditches needed. No one knew how to run it. Barb spoke up and said she could. Her Daddy had taught her. She became the official operator. Norm was a human measuring rod due to his short stature. Many laughs were shared as he was sometimes held head down to measure the depth. Work progressed and finally on September 3, 1990, they received Lot 161 after a drawing for lots.

Both Norm and Barb were avid fishermen. In 1995 Norm, Barb and a couple named Dean and PJ started an RV fishing club called Roving Rods. Since Norm didn’t want to be responsible for the club news letter, Dean and PJ became members 1 and 2 with Norm and Barb being 3 and 4. Ed Bonham designed the logo and was friends with Norm, Barb, Dean and PJ for many years. He became a Timber Valley park member in 2015 and renewed his friendship with Norm and Barb. A lot of time was spent fishing and reminiscing. Norm had a Bounder motor home the traveled in, exploring and fishing across the country. Finally the Bounder was parked in the storage area where a family of skunks moved in. When Norm finally sold the rig to a young couple he cautioned them to service and replace some of the wires and hoses before venturing out. They didn’t listen and soon after they left the Bounder caught fire and was destroyed.

Norm was very involved with the Landscape Committee and was an organic gardener. Gardening and working in his dirt was a lifelong passion. Many people in the park benefited from his vast knowledge. He was always willing to share his knowledge and the fruits (and vegetables) of his labor.

Norm was also a firm believer in the benefits of taking Colloidal Silver for good health. As a result his skin turned blue, earning him the affectionate name “the blue man”. Norm had a good sense of humor and just laughed and kept on being blue. He was a regular participant in the Saturday Morning Coffee and Donuts where he would entertain with his stories. Due to declining health, Barbara became a resident of Chantele’s Loving Touch Memory Care in downtown Sutherlin. Norm remained at home on Lot 161. He could not bear to leave his beloved gardens. Barbara is doing well and receiving excellent care.

Norm is survived by his wife Barbara and his dirt he devoted thirty plus years to.

Anyone who has been in Timber Valley for awhile knew Norm and probably has a story to tell. If you have a story please feel free to share it in the Comments section. Norm will always be remembered with love and laughter. He was definitely one of a kind and is greatly missed.

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In Memoriam: Richard Taylor

Posted on January 21, 2026 by webadmin

By Ruby Bonham

Timber Valley was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Taylor formerly of Lot 131 on January 7, 2026.

Richard was born in 1935 and was 90 years old.  During his working years he was a truck driver.  He met and married Vina about 1954.  They had two children, Mike and Terri.  Terri passed away in 2015.  They started RVing  in a motor home and then a 5th wheel.  They traveled extensively.  They got their lot in Timber Valley April 7, 1998 and  upgraded to a newer, larger 5th wheel.  Both Richard and Vina were very involved in the park.  Richard was a sound man for the clubhouse.  He also worked with PCM and Maintenance.  Vina served on many committees.  As their health declined, they moved to Linus Oaks in Roseburg, Oregon in October of 2023.

Richard is survived by his wife, Vina, son Mike and Vina’s niece, Trish Hall of Lot 177.  Vina is now residing with her son Mike in Stage Coach, Nevada.

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