Obituary of Dalton Stanley "Stan" Saunders, 2002; Baker Co., OR
Surnames: Saunders, McDowell, Allen, Gover, Renz

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'Stan' Saunders 

Dalton Stanley "Stan" Saunders, 74, died Jan. 12, 2002, at his home in
Richland. 

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Richland Methodist Church.
Interment will be at the Eagle Valley Cemetery. Friends are invited to join
the family for a reception afterward at the Richland Christian Church. 

Stan Saunders was born on Sept. 10, 1927, in Richland to Merritt and Eva Dean
McDowell Saunders. Stan came into this world weighing one pound. He was not
expected to survive, but because of the loving efforts of his aunts, Clara and
Mattie, Stan thrived. He was raised and educated in the Richland area,
attending the New Bridge grade school, Sunnyside grade school and Eagle Valley
High School. It is said that he attended more days of school during
football season than any other. 

In 1945 Stan joined up with the Army and served 18 months. He and Jane Marie
Allen were married in 1948 at Jane's grandparent's home, the Allens, in
Richland. Of this union they had three children, Marcia, Dwight and Dan. He
and Jane enjoyed 41 years together until her death in 1989. 

>From 1948 to 1961 Stan worked for Burnt River Sawmill. After leaving that job,
he returned home to Richland to ranch with his parents. Stan was a hard
worker, very dedicated to his family and lifestyle. He worked hard to play
hard. He made working with the kids fun. When he would take the kids on a
vacation hunting, they would also be riding for cattle, or picking up rocks.
They would have a wiener roast afterward. 

Stan had been a member of the Elks Lodge, president of several ditch companies
and one of the founding members of the Eagle Valley Trailblazers. He
especially enjoyed his volunteer work with the Lions and the Rodeo. It was
then that he was in his element, which was visiting with people. While his
children were growing up, he was very involved with 4-H, always willing to
lend a hand with hauling a horse, or whatever the need might have been. 

Stan was proud to be a fourth generation member of the Saunders family, all
having the opportunity to live in the same vicinity of the old home place. One
of the traits that Stan will be most remembered for will be of his
storytelling. As he would tell a story, those listening would become very
attentive and the story would grow larger and larger. 

Survivors include his three children, Marcia and George Gover of Halfway,
Dwight and Debbie Saunders of Richland, and Dan Saunders of Los Angeles;
grandchildren, Stacy and Morgan Gover of La Grande, Holly Kay and Joey Marie
Gover of Halfway, and Sierra Lynne and Sydney Leigh Saunders of Richland; one
brother, Buddy Dean Saunders of California; and a sister, Dorothy Renz of
Redmond; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Stan was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jane. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Valley Ambulance Fund through
Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.