Charles William Lewis

Charles William Lewis, 92, died Sunday, August 28, 2005 at his home. Memorial services for Mr. Lewis will be held Friday, September 2, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Coles Funeral Home. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Ritualistic rites will be accorded by Blue Mountain Lodge, #34 A.F. & A.M. Private interment was held at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Charlie was born on May 7, 1913, on the family farm near Summerville, Oregon to James Lewis and Mertie Robbs Lewis. He was followed by two sisters, Elva and Lila.

He attended grade school in the area and graduated from Imbler High School. When working for Safeway in the late 1930s he was transferred to Baker where he met and married Grace Mineff. They had three children, Carolyn, Robert, and Joan. They were married 63 years at the time of Grace's death.

Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII, but because of sun blindness had a medical discharge. He bought Guyer Grocery in South Baker during the 1940s and later changed the name to Lewis Grocery. After selling the grocery, he worked for Pifer Brothers as a carpenter. In the 1970s, he worked for Bob Clemens constructing Boise Cascade Homes.

He was a life-time member of the Baker Masonic Lodge and Baker Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his wife Grace, son Robert, daughter Joan and sister Lila.

He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn, of Baker City; grandchildren Desiree Wellman of Baker City, Tony Bloom of Dixon, California, Jordan Lewis of Portland, Oregon, Erica Lodahl of Portland, Oregon, Elizabeth and Lea Croft of Baker City; great grandchildren, Sasha Bloom, Matthew Bloom, Luke and Cloe Lodahl, great-great granddaughter, Katie Bloom and sister Elva Doud of La Grande, Oregon.

Contributions may be made to the Baker Shrine Club, Pathway Hospice, or the Baker United Methodist Church. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814.