Cove, Oregon
Guy Hafer, 71, of Cove died unexpectedly at his home Oct. 27. Memorial services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. A dinner will follow at the Cove Sportsmen’s Club on Highway 237.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
Guy was born on a farm near Falfa, Colo., on July 31, 1936, to Charles “Paul” Edward and Erma Irene (Rea) Hafer. He, his sister and brothers grew up on farms and ranches in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado around Durango. Guy rode horseback to small country schools until the sixth grade. He attended Ignacio High School as a freshman in Colorado.
The family moved to Weippe, Idaho, in 1951, where he graduated. Because of the wonderful teachers in his early life, he always wanted to be a teacher.
Guy received his teaching degree in business education at the University of Idaho in 1958 and taught at Cottonwood High School in Idaho for five years. He furthered his education at Oregon State University, the University of California at Berkeley and at Eastern Oregon State College.
In 1963, he taught business and journalism classes at La Grande High School until retiring in 1993.
Guy married Cheryl Kay Lyon in 1965 in La Grande, and they made their home near Cove in 1972.
Guy enjoyed sharing his garden and place with friends. He liked gold mining, camping with family, photography, oil painting and mostly meeting people. It was often said that he never met a stranger. Grandchildren were the greatest delight of his life.
Guy enjoyed doing volunteer work with his wife. He was treasurer and a member of the Union County Retired Educators, a member of the Oregon Retired Educators, Cove History Committee, LHS “Our Gang,” Cove Booster Club, Cove Sportsmen’s Club, Cove Education Foundation and the Santa Claus Mall. It was his greatest thrill to see and be able to help a youngster find a gift for his or her family.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; daughter and spouse, Lisa and Dennis Murchison of Cove; son and spouse, Russell and Sandra Hafer of Meridian, Idaho; six grandchildren; siblings, Pauline Durham of Weippe; Robert Hafer of Grangeville, Idaho; and Edward Hafer of Lewiston, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a niece and two nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please love your family as he loved his. Guy would have suggested making donations to the Cove Foundation Trust, Box 1, Cove 97824.
La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the week ending November 3, 2007 – Published: November 3, 2007