Blair Haynes

(August 4, 1938- June 1, 2025)

Blair Haynes passed away peacefully on Sunday morning June 1, in Bandon Oregon at the age of 86. In his last days our father was visited by a gentle parade of wonderful family and friends. Merle, his longtime companion, was at his side. Blair lived his life to the fullest. He would not want us to mourn him but to celebrate a life lived to the fullest. As our patriarch, this is a momentous turning page in our family story and with Blair you always had stories.

Blair, son of Mary and Laramee Haynes, grew up in San Marino, California. He graduated from San Marino High School in 1956 and Occidental College in 1960. Blair worked for many years in the family insurance business, Haynes Haynes & Haynes. In 1978, he chose to pursue his true passion, partnering with his avid gardener mother, starting Blair Haynes landscape design. In 2001, after many successful years of creating and cultivating hundreds of beautiful gardens in the Pasadena area, our dad “retired” and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon. On the Oregon Coast, Dad built Shinglehouse Nursery where he specialized and nurtured indigenous and exotic plants. In the industry, Blair was known as the plant whisperer, you didn’t buy plants from him, you adopted them. He preached plants like a reverend and loved people like one too. He will always be remembered in our hearts and in our gardens.

In addition to Merle Hatley, Blair is survived by his brother Toby Haynes, six children, Aimee, Laramee, Michael, Laura, Maria, Tomas, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Jason Burgess, 48, of Coquille died June 18, 2025 in Coquille. Arrangements are under the care of Amling-Schroeder Funeral Services 541-396-3846.

David W. Andrews, 66, of Coos Bay, passed away June 17, 2025 at Coos Bay. Arrangements are pending under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay, 541-267-4216.

Christiane Maria Volpel was born in Germany December 11, 1936. Growing up in Germany during WW2 shaped her outlook on life. At age 18 she married Gunter Volpel,  her childhood sweetheart and they shared an exciting and dynamic life together for 69 years.  In 1959, the couple along with their 5 year old daughter Elfi,  immigrated to America.

Coming to America and speaking no English, those wartime lessons of making due with very little served the young family well and they prospered.

Christiane exemplified the 1950’s Housewife with a bit of Jackie O’s flair for style. She always took pride in her appearance and Gunter was proud to always have her by his side. They were a team and built themselves an exceptional life in America. They always enjoyed traveling and after retirement in 1973 traveled extensively- Australia, New Zealand, Figi, Hawaii, Mexico, Peru,  Russia, Turkey, Egypt, England, Ireland, Scotland, all of Europe and the United States and especially Alaska.

The dynamic duo especially enjoyed catching fish and Christiane’s culinary prowess made for exceptional dining in their home.  

In 2004, Christiane and Gunter permanently moved to Coos Bay. The exceptional fishing and the fact that the climate in Oregon resembles Germany made the couple feel they had come home.

Their fishing boat, Tina2 was named after Christiane. She was an avid and competitive fisher women often catching more salmon than Gunter.

Christiane was proceeded in death by their daughter Elfi Merle and husband Gunter Volpel. She leaves behind her daughter Nicole Stagner of Coos Bay and Grandson Benjamin Merle and Great Granddaughter Frieda Merle of Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Christiane succumbed to the ravages of Dementia on June 10, 2025.

She passed away in the loving arms of her daughter Nicole into the Glory of Heaven where Gunter was waiting for her. Her charm and smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Services will be held on July 7th at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church  in North Bend at 2pm with Coffee and cake served afterwards.

Wishing to be together in death as in life,  Gunter and Christiane’s ashes will be spread together by their family.

Richard Wayne Becker, 62, of Coos Bay, passed away on June 18, 2025 in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

Gerald Badial, 67, of Coos Bay, passed away June 15, 2025 at Coos Bay. Cremation Rites are under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay, 541-267-4216.

Harvey L. Johnston, 91, of Coos Bay died June 21, 2025 in Coos Bay. Services will be announced and held at a later date under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Donald G. Davenport, 83, of North Bend died June 15, 2025 in Coos Bay. Cremation rites have been held at Ocean View Memory Gardens Crematory, Coos Bay under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

The funeral for Rodney Morrill will be held at Denmark Cemetery on July 19, 2025 at 10:30 am.

Katie “Kay” Dougherty, 88, of Coos Bay, passed away June 23, 2025 at Coos Bay. Arrangements are pending under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay, 541-267-4216.

Sheron Gail Short, 79, of Coos Bay, passed away on June 18, 2025 in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

James T. Hofmaier, 84, of North Bend died June 30, 2025 in Coos Bay. Cremation rites have been held at Ocean View Memory Gardens Crematory, Coos Bay under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

A Celebration of Life dessert social will be held for Annie D. Swanson, 88, of Coos Bay, on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at Avamere Rehabilitation of Coos Bay, 2625 Koosbay Boulevard in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

June Knotts, 92, beloved mother, of Medford died in Medford June 22, 2025. She will be interred with her husband Herman in Washington.

Dana Marie Lilly, 72, of North Bend, passed away June 27, 2025 in Portland. Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Michael B. Peterson, 85, of Washington and Arizona, formerly of Coos Bay, died June 28, 2025 in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Gene R. Shipley, 85, of Coos Bay died June 5, 2025 in Coos Bay. Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Richard J. Todd, 66, of Coos Bay, passed away June 20, 2025 at Coos Bay. Cremation Rites are under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay, 541-267-4216.

Francis A. Tresler, 85, of North Bend, passed away on June 23, 2025 in Coos Bay. A Celebration of Life will be held and announced later in the Fall. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.