Deloris Marie Orton Stone passed away peacefully on May 23, 2017 at the age of 94 and is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus, whom she loved and served.
She was born on Sept. 19, 1922 in Pendleton. The first child of Beecher and Sopha Orton, she had two brothers, Ivan and Don. When World War II broke out, she met Burleigh William Redifer. They were married in 1942. Soon after, Burleigh was sent to Bedford, England. They had four children: Dee Ann, Kathie, Bill and Bonnie. Burleigh was killed in a private plane crash in 1963. She married Frank Stone in 1965. They had two children, Sonja and Marc. Marc passed away in 1985 due to an automobile accident. Frank passed away in 2002.
Deloris kept active teaching Sunday school, helping with Child Evangelism Fellowship, hosting Bible studies and Bible clubs, and participating in short term ministries, which included trips to England, Mexico and the Caribbean. An annual highlight was serving on the Godmobile at the Umatilla County Fair and the Oregon State Fair. In her later years, she crocheted baby caps for the newborns at Good Shepherd Hospital. She proved herself to be a servant to all. She prayed daily for her family and friends and was unselfish in her giving to the Lord. Many around the world have been touched by her example.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Beecher and Sopha Orton; brother, Ivan Orton; first husband, Burleigh Redifer; second husband, Frank Stone; and son, Marc Stone.
She is survived by her brother, Don Orton of Pendleton; children: Dee Ann Valdivia of Kodiak, Alaska, Kathie (Richard) Wilson of Pasco, Wash., Bill (Lois) Redifer of Three Hills, Alberta, Bonnie Redifer of McMinnville, and Sonja Bogart of Hermiston; six grandchildren: Heath Wilson, Brett (Jacki) Wilson, Sharon Redifer, Melissa Redifer, Allison Bogart, and Matthew (Asha) Bogart; and three great grandchildren: Andrew Wilson, Wyatt Wilson and Londyn Redifer.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Bill Griggs officiating. Interment will follow in Hermiston Cemetery.
