Chary Mires

Chary Weber Mires, 79, of Baker City, died on Tuesday evening, April 2, 2019 at Juniper Meadows Foster Care in Baker City. A Celebration of Chary's Life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 ~ 2 p.m. at the Baker City Christian Church (675 Highway 7) in Baker City. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception which will be held immediately following the service at the church.

Chary was born on October 19, 1939 in Houston, Texas. She was raised in Keating, Oregon attending grade school at Keating Grade School. She graduated from Baker High School in Baker City, Oregon in 1957 and went on to attend and graduate from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts.

Chary was formerly married to Michael E. Lawler and had 3 children – Dennis, Brad & Amy. Chary then married Donn Mires who had three children of his own – Lori, Sheila & Amber. Chary and Donn were high school sweethearts and after previous marriages, combined their families in 1972. Chary and Donn were married 47 years.

Chary worked as a speech & debate teacher in Ontario, OR in her professional career as well as a substitute teacher and tutor. Aside from her professional career, she volunteered numerous hours in several different organizations: budget board for Treasure Valley Community College, vestry board for the Episcopal Church, chairman of the 8C school board in Ontario, OR, and curator of both the Baker Heritage Museum (formerly Oregon Trail Regional Museum) and Leo Adler House Museum. Chary was passionate about volunteering and community, especially as it related to the history of Baker County.

She enjoyed fly fishing, snowmobiling, hunting morels, playing piano, singing cabin songs, studying history particularly of Eastern Oregon and spending time with her family and close friends at her family cabin in the Wallowa Mountains on East Eagle Creek. The beautiful mountain flowers were a favorite; spring Buttercups and Indian Paintbrush.

Chary loved Oregon duck football, lady duck basketball and the Trail Blazers. A favorite poem of Chary's is called, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. She often recited this poem in the winter woods while snowmobiling. She was honored by the Baker Chamber as Woman of the Year, Baker County in 2002.

She would most like to be remembered for her love of her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and entire family as well as close friends particularly of the Wallowa Mountains. Chary also loved history and managing her forest for over 50 years.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Bernice & Ira Staggs; Afy & Albert Weber; parents Florence & James Weber.

Chary is survived by her husband Donn, daughters Amy Charlton and husband Curt of Vancouver, WA. Amber  Schmitt and her husband Doug of Round Rock, TX., Sheila Henderson and her husband Clay of Hillsboro, OR., Lori Comer and her husband Brian of Chewelah, WA.; sons Dennis Lawler and his wife Karen of Eagle Creek, OR.; Brad Lawler of Ontario, OR.; 24 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren 1 great great grandchild;, E'Jay Weber (step-mother); brother James Staggs Weber; sister Linda Weber Triplett;  numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Chary, the family suggests either the Baker Heritage Museum or the Leo Adler House Museum through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com