Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery

Honored Guests

Mr. & Mrs. Leberti, as well as their daughters and the Clarke and Montiel families, as representatives of Thomas Wyman, a Civil War veteran from Maine
After his service in the Civil War, Thomas Wyman moved west to Coos Bay with his family and took up the post of lighthouse keeper for the Cape Arago lighthouse. Since that time, Thomas Wyman’s descendents have been integral members of the Bay Area community.
Ms. Alys Holcomb of North Bend, in honor of her uncle, James R. Stemmerman
James Stemmerman served in World War I and was a long-time resident of the area. He is buried nearby in the Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery where his grave is now marked with an American flag -- along with the graves of 62 other veterans -- for both Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Edgar Bowen, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, and a veteran of World War II
During World War II, Mr. Bowen served as a Seaman in the Navy. After returning to the area, he received his teaching degree from Southern Oregon University and has worked at various times in the sawmills, as a longshoreman, as a teacher, and as an administrator. He is active in national and local Indian affairs, having served as the traditional chief of the Coos tribe before the restoration. He currently is a member of the Oregon Indian Education Board, the Confederated Tribes Education Committee, and the Peacegiving Court.
Boyd-Del Lewis served during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Lewis served with the Marine Corps in Korea during what has often been referred to as the “Forgotten War.” Mr. Lewis is currently a member of the Marine Corps League, Coquille River Detachment.
Michael Tribble, currently serves as the president of the Vietnam Veteran Association, Chapter #799
Mr. Tribble is a retired member of the Army National Guard, with which he served in Vietnam.
Mrs. Ruth Wiley, in honor of her son, Lieutenant Colonel James L. Wiley, a graduate of North Bend High School
Lt. Col. Wiley served with the New York National Guard as a Judge Advocate General attorney in Kaiserslautern, Germany; he then decided to reenter active duty. At the time of his death in September 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Wiley was educating Afghani personnel and introducing a new judicial system as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was instrumental in beginning “Hat for Heroes.”
Specialist Theodore Counts, a member of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 186th Infantry, 41st Brigade Combat Team
Spl. Counts has served with the National Guard for eight years and is recently returned to this area after living and serving with a National Guard unit in Nevada. Bravo Company assisted with several projects at the Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery. Members removed a number of dangerous trees. They were also instrumental in stabilizing headstones that had been toppled by vandals on July 4th, 2007.
Mr. Karl Bender, proprietor of 3B’s Nursery & Gardening on Cape Arago Highway
Mr. Bender concluded the program by singing an original composition entitled "White Crosses." Six years ago, as he was driving by Ocean View Memorial Gardens on Ocean Boulevard in Coos Bay, he was struck by the view of so many crosses recognizing veterans who had served and received this song as a "gift."

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