Aug. 19, 1937-Jan. 17, 2006
Joyce Joann Fenton, 68, of Umatilla, died Jan. 17 at Oregon Health Science University Hospital in Portland.
She was born Aug. 19, 1937 in Sweet Home to John and Anabell McKenney Kroenlein. She was raised in Foster and attended schools in Sweet Home. She attended the University of Oregon and later Eastern Oregon University where she earned her bachelor’s of science in education.
She married George I. Fenton Jr. on June 14, 1958 in Weiser, Idaho. They moved to Halfway, where she taught at the elementary school and was a physical education teacher at the high school. She later earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Illinois.
In 1978 the Fentons moved to Umatilla, where they have lived since. Mrs. Fenton taught at AC Houghton school in Irrigon for one year. She then taught for the Echo School District from 1979 until 1992. She worked as the middle school TAG coordinator and counselor at Armand Larive and Sandstone schools until her retirement in 1996.
Mrs. Fenton was a lay speaker and member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was involved in many groups and activities. She served on the Umatilla School Board since 2003, Umatilla
City Council, City Budget Committee, City Parks Committee, and the Umatilla Volunteer Program. She enjoyed reading, traveling, walking, going to the Court Club and, most importantly, supporting her church, school, community and family.
She is survived by: her husband, George I. Fenton Jr. of Umatilla; daughters, Jonnie Joann Fenton of Richland, Wash. and Kristle Starr Vandever of Umatilla; sisters, Alice Tonkin of Independence, Ruby Geil of Sweet Home, and Jean McKenna of Manson, Wash.; and two grandsons.
Mrs. Fenton was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
A celebration of life service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at New Hope Community Church in Hermiston.
Those who wish to make contributions to the Fenton Family Memorial Fund should make checks payable to the First United Methodist Church, 191 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is handling the arrangements.