Deborah “Debbie” Jean Culbertson was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She left this world on August 21, 2023 at age 69.
She was born to John and Connie Ford May 20, 1954. She was the oldest of six, with four sisters and one brother. She married William Culbertson in 1974.
Debbie is survived by her husband, six children, 12 grandchildren and13 great grandchildren.
She loved crafting, gardening, family time, the beach, cooking and baking and working with young children.
She was a waitress at Boarding House Reach in Selma for over 20 years. She owned Circle C ceramics in Kerby and was a bus driver at our local preschool before retiring.
Details on a time and place for her celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Walter Allen Hulsey, 65, of Cave Junction, died Aug. 29, 2023 at his home.
Arrangements with Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.
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Steven “Eagle” aka “Gray Eagle” Meyer
It is with a great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, partner, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and beloved spiritual brother Eagle passed at his home in Takilma Aug. 7, 2023. He was surrounded by love and passed peacefully on to his next spiritual assignment within, but not limited to, the great unknown.
Eagle was born in 1942 and grew up in Culver City and Venice Beach, California. As a kid he was often chasing movie stars for their autographs and claimed that he “once chased Elvis Presley’s limousine for 12 blocks.” At age 15, Eagle, who undoubtedly walked to the beat of a different drum, decided to leave home and hitchhike across the country thus starting his fascination with adventure and a road less traveled. As a young adult he was formally trained as a machinist and worked in that field before deciding to migrate north into Canada where he spent many years. He was especially fond of his years living on remote Quadra Island B.C. where he gained skills in off grid living and built his own canoe which served as his sole means of transportation during that time.
Eagle came to the Illinois Valley as a gold miner around 1980 and has since actively contributed to the local community. He was a skilled artist and helped build the Takelma inspired pit house at the Kerbyville Museum as well as a beautifully ornate dugout style canoe that transported Grandma Aggie Pilgrim on the Illinois River during a Haskapasuta event (see the canoe and his picture on the kiosk at the Forks State Park). He spent decades at Sunstar and was an active member of the community in Takilma as well as at the Dome School. Eagle participated in many Native American ceremonies and that is where his heart and spirit were nurtured and his true-self was expressed.
Eagle is survived by his brother Kenny, his children Adam, Solomon, Dove, Robin and Eric, by his grandchildren Loraine, Tam, Erica, Ryan, Kylen, Boden, Iyla, Kayla and Haley, and by his great-grandchildren Tristen, Drew, and Dallas, as well as by the many many friends and extensive extended family that he loved very much.
Eagle lived a long and rich life. He loved his family. He was spiritual, talented and skilled and had many deep and philosophical thoughts and opinions. We are all blessed to have known and loved him and he will be missed.
“Mitakuye Oyas’in” All My Relations