Janet Ellen Milner

Janet Milner, age 81, passed away April 24, 2019 at her daughter’s home in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Janet was born to Lewis & Mabel Hammond on October 6, 1937 in Gowen, Michigan.

When she was only three years old, her mother passed away which left her in the care of her grandparents, then to an aunt, until she was placed in an orphanage. She was then sent to a girl’s training school, until her older sister found her and brought her to Prospect, Oregon when she was 16. In Prospect she met and married Raymond Wylie and they had two children. A logging accident left her to raise her two young children alone. She later married Robert “Ted” Milner. Together they raised ten children, losing a daughter at three months old. They made their life between Oregon and southeast Alaska.

She loved the great outdoors, living in logging camps in Alaska. She was adventurous and ready to take on any challenge. She even ran a 43-foot fishing boat.

Many fond memories of Alaska life including…
One time the family was headed to Tokeen (a small store) for supplies and the boat started to take on water. They had to lighten the load so the decision was made to drop the younger kids off with Dad on an island while mom and Jerry went on to Tokeen. They made it just in time – the boat sank right at the dock. They got others to help to get the rest of the family, but they forgot which island they left them on. They could see them searching from island to island.

Janet is survived by her children Raymond Wylie (Kathy) of Sheridan, Wyoming, Linda Pryce (Ray) of Roseburg, Oregon, Laverna “Rene” Chamberlin (Duane) of Wasilla, Alaska, Tom Birch (Debbie) of Tahuya, Washington, Jerry Ellen (Connie) of Ketchikan, Alaska, Dora “Teddie Mae” Deffenbaugh (Skip) of Florence, Oregon, Lila “Punkie” Lesisz (Charles) of Grants Pass, Robert Milner Jr (Chris) of Gold Hill, Oregon and Natasha Murphy (Tracy) of Coos Bay, Oregon; 24 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Janet is preceded in death by her husband Robert Milner in 1999; daughter Sharon in 1965; and six siblings.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Laurel Cemetery in Cave Junction. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.