Merna Bernice Adkins Vancil, 89, a long time Eastern Oregonian, died at her home in Oregon City on April 17.

She was born near Weston, on April 9, 1919, to Eva Lena and Marvin Adkins.

Vancil began her schooling at Fairview School on Reed and Hawley Mountain and then moved to Weston with her family when she was in third grade. She graduated from Weston High School in 1936.

She married Marvin Vancil on Aug. 7, 1938, in Weston, and they called Weston, Enterprise, Arlington, North Powder and Mt. Vernon home. Marvin was an educator and was an active supporter of all school activities.

Vancil was primarily a homemaker until her children were in school. After that time she worked as a school secretary in North Powder and Mt. Vernon, and later was a secretary to the County Extension Agent in Canyon City.

She reigned as queen of the Umatilla County Pioneer Associations annual Pioneer Reunion in Weston in 1985, as her mother had in 1960.

Vancil loved life and being around people, whether it be family gatherings or her associations with members of Neighbors of Woodcraft, Order of Eastern Star, the Rainbow girls in North Powder, of which she was Mother Adviser, and the 4-H girls she led in cooking and sewing. She enjoyed her bowling league, sewing for her family, doing handiwork, and playing cards with family and friends.

After retirement she and her husband made many memories golfing and spending time with their friends at the golf course in John Day. When her husband’s health failed she was an inspiration to her family as she gave all of her time to his care. She always put her family first and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, cheering them on in their individual pursuits.

In 2004, Vancil moved to Walla Walla, where she enjoyed the companionship of her sisters. In 2006, she moved to Oregon City to an assisted living facility, where her loving spirit continued to touch those around her.

Vancil is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Judy Vancil of Redmond; daughters, Lynne Adams and husband Tom, of La Grande, and Dana Copenhaver and husband John of Burns; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Georgia Schisler and Marilyn Duffy of Walla Walla; sister-in-law, Marie Vancil of Milton-Freewater; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vancil was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Pete Adkins; son, Donald Vancil; and grandson, John Copenhaver.

A graveside service will be held at the Milton-Freewater Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in Vancil’s memory may be made to the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member.