Eldon C. "Dude" Sibley

ELDON "DUDE" SIBLEY, 83 of Roseburg, Oregon passed away December 1, 2016 at his home. He was born October 19, 1933 in Van Nuys, California to George W. and Ila V. Sibley. The family moved to Oregon in 1937 and settled in Cottage Grove in 1947. In 1951 he married his high school sweetheart Thena Abeene. On November 1st of this year they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Their 3 sons Dennis, Ron and Lynn were born in Cottage Grove. The family moved to Roseburg in 1971 as Dude was employed at Roseburg Lumber Company in 1971 as Logging Supervisor. In 1989 Dude and his son Ron started their own logging company, Sib's Logging Company. Dude had a lifetime love of music. As a teenager he played guitar in a country band. In 1956 Dude started calling Square Dances. He became a well known professional caller throughout the West. Dude also called locally for the Haylofters Club in the old Preshern's barn in Melrose. When he retired he taught himself to play keyboard and became an accomplished player and songwriter. He wrote 11 songs in three years. Dude and Thena entertained their friends at their dance hall in Melrose. He had a passion for golf and spent many days playing golf with his friends the "Bulldogs". His love for golf inspired his song "Going Golfing". Dude's proudest accomplishment was his three sons who grew up to be responsible, loving family men. Survivors include his wife Thena; sons Dennis and his wife Renee; daughter-in-law Nannette; and Lynn and his wife Janet; grandchildren Tye, Mike, Lisa, Keith and Melissa; great grandchildren Brittany, Kirsten and Allen; sister Doris Akin; numerous nieces and nephews. Dude was preceded in death by his parents George and Ila; son Ron; sister Dorothy Miller and a brother Russ. A Celebration of Dude's life will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016 from 2PM to 4PM at the Roseburg Country Club. The family requests that contributions may be made in Dude's memory to the Community Cancer Society. Please visit www.wilsonschapeloftheroses.com to leave the family fond memories and condolences.