Chester E. Gorbett Dies at Hermiston.
Chester Everett Gorbett, of Hermiston, formerly of Promise, passed away at his home July 12 at the age of 86 years and 9 months.
He was born at Colton, Ore. Oct. 13, 1877, one of seven children born to Joshau and Orintha Gorbett. He spent his entire life in Oregon.
He was united in marriage to Bessie Phillips April 2, 1905.
Survivors include his wife, Bessie, of Hermiston; two sons, Rolin of Wallowa and Duane of Canby, Ore.; also three daughters, Mrs. Harvey (Lola) McDonald of Walla Walla, Wash., Mrs. Grady (Myra) Banks of Hermiston and Mrs., James E. (Vera) of Wallowa,Ore.; seventeen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
One daughter, Verla, passed away at the age of seven and one grandson, Merlin Carper, at the age of nineteen.
Mr. and Mrs. Gorbett resided at Colton and Oregon City until March 15, 1911 when they moved to Promise, and purchased her parent’s homestead, which was their home until April, 1959. Then they moved to Hermiston and bought a small acreage. He has been in failing health for several months.
He was a member of the Christian Church and an active member of the Grange for several years, having been a charter member of the Promise Grange which was organized in 1922.
Funeral services were held July 15 at the Christian Church in Wallowa with Rev. Frank Needles officiating, with internment in the Lower Valley Cemetery.
Crawford Overson and Jimmie McCrae sang, “Higher ground” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.
Pallbearers were: Ernest Snuffer, Alva Victor, Clifford Johnson, Joe Rounsavell, Hubert Johnson and Marion McCrae.
Source: Wallowa County Chieftain, July 23, 1964
Contributed by: Sue Wells