Elva Lorene Chandler, 77, a longtime resident of Richland, died July 31, 2009, with her family by her side at her home in Richland.
A memorial service was held Aug. 3 at the Eagle Valley Grange.
Lorene was born May 26, 1932, in Richland to Robert Henry Williams and Elva (Waelty) Williams. She married John E. Chandler on June 12, 1946, in Boise, Idaho.
They divorced, then 37 years later she remarried the love of her life, John E. Chandler, in Eugene on June 12, 1984.
When Lorene left Richland, she moved to Springfield where she lived until moving back to Richland in 1981.
Lorene was an EMT for the Eagle Valley Ambulance for 20 years. She loved being able to help people. In her later years she worked for the Forest Service in the Senior Program for eight years. She loved her job because it allowed her to work in her beloved Eagle Mountains.
In the Eagle Mountains she loved to pick huckleberries, hunt for mushrooms, camp and hunt. She loved playing cards with her friends, and reading on the porch.
John and Lorene lived along side New Bridge Road for many years and after John’s passing she moved to Eagle Valley RV Park where she rented a small home from Steve and Sue Adams, who became a very close friend and companion to Lorene. She loved Sue like a daughter.
Lorene enjoyed morning coffee at the Shorthorn Bar & Grill for many years visiting with the coffee group. She was blessed with many close friends and enjoyed the time they spent together..
Lorene is survived by her children; John A. and Linda Chandler of Baker City, Sarita and Mike Raney of Huntington, Bill Chandler of Baker City, Lorri and Steve Platt of Springfield and Walt (Jr) and Darla Hewitt of Springfield; four stepchildren, Terry, Mike and Tod Chandler and Carol Gerhing; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother Robert and Ethlyn Williams Jr.; and sisters Isla Graven, and Dorothy and John Randall.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband John.
Memorial donations in her memory may be directed to the Eagle Valley Ambulance or Heart ‘n’ Home Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon August 03, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor