Sheri Ann Fain, 23, of Soldotna, Alaska, passed away from natural causes on March 5, 2004. Born on June 17, 1980, in La Grande, she graduated from Skyview High School and worked as a caregiver. She married Jorel Fain in 2003 and had one son, Brayden. Survivors include her husband, son, parents, and extended family. A memorial service will be held at Peninsula Memorial Chapel. Contributions for Brayden can be made through a specified credit union account.
Helen Louise Brown, 86, of La Grande, formerly of Baker City, passed away on October 29, 2004. A graveside service was held on November 1 at Island City Cemetery. Born on February 11, 1918, in Wallowa, she graduated from La Grande High School in 1936 and worked as a lab technician until her retirement in 1977. She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with family. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and her siblings. She is survived by her son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Marguerite Jean Vanderbilt, 88, passed away on June 18 at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, Oregon. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at Nazarene Church. Born on November 10, 1917, in Canada, she became a registered nurse after training in Montreal. Married to John William Vanderbilt in 1946, she was engaged in community activities and church groups. Survivors include her four children, ten grandchildren, and two sisters. She is preceded in death by her husband, daughter, and sister.
Jean Louise Stevens, aged 54, passed away on July 11 in La Grande, Oregon. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Haven Cove Ward LDS Chapel in Meridian, Idaho, with burial at Cloverdale Cemetery. Born on September 9, 1951, in Fairbanks, Alaska, she graduated from Capital High School and earned an associate degree from Boise State. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and several family members, with her mother and brother predeceasing her.
Helen Elizabeth Gregory, 78, passed away on December 7 at St. Marys Medical Center. Born on March 17, 1928, in Ketchikan, Alaska, she later moved to Washington and graduated from Elgin High School. Helen married Robert Gregory in 1951 and worked as an educational secretary until her retirement in 1988. She dedicated her life to family, enjoyed reading, cooking, and classic films. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and other relatives. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
David Duane Straight, 63, passed away on November 3 in Jacksonville, Florida, having previously lived in Union and La Grande. Born on April 21, 1943, he graduated from Southwestern Oregon Community College and served in the Navy, earning a bronze medal during Desert Storm. Straight spent 35 years in Alaska before moving to Portland, and later Jacksonville for medical care. He is survived by his wife, daughter, mother, sister, and extended family. His ashes will be returned to Alaska in the spring.
Barbara June Nielsen Murry, aged 75, passed away on November 9 in La Grande, Oregon. Born on June 16, 1931, in Pilot Rock, she had a diverse career, including work at General Telephone Co. and Oldsmobile. A devoted mother and traveler, she lived in various places including Ketchikan, Alaska, and later returned to Oregon. She enjoyed fishing and back-road travels. Survived by her daughter, siblings, and several nieces and nephews, she was preceded in death by numerous family members. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
June Moberry, 89, formerly of La Grande, passed away on January 9 in Beaverton. Born on June 9, 1917, in Ketchikan, Alaska, she was raised on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and married Ralph Moberry in 1951. A resident of La Grande for many years, she worked as assistant manager at Founta Court and was active in the Christian Science Church. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Moore and Wendy Abel, along with five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. No services are planned; a family gathering is set for June 9.
Alan Duane Rutherford, 57, formerly of Elgin and Imbler, passed away on December 28, 2006, while returning home to Ivins, Utah. Born on January 25, 1949, in Iowa, he spent his youth in Oregon and graduated from Elgin High School. A dedicated Army medic, he later worked as an owner-operator logging truck driver and enjoyed a successful career with Atlantic Richfield Company. He is survived by his wife, daughters, mother, siblings, and other relatives. A memorial service was held on January 3, 2007.
Terri Horn, age 51, passed away on May 19 in Palm Springs, California, following a long illness. Born on December 15, 1955, in Las Vegas, she spent most of her life in Fairbanks, Alaska. A dedicated grocery clerk, Terri worked at Carrs Foodland and later at Albertsons in La Grande, where she moved in 1995. Remembered for her warmth and love of outdoor activities, she is survived by her children, grandchildren, mother, and siblings. Services will be held in her memory.
Margaret Micky E. Douhan, 95, passed away on June 3 in Port Townsend, Washington. Born on October 13, 1911, in Greeley, Colorado, she grew up in La Grande and graduated from Oregon State University in 1940. Micky married Wendell Stout in 1941 and raised three children while living in various states. After retiring to Marrowstone Island in 1977, she engaged in volunteer work and pursued her passions for travel, painting, and literature. She is survived by her son Mark and was preceded in death by her other two sons.
Phaedra Dune Baxter, 62, of La Grande, passed away on October 26. Born Pamela Bernice Bishop in Vancouver, Canada, she was a passionate advocate for drama and community service. Phaedra’s life was marked by adventure, including overseas living and a career in advertising. She married David Baxter in 1988 and ran a bed and breakfast in Juneau, Alaska, while embracing her love for cooking and art. Known for her kindness and spirited nature, Phaedra leaves behind her husband and two sons. Memorial contributions can be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.
Stephen Wariner, 49, of Sisters and North Powder, tragically died in a car accident on September 29, 2007. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, he was a journeyman ironworker and later a home builder. He married Dorothy Gallowa-Wariner in 2006. Known for his creativity, he enjoyed crafting custom furniture and spending time with family, his horse, and dog. He is survived by his wife, mother, siblings, three children, and a grandson. A celebration of life will be held on October 20. Memorial contributions are requested for his children’s education.
Brian Donald West, 29, of Wasilla, Alaska, and formerly of La Grande, passed away on September 20. Born on July 20, 1978, in Salem, he served ten years in the U.S. Air Force as a civil engineer, earning an honorable medical discharge. A graduate of Honokaa High School, Brian was adventurous, enjoying activities like skateboarding and surfing. He was a talented tattoo artist and a dedicated family man, survived by his wife Mary and four children. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at Catherine Creek State Park.
Braddie May Bruce, 79, of Island City, passed away on January 11 at a local care center. Born on January 26, 1928, in Prairie City, she was raised in Dayville and graduated high school there. She married Ralph Bruce on January 12, 1947, and worked as a school secretary in various towns. An active community member, she participated in the Episcopal Church and several organizations. Survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Donald Doyle Partridge, aged 70, passed away on March 12 in Elgin, Oregon. A memorial service is scheduled for May 10 at Cove Cemetery. Born on October 25, 1937, in Cortez, Colorado, he served in the Oregon National Guard and operated a tow truck service in Fairbanks, Alaska. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and four children, along with three grandchildren. Mr. Partridge was an active member of the Episcopal Church and the Moose Lodge, enjoying fishing, bowling, and scenic drives.
James Douglas Vincent, 73, of Ukiah, passed away on April 7 in Gresham. Born on October 17, 1934, in St. Louis, he relocated with his family to Tillamook, where he was raised. Doug had a varied career in logging and truck services, moving to Alaska before returning to Ukiah in 1984 with his wife, Patsy. They ran a service for hunters, and Doug was an avid dog breeder and nature enthusiast. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, a son, and several grandchildren.
Carol Thilenius, 73, of Juneau, Alaska, passed away peacefully at home on May 6. Born in La Grande in 1935 and a graduate of La Grande High School, she was a dedicated teacher, skilled handweaver, and marine biologist. Carol taught at the University of Alaska Southeast and pursued interests in geology and botany, traveling extensively to collect plants. She is survived by her husband, John, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.
Deborah Lee (Brooks) Fifer, 57, formerly of Union and La Grande, passed away on June 3 in Fairbanks, Alaska. A graveside memorial service is scheduled for June 21 at Eagle Valley Cemetery, followed by a gathering at the Eagle Valley Grange. Debbie was born on February 18, 1951, in Baker City, and later moved to Fairbanks where she worked at Hub Foods. She was passionate about gardening, bowling, and spending time with her family, including her two daughters and grandchildren.
Larry Eldridge “Ty” Beardsley, 70, passed away on August 15 in Polson, Montana. Born on September 17, 1937, in Walla Walla, he grew up in Eastern Oregon and married Viola Mae Vanderpool in 1958. A farmer and rancher in the Grande Ronde Valley, he later worked in Alaska’s oil fields. Ty was passionate about fishing, motorcycling, and horse riding. He is survived by his four children, brother, sister, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.