California

Mitchell, Richard Lewis – Obituary

Union, Oregon Richard Lewis Mitchell Richard Lewis Mitchell, 77, of Union died Jan. 22. At the request of his family there will be no public services. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Mitchell, known as Dick, was born Feb. 17, 1929, to George and Catherine (Engell) Mitchell in Bellflower, Calif. He was born to a large family. He married and had two children, then later divorced. He loved hunting and enjoyed going out shooting. He liked having coffee at the truck stop and the company he shared with the waitresses. He was a good … Read more

Vedder, Weldon Jack – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Weldon Jack Vedder Weldon Jack Vedder, 72, of Torrance, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 26, 2006, of complications after vascular surgery. Mr. Vedder, known as Jack, was born Dec. 5, 1933, in La Grande. He served in the Air Force then returned to La Grande and earned an undergraduate and a master’s degree from what is now known as Eastern Oregon University. He later received a graduate degree in mathematics education from U.C. Santa Barbara. Mr. Vedder moved to Manhattan Beach, Calif., in 1964. He taught at Lennox High School in Lawndale for 12 … Read more

De Lint, Marinus Jacob – Obituary

Alicel, Oregon Marinus Jacob “Rien” de Lint, 66, of Alicel, died April 11 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church, 901 Penn Ave. in La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Rien was born Sept. 9, 1940, in Zevenbergschen Hoek, the Netherlands to Arie and Christina C. (Van de Erve) de Lint. In 1959 he came to the United States as an exchange student with the University of California-Davis and he participated in a work exchange on farms in California. When he … Read more

Creel, Linda Carol – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Linda Carol Creel, 66, died April 9 at her home in La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mrs. Creel was born Aug. 6, 1940, to Harry and Audra Elizabeth (Edwards) Monroe in Rawlins, Wyo. On July 18, 1959, she married Charles F. Creel in Los Angeles, Calif. In 1967 they moved to La Grande from Evanston, Wyo. She was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated her life to her family. Survivors include her husband, Charles Creel; children, Melinda, Janet, Wade, Carol and … Read more

Harris, Lavelle – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lavelle Harris, 93, of La Grande, died March 9 at her home. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande. A complete obituary will be published at a later date. The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending March 17, 2007 1913-2007 LaVelle Harris, 93, of La Grande, died March 9. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, with burial to follow at the Union Cemetery. Mrs. Harris was born April 6, … Read more

Armato, Michael James – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Michael James Armato, 51, of Heppner, died Feb. 19 of natural causes in La Grande. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. March 3 at the Pioneer Masonic Cemetery, Heppner. A Rosary will be read at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church during the regular 5 p.m. mass. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. March 4 at the Heppner Elks Club. Arrangements are under the direction of Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner. Mr. Armato, known as Mike, was born June 27, 1955, to Frank and Catherine Armato in San Francisco. He grew up in San Rafael, Calif. He graduated … Read more

Brandt, Shelby Lynn Strange – Obituary

Shelby Lynn Strange Brandt, 23, of La Grande, died unexpectedly April 21. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Park. A second service is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday at the home of Harry Metaxas in Eel Rock, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Shelby was born Feb. 7, 1984, in Eureka, Calif. She attended elementary school in Humboldt County and secondary school in Eastern Oregon. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science in June 2006. Shelby lived in La Grande … Read more

Shoup, Lonny Paul – Obituary

Lonny Paul Shoup, 57, died April 13 at his home in La Grande, the result of myeloproliferative disorder, a malignant hematological disorder. A private burial will be in the Veterans Circle at Grandview Cemetery. A public celebration of life will be at his home in June. Mr. Shoup was born Dec. 7, 1949, in Belton, Texas, and was raised in Woodland, Calif. After graduation from high school, he served his country, doing two tours in Vietnam. From 1968 to 1974 he was a LRRP/Ranger, and was in Cambodia in forced recon. He received the following honors: Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam … Read more

Leonard, Jonathon – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Staff Sgt. Jonathan Leonard, U.S. Air Force Reserve, 47, formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 22, 1996, along with nine other airmen aboard the HC-130 cargo aircraft, call sign King 56, which crashed in the Pacific Ocean 40 miles out from Cape Mendocino, Calif. Last year a black granite marble memorial to the crew was placed at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. A military honors service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, La Grande. Sgt. Leonard was born April 11, 1949, … Read more

Horn, Terri – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Terri Horn, 51, formerly of La Grande, died May 19 at her home in Palm Springs, Calif., after an extended illness. Terri was born Dec. 15, 1955, in Las Vegas. Due to her father’s military service, the family lived in several locations before settling in Fairbanks, Alaska, where Terri lived most of her life. She worked as a grocery clerk for many years. She was employed by Carr’s Foodland in Fairbanks, and after moving to La Grande in 1995 she worked at Albertson’s for several years. Terri was known for her incredible friendliness and outgoing personality. She … Read more

Stone, Wilson Jack – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Wilson Jack Stone, 93, of La Grande, died Feb. 1. A service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church. Wilson was born Nov. 24, 1913, to Benjamin and Byrdie Stone in Paris, Texas. He was one of 10 children and had a twin brother, Nolan, who preceded him in death. He spent his childhood traveling with his family picking crops throughout the states. Wilson married Esther Collie, and they had three sons before divorcing. In the early 1940s, he moved to La Grande where he worked at the Mount Emily Lumber Co., now Boise … Read more

Carroll, Dan Thomas – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Dan Thomas Carroll, 38, of La Grande died July 28 at his home. Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. tonight and from, 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Island City Cemetery. Dan was born March 31, 1969, to David Carroll and Vera Benson in Martinez, Calif. He was raised and educated in Pleasant Hill, Calif., and in La Grande. He married Christy Harper on Aug. 26, 1989, in La Grande. He was a member of the Third Batallion, 116th Armored Cavalry … Read more

Bare, Benjamin Taylor – Obituary

Union, Oregon Benjamin “Ben” Taylor Bare, 76, of Union, died Aug. 12 at the Elks Hospital in Boise. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Union Cemetery in Union. An earlier notice incorrectly reported a service time of 2 p.m. Viewing will run from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Ben was born on March 10, 1931, to Joseph and Evelyn (Bostler) Bare in Los Angeles. He attended school in Pasadena, Calif. He joined the Air Force in 1950, and was a crew chief fixing fighter planes in Korea from 1952 … Read more

Buoy, Wayland L. – Obituary

Imbler, Oregon Wayland L. “Buck” Buoy, 92, formerly of Imbler, died Aug. 10 at his home in Hermiston. Recitation of the rosary will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston. Buck was born on Jan. 22, 1915, to Roy and Violet Linklater Buoy in Prescott, Wash. He was raised in Imbler and went to school there. He joined the Navy, serving in the South Pacific during WWII. He returned to Oregon and moved to Coos Bay where he worked as a … Read more

Baxter, Phaedra Dune – Obituary

Phaedra Dune Baxter, 62, of La Grande died on Oct. 26. A celebration of Phaedra’s life is planned and the details will be announced later by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. She was born Pamela Bernice Bishop on Oct. 13, 1945, to Edward Fletcher Bishop and Bernice May Bedford in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was raised in Sumas, Wash., then moved to Wenatchee, Wash., where she attended grade school. The family moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from Lynwood High School in 1963. There, Phaedra became active in school and community theatre, nurturing a lifelong love of … Read more

Bjerke, Petra Quam – Obituary

Petra Quam Bjerke, 89, died Nov. 11 in California with her family at her side. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services. Petra was born on April 26, 1918, to John and Claudia Quam. She was raised in Hamar, N.D., along with nine brothers and sisters. In 1940, she married Alvin Bjerke. They moved to Clearbrook, Minn., where they farmed for many years until relocating to International Falls where they lived until 1995. They raised four children. Those who knew her say they will cherish the memories of Petra as a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother – … Read more

Zurbrick, Rena May – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Rena May Zurbrick, 90, of Summerville, died Oct. 28 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Rena was born July 26, 1917, to Dillard Raymond and Etta Carrie (Woodell) Choate, in Summerville. She graduated from Imbler High School in 1935 and later from Draper Business College. She lived in California from 1960 until 1970. She worked as a bookkeeper and was married to Al Colip and later Harrison W. Zurbrick. She was past secretary of the Union County Fair Board and enjoyed playing cards – especially bridge. She liked fishing and … Read more

Frades, James – Obituary

James “Yogi” Frades, 62, of Clarksburg, Calif., and formerly of Union, died Sept. 15 at the Sacramento V.A. Medical Center. Graveside services will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at Union Cemetery. River Cities Mortuary was in charge of initial services. James was born Nov. 19, 1944, to Ray and Edith (Wigglesworth) Frades in La Grande. He graduated from Union High in 1963 and went into the Army in October 1963. He spent 12 years there until he was injured. He worked at a pallet yard in Livermore, Calif., until illness forced him to leave his job. Those who knew … Read more

Headley, Lyle Walter – Obituary

Lyle Walter Headley, 80, of La Grande, died Oct. 3 at his home. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Lyle was born on July 7, 1927, to Clarence and Margaret (Paulison) Headley in Omaha, Neb. During World War II he served with the Merchant Marines. On Jan. 8, 1950, he married Lillian Ruth McIntyre in Ralston, Neb. They lived in Nebraska for a time before moving to California where he was a self-employed heavy equipment operator. In 1969 they … Read more

Weber, Richard R. – Obituary

Richard “Dick” R. Weber, 77, of La Grande died Sept. 30 at his home. At Dick’s request, there will be no services. Dick was born Dec. 10, 1929, to Otto P. and Jewel B. (Cunningham) Weber in Wellston, Okla. He and his sister, Chrissy, later moved with their mom to Ventura, Calif., where they grew up. Dick later joined the Air Force and was stationed in Tillamook where he met Dorothy Wehinger. They were married for 26 years and she was a life-long friend for an additional 29 years. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Weber; their children, Sandra … Read more