David S. Gover Sr., an 87-year-old farmer from Eagle Valley, passed away on July 23, 1971, following a brief illness. Services were held on July 26 at the Methodist Church in Richland, officiated by Rev. Russell Booher. Born on February 20, 1884, in Missouri, he spent his life farming in Eagle Valley and was married to Pearl Leno Thorp. He is survived by seven children, numerous grandchildren, and was a long-time member of the New Bridge Grange.
Ruth Stehwien, 89, of Baker City, Oregon, passed away on March 12, 2003, at her home. A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, with a reception following. Born on June 24, 1913, in Rockville, Missouri, she married Otto Stehwien in 1931 and moved to Oregon in 1942. A devoted mother and church member, Ruth was known for her charitable spirit, contributing to quilting and missionary efforts. She is survived by her five children, numerous grandchildren, and extended family.
Nola Mae Barker, 63, passed away on April 21, 2006, after an eight-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Born on July 11, 1942, in Missouri, she later lived in California, Alaska, Nevada, Montana, and Oregon. Nola devoted her later years to caring for her aging parents while enduring her own health challenges. She is survived by three children, several siblings, and numerous grandchildren. Her funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home, with interment at Haines Cemetery.
Georgie Lee Proffitt, 68, of Albany, formerly of Baker City, passed away on December 22, 2001, from cancer. Born on October 21, 1933, in Adrian, Missouri, she moved to Idaho as a child and graduated from Nampa High School before completing nursing school. Georgie married Harland Proffitt in 1954 and worked as a nurse in various offices and at Teledyne Wah Chang until her retirement in 1995. She is survived by her children, sisters, grandchildren, and partner Hank Ketsdever. Her funeral is scheduled for December 28, 2001, in Albany.
Samuel Roberts, a prominent agriculturist in Wallowa County, was born on March 9, 1844, in Bates County, Missouri. He journeyed across the plains to Oregon with his family in 1853 and eventually settled in the Grande Ronde valley and later Wallowa County in 1887, where he cultivated a successful farm. Married to Merica Prow in 1865, they had eight children. Roberts’ commitment to hard work and moral integrity earned him respect in his community, while his mother lived to the remarkable age of 109.
John Glenn Newbill, born in Southwest Missouri, grew up on his father’s farm near Springfield. He received his education in local schools and studied under Dr. Wm. V. Allen. Balancing education with work, he taught and farmed before entering journalism. Since April 1, 1881, he has served as the editor of the Springfield-Express and is the secretary of Greene County’s Democratic Central Committee. He married Carrie Leona Rhoades in January 1881, and they have one son, Albert Glenn Newbill, born in February 1882.