Benton County OR

Bertels, Christofer C. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Christofer C. Bertels, 36, of Salem and formerly of Union, Baker and La Grande, died Nov. 6 at Salem Hospital in Salem. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Assembly of God Harvest Church, 3720 Birch St., Baker City. Chris was born Sept. 3, 1971, in La Grande. He was raised in Union and later attended Baker Valley Christian Academy in Baker City. Chris received an associate’s degree from Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, and continued his education at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Chris worked for the State of Oregon Insurance … Read more

Biography of Werner A. Wrenn

Among the agriculturists and business men of Wallowa County, the subject of this sketch stands as a leader, having manifested capabilities that justly entitle him to that position, while also he possesses an adaptability and perseverance coupled with energy, that have enabled him to handle large interests and manipulate them in a manner that brings success, while also his characteristic integrity and stanch principles of truth and uprightness have given him a prestige enviable and commendable. Mr. Wrenn was born in Benton County, Oregon, on March 3, 1866, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Watt) Wrenn, natives respectively of … Read more

Lawson, Harry – Obituary

Harry Lawson, 86, of Corvallis, and a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 3, 2000, at his home. His funeral was Friday at Kings Circle Assembly of God Church. Pastor Kerry McRoberts officiated. Interment was at Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Albany. Mr. Lawson was born Feb. 18, 1914, at Bayfield, Colo., to Harry and Mary (Shoemaker) Lawson. As a teenager he moved to Oregon, where he met and married the love of his life, Grace Lucille Conn. They were married June 15, 1932, at Coquille. He worked in timber-related jobs and also did radio repair. Mr. Lawson served in … Read more

Beery, Donald Vernon – Obituary

Memorial services for Don V. Beery, 81, of 2944 NW 29th St., are planned at 11 a.m. Wednesday at DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel. Members of the Masonic Lodge A.F.&A.M., No. 14, will conduct Masonic rites. Mr. Beery died Sunday [February 7, 1982] at the Corvallis Manor. Private cremation will take place at the DeMoss-Durban Crematory. He was born March 9, 1900 to A. A. Beery and Minerva Douthitt Beery in Lebanon, Mo. From 1917 until 1919 he served with the military in England and France during World War I. In 1920 he and Emily Smith were married. She died in 1931. … Read more

Biography of A. H. Reynolds

A.H. REYNOLDS. – This pioneer of Walla Walla, Washington, is a bank director, a large real-estate owner, and has been active in many of the early enterprises, not only of that city, but of Oregon and California. He was born in 1808, in St. Lawrence county, New York; and his memories of early life are deeply tinged with the exciting events of the war of 1812, in which his parents had an active part. Receiving the rigid and economical training of the old times, he added to his education by efforts of his own, and qualified himself for active life … Read more

Biography of Milton Canterbury, M. D.

Milton Canterbury, M. D., of Redlands, was born in Greenup County, Kentucky. His father, Reuben Canterbury, a farmer, was born in North Carolina. The name originated in Kent County, England, from the estate of a man by that name, and for whom the city of Canterbury was named. Reuben Canterbury married Miss Elizabeth Lycaas, a native of Kentucky. The union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eighth. He first attended the common schools of his native county and afterward attended a short time the college at Marietta, Ohio. From there he went … Read more

Talbott, Lester Elvin – Obituary

Lester Elvin Talbott, 94, of Junction City, and a former Baker City resident, died March 22, 2002. His funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Chapel in Junction City. Visitations will be Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at Alford Cemetery. Mr. Talbott was born Dec. 23, 1907, at Tillamook to Francis and Franky (Farley) Talbott. He graduated from high school in Tillamook. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II. After the war he worked as a farmer and mill worker, retiring from … Read more

Battrick, Robin Louise – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robin Louise Battrick, 56, formerly of La Grande, died July 31 at her home in Coffey, Mo., following a 10-month battle with cancer. A funeral service and burial will be in Coffey, with memorial services to follow in Corvallis and La Grande. Robin was born July 17, 1951, in Bloomington, Ind. After a transient childhood with stops from Florida to Alaska, her family settled in La Grande in September 1965. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1969 as co-valedictorian. She attended Reed College in Portland and Oregon State University. Robin served a mission for the … Read more

Biography of Col. John Colgate Bell

COL. JOHN COLGATE BELL. – Colonel Bell, enjoying a wide reputation from Southern Oregon to Idaho, and back again to the Pacific seashore throughout the state in which he has successively lived and made a multitude of personal acquaintances, merits a special recognition on account of his public services in official relations and in the early Indian wars of Southern Oregon. He was born at Sterling, Kentucky, February 24, 1814. His parents were from Virginia; and among his ancestors were those distinguished in the early history of the nation, his father having served with General Harrison in the war of … Read more

Biography of Hon. John Burnett

HON. JOHN BURNETT. – Among the prominent self-made men of Oregon is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, on the 4th of July, 1831. He lost his father at the age of fifteen, and was turned out in the world to fight his way as best he might. He first engaged as an errand boy in a store, but, becoming tired of the confinement, at the end of a year hired out to work on a flat-boat on the Mississippi, boating wood to St. Louis. His early education was obtained in the common schools … Read more

Huffman, Estella C. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Estella C. Huffman, a resident of Corvallis, died at the Corvallis Care Center Thursday, September 10, 1981. She was 84. The daughter of Julius and Mary Breshears Bendshadler, she was born January 31, 1897, at Elgin, where she received her early schooling. She graduated from Northwest Christian College in Eugene in 1922. She was married to Fred M. Huffman in 1927 at Elgin. Afterward the couple lived in La Grande for many years prior to moving to Corvallis. He preceded her in death in 1966. She is survived by her son, Wallace of Portland; brothers Ben Bendshadler of … Read more

Green, Clarence Ellsworth “Clancy” – Obituary

Keating, Oregon Clarence Ellsworth “Clancy” Green, 82, of Baker City, died April 6, 2004, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise. At his request, there will be no formal service. There will be a celebration of life gathering by the pond at his ranch later this summer. The time will be announced. All friends and family will be welcomed. Clancy was born on May 2, 1921, at Corvallis to Seth and Alice Green. He graduated from Whittier College at Whittier, Calif. After graduation, he went into radio broadcasting and was a radio actor. He also worked at CBS as an announcer … Read more

Carper, John – Obituary

Promise, Wallowa County, Oregon Obit 1955-2004 John Wesley Carper, 49, of Promise died Dec. 10. A celebration of life and potluck will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the IOOF hall in Wallowa. Mr. Carper was born March 8, 1955, to John Edgar and Linda Juhola Carper in La Grande. He graduated from high school in Alsea where he was a member of the state champion football team. He had a ranch in Wallowa County and worked at Rogge’s Mill, where he received awards as a lumber grader. He enjoyed hunting; gathering mushrooms and rocks, and loved the history of … Read more

Vernholm, Willard Dale – Obituary

Willard Dale Vernholm, 73, of Baker City, died Sept. 25, 2005, at Idlewood Manor. At his request there will be no services. Cremation by Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory. Dale was born on Feb. 11, 1932, in York, Neb., to Carl Willard and Lois Louetta Middleton Vernholm. When Dale was about 4 years old the family moved to Corvallis. He attended school at Lewisburg and Corvallis High School. In 1947, at 15, Dale’s family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho. When Dale was only 16, but needing to be 18, he lied about his age and went to work for the Payette … Read more

Craig, Paul Dennis “Denny” – Obituary

Paul Dennis “Denny” Craig, 66, of Las Vegas, Nev., a former North Powder resident, died Aug. 20, 2002, at Las Vegas. Mr. Craig’s body was cremated. There was a private funeral at Las Vegas. There will be a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Haines United Methodist Church. Pastor Sally Wiens will officiate. Denny was born on March 11, 1936, at Baker City. He was raised on his parents’ ranch at North Powder and was a 1954 graduate of Powder Valley High School. He attended the University of Oregon at Eugene for one year and Eastern … Read more

Biography of G. W. Ozmont

G.W. OZMENT. – This gentleman is a veteran of the Indian wars, a survivor of many a bloody fight in Southern Oregon, and a pioneer of 1852. Born at Greensborough, North Carolina, in 1833, he became an orphan at the age of ten, and at fifteen went to Western Virginia with an uncle, and somewhat later was in Tennessee, working on his own account. The far West, however, was the land of his dreams; and he saved his earnings to go to Paducah, and from that point to St. Louis. Three months later he was on his way to St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Pentland

WILLIAM PENTLAND. – This town-builder and founder of Lexington was born December 26, 1825, in Fleming county, Kentucky, and removed with his parents in 1831 to Platt county, Missouri, and three years later made a new location in Buchanan county. He was there engaged in agriculture. In 1847 he made the great journey with ox-teams across the plains to Oregon, and located near the present site of Corvallis. He remained with his people in that neighborhood until 1867, receiving a good, practical education during his early days at the common schools of Corvallis. he was married in 1860 to Miss … Read more

Ransom, Paul E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Paul E. Ransom, 83, of La Grande and formerly of Milton-Freewater, died Aug. 8 at Rose Cottage, an adult care center, in Kennewick. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla. Pastor Roger Holden will officiate. A reception will follow at the funeral home. Paul was born Sept. 30, 1924, to Ernest and Lou Hahn Ransom in Walla Walla. He attended elementary school on Government Mountain then the Forks School on the Walla Walla River. He started high school in Prescott, Wash. His family then moved … Read more

Whitt, Ivan Jim – Obituary

Ivan Jim Whitt, 86, who lived in Baker City before moving to the Tri-Cities area, died December 16, 2005, in the loving arms of his family. He was born April 7, 1915, in Leander, Texas, and resided in Tularosa, New Mexico, until going into the Army in October 1942. Jim served with the 690th Replacement Company throughout the Luzon campaign during World War II. He was discharged in February 1946 and served as an Air Force reservist until January 1960. He lived in Baker City several years before moving to the Tri-Cities. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post … Read more

Talich, Sylvia Nelson Mrs. – Obituary

Sylvia Talich, 95, of Phoenix, Ariz., a former longtime Baker City resident died May 23, 2005, at her home. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Agape Christian Center at 650 Highway 7. Pastor Aaron Oglesbee of the Agape Christian Center will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Agape Christian Center. She was born Sylvia Nelson on March 15, 1910, at Bristow, Neb. She lived on a farm on the Niabrera River and attended school at Bristow. When she was about 10, she was … Read more