Biography of Barrett Williams

This venerable citizen of Boise City is believed to be the oldest man in the state of Idaho, as on the 7th of March 1899, he celebrated the ninety-sixth anniversary of his birth. He was sixty years of age when he came to this place for the first time, in 1862, and during the years which have intervened he has maintained his earnest interest in the development of the town and the resources of the surrounding country. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, has led an active, industrious life, and is reaping his reward in the evening … Read more

Holt, James – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon James Holt, 58, of La Grande, died April 5 after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Place, 62846 Philynda Loop, near Buchanan and McAlister. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Known as Jess, he was born Aug. 20, 1948, to Janice and Russell Holt in Pocatello, Idaho. He grew up in Boise, graduating from Borah High School in 1966, and served in the Air Force from 1968 to 1972. In 1978 he earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of … Read more

Biography of Isaac W. Pfost

The Virginians have given to nearly every state in the union much of the good blood and good citizenship, for, wherever his lot is cast, the Virginian is patriotic and does honor to his environments. Idaho has many well known citizens of Virginian birth, but not one who is more highly regarded for integrity and perseverance and all the other qualities which make for real success than Isaac W. Pfost, of Boise, who, having been born in Virginia prior to its division, is literally a native of the Old Dominion. Isaac W. Pfost, proprietor of the Bancroft Hotel, Boise, Idaho, … Read more

Yates, Ellen Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Ellen Yates Dead At Boise Ellen V. Yates, resident of Baker for the passed four years, died at the home of her son, William Riggs, in Boise Tuesday morning. Mrs. Yates went to Boise to visit her son about six weeks ago. Mrs. Yates was born in Illinois, October 17, 1840. She crossed the plains in 1854 and located in Washougal, Washington. She then moved to North Powder, where she resided for a number of years, then located in Weiser and four years ago took up her residence in Baker. Besides her son in Boise, Mrs. Yates is survived … Read more

Karg, William Franklin “Bill”, Dr. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Dr. William Franklin “Bill” Karg, 75, of Eagle, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 7, 2004, at his home. The family had a private service to celebrate his life. Bill was born on April 18, 1929, at Baker City to Otto and Margaret “Pat” Karg. His father was a former Baker City fire chief. Bill attended Baker High School and then Pacific University at Forest Grove. He graduated with a degree in optometry on May 25, 1952. During college, he worked for the Forest Service where he was a firefighter. He married Ruby Lowe at … Read more

Schlegel, Willard “Willie” – Obituary

Willard “Willie” Schlegel, 82, a former Elgin resident, died June 26, 2003, at Emmett Rehab & Healthcare in Emmett, Idaho. The family invites all of Willie’s friends to join them in a memorial celebration of his life on Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at the Stampede hall on the rodeo grounds in Elgin. The oldest son of Velma and William “Bill” Schlegel, Willie was born March 12, 1921, in Whitefish, Mont. He attended school in Whitefish, where he excelled in sports. In high school he was a member of the all-star team in both football and basketball. After graduation, … Read more

Jose D. “Joe” Zamora – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jose D. “Joe” Zamora 72, of Baker City died Sept. 23, 2001, at the Veterans Nursing Home in Boise. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. Vault interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with military rites accorded by Baker City Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3048. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral home. Mr. Zamora was born Dec. 24, 1928, at Morrell, Neb., a son of Horacio and Fidela Moya Zamora. He was … Read more

Halliday, Grace Bertha Viergutz Mrs. – Obituary

Grace Bertha Halliday, 75, of La Grande, died Sept. 25, 2007, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. A celebration of life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Viewing will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Halliday was born Oct. 26, 1931, the daughter of Raymond and Anna (Gritzmacher) Viergutz in Wausau, Wis. When she was young she played semi-pro softball on an all-women’s team and loved … Read more

Obituary of Mrs. Barbara Lee Burris West

Barbara was born Sept. 30, 1920, in Corvallis, Ore., to Clarence and Hazel Burris. She grew up in North Powder, Ore., where she met her future husband, Howard West. They were married in 1941. While her husband was serving in World War II, Barbara owned and operated a beauty salon in the town of Hermiston, Ore. After the war the couple settled in Eastern Oregon where her daughter was born, followed by son William. After a few years in Boise, Idaho, the family moved to Portland, Ore., where a third child, Gregory was born. Howard built them a home in … Read more

Biography of John A. O’Farrell

John Andrew O’Farrell was born in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, on the 13th day of February 1823. He pursued his education in the common schools until his thirteenth year, and was then placed in a naval school where he remained for two years. He went to sea in the Oriental Steamship line when fifteen years of age, sailing from the East India dock on the Thames, London, England, to the city of Calcutta, Hindustan, East Indies. The return trip occupied seven months time and the vessel delivered and received mails and passengers at the isle of … Read more

Biography of Norman M. Ruick

This distinguished practitioner at the bar of Idaho has been connected with the leading interests of the state for some years, and in all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men by his fidelity to duty and his devotion to the interests entrusted to his care. He comes from the far east, being a native of Connecticut. His birth occurred in Granby, that state, on the 4th of October, 1854, and his ancestry includes both Irish and Puritan stock. His paternal great-grandfather, a native of the Emerald Isle, emigrated to the New … Read more

Dinger, Theta H. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Theta H. Dinger, 90, of Baker City, Jan. 18, 2003, at a foster care home in Baker City. Her graveside services will be at 1 p.m. MST Wednesday at the Valley View Cemetery in Vale. Pastor Roy Obermeier of the Willowcreek Community Church at Willowcreek will officiate. Mrs. Dinger was born June 25, 1912, at Alphena Pass, Ark., a daughter of James Howard and Minnie Aleta Walker Rea. She was raised at Barber, Idaho, and was educated at Boise. She married Jiles D. Dinger at Vale on July 13, 1932. They moved from Boise to … Read more

Lee, Eileen Cochrane Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Eileen Lee, 91, a longtime Baker City resident, died at her home on Jan. 27, 2003. Her memorial service will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. The Rev. Susan Barnes will officiate. At Mrs. Lee’s request, a private interment of her cremated remains will be at the North Powder Cemetery. Eileen was born June 24, 1911, in Baker City, the only child of Edgar and Susan Browning Cochrane of Haines. Eileen attended school in Haines until 1924, when her parents moved to Baker City. She was a 1929 Baker … Read more

Dielman, Byrdie “Opal” Shropshire Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Byrdie “Opal” Dielman, 85, died Sept. 12, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Care Center, where she had been a resident for three weeks. Her memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Opal, the first of six children of Robert David and Hazel Viola Fox Shropshire, was born on Jan. 14, 1917, at the family farm near Ashland, Kan., 50 miles south of Dodge City. She obtained her education there graduating as valedictorian of the Ashland High School class of 1935. She married Raymond “Ray” Charles Dielman, who … Read more

Lundgren, Keith Mickey – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Keith Mickey Lundgren, 89, of Boise and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 9 at his home. Mr. Lundgren was born May 6, 1917, in Osceola, Neb. As a young man growing up on the Great Plains, Keith was drawn to the romance of the railroad and the possibilities of the West. After graduating from Grand Island High School in Nebraska, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent six years, just prior to World War II, aboard the U.S.S. Lexington traveling around the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, including several weeks searching for the lost aviator … Read more

Barton, Melvin – Obituary

Melvin Barton, 92, of Boise, and a former longtime Baker City resident, died March 31, 2004. His graveside funeral will take place Saturday at 3 p.m. MST at Morris Hill Cemetery under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise. Mel was born Feb. 27, 1912, at Surprise, Okla., the third of 12 children. He spent his youth in Filer, Idaho, graduating from Filer High School in 1930. He attended Albion Normal College in 1930 and the University of Southern California in 1931, impressing coaches with his football skills at both schools. Mel proudly served our country in World War … Read more

Biography of William T. Reeves

William T. Reeves, a prominent lawyer of Idaho, residing at Pocatello, was born at Kinkleville, Kentucky, January 21, 1855, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a combination which everywhere and always produces good citizens and has given to America many of her best and greatest men. George Reeves, Mr. Reeves paternal grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and brought his wife with him. They had four sons and three daughters. William Harrison Reeves, Mr. Reeves’ father, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and married Miss Penelope B. White, a native of Tennessee. While he was a mere boy his father removed with his family … Read more

Biography of Alice A. Thews

The lady whose name introduces this sketch needs no introduction to the residents of southeastern Idaho, for she is well known in this section of the state, and also in the capital city of Boise, where she has many friends. Her superior culture and ability have won public recognition through the honors that have been bestowed upon her by means of the public franchise, and she is now capably filling the office of county treasurer of Oneida County, making her home in Malad. Miss Thews is a native of Rock Island County, Illinois, and is a daughter of William and … Read more

Goff, Connie Rae – Obituary

Connie Rae Goff, 58, of La Grande, died March 21 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Appreciation Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Connie was born May 29, 1949, to William and Myrtle (Ross) Goff in Boise, Idaho. She graduated from Union High School. She was a faithful employee of RD Mac for 37 years. She loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and camping. She loved spending time with her family and playing video games. Survivors include her siblings and their spouses, Linda and Thurman Elliott of … Read more

Biography of Walter E. Pierce

Walter E. Pierce, ex-mayor of Boise, is an energetic, enterprising young businessman who for the past nine years has been closely associated with the commercial, political and social activities of the city. He is a notable example of the self-made man who rising above the difficulties and drawbacks of early environment, makes a place for himself in the world and justly claims the respect and esteem of all. A native of Bell County, Texas, born January 9, 1860, Mr. Pierce is a descendant of an old and prominent Rhode Island family, many of whose representatives resided in Providence, where they … Read more