Melvin E. McEwen, 62, of Kelso, passed away at home on April 2. Born on April 5, 1907, in Winchester, Washington, he had lived in the area for 42 years and worked as a bartender. A World War II veteran and member of the American Legion, he is survived by his son, Shirley, three brothers, two sisters, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are set for Saturday at Ditlevsen-Moore Chapel, with interment at Toledo Cemetery.
Wilbur McEwen, aged 77, passed away on July 4, 1992, in Kelso, Washington. Born on March 24, 1915, he spent most of his life in the area, having been a member of the local American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He is remembered for his dedication to family and community. Mr. McEwen is survived by his sister, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews, along with a close friend. A graveside service will be held on July 8 at the Toledo cemetery.
The Cathlamet Indians, part of the Chinookan stock, lived along the south bank of the Columbia River, with their territory extending from Tongue Point to Puget Island. They spoke a dialect that influenced regions as far up the river as Ranier. Notable villages included Ikanaiak and Ilohumin. Their population was estimated at 450 in 1780, declining to 58 by 1849, and they are now considered extinct as a distinct group. The name Cathlamet survives in Wahkiakum County, Washington.
Charles Albert Thatcher, born in 1826 in Pennsylvania, was a significant figure in the development of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. After studying briefly at Oberlin College, he traversed the Oregon Trail in 1852, becoming Washington’s first school superintendent the following year. Thatcher laid the groundwork for the state’s educational system over nine years. He later served as postmaster in Lewiston and engaged in various business ventures. A devoted family man and esteemed community member, he passed away on September 18, 1897, leaving a lasting legacy.
Mary Susan (Susie) Walls, aged 89, passed away on January 3, 1981, at Woodland Convalescent Center in Washington. Born October 22, 1891, in Bolt, West Virginia, she moved to Wallowa County in 1907 and married Russell E. Walls in 1914. A dedicated housewife and member of the Methodist Church, she was renowned for her baking. Services were held on January 6 at Wallowa Cemetery, officiated by Reverend Don Hawkins. She is survived by her brother Dola N. Clemens and nephew Ross Clemens.
Mary Susan (Susie) Walls, aged 89, passed away on January 3, 1981, in Woodland, Washington. Born on October 22, 1891, in Bolt, West Virginia, she moved to Wallowa County in 1907 and married Russell E. Walls in 1914, who predeceased her in 1970. A homemaker and member of the Methodist Church, she was renowned for her baking. Services were held at Wallowa Cemetery on January 6, 1981. She is survived by her brother Dola N. Clemens and nephew Ross Clemens.
Mrs. J. W. Wortman (Kathryn Dufur) passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 1927, at a La Grande hospital following an unsuccessful appendicitis operation. Born in Waupaca, Wisconsin, on April 8, 1884, she moved west in 1901 and became a respected educator. After marrying John Wortman on June 30, 1910, they lived in Enterprise and Union, where both contributed to local education. She is survived by her husband and two children, with funeral services to take place in Union and burial in Enterprise.
Herbert Stanley “Bud” Briggs, 90, passed away at his Enterprise home on May 31, 2005. Born on January 16, 1915, in New Meadows, Idaho, he moved to Wallowa County in 1939. Bud worked at the Joseph mill and later at Pacific Power, retiring in 1977. He was married to Lucile for 63 years until her passing in 2003. Bud enjoyed outdoor activities and is survived by his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A funeral took place on June 6, 2005.
Farrell Hess’s funeral took place at the L.D.S. church in Union, attended by numerous mourners who exceeded the building’s capacity. Members of the Hess family were present, and the Knights of Pythias held additional rites at the cemetery. Farrell was found dead near his parents’ home, raising concerns about his untimely demise. A Rexburg, Idaho native born in September 1899, he was a well-regarded student in his third year at Oregon Agricultural College. His passing is deeply felt by friends and family across several communities.
Daniel E. McEwen, a respected 64-year-old resident of Rose Valley and a prominent figure in the logging community, passed away at his home in Kelso after a two-week illness. He had lived in Lewis and Cowlitz counties for 48 years and was an active member of the Grange, serving as its master for two years. He is survived by his wife, nine children, two brothers, and a sister. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at the IOOF Hall in Toledo, with burial at Fir Lawn Cemetery.
Grant Kirkendoll passed away at his home on Silver Lake after a long illness. Born on December 25, 1865, in Iowa, he moved to Kelso as a child and spent his life as a rancher in Cowlitz and Lewis counties. Services will be held on Sunday at the Methodist Church, with burial at Whittle Cemetery. He is survived by five children: Mrs. Otto Disque, Mrs. Jennie Stange, Mrs. Gladys Leichhardt, and sons Leo and Mark Kirkendoll.
Mrs. Etta Burbee, 76, passed away on November 30, 1946, at her home in Kelso, Washington. Born on June 10, 1870, in Castle Rock, she spent her life in Washington. She is survived by her two sons, Leo and Mark, three daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, along with two sisters and one brother. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Ditlevsen Funeral Home.
Erma Eileen Holten, aged 83, passed away on March 17, 1992, at a nursing home in Longview, where she had been a resident for many years. Born on January 31, 1909, in Winlock, she moved to Longview in 1935 after living in Seattle. A homemaker, she also worked at the Weyerhaeuser planer mill early in her career. She is survived by her husband, Gunner, a son, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and five nieces. Per her wishes, no funeral is planned.
Mrs. Elsie Harris, aged 49, of Longview, passed away on November 23 in a local hospital. Born on January 3, 1914, in Macon, Georgia, she was a dedicated member of the Kelso Assembly of God Church and worked as a swimming instructor for children with disabilities at the Longview YMCA. She is survived by her husband, Marshall, three daughters, two brothers, four sisters, and nine grandchildren.
John Edward Jackson, aged 83, passed away on September 14 at Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland. Born on July 7, 1895, in Haines, Oregon, he was the grandson of early settlers Alonzo and Julia Ann Long. Jackson had a successful farming career, owning a prominent dairy farm in Woodland, Washington. Graveside services were conducted on September 16 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine, and is survived by family including a daughter-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren.
Thomas Taggart, aged 72, former foreman of the Baisley mine near Baker, passed away at his son George W. Taggart’s home in Woodland, Washington. Originally from Illinois, he moved to Baker County 45 years prior. Survived by his wife Gertie, sons Edward and Paul in California, George in Woodland, and step-daughter Roma McKittrick in Baker, he had planned to visit California last fall but was unable to do so after an auto accident.
John Edward Jackson, aged 83, passed away on September 14 at Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland. A graveside service took place on September 16 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, officiated by Pastor L.E. Faasch. Born on July 7, 1895, in Haines, Oregon, he became a successful dairy farmer in Woodland after moving from Baker Valley. He is survived by a daughter-in-law, a grandson, a granddaughter, four great-grandchildren, and several relatives. He was the grandson of early settlers in Baker Valley.
B. Irene Baxter, 82, passed away on November 12, 2005, at her home in Baker City, Oregon. Born in 1923 in Oakland, California, she moved frequently during her childhood before settling in Toutle Lake, Washington. Irene married Ray Baxter in 1944, and together they raised three children in Baker City. She held various jobs throughout her life, notably as a cook for the Baker School District. Survived by her children and numerous grandchildren, Irene was cherished for her humor, positivity, and devotion to family and faith.
Virginia Arlene (Van Cleave) Hall, age 68, passed away on June 1, 2005, in Nyssa, Oregon. Born on March 9, 1937, in Baker City, she was a longtime resident of Nyssa and retired from Heinz Frozen Foods in 2003. Virginia is remembered for her love of family, camping, fishing, and her small dogs. She is survived by her husband, Wes Hall, two daughters, six grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation.
The Skilloot Indians, a Chinookan tribe encountered by Lewis and Clark in 1806, inhabited areas along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon, with a population of around 2,500. They faced severe decline due to a fever epidemic in 1823 and had their principal village at Cooniac, near Oak Point, Washington. By 1850, their population had dwindled to about 200, and they eventually faded from prominence, with the Seamysty possibly representing a division of this tribe.