Johnson, Zeb Dee – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, died Aug. 23 in Tillamook County. A celebration of life runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Community Center in Elgin. A second service begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Tillamook Cheese Visitor Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon. Cash donations can also be made to Community Bank in Northeast Oregon, to help offset funeral costs. The Observer – Obituaries for the day of August 30, 2008 ______________________________ Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, … Read more

Harryman, T. H. – Obituary

Sudden Death! Hance Hamilton Found Dead In His Door Yard  About 7 o’clock Monday morning, T.H. Harryman, who lives adjoining Hance Hamilton’s residence property, discovered the latter lying dead in his dooryard. The news was communicated to Justice of the Peace, E.B. Morelock, who as acting coroner took charge of affairs. On examination it appeared as if Hamilton had gone out in his dooryard about bedtime the evening before to cut a few sticks of wood, when he was stricken with heart failure and had fallen over dead. No movement of the body was perceptible after it reached the ground … Read more

Higginbotham, G. C. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon The body of George C. Higginbotham, a former resident of Elgin, was brought here today from Mann Creek, Ida. Burial took place this afternoon at Elgin, following service at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock. Snodgrass & Zimmerman were in charge. The decedent is survived by a brother, Thomas, who accompanied the body here. Elgin Recorder May 16, 1926 Contributed by: Larry Rader

Biographical Sketch of Bert Barnhill

BERT BARNHILL. – A member of the well known firm of Fine & Barnhill Brothers and laboring in one of the enterprises of Elgin, being proprietors of the livery and sale stables of the town,our subject is deserving of representation in this volume and as a loyal citizen, upright and honest, we accord him such with pleasure. Our subject was born in Sanders county, Nebraska, on September 22, 1860, being the son of James and Margaret (Bryan) Barnhill, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. From the home place in Nebraska, the parents removed to Boise valley and in 1882, one … Read more

Sutton, Harold L. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Harold L. Sutton, 91, a La Grande resident and a former longtime Elgin resident, died March 22, 2004, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. His funeral will be Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Elgin United Methodist Church. Vault interment and concluding services will follow in Summerville. Pastor Kay Garver will officiate. Visitations will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 Fourth St. in La Grande. Mr. Sutton was born March 10, 1913, at Bethlehem, Iowa, to Robert and Viola (Hancock) Sutton. His father died when he was 9-years-old, … Read more

Hill, Dora Florence – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Sisters-in-Law Die In Elgin Sisters-in-law, Laura Bell Hill and Dora Florence Hill, both resident of Elgin, died within three days of each other in local hospitals this week. Dora Florence Hill of Elgin, died following a short illness at 3 a.m., Friday, October 22. She was born April 15, 1876 and lived her entire 65 years in Union county. Survivors include four children, Mrs. Myra Hazelwood at Elgin, Mrs. Edythe Arnold of La Grande, David S. Tucker of Oakland, California and Mrs. Wilma Cason of Elgin, 12 grandchildren, including four grandsons in U. S. service, two … Read more

Rumney, Inez Fields Mrs. – Obituary

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City, a former La Grande resident, died Nov. 16, 2001, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home at Prairie City. There was a celebration of her life Sunday at the Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Rumney was born on March 12, 1908, to William H. and Bessie Rimbey Fields at Elgin where she attended school. She met Stuart Francis Rumney in a construction camp where she was cooking. The couple were married on Oct. 13, 1928, at Walla Walla, Wash. They lived mainly in La Grande and later moved to Island City. Mr. Rumney worked as a heavy … Read more

Hammack, Betty Joan – Obituary

Elgin Girl Dies In La Grande Funeral services for Betty Joan Hammack, 15, who died today in a La Grande hospital, will be held in The Christian Church at Elgin Monday at 2 p.m., with burial in the Summerville cemetery. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Martin, Elgin, and a pupil at Elgin High School. Survivors include her parents; two brothers, Harold and Bobby; and three sisters, Mrs. Herr Burns; Patty, Elgin; and Mrs. Gene Davis, Elgin. Miss Hammack underwent an operation three weeks ago. Used with permission from: The La Grande Observer, La Grande, Oregon March … Read more

Alexander, Susan – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Susan Alexander, 57, of Elgin, died Oct. 25 at her home. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – October 26, 2009 ________________________ Susan L. Alexander Elgin 1952-2009 Susan Lorraine Alexander, 57, of Elgin, and formerly of Wallowa, died Oct. 24 at her home. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the Wallowa Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande is in charge of arrangements. Susan was born Sept. 3, 1952, to Ardeth and Patricia Spruill in Oregon City. She was raised in … Read more

Garrett, Melissa – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Elgin Pioneer Dies Woman Who Came Here in 1853 Passes Away Mrs. Melissa Garrett, aunt of Judge Slater of La Grande, died at her home near Elgin last evening. She was 80 years of age and was one of the early pioneers of Oregon. Her experience in the west would make an interesting volume and the Evening Observer expects a near future date to have an article on it from the pen of Judge Slater. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon and interment will be made in the Summerville cemetery. La Grande Evening Observer Monday … Read more

Childers, J. W. – Obituary – Obituary

J. W. Childers Is Taken By Death Resident of County for Many Years Crossed Plains In 1865. James W. Childers died early Friday morning, Oct. 4, 1929, at the Wallowa hospital where he had been taken on Thursday for an operation for cancer of the bladder, an affliction with which he had suffered for years, and for which he underwent an operation about 20 years ago. Mr. Childers had been in poor health for years but always refused to give way to his ill health and kept active in the management of his farm until a few weeks before his … Read more

Colter, Norma Fay – Obituary

Norma Fay (Horn) Colter, 75, formerly of Elgin, died March 5 at Corvallis. A funeral was held for her at Northside Church in Corvallis on March 8. A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. March 22 at the Elgin Methodist Church. The family has indicated that floral arrangement are not necessary. Born July 6, 1932, to Mercedes McCain, Norma was raised from birth by Arthur and Annie McCain. At age 13 she traveled to Oregon with her grandparents and lived with her uncle and aunt, Jim and Agnes Hicks. On Oct. 23, 1948, at age 16, she married … Read more

Smith, Florence – Obituary

1912 – 2004 Florence E. Smith, 91, died Jan. 7 at her home in Elgin. A celebration of her life and memorial service will he held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Elgin with Elmer Yoder officiating. A private vault interment was held Jan. 10 at the Elgin Cemetery. Ms. Smith was born in Gridley, Calif., to Henrietta Cruikshank and Ira Smith on Sept. 17, 1912. As a small child, she moved to Elgin, where she attended Gordon Creek Grade School and Elgin High School. Teachers considered her an outstanding student; she received top grades. She … Read more

Carter, Tiffany L. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Tiffany L. Carter, 50, of Elgin, died Sept. 23 at her home. No funeral services are planned at this time. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – October 07, 2009

Thompson, Blanche – Obituary

Sudden Death Blanche Thompson Blanche, the little four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Thompson, died at 4 p.m. Tuesday after an illness of only a few hours. The little one was apparently as well as common until about 10 o’clock when it was taken suddenly with an ailment of the kidneys, and, although Dr. Whiting was called at once he was unable to stay the progress of the disease and the little one passed away at 4 o’clock that afternoon. The funeral services were conducted in the M.E. Church yesterday at 10 o’clock by Rev. A. Roberts … Read more

McComas, E. S. – Obituary

One of the largest funerals in the history of the town of Union marked the obsequies of the pioneer editor and politician, E. S. McComas. The funeral was held at Union, Wednesday afternoon, September 6 at 3 o’clock, and was attended by a great gathering of pioneers. The body was laid to rest beside his mother, brother, and son. The deceased leaves a widow, one daughter, an adopted son and three sisters, Mrs. Alice M. Bell of Enterprise, Mrs. Esther E. Pursel and Mrs. Mary R. Thomson of Union. Mrs. Bell received word of her brother’s extermity Saturday afternoon and … Read more

McNaughton, Thomas Dr. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Many Pay Tribute To Late Dr. McNaughton Well Known Character Given Final and Appropriate Honors Dr. Thomas McNaughton died February 9th, 1916, after an illness of five months, terminating in Pleuro-Pneumonia, which was the immediate cause of death. During his illness anxious inquires were made daily from homes where he has been a welcome visitor in times of illness and from others where he was esteemed as well as a friend or neighbor. When it became evident that the end was near, sorrow over his taking was manifestly general. He died at his residence in Elgin, … Read more

Smith, Elijah – Obituary

Union County, Oregon The death of Elijah Smith, a pioneer resident of this city occurred Saturday evening, December 2nd, 1905, after an illness of pneumonia fever. Elijah Smith was born in Calloway County, Mo., August 31, 1834, and was 71 years and 3 months old. He came to this county in 1874 and resided here continually until the time of his death. He lived an unmarried life and had amassed a fortune of several thousand dollars, a considerable amount of which was represented in dwellings in this city. he left no will and his wealth will go to his brothers … Read more

Heyduck, Robert Leon – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Robert Leon Heyduck, 88, of Portland and formerly of Elgin, died March 15. He was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Known as Rob, he was born June 20, 1918, to Benjamin and Lela (Park) Heyduck in Elgin. He was raised in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School. On June 9, 1939, he married Nova Henderson of Elgin. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 and was stationed in Hawaii. He and Nova lived in Bremerton for a short while after they married, then moved to Portland, where they have lived since. … Read more

Hoffman, George William – Obituary

Richland, Oregon G. Hoffman, Richland, Dies at 64 George William Hoffman, 64, Richland, died yesterday afternoon in St. Elizabeth hospital after a long illness. He was born August 29, 1890, in Elgin, Oregon. He had lived in Pine and Eagle Valleys since 1908. He was a member of the Christian church. He was a sawmill worker. Surviving are the widow, Jasmine, Richland; two daughters, Ketura Haynes, Walla Walla, Washington, Eula Beymer, Portland; two sons, William, Newburg and John, Yamhill; three sisters, Amy Rysdon and Lucy Hoffman both of Elgin, and Martha Hunter, Lostine; three brothers, Frank, Kelso, Washington, Edward, Sweet … Read more