Daron, Herb – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Herb Daron Is Laid To Rest Here Thursday Funeral services for Herb Daron, well-known life-long resident of Elgin, were held from the Elgin Christian Church Thursday, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Daron died at Elgin Monday, March 15, at the age of 78 years, having been in failing health for several months. Officiating at the last rites were Rev. Ed Liggett of the Christian Church and Rev. Leonard Gallivan of the Nazarene Church. Soloist was Mrs. Dorothy Gallivan, accompanied by Mrs. Mabel Bendshadler. Interment was in the Elgin Cemetery, with the Pallbearers being John Hathron, Walter Cross, … Read more

Coe, Lee Ellen – Obituary

Lee Ellen Coe, 79, of Elgin, died Aug. 2, 1993, at Valley View Care Center in La Grande. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin. Mrs. Coe was born Nov. 5, 1913, in Elgin, to William and Alma Long Breshears. She graduated from Cove High School when she was 15. She then attended the University of Oregon and graduated when she was 18. She farmed at Pine Grove and Cricket Flats. She cooked for the farm crews. After this she got her teaching certificate and … Read more

Bumgardner, Albert Isaac – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Albert Isaac Bumgardner, 91, of La Grande died Sept. 3 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be from noon to 3 p.m. Friday at the home of his granddaughter, Sheri Benitez, 2706 E. L Ave. Mr. Bumgardner was born April 28, 1915, to Isaac and Emma Davisson Bumgardner in Elgin. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1934, and during World War II worked at an airplane factory at San Diego, Calif. After returning to Union County he worked as a mechanic and carpenter, and in furnace and sheet-metal work. On April 16, … Read more

Dayton, Gretchen Adeline – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Gretchen Adeline Dayton, 85, of Elgin died July 17 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside memorial will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Elgin cemetery. She was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Port Townsend, Wash., to Asa and Sylvia Fowler. She spent most of her life in the Puget Sound area, living in Tahuya and Brinnon. In 1981, she married Darius Dayton and moved to Elgin. She loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, and enjoyed watching the sunsets from her kitchen window. She was a great storyteller and loved the antics of the young children who … Read more

Ireland, Edith Rose – Obituary

Edith Rose Ireland, 92, of Mitchell died Dec. 20 at her home. Memorial services will be July 21 in Hood River. Mrs. Ireland was born in Hood River July 21, 1914, to James Ray and Emma May (Barton) Hathhorn. She grew up and was educated there. She married Willis “Mike” Ireland in Hood River June 19, 1931. She and her family lived throughout the Northwest, wherever there was a dam to be built. They moved to Elgin in 1999, then to Mitchell in November. Mrs. Ireland enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, making and stuffing animal toys and dolls, and various other … 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

Biography of James W. Childers

It is hardly probable that in a humble sketch, as is this article, there could real justice be done the life of a worthy pioneer as is he whose name is at the beginning of the paragraph, for what page has yet pictured as it is the life of a pioneer? Hardships that are more trying than can be described, dangers on every hand that those living in the security of a civilized community can not understand, self-denials at every turn, and labors without respite, all of these endured and much more besides, fell to the lot of the brave … Read more

Bendshadler, Julius – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Julius Bendshadler, 85, who had recently made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Fred Huffman, in La Grande, was buried Sunday in the Highland cemetery, following a funeral service at the Elgin Christian Church. Mr. Bendshadler died December 22. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Snodgrass & Zimmerman, Rev. George A Johnstone conducted the funeral and music was by Mrs. Bethel Bares and Mrs. Gretchen Sadler. Pall Bearers included Jonathan Green, J. E. Witherspoon, Glenn Hug, T. E. Parks, Carl Long, and William Miller. The deceased, who was born in Berne, Switzerland, December 22, 1852, came to America … Read more

Wilson, Bradley Dean – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Bradley Dean Wilson, 58, of Elgin died Jan. 4 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., after a year-long battle with cancer. A funeral service is planned for noon Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin. A viewing will be available from 8 to 10 a.m. that morning at the Loveland Funeral Chapel in La Grande. Burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery immediately following the services. Mr. Wilson was born Sept. 8, 1948, in Albany to Marion W. and Berna Clara Wilson and was educated in Albany and Portland. After … Read more

Biography of D. B. Hendricks

D.B. HENDRICKS. – The well-known merchant and financier, whose name initiates this paragraph, is one of the representative business men of Elgin, and indeed of union county, doing at the present time a large and lucrative business in general merchandise, while in all his career he has displayed a breadth of comprehension and aggressiveness that, coupled with a conservative policy and dominated by keen practical judgement and sagacity, have made him the master of hte enterprises that have been taken up by him, while also he has maintained an untarnished repuation and is one of the prominent men of our … Read more

Fields, William Edward – Obituary

William Edward Fields, 81, 682 Ash Union, died Thursday at Grande Ronde Hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1905, the son of William II and Bessie (Rimbey) Fields at Cricket Flat near Elgin. As a young man he worked with his father in the logging industry, then became a government trapper. Later he was the first distributor on McCulloch chainsaws in the area, and at the time of his retirement was working as a meat cutter. He married Vida Marie Ruffum on April 23, 1965, in Tucson, Ariz. He belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Cove. Survivors include … Read more

Knight, Ralph – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Ralph Knight died October 19, 1987 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. He was 80. Ralph was born January 30, 1907 at Elgin, the son of Bill and Mary Troy Knight. He grew up on Eden Bench. On April 10, 1926 he married Bernice S. Catherine Scott in Wallowa. Ralph was a farmer, and farmed in the Promise Powwatka area. Survivors include sons, Leonard and Ted Knight of Wallowa, and Jack Knight, Kamiah, Idaho; daughter, Ruby Berry, Wallowa; sister, Eunice, brother, Ray Knight, La Grande; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was … Read more

Martin, David W. – Obituary

Death Claims Aged Citizen David W. Martin, 95 Years Old, Calmly Passes Away The death of David W. Martin, occurred Saturday, Sept. 16, at the home of his grandson, John Young, north of this city. Deceased was born in Berkley county, Virginia, Oct. 25, 1809, and at his demise had reached the rip old age of 95 years, 10 months and 21 days. In the late 60’s, he came to Oregon and settle in the Willamette valley where he was well and favorably known and resided there until 1903, when he moved to this section, making his home with his … Read more

Curtis, T. J. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Word was received in this city this week of the death of T.J. Curtis, a former resident of this city. He was residing with a son at Salem at the time of his death, which was caused from the effects of a cancer. Besides numerous other relatives throughout the state he leaves a daughter, Mrs. H.D. Spencer, in this city to mourn his loss. Elgin Recorder Friday January 19, 1906

Hoffman, A. J. – Obituary

A. J. Hoffman, a well-known resident of the Flat, died at his home Wednesday morning, March 28, 1906. Deceased had been suffering poor health for the past year and endured untold agony for many weeks. Deceased came to Elgin several years ago and made this city his home until about five years ago when he moved to the Flat and engaged in farming. He leaves a wife and several adopted children to mourn his loss. The interment took place in the city cemetery yesterday, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. Father Smyth, of La Grande. Elgin Recorder Friday March … Read more

Sudway, Patrick Charles – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Patrick Charles Sudway, 25, of Elgin died Nov. 3 in an automobile accident. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Catholic Church in Elgin. Patrick was born April 9, 1981, and recently moved to Elgin from Walla Walla, Wash. He worked as a handyman in the construction business and enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, camping, track, skiing, swimming, music, movies, hiking, football, wrestling, animals and being around people. Survivors include his parents, Darlene Johns of Elgin and Charles Sudway of Strafford, N.H.; sisters, Catherine Johns of La Grande and Renee Swagger of Strafford, N.H.; grandparents, Edward … Read more

Oberteuffer, William Healey – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Healey Oberteuffer William Healey Oberteuffer, 86, known as “Bill Obie,” died in his home in Island City Sept. 24. A memorial service in Portland will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Tryon Farm, followed by refreshments. A memorial service in the La Grande area will take place at noon Nov. 4 at the Summerville Pine Grove Grange, followed by a potluck. Remembrances can be sent to the Union County Extension Service for the Oberteuffer research and education forest. Donations can be sent to the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Mr. … Read more

Warnock, Tasy, Mrs. – Obituary

Flora, Oregon Mrs. Tasy Warnock Laid To Rest Mrs. Tasy Warnock passed away at the Wallowa County Hospital on March 21, after a lingering illness. Tasy Wright, daughter of James and Sarah Wright, pioneers of this county, was born at Cove, Oregon, September 28, 1872, and that same year her parents moved to Wallowa County, then a part of Union County. When Tasy was about three years old, due to Indian trouble in the county her parents moved back to Indian Valley where the town of Elgin now stands, and lived there for a few years, returning later to this … Read more

Moore, Royce Earl – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Royce Earl Moore, 85, of Elgin, died April 2 in the comfort of his home with family at his side. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Elgin Stampede Hall. Royce was born Feb. 9, 1923, to Earl and Verna (Darr) Moore in Elgin. He attended Thorny Grove School until eighth grade and then graduated from Elgin High School. After school, Royce joined the United States Navy and served during World War II. Royce then started a career with the Oregon Department of Transportation in 1962 and retired 22 years later in 1984. On … Read more

Obituary of Charles F. Brown

Conductor Killed At Kamela Chas. F. Brown, who has been a conductor on the O.R.& N. line between Pendleton and Huntington for several years, was killed at Kamela Tuesday morning. Mr. Brown was in charge of passenger train No. 6 which had stopped at Kamela to pick up a dining car. The train had stopped on a side track and Mr. Brown had just finished testing an air brake and stepped backward onto the main track just in time to be struck by a helper engine, which was backing down the main track to get out of the way of … Read more